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THE PRICE OF GOD’S MIRACLE
WORKING POWER
A.A.ALLEN
CHAPTER 1
THE PRICE OF GOD'S MIRACLE WORKING POWER
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Jesus healing a blind man |
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How
long had I been here in this closet? Days or just hours? Surely it seemed days since
at my own request I had heard my wife lock that closet door from the outside!
What would she think about me shutting myself away for so long? Had it really
been days or just hours? Was I really getting anywhere with God? Would God
answer? Would God satisfy that hunger of my soul or would I have to admit
defeat again as so often I had done? No! I'd stay right here on my knees until
God answered, or I would die in the attempt! Hadn't God's word said, "They
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount
up-up-UP-with wings-with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they
shall ---."
Had my
wife opened the door? No, it was still closed! But the light, where was the
light coming from? It was then that I began to realize that the light that was
filling my prayer closet was God's glory! It wasn't the closet door that had
opened, but rather the door of heaven instead!
The
presence of God was so real and powerful that I felt I would die right there on
my knees. It seemed that if God came any closer, I could not stand it! Yet I
wanted it and was determined to have it. Little wonder that Paul under like
circumstance, "fell to the earth". Acts 9:4. No wonder John,
"fell at his feet as dead". Rev. 1:17.
Was
this the answer? Was God going to speak to me? Would God at last, after these
many years, satisfy my longing heart? I seemed to lose consciousness of
everything but the mighty presence of God. I trembled, I tried to see Him and
then was afraid that I would, for suddenly I realized that should I see Him, I
would die. Just His glorious presence was enough!
Then
like a whirlwind, I heard His voice. It was God! He was speaking to me! This
was the glorious answer that I had sought so diligently and for which I had
waited so long. Yes, this was what I had been waiting for since my conversion
at the age of twenty-three. Yes, this was what my longing soul had cried for
ever since God called me to the ministry.
That
call to the ministry had come with such force and was so definite that nothing
could ever make me doubt it. From the time of my conversion God had made it so
real to me even though my past life had not been spent in such a way as to
provide any preparation for this work.
From
the time of my conversion, I realized my need of much study if ever I were to
fulfill the call of God upon my life. Therefore, I spent many hours reading the
Bible, and seeking to understand its message and meaning. To my simple untaught
soul, God seemed to mean exactly what he said -- and seemed to say it directly
to me through His Word -- "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven
is at hand. HEAL THE SICK, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:
freely ye have received, freely give." Matt. 10:7. All this seemed
included in a call to the ministry, yet I DID NOT SEE IT BEING DONE! I was
myself powerless to carry out these commands of Christ. Yet I knew that it
COULD BE DONE, for Christ would not give a command which could not be carried
out!
Before
my conversion, I knew so little about God and his word, that I could not even
quote John 3:16, nor name the four gospels. In the Methodist church where I was
converted and of which I became a member, I was not taught to expect to be
baptized with the Holy Ghost as the first disciples were on the day of
Pentecost, nor to expect the signs mentioned in Mark 16:17,18 to follow me as a
believer in the Lord. I was taught to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for
salvation, and was gloriously saved, and set free from condemnation for sin.
Then as I searched the Scriptures, asking God to lead me to those readings from
which I would receive the greatest benefit, the Lord began to reveal to me the
truths of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the signs following, the gifts of the
spirit, and the supernatural things of God.
It was
not long until God led me into a Pentecostal church, where I began to see in a
small measure the blessings of God, and a few of the manifestations of the
Spirit. It was in these meetings that I became convinced that I needed the
Baptism with the Spirit, and there I began to pray and earnestly seek God for
that experience.
Thirty
days after my conversion, I was gloriously filled with the Holy Ghost, in an
Assembly of God camp meeting in
I had
read, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you." Acts 1:8. I fully expected that with the infilling of the Holy
Ghost, I would immediately have power to heal the sick, and to perform
miracles. It did not take me long to realize that more was required than the
baptism with the Holy Ghost, in order to consistently see these results. The
baptism with the Spirit provides access to this power, but the gifts of the
Spirit provide the channels through which this power operates. I began
immediately to pray and seek the gifts of the Spirit. I felt I must have power
to heal the sick, for I knew that God never called anyone to preach the Gospel
without commissioning him also to heal the sick.
The
power of the Holy Ghost may be readily likened to the power of electricity.
When one is filled with the Spirit, it is as though he has had his house wired,
and established connection with the "power house". Many people use
electricity for years just to provide light! They never take advantage of the
great possibilities that are available through using the appliances which
electricity will operate. The gifts of the Spirit may be likened to the
appliances. As new gifts are added more work can be done, with greater ease.
The power has not changed, but it is made more effective. God never intended to
STOP when he had filled his people with the Spirit. This is just the beginning.
"Covet earnestly the best gifts." I Cor. 12:31. This, I found, is the
path to greater accomplishment for God.
Two
years after my conversion, I was happily married, and began my ministry.
For
more than a year, my wife and I continued preaching this glorious gospel of
salvation, the baptism with the Spirit, the second coming of Christ, and DIVINE
HEALING. In every revival meeting, I always planned at least two nights in each
week to be set aside for preaching divine healing, and prayer for the sick.
During this time, we saw a large number of miraculous healings, for God honored
the preaching of His word. But I knew that God's plan included greater things
for me, and I believed that there would be a time in the future when they would
be a reality in my life.
Many
times, my wife and I would search the scriptures together, becoming more
convinced as we did so that God's promises concerning the signs following, the
gifts of the Spirit, healings, and miracles were meant for us, today. It was
also plain to see that we did not possess that power in the fullness that God
had promised. We knew there must be a scriptural reason why we were so lacking
in power. Since God cannot lie, the fault had to be WITHIN OURSELVES!
It was
while pastoring my first church, an Assembly of God church in
I felt
sure that if I would fast and pray, God would in some way speak to me, and
reveal to me what stood between me and the miracle-working power of God in my
ministry. I was so hungry for the power of God in my own life that I felt I
could not stand in my pulpit, nor even preach again, until I had heard from
God, and told my wife that this was my plan.
It was
then that I had the greatest battle of my life. Satan was determined that I should
NOT fast and pray until God answered. Many times he whipped me or tricked me
out of that prayer closet. Satan knew that if I ever actually contacted God,
there would be much damage to his kingdom, and he meant to do all in his power
to hinder me from making that contact.
Day
after day, I went into the prayer closet, determined to stay until God had
spoke to me. Again and again, I came out without the answer.
Again
and again my wife would say to me, "I thought you said this was the time
you were going to stay until you got the answer." Then she would smile in
her own sweet way, remembering that "the spirit indeed is willing, BUT THE
FLESH IS WEAK!"
Again
and again I answered her, "Honey, I really meant to pray it through this
time, but -- !" It seemed there was always a reason why I couldn't stay in
that closet until the answer came. I always justified myself by saying I would
pray it through tomorrow. Things would be more favorable then.
The
Lord encouraged my heard by calling to my attention how Daniel held on in
fasting and prayer, and wrested the answer from the hands of satan, although it
took three weeks to do so. (See Daniel 10:1 and 12)
The
next day found me on my knees in the closet again. I had told my wife I would
never come out until I heard from God. I REALLY THOUGHT I MEANT IT.
But a
few hours later, when I began to smell the odor of food that my wife was
preparing for herself and our small son, I was soon out of the closet and in
the kitchen, inquiring, "What smells so delicious, dear?"
A few
moments later, while I was at the table, God spoke to my heart. I had only
taken one bite of food, and I stopped. God had spoken to me. I knew that until
I wanted to hear from God MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD, more than food,
more than the gratification of the flesh, GOD WOULD NEVER GIVE ME THE ANSWER TO
THE QUESTION THAT WAS IN MY HEART!
I
arose quickly from the table, and said to my wife, "Honey, I mean business
with God this time! I'm going back into that closet, and I want you to lock me
inside. I am going to stay there until I hear from God."
"Oh,"
she replied, "you'll be knocking for me to open the door in an hour or
so." She knew that so many times I had said THIS was the time I would stay
until I had the answer, she was beginning to wonder if I really could subdue
the flesh long enough to defeat the devil. Nevertheless, I heard her lock the
door from the outside. Before she left, she said, "I'll let you out any
time you knock."
I
answered, "I'll not knock until I have the answer that I have wanted so
long." At last I had definitely made up my mind to stay there till I heard
from God, no matter what the cost!
Hour
after hour, I battled with the devil and the flesh in that closet! Many were
the times I almost gave up. It seemed to me that days were slipping by, and my
progress was so slow! Many times I was tempted to give it all up, and try to be
satisfied without the answer -- to go on just as I had been doing. But deep in
my soul I knew I could never be satisfied to do that. I had tried it, and found
that it was not enough.
No! I
would stay right here on my knees until God answered, or I would die in the
attempt!
Then
the glory of God began to fill the closet. I thought for a moment that my wife
had opened the door, as the closet door began to grow light. But my wife had
not opened the door of the closet -- JESUS HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF HEAVEN, and
the closet was flooded with light, the light of the glory of God!
I do
not know how long I had stayed in the closet before this happened, but it
doesn't matter. I do not care to know. I only know I prayed UNTIL!
The
presence of God was so real, so wonderful, and so powerful that I felt I would
die right there on my knees. It seemed that if God came any closer, I could not
stand it! Yet I wanted it, and was determined to have it.
Was
this my answer? Was God going to speak to me? Would God, at last, after these
many years, satisfy my longing heart? How long had I been here? I didn't know!
I seemed to lose consciousness of everything but the mighty presence of God. I
tried to see Him, and then was afraid that I would, for suddenly I realized
that should I see Him, I would die. (Exodus 33:20.) Just His glorious presence
was enough!
If
only He would speak to me now! If He would just answer my one question,
"Lord, why can't I heal the sick? Why can't I work miracles in Your name?
Why do signs not follow my ministry as they did that of Peter, John and
Paul?"
Then
like a whirlwind, I heard His voice! It was God! He was speaking to me! This
was the glorious answer for which I had waited so long!
In His
presence I felt like one of the small pebbles at the foot of the towering
It
seemed that faster than any human could possibly speak faster than I could
follow mentally, God was talking to me. My heart cried out, "Speak a
little more slowly. I want to remember it all!"
It
seemed God was speaking to me so fast, and of so many things I could never
remember it all. Yet I knew I could never forget! God was giving me a list of
the things which stood between me and the power of God. After each new
requirement was added to the list in my mind, there followed a brief
explanation, or sermonette, explaining that requirement and its importance.
Some
of the things God spoke to me sounded like scriptures. I knew some of them
were, but those first three -- could they be from the Bible?
If I
had known there were so many things to remember, I would have brought a pencil
and paper! I hadn't expected that God would speak in such a definite way, and
give me such a long list. I had never dreamed that I was falling so far short
of the glory of God. I hadn't realized there were so many things in my life
that generated doubt and hindered my faith.
While
God continued to speak to me, I began to feel in my pockets for a pencil. At
last I located a short one, but the lead was broken. Quickly I sharpened it
with my teeth. I searched for a piece of paper. I couldn't find any. Suddenly I
remembered the cardboard box filled with winter clothes which I was using for
an altar. I would write on the box.
Now I
was ready!
I
asked the Lord to please start all over again at the beginning, and let me
write the things down one at a time -- to speak slowly enough so that I could
get it all on paper.
Once
more God started at the first, and spoke to me one after another the many
things He had already mentioned. As God spoke to me, I wrote them down.
When
the last requirement was written down on the list, God spoke once again, and
said, "This is the answer. When you have placed on the altar of
consecration and obedience the last thing on your list, YE SHALL NOT ONLY HEAL
THE SICK, BUT IN MY NAME SHALL YE CAST OUT DEVILS. YE SHALL SEE MIGHTY MIRACLES
AS IN MY NAME YE PREACH THE WORD, FOR BEHOLD, I GIVE YOU POWER OVER ALL THE
POWER OF THE ENEMY."
God
revealed to me at the same time that the things that were hindrances to my
ministry, and had prevented God from working with me, confirming the Word with
signs following, were the very same things which were hindering so many
thousands of others.
Now it
began to grow darker in the closet. I felt His mighty power begin to lift. For
a few more moments, His presence lingered, and then I was alone.
Alone,
yet not alone.
I
trembled under the mighty lingering presence of God. I fumbled at the bottom of
the cardboard box on which I had been writing. In the dark, I tore the part on
which I had written from the box. In my hand I held the list. At last, here was
the price I must pay for the power of God in my life and ministry. THE PRICE
TAG FOR THE MIRACLE-WORKING POWER OF GOD!
Frantically,
I pounded on the locked door. Again and again I pounded. At last, I heard my
wife coming. She opened the door. The moment she saw me, she knew I had been
with God. Her first words were, "You've got the answer!"
"Yes,
honey. God has paid me a visit from heaven, and here is the answer."
In my
hand was the old brown piece of cardboard, with the answer that had cost so
many hours of fasting and prayer and waiting, and -- yes -- believing!
My
wife and I sat down at the table with the list before us, and as I told her the
story, we both wept, as together we went down the list.
There
were thirteen items on the list when I came out of the closet, but I erased the
last two before showing the list to my wife, because those two were so personal
that even my wife shall never know what they were. She has never asked, for she
realizes that these things MUST remain between me and God.
The
remaining eleven things make up the contents of this book. There is one entire
chapter devoted to each of these eleven requirements. If you, too, have longed
for the manifestation of the mighty power of God in your own life and ministry,
I trust that these thoughts shall inspire you, and that God may speak to you,
as he did me, and lead you on to new victory and greater usefulness because of
this book.
Since
God spoke to me that day in the closet, many pages have been torn from the
calendar. In fact, many calendars have been replaced by new ones. As the time
has passed, one by one, I have marked the requirements from my list. The list
grew smaller and smaller, as I shouted the victory over satan, and marked off
one after another!
Finally,
I was down to the last two. Satan said to me, "You've marked off eleven
items, but here are two you'll never mark off. I've got you whipped."
But by
the grace of God, I told the devil he was a liar. If God said I could mark them
all off, He would help me to do it!
Yet,
it seemed I would never be able to mark off the last two.
Never
will I forget the day I looked over my list, and found, praise God, there was
only one thing left! If I could mark that off, I could claim the promise that
God had made to me.
I had
to claim that promise! Millions were sick and afflicted, beyond the help of
medical science. Some one MUST bring deliverance to them. God had called me to
take deliverance to the people. GOD HAS CALLED EVERY MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL TO
DO THE SAME! (Ezek. 34:1-4.)
Many
have been the times when God has poured out His Spirit in my meetings in a
measure, as I have traveled across the states. However, I knew that when I
marked the last item from my list, I would see such miracles as I had never
seen before. In the meantime, I would patiently strive toward victory, trusting
God to help me until victory came. Trusting that when that victory was mine,
God would be glorified, and others, too, would be encouraged to seek God for
his power.
At
this writing, I am conducting a "BACK TO GOD HEALING REVIVAL" at
Night
after night, the waves of Divine Glory so sweep over the congregation that many
testify of being healed while sitting in their seats. Again and again as we
have felt the mighty power of God settling over the meeting, people have risen
to their feet to testify of instant healings, some of which are visibly
miraculous, such as outward tumors disappearing, the crippled made whole.
I have
felt goiters disappear at the touch of my hand in Jesus' name!
The
shouts of victory are many as the blind see. One woman testified, "It was
like coming out of the dark into the sunlight."
We
prayed for a woman with throat trouble. After a few moments, she was seen
hurrying to the ladies rest room. After returning to the auditorium, she
testified that after prayer, something came loose out of her throat and came up
into her mouth. She had hurried to the rest room to dispose of it. It was some
kind of foreign growth (doubtless cancer) -- whitish orange in color.
Ruptures
as large as a person's fist have disappeared overnight. Cancer, deafness,
tumors, goiters, sugar diabetes, every known disease and many unknown,
disappear, as in the name of Jesus, we lay hands upon the sick. Genuine
healings are proven in many cases by doctors' statements and x-rays.
We
stand in holy awe, and marvel at the miracle working power of God, as it has
moved night after night from the very beginning of this meeting. Hundreds have
been delivered from the power of the enemy -- saved, healed, or filled with the
Spirit.
In
this meeting, it has been impossible to have what is generally termed a
"healing line". At least ninety percent of those upon whom we have
laid hands are prostrated under the mighty power of God immediately. Some dance
a few steps, or weave drunkenly under the power of the Spirit before falling.
(See Jer. 23:9). Under these circumstances, it is impossible to have people
march on after prayer.
This
is the mighty power of God moving upon the people. It is the same power that
caused John to "fall at his feet as dead". (Rev. 1:17.)
Many
say that the most outstanding thing about this meeting is that such a large
percentage of the sick are receiving such miraculous deliverance. It would be a
conservative estimate to say that at least ninety percent, or even more of
those prayed for have been marvelously healed.
Tonight's
service was designated "Holy Ghost Night."
I do
not claim to possess a single gift of the Spirit, nor to have power to impart
any gift to others, yet all the gifts of the Spirit are in operation, night
after night.
Many
are exercising the gifts of the Spirit WITHOUT IMPOSITION OF HANDS OR PROPHETIC
UTTERANCE!
God is
confirming His Word WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING!
Why
have I seen such a change in the results of my ministry? You ask WHY? Have you
not guessed?
THE
LAST ITEM OF THE LIST GOD GAVE TO ME in the closet of prayer HAS BEEN MARKED
OFF THE LIST AT LAST! Hallelujah! Many times, I almost gave up hope of ever
being able to mark that last one off, but at last it is gone! By God's grace,
GONE FOREVER!
With
the marking off of the last requirement on my list, has come the fulfillment of
God's promise. THE SICK ARE HEALED. DEVILS ARE CAST OUT. MIGHTY MIRACLES ARE
SEEN IN THE NAME OF JESUS, AS HIS WORD IS PREACHED!
The
chapters which follow give the requirements which God gave to me, and are
dedicated to all those who are hungry for the MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF GOD.
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CHAPTER 2
"THE DISCIPLE IS NOT ABOVE HIS MASTER,
NOR THE SERVANT ABOVE HIS LORD"
What
strange words! Why should God speak thus to me?
Somehow,
I knew that I had read those words somewhere, but where? (I later discovered
that this was quoted from the Bible -- Matt. 10:24.) But this was the voice of
God, speaking directly to ME. This was the same voice which had spoken to
Phillip (Acts 8:30), saying, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot."
It was the voice which Peter had heard (Acts 10:15), saying, "What God
hath cleansed that call not thou common." The voice which God's Word tells
us may still be heard today. "As the Holy Ghost saith, today if ye will
hear his voice harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of
temptation in the wilderness." Heb. 3:7,8. Now I was hearing the voice of
God. All others who might share in the message of these words were for the
moment blotted out of my thinking. I had asked God for a solution to my
problem, and God was giving the answer.
First
of all, I must know that NEVER could there be any possibility of being above my
Master, Jesus.
You
say, "What is so strange about that? Surely no one would expect to be
above HIM!
But
wait! You may find that you too, just as I had, have been seeking and expecting
that very thing. I had read His promise, "He that believeth on me, the
works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do;
because I go unto my Father." John 14:12. Although it seemed hardly
reasonable that anyone could really do a greater miracle than those done by
Jesus, yet this seemed to be what the scripture said. Many times I had wondered
about the meaning of this scripture. The thought that the disciple could do a
greater miracle than his Lord seemed to be a direct contradiction of the spirit
of the scripture. Now I could see that this promise, like all God's promises,
is true when rightly understood. "Greater works shall he do," in the
sense that Jesus was only one, limited by time and transportation difficulties
to a small area and a few people. Those who believe on Him are many. They are
scattered over the face of the entire earth. Many of His modern disciples have
circled the globe, preaching to thousands at one time by means of electrical
amplification systems, and to vast unseen audiences through radio and
television, bringing deliverance to greater multitudes than did Jesus. Where
Jesus reached hundreds, His followers are reaching thousands. The works of power
which are done today are THE SAME WORKS which He did -- greater in quantity,
but not in quality. EVERY BELIEVER has promised to him the same power which
Jesus used -- miracles after the same pattern which they saw their Master do,
first in the flesh and later through the written record found in the four
gospels. What mighty things would have been accomplished had all the followers
of Jesus made use of this power!
The
words quoted at the beginning of this chapter were part of the message of
Christ to twelve believers who were sent out to do the very things which I knew
God had called me to do -- "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the
dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." Matt. 10:8.
With these wonderful promises of power were included warnings of persecution --
"Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake." Verse
18. "Brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father the child:
and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put
to death." Verse 21. No deliverance from this persecution was promised to
the followers of Christ, although they were to have power to do the things
which He did. CHRIST HIMSELF WAS PERSECUTED. If His disciples could do the
works He did, and in addition be delivered from persecution, then indeed would
the disciple be above his master.
"Yea,
and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." II
Tim. 3:12.
Persecution
is one of the universal results of manifested power.
Jesus was
not persecuted while He remained in the carpenter shop at
Even
so, you will not meet with much opposition and persecution so long as you are
just, as the world would say, a "normal Christian," but when you
begin to accept God's promises for your life, and to do the UNUSUAL,
persecution will come!
Personally,
I met with very little opposition until I made up my mind to have all God had
promised me as a minister.
This
opposition may appear to come from people, but it is really directed by satan,
the commanding general of the opposing army, and using all the methods of
warfare from direct frontal attack to "fifth column activities" among
our own people.
Again
and again, Jesus pointed out to His disciples the price of following in His
steps, recommending that they count the cost, and offering them the opportunity
of turning back if the price seemed too great, in proportion to the value of
the blessing to be received. Our master "for the joy that was set before
him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand
of the throne of God." Heb. 12:2.
If we
suffer we shall also reign with him." II Tim. 2:12. To the disciple who
seeks to share in His power and glory, it must FIRST OF ALL be pointed out that
he, being not greater than his master, must follow the same path of suffering,
faithfulness and consecration which his Master followed, if he is to reach the
goal, if he would know the abundant life -- the powerful life -- in this world,
and share in heaven's glory.
If the
Son of God must suffer rejection, persecution, cruel scourgings, and
crucifixion, at the hands of those to whom He came to minister, His disciple is
not above suffering in order that he may carry the gospel of deliverance to
those in bondage.
If
Christ Himself must reject all earthly ambitions -- even refusing the
opportunity to rule the world, when that opportunity was presented aside from
the principals of godliness (see Matt. 4:8-10) -- then surely His disciple, if
he is to know real power, must have an eye single to the purpose of God,
rejecting all offers but His, no matter how attractive they may be. His cry
must be, like his Master, "Lo I come to do thy will, O God." Heb.
10:7. Like Paul, he must be able to say, "I count all things but loss for
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." Phil 3:8.
If the
Son of God must spend long hours of the night, when the rest of the world was
sleeping, alone on the mountain top with His Father, in order that He might be
able to cast out even those demons of whom He said, "This kind goeth not
out but by prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21), surely His disciple also
must spend hours in fasting and prayer, waiting upon God -- learning to think
and act in unison with God -- before he can expect to cast out such demons.
"Men
ought always to pray and not to faint," Luke 18:1. Persistent, habitual
prayer was one of the outstanding characteristics of the life of Christ. When
Judas desired to find Jesus in order to betray Him to the priests, he knew that
he would find Him in the garden of prayer. Prayer to our Lord was more
important than teaching and healing, for He refused to allow Himself to be
swept off His feet by the multitudes who "came together to hear, and to be
healed by Him" (Luke 5:15,16), but withdrew Himself from the crowd which
demanded His attention into the wilderness, and prayed. Prayer was more
important to Him than the working of miracles, for miracles do not generate
themselves. Prayer is the cause -- miracles the result. Prayer to Jesus was
more important than rest and sleep, for we find that "in the morning
rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary
place, and there prayed." Mark 1:35. And again, "He went out into a
mountain to pray and he continued all night in prayer to God." Luke 6:12.
If the
disciple could attain the same results which Jesus did WITHOUT PAYING THE SAME
PRICE WHICH JESUS PAID, then it would have to be confessed that the disciple
had become greater than his master. The "student" would have learned
a better, more efficient method than that taught to him by his
"teacher." In the world, this often happens. Many a musician has
advanced beyond the one who gave him his training. Many an artist has far excelled
the one who taught him to draw and paint. And many a scientist has learned for
himself things which his science teachers never knew. But the student of Jesus
Christ CANNOT become greater than his teacher. He cannot learn anything which
Jesus did not know. He cannot find a short cut to power with God. If he should
try it, he will only meet with disappointment and sorrow. His life will be
shipwrecked and his ministry useless.
For
the disciple (student) of Christ, "It is enough for the disciple that he
be as his master (teacher)." Matt. 10:25.
Before
I could fully comprehend all which God has spoken to me, suddenly He was
speaking to me again, the words which form the second step of the revelation
which God gave to me as I waited before Him in fasting and prayer.
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CHAPTER 3
"THE DISCIPLE IS NOT ABOVE HIS MASTER:
BUT EVERYONE THAT IS PERFECT SHALL BE AS HIS MASTER"
My
spirit which had been humbled and almost crushed by the words of the first
message was suddenly lifted up in a blaze of glory, as I realized that although
I could never be above my Master, God had said I should be AS MY MASTER! (This
I also found to be a quotation from scripture -- Luke 6:40.)
This
is not a promise (as some have thought) which awaits the coming of Christ for
its fulfillment. It is meant for the followers of Christ HERE AND NOW! This
promise was spoken to me directly, for my own instruction and edification, but
since it is a direct quotation of scripture, it does not apply to me alone, but
to EVERY ONE WHO WILL BELIEVE IT! It is to YOU! You can heal the sick! You can
see miracles! You can exercise the gifts of the Spirit! (I Cor. 12:8-11) YOU
CAN DO THE WORKS HE DID! God has said that you could, and HE CANNOT LIE!
"God
is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should
repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he
not make it good? Num. 23:19.
"My
covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my
lips." Ps. 89:34.
Then,
"Every one that is PERFECT" (that will meet the requirements, I COULD
BE AS MY MASTER!
But
some will say, "That is impossible, for He was God, as well as human. And
we are only human."
These
are unmindful of the plain statements of scripture, "Verily he took not on
him the nature of angels: but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore IN
ALL THINGS it behooved him to be made LIKE UNTO HIS BRETHREN." Heb.
2:16,17.
"But
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the FORM OF A SERVANT, and was
made in the LIKENESS OF MEN: And being found IN FASHION AS A MAN, he humbled
himself." Phil. 2:7,8.
"The
MAN Christ Jesus." I Tim. 2:5.
One
night, when Jesus and his disciples were in a small boat, there came a great
storm at sea, which caused the disciples to be very fearful for their lives.
Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, and immediately there was a great calm.
The men who were with him in the boat marvelled, saying, "What manner of
MAN is this?" Matt. 8:27.
Their
question is still the cry of many today, when they observe some of His disciples,
who by faith are claiming His promises, and going forth healing the sick,
raising the dead, and ministering the word (as Jesus himself said they should
-- Mark 16:17,18) with the supernatural confirmation of signs following. Many
seem to think that these are some peculiar and different species, or manner, of
men. They are not. They are simply common, ordinary men, full of the Holy
Ghost, and yielded to God for his work -- men who have discovered that they can
be AS THEIR MASTER, and have dedicated their lives to reaching that goal.
When
the people at Lystra saw that Paul's command could bring healing to a man lame
from his mother's womb, they said, "The gods are come down to us in the
likeness of men." Being untaught heathen they of course did not know that
men could have such power. But many Christian people seem to be just as unaware
of the power which God has made available for his people. When these poor
heathen people would have offered sacrifices unto Paul and Barnabas as Gods,
they refused to permit this, saying. "We also are men of like passions
with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn -- unto the living God."
See Acts 14:8-15.
Jesus
truly was God, as well as man. Yet it was not in His nature of deity that He
walked upon earth and performed miracles. The often neglected question is not
"What manner of God is this?" We as His disciples, need to ask as did
those disciples of old, "What manner of MAN is this?"
Jesus,
by His own statement, was a member of the eternal triune Godhead, composed of
the Father (Jehovah), the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost. He existed
before the world was made, and shared in the work of creation. (John 1:1-3.) He
was not only WITH God and LIKE God, HE WAS GOD! All the attributes of deity
were His. With the Father, He was omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and
eternal. All these are His today, as He is glorified on the right hand of God
in heaven. At the close of His earthly ministry of healing the sick and working
miracles, when He was ready to be offered as a sacrifice for our sins, he
prayed, "I have glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the work
which thou gavest me to do. And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own
self WITH THE GLORY WHICH I HAD WITH THEE BEFORE THE WORLD WAS." John
17:4,5.
The
glory which was His before the world was!
The
glory which is His today!
But
the glory which was LAID ASIDE when he took on human flesh. Coming as a
helpless babe, born of a woman, circumcized like any other Jewish boy,
increasing in wisdom and stature during childhood and growth (Luke 2:52),
weeping, hungering, thirsting, weary, sleeping and waking -- partaking in every
weakness and limitation of human flesh and blood. (Forasmuch then as the
children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also HIMSELF LIKEWISE TOOK PART
OF THE SAME. Heb. 2:14.) He was "IN ALL POINTS tempted like as we are, yet
without sin." Heb. 4:15.
He was
"in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without him
was not anything made that was made." John 1:2,3. Yet for all this, Jesus
USED NO POWER when He was here on earth in the flesh WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE
TODAY to every believer! Such a statement would be blasphemy HAD NOT JESUS
HIMSELF made it plain, again and again, that this was His plan.
"Everyone
that is perfect SHALL BE AS HIS MASTER." Luke 6:40.
"As
thou hast send me into the world, EVEN SO have I also sent them into the
world." John 17:18.
"The
works that I do SHALL HE DO ALSO." John 14:12.
Although
He was Omnipotent God, yet in His earthly life and ministry He declared
"The son can do nothing of himself." "I can of mine own self do
nothing." John 5:19,30. "The words that I speak unto you I speak NOT
OF MYSELF: But the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." John
14:10.
The
answer to the disciples' question, "What manner of MAN is this?" is
found not in the powers of deity which He used before He "was made flesh
and dwelt amont us," nor in the power which is His today in the heavenlies
today. The answer can be found only in His earthly (human) life. He lived that
life AS AN EXAMPLE to those whom He left in the world to finish the work which
he had started while He was here. "Leaving us an EXAMPLE, that YE should
follow his steps." I Pet. 2:21. He was our teacher (master) and we, His
disciples (every one that is perfect), SHALL BE AS our master! Had He used
power which was not available to us, it would be impossible for us to follow
His example. But He left to us the promise that we would receive THE SAME POWER
and from the SAME SOURCE, that was His!
"Behold
I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
"Ye
shall receive POWER after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." Acts 1:8.
These
signs shall follow them that believe: IN MY NAME they shall cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues -- they shall lay hands on the sick and they
shall recover." Mark 16:17, 18.
"Behold,
I give unto you POWER -- over all the power of the enemy." Luke 10:19.
"He
that believeth on me, THE WORKS THAT I DO SHALL HE DO ALSO." John 14:12.
"Though
he was rich (in heavenly glory and divine power) yet for your sakes he became
poor, THAT YE THROUGH HIS POVERTY MIGHT BE RICH." II Cor. 8:9 He folded it
all away as a garment, and laid aside His great wealth of power, and came into
the world as a babe, in the form of a servant, of no reputation, lived among
men as one of them. (Phil. 2:7.) Tradition has invented miracles in his
childhood, but the Word of God plainly declares that "This BEGINNING of
miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee," (where He turned water into wine).
John 2:11. He DID NO MIRACLE nor manifested any superhuman power, BEFORE THE
HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED UPON HIM! (Matt. 3:16,17; John 1:33.) It was when
"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER"
that he "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the
devil; FOR GOD WAS WITH HIM." Acts 10:38. This is the secret of His success
AS A MAN.
What
manner of man?
A man
ANOINTED WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER. And God was WITH HIM!
Yet --
don't forget this -- a man who was EVERY INCH A MAN! A man who faced -- and
conquered -- EVERY TEMPTATION known to humanity! A man who (though as God, He
had been omnipresent) could only be in one place at a time. Although as God He
had neither slumbered nor slept (Ps. 121:4), as man, He suffered weariness
(John 4:6) and required sleep (Matt. 8:24). He must go from place to place upon
hot, weary, dusty feet -- His rate of travel limited to the speed of walking,
His feet which had trod the immaculate golden streets of heaven soiled and
bruised by the dust and stones of the unpaved and filthy Oriental streets and
paths of Palestine. How He welcomed the cleansing coolness of the customary
foot bath before meals -- when some unselfish person thought to minister to Him
in this way! He suffered hunger and thirst, loneliness, weariness, and pain. He
of whom it had been said, "Every beast of the forest is mine, and the
cattle upon a thousand hills. The world is mine and the fullness thereof"
(Ps. 50:10,12), claimed no part of it for Himself AS A MAN, but became even
more poor than the foxes and birds, for He had not so much as a place to lay His
head. (Luke 9:58).
All
this He did WILLINGLY for us, that we might share the riches of His glory.
When
satan tempted Him in the wilderness (Matt. 4:3,4), the first temptation was
that He should act in the creative power of the ETERNAL SON OF GOD, in order that
His human hunger might be satisfied. Had He done this, He would have failed in
being "in all points like unto his brethren." It was important to the
plan of satan that this point should, if possible, be spoiled. But Jesus did
not fall into this temptation. In His reply is no assumption of deity. He
answered firmly AS A MAN! "MAN shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
He
loved to refer to Himself as the "SON OF MAN."
Since
it is so apparent by the scripture that Jesus took upon Himself our own nature
and limitations, in order that He might be made a proper example for us, it
behooves us to study that example carefully, considering the question,
"What manner of persons OUGHT YE TO BE in all holy conversation and
godliness." II Pet. 3:11.
He was
a man of power. He spoke as one having authority (Mark 1:22). The people were
astonished at this, for the religious leaders of their day knew nothing of this
power, but taught traditions and theories and theological explanations. Jesus
cut across all the lines drawn by their fine points of doctrine, and DROVE OUT
BY HIS WORDS OF AUTHORITY demons, sickness and infirmity. When he spoke THINGS
HAPPENED! He spoke as one having authority BECAUSE HE HAD AUTHORITY! The traditional
religious leaders did not speak as He spoke because they had never been given
authority over the power of the enemy. How many "religious" leaders
today speak as the scribes and Pharasees! Those who are LIKE their master speak
with authority -- the authority which was Christ's while He was here to use it,
because He had received it from the Father (John 5:27). He came in the Father's
name (John 5:43), and His legal AGENT, to work the works of His Father.
("I must work the works of him that sent me." John 9:4.) While He was
on earth He chose disciples (first twelve, Luke 9:1, then seventy others, Luke
10:1,19) which He appointed as "deputies," giving them the same power
of attorney which He used. ("Lord, even the devils are subject unto us
THROUGH THY NAME." Luke 10:17.) Thus were they trained under His direct
supervision to be ready to carry forward "all that Jesus BEGAN both to do
and to teach" (Acts 1:1), when the time should come for Him to return to
the Father.
Having
now returned to the Father, and being on the right hand of God exalted, He has
not planned that the work which He began through such suffering and sacrifice
should cease to be carried forward. Before He went away, He left command and
authority for the continuation of His work. Those who believe on Him are made
His agents, and are commanded to do IN HIS NAME (by His authority, as by the
power of attorney) all the things which He Himself would do if He were present
in the body! "IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with
new tongues; they shall take up serpents (not as tempting God, but should it so
happen by accident, as it did to Paul, Acts 28:3-5) and if they drink any
deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they
shall recover." Mark 16:17,18. "And whatsoever ye shall ask IN MY
NAME, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John
14:13.
The
gifts which He placed in the church, for the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying (upbuilding) of the body of Christ (His
church), Eph. 4:8-12, cover all the great and mighty things which Jesus did
when He was here in the flesh (see I Cor. 12:7-11).
Never
once did He teach, either by inference or by direct statement, that this power
would be gone from the world when He went away. Rather, in his last commission
to those He left behind, He declared, "All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. GO YE THEREFORE (because this power is HIS, and through
Him OURS, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8) and teach ALL NATIONS -- teaching them to
OBSERVE (obey -- Webster's definition) ALL THINGS (Heal the sick, cleanse the
lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely ye have received, freely give.
Matt. 10:8.) whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world. Amen." Matt. 28:18-20.
These
disciples, anointed with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4), "went forth and
preached everywhere, the Lord was working WITH THEM, and confirming the word
with SIGNS FOLLOWING." Mark 16:20.
So
long as men are anointed with the Holy Ghost, and God is with them, as it was
with Jesus (Acts 10:38) and the early disciples (Mark 16:20) and as Jesus said
it should be "even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:20), the
works Jesus did will continue to be done!
The
disciple should not be above his master, but he SHALL BE AS HIS MASTER!
But if
we are to be like Him in POWER, we must also be like Him in holiness, in
consecration, in meekness, in compassion. We must be like Him in prayer and in
fellowship with the Father. We must be like Him in faith. We must be like Him
in fasting and self denial. If it were possible for the servant to be like Him
in power without paying the price He paid, then the servant would be above his
Lord.
There
is a price to be paid for all that God offers to mankind. In a sense, it is all
free, but there is a price of obedience and preparedness. Even our free
salvation is ours only when we have heeded the admonition of God to repent and
believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. The "gift of the Holy Ghost" is
ours only when we obey Him. Acts 5:32. Power with God LIKE JESUS HAD is for
those -- ALL THOSE -- who meet the condition, "every one that is PERFECT
shall be as his master." Luke 6:40.
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CHAPTER 4
"BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT, EVEN AS
YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT"
These
words seemed even more startling than the ones which God had already spoken.
Surely this was too much! Could any mortal ever hope to be perfect? Yet surely
God would not ask me to do something which He knew I could not do! And without
doubt, this was the voice of God. I had asked bread of my heavenly Father, and
I knew that He would not give me a stone. How thrilling to my soul when I
learned that this, too, was a quotation from scripture! I found it in Matt.
5:48. It was Christ's own command, not only to me but to all who would be the
"children of your Father which is in heaven" (verse 45). Perfection
is the GOAL set by Christ for every Christian. Not every Christian has reached
that goal. No Christian has a right to boast that he has attained it. Even the
great Apostle Paul declared, "Not as though I had already attained, either
were already perfect, but I follow after" (Phil 3:12). No Christian worthy
of the name will be satisfied to be less than perfect. No Christian should make
excuse for his own imperfections, but should recognize them as failure to keep
the command of Christ, and strive earnestly to overcome them. PERFECTION IS THE
GOAL!
For
the benefit of those who may have been taught that no person except Christ was
ever perfect, let us note that GOD HIMSELF ascribes perfection to a number of
men. They did not claim perfection for themselves, but God declared that they
were perfect.
First
of all, Job, the hero of the oldest written book of the Bible was a perfect
man. His friends didn't think he was perfect; they accused him of hypocracy
(see Job 8:6,13.) Satan did not think he was perfect; he accused him of serving
God only because of the material blessings which God had given him. Job himself
was willing to admit that he was imperfect, for he declared, "I abhor
myself, and repent in dust and ashes," Job 42:6. But when satan accused
him before the Lord, God himself declared, "Hast thou considered my
servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a PERFECT AND AN UPRIGHT
MAN?" Job 1:8. And then for the benefit of all who might read this
scripture, God added his definition of human perfection -- "one that
feareth God and escheweth (shunneth, avoideth) evil."
Many
object to the teaching of possible perfection on the grounds that they have
never seen a perfect man. In Job's day, God declared that there was only one.
Again, in Noah's day there was only one. Yet God declares that Noah was
PERFECT! "Noah was a just man and PERFECT in his generations, and Noah
walked with God." Gen. 6:9.
Some
declare that if one should become perfect, he would immediately be translated,
as was Enoch, carelessly disregarding the fact that the scripture declares that
Enoch 'walked with God" for at least three hundred years before he
"was not", Gen 5:22, and that "BEFORE his translation he had
this testimony, that he pleased God." Heb. 11:5.
All
these Old Testament saints were perfect, before even the law was given. No
divinity, nor superhuman perfection is attributed to any one of them. They were
MEN, subject to like passions as we are, but they knew and feared God, kept his
commands, and carefully avoided the overflowing evils of the idolitrous people
among whom they lived, in some of the most outstandingly evil ages in history.
Was
perfection possible under the law?
Moses,
speaking God's message to the entire congregation of
Man is
sometimes more critical than God. When Mirian and Aaron complained against
Moses, God took his part, speaking to them out of the pillar of cloud and
saying, "My servant Moses -- is FAITHFUL in all mine house!" Numbers
12:7. While this does not use the word "perfect", surely it meets the
definition given in Job 1:8.
David
was not persuaded that perfection was impossible, for he declared, in one of
his inspired Psalms, "I will behave myself wisely
All
these, and no doubt many others (such as Daniel, Joseph, Abraham, Elijah, and
Elisha, etc.) lived lives of holiness (perfection) in the days before many of
our advantages were given. It was to his New Testament church that God gave the
complete scriptures. "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable -- that the man of God may be PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works. II Tim. 3:16,17.
It was
not until our own dispensation that Christ was preached, "Whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present
every man PERFECT in Christ Jesus." Col. 2:28.
It was
to his
Unto
them, the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, our constantly abiding
Comforter, teacher and guide, (John 14:26) had not been given. But to us he is
given -- to every one who will obey God (Acts 5:32).
How
much easier it should be for us, with all these advantages, to be perfect than
for those who lived before these things were given!
God
says to us, "Ye are the temple of the living God: as God hath said, I will
dwell in them and walk in them . . . . Wherefore come ye out from among them,
and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will
receive you, and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
PERFECTING HOLINESS in the fear of God." II Cor. 6:16-7:1.
These
promises are ours! We CAN cleanse ourselves from ALL FILTHINESS! We can PERFECT
HOLINESS in the fear of God! Like Job, we can fear God and shun evil, and be
perfect in the sight of God.
This
is not a "new thing". The doctrine of entire sanctification has been
taught by many outstanding servants of Christ throughout the church age, and is
accepted as sound doctrine by a number of major denominations. Since this is
only a small book, space prevents quoting from the statements of fundamental
truths of many groups. I will quote here from only one, that found in the
Constitution of the General Council of the Assemblies of God. (Minutes and
Constitution, with Bylaws, Revised (1949 edition), Page 38, Section 9.)
Entire
Sanctification (br)
The
Scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. By
the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command, "Be ye holy,
for I am Holy." Entire sanctification is the will of God for all
believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God's Word.
Heb. 12:14; I Peter 1:15, 16; I Thess. 5:23, 24; I John 2:6."
Call
it what you will -- perfection, holiness, entire sanctification -- it is not
only possible, it is not only our priviledge, it is God's COMMAND.
"Be
ye holy in ALL MANNER OF CONVERSATION." I Peter 1:15.
"Be
ye therefore perfect." Matt. 5:48.
You
say, "I know a lot of Christians, even preachers, who say you can't be
perfect, and there is no use to try."
We
know them, too. They are not healing the sick nor casting out demons! Sin is
the devil's bridgehead in your life. Let him hold the bridgehead, if you will.
But it will rob you of power!
Jesus
did not allow the devil to maintain a bridgehead in his life, for he declared
just before he was crucified, "The prince of this world (satan) cometh, and
hath NOTHING in me." John 14:30. He had power to accomplish the work he
came into the world to do because satan had NOTHING -- not even one little
bridgehead of pet sin or self-indulgence -- in Him.
We,
his followers, are admonished to keep the coasts of our lives free of
"bridgeheads" too. "Neither give PLACE to the devil." Eph.
4:27. It is his business to make you think that you can't expect to keep your
life entirely free of his hideouts and landing strips. If he can get you to leave
him a place to work from, he can sabotage every effort you make for God, and
rob you of the power you have longed for. The work God has given you to do will
go undone. The sick will not be healed, the captives not set free. Should you
attempt to cast out demons, they will laugh in your face, saying, "You let
us remain in your own life, and then would cast us out of others!" Demons
know the power of Christ, and they know and fear the power of a Christ filled
Christian. But they have no fear of one who is not holy.
Seven
sons of one Sceva, a Jew and chief of the priests, decided that they could say
the same words which Paul used, adjuring the demons in Jesus name to come out
of those who were possesed, without being careful to have the background of
holiness and consecration which Paul had. (See Acts 19:13-15). The evil spirit
answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but WHO ARE YE?! Then
the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them, and overcame them, so that
they fled naked and wounded. They didn't think holiness was necessary, but they
found to their sorrow that it CAN NOT BE OVERLOOKED, if one is to exercise the
miracle working power of God! The reaction is not so immediate and violent in
every case, for these "vagabond Jews" had tried it before, and only once
did this happen. But never once did they succeed in casting out a demon. Demons
flee only before the power of Christ, or of a Christ-filled life. There is no
way to have power with God without holiness -- for Jesus himself said,
"Every one that is PERFECT shall be AS HIS MASTER." Luke 6:40.
There
is much that could be said about perfection. An entire book could easily be
written in defense of the possibility of obeying the command of God, "Be
ye holy, for I am holy." I Peter 1:16. However, enough has been said to
open the eyes of the person who is hungry for truth, and eager to have the
power which Jesus promised to his followers, THE MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF GOD.
But it
will take more than knowing that holiness is possible. You want to know how you
can attain it.
Not
every Christian has reached the goal. Not every follower of Christ has the
power which he promised. The twelve chosen disciples, even after having healed
many that were sick and cast out many demons in Jesus' name, met a demon one
day who refused to go at their command. Matt. 17:15. When Jesus had cast out
the demon, the disciples asked him why they could not do it. He gave as the
reason their UNBELIEF, and lack of fasting and prayer. These twelve chosen men
were at times found to lack in the manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit,
and to show evidence of such works of the flesh as pride (Mark 10:37), jealousy
(Mark 10:41), anger (Matt. 26:51). They slept when they should have prayed
(Matt. 26:40), and deserted him in times of trial (vs. 56). They failed to
discern the plan of God, and rebuked Jesus because he told them that he would
be killed, so that Jesus said to one of them, "Get thee behind me, satan:
-- Thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."
Matt. 16:23. These men had not reached perfection, but they earnestly desired
to be perfect, and worked diligently to attain the promises of God, and God
honoured them, and was not ashamed to be called their God.
Do not
be discouraged because you have not attained unto perfection. There is an
ultimate perfection which will only be reached when we see Jesus face to face
at his coming. There is a growth in grace, growing toward perfection, which
must continue so long as we remain in the flesh. Our perfection may be likened
to the fruit on a tree. From the time the bud appears, the apple on the inside,
though very tiny, can be perfect. It has not taken on the size, color, nor
flavor which it will eventually have, but nevertheless in its present state it
is perfect. As it is nourished, and fed, and protected from frost and disease
-- as the sun and the rain touch it, and the heat and the cold, it grows into a
perfect little green apple, and finally the large, beautiful, rich, full-ripe
fruit.
It was
this "unripe fruit" perfection which Paul referred to in Phil. 3:15
-- "Let
There
is no stopping place short of ultimate perfection. Although the immature
Christian may be perfect in God's sight, HE WILL CEASE TO BE PERFECT WHEN HE IS
WILLING TO STOP GROWING! When the little green apple stops growing, it will
soon wither and fall from the tree. Perfection must be attained, and constantly
striven for.
Growth
must be maintained through FOOD "Desire the sincere milk of the word (the
Bible) that ye may grow thereby." I Peter 2:2. A good appetite for the
word of God is very necessary if we are to "grow in grace and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Savior." 2 Pet. 2:2. A real love for the Word of
God is a part of our perfection NOW, and means much toward our ultimate
perfection when Jesus comes. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: that the man of God MAY BE PERFECT." 2 Tim. 3:16,17.
Many
have plenty of time to read comic strips, magazine, novels -- everything else
but the Word of God. But they are just too busy to study their Bibles! No
wonder they do not grow! No wonder they have no power to heal the sick and cast
out demons. No wonder they are not perfect, and do not expect to be. They are
not feeding their souls the right food. "Grow in grace and in the
KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior." 2 Pet. 2:3. This knowledge comes
through study of God's word. Read it a great deal. And read it as God's
revelation to you. Believe it as you read it. It is the word of Him who cannot lie.
He means EXACTLY WHAT HE SAYS!
Ample
protection is provided for those who abide in Christ. Whatever our temptations
may be, we need not sin for "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to
be tempted above that ye are able, but with temptation also make a way of
escape that ye may be able to bear it." I Cor. 10:13.
"He
that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus
Christ." Phil 1:6.
The
Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you and KEEP YOU FROM EVIL." 2 Thes.
3:3.
"Now
unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you FAULTLESS
before the presence of his glory." Jude 24.
Hallelujah!
It is possible to be kept by God, and to live on a higher plane than sin.
We are
not ignorant of the devices of satan. He can quote scripture, too. How quickly
he comes to comfort the imperfect Christian, by quoting the last half of Matt.
26:41 -- "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." This
portion should never be quoted without the first part of the verse --
"Watch and pray, that ye ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION!" Thus may we
overcome the weakness of the flesh.
Walk
in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Gal. 5:16.
(You may be sure satan will not add this passage to his quotation.) "Now
the works of the flesh are manifest -- of the which I tell you -- that they
which do such things SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD." Gal. 5:19-21.
"For
to be CARNALLY (fleshly) MINDED is death." Rom. 8:6.
Hide behind
the weakness of the flesh if you like, but do not overlook what God says will
be the result! Do not accept satan's suggestion, even when he quotes scripture.
"RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU!" James 4:7.
You
can be perfect! God says you can. Only satan says you cannot.
God
has provided food for you in his word, protection for you through his spirit,
and a mighty agency for your perfecting in his Church. In order that the church
might serve to this end, "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets: and
some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the PERFECTING of the
saints --." Eph. 4:11,12.
Do not
think that you shall attain the perfection which God desires for you if you
fail to heed his warning, "Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves
together, as the manner of some is." Heb. 10:25. Find a good church home,
where God's word is taught and BELIEVED, where the power of God is present and
welcome, where God is confirming his word with signs following, and where God's
people "Speak the things which become SOUND DOCTRINE." Titus 2:1.
Then make it a practice to be present whenever God and his people meet. Only
thus can you be perfected by the ministry gifts which God has placed in the
church. Every service in your Spirit filled church is planned of God to
contribute something to your perfection.
Patience
also has a part. "Let patience have her perfect work that ye may be
PERFECT AND ENTIRE wanting nothing." Jas. 1:4.
The
tongue also plays an important part, for "If any man offend not in word,
the same is a PERFECT man and able also to bridle the whole body." James
3:2.
"And
above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
Col. 3:14.
Christ
is sufficiently interested in pointing out the way, that if you desire to find
the way of perfectness, he will place his finger on your pet sins, and show you
what is keeping you from the goal. A young man once fell at the feet of Jesus
and asked the question, "What must I do?" Although this young man was
inquiring the way of salvation, Jesus pointed out to him the way to perfection.
"If thou wilt be PERFECT, go ----." Matt. 19:21. He laid his finger
upon the young man's pet sin. Like so many others the young man felt that this
was too much. Yet it would have been a small price to pay for perfection here,
and eternal life in the world to come. Jesus is just the same today. When you
come inquiring how you can be perfect, he will not send you away without an
answer.
Perfection
and more perfection is always the Christian goal. "I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, AS
MANY AS BE PERFECT, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded,
GOD SHALL REVEAL EVEN THIS UNTO YOU." Phil. 3:14,15.
As you
read this book, satan will probably whisper to you many times, as Pharaoh said
unto Moses (Ex. 8:25) "Sacrifice in the land." In other words, it
isn't necessary to go so far, to separate yourself from the things of the world
in order to have power with God. If you insist, he will say, "All right
then, only don't go too far." He infers there is danger in going too far.
You
can't go too far with God. You may go too far in sin. You may go too far in
self righteousness. But if you are walking with Jesus, in the Spirit, you need
not fear going too far. No believer has gone as far as God wants him to go
until the signs follow his ministry. We have not gone as far as we should go
until we can lay hands on the sick and see them recover! No church has gone as
far as the Lord meant it should go until all nine gifts of the spirit are in
operation in its services. DON'T LET PHARAOH (SATAN) KEEP YOU BACK! Go on! Go
all the way. God's grace is sufficient for you. Don't let anything keep you
from appropriating the promises of God in your own life, whether you be lay
member or minister.
"Let
us go on unto PERFECTION!" Heb. 6:1.
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CHAPTER 5
CHRIST OUR EXAMPLE
"For
even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, LEAVING US
AN EXAMPLE, that ye should FOLLOW HIS STEPS; who did no sin, neither was guile
found in his mouth; who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he
suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously." I Peter 2:21-23.
This scripture
makes it very plain to any honest hearted child of God that Christ is OUR
EXAMPLE in WORD and in DEED! We can, then, WALK AS CHRIST WALKED, and we can
TALK AS HE TALKED. This is not a condition of one's feet or lips, but of the
HEART! "For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit,
lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil
things come from within, and defile a man." Mark 7:21-23.
For as
he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Prov. 23:7.
Before
one can walk as Christ walked, and talk as he talked, he must first begin to
THINK AS CHRIST THOUGHT! This is possible only as we "Bring into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ." II Cor. 10:5. This doesn't just
happen. It is an act of determined consecration, requiring purpose and
continual application, for the mind loves to wander. It also requires a willing
exchange, giving up the former ways of thinking, and accepting as our own the
MIND OF CHRIST. "LET this mind be in you which was also in Christ
Jesus." Phil. 2:5.
God
draws the line on some thinking. It is possible to lead a victorious thought
life. Not that satan can no longer come with evil suggestions. Nowhere in God's
word has He declared that man would not be tempted. Even Christ was tempted.
But one can refuse to allow his thought to dwell upon evil things. A sane mind
is a controlled mind. Evil thoughts can be driven out, by filling the mind with
right thoughts. We are instructed as to what these thoughts are. "Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS." Phil. 4:8.
Jesus
thought right thoughts. That was the reason that he could walk and talk right,
and be a right example for us to follow.
"Christ
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps, WHO
DID NO SIN." I Pet. 2;21,22. Christ did not live in habitual sin. He did
not make excuses for sin. He resisted the devil, and temptation, although he
was "Tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin." Heb.
4:15. He is our example. And He stands ready to help us to walk as He walked --
in his steps!
"Whosoever
abideth in him sinneth not." I John 3:6.
This
is contrary to much of the religious teaching today. I am aware of this. I am
also aware that multitudes of religious people today, even many who believe in
divine healing, find themselves powerless when faced with those who need
deliverance from sickness, or demon possession. If you really want power with
God, surely this matter is worthy of serious, prayerful thought, regardless of
former opinions or religious teaching. There is a reason why some have power
and some do not. And it is not because God is a respecter of persons. Power is
a direct result of faith, and faith comes by obedience.
"Beloved,
if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence (faith) toward God, and
whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do
those things that are pleasing in his sight." I John 3:21,22.
Hope
is available to people without holiness, BUT FAITH IS NOT!
If
faith were available to people without holiness, then people who can never see
God could have power to ask and receive ANYTHING THEY DESIRE from God, for
God's unqualified promise to those who have faith is, "Whatsoever ye shall
ask in prayer, BELIEVING YE SHALL RECEIVE." Matt. 21:22. And God has also
said, "Follow peace . . . and holiness, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE
LORD." Heb. 12:14.
Although
many religious teachers declare that everyone sins all the time; that it is impossible
to live above sin; that as long as one is in this world he must partake of a
certain number of sins of this life; that one must sin every day, and repent
every night;--God's word still calmly, simply states the command of God,
"BE YE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." I Peter 1:16.
Paul
writing to the Corinthians, declared, "Awake to righteousness and SIN NOT,
for some have not the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame." I
Cor. 15:34.
People
who are finding excuse for their habitual sin, according to this verse, have
not the knowledge of God. This is a SHAME! It is evidence that many professed
Christians are spiritually ASLEEP! They are not led by the spirit of God nor by
the word of God, for the work of the spirit is to reprove the world of sin and
of righteousness, (John 16:8), and the word hidden in the heart will prevent
sinning against God. (Ps. 119:11.)
You
can't have power when you are asleep. WAKE UP! Quit making excuses for sin.
Walk in the steps of him who DID NO SIN!
"Neither
was guile found in his mouth." I Peter 2:22.
Jesus
healed by HIS WORD. (See Matt. 8:16.) "His word was with power." Luke
4:32. The follower of Christ is assured that his words may also be words of
power. (Matt. 21:21.) But if our words are to be words of power, we must talk
as he talked. Guile (cunning craftiness, deceit) must not be found in our
mouths.
Jesus
WALKED IN THE SPIRIT. We who are his followers are also exhorted to walk in the
spirit. (Gal. 5:16.) In verses 19 to 21 are listed the works of the flesh,
which are not present in the lives of those who walk in the Spirit. There are
some who harbor some of these works of the flesh in their lives, making very
little if any effort to overcome, who yet feel that God should honor their word
and their prayer, and give them miracle working power. Yet verse 21 tells us
that they which do such things shall not only fail to have power, but
"SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD." How could one who is not even
fit for the
By
studying this list of "works of the flesh" with a dictionary, you
will find that God has listed uncleanness, lustfulness, immoderate desire,
covetousness, hatred, discord, quarreling, contention, jealousy, violent anger,
rage, riotous feasting, "and such like".
Those
who do such things are NOT walking in his steps who DID NO SIN, NEITHER WAS
GUILE FOUND IN HIS MOUTH.
Paul
exhorts us to "Put off the old man (or, works of the flesh -- see context)
with his deeds," and "put on the NEW MAN, which is renewed in
knowledge after the image of him that created him." Col. 3:9-10.
Listed
below are some of the characteristics of the person who is carnal, and is not
walking in the spirit. This list, though incomplete, may open up new channels
of thought for many.
PRIDE;
important, independent spirit, stiffness, or precisiveness.
LOVE
OF PRAISE; love to be noticed; love of supremacy; drawing attention to one's
self, as in conversation.
ARGUING;
talkative spirit; stubborn, unteachable spirit; selfwill; unyielding;
headstrong disposition; driving, commanding spirit; criticizing spirit;
peevishness; fretfulness; love to be coaxed and humored.
Speaking
of faults and failures of others rather than of virtues of those more talented
and appreciated than yourself.
Lustful
stirrings, unholy actions, undue affection and familiarity toward the opposite
sex. Wandering eyes.
Dishonest,
deceitful disposition; evading or covering the truth; leaving a better
impression of yourself than is true; exaggeration, or straining the truth.
>p>Selfishness; love for money; love for ease; laziness.
Formality;
spiritual deadness; lack of concern for souls; dryness and indifference.
LACK
OF POWER WITH GOD!
Get on
your knees before God, and let him talk to you about these things, and give you
a list of your own. You may find that there will be many other things which are
now present in your life, which God will show you MUST BE CHANGED.
A good
check up on the things which we do, say, and think is to ask yourself the question,
"Would Jesus do this?" If He would you are following his steps. If He
would not, you are missing the mark. You cannot have power with God. You may
even fail to reach heaven.
Such a
life of holiness is not impossible. God has commanded it, and "He that
hath begun a good work in you will perform it --" Phil. 1:6.
"Is
anything too hard for the Lord?" Gen. 18:14. God said to Paul, "My
grace is sufficient for thee". His grace is sufficient for you as well.
IF YOU
REALLY WANT HOLINESS it is not beyond your reach.
And
without it you will never share in GOD'S MIRACLE WORKING POWER!
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CHAPTER 6
SELF DENIAL
"If
any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross daily,
and follow me." Luke 9:23.
The
path that Jesus walked is a way of self denial.
You
are reading this book because you desire to "come after him." Then
DENY YOURSELF!
Someone
once said, "No man spake as this man! Few have learned to deny self.
While
we read in the scripture of Jesus, "Rising up A GREAT WHILE BEFORE DAY, he
went out, and departed into a solitary place and there prayed". (Mark
1:35) How many of those who would do the works he did, find little or no time
for prayer. How few of them can bear solitude. Yes, often they pray beautifully
in a crowd, or when others may be listening. But the lonely hours of the night
spent in solitary prayer bring no glory to SELF. Self would rather turn a
little, to find a more comfortable spot on his comfortable bed, and drift
softly back to sleep. Self says, "I must have my rest." Self will
raise his hand smilingly, when asked who will pray an hour during the night or
early morning. Self will rejoice that he has been seen taking this sacrificial
hour, and how well his neighbors will think of him. But self will turn off the
alarm when it sounds, and go back to sleep. Self says, "It does no good to
pray anyway, when you don't feel like it." Jesus said, "Let him DENY
HIMSELF." This is sacrifice -- real sacrifice to God. And God honors
sacrifice.
In one
of my early meetings, in southern
SELF
says, "Pray if you feel like it." SELF DENIAL says, "PRAY
ANYWAY."
There
are times when prayer is a delight -- when it is a time of refreshing to the
weary soul. But there are times when prayer is meeting the enemy face to face
upon the battleground of the world, to drag by force from his grasp the things
which by God's promise are rightly ours, but which satan will keep us from
having, if he can possibly do so. There are times when we must wrestle in
prayer, as did Jacob, when he cried, "I will not let thee go, except thou
bless me." Gen. 32:26. There are times when the answer is slow in coming,
and we must hold on patiently as did Daniel, for three full weeks (Dan. 10:2).
There are times when this wrestling may leave the body weary, and the nerves
overwrought, as in the case of Elijah when he had prayed down the fire and the
rain (See I Kings 18, and 19:4). At times like that, prayer requires self
denial. But it pays. Only the person who BELIEVES in the power of prayer will
deny himself the rest which his body demands, in order to pray. And God's
promise is "Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, BELIEVING, ye shall
receive." Matt. 21:22.
Real
prayer -- determined, prevailing prayer -- is the greatest outlet of power on
earth.
The
early church prayed ten days and then -- the miracle of Pentecost.
Moses
spent forty days in the mountain talking with God, and his face shone so that
he wore a veil.
Muller
prayed, and secured one million dollars, making possible the care of 2,000
orphans.
Jesus
went upon the mountain to pray, and returned to cast out demons which go forth
only by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:29.) He did not say to the sorrowing
father, "This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Wait while I
go away to fast and pray." He had already fasted and prayed! Self denial,
fasting and prayer, was a part of his daily life. It was his habit of life. He
prayed first, and when the need arose, he was already "prayed
through", and ready to meet the need.
How
many think they are denying self, when their self denial is only for selfish
ends, to make their voice to be heard on high. (See Isa. 58:3-7.)
Fasting
is an important part of self denial. The desire for food -- the richest, the
tastiest, and the best -- is one of the strongest desires of self. It was for
food that Esau sold his birthright. It was to physical hunger -- the desire for
food -- that satan directed the first of the series of temptations to Christ
when he was in the wilderness. Paul, that great apostle of power, declared that
he was "in fastings often". (II Cor. 11:27.)
Food
itself is not sinful. But if it is given undue importance, it becomes a god,
and when it becomes a god, it becomes a SIN.
Paul
warned his church at
Many
who desire the miracle working power of God in their lives today are hindered
by the fact that they still would rather miss God's best for them than to miss
a good meal.
How
hard it was for me to remain on my knees in my closet of prayer when the good
smell of food cooking began to filter in through the cracks around the door!
And it was not until I resolutely turned my back upon the delicious stew, and
went back to my closet without my dinner, that I heard the voice of God. It was
only then that I proved to God that he meant more to me than food -- that my
belly was not my God.
Fasting
itself has no power to accomplish miracles, unless it is done rightly. The
Israelites of Isaiah's time cried out, "Wherefore have we fasted, and thou
seest not?" (Isa. 58:3). God's reply, through his prophet, was,
"Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your
labours. Behold ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of
wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard
on high." (v. 3,4.) If our fasting is to help any about making our voice
to be heard on high, it must be accompanied by a real heart searching, and
seeking after God. It must include an enlarged vision of our responsibility to
be our brother's keeper. Fasting must be done unselfishly, if it is to be done
effectively. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands
of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and
that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that
thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked
that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"
(V. 6:7). When fasting is done God's way, he has given the promise, "Then
shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth
speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall
be thy reward. THEN SHALT THOU CALL, AND THE LORD SHALL ANSWER: thou shalt cry
and he shall say, Here I am." V. 8,9.
Jesus
fasted, and expected that those who followed him would fast, but pointed out to
his followers that not every fast was acceptable with God (See Matt. 6:16-18).
Those who fasted boastfully were branded by him as HYPOCRITES. He declared that
they received ALL of their reward in the admiration of those around them, who
looked only upon the outward appearance. The fasting which he recommended was
to be done privately -- a secret transaction between the individual and God. If
possible, even the immediate family were not to be informed that a fast was in
progress. When fasting is done this way, God will hear from heaven, and will
reward you openly, by answering your prayer.
How
much better to have people say, "That man has power with God. The sick are
healed, the lame walk, the dumb speak, and the blind see when he prays,"
than to have them say, "That man is sure a pius man. He fasts three days
of the week. He has completed a twenty one day fast, and is even now in the
tenth day of a forty day fast."
Some
fine people have been misled into wasted time and sacrifice, which brought no
good to anyone because they became puffed up and did their fasting with a
spirit of boastfulness. It is satan's business to spoil all that we try to do
for God. Let us be watchful in this matter, or else he will make useless one of
our most effective weapons, the weapon of self denial through fasting.
True
fasting is a matter of giving God first place over all the demands of the self
life. It goes deep into the personal life. Paul recommended that while husband
and wife are each to consider his or her body the personal property of the
other, and to be subject one to the other, seeking to please each other in
every way possible, that it is wise that the christian husband and wife set
aside by agreement times when personal gratification is to be ruled out, in
order that God may be FIRST, that he may occupy all their thoughts, that one or
the other, or both together, may give themselves to fasting and prayer. God
does not condemn marriage, nor the rightful relationship of husband and wife.
But even this, which is rightfully yours, may, like our food, be set aside for
a time of seeking God, with great profit.
The
closer we walk to God, the greater will be the power in our lives. This
closeness can be achieved in one way -- "Draw nigh to God and he will draw
nigh to you." James 4:8.
Self
denial will many times take you out of the company which you would find most
enjoyable. No doubt, the company you keep is good company. But if you are to
have power with God, you must have fellowship with God. Fellowship with god's
people is wonderful, and is needed by every Christian, especially those who are
young in the Lord. But there is another fellowship which is even more
necessary. "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son
Jesus Christ" I John 1:3.
Those
who have power with God, and are bringing deliverance to the sick and
suffering, and winning souls to Christ, are spending much time alone with God
before they spend time with the people.
These
things cannot be done in a moment. Power is the result of WAITING UPON THE
LORD. Self says hurry. But self must be denied again. Pentecost followed ten
days of waiting upon the lord. Daniel's vision of the last days followed 23
days of waiting. Because Moses had not learned to wait upon the Lord to know
His method as well as His will, he had to wait forty years in exile before he
was ready to do the work of deliverance which God had given him to do.
"Rest
in the Lord, and wait patiently for him." Ps. 37:7.
Waiting
is almost a lost art. Everything is done in a hurry. So many things require
only the pushing of a button, but there is no button to push -- no magic
formula -- no "royal road" -- to power with God. The man who has
waited upon God commands the demon to depart, and the tormented one is free.
The man who hasn't time to "waste" in waiting speaks the same words,
seems to do the same things, but nothing happens. Waiting upon God is not
wasted time, although it many times may seem to you as well as to others that
you are doing nothing. Waiting on God includes fasting, prayer, and just plain
waiting. When we pray, we talk to God. but when you have prayed until there
seems to be nothing more to say, then you need to wait for an answer. Let God
speak to you.
Self
is restless and impatient, always clamoring for action or for attention, or for
gratification. Self is mindful of the things that are of this world, the things
of the flesh. But "If any man will come after me, let him DENY
HIMSELF." Luke 9:23.
Will
you come after Him? Will you do the works He did? Then wait in His presence and
let Him speak to your soul about the things of self which have not yet been
denied. Let His life of self denial be your pattern, and you are well on the
way to sharing in His MIRACLE-WORKING POWER.
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CHAPTER 7
THE CROSS
"If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY
and Follow me." Luke 9:23.
There
will be very little gained by self denial unless you also take up your cross,
and follow Jesus.
By the
cross I mean that load, or burden, of pain or sorrow or sacrifice which could,
if we choose, be laid aside, but which is willingly carried or endured for the
sake of others. It is that which in the natural we WOULD lay aside, but spurred
on by the realization that there is no other way to bring salvation,
deliverance or healing to the lost, the sick and the suffering, we willingly
endure OUR CROSS.
"Looking
unto Jesus -- who FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM, ENDURED THE CROSS,
despising the shame." Heb. 12:2. Jesus didn't have to endure the cross.
Even on the night when He was taken, He declared that He could yet, at that
late hour pray to the Father, and He would send more than twelve legions of
angels, to rescue Jesus from such a fate. (See Matt. 26:53,54.) He went to the
cross because he had purposed in His heart to fulfill the scriptures, and to
deliver the race of lost and sinful men from the double curse of sin and
sickness, by bearing the stripes upon His back, and by being sacrificed, a lamb
without spot or blemish, upon THE CROSS.
Moses
partook of this spirit, when he turned away from the throne of
Paul
demonstrated the same determination, when he left his place in the Sanhedrin to
join the despised and persecuted sect of Christians, that he might not be
disobedient to the heavenly vision, and that he might bring deliverance to the
Gentiles. He was following Jesus, BEARING HIS CROSS, when he declared, "I
go bound in the spirit unto
When
Charles G. Finney left a promising law practice to enter the ministry -- an
untried field for which he had no special training -- he took up his cross.
But
taking up the cross is not enough. It must be taken up DAILY! It must be taken
up willingly, and carried faithfully, without fretting. It is easy to make a
consecration -- to take up the cross -- during the heat of an inspiring
consecration call, but many fail to take it up again the next morning, or the
next.
Christ
never took a vacation from His cross. The cross even went with Him on His
vacation! Although He stepped aside many times to rest, even then the burden
was heavy upon Him.
when He
sat down by the well in Samaria, weary and hungry, to rest while His disciples
went into the city to buy food, He had time and strength to lead a soul to
salvation, and to start a movement which later brought about the great revival,
which swept most of Samaria into the Kingdom of God. (Acts 8.)
When
He was confronted with one of the greatest griefs which came into His life as a
man in the flesh, the sudden and violent death of His cousin and dear friend,
John the Baptist, He thought to slip away alone for a little time. (See Matt.
14:13,14.) But the people observed His going, and followed Him even then. When
He looked upon them, He was filled with compassion, His own grief was
forgotten, and He took up His cross and went forth to heal their sick, and to
minister to their needs.
The
cross was not an accident which came to Him at the end of life. He was born,
and lived and died under the shadow of the cross. He knew it was there all the
time, but never once did He shun the cross. Never once did He fail to take up
His cross DAILY. There was never a day that He could say, "This day is my
own. I will go about my Father's business again tomorrow." Never an
experience came into His life which He could say, "This is mine to enjoy.
The people must wait until this is over. Then I will meet them and minister to
their needs again." Even in His times of sorrow, He could not say,
"My own grief is so great. It is no more than right that NOW I should be
comforted. Let them minister unto me, now."
It was
the night in which He was betrayed, when He knew that the time had come, and
that the false disciple who would betray Him sat among those to whom He
ministered, that He rose from the table to wash the feet of His disciples,
demonstrating the thing which He had said before, "The Son of man came not
to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for
many." Mark 10:45.
To the
eyes of the world it would seem that it was only on that dark day of
The
world may not see nor understand your cross and mine. But each of us has his
own cross, God appointed, which he can bear or not as he sees fit. This is not
sickness which we are helpless to lay aside. It is not those unpleasant
circumstances of life which would be ours whether we serve God or not. It is
that which we accept willingly, at personal sacrifice to ourselves, in order
that we may be obedient to God and a blessing to others. Have you been
complimenting yourself on your cross bearing, and is it just a matter of
feeling sorry for yourself about the circumstances of your life? Have you
willingly taken upon yourself the burdens and griefs and sorrows of others,
that you might lift them, and be a blessing -- that you might bring salvation
and deliverance to those in need?
You
say you want God's miracle working power. Are you willing to pay the price? Are
you willing to take up YOUR cross, DAILY, and follow Jesus all the way?
If you
follow Christ fully, it will mean following Him to the place where he was filled
with the Spirit, then on to the wilderness -- to the hours of fasting and
prayer, to the hours of unappreciated service, through the misunderstandings
and persecutions, the nights of watching alone in prayer. It will mean
following Him into the garden -- bearing the burden of a lost world -- thinking
someone nearby is sharing the load, only to find that all the rest have gone to
sleep. Then away to the judgement hall -- false accusations, and unjust
decisions. Now away to the whipping post, and the cat-o-nine tails -- the
vinegar and the gall. It will allow no drawing back, even from the pain and
suffering of the cross.
You
may say, "That sounds like losing my life altogether."
Indeed
it is. But Jesus said, "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but
whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save
it." Mark 8:35.
This
is life more abudant -- the life of POWER! The life of real satisfaction. The
life of knowing that your living has not been in vain! Surely it is worth every
sacrifice to know that we have followed in the steps of the son of God.
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CHAPTER 8
". . . I MUST DECREASE (John 3:30)
Under
this heading, God began to deal with me about my pride. I had never felt that I
was proud. If such a thought were suggested to my mind, either through
preaching or by direct accusation, or even by the faithful dealing of the
spirit, I, like so many others, excused myself by calling this thing "self
respect," "poise," "good breeding," or
"high-mindedness." But God called it "SIN." Prov. 21:4
"An
high look, and a proud heart . . . is sin." Prov. 21:4.
In the
searchlight of His presence, there was no use to try to make explanations. Like
John of old, I was made to realize my utter dependence upon God, and how little
my own efforts were worth. I was made to realize, as I had never realized
before, that even the best of my efforts were so futile, that truly God must
take full control of my life, and that, before that could happen, I (my own
personality, talents, knowlege, or natural ability) MUST DECREASE in importance
in my own opinion.
I have
since discovered that the power and success of any man's ministry depends upon
the amount, or greatness, of God in his life. The New Testament disciples
depended entirely upon "The Lord working with them, and confirming the
Word with signs following." Mark 16:20. They claimed no power nor holiness
for themselves, although at their work of command, a man lame for forty years
-- having to be carried by his friends to a place where he might beg for his
living -- was instantly healed, so that he not only walked, but leaped and ran.
(See Acts 3:2-8 and 12-16). These were the same men who had once rejoiced,
saying, "Lord, even the devils are subject unto US through thy name."
Luke 10:17. Now they have decreased in their own sight, and are ready for an
increased ministry. Hear them say, "Why look ye so earnestly on us, as
though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? . . . His name
through faith in his name hath made this man strong." Acts 3:12,16.
It is
only as God increases in the life of one of His followers that power can
increase, and this can never happen until SELF is decreased.
Oh
that God's ministers -- yes, and laity as well -- could realize that it is
"Not by MIGHT nor by POWER, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of
hosts." Zech. 4:6. The might and power here spoken of refer to man's might
and power -- not to God's. To the natural and not to the supernatural. There
are two sources of power. Many great church organizations today boast of their
"power," "influence," or "popularity" in their
community. Their power and influence are derived from the magnificance of their
great church plants, their immense bank accounts, the efficiency of their
organization, their numerical strength, and their connection with the
"right" people -- those with wealth and influence in this world
(though many of them do not so much as pretend ever to have been born again by
the power of God, but only have joined the church as they would a social club.)
Their fine talent, and soothing (spiritual sleep producing) worship services,
their beautiful forms, all help to make them popular -- to give them power in a
world of "religious," "respectable" sinners. It is from
such as these that Paul has warned us (speaking as he was inspired by the Holy
Ghost) that we must separate ourselves. "Having a form of Godliness, buy
DENYING THE POWER THEREOF, from such turn away." II Tim. 3:5. These people
would be greatly displeased if God should interupt the controlled orderliness
of one of their services by speaking out as He so often did in days gone by
through one of His prophets, rebuking sin and calling them to lives of holiness
and power. They make no plans, nor leave any room in their services, for the
supernatural manifestation of the power of God.
True,
there is a certain feeling of security and power, when we have achieved the
building of a fine church edifice, have succeeded in bringing our organization
to a state of good operating efficiency, have ceased to live in constant fear
of not being able to meet our financial obligations, and are reaching the
multitudes with the gospel. None of these things are wrong. We can gratefully
thank God for them when they come our way. But all these things are nothing --
they are only a lifeless shell -- if the SUPERNATURAL POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF
GOD is not there. They are a mere
How
blessed to have talent, consecrated and used for the glory of God. How good to
have knowledge. What a comfort to have proper accomodations. But the one thing
that is needful is the POWER OF GOD.
How
many fine churches in our cities are finding their auditoriums hard to fill,
while men and woman stand in the rain outside some great gospel tent, pitched
on the edge of town, trying to find some space to get inside, in order that
they may see what God is doing through His ministers who have placed the power
of God first in their lives -- who have been willing to decrease that God might
increase.
"Might,"
as Zechariah speaks of it, refers to the might of man, as physical effort,
natural ability, talents, forms, ceremonies, rituals, ordinances and programs.
When
the supernatural is gone, man will substitute the natural. He will substitute
songs about the power of God for the reality, laying more and more stress upon
the harmony and musical flourishes, as the real power of God decreases. Thank
God for good music, but in itself it IS NOT THE POWER OF GOD! The might and the
power of natural man will never fulfil the great comission, and bring
deliverance to the multitudes. Although God may use them to some extent, with the
anointing of the Spirit upon them, they cannot be used as a SUBSTITUTE FOR THE
SPIRIT!
Even
beautifully outlined sermons, eloquently preached by men of strong personality
and charm, will never get the job done alone. After all, even preaching is not
our objective. It is merely a means to an end. If good sermonizing and
beautiful preaching could get the job done, it would have been done long ago.
Oh
that men would decrease!
Oh
that they would realize that without God they are NOTHING!
If
preachers could only realize that it is not the beauty and forcefulness of
their preaching, altogether, which brings results, but the ANOINTING OF THE
SPIRIT upon the sermon, and God in POWER in the man who does the preaching.
People need more than to hear a sermon. They need to FEEL SOMETHING while that
sermon is being preached. It is the SPIRIT that causes people to FEEL the
preaching.
Paul
was not, like some of the other disciples, an ignorant and unlearned man. His
was the best education available in his time. His speech to the men of
If the
power of God were given its rightful place today, more people's faith would
stand in the power of God. Not so many would be trusting in their CHURCH
(instead of the lord) for salvation, and not so many would be carried away by
some preacher's personality, so that they are of no use to God nor man unless
they can work under His leadership.
Paul
recognized the importance of the spirit upon his preaching. "Not that we
are sufficient of our selves to THINK ANYTHING as of our selves; but our
sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the New
Testament; NOT OF THE LETTER, BUT OF THE SPIRIT: FOR THE LETTER KILLETH, BUT
THE SPIRIT GIVETH LIFE." II Cor. 3:5-6.
People
today need LIFE (life cannot come without the Spirit). God will make us able
ministers -- able to bring life and deliverance -- of the New Testament as we
decrease to the extent that we place man with all his natural ability, all that
calls attention to and glorifies man, in the background.
Although
Paul was a man of more than usual knowledge, due to his fine education and his
richly varied experience, he was willing to cast it all aside, and to declare
that he was "DETERMINED not to know ANYTHING among you save CHRIST."
I Cor. 2:2.
Knowledge
"puffeth up." I Cor. 1:8. Some people are of little use to God because
they "know" too much. Paul speaks of some who are puffed up at the
church at
How
easy it is to see that this is true! And how foolish we make ourselves appear
many times, by trying to appear to be what we are not, because of pride!
Pride
takes five forms. Pride of FACE. (How much better we DO look than those around
about us!) Pride of PLACE. (Don't ask THAT of one in my POSITION!) Pride of
RACE. (We come of an excellent family, you know, and must uphold the family honor
at any cost.) Pride of PACE. (Everyone should be able to see that we are the
most capable and efficient person available. No one else could keep up with
us!) And then that last and WORST of all the forms of pride -- pride of GRACE!
Proud of our spiritual accomplishments; proud of the length of our fasts; proud
of visions and dreams and revelations; proud of the gifts we think we possess;
feeling that we must be a special favorite with God; yes, even proud of our
humility! Whatever form our pride may have taken, puffing us up like a toy
balloon, the first thing that must be done, before we can have real power with
God, is "I MUST DECREASE."
"Whosoever
exalteth himself shall be abased; but he that humbleth himself shall be
exalted." Luke 14:11.
"God
resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6.
How,
then, can you hope for God to work with you, confirming the Word with signs
following, when God has said He is RESISTING YOU!
Yes, I
must decrease. Only the gold must remain. All the dross must be taken away, and
all the tin, before God can work with it as he desires to work. And how little
there is left, when the dross is gone!
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CHAPTER 9
"HE MUST INCREASE" (John 3:30)
Did
you ever drive across the prairie, and note in the distance a mountain? At
first sight the mountain seems very small. But as you drive on, and come closer
to the mountain, you are astonished to see how rapidly it seems to grow.
Really, the mountain isn't growing. It is still the same size as when you first
observed it. The difference is that you have drawn closer to the mountain. This
is exactly what takes place when God "increases." He is the same God
to all men. But to some people, He seems to be a little, shriveled up, impotent
God, who can scarcely be expected to do anything that really matters. The
reason for this is that these people are living TOO FAR AWAY FROM HIM! This is
why we are instructed, "Draw nigh to God." James 4:8.
God is
far away from many people because they have allowed so many things to come in
between. Some even draw nigh to God with their mouth, while their heart is far
from Him. (Matt. 15:8.) Of these He says, "In vain do they worship
me." The only way that it is possible to draw near to God, is to begin
earnestly, with all your heart to search out those things which come between,
and GET RID OF THEM!
Pride
certainly will keep God at a distance. "The proud he knoweth AFAR
OFF." Psalm 188:6. God cannot work WITH you when He is FAR FROM you. You
must come to Him humbly.
Some
have excused the lack of power in their lives, by saying, "The day of
miracles is past. The church is established now, and it doesn't need miracles
any more." Nowhere does the scripture confirm any such thought. "Jesus
Christ (is) the SAME, yesterday, today and forever." Heb. 13:8.
Behold,
the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear: BUT YOUR INIQUITIES HAVE SEPARATED BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR
GOD." Isa. 59:1,2. Don't blame God for your lack of power. Put the blame
squarely where it belongs. YOU are too far from God, because there are too many
iniquities (sins) in between.
Friends
and loved ones may come between. Jesus said, "He that loveth father or
mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter
more than me is not worthy of me." Matt. 10:37.
The
cares of life may come between, as weeds choking out a crop, making it
unfruitful. Some give all their thought to the things of this life, as though
they would live here forever. God cannot work with such as these. To be near to
the heart of God, and to feel the pulse beat of His compassion for the lost,
and the suffering, one must have a constant realization of the shortness of
life, and the inevitability of eternity.
Some
are kept at a distance from God by lack of appreciation. Praise is lacking in
their lives. Real appreciation for what God IS and what He has done, will bring
forth praise. Praise brings us into the very presence of God. "Enter into
his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise." Ps. 100:4.
Some
who read this book, may not know that God desires to be so near to his people,
as to send his HOLY SPIRIT to take up his abode not simply near, but WITHIN the
child of God. When you have opened your heart and allowed the Spirit of God to
fill you, baptize you, taking possession of every part of your body, you will
find him much nearer than ever before. He will be a much greater God to you,
than you have ever known. Then as he is allowed to continue to dwell in you
richly, teaching and guiding you day by day, into a closer relationship with
the father, and into a more pure life of holiness, the greatness of God will
become more and more apparent. He will increase in your life.
The
more you come to know Him, by walking by his side day by day, and the more you
feed upon his word, the more he will increase in your sight. All that we know
of God, we know by faith. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God." Rom. 10:17. Feed upon the Word of God. It is strange, but
some even hope to have power with God who pay very little heed to the word of
God. He will not honor with his presence those who dishonor his word.
It is
the Word of God which will help us to cleanse from our lives the SINS which
stand between. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking
heed thereto according to thy word." Psalm 119:9.
In
dealing with me about this matter, God made it very plain to me that if these
things were allowed to persist in my life, if sin were tolerated and allowed to
remain, God would continue to be at a distance from me. He would be so far
away, that he would be to me only the little, meaningless God whom so many
others profess to serve. The only way that God could increase in my life to the
point where he would be working through me in power, was for me to keep
everything out from between me and God. The only way he could remain the great
"I AM" in my own experience, was for me to continually walk in the
light of his word, by the power of his spirit, DECREASING day by day, becoming
more and more absorbed in Him who must INCREASE.
He
MUST increase! Not could increase. Not might increase. He MUST increase. He
must increase in glory, and majesty and power. He must increase in control of
my life.
"I
am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN
ME." Gal. 2:20.
"Fill
me with thy spirit, till all the world may see,
Not
me, but Jesus only, shining out through me."
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CHAPTER 10
IDLE WORDS AND FOOLISH TALKING
"Every
idle (unprofitable) word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof
in the day of judgment." Matt. 12:36.
Nothing
more quickly and thoroughly reveals the lack of real spirituality than does
foolish talking, jesting, and IDLE WORDS. There is nothing that will more
surely label the shallow Christian as one who has no concern for others, nor
any burden for the lost and suffering than his perpetual flow of foolish
talking, and nonsensical joking. Although in the eyes of many, this seems to be
a small matter, there are few spiritual diseases more devastating, nor more
contagious.
God
classes foolish talking along with some very unattractive companions, --
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once
named among you, as becometh saints: neither filthiness, nor FOOLISH TALKING,
nor JESTING, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." Eph.
5:3,4.
Jesus
himself declared, "--Evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts,
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy,
pride, FOOLISHNESS: all these EVIL THINGS come from within, and DEFILE the
man." Mark 7:21-23. Foolishness, then will defile a man, the same as
fornication! There are many who would never kill nor steal, but will even enter
the pulpit, and publicly and unashamed, reveal through their words that they
are defiled within. I have never yet found a man whom the Lord is using
mightily for the deliverance of the sick and sinful whose mouth is filled with
foolishness. They may entertain the people, and get a few hearty laughs in
response to their jokes and nonsense, but when it comes to really being able to
bring deliverance, or to bring a help and blessing when a real need arises, THEY
HAVEN'T GOT THE GOODS! They may even try at times to put off the usual
character of lightness for a little while, and to preach or teach about deep
things, but to those who hear them there is no ring of sincerity, no real
persuasion that they speak as the oracles of God. They are like sounding brass,
or a tinkling cymbal.
I do
not wish to infer that God's people should go around with a long face all the
time, having no joy. God's people are the happiest people in the world. God has
commanded, "Rejoice evermore." I Thes. 5:13. God's people are
expected to be so happy that they will shout, sing, clap their hands, dance,
laugh, and even leap for joy. A few scriptures which show these things are the
following:
"Make
a JOYFUL NOISE unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with GLADNESS: come
before his presence with SINGING." Ps. 100:1,2.
"O
CLAP YOUR HANDS, all ye people: SHOUT unto God with the voice of triumph."
Ps. 47:1.
"Let
them praise his name in the DANCE: let them SING praises unto him with the TIMBREL
and HARP." Ps. 149:3.
"David
DANCED before the Lord with all his might." II Sam. 6:14.
"Then
was our mouth filled with LAUGHTER, and our tongue with SINGING: then said they
among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are GLAD."
Ps. 126:2,3.
"Rejoice
in that day, and LEAP FOR JOY." Luke 6:23.
For
the Joy of the Lord is thy strength." Neh. 8:10.
The
Christian who doesn't have JOY is a weak christian, a poor representative of
the faith he claims, and will probably soon be completely backslidden, and
seeking his joy somewhere else.
This
joy which brings strength is rejoicing in the Lord. It is not rejoicing in the
power of our own strength, nor of our own wit. "But now rejoice ye in your
boastings: all such rejoicing is evil." James 3:2.
Many
who are guilty of the sin of foolish, excessive, and unprofitable talking will
at first be tempted to brand me a fanatic, and to rise to the defense of their
pet sin. They will declare that it is a mistake to take things too seriously. For
this, they can find no scriptural defense. The rescuing of the lost, and
deliverance of the suffering, is a serious matter, requiring the whole heart
and mind of the one who is consecrated to the task. Many have reserved the
right to talk as much, and in whatever manner, they choose. They would rather
have their jokes, foolish jesting and nonsense than to have the power of God in
their lives. If this is your case, God will have to go on without YOU.
God
has chosen to work through the spoken word of representatives in the world.
When Jesus was here, he said to his disciples, "The WORDS that I speak
unto you, THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE." John 6:63. What are your
words?
James
compares the speech coming out of our mouths to water coming from a fountain.
(James 3:10,11.) He insists that a fountain should give forth the same kind of
water all the time -- not sweet water part of the time, and bitter water part
of the time. Then he adds, "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge
among you? Let him show out of a good CONVERSATION his works with meekness of
wisdom." James 3:13.
"Let
no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, BUT THAT WHICH IS GOOD TO
THE USE OF EDIFYING." Eph. 4:29.
Words
which are not good to the use of edifying are IDLE (vain, empty, or
unprofitable) words. They are WASTED words. God has given to the believer's
WORD an authority and power which makes it precious. Precious things should not
be wasted.
Jesus
said, "Whosoever (that means you!) shall SAY unto this mountain, be thou
removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but
shall believe that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass, he shall
have WHATSOEVER HE SAITH." Mark 11:23. This gives to US the power to speak
with authority, even to the extent of controlling inanimate things. This is the
same power which Jesus used when he spoke to the wind and the sea, and the
storm was gone. (Mark 4:39.) It is the same power which Moses used when he
spoke to the rock in the desert, and water gushed forth. (Num. 20:8.) Joshua
used the same power when he commanded the sun and the moon to stand still.
(Joshua 10:12, 13.) Jesus demonstrated the use of this power when he spoke to
the fig tree, saying, "No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever."
(Mark 11:14.) He told the tree to die, AND it died! It was on this occasion
that he expressly delegated this same power and authority to ANY who BELIEVE.
It is
to men and women whose words can be with such power -- whose spoken words can
bring deliverance from every oppression of satan -- salvation for the soul and
healing for the body -- that Jesus warned that IDLE, WASTED, WORDS should be
brought into judgement. Words which should have been life and deliverance!
Words which should have been bread to starving souls! But words which were
nothing but chaff! In the face of a world of dying, starving souls and
suffering humanity, witholding the one source of life and deliverance, and
offering stones for bread! Sending forth from the fountain which should give
forth the PURE WATER OF LIFE a stream of froth and foolishness, which is, if
not poisonous, utterly unattractive and unprofitable! What will you say to the
judge in that day, when our deeds and WORDS are judged by the standard of the
word of God, in which we are exhorted, "If any man SPEAK, let him SPEAK AS
THE ORACLES (utterance or speech) OF GOD." I Peter 4:11.
Those
who insist upon having their foolishness at any cost, are so like the group of
young ladies seen in a vision by a consecrated saint of God, who were too busy
making daisy chains to warn the people who were hurrying by that their steps
were leading to an awful precipice, where they would quickly fall over, and be
dashed to death upon the rocks below. This is far from the spirit of Christ,
who HAD COMPASSION UPON THE MULTITUDES.
I do
not intent to infer that there is no place for humor in the conversation of the
Christian, or even in the preaching of the Word. Many times, our speech or
preaching can be humorous, and yet sanctified. Often, a bit of humor,
especially when used to illustrate a point, can be very profitable, in arousing
the attention and interest of the hearers, and in driving home the message of
the gospel, so that souls are aroused and turned to God. So used, it is NOT
idle, nor unprofitable.
The
reason so many Christians speak so many idle words, is that they speak SO MANY
WORDS! They talk so much that they have no time to think, and no time to listen
to the voice of God. Foolish words come so easily. We do not even have to think
of them. We can listen to any conversation, anywhere, and come away with a
large supply of them which can be produced by repetition. The spirit of the age
is an ever increasing spirit of levity, which makes serious thinking difficult
for both sinner and saint. It is typified by the oft repeated saying,
"Don't take life too seriously. After all you'll never get out of it
alive." In such an age it takes real effort and consecration to
"Study to be quiet", and to wait before God long enough to have words
to speak which are the words of God, and which can have power. But the wise man
will do it. "He that hath knowlege, spareth his words." Prov. 17:27.
"But the mouth of fools FEEDETH ON FOOLISHNESS." Prov. 15:14.
"In
the multitude of words there wanteth not sin." Prov. 10:19.
A
fool's voice is known BY MULTITUDE OF WORDS." Eccl. 5:3.
Holiness
is necessary for power, as has already been shown in previous chapters of this
book. And holiness is not complete until it has also taken posession of the
tongue. "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy IN ALL
MANNER OF CONVERSATION." I Pet. 1:15.
I
beseech you, brethren, for the sake of the lost and suffering who will never
find deliverance UNLESS YOU MAKE YOURSELF READY TO TAKE IT TO THEM, give this
matter your prayerful consideration. Consecrate yourself to God afresh. Present
to him YOUR BODY, a living sacrifice, AND DO NOT FORGET NOR NEGLECT TO INCLUDE
YOUR TONGUE, YOUR LIPS, YOUR VOICE!"
"Let
your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt." Col. 4:6.
"Keep
that which is committed to thy trust (the power to speak in God's stead, and
bring deliverance), avoiding profane (not holy) and vain (empty, worthless)
babblings." I Tim. 6:20.
It is
my prayer that all who read this book will put all on the altar, and get in a
place where they can carry a burden for the lost and suffering: that they will
cast aside ALL those things which hinder the power of God in their lives. God
can go on without you. But if YOU go on with God, you must go His way. Put
foolishness aside NOW! Get out of the eddy and into the stream of God's power.
The
PROMISES are for you, if you will only believe them, meet God's conditions, and
PAY THE PRICE.
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CHAPTER 11
PRESENT YOUR BODY
I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service." Rom. 12:1.
God
has never made it a habit to use things THAT DO NOT BELONG TO HIM. He uses
those things which are yielded to him. Things that are CONSECRATED. THINGS THAT
ARE SANCTIFIED -- SET APART FOR HIS USE. Do you want God to USE YOU? Then you
must PRESENT YOUR BODY. It must be completely yielded and surrendered to God. A
body that is not completely yielded and surrendered to God is still more or
less domineered by satan, or by self.
Many
no doubt have, at special times, after a fashion, presented their bodies to the
Lord for his use in stretching forth the borders of his Kingdom. But it is
obvious from the fact that they are not being used, that many of those who have
presented themselves have NOT BEEN ACCEPTED.
God
has not refused them because laborers are not needed. Christ himself gave us
the command to pray that more laborers would be sent forth because "THE
HARVEST TRULY IS PLENTEOUS, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW." Matt. 9:37.
God
has not refused them because of their handicaps, for he has often used those
who seemed to have little natural qualification. Peter and John, men greatly
used of God, were "unlearned and ignorant men" Acts 4:13. Moses was
"slow of speech." "Not many wise men after the flesh, not many
noble, are called; BUT GOD HATH CHOSEN the foolish things of the world to
confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound
the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and things which
are despised --." I Cor. 1:27, 28. You think you are handicapped? All are
handicapped in some way.
A
young man was saved, and desired to give his testimony in a street meeting that
others might know the matchless grace of God, but he could not give his
testimony because of his stammering. Yet his love for God, and his desire to
work for God drove him to his knees, and out again before the people. God heard
his cry and helped him. He became a great preacher of the gospel and for many
years was annually the chief speaker at a large camp meeting in
To be
an acceptable sacrifice, your body need not be strong nor beautiful. David
Brainard, great missionary to the American Indians in the early days, was
declared to be dying of tuberculosis. He was warned that the only chance for
him to live more than a few weeks was complete rest. But he brought what he had
and made an acceptable sacrifice. He fell on his face before God, crying,
"Give me souls or take my soul!" Then he rose up and went out to many
years of fruitful ministry among the people God had laid upon his heart, and
won thousands of them to Christ.
The
only reason God has refused some is that THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE!
God
makes just two requirements for an "acceptable sacrifice".
It
must be HOLY. And it must be HIS.
That
which is not holy is an abomination to God. A sacrifice brought in and offered
to God for his service, which is defiled by the habits and sins of the world is
no more acceptable to him than the pig offered upon the sacred altar of the
temple at
That
which is HIS must be his not only on Sunday and on prayer meeting night, but seven
days and nights EVERY WEEK. It must be presented with NO STRINGS ATTACHED. It
must be given with the heart cry, "I renounce all authority over this
gift, now and forever. It is yours to use, to set aside, or to destroy.
Whatever you choose to do with it, it is yours. If it is only a hidden ministry
of prayer and personal testimony -- YES, LORD. If it is in my own home town,
that is all right. If it takes me far across the sea, to strange lands and
unfriendly peoples -- if it is to die for my faith, at the hands of
persecutors, or to live under conditions that are worse than death -- still
this body is yours. Do with it as you please. Feed it or starve it. Chill it in
the far North, or let it suffer with the heat of
Acceptable
consecration is like handing God a blank paper, with your name signed at the
bottom, and saying, "Fill it in any way you want. That shall be my
contract for the use of my entire life."
This
sacrifice is not complete with merely saying yes or no to certain callings or
requests of the spirit of God AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN. It is the whole
hearted determination to do the will of God ALL MY LIFE, no matter what it may
be, nor what it may cost. It is the realization that "Ye are not your
own."
You
may find a small measure of power, and a small measure of blessing, when you
have made a small measure of sacrifice. But if you would really experience the
free flow of GOD'S MIRACLE WORKING POWER, you MUST present your body, a living
sacrifice, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD.
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CHAPTER 12
A PARTAKER OF HIS DIVINE NATURE
"Whereby
are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might
be PARTAKERS OF DIVINE NATURE." I Pet. 1:4.
God IS
power. There is no power for good in this world except that power come from
God. Christ himself, when he came into this world in the flesh, declared that
he derived his power from God. "I do NOTHING of myself." John 8:28.
"The Son CAN do nothing of himself." John 5:19. "I am in the
father, and the Father in me. The Words that I speak unto you, I speak not of
myself: but the FATHER THAT DWELLETH IN ME, HE DOETH THE WORKS." John
14:10.
After
making the emphatic statement of John 14:10, Christ turned to his disciples
with a promise -- "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on
me, THE WORKS THAT I DO SHALL HE DO ALSO; and greater works than these shall he
do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12. But, even as his own work
and fruitfulness was conditioned upon his abiding in the Father, our work and
fruitfulness was conditioned upon our abiding in him. "Abide in me, and I
in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine;
no more can ye, except ye abide in me." Jn. 15:4. "Without ME YE can
do nothing." Jn. 15:5.
The
branch is PARTAKER of the nature of the vine. The same sap flows through it.
The texture of the wood is the same. The leaves are the same. The fruit is the
same. The bark is the same. IT IS PART OF THE VINE! So long as it remains in
the vine, it can do whatever the vine can do. But whenever it is separated --
cut off -- from the vine, it can no longer do what the vine can do. The life
giving sap ceases to flow through the branch, and it is no longer partaker of
the nature of the vine. For it is the nature of the vine to BRING FORTH FRUIT,
and that the severed branch can never do.
Branches
can be "cut off", and they can be grafted.
We, as
sinners saved by grace, are compared in God's word to the branches of a wild
olive tree, grafted in. Having been grafted in, we become PARTAKERS of the
"root and fatness" of the olive tree. (Rom. 11:17.) If a graft is
WELL MADE, so that nothing comes between and interferes with the flow of the
sap into the new limb, it very soon comes to LOOK AND ACT like the other parts
of the tree.
What a
privilege to be made a partaker of the divine nature of God -- to LOOK in such
a way that those who see us will realize that we have been with Jesus, and to
ACT so much like him that the works he did WE DO ALSO!
We can
only be partakers of this divine nature by his PROMISES, through faith in his
promises. We partake of the divine nature in its effectiveness as we exercise
the gifts of the spirit, and in its essence as we show forth the fruits of the
spirit. It is in the exercising of the gifts of the Spirit that God shows forth
through us his MIRACLE WORKING POWER. "Having then gifts differing --
whether prophecy, let us prophecy ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION OF FAITH."
Rom. 12:6. This is the secret of whatever work we are able to do for God. It is
done ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION OF FAITH. We are partakers of the divine
nature ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION OF FAITH. Little faith, the branch is barely
alive, the sap barely getting through, a few green leaves making promise that
fruit might come. More faith, more of the divine nature, fruitfulness. Much
faith, ABUNDANT LIFE, the life giving sap flowing freely to every part of the
branch, the weight of the fruit bowing it almost to the ground!
He who
is a partaker of the divine nature of Christ will be a partaker of his nature
of meekness and humility. The love and compassion of the nature of Christ will
be apparent in all the activities and contacts of his daily life. The
gentleness and kindness, the goodness, the longsuffering, and peace. The joy in
service, the self denial (temperance) -- all these will be a part of the life
of the person who is a partaker of the divine nature. These may not have been
part of your nature before Christ came to dwell in you, but when you have
become a partaker of his nature, these things will replace the former things,
which were your OWN CARNAL NATURE.
Then
when you are a partaker of his divine nature, there will be a wisdom which
comes from following the leading of the Spirit. Not the wisdom which is purely
natural, nor a wisdom gained merely from observtion, but a spirit led wisdom
which is incomprehensible to those who do not understand the leading of the
spirit. There will be knowledge which comes to your mind out of the knowledge
stored in the mind of God. Things which you need to know, but have no other way
of knowing, God himself can and will reveal them unto you. There will be POWER,
for God IS power! Miracles and Signs will follow. The sick will be healed, the
lame will walk, cancers will vanish at your command. The blind will see, the
deaf hear. Secrets of people's hearts will, when necessary, be made manifest.
Souls will be stirred from the sleep of spiritual death, and brought as new
creatures into the kingdom. Yea, even some whose physical lives are gone, may
be brought again from the dead, in the will of God.
God
plays no favorites. The same price of power stands to all. And the same power
is available to ALL WHO WILL PAY THE PRICE!
To
every one who, by faith, will take his "exceeding great and precious
promises" for himself, believing with all his heart that GOD MEANT EXACTLY
WHAT HE SAID, thus becoming a PARTAKER OF HIS DIVINE NATURE, the door is open
to new adventures of faith, beyond your wildest dreams!
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CHAPTER 13
PERSONAL THINGS
These
are the eleven POINTS. I trust that God has made them live to you, and used
them, as I have told them to you, to bring you closer to himself and into a
position to have THE MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF GOD in your own life.
No
doubt you have wondered many times, what were those two things which were so
personal. This chapter will deal with this matter of "Personal
Things". I cannot tell you what they were, for deep in my heart, I feel
the Lord would not have me to do so. But as you read this book, read the Bible,
and wait before the Lord in prayer, I am sure that you, too, will find some
"Personal Things".
I pray
that you may have been inspired to PRESS TOWARD THE MARK for the prize of the
high calling of God in Jesus Christ." Phil. 3:14. To keep on pressing,
until God is working in your life in Miracle Working Power. To strive earnestly
for perfection in the sight of God, and to be in his perfect will.
"Let
us therefore, as many as be perfect be thus minded; and if in anything ye be
otherwise minded, GOD SHALL REVEAL EVEN THIS UNTO YOU." Phil. 3:15.
This
is his promise. You need never know what were those things which God pointed
out to me as being my OWN, PERSONAL, pet sins, which had to be pointed out by
name. But you do need to recognize your own pet sins, which keep you from
having the power God wants you to have!
I have
found in my travels as an evangelist, as well as in experiences gained in
pastorates, that most people have a pet sin which they have pampered and
petted, and developed, for years. Paul terms it, "The sin which doth so
easily beset us." (Heb. 12:1.), your "besetting sin". He also
says it must be LAID ASIDE if we are to gain the prize at the end of the race.
"Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
Many
good people, who COULD HAVE BEEN effective Christian workers have become so
discouraged by the excess weights which they have failed to lay aside, that
they have long ago dropped out of the race, and have become skeptics, even
questioning the words of Jesus, concerning "signs following", and the
power which God promised to the believer, that he should do the works which
Christ did. Many over the land today are even now on the verge of giving up all
hope of ever knowing God in the fullness of His power. DO NOT GIVE UP. Get
alone with God. Seek him earnestly, whatever the cost may be, until he has
revealed to you YOUR PET SIN. Until he has shown you what in your life needs
cleansing before you can experience the power of God.
A rich
young ruler once came to Jesus, anxious to know what was wrong with his
religious experience. He was so anxious that he literally came RUNNING, and
FELL DOWN at the master's feet. When he inquired, 'What must I do --?"
Jesus replied, "one thing thou lackest --." Christ then put his
finger upon the young man's pet sin, and instructed him how to get rid of it.
(See Mk. 10:21.) As you seek the Lord, remember that he is always faithful to
put his finger on your pet sin, as he did for the rich young ruler. Failure to
place that sin upon the altar will cause you, too, to go away GRIEVED, just as
he did. When God speaks to you, no matter how small the voice, OBEY! Get rid of
that PET SIN and go on with God!
Your
pet sin is the sin that you do not want the preacher to preach about.
It is
the sin for which you are always ready to make an excuse.
It is
the sin which, although you would not admit that it is sin, you prefer to do it
when you think no one is going to find out.
It is
the sin which leads you captive most easily.
It is
the sin which you are always ready to defend.
It is
the sin which causes the clouds of doubt and remorse to cross your spiritual
sky, whenever you really feel the need to contact God.
It is
the sin which you are most unwilling to give up.
It is
the sin which you think is so small that God should scarcely be able to see it,
yet so large that you are sure you could never live without it.
Yet it
is the sin which must be FLUNG (
And,
last, it is the sin you are continually trying to make yourself believe is an
infirmity. Be honest with yourself, and call it SIN! Do not call jealousy,
watchfulness. If you are covetous, don't call yourself economical. If you are
guilty of the sin of pride, don't dress it up as self respect. If you are one
of those who constantly exaggerates (stretches the truth), you may as well
admit that that which is not the truth is a LIE! Are you bound by a perverse
(stubbornly wrong) demon? Be careful, or you will pride yourself in being very
firm. If your besetting sin is lust, don't excuse yourself that you are just
oversexed by nature. Don't call criticizing, the gift of discernment, nor claim
to be a good judge of human nature. Are you fretful, and complaining? Satan
will tell you that you are nervous, and in your condition, this fretfulness
can't be helped.
Come
on, friend. Be honest with yourself and God. Call it exactly what it is. If it
is sin, call it sin, and get down before God and ask him to set you free and
make you an overcomer.
No
doubt many excuse themselves for their many "little" sins by pointing
out, "Why everyone does that! Remember, you can't pattern your life after
other people's mistakes. How do you know that God has not spoken to them many
times about this very thing? Don't be as guilty of disobedience as they.
And
what if he didn't speak to them about it? Remember the exhortation of Jesus to
Peter when he enquired what would be required of another disciple. "What
is that to thee? FOLLOW THOU ME." John 21:22.
Consecration
has much to do with personal things. It is the putting off, out of our lives,
the hundred and one little things that in themselves may not be sin, but which
if they are allowed to remain, take the place that Christ should take. As an
example, many professing Christians admit that they do not read their Bible as
much as they should. They declare that they are so busy, they just don't have
time to read it. Yet these same people have time to read all the daily and
Sunday comic strips, many magazines and stories. There is but one conclusion.
These comics, magazines, and stories are more important to them than the word
of God. They have crowded out Christ from his rightful place in these people's
lives. Some of this reading might be of such a nature as to be actually sinful
in itself, but much of it is rather harmless, except for the fact that it HAS
CROWDED OUT CHRIST. Thousands of those who profess to be believers in the Lord
Jesus Christ today would have more power in their lives if the time they spend
in listening to the ball games and "soap operas", and "perpetual
emotion dramas" were spent listening to the voice of God, alone in the
closet of prayer. These are some of the "little foxes tht spoil the
vines", destroying the tender grapes and robbing God's people of
fruitfulness.
How
much more powerful would be the lives of many, if the time they spend in front
of their television sets (of course, they wouldn't go to a theater!) watching
the wrestling matches were spent down upon their knees wrestling against satan
-- against the principalities and powers and the rulers of darkness of this world,
and against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph. 6:12).
It
isn't always the harsh, gross sins that stand between man and God. In fact, the
sins which seem to keep most people from the best that God has for them, are
the things that "everybody does". I'd go a little slow in saying
"everybody". Those who are carrying a burden for this lost, sin sick,
Christ-rejecting, hell-bound world, those who are doing the works which Christ
promised them they should do, who have the signs following their ministry, and
who are bringing deliverance to the needy, have long ago laid those things
aside. You may be right in saying, "NEARLY everyone in my church does
it." But don't forget that while they are doing these things, they, too,
are wondering why they do not have the MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF GOD, and do not
exercise the gifts of the spirit. Many of the same crowd wonder if they are
ready for the rapture! Many times I have made altar calls after preaching on
the coming of the Lord, for those who do not know that they are ready for the
coming of Christ. At such times I have been surprised at the great number of
people who raised their hands WHO PROFESSED TO BE SAVED, AND EVEN SPIRIT
FILLED, PEOPLE! It is evident that many so called saints today are not even
living a sufficiently victorious life to know they are ready for the rapture.
These CANNOT HAVE CONSISTENT MIRACLE WORKING POWER! They may have a prayer
answered now and then, but the times in which we live, and the condition of the
world about us demand more than that. YOU CANNOT PATTERN YOUR LIFE AFTER THIS
CROWD. There is one whose life is worthy to be a pattern for ours. That one is
JESUS.
Some
may be unwilling to accept the teachings of holiness found in this book. I have
no apology to make, if you do not. I quote Jesus all the way through the book.
If you disagree with him, it is time you had better take stock of yourself, and
begin to agree with God. "Can two walk together except they be
agreed?" Amos 3:3. If you expect to walk with God, and to have power in
your life to work the works of God, IT IS TIME TO AGREE WITH GOD. When you
fully agree with God, this will put you in disagreement with some others. It is
better to agree with God, even if in doing so one must disagree with others
whose opinions he formerly honored and valued. Too many today are living to
please others, and self, rather than the Lord.
There
comes a time in the life of every person when he is at the fork in the road.
Men of God and of Power throughout the ages have come to this fork in the road,
and have chosen the way that seemed hard and that brought persecution,
suffering and POWER because of God's approval. Others have come to the fork in
the road, and have chosen the way that seemed more attractive, and have found
that it led to prosperity, popularity, and destruction. Picture Lot of old, as
he pondered the best course to take. There was the watered valley, with the
prosperous city of
This
way is still open to those who choose it. But thank God for the better way. It
is open too. It is marked by the feet of such men as Moses, who "By faith
-- when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharoah's
daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to
enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Heb. 11;24,25.
And of
Joseph, who when he came to this same fork in the road, chose to keep himself
pure, although it meant spending years in an Oriental dungeon, with no
assurance (except in his soul) that he would ever be released. And of Daniel,
who as a slave boy, declined to drink the king's wine, and who later kept his
appointment with God, although it meant a trip to the lion's den.
These
men said no to satan that they might say yes to God. Moses weighed the
pleasures and treasures of
Those
whose minds are set upon worldly things would quickly have advised Moses that
he was making a very unwise choice, giving up so much for so little. But Moses
received his reward. He became a FRIEND OF GOD -- one who talked with God face
to face. His face shone so with the brightness of the glory of God, that the
people could not even bear to look upon his face. And working hand in hand with
God, he led three million people out of bondage into liberty, and saw them
miraculously delivered time after time, and kept by the hand of God so that
"There was not one feeble person in all their tribes." Ps. 105:37;
Truly this is the reward which we seek today -- that we might be enabled to
bring salvation and deliverance to the people. And God is giving that reward to
many today who have heard his voice and obeyed his call! Who have said no to
the world and yes to God!
God,
in days gone by, "Sought for a man, that should make up the hedge and
stand in the gap before (him) for the land that (He) might not destroy
it." Ezek. 22:30-31. God is looking for such men today. God's holiness
demands that he send judgement upon a wicked world. Only the presence of the
righteous in the world holds back the floods of judgement. Moses stood in the
gap for the children of
The
generation in which we live is a wicked generation, similar to those among whom
The
world is setting the stage for the last great scene of the great story,
"The History of Man upon the Earth." Soon the curtain will rise upon
that last scene, the terrible tribulation period, when the wrath of God will be
poured out without measure upon a wicked world from which the last righteous
person has been hastily snatched away. The clouds are gathering, the lightening
is flashing, the thunder rolls -- gusts of the wind which precede the storm can
be felt with ever increasing frequency and force.
"Lift
up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to
harvest." John 4:35. As never before, it is URGENT that the servants of
God should place the work of the harvest ahead of everything else -- that they
should "WORK, for the night COMETH WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK!" It is a
time when ALL THE POWER OF GOD PROVIDED needs to be brought into use to save as
much as possible of the precious harvest before the storm breaks. This is a
time when YOU AND I need to find the gap in which God would have us stand, and
STAND THERE, faithful.
How
sad it was when God looked, hopefully, for a man to stand in the gap and he had
to continue his statement, "I found NONE. Therefore have I poured out mine
indignation upon them. I have consumed them ith the fire of My wrath."
God is
still looking for MEN TO STAND IN THE GAP! He is still looking for laborers for
the harvest. He offers the same wages -- the same rewards -- for those who will
come at this last hour, as for those who have borne the heat of the battle. All
he asks is a quick response to his call, and faithfulness in carrying it out.
Will you say "YES" to this call of God? Will you give him your ALL?
Will you accept his BEST -- the MIRACLE WORKING, SOUL SAVING POWER OF GOD, for
the deliverance of the lost, the sick and the suffering?
Much
has been done for the deliverance of humanity by holy men and women of God,
from the time of righteous Abel until now, but, as I look into God's word, and
behold the mighty promises of God, and see the miracles which have been wrought
on occasions when someone DARED TO BELIEVE, I am persuaded that it REMAINS TO
BE SEEN WHAT GOD COULD DO WITH A MAN OR WOMAN WHO WOULD GO ALL THE WAY WITH
HIM, and never doubt in their heart! And what immense power would be turned
loose against the destroying enemy of mankind -- satan -- if A GREAT ARMY OF
MEN AND WOMEN should all together determine to stand upon God's promises, and
believe God for HIS MIRACLE WORKING POWER!
You
can be that ONE, or ONE OF THAT GREAT ARMY!
When
God looks for a MAN, will you volunteer? WILL YOU BE THAT MAN?
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