Saturday, May 19, 2012



 It's A Prayer Of Agreement!

Matthew 18:19 (AMP)
Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.
Anwsered Prayer…Jesus Said ‘ALL’ Not ‘SOME
As Christians, prayer should be as natural and powerful to us as it was to Jesus when He spoke to the fig tree in Matthew 21:18-22:
“Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (NKJ)
A Literal Answer
Notice that when Jesus was answering their questions about the fig tree withering, He was answering their questions about something literal. He was not just referring to something spiritual. So speaking to the mountain, asking in prayer, and believing to receive work not only in the spiritual realm, but also in the physical, material realm.
When Jesus spoke to the fig tree He was demonstrating and teaching us that by using our faith, the Word of God and prayer, we too can bring circumstances in line with God’s will.
Praying With Power
When you pray do you expect results…every time? Well, you should, and you can. (Carrie Henry expects her prayers to be answered!) 
Here are five steps that can help you see results in prayer—every time.
1. Base every prayer on the Word. Prayer that brings results must be based on God’s Word. So start with the answer, which is the Word. Jesus said in John 15:7, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
For prayer to bring results, you must pray specifically. That means you must find scripture that applies to your situation and base your prayer on that scripture. For example, if you’re facing sickness, find scripture that pertains to healing. Your prayer could be based on I Peter 2:24 because that scripture says, by Jesus’ stripes you were healed.
When you have God’s Word about a particular issue, you have a foundation on which to believe Him. And when you put God’s Word in your spirit, it feeds your faith. Romans 10:17 explains, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
2. Apply your faith. Once you find scripture that reveals God’s will regarding the situation you are facing, here’s the next step: You must apply your faith to the problem.
To apply your faith, say what you believe (speak in agreement with God’s Word). Confess the Word out loud and start thanking God that you have what He said you have. Act as though you have received it, as though it is already done.
In Isaiah 43:26, God says: “Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.” To put God in remembrance of His Word and declare your case, say something like this: “Lord, right now I believe I receive what You have said in Your Word. I believe [quote the scripture you are standing on]. I’m not saying it because I feel it or see it. I’m saying it because I believe Your Word. I believe it’s done, in the Name of Jesus!”
To be afraid to confess and act as though it’s already done is to doubt God’s Word. So hold fast to your confession (read Hebrews 4:11-16)!
3. Refuse doubt and fear. Don’t allow doubt and fear to enter your consciousness. Satan tries to undermine your faith through suggestions, dreams and visions. He will do everything he can to try and convince you the circumstances are not going to change. But remember what God’s Word says! It’s your responsibility to believe what God says and refuse doubt and fear when it comes your way.
II Corinthians 10:5 tells you to do that by “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” You must control your mind, and you do that with the Word of God.
Dwell on the answer instead of the problem.
And be advised, some people will try to talk you out of your stand of faith. But you can refuse to receive anything that goes against the Word of God. It won’t be hard if you do what God says in Proverbs 4:20-21: “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.”
4. See yourself succeeding. See what you’re believing for as done—finished. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is….” The Word says you have it—now.
So take the scripture you’re standing on and begin to see that Word as being a reality in your life.
Take that Word and renew your mind—change your mental attitude about your situation. Don’t be conformed to the world. “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).
Keep your mind on the Word and be transformed, changed. Begin to act as if you already have it. That’s acting in faith and faith will open the door for God to move in your life.
Prepare to succeed! Make no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14). Make no provision to fail.
5. Speak of what you believe—the Word. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” You have a right to everything Jesus’ sacrifice bought and paid for. So testify to that right. Proclaim it!
You have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus!
You are what the Word says you are!
You can have what the Word says you can have!
But knowing all that won’t do you any good if you don’t believe it, receive it, apply it in your life…and make it the word of your testimony.
PRAYER OF AGREEMENT!
CONFESSION OF FAITH
I hear, study, believe and confess God’s Word, and my faith continues to grow. I abide in God and His Word abides in me, so I ask what I need according to His Word, and I believe I receive it by faith. Jesus is Lord over my situation, and I do not fear or worry about what I’m going through because I released my faith and God’s will is being done in my life right now.  
Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith, so I look unto Him by believing and acting on His Word! I believe that my faith works because I believe God’s Word is true, it comes to pass and He is the rewarder of those who seek Him. I not only hear the Word, I act on it by faith. I do not doubt, but believe in my heart that I have what I spoke by faith.  
Confession References (Romans 10:17John 15:7Mark 11:23-24Matthew 6:10, Matthew 18:19, Hebrews 12:2Hebrews 11:6,James 2:17)
I believe!
I will!
I take it!
I have it!
I receive it!
IT IS MINE…NOW!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Jesus Walks on the Water...Can we?


Jesus Walks on the Water
 22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

 25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
 
 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

 29"Come," he said.

   Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

 32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (Matthew 14:22-33)

Why did Peter get out of the boat?  Because Jesus told him to come. 

What is God calling you to do today that goes against the natural?  When we choose to obey, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, and not on the circumstances nor the storm around us.  If we get our eyes off our Savior and unto our circumstances, all is not lost.  If we call out to Jesus, He will save us!  Just like he reached out and lifted Peter up.

Why did Peter sink?  Jesus said it was his lack of faith. 

When we step out, we have to have faith that our God will not fail us.  We have to believe that we can do the impossible!  In Deut 31:6, Moses tells the Israelites to ” Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." The Israelites were getting ready to go in and possess the land God had promised them, but they were going to have to face and conquer the giants.  Moses encouraged them to take courage in God who would not fail them.  There was no need to fear.  God would be with them at all times, no matter what they faced!

How do we get to a place where we are confident in our God to get out of the boat and to obey Him?  How do we get to the place where we have enough faith to do the impossible?  

The apostle Paul gives us the answer in Romans 10:17, ”So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  We need to eat spiritual food.  We must be in the Word of God daily.  In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray “…give us our daily bread…”  Just like we need food daily to sustain our bodies, we need to read God’s Word daily for growth and development of our spiritual lives.  We need to have a heavenly hunger for the Word of God.

Expect the supernatural.  If you step out in obedience to God, expect God to work supernaturally in your life.  As a good friend of mine said, "If you'll jump, Jesus will meet you in the air!" How true! So keep your eyes on Jesus, because He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all YOU can ask or even think! (Ephesians 3:20).  
He really is a great GOD!!

Love you all, 
Charles

Thursday, June 30, 2011

No More Dying to Do




Cathy Asbridge June 2010
Photo Shoot for Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Anna Maria Island, Florida


Friends, 
As many of you know the last 6 months of my life have been a little rough...to say the least! After 20 years of being with the most amazing woman I've ever met I now find myself alone. On March 29, 2011 Cathy, my best friend, went to be with Jesus.  Tough as it is...we'll make it!  As my 12 year old son, Tripp, said at Cathy's celebration service, "We are going to make with or without mommy, because we have Jesus!"


I recently received this note from Gloria Copeland and I felt it was worthy enough to pass a portion of it along to all of you. Enjoy....


"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
(Hebrews 2:9)


Dear Charles, 

.......Death. It's not a popular topic--even among believers. In fact, a great many are just plain scared of it. Oh yes, they talk about having eternal life. Yet when the devil tries to threaten their earthly survival with sickness or calamity, they panic.

Why? Because they haven't learned to look at death through God's eyes. Even though their spirit has been made immortal, they haven't renewed their minds to include that truth. If they had, when the devil tried to push their panic button, they'd just laugh and say, "You can't scare me, devil. I've done all the dying I'm ever going to do!"

That's true, you know. The Word of God says that you, as a born-again believer, are never going to see death (John 8:51). Jesus has been your substitute. He suffered death, so you wouldn't have to. And when He was raised, Hebrews 2:14-15 says, "He destroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."

If you've made Jesus the Lord of your life, the only death you'll ever experience is behind you now. It occurred the instant you received Christ. At that moment, your old self--the one whose nature was to sin and rebel against God--died. Your body didn't die, but your spirit man--the real you-- died to Satan and all of his works. You became "a new creature" (2 Cor. 5:17), immortal and absolutely incapable of death!

When you're finished with your work on the earth, you're not going to die. You'll simply shed your earthly shell and relocate to a far more glorious place.

Go to the Word and get God's perspective on death. Make a study of it. Once the reality of your immortality begins to dawn on you, the devil will never be able to threaten you with it again..... - Gloria Copeland



Wow, I can't tell you the joy it brings me to know Cathy is alive with Jesus! 


I love you all, 
Charles