BornToWin

DavidOyedepo

Contents

Introduction:FoundationForVictory

Chapter1:ThereisWar

Chapter2:TheDramaAtCalvary

Chapter3:YourNewStatus

Chapter4:TheFightOfFaith

Chapter5:ABornWinner

Chapter6:GettingSetForYourVictory

Chapter7:GetHoldOfTheWord

Chapter8:ReleaseYourFaith

Chapter9:PresentYourCase

Chapter10:AddressTheSituation

Chapter11:DeclareYourVictory

Chapter12:DemonstrateYourVictory

Chapter13:RefuseToQuit

FinalWord

Introduction:FoundationForVictory

IwasteachingaseriesofseminarsinJanuaryclearlyonstepstovictory.Iwenthead–longintoscripturestoascertaintheBiblebasisforpersonalvictoryineveryindividuallifesituation.Thetruthrevealedinthisbookisaproductofthosestudies.

Ihaveconsistentlypreachedthesethingsandtheresultshavebeenunmatchable.Therearegreatthosewhohavelistened,andhavecaredenoughtoapplythem.Thewordworksmorethanmagic.

Itisquitetruethattherearemanyproblems,hardshipsanddifficultiesinlifebut,thatisnotthewholetruth.Thereareproblemsbuttherearesolutions.Alllifeproblemshavesolutions.Thereareasmanyvictoriesasthereareproblems.YoucanexperienceconstantvictoriesconsistentlyinalllifesituationsbyasimpleapplicationoftherevealedwordofGod.

Godhasdoneeverythingpossibleforyourvictory.Hedoesnotintendyoutobedowntodayanduptomorrowandvice–versa.Hewantsyouupalways.Thetruthisthat:youcanbevictoriousalways.IfyouknowwhatGodsaysaboutyou,andyoucareenoughtodoit,yourvictoryiscertain.Bythistheworldisinyourcontrol.

ForwhatsoeverisbornofGodovercomeththeworld:andthisisthevictorywhichovercomeththeworld,evenourfaith.1John5:4

Yourvictoryiscloselytiedtoyourfaith.Thatisyourfoundationforvictory.Itisnotfaithinyourability,qualificationsoranymundanethings,butfaithintheLordJesusChristandonGod’sirrevocableword.

Recognizethatyouareaborn–winner,avictorbyvirtueofyourbirthandparentage.Youarenotexpectedtobedefeatedbyanything.Youareseatedfaraboveeverythingthatisearthly.Youareabovedefeatandfailure.

Itismyferventbeliefthatyouwillbetranslatedintoadifferentlevelofvictoryasyoureceivethewordasisrevealedinthisbook.Itisforyouthatitiswritten.

Beblessed.

BishopDavidO.Oyedepo

Chapter1:ThereisWar

Thefirstthingyoumustunderstandisthat,youareengagedinaspiritualwarfare.Ifyoudonotknowthis,youhavenorighttovictory.Thereisneedforabattle,fightorcompetitionbeforetherecanbeawinneroraloser.Awinnerdoesnotemergefromano–duelsituation.Thisisimportantforyourvictory.

Itwillberidiculousforyoutoclaimtobevictoriousovernobody.Itmeans,whenyoutalkofbeingawinnerorvictor,thatyouaretalkingofabattlethatisbeingfought.TherearemanyindicationsofthisintheBible.

Itissadtoseemanybelieversliveandwalkwithoutasenseofwar.Theyareat“ease”andthatiswhytheyareconstantlydown.Ifanenemyisfightingyou,andyoudonotseemtoknowit,youmakehisvictorycertainandeasy.ButtheBiblehasgivenaclearunderstandingthatthechristianlifeisalifeofconstantwar.Itiswarinitself.WegetclearindicationsfromthePaulineepistlesaboutthefight.

NowthanksbeuntoGodwhoalwayscausesustotriumphinChrist.2Corinthians2:14

ThefactthatGodcausesustotriumphmeansthereissomethingtotriumphover.Youdonottriumphoveraneasysituation.Atriumphcomesafteraperiodofhardfightingandoneofthecontenderseventuallyemergesvictorious.Youmustknowthatyouareengagedinafight.InanotherplacePaulsaidweareinawrestlingcontest.Wearenotplayingaround.Thefightisnotonesided.Ittakestwotofight.Whetheryouarereadytofightornot,thefightison.

Thedevilhasreallysoughttoputthechurchonthedefensive.HeisconstantlyputtingsituationsandcircumstancesagainstthepeopleofGod.Hewantsyoutobebeatenallthetime.ButGodwantsyouupandvictoriousalways.Thatiswhythisisafight.

Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstprincipalities,againstpowers,againsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld,againstspiritualwickednessinhighplaces.WhereforetakeuntoyouthewholearmourofGodthatyemaybeabletostand(withstand)intheevilday,andhavingdonealltostand.

Ephesians6:12–13

Youwillneverneedanarmourinapeacefulsetting.ItbordersoninsanityforamantobeheavilydressedafterthemanneroftheRomanSoldiers—withhelmet,shield,breastplateandsword.Justheavilydressed,readyforbattleatatimeeverybodyiscelebrating.Thatpersonwillneedquickattentionfromhispsychiatrist.Butwearegiventhepicturethatwearedoingsomethingimportant.

Weareengagedinsomeseriousbattle.ThisisrepeatedoverandoveragainintheentireBible.Weareinabattle.You,inparticular,areengagedinthiswar.Thedevilhasaimedatdestroyingyourlife.ThankGod,weareinwaragainstthedevil.

Itisveryimportantforyoutoknowwhoyourenemyis.Thebestmilitarystrategistwillwanttoknowsomebasicfactsabouttheenemyheisfighting.Hewillwanttoknowwhotheenemyis;whatishispurposeandwhatresourcesareavailabletohim;thatis,hewantstoknowthestrengthandorweaknessofhisopponent.

IdentifyingYourEnemy

Thecommonthingpeoplethinkandsayintoday’sworldisthat,theyarebeingtroubledbyonekindofbadluckthatwastransferredtothemfromsomeoftheirancestors.Someclaimtheironlyprobleminlife,istheoldwoman(popularlyknowntobeawitch)intheirvillage.Othershavesomestrangeopinionsandideasabouttheirsituations.Theyalwaystrytoexplainthesourcesoftheirproblems.TheBiblehasmadeitclearandobviousthatyourenemyisthedevil.Manypeoplefinditdifficulttobelievethis.Theirmindshavebeensoprogrammedtobelievingthatsomepeopleareresponsiblefortheirproblems.Thepointisthat,thedevilwillwanttokeepyoufromidentifyinghimasyourenemy,becauseheknows,themomentyouidentifyyourenemy,thebattleisalmostasgoodaswon.Hekeepsblindingpeopletothisfact.Butknowassuredlythatthedevilisyouradversary.

Besober,bevigilant;becauseyouradversarytheDEVIL,asaroaringlion,walkethabout,seekingwhomhemaydevour.1Peter5:8

Thatisyourenemy.Itisnottheherbalistorthewitch.Yourenemyisthedevil.Heisthesourceofeveryfightyouarefighting.Itdoesnotmatterwhat

fightitis.Godisnotyourenemy.Ifyouarebornagain,GodisyourFather.Thedevilistheenemy.HeisyouraccuserbeforeGod.Hehasswornthatnothingwillgowellwithyou.Thisiswherethefightis.

Hedoesnotwanttoseeyouprogress.Hewantstoruinyourbusiness.Heisalwaysmountingpressureonyou,tokeepyouawayfromGod.Heisnotinterestedinanygoodthingcomingyourway.Histhoughtstowardsyouarecompletelyevil.JustasGodislight,soisthedevildarkness.JustasthereisnodarknessinGod,sothereisnolightinthedevil.Heiscompleteandabsolutedarkness.Thisisthefight.Heisdeterminedagainstyou.ThatiswhyPaulsaid,“Wewrestle…”Ittakesdeterminationtowrestle.Nobodyevergoesintothewrestlingringlightly.Hemustgowithsomeruthlessdeterminationtowin.Hemustbevictoryhungrytogointotheringelse,hewillbecarriedoutunconscious.Iwantyoutorealizethelevelofhatredthedevilhasforyou.Hehasnobitofloveforyou.Heisyourarchenemy.Heiswagingwaragainstyou.

Thebattleyouareengagedinisnotphysical.Thedevilisaspirit.Youcannotfighthimphysically.Itisaspiritualbattlethatisfoughtspiritually.Aphysicalproblemhasphysicalsolutionandaspiritualproblemcanonlybesolvedspiritually.IfyoulookcloselyatEphesians6:13youwillnoticeafewthingsthere.

Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstprincipalitiesandpowers,againsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld,againstspiritualwickednessinhighplaces.Ephesians6:13

Itsaysnotagainstfleshandblood!Nothumanbeings.Theyarenotyourenemies.Thedevilhasusedthisparticularlie.Itdisorganizesanddisintegrateshomesandfamilies.Itisthedevil.

Noticethatitsays,“butprincipalitiesandpowers,rulersofthedarknessofthisworldandspiritualwickednessinHIGHPLACES.”Thesearenothumanbeings.TheyareSatan’sangelicauthorities.Theyaresentbyhimtocarryouthispurposesandplansinyourlife.

Stoplookingathumanbeingsasyourproblem.

Godhasnotcalledyouintoaphysicalfight.Itisafightoffaith.Pleasegetholdofthistruth.Itwillchangeyourwholeoutlookandyouwillbeabletochannelyourspiritualenergyintherightdirection.

YoumaybegintowonderwhyGodcreatedsuchanenemytotroubleyou.

Thetruthisthat,Goddidnotcreatehimadevilinthefirstplace.Godcreatedhimperfectinbeauty.Hehadtremendousgloryinheaven.Infact,hewasthehighestinthehierarchyofangels.TheBibledescribeshimastheangel“thatcovereth!”HehadtheuniqueassignmentofcoveringGod’sexaltedthrone.

SonofmantakeupalamentationagainstthekingofTyrus,andsayuntohim.ThussaiththeLordGod:thousealestupthesum,fullofwisdomandperfectbeauty.ThouhastbeeninEdenthegardenofGod;everypreciousstonewasthycovering…theworkmanshipofthytabretsandofthypipeswaspreparedintheeinthedaythouwastcreated.Thouarttheanointedcherubthatcovereth;andIhavesettheeso,thouwastupontheholymountainofGod,thouhastwalkedupanddowninthemidstofthestonesoffire.Thouwastperfectinthywaysfromthedaythouwastcreatedtilliniquitywasfoundinthee.Ezekiel28:12–15

Hewasnotcreatedadevil.Hewasperfectinheaven.HetookcareofthethroneofGod.HewalkedbeforeGodbutbecameSatanwheniniquitywasfoundinhim.Asaresultofthisdiscovery,hewascastoutofheaven.Ittookviolencetoejecthim.Hewasforcedoutandcastintotheearth.Fromthatday,hemadeuphismindtofightanythingGod.HeisalwayspitchinghistentagainstGodandHispeople.Thatiswhyheisyourenemy.

Checkthescriptures.HehasalwaysbeenatvariancewithGod’splan.Hewentintothegarden,temptedAdamandcausedhimtorebelagainstGod.HecorruptedtheworldtillitbecamesoevilthatGodhadtodestroyit(Genesis6).HesmoteJobwithsicknessandcausedallhisbelongingstoperish.WhenDanielprayed,hesentoneofhisfallenangelstowithholdtheresult.Heistraditionallyanti–God.Andhehasnotleftyououtinthisfight.Heisconstantlyondutytoensurethathedoesnotlosethebattle.Ifyoulookaroundyou–thecircumstancesandsituationsaroundyou,youwillnoticethatthisistrue.Lookattheworldtoday.Manyterriblethingsarehappening.Newdeadlydiseasesarebeinginjectedintotheworldbythedevil.HewantstodestroyGod’scrownofcreation–man.Everyevilintheworldtodayisthedevil’shandiwork.Goddoesnottemptanymanwithevil.HecannotdestroywhatHehascreated.

Thisfightcancomeinanyway.Itmaybeintheareaofhealth.Itcouldbeinotherareaslike:need,spiritualgrowth,Familyproblems,academicfrustrations–infactallareasoflife.Whenthesethingscomeagainstyou,recognizethatitistheenemy,thedevil,thatisshootinghisfierydartsatyou.

Theproblemswillcome.Yourownfightmustcome.Youcannotescapeit.Everybelieverisinvolvedinit.YoucannotsayIamnotfightinganybattle.Yourownbattlemustcomeandyouwillfightit.Mybattleswillcometooandyoucannotfightitforme.Icannotfightyours.Everyindividualwillfighthisbattle.

Whenthoupassestthroughthewaters,Iwillbewiththeeandthroughtheriverstheyshallnotoverflowthee;whenthouwalkestthroughthefire,thoushaltnotbeburned;neithershalltheflameskindleuponthee.Isaiah43:2

Thisconfirmsthatthetimeforyoutopassthroughthewatersandtheriverswillcome.

Hesaid,“whenthoupassest…”not“If.”“If”makesitconditionalbut,“when”makesitcertain.

“Thatyemaybeabletostandintheevilday…”(Ephesians6:13).

Theevilwillcome.Youcannotdodgeit.Itispartofthethingsyouwillneedtogothroughtogetyourvictory.Youcannotliveinvictoryifthereisnoproblem.Ifyoudonotgotowar,youcannotbringlaurelshome.Itisbasicthathardtimeswillcomebutyouknowyoucanhaveyourvictoryalways.

Onethingiscertainaboutyourfight.Itisadecidedissue.Youarealreadyawinner.Godhasdoneeverythingthatisnecessaryforyourvictory.Thedevilhaslostthebattle.Youarethewinner.Theproblemswillcomebecause,“manyaretheafflictionsoftherighteous…”butyouhavebeenguaranteedvictoryalreadybecause,“…theLorddeliverethhimoutofthemall.”Thedevilisnotthewinner,youare!Heisnotaconqueror,youaremorethanaconqueror.YourlotwithGodisvictoryalways.HecausesyoutotriumphalwaysonthebasisofthefinishedworkofChristonthecross.Thatisyourtouchstoneforvictory.ItwastherethatJesusdiditall.Theenemy’smissionisthreefold.Theyformhisministrytowardsyou.ThisministryisclearlystatedoutinJohn10:10byJesushimself.

Thethiefcomethnotbutfortosteal,tokillandtodestroy…John10:10

Thedevil,yourenemy,isthethief.Heisnotcomingphysicallytobreakyourhouseortosnatchyourcar(hecandothishoweverthroughhisagents),buthehaswaysofstealingyourmoney,time,healthandevenyourproperty.

Hewilldoallhecantofulfilthisministry.

Youhavetoknowthateachtimeyouhaveafightinanyarea,thedevilisbehindit.Heistheunseenhandbehindeveryevilthing.Anytimeyouareattackedbysickness,itisanattemptofthedeviltostealyourhealth,joyandmoney.

Thedevilisdesperateaboutthis.Hecanthrowanythingatanybody,hisultimateaimistodestroy.Heistheenemy.Ifyouknowthis,youwillstopfindingreasonsandexcusesforyourproblems,andyouwillbeabletotacklethemproperly.

Godisnottheauthorofevil.Hedoesnottemptanybodywithevil.Thedevilisthemasterofevils.Heisthesource.Jesussaidwheneverhecomesagainstyou,itistosteal,killanddestroy.Thatishisplan.ButJesusalsosaid

Iamcomethatthey(you)mighthavelifeandthatthey(you)mighthaveitmoreabundantly.John10:10

Asthedevilistotallycommittedtodoingeviltoyou,Jesusisabsolutelyeagertogiveyouanovercominglife.Theenemy’sevilscannotoverpowerthewinninglifeJesushascometogivetoyou.Jesushasgivenyouthatlife–eternallifebywhichyoucanwinallthetime.Thereisnoexcuseforanybelievertobedefeated.GodhasperfectedyourvictoryprogrammeinChristJesus.Youcanboastofconstantvictory.Hecausesyoutotriumphalwaysovereverysituation.Ifitissin,theBiblesayshethatisbornofGoddoesnotsin.HehasplantedHisseedinyouandyoucannotsinifyouabideinHim.

Whosoeverabidethinhimsinnethnot:whosoeverisbornofGoddothnotcommitsinforhisseedremainethinhimandhecannotsinbecauseheisbornofGod.1John3:6,9

Thistalksaboutvictoryoversin.Thisisimportant,becausethemomentthedevilcangetyoudefeatedinthisarea,youarefinished.Hecanthengoonandafflictyouwithanythingandgetawaywithit.TheseedofGodisinyou.Eternallifehasbeenplantedinyou.Thislifeisstrongerthananyfighttheenemycanbring.ItistheverylifeofGodthatcannotfailinanysituation.

Yourvictoryisguaranteedineverysphereoflife.

Nameit.GodhasprovidedvictoryforyouineverybattleinthecomprehensivefinishedworkofChristatCalvary.

Therehathnotemptationtakenyoubutsuchasiscommon(moderate)toman:butGodisfaithfulwhowillnotsufferyoutobe

temptedabovethatyeareable;butwillwiththetemptationalsomakeawaytoescapethatyemaybeabletobearit.1Corinthians10:13

Thereis,clearly,nobattlethatisbeyondyou.Ifitwasbeyondyou,Godwouldnotallowittocomeyourway.DonotthinkthatGodisunawareofyoursituationinbattle.Heknowsyourcapacityasawinner.Heknowswhatsituationscomeyourway.SobeforeHeallowsanyofthem,Hehasassessedyourstrength.

Youhavedivineabilitytowininallandeverybattlethatcomesyourway.YouarebornofGodandwhatsoeverisbornofGodsimplyovercomestheworld(1John5:4).

Byvirtueofyourbirthyouareaworldovercomer.ThatistheBible.Thegreateroneisinyouandyouaremorethanaconqueror.Theproblemsmaylookstern.Theseasmayrageandthestormmaybetempestuousbutinalltheseyouaremorethanaconqueror.

EveryoneofthetroublesseekstoseparateyoufromtheloveofChrist.Butthewordsaystheycannot.Theyarenotdesignedtodrawyouaway.Theyaresupposedtobesteppingstonestovictory.Eachtimeyouwinabattleinfaith,youarepromoted.Yourfaithgetsstronger;readyforanotherround.ThatiswhytheBiblesays,havingdoneall,tostand.

WhoshallseparateusfromtheloveofChrist?Shalltribulationordistress,orpersecutionorfamine,ornakedness,orperilorsword?Nayinallthesethingswearemorethanconquerorsthroughhimthatlovedus.ForIampersuaded,thatneitherdeath,norlife,norangels,norprincipalities,norpowers,northingspresentnorthingstocome,norheight,nordepth,noranyothercreature,shallbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGod,whichisinChristJesusourLord.Romans8:35,37–39

ThiscatalogueofthingscannotseparateyoufromtheloveofChrist.Theycannotdefeatyou.Lookatthoseissuesagain.Theyarethetoughestbattlesyoucaneverfight.Buttheyarenotsufficienttodefeatyou.Thereissomethingtoostrongforthedeviltobreakinyou–theGodkindoflife.ThislifewasmadeavailablewhenJesusdiedonthecross.

Chapter2:TheDramaAtCalvary

Thegreatesteventintheworld’shistorywasthedramaatCalvarywhenandwhereJesus,theSonoftheMostHighdied.Itwasatimewhenthemostunusualthings(bothphysicallyandspiritually)happened.ThecreatorofheavenandearthwascrucifiedbyHiscreatures.Itwasthetragedyofallagesbutmuchmore,itwasthedeliveranceandabsoluteemancipationoftheworldfromthehouseofbondage.

Inthebookofthebeginnings(Genesis)wearegiventheaccountofcreation.GodbysovereignactcreatedtheearthandformedHisman,Adam,inHisownimage.HeputhiminthegardenandmadehimthegodofallHisworks.Heaskedhimtoreign,ruleandexercisedominionovereverylivingbeingonearth.

AttheendofitallAdambecamethegodofthisworld.God’splaninthebeginningwasperfect.Adamwastohandleheaven’saffairsonearth.Thishappenedandeverythingwentonsmoothly.TherewasnopersonalityclashbetweentheGodofheavenandthegodofthisearth.Afterallthese,Godlookedandsawthatitwasverygood.

AndGodsaweverythingthathehadmade,and,behold,itwasverygood…Genesis1:31

SuchwasthebeautyofGod’swork.Hewassatisfiedwithit.Hesaid,“Verygood!”Withmanatthehelmofaffairs,itwasverygoodwithGod.Hebroughttheanimalstohimfortheirnamingceremony.AdamgavethemnamesandGoddidnotcorrectorchangeanyofthemtilltoday.Suchwasthetotalityofman’sdominionandauthority.Hedidnotneedtostruggleforvictory.Itwashishabit.Itwasnaturalwithhim.HehadGod’sverynature.Heknewhimselfasthegodofthisworld.Itwaseasyforhimtorulebecauseofhisproperunderstandingofhimself.Satan,yourenemy,didnotenjoythissituation.SohetemptedGod’smanandgothimtosinagainstGod.Tragedystruckandthedeviltookovertheadministrationofthisworld.ItwaslegallyhandedovertohimbyAdamandnoonecouldtakeitexceptaman.

Immediately,manfellfromhisexaltedstate,hewasliterally“bornagain.”HetookuponhimthenatureofSatan.HebecameonewiththedevilinhissatanicnatureofspiritualdeathandwasthusseparatedfromGod.

ButGodinHisdivineandpredeterminatecounselhadplannedthedramaatCalvaryastheonlywaytoretrievetheworldandtorestoreHismantohisformerestate.HethenannouncedHisplanpubliclytothehearingofthedevilhimselfthatHe,God,wouldsendaSaviourthatwoulddefeatthedevil.

AndIwillputenmitybetweentheeandthewomanandbetweenthyseedandherseedanditshallbruisethyheadandthoushallbruisehisheel.Genesis3:15

Fromthatday,GodsetallHismachineryintomotionandthedevilbegantowaitandtoexpectwithunprecedentedanxiety.Hestartedsomehitandrunstrategies.HeknewGodtobetrue.ThatthecounseloftheLordshallstandforever.HeknewGod’snatureofconstancyandconsistency,sohebegantopanic.HecausedsomuchproblemintheworldthatGodgotangryanddestroyedit.AndGodsawthatthewickednessofmanwasverygreatintheearth,andthateveryimaginationofthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyevilcontinually.

AnditrepentedtheLordthathehadmademanontheearthanditgrievedhisheart.AndtheLordsaid,IwilldestroymanwhomIhavecreatedfromthefaceoftheearth…foritrepentedmethatIhavemadethem.Genesis6:5–7

WhenGodspokethosewords,thedevilmusthavebeenhappy.IfHedestroyedthewholeworldwherewouldtheseedofthewomancomefrom?

ButNoahfoundgraceintheeyesoftheLord.Genesis6:8GodkepthispromiseandtheLordJesusChristcameintotheworld.Jesus

cametogiveyouvictory.Hedidnotneedanymiracle.HedidnotneedtodefeatSatan.Hedidnotneedtobesaved.HeistheCreator.HeisGod.HehasbeenGodfromthebeginningofthebeginning.Heisco-eternalwiththeFather.

Hewouldnothaveneededanycontactwiththedevil,ifyouwerenotinvolved.ThedevilistooinferiortoHimforanyconversation,talklessofabattle.JesusChrist,HeistheLord.ButHecame.HedidnotcomeasGod.Hecameintheflesh,likeaman.HewasconstantlyreferredtoastheSonofman.

UnderstandthatAdamlegallysoldouttothedevil.Hesubmittedtohimasaman.Coitwouldtakeamantotakeitback.GodcouldhaveslappedthedeviloutofexistencethemomentmanfellbutHedidnot.Thedevilwould

haveaccusedHimofinjustice.Goddidnotgivehimauthority,itwasmananditwouldtakeamantocollectitback.

SoJesuscameasitwasprophesiedandthedevilstartedpursuingHimallovertheplace.ItstartedfromHisbirthtillthetimeHediedonthecross.Jesuscameasaman.

Forasmuchthenasthechildrenarepartakersoffleshandblood,healsohimselflikewisepartookofthesame;thatthroughdeathhemightdestroyhimwhohadthepowerofdeaththatisthedevil;Forverilyhedidnottakeuponhimthenatureofangels;buthetookuponhimtheseedofAbraham.WhereforeinallthingsitbehovedhimtobemadelikeuntohisbrethrenthathemightbeamercifulhighpriestinallthingspertainingtoGodtomakereconciliationforthesinsofthepeople.Hebrews2:14,16–17

JesusdidnotcomeinthenatureofangelsorinHisnatureasGod.Hecameastheseedofthewoman.TheseedofAbraham.Hewasmadelikeus(totallyman)tobeabletoconfrontthedevillegally.HehumbledHimselftobecomeaman.

Who,beingintheformofgod,thoughtitnotrobberytobeequalwithGod.Butmadehimselfofnoreputationandtookuponhimtheformofaservantandwasmadeinthelikenessofman.Andbeingfoundinfashionasaman,hehumbledhimself,andbecameobedientuntodeath,eventhedeathofthecross.Philippians2:6–8

HeemptiedHimselfandcameasamantotheworld.ManypeoplebelievethatJesusperformedthosemiraclesbecauseHeistheSonofGod.Theysay,“YoucannotcompareyourselfwithJesus.”ButJesusdidthosethingsasamananointedwiththeHolyGhost.HedidnotperformanymiracleuntilaftertheHolyGhosthaddescendedonHim.

HowGodanointedJesusChristofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower;whowentaboutdoinggoodandhealingallthatwereoppressedofthedevilforGodwaswithhim.Acts10:38

HedidnotgetthosevictoriesastheSonofGodbutasaman.EvenifHedid,inHissonshipcapacity,youarealsoasonofGod.AbonafidememberofthecosmicFamily.JesussomanifestedtheKingdompowerandauthoritythatitputthedevilonthedefensivetooconstantly.Hetriedallhecouldtostop

Himbutcouldnot,soheplannedandframedchargesofmutinyagainsttheLordJesusChrist,andHefinallyhadtogotothecrossforthegreatestdramainthehistoryoftheworld.TheLordJesusknewwhatwashappening.Hewasfulfillingprophecy.Butthedevilwasignorant.HethoughthehadgottheSonofGodfinally.Jesuswasbridgingagapbetweenthepastandthefuture.Thecrossbecamethecentreofhistory.JesustheMessiahwasonthecross.

Morethingshappenedonthecrossthanmostpeopleknow.AsHehungonthecross,greatthingsbegantohappenintherealmofthespirit.

Hetooktheplaceofmaninsin,sickness,poverty,deathandeveryevilthingintheworld.HewasGod’ssacrificiallambforman’sredemptionfromthehandsofthechieftaskmaster,thedevil.Rightthereonthecross,Hewasmadesin.Heidentifiedwithmaninthesinsituation.Heidentifiedwithmaninthefallenstateandbecamesinforus.

Forhehathmadehim(Jesus)tobesinforus,who(Jesus)knewnosin;thatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGodinhim.2Corinthians5:21

Jesusbecamesin.Untilthistime,Hedidnotknowsin.ButforHimtodelivermanfromthepowerofspiritualdeath,Hehadtopartakeofit.AsHehungonthecross,Hewassinpersonified.Allthesinsoftheworld,past,presentandfuturewerelaidonHim.Hediedspiritually–separatedfromGod.

HedidnotonlycarryoursinsonHim,Hecarriedthewholeworld’sdiseasesandsicknesses.Hecarriedallpainsandafflictions.EveryevilthinginthisworldwaslaidonHimonthecross.

Surelyhehathborneourgriefs,andcarriedoursorrows;yetwedidesteemhimstrickensmittenofGodandafflicted.Buthewaswoundedforourtransgressions,hewasbruisedforouriniquities;thechastisementofourpeacewasuponhimandbyhisstripeswearehealed.Isaiah53:4–5

Thesethingswereaccomplishedonthecross,whenHesaid,“Itisfinished”(John19:30).Thatwaswhenithappened.WhenJesussaidit,Hegaveuptheghost.Hefinishedyourbattlesagainstsin,difficultiesandeveryevil.Peoplearguethat,Jesusdidnotdiespiritually.TheyarefullypersuadedthatHeonlydiedphysically.IfHeonlydiedphysically,thenHeredeemedusfromphysicaldeathonly.Itdidnotaffectsin.Sinisaspiritualforce,anyphysicalexercisecannotstopit.Jesusdidmorethandiephysicallyonthe

cross.Healsodiedspiritually.Hewasmadesin.NotthatHesinnedordinarily,butHewasmadesinitself.Hewassinincarnateonthecross.Thatisspiritualdeath.Whatdoesittaketobeinastateofspiritualdeath?–separationfromGod.AdamandEvedidnotdiephysicallywhentheyatethefruitinthegarden,yetGodtoldthem,“Thedaythatyeeatyeshalldie.”Theydidnotdiephysically,theydiedspiritually.TheywereseparatedfromGod.JesustoowasseparatedfromGod.RightthereonthetreewhenHehadbecomesin,GodturnedhiseyefromHimandJesusexclaimed,“Father,whyhaveYouleftMealone?”

Andwhenthesixthhourwascome,therewasdarknessoverthewholelanduntiltheninthhour.Andattheninthhour,Jesuscriedwithaloudvoicesaying,ELOI,ELOI,LAMASABACHTHANI,whichisbeinginterpreted,MyGod,myGod,whyhastthouforsakenme?Mark15:33–34

HisSonwasseparatedfromHim.HehadbeenmadesinandGodistooholytobeholdsin.Hiseyesaretoopuretolookuponsin.HehadnochoicethantoforsakeHisSononthecross.Habakkuk1:13says,

Thouartofpurereyesthantobeholdevil,andcanstnotlookoniniquity.

SoJesusbeingsinatthistimecouldnotcontinuetocommandGod’sfellowship.Thatisthewholeessenceofspiritualdeath.Itisabasicspirituallawthat,ifanymanisfoundwithsinatdeath,hemustgotohell.“Thesoulthatsinnethitshalldie.”Atthistimetheenemythoughthehadgotallthevictory.HehadfinallysucceededinkillingtheHopeoftheworld.

HewasevenmoreexcitedwhenhenoticedsinonHim.ItbecameimperativethatHeshouldtogotohell.Godwouldnotbreakthatlaw,elsethedeliveranceoftheworldwouldnotbecomplete.Itwouldhavebeenabortive.

Andhemadehisgravewiththewickedandwiththerichinhisdeaths.Isaiah53:9

IfJesusdidnotgothere,thenwestillhavetogotherebecauseitmeansthatHissacrificedoesnotcoverthatarea.Hetookpartineverythingthatmatteredtoourredemption.

Wherefore,inallthingsitbehovedhimtobemadelikeuntohisbrethrenthathemightbeamercifulandfaithfulHighPriestin

thingspertainingtoGodtomakereconciliationforthesinsofthepeople.Hebrews2:17

Thatisthewholetruth.Nowthatheascended,whatisitbutthathealsodescendedfirstintothelowerpartsoftheearth?

Hethatdescendedishealsothatascendedupfaraboveallheavensthathemightfillallthings.Ephesians4:9–10

ThemanDavid,inoneofhispropheticpsalmsabouttheMessiahspokeoftheLordJesusinconversationwiththefather.

Thereforemyheartisglad,andmygloryrejoiceth;myfleshalsoshallrestinhope.Forthouwiltnotleavemysoulinhell;neitherwiltthousufferthineholyonetoseecorruption.Psalm16:9–10

WhenPeterpreachedhisfirstopenaircrusadeinJerusalemonthedayofPentecost,afterhehadjustreceivedthebaptismintheHolyGhost,hesaidthispsalmwastalkingaboutJesus.

ForDavidspeakethconcerninghim…thereforedidmyheartrejoiceandmytonguewasglad;moreover,alsomyfleshshallrestinhope;becausethouwiltnotleavemysoulinhellneitherwiltthousufferthineholyonetoseecorruption.Acts2:25–27

Hispresencetherewaspartofthedivineassignment.Hewentthereandfinishedthework.ItwastherethatHecementedthevictoryandsealedthedevil’sdoomofdefeat.Hetookthekeystohellanddeathandarosevictoriously.Hespoilt,defeatedandstrippedprincipalitiesandpowersofalltheirauthority.Beforethistime,thedevilhadthepower(key)ofdeath.ButwhenJesusdiedandwasthere,Hedestroyedthedevilandthepowershehad.

Forasmuchasthechildrenarepartakersoffleshandblood,healsolikewisetookpartofthesamethatthroughdeath,hemightdestroyhimthathadthepowerofdeaththatisthedevil.Hebrews2:14Andhavingspoiltprincipalitiesandpowers,hemadeanopenshowofthemtriumphingovertheminit.Colossians2:15

ThisistheculminationofthedramaatCalvary.Jesusdidaveryneatjob.

HefinishedeverythingasitiswrittenofHimandrosetriumphantly.HewenttothethroneandofferedHisbloodasthebloodofeternalcovenantandsanctifiedusforvictoryforevermore.Thisisthespringboardforvictory.Thecrossisthetouchstoneforvictoriousliving.Thatiswhatsettledthesinproblem.Hetookyououtofthehouseofbondageandbroughtyouintolife.HegaveyoulifefromHisvictoryonthecross.HerestoredyoubackasGod’smanonearth.JesusrestoredeverythingthatmanlostinthegardenofEdeninHisvictoryoverSatan.Hehasputalltheseintoyourhand.Thevictoryistotal—spirit,soulandbody.Itiscomprehensivevictoryforyouinallways.Hediditonyourbehalf.

Chapter3:YourNewStatus

WhenJesusdiedandrosefromthedeath,HewentintotheHolyofholiesinheaventopresentHisbloodofeternalredemptiononthebasisofHissubstitutionarydeathandresurrectiononourbehalf.BythisHeobtainedeternalvictoryforusandmadeusvictorsoverthedevil.

…butwithhisownbloodheenteredinonceintotheholyplacehavingobtainedeternalredemptionforus.Hebrews9:12

HeofferedHisbloodattheholyplaceforus.ItwasnotthebloodofbullsandgoatsbutHisveryblood.Afterdoingthis,HesatdownattherighthandofMajestyonhighexpectingHisenemiestobemadeHisfootstool.Butthisman,afterhehadofferedonesacrificeforsins,forever,satdownontherighthandofGod;forbyoneofferinghehathperfectedforeverthemthataresanctified.Hebrews10:12,14

WhenHesatdownontherighthandofGod,Hehadcompletedman’sperfectvictoryinallbattlesoflifebecauseinthatexercise,man,(you),waslegallyidentifiedwithHiminHiscrucifixion,death,burialandresurrection.

Ifyouaregoingtowalkinyourvictory,youmustbefullyawareofyouridentificationwithChristineverystageofHisredemptivework.Ineverystageofit,youwereinChrist.Youwerelegallypresentthere,defeatingthedevilwhenJesusdied.Whenyouknowthisyouwilldevelopavictorymentality,youwillbecomeawareofyourlegalvictoryinallbattlesoflifeastheycome.

JustasJesusidentifiedwithusinourspiritualdeath,wealsoidentifiedwithHiminHissufferings.Welegallytookpartinit.IfHedidnotidentifywithus,Hewouldnothavebeenabletoredeemus.IfwewerenotidentifiedwithHimalso,wecannotclaimanyrighttovictorybutthankGod,wewereidentifiedwithHiminHiscrucifixion,burialandresurrection.Thatisourvictory.Considerthefollowingscriptures:

IwascrucifiedwithChristneverthelessIlive…Galatians2:20

KnowingthisthatouroldmanwascrucifiedwithhimthattheBodyofsinmightbedestroyedthatweshouldnolongerliveinbondagetosin.Romans6:6Whowasdeliveredforouroffensesandwasraisedforourjustification.Romans4:25

Hewasdelivereduponaccountofyourtrespassesandraisedforyourjustification.HebecameidentifiedwithyouonthecrossandyouwithHim.Youwerethereonthecrosscrucified.CrucifiedwithHim,youalsodiedwithHim.YouwerejoinedwithHiminthelikenessofHisdeath.AsHedied,youdiedwithHim.AsamatteroffactyouwenttohellwithHim.Completelyidentified.

Forifwehavebeenplantedtogetherinthelikenessofhisdeath,weshallbealsointhelikenessofhisresurrection.Romans6:5

YouwereburiedwithhiminHisdeath.WaterbaptismisakindofburialwithChrist.ItisatypeofHisburialandresurrection.Wevirtually,legallytookpartineverythingthathappenedtoHim.

KnowyenotthatsomanyofyouaswerebaptizedintoJesusChristwerebaptizedintohisdeath.Thereforeweareburiedwithhimbybaptismintohisdeath…Romans6:3–4

YouequallyidentifiedwithhiminHisresurrectionandexaltation.Youweremadealivewithhim.

Andyoubeingdeadinyoursinsandintheuncircumcisionofyourfleshhathhequickenedtogetherwithhimhavingforgivenyoualltrespasses.Colossians2:13Evenwhenweweredeadinsins,hathquickenedustogetherwithChrist.Ephesians2:5

WhenJesuswasmadealiveinthespirit,youwere,also.OnthebasisofidentificationyouwereraisedupfromthedeadtogetherwithHim.

AndhathraisedusuptogetherwithhimandmadeussittogetherinheavenlyplacesinChristJesus.Ephesians2:6

WhenGodraisedHimupandexaltedHimfaraboveprincipalitiesandpowers,youweretherewithHim—exalted.

AndhathraisedusuptogetherwithhimandmadeussittogetherwithhimintheheavenlyplacesinChristJesus.Thatisyou!Heraisedyouaboveyourenemies.

Youarefarabovethem.Youareoverthem.

…whenheraisedhimfromthedeadandsethimathisownrighthandintheheavenlyplaces,Faraboveallprincipalityandpowers,andmightanddominionandeverynamethatisnamed,notonlyinthisworldbutalsointhatwhichistocome.Andhathputallthingsunderhisfeet,andgavehimtobetheheadoverallthingstothechurch,whichishisbody,thefullnessofhimthatfillethallinall.Ephesians1:20–23

Inidentification,youwereraisedtogetherwithHimfaraboveallyourenemies.Everything.HeputthemunderHisfeetyourfeet.Hediditforthebody–thechurch,andeveryprincipalityisunderyourfeet.Thatisthesecretofyourvictory.NotethatyouareinGod’sclassofbeing.ByvirtueofChrist’sredemptivework,youhavebecomeanewcreation,ifyouhaveacceptedHimasSaviourandLordofyourlife.ThisnewcreationgrantsyouentranceintoGod’sclass.Youbecomeanewcreationatnewbirth.Completelynew.Brandnew.Notanadjustment.Notamodificationoftheoldstatus.Youhavecomeintoanewstatusofbeing.

Therefore,ifanymanisinChrist,heisanewcreation:oldthingshavepassedaway;beholdallthingshavebecomenew.2Corinthians5:17

Bythisnewcreationyouhavebecomeacceptedinthebeloved,theFamilyoftheFatherGod.YouhavebecomeamemberofthecosmicFamily.YouaretranslatedintothekingdomofGodatsalvation.

Goddeclaresyourighteous.HebecomesyourrealFatherandyoubecomeHisrealson.HecomesintoyouwithallHisstrength,gloryandmajestyandmakesyoustronginHim.HetookyououtofthepowersandkingdomofthedevilandtranslatedyouintothekingdomoftheSonofHislove.

Whohathdeliveredusfromthepowerofdarknessandtranslatedusintothekingdomofhisdearson.Colossians1:13

Inthekingdomofdarkness,thereareallformsofevil.Allmannerofsicknesses,afflictions,embarrassments,tormentsandbadluckholdswayinthiskingdomofdarkness.Allthepeopletherearecaptivesandsubjecttoallevils.Theyhavenosourceofhelpaslongastheycontinuethere.Theyareruledandgovernedbythedevil.Theyarechildrenofdisobedience,andthedevilcontinuallylordsitoverthem.Theycannotprotest.Theyhavenorightto.Theirwillshavebeensubmittedtothedevil.Theyrecognizehimastheirlordandmaster.Theyhavebecomeservantsofsin.

Knowyenotthattowhomyeyieldyourselvesservantstoobey,hisservantsyearetowhomyeobey;whetherofsinuntodeath,orofobediencetorighteousness.Romans6:16

Theyareheldinbondagebythedevil.Heislordingitoverthembecausetheyhaveyieldedthemselvestohimbutyouarenolongerunderhiscontrol.Youweredeliveredfromthatrealmandstateofservitudeandnotonlythat,youweretranslatedintothekingdomofGodHimself.Youwerebroughtoutofdarknessintolight.YouhavebecomeapartakerofthelifeandnatureoftheFatherGod.Therearefourclassesofbeingsinthespiritworld.Theyarearrangedinhierarchies.Notethatyouareaspiritbeing.Alotofpeopleseethemselvesasmerelyphysical.Theyareignorantthattheyarespiritbeings.GodisaSpirit.Heisnotphysical.

Godisaspirit:andtheythatworshiphimmustworshiphiminspiritandintruth.John4:24

Youhavetounderstandthisfact.GodisaSpirit.HecreatedmaninHisveryimage,aspiritbeing.Manessentially,isaspirit.Thepersonyouseeoutsideisnottheman.Themanontheinsideistherealman.Thefigureyouseeoutwardlyisthehouseinwhichhelives.Manisinthreedimensions.Heisaspirit,hasasoulandlivesinabody.

AndtheveryGodofpeacesanctifyyouwholly:andIprayGodyourwholespirit,soulandbodybepreservedblamelessuntothecomingofourLordJesusChrist1Thessalonians5:23

Paulknewthisfactveryclearly.InhisepistletothePhilippians,hetold

themofhisindecisionaboutwhethertodepartorcontinuetoabideinthebody.

ButifIliveintheflesh,thisisthefruitofmylabour:yetwhatIshallchooseIwot(know)not.ForIaminastraitbetweentwo,havingadesiretodepart,andtobewithChrist;whichisfarbetter,nevertheless,toabideinthefleshismoreneedfulforyou.Philippians1:22–24

Paulknewhismake–up.Heknewhimselftobeaspiritandthatthefleshisthehouseforhimto“abide”in.Noticethatthereisconstantreferenceto“I.”The“I”here,istherealPaulbutthebody(flesh)ishishouse.Youareaspirit.

ThatwhichisbornoffleshisfleshandthatwhichisbornoftheSpiritisspirit.John3:6

YouarebornofGodwhoisaSpirit.Youmustbeaspiritalso.Amancannotgivebirthtoalizard.Alizardcannotgivebirthtoabat.AnelephantwillonlyreproduceafteritskindandGod,whenHegavebirthtoyou,broughtyouforthaspirit.So,therearefourcategoriesofbeingsinthespiritworld.Theoneattheimmediatebaseoftheladderistheclassofunregeneratespirits.Thesearementhatarenotbornagain.Theyarestillfirmlyinthehandsofthedevilashisservants.Theirwillandmotivesaredirectlyunderthecontrolofdemonsandthedevil.

Theyarecontrolledbythespiritoftheage.Can’tyouseehowunbelieversdothemostunpardonablethings?Theycommitthegreatestblundersyoucanthinkof.Theyareinfluencedandmotivatedintothatstatebythedevil.Hehasabsoluterightandcontrolovertheirlives.Immediatelyabovethisclassisthedemonicclass.ThesearetheangelsthatfellwiththedevilwhenGodcasthimoutofheaven.Theyarecalleddemonsandtheyoperateagainstanythinggoodintheworld.TheywereonceintheservicewithGod.ButtheydidnotkeeptheirformerestatesotheywereforcefullyretiredfromGod’shostwithoutbenefits.SotheyarenotcurrentwithGod’smove.Theyareignorantofkingdomtruth.TheirknowledgeaboutGodisobsolete.ThatisoneofthereasonswhyJesussaidthegatesofhellshallnotbeabletoprevailagainstthechurch.Theydonotpossessthemanpowertocarryitout.ThenextsetorclassofspiritsareGod’sholyangels.TheseareGod’scurrentsoldiers.Theyarespiritswhoexcelinstrength.Theyoccupyahigherrealmthanthedevilandhisdemons.Theyarehigherinstatus.

ThehighestclassisGodandHisFamily.Thisiswhereyoubelong.Youmayaskme,“BrotherDavid,doyoumeanIamhigherinclassthantheangels?”Myanswertoyouisanemphatic“yes.”Youcannotcompareyourselfwithangels.Youarenotonthesamelevel.Angelsareonlycreatedbutyouarebothcreatedandregenerated.YouhaveabetterstandingwithGod.Jesusdidnotdieforangels.Hediedforyou.Theyareyourmessengers.Theyaresenttoministertoyou.

Buttowhichoftheangelssaidheatanytime,sitonmyrighthanduntilImakethineenemiesthyfootstool?Aretheynotallministeringspiritssenttoministerforthemwhoshallbeheirsofsalvation.Hebrews1:13–14

Angelsareyourservants.Thatiswhytheyaresent.Theword,“ministeringspirits”isthesameas“servingspirits.”Theyareyourservantsinthespirit.Theyarenothigherthanyouinclass.Goddidnotmakeyoulowerthanangels.Thewordtranslated“angels”inPsalm8:5shouldhavebeentranslatedGod.

Thouhastmadehimalittlelowerthantheangels(God)andhathcrownedhimwithgloryandhonour.Psalm8:5

Ifyouwerecreatedlowerthanangels,Godwouldbeunjusttomakethemyourservants;becauseitisthelesserthatservesthegreater.Ifindeedtheyarehigher,youshouldservethem.Getthispointveryclearlyandgetholdofit.WhenanangelappearedtoJohn,thebelovedontheIslandofPatmosandJohnfelldowntoworshiphim,theangelprotestedandmadeamostrevealingstatementabouttheirministrytothebeliever.

Seethoudoitnot:forIamthyfellowservantandofthybrethrentheprophets,andofthemthatkeepthesayingsofthisbook.WorshipGod.Revelations22:9

WhattheangelissayingthereisthatheisafellowservantofGod’speoplewithJohn.Youknowtheapostlesconsiderthemselvesasservants.SotheangelsaidIamalsoaservantofGod’speople.Iamservingyoupresently.Itismydutytoshowyouthosethings.Iamperformingmydutytowardsyou.Theyserveinallareasoflife.Theyserveinprotectionandallotherareas.

TheangeloftheLordencampethroundaboutthemthatfearhimanddelivereththem.Psalm34:7

Theyarebeliever’sAide–de–camp.Theyattendtoyouinallareasoflife.

SoyouareinGod’sclassofbeingasanewcreationperson.Youareacceptedinthebeloved.YouareGod’soffspring.YouareHislovedson.YouoccupyaspecialplaceinHisheart.YouhaveHisnature,Hislife,Hisspirit,Hisfaith,Hislove.EverythingaboutHimhasbeenmadeavailabletoyouthroughthenewcreation.Itisnotforgivenessofsinalone.Itiscomprehensive.YouareexaltedintotheheavenlyplacesandseatedtherewithHim.

ButGodwhoisrichinmercy,forHisgreatlovewherewithhelovedus,evenwhenyeweredeadinsins,hathquickenedustogetherwithChrist.,andhathraisedusuptogether,andmadeussittogetherinheavenlyplacesinChristJesus.Ephesians2:4–6

YouhavebecomeonewithChrist.YouarejoinedwithHim.YouhavebeengivenHisverylife:God’sdivinenature.Youhavebeendeclaredrighteousandhavebeenrestoredtoyourformerestate.WhatyoulostinAdaminthebeginning,youhaveregainedinChrist.Younowhavebeenrestoredtoyourplaceofauthorityanddominion.Younowholdswayovereverysituationinlifebyvirtueofyourclassofbeing.YouareasinvincibleasGod.NodevilcandefeatyouifyoustandinyourproperpositioninGod.ThenatureandlifeofGodisyourspersonally.Youarenewandhavebeendeclaredmorethanaconqueror.

Thereisaninnatevictorymentalityinyournature.God’snatureiscontrarytodefeatandfailure.Hecannotfail.Hedoesnothaveasenseofit.ItisnotpossiblewithGod!.Lookatit.Goddoesnotknowfailure.YouareHisson.GodproducesafterHiskind.YouareinGod’sclass.Youareagodhereonearth.

Ihavesaid,yearegods;andallofyouarechildrenofthemosthigh.Psalm82:6

Jesusre–echoedthisstatementinthenewtestamentthusaffirmingitsauthenticity.“Jesusansweredandsaiduntothem,isitnotwritteninyourlaw,Isaid,yearegods?”Jesussaidyouareagod.Donotargueit.Youare.Jesussaidit.Thatputsyouonvictoryplane.Noenemycanovercomeyoubecauseyouareagod.Godhasdesignedconstantvictoryinyournewstatus.Itisovertoyou.

NotethattheLordJesushasaccomplishedalltheseforyouandtheyareyourslegally.Ifyouonlystopatthelegalpossessionwithoutenteringintoitvitally,youwillnevergetit.Youwillonlyhavethemcreditedintoyouraccountbutwillneverenjoythemandthedevilwilltakeadvantageofyou.ButyoucanenterintoitthroughfaithinthefinishedworkofChrist.GodhasdesignedthatfaithisabasicrequirementyoumusthaveandexercisetogetanythingfromHim.

Butwithoutfaith,itisimpossibletopleaseGod;forhethatcomethtoGodmustbelievethatheis,andthatheisarewarderofthemthatdiligentlyseekhim.Hebrews11:6

YourfaithmustpleaseGodforyoutoenterintoyourvictory.

Chapter4:TheFightOfFaith

Thefightyouareinvolvedinisnotphysical.Itisnotakindoffightthatisaimedatphysicalfoes.Youdonotfightthisbattleinthearmoftheflesh.Itisfoughtwithspiritualweapons.

Forthoughwewalkinthefleshwedonotwaraftertheflesh:fortheweaponsofourwarfarearenotcarnal(physical)butmightythroughGodtothepullingdownofstrongholds;Castingdownimaginations,andeveryhighthingthatexaltethitselfagainsttheknowledgeofGodandbringingintocaptivityeverythoughttotheobedienceofChrist.2Corinthians10:3–5

Theenemyyouarewarringagainstisnotphysical,soyoucannotattackhimwithphysicalweapons.Heisfiringarrows,hisfierydartsatyou.Heisalloutforyou.Soyouneedtounderstandthattheonlywaytostandagainsthimistoresisthiminfaith.

Thesubjectoffaithcannotbeoveremphasized.ItisoneofthethingsthatareindispensableinChristianity.Itisalifeoffaith.Asamatteroffact,Christianityiscalled“TheFaith.”Thisiswhyalotofemphasishasgoneintothefaithmessageallovertheworld.YoucannotamounttoanythinginChristianitywithoutfaith,forbygraceyouaresavedthroughfaith.

Thisfaithbusinessisveryimportant.Somepeopleignorantlyprotestthatfaithmessageisprevailingtoomuchinthechurch.Faithcannotbetoomuch.ItisthebasisonwhichmanrelateswithGod.Withoutit,mancannotgetanythingfromGod.SoHehasdesignedthatmanmustlivebyfaithtojustifyhisdivinenature.GodisafaithGodandforanybodytoliveuptoHisexpectation,hehastolivebyfaithtoo.

Inthisfight,yourfaithisindirectconflictwiththedevil.Theenemyknowsthatyouarewhatyourfaithis.Yourqualityoflifedependsalsoentirelyonyourfaith.Youwillnevergetanyvictorythatisbiggerthanyourfaith.

NotethatGodhasdoneeverythingonHisownside.HehascompletedHisownpartofthecontract.HehasexaltedyoulegallyandhascompletedyoureverymomentvictoryintheLordJesusChrist.ButHeexpectsyouto

enterintothemandcausethemtoberealinyoureverydaylife,byfaith.

HeisexpectingHisenemiestobesubjectedtoyou.Sotheenemyisconstantlywarringagainstyoutomakesurethatyourfaithisweakened.Ifhecancauseyourfaithtodwindle,hehasgotyou.Yourfaithisthefortressthatkeepsthedeviloffyourterritory.Ifyouareinfaith,thedevilknowsthatheisinadangerzone.

JesustoldSimonPeterthatthedevilwasplanningagainsthimbutHehadprayedthatPeter’sfaithwouldnotfail.Thatiswhattheenemyisabout.Hewantsyourfaithtofail.Hewantsyoubatteredoutofshape.

AndtheLordsaid,Simon,behold,Satanhathdesiredtohaveyouthathemaysiftyouaswheat:butIhaveprayedfortheethatthyfaithfailnot.Luke22:31–32

JesusdidnotpraythatSatanwouldnotdesirePeterorthatPeterwouldnotbetempted.Heknewitisnormaltobetemptedbythedevil.Thatishismajoroccupation.Ifhedoesnottempt,whoelsewould?SoJesusdidnotfindanywisdominprayingagainsttemptationbutthatPeter’sfaithwouldnotfail.

Itshowshowimportantyourfaithlifeis.Itmakesthedifferencebetweenvictoryanddefeat.ItmeansthatifPeter’sfaithfailed,thedevilcouldgethimbutifitdidnot,therewasnowaythedevilcouldgetathim.YourfaithisSatan’stargetbecausethatiswhatyouuseinresistinghim.

Besober,bevigilant,becauseyouradversarythedevil,asaroaringlion,walkethabout,seekingwhomhemaydevour.Whomresiststeadfastinthefaith,knowingthatthesameafflictionsareaccomplishedinyourbrethrenthatareintheworld.1Peter5:8–9

Youseenowthatyouresistthedevilbyyourfaith.

Hecannotgetyouuntilhehasgottenyourfaith.

Yourfaithisamenacetohim.

Aboveall,takingtheshieldoffaithwherewithyeshallbeabletoquenchallthefierydartsofthewicked.Ephesians6:16

Whenthedevilcomeswithhisproblems,itisyourdutytowardoffhisassaultsbytheshieldoffaith.Whenhecomeswithsickness,youuseyour

faithtoresist.Yourvictorycanonlybewonbyfaithandsustainedbyit.Thereisnootherwaytoit.Godhasdesigneditso.

Itisalsoimportantforyoutoknowthatitisyourfaiththatwillwinthisbattleforyou.Itisnotyourpastor’soranyofyourfellowshipleaders’.ItisyourownfaithinthevictoryofChristthatmakesthedifference.

Behold,hissoulwhichisliftedupisnotuprightinhim:butthejustshalllivebyhisfaith.Habakkuk2:4

Getholdofthistruth.Itisyourfaiththatwillputyouoverinalllife’sdifficulties.Whentheenemycomes,itisyourfaiththatwillseeyouthrough.ThisissoimportantthatitisrepeatedfourtimesintheentireBible.

ForthereinistherighteousnessofGodrevealedfromfaithtofaithasitiswritten,thejustshalllivebyfaith.Romans1:17…Forthejustshalllivebyfaith.Galatians3:11Nowthejustshalllivebyfaith:Butifanymandrawback,mysoulshallhavenopleasureinhim.Hebrews10:38

Thereisnocompromiseaboutit.Yourownfaithisthekeytoyourpersonalvictory.Mostofthefightsyouwilleverhavetofightarepersonal.Notmanyofthemarecollective.Eventhosethatarecollectivestillhavepersonaleffects.Soforyoutoreallywininanyofthem,yourfaithmustbeoutthereworkingverywell.ThepeoplethatJesushealedinthescripturesreceivedtheirhealingsonthebasisoftheirfaithpersonally.ItwasnotthefaithofJesusthathealedthembuttheirownfaith.Thewomanwiththeissueofbloodgothervictorybyherownfaith.Shehaddeterminedtobehealed.Ibelievethatwomanhadfoughtoneofthetoughestbattlesanybodycanfightonearth.Shehadanissueofbloodconsistentlyfor12years,Shehadspenteverythingshehadbutnoimprovementwasvisible.JesusdidnotevennoticeherinthecrowdbutsheforcedherwaythroughthegreatpresstotouchHisgarment.Shedidnotwanttoknowhowmuchofthegarmentshecouldtouch.Eventhehemalonewasenoughtosecureherhealingandshegotit.

ButJesusturnedhimabout,andwhenhesawher,hesaid,daughterbeofgoodcomfort;thyfaithhathmadetheewholeand

thewomanwasmadewholeinthathour.Matthew9:22

WhenJesushealedtwoblindmeninthissamechapterofMatthew,Hementionedthatitisthebeliever’spersonalfaiththatgetsthevictory.

Andwhenhewascomeintothehouse,theblindmencametohimandJesussaithuntothem,BelieveyethatIamabletodothis?Theysaiduntohimyea,Lord,thentouchedhetheireyes,sayingaccordingtoyourfaith,beituntoyou.Matthew9:28–29

Thathasalwaysbeentheprecedent.NomanreceivesanythingfromGodwithoutfaith.HemustseefaithbeforeHemovesonyourbehalf.Faithisessentialforpersonalvictory.PaulwaspreachinginLystrawithanimpotentmanintheaudience.Hewasimpotentinhisfeetfromhismother’swomb.Hecouldnotwalkbecausehewasacripple.

ThesameheardPaulspeak;whosteadfastlybeholdinghimandperceivingthathehadfaithtobehealed,saidwithaloudvoice,Standuprightonthyfeet.Andheleapedandwalked.Acts14:9–10

ItiseasytosaythatPaulhealedhim!Hehealedthemanwhohadbeencrippledfromhismother’swomb.ButtheBiblesays,hehadfaithtobehealed.Ifhedidnothavefaithforhealing,hisvictorywouldnothavecomeatthattime.Noticealsothatthemanleapedandwalkedbyhimself.Youneedfaithforyourvictory.Thepointisthatyourvictoryhasbeenmadecertain.Ithasbeencompleted.Itisaforegoneconclusionbutyouneedpersonalappropriatingfaithtogetintoit.Thatisthefaithittakes.

Theproblemwithmostpeopleisthat,insteadofwalkingbyfaith,theychoosetowalkbysight.TheBiblesaysthejustshalllivebyhisfaithnotbysight.Itisamazingtoseepeoplesetalltheirattentionontheirproblems.Theysofocusonituntilitismagnifiedabovetheirimagination.Theyareliketheyoungmanwhohappenedtoseeacat.Hegotsoengulfedinthinkingaboutthecatthatheeventuallygothimselfintobelievingthecattobealionandexclaims,“Beholdalion!”Yetthesupposedlionwasjustacat.Hemagnifiedit.Peoplehavemagnifiedtheirproblemsabovewhattheyare.Theydependsolelyontheirfivesenses.Theyonlybelievethosethingstheycanseearoundthem.Theydependontheirsensesofsight,smell,taste,touchandhearing.Outsidethese,theycannotoperate.ButGodintendsyoutowalkbyfaithandnotbysight.

Forwewalkbyfaithandnotbysight.2Corinthians5:7

Anewcreationmanthatyouare,isnotdesignedtowalkbyhisfivesenses.Youarenotordinary.Youarespecial.Thereisaworldofdifferencebetweenyouandthenaturalmanyoucanseearoundyou.Yourowncontentandqualityoflifeisdifferent.Youareanewspecie.Akindofyouhasneverexisted.

YouhavebeenbroughtintoonenesswithGod.Soyouhavetowalklikehim.GodisafaithGod.HeisyourFather.HeisafaithFathersoyouaresupposedtobeafaithson.Ifyouwalkbysight,youwilloperateoutsideyournaturalstyleoflife.GoddemonstratedHisfaithlifestyleinHiscreationprogramme.Godcreatedtheearthbyfaith.

ThroughfaithweunderstandthattheworldswereframedbythewordofGod,sothatthethingswhichareseenwerenotmadeofthingswhichdoappear.Hebrews11:3

Godwasbasicallyonafaithprojecthere.Heframedtheworldsfromthingsthatarenotvisibletosight.Hewasnotwalkingbysight.Hewalkedbyfaith.HeusedHiseyesoffaithanditworked.Hehasdesignedthesamesystemforyoutooperate.IfyoufollowGodinthelifeoffaithyouwillgetGod’ssuccessresults.Itcannotfail.Itisbywalkingbyfaiththatyouwillovercomealldifficultiesandwinyourbattlesalways.Yourvictoryisalwaysguaranteed.Butnotethatyoucannotenterintoitexceptyouwalkbyfaith.

WhatsoeverisbornofGodovercomeththeworld;andthisisthevictorythatovercomeththeworldevenourfaith.1John5:4

Thereisnovictoryoutsidefaith.Itisnotaphysicalbattlewhichyoucaneasilywinifyouareheftyandmuscular.ItisnotbypowerormightbutbytheSpiritoftheLord.ThatiswhytheBiblesaysitisbyfaithyoustand.Faithisessential.Itisasvitalasbreathing.WithoutfaithyoucannotpleaseGod.

Itwilltakefaithforyoutobeonyourfeet.

Notthatwehavedominionoveryourfaith,butarehelpersofyourjoy:Forbyfaithyestand.2Corinthians1:24

Ifyouareonyourfeet,thenyouareinvictorysoitisbyfaiththatyoucanstayanovercomer.Walkbyfaith!

Chapter5:ABornWinner

Byvirtueofyourbirth,youhavebeendeclaredawinner.YouhaveawinningcovenantwithGodtheFather.Hehasdestinedyoutowin.Youarenotmeantforfailureanddefeat,butforgreatexploitsinvictory.Thereisnofight,howeverfierce,andthebattlemaybetoughbutyourvictoryiscertain.YoucanhaveasmanyvictoriesasthebattlesyouhaveaslongasyouabideinGodandknowHimintimately.Withthis,yourdegreeofexploitsisunlimited;because

ThepeoplethatdoknowtheirGodshallbestronganddoexploits.Daniel11:32

ThechildrenofIsraelknewthissecret.FromAbrahamwenoticethatnoman,nationoraconspiracyofnationswasabletodefeattheminanybattle.GodcalledAbrahamandgavehimacovenant.HetoldhimHewouldblesshisseedandmakethemgreat.Hesignedthecovenantofprosperity,health,strengthandconstantvictorywithAbrahamonbehalfofIsrael.AveryimportanttruthaboutGodisHisfaithfulness.IfHehassaidathing,Heisboundtoperformit.HeisasticklertoHisword.HecanneverbedrawnintoanysituationthatwillmakeHimbreakHisword.HeisnotamanthatHeshouldlie,neitherisHeasonofmanthatHeshouldchangeHismindaboutHisword,checkitupwithGodandnoticethatHewillalwaysstandbyHiswordtofulfilit.Hegivesprioritytothefulfilmentoftheword.ThewordisHisexpressedwill.

Godisnotaman,thatheshouldlie;neitherthesonofmanthatheshouldrepent:hathhesaidandshallhenotdoit?Orhathhespokenandshallhenotmakeitgood?Numbers23:19

SuchisGod’sfaithfulnesstoHiscovenant.Heisacovenant–keepingGod.YoucannotmakeHimbreakHisword.EvenifmandisappointsHim,HecannotdenyHimself.HeisGod.

…Hewilleverbemindfulofhiscovenant.Psalm111:5Hesentredemptiontohispeople.Hehathcommandedhiscovenant

forever;holyandreverendishisname.Psalm111:9

ThepeopleofIsraelknowthisaboutGod.TheyareGod’scovenantpeople.TheBibledescribesthemasthechurchinthewilderness(Acts7:38).TheywentthroughalltheirbattlessuccessfullywithabsolutevictoryandnoneofthemwaslostintheprocesswhenevertheywereinrightrelationshipwithGod.

ThedramainEgyptismostilluminating.GodhadappearedtoMosesandcommissionedhimtoleadHispeopleoutofthehouseofbondage.Hewent,afterconsultingwiththeeldersofthepeople,todemandIsrael’sunconditionalreleasefromPharaoh.Itwasamightyconflict;perhapsthegreatesteverrecordedinthehistoryoftheworld.Pharaohrefusedandthebattlebegan.ItwasnotnecessarilyabattleorfightbetweenMosesandPharaoh,itwasabattlebetweenthetrueGodandthegodofEgypt.ItwassobecauseGodhadtoactonthebasisofHiscovenantwithAbraham.GodhadtoldAbrahamthathisseedwouldgointoaforeignlandtosojournandthattheseedwillbeoppressedbutthat,Hewouldbringthemoutwithamightyhand.

AndhesaiduntoAbram,knowofasuretythatthyseedshallbeastrangerinalandthatisnottheirsandshallservethem,andtheyshallafflictthemforfourhundredyears;andalsothatnationwhomtheyshallserve,willIjudge:andafterwardshalltheycomeoutintoagreatsubstance.Genesis15:13–14

GodprovedHimselfgreatonbehalfofIsraelinEgypt.ThepeopleofIsraelwonallthebattles.TheydidnotloseanysolongastheywalkedwithGod.TheBiblehasacomprehensivecatalogueofthesevictories.ItisreallyaneyeopenertoconsiderthewinninglifestyleofIsrael.TheycentredonthebasisofGod’scovenantofvictoryandhaditalways.Godcausedthemtotriumphalways.

AfterGodhadprovedHimselftoPharaohandallEgypt,andhaddeliveredthembyamightyhandwithsignsandgreatwonders,thepeopleofIsraelsetoutontheirjourneywithgreatsubstance.Theyleftwithgoods,cattleandallgoodthingsfromthelandofEgypt.GreatwasGod’sgoodnesstothem.Astheyprogressedontheirjourney,PharaohfelthehadmadeamistakebyallowingthechildrenofIsraeltogo.Sohebroughtallhismenofvalourtogetherandthesophisticationofhisarmy,virtuallythebestinthe

worldatthattime.HestartedonahotchaseofGod’speopletodestroythem.Hetooksixhundredchosenchariots,andallthechariotsofEgyptandcaptainsovereachofthem.HereallypreparedtofinishGod’speople.Heknewthattheyhadtakenthewilderness’routeandthattheredseawasthere.SohehadfinalizedhisplanstodestroyIsrael.Hisheartwashardened.Hewasdetermined.

ButtheEgyptianspursuedafterthem,allthehorsesandchariotsofPharaoh,andhorsemenandhisarmyandovertookthemencampingbythesea.Exodus14:9

ThiswasthefirstbattletheyweregoingtofacesinceleavingEgypt.Itwasalmosttooearlyforthemtobegintoencountersuchconflicts.Theyhadanunsettlingproblembeforethem.TheRedSeawasthere,agreatobstacle.TheyhadnotfoundananswertothatandherewasthegreathostofEgypt.Pharaohbroughtallhisarmy,chariots,captainsandhorsemenagainstaphysicallyunarmedIsrael.

Naturally,thatwasadarkhourforthem.Theyhadabattleonhand–atoughone.Theycouldnotrunaway.TheRedSeagavewayasMosesusedhisrod,thechildrenofIsraelpassedondryground;bothPharaohandhismengotdrownedinthesea.

ThustheLordsavedIsraelthatdayoutofthehandoftheEgyptiansandIsraelsawtheEgyptiansdeadupontheseashore.Exodus14:30

ThiswasIsrael’sfirstdeliverance.Nothingtouchedanyofthem.ButthewholearmyofPharaohperishedinthatfight.ThepeopleofIsraelmoved,tookontheirjourney.WhentheygottothelandoftheAmorites,theysentamessagetoSihontheKingtoallowthempassthroughthelandpeacefully.Theydidnotmeantofight.Theywerenotlookingfortroublewiththepeople.Alltheywantedwasjustafreepassage.WhenGodisonyourside,youdonotgoaboutlookingfortrouble.Youknowyourrightasanovercomer.Achampiondoesnotgoaboutchallengingpeople.Heknowsheissuperiortoallotherfighters.SotheywantedfreepassagethroughthelandoftheAmorites.

AndIsraelsentmessengersuntoSihonthekingofAmorites,saying,letuspassthroughthyland:wewillnotturnintothefields,orintothevineyard,wewillnotdrinkofthewatersofthewellbutwewillgoalongthekingshighwayuntilwepassthyborders.Numbers

21:21–22

Butfunnyenough,theAmoritesrefusedthempassage.TheyalsomarshalledalltheirmentogetherandfoughtIsrael.SihontookhispeopleintothewildernesstofightagainstIsrael.Israelhowever,stoodagainstthemanddefeatedthemveryneatly.

AndIsraelsmotehimwiththeedgeoftheswordandpossessedhislandfromArnontoJabbok,evenuntothechildrenofAmmon:fortheborderofthechildrenofAmmonwasstrong.Numbers21:24

Theymarchedonfromvictoryontovictory.Therewasnonationthatcouldstandagainstthem.TheymadeamessofJericho,Ai,kingOg,andtheAmorites–thefivekings.Theywonalltheirbattles.

Jerichowasreportedtobeoneofthestrongestcitiesintheworldatthattime.Theirsecuritywasthebest.Thewallwasstrongandmighty.HistoryhasitthatthewallofJerichowassothickthatsixhorsemencouldridesidebysidewitheaseonit.ItwassothickthatRahab,theharlotcouldbuildherhouseonit.ThewallofJerichowasstrongenoughtoaccommodateawholehouse.“…forherhousewasuponthetownwallandshedweltuponthewall”(Joshua2:15).

Butthiswallcouldnotstandthecovenantpeople.Apartfromthewall,thelandofJerichohadmenofvalourinit.Theyweremightymenofvalour(Joshua6:2).Butwhentheyheardofthecovenantpeople,theirheartsmelted.Theyknewnoonecouldprevailoverthesepeople.ThechildrenofIsraelknewtheircovenantrighttovictory.Soeverybodythatcameagainstthemwentdown.Jericho’swallwithallitsmightymenofvalourperished.Theywerebornvictorsandwinners.Astheyprogressed,kingdomsandnationsheardabouttheirexploits.Theirheartsmeltedinthem.Theywerehelplesssotheystartedlookingforhelpfromotherkingdoms.TheyformedaconspiracyagainstIsraelbuttheyallfell.ThefivekingsoftheAmoritesareaclassicalexamplehere.AdonizedekkingofJerusalemhadheardthatGibeonmadepeacewithIsrael.SohesentmassagestoHoham,kingofHebron,Piram,kingofJarmathJaphia,kingofLachishandDebirkingofEghontohelphimfightGibeon.Gibeon,ontheotherhand,sentquicklytoJoshuaforhelp.JoshuacameupindefenseofGibeonandsmotetheconfederacyoftheAmorites.HeutterlydestroyedallofthemandnoneofthechildrenofIsraelwashurtinthebattle.

Throughouttheirwildernessexperience,whenevertheywerein

fellowshipwithGod,theywonalltheirbattles.ThereareaboutthirtyonekingsandkingdomsthatJoshualedthepeopleofGodtoovercome.Theydidnotlosetoanyofthem.GodhadearliermadeacovenantwithAbrahamaboutthispeople.WhenGodmethiminitially,Hegavefantasticpromisestohimandhisseedafterhim.

Iwillmakeoftheeagreatnation,andIwillblesstheeandmakethynamegreat;andthoushaltbeablessing.Iwillblessthemthatblesstheeandcursethemthatcurseththee;andintheeshallallfamiliesoftheearthbeblessed.Genesis12:2–3

WhoeverblessedIsraelgotblessedandwhoevercursedthemgotcursed.TherewasanautomaticcurseuponanyandeveryenemyofIsrael.GodisboundbyHiscovenanttoprotecttheirinterestallthetime.TaketimetoreadJoshuachaptertwelveandseeIsrael’scatalogueoftriumphs.Nokingdomwasstrongenoughtostandagainstthem.TheyallfelleasypreytoJoshuaandhispeople.ItisstillthesametodaywiththatsmallnationofIsrael.Geographically,theyarenotaforce,butinallotheraspects,theyrankasnumberoneintheworldtoday.Nonationcanstopthem.TheArableaguearemerenoisemakersbesideIsrael.Lookatthesixdayswar.Thereisnoprecedenceforthat.Aconglomerationofpowerfulnationsinvadingasmallpieceoflandandgotfinishedwithinsixdays.

EventheUnitedNationscannotstopIsraelonanyissue.TheyhaveGod’scovenant.Theydeclared“JerusalemtheeternalandindivisiblecapitalofIsrael”sometimeago.Thewholeworldprotested.TheUnitedNationspassedaresolutionagainstitbutnothingcanbedoneaboutit.Godisinthatnation.TheyhaveGod’swordonthat.Thatiswhytheycanconstantlyboastofvictoryanyday.Theydonotlivebywhatissaidaboutthemininternationalcircles.TheysticktoGod’scovenantwithAbraham,Isaac,JacobandDavid–KingofIsrael.

ManyofthenationsthathaveseveredrelationswiththemarenowturningaroundtoacknowledgeGodintheirmidst.ThefactremainsthatanynationthatstandsagainstIsraelispoliticallyandeconomicallyagainstGod’schannelofblessings.IbelieveverystronglythatNigeria’sonlysolutionistonormalizerelationswithIsraelandshewillbehealedofhereconomicandpoliticalproblems.

Mostimportantly,Israelisatypeofthechurch.

Israelwasthechurchinthewilderness.Theyareashadowofthetruechurchthebodyofbelievers.BelieversaretherealIsrael.

Forthelaw(oldTestament)havingashadowofgoodthingstocome,andnottheveryimageofthethings,canneverwiththosesacrificeswhichtheyofferedyearbyyearcontinuallymakethecomersthereuntoperfectHebrews10:1

EverytruthintheOldTestamentisafigure,atype,ashadowofsomerealthingsintheNewTestament.ThechildrenofIsrael,wereapictureofthebelieversunderthenewcovenant.

TheyenjoyedthesevictoriesonthebasisofthecovenantreceivedbyAbrahamwhichwassealedwiththebloodofbullsandgoats.ThatcovenantalsobelongstousandJesuscametoconsecrateabettercovenantbyHisblood.WearethetrueIsraelites.AlthoughGodisstillcommittedtoIsraelaftertheflesh,wearetheveryIsraelofGod.WeareGod’schosenpeople.ThepromiseGodgaveAbrahamwasthatHewouldmakehisseedafterhim.Hewillblesshisseedandtheyshallbemightyandnosituationwouldbetoostrongforthemtoovercome.Asamatteroffact,theywereovercomersandvictorsbyvirtueofbirthandparentage.

TheyareovercomersandwinnersineveryfightbecausetheyarethephysicalseedofAbraham.Godmadeyouoneatnewbirth.HehasimpartedHisseednatureintoyouandthatchangedyoufrombeingagentileintoabonafideseedofAbraham.YournewidentityisbasedonyourwholeheartedacceptanceofthesacrificeofChristandHisvictoryonthecross.ThatqualifiesyoutobeChrist’s.SoyouareAbraham’sseed.

Christhasredeemedusfromthecurseofthelaw,beingmadeacurseforus:foritiswritten,cursediseveryonethathangethonatree;thattheblessingsofAbrahammightcomeuponthegentilesthroughJesusChristthatwemightreceivethepromiseoftheSpiritthroughfaith.NowtoAbrahamandhisseedwerethepromisesmade;hesaithnotandtoseeds,asofmany,butasofone,andtothyseed,whichisChrist.Galatians3:13,14,16

ChristwenttothecrossthatyoumightreceivetheblessingsofAbraham.TheblessingsweremadetoAbrahamandhisseedinthecovenant.Ifyoucanpartakeoftheblessings,youmusthavecomeunderthecovenant.Moreover,thecovenantwasmadetoAbrahamandhisseed.Christistheseedwearetalkingabout.IfyoubelongtoChrist,youarealsoAbraham’sseedaccordingtothepromiseandyouarecoveredunderthecovenant.

AndifyebeChrist’s,thenareyeAbraham’sseedandheirs

accordingtothepromise.Galatians3:29

Thisisveryclear.Youcomeunderthisvictorycovenant.YouaretheIsraelofGod.ItisnotthephysicalIsraelonlythatisGod’sIsrael,infactyouareGod’srealIsrael.

ForheisnotaJew,whichisoneoutwardly;neitheristhatcircumcisionwhichisoutwardintheflesh:ButheisaJew,whichisoneinwardly;andcircumcisionisthatoftheheart,inthespirit,andnotintheletter;whosepraiseisnotofmen,butofGod.Romans2:28–29NotasthoughthewordofGodhathtakennoneeffectfortheyarenotallIsraelwhichareofIsrael,neitherbecausetheyaretheseedofAbraham,aretheyallchildrenbutinIsaacshallthyseedbecalled.Romans9:6–7

GodstillhaslegalcommitmenttokeepHiscovenantwithIsraelbutHiscommitmenttoyouisbothlegalandvital.

Thepointisthatmanybelievershaveunderratedthemselves.TheydonotseemtohavetherightideaoftheirstandingbeforeGod.ThesechildrenofIsraelarethechildrenoftheflesh.TheirrelationshipwithAbrahamandthecovenantisbasedonphysicalinheritancealone.ButyouarethespiritualIsrael.GodismoreeagertoproveHisvictorycovenanttoyouthanHewilltoIsrael.Thecovenantyouhavecannotbebroken.Heisboundtogiveyouthevictoryalways.ThereisnolimittowhatHewilldotogiveyouthevictory.Youcannotnumberhowmanypeople,nationsandkingdomsGodkilledtobringvictorytothephysicalIsrael.Godiscommittedtoyoursuccess.

Itdoesnotmatterwhatthesituationis.IfyouseeGoddoinganythingforthenationofIsrael,Hewilldomuchmoreforyou.YouareHisveryseed.YouareHispartnerinthecovenant.YouaretheappleofHiseyes.Stoprelegatingyourself.Godisagainstanybodythatisagainstyou.Heisagainstanythingthatisagainstyou.

Peoplehavetobecarefulthewaytheytreatbelievers.YoucannotjusttoywithGod’spreciouspeople.GodwillnotthrowHispreciouspeopletotheswine.Jesussaidnomangivesanythingprecioustopigs.Godwillnotallowyoutobetossedaroundbyanybody,group,governmentorauthority.YouareasensitivematterinGod’sprogramme.Thereisa“touchnot”decreeabout

youbasedonthecovenant.

“HeistheLordourGod.Hisjudgmentsareinalltheearth;hehathrememberedhiscovenantforeverthewordwhichhecommandedtoathousandgenerations;whichcovenanthemadewithAbraham,andhisoathtoIsaac;andconfirmedthesamethinguntoJacobforalaw,andtoIsraelforaneverlastingcovenant:whentheywentfromonenationtoanother,fromonekingdomtoanotherpeople,hesufferednomantodothemwrong,hereprovedKingsfortheirsakessayingtouchnotmineanointed,anddomyprophetsnoharm”Psalm105:7–10,13,15

Hiscovenantisforever.Heismindfulofit.Hedidnotallowanybodytodothemwrong.Godisnotinterestedinyoubeingmessedaroundandtreatedanyhow.Hedoesnotwantit.Itisnotpartofthecovenant.ThosewhoattemptedtowrongthepeopleofIsraelpaiddearlyforit.ThosewhoattemptedevilagainstMoseseveninthecampofIsraelpaidforit.Donotallowthingstogoanyhowwithyou.ThereisapatternwhichGodhasdesignedforyou.

GodreprovedkingsforthesakeofthepeopleofIsrael.Kings!!Hewillreprovekingsforyoursake.Idonotknowamanwhowillallowstrayingobjectstotouchtheappleofhiseyes.YetGodsaysyouaretheapplesofHiseyes.Hewilldoanythingtoprotectyouevenifitmeanskilling.

“ForthussaiththeLord,ofhost;afterthegloryhathhesentmeuntothenationswhichspoiledyou:forhethattouchethyoutoucheththeappleofhiseyes.ForbeholdIwillshakemyhanduponthemandtheyshallbeasporttotheirownservantsandyeshallknowthattheLordofhostshassentme”Zechariah2:8–9

Nobodycantakeadvantageofyouandgofree.Thattouchnotstatementisacommand,adecree.Itcarriescertainpenaltiesifbroken.KnowthisthatyouarebornofGod.Heisinterestedinyourwinningalways.IfthephysicalIsraelcanwinalltheirbattleswithimpunity,youcandomuchmorethanthatbecauseyouarebornofGod.

“ForwhatsoeverisbornofGodovercomeththeworld;andthisisthevictorythatovercomeththeworldevenourfaith”1John5:4

Youcanovercomealways.Thegreateroneisinyou.Heisatworkinyou

now.Heisgreaterthanallyourlifebattles,soyoucanwinthemall.HeisworkingHisgoodpleasureinyou.Youareabornwinner.

Chapter6:GettingSetForYourVictory

Therearethreebasicstepstogettingsetforyourmiracle.Ifyoutaketimetoobservethemandprepareyourselfwiththem,theywillgetyoutoaplaceofreadinessforvictory.

•Keeptoyoursource.

•Bestill.

•Theactofpraise.

KeepToYourSource

Youarerequiredtoknowyoursourceandkeeponlytoit.Notethat“GodisajealousGod”(Exodus20:5).

Hecannotstandadoubledeal.Hecannotperformforpeoplewhostandbetweentwoopinions.Thatiswavering.Thatisdoubt.YourexpectationiseitheronlyfromHimoryouarenotreadyforHisgreatactsatall.ThePsalmistsays,

“MysoulwaitthouonlyupontheLordformyexpectationisfromhim”Psalm62:5

Thatishowtogetstarted.God,“willnotgivehisglorytoanotherneitherhispraisetogravenimage”Isaiah42:8

Thereasonforthisdoubledealingisnotfarfetched.PeoplethinkGodmustofnecessityhavetogothroughsomementoaccomplishHisword.Nosir.Godisallsufficient.HeisEl–Shaddai.HeisGodthatismorethanenoughtomeetallneeds,allbyHimself.Hemaygothroughanimateandinanimateobjects.Hesaid“Icancommandstonestopraiseme.”Jesusbroughtfoodto5,000directlyfromabove(John6).GodwasreplenishingthepotofflourandthecruiseofoilallbyHimself(1Kings17).Hemaychoosetouseamanbutitisnotastandard.

BesureyouarewaitingonlyuponHim,thenyouwillbesettingyourfeetonthemiracle–line;knowthatyourGodwillnotstanddoubledealing.KnowalsothatHeisuptoallsituationsthatmayeverariseinyourlife.Heisomnipotent.AdoubledealcanputHimoffyourmatter.

TherewasthecaseofawomanIwasministeringtoforamiracle.Godministeredtomeinthecourseoflayingonofhands,“Thiswomanhasanalternative.”Istoppedtheprayerandtoldthewoman,“Godsaidyouhaveanalternativesourceforwhatyouareseeking.Trueorfalse?”Sheaffirmedinthepositive.ThenItoldhersheshouldmakeuphermindwhotochoose;thelivingGodorherpooralternative.Igavehertimethatwhenshewasthroughsheshouldsendforme.ThatwasenoughreasonfortheMostHightofoldHishands.HeisajealousGod.Hewantsallthegloryoneverymatter.TheBiblesays,

“Theylookeduntohimandwerelightenedandtheirfaceswerenotashamed”Psalm34:5

Thewordfurtherenjoins,

“Ifyoureyesbesingleyourbodywillbefulloflight”Matthew6:22

Lookuntothehills,yourhelpissureawaitingyou.LooknotuntoMoses,lookuntotheserpentofbronzehunginthecentreofthecongregation–lookandyouwilllive.IfanyIsraelitewaslookingelsewhere,nomattertowhom,whenbittenbyaserpent,hewouldsurelydie.(Numbers21)LookuntoHimonlyandyouwilllive.

BeStill

TheBiblesays,

“BestillandyouwillknowthatIamGod.Iwillbeexaltedintheearth.Iwillbeexaltedamongtheheathen”Psalm46:10

Thisisavitalrequirementforwalkingintherealmofthemiraculous.ManymissGod’sbestthroughanxietyandhastewhichthewordlikenstofoolishness.

TherewasthecaseofSaul,thesonofKish,theKingofIsrael.SamueltheProphetwastobearoundtooffersacrificesonbehalfoftheland.

Theywaitedforhim,butafterawhileSauldecidedtoofferthesacrifices.Beholdassoonashefinishedwiththesacrifices,Samuelcame.AnditwascountedtoSaulforfoolishness.TheBiblesaysyouhavenocauseforhaste;“Hethatbelievethshallnotmakehaste”(Isaiah28:16).Youhavenoreasonforanxiety.Thewordsays,

“Whichofyouytakingthoughtcanaddonecubitontohisstature.Andwhytakeyethoughtforraiment.Considertheliliesofthefieldhowtheygrow,theytoilnot,neitherdotheyspin”Matthew6:27–28

YoumusthandsoffthemattercompletelybeforeGodwilltakeover.

“TheLordwillfightforyouandyouwillholdyourpeace”Exodus14:14

ThereasonGodissofarfrommanybelieverstodayisthattheywillnotholdtheirpeace.Itiswritten,

“…Inquietnessandinconfidenceshallyourstrengthbe:andyewouldnot.Butyesaid,No;forwewillfleeuponhorses,thereforeshallyeflee:and,wewillrideupontheswift;thereforeshalltheythatpursueyoubeswift”Isaiah30:15–16

Againitiswritten,

“Ihavecriedconcerningthisthattheirstrengthistositstill”Isaiah30:7

Ifreallyyouaretargetingamiraculouslife,youmustbestill.Inyourquietnessyouwillbeabletocatchthe“stillsmallvoice.”Thenyouwillhaveyourmiracle.TherewasthestoryofElijah,theprophet(1Kings19).Whenhewascomplainingandmurmuring,hehadnosolutiontohisproblems.Butashelaiddownquietly,thestillsmallvoicecameandthatgavehimthewayout.Youcannotaffordtobehystericalifyoumustlayholdonmiracles.

TheActOfPraise

“PraiseyetheLordforheisgoodforhismerciesendurethforever”

Thesubjectofpraiseisaveryvitalissuethateveryoneexpectinga

miraclemustunderstand.TheBiblesays,“PraiseiscomelyuntoGod”(Psalm147:1).

Goddesiresthepraisesofhispeople.Andthisisthereasonwhy“Godinhabitsthepraisesofhispeople”(Psalm22:3).

Apraise–filledlifeissurelyamiracle–packedlife.PraisebringsGodrightintoyoursituation.Godhastododirectlywithpraisewhileangelsruntheerrandofprayers.PraisegetsyourightintoGod’spresence.Itiswritten,

“Enterintohisgateswiththanksgivingandhiscourtswithpraise:bethankfuluntohimandblesshisname”Psalm100:4

Whatarevelation.InGod’s“presencethereisfulnessofjoyandonhisrighthandarepleasuresforevermore”(Psalm16:11).PraisewillgetyouacrosstoZionwhere,“thereshallbedeliveranceandholinessandthehouseofJacobshallpossesstheirpossessions”(Obadiah17).

ZionisthecityofthelivingGod,thedomainofmiracles.TheBiblesays,

“ButyearecomeuntomountZion,anduntothecityofthelivingGod,theheavenlyJerusalem.Andtoaninnumerablecompanyofangels.Tothegeneralassemblyandchurchofthefirstborn,whicharewritteninheavenandtoGodthejudgeofall,andtothespiritsofjustmenmadeperfect”(Hebrews12:22–23).

ThatiswhymountZionisamountofmiracles.Praisegetsyouthere.PraisegetsyoudirectlytowhereGodlives,andinHispresencethereisfulnessofjoyandpleasuresforevermore.TheBiblesays:

“Letthepeoplepraisethee,OGod.Letallthepeoplepraisethee.Thenshalltheearthyieldherincrease:andGodevenourownGodshallblessus.Godshallblessus:andalltheendsoftheearthshallfearhim”Psalm67:5–7

Thatissupernaturalblessing.Thatismiraculousblessing.Menwhoarepossessedwithpraiseareentitledtosuchwonders.PraisegetsthedeviloutofthesceneandbringsGodthere.RememberhowDavidwascastingoutdevilsbyplayinghisdivinemusiconastringedinstrument(1Samuel16:23).Nodevilcanstandtheforceofgenuinepraiseandworship.SuchplaceisexclusivelyreservedforGod.Godhasthemonopolyofpraisecentres.Ifyou

areapraise–filledbelieveryouwillkeepthedevilconstantlyatadistancefromyourenvironment.Whydoyousupposethattheyearofjubileeistheyearofrestoration?Itisbecausewhenthereisjubilation,praiseandworship,Godiseversettoperformwonders(Leviticus25).

“TheLordisfearfulinpraises”Exodus15:11

BringoutpraisefromyourheartandyouwillgetGodtogofull–lengthinperformingforyou.Cloudsgetliftedupatpraise.ElishatheProphetsaid,“Bringmeaminstrel”let’sgetthecloudcleared.Praisesclearedthecloud,abrightrevelationcame(2Kings3:15).Thatispraiseatwork.

“Amerryheartdoethgoodlikemedicine”Proverbs17:22

Possessamerryheartofpraiseandbagyourmiracles

Chapter7:GetHoldOfTheWord

Godhassaidsomethingaboutthatareaofyourlifewhereyoudesirevictory.Butitisyourresponsibilitytosearchitout.TheBiblesays:

“Mypeoplearedestroyedforlackofknowledge”Hosea4:6

ThatyouareachildofGoddoesnotguaranteeyourvictory.YouneedpersonalknowledgeofwhatGodhassaid.Knowledge,theysay,ispower.TheknowledgeofGod’swordthatyouhaveaboutyoursituationwillmakeyouavictor.ItwillbringyoutoaplaceoffaithinGod’sabilityandinyourwellpurchasedvictory.

“…farbeitfromGodthatheshoulddowickedness;andfromtheAlmighty,thatheshouldcommitiniquity.SurelyitismettobesaiduntoGod,Ihavebornechastisement,Iwillnotoffendanymore;thatwhichIseenotteachthoume;IfIhavedoneiniquity,Iwilldonomore”Job34:10,31–32

Thisimpliesthatevilcomesthroughtwomainwaysintoabeliever’slife–sinandignorance.

Ofthetwo,ignoranceismoreseriousandpathetic.

Thesinningbeliever,caneasilybemotivatedtorepent.Ignorancehowever,isadeadlyenemyofvictory.IfyouareignorantofGod’swordinaparticularsituation,thebestyouwilllikelydoistoexplainitawaybelievingthatitisGod’swill.Therewasatimemyson,DavidJunior’stemperaturestartedrising.Thisfeverishconditionpersistedfortwodays.Hebegantovomithisfoodandsufferedsleeplessness.Peoplesaidthesymptomwasnormalbecausehewouldsoondevelophisuppermilkteeth.IsaidtomyselfthatifthatwassothenitwasnecessaryIsetmyselftofindoutwhatGodhastosayconcerningchildrenwhoseupperteetharedeveloping.Thatmaysoundfunny,butthatisthewisestthingtodo.Abelieverwhowantstoseegooddaysshouldnottaketheworld’sviewsofthingsatfacevalue.HemustprobeintothetruthofsuchviewswiththewordofGodwhichisthefinalauthorityinallissuesoflife.Thisisanecessarysteptowalkinginvictory.Igavemyselftothestudyofthewordwiththeaidofaconcordance.Idiscovered

thattheBibledoesnotsaythatthedevelopmentofachild’smilkteethshouldbeaccompaniedbyafeverishcondition,sleeplessnessandvomiting.Iwentontostudyinparticularthewelfareofbelievers’children.Agreatrefreshingcameoverme.TheHolySpiritbegantoilluminatemyheartwiththerevelationoftherelevantscriptures.Idiscoveredthat:

“Childrenareaheritage(blessing)oftheLord”andthatGod’s“blessingmakethrichandaddethnosorrowtoit”Psalms127:3;Proverbs10:22

Idiscoveredalsothatmychildhasanangelthatoweshimaprotectionduty.TheWordsays:

“…TheirangelsdoalwaysbeholdthefaceofmyFatherwhichisinheaven”Matthew18:10

Assuranceisgiven:

“…Iwillcontendwiththemthatcontendwiththee,andIwillsavethychildren”Isaiah49:25

Ineedednobetterassurancesthanthese.Ibecamevictory–consciousontheissueatthatstage.

Youmayask;“Howdoesonegettothepointofpersonalknowledgeoftheword?”Inotherwords,“HowdoesonegettoknowfromtheWordwhatrightlybelongstohim?”Firstofall,youmustagreewithyourselfthatyourequiresuchpersonalknowledge.Itisthesoilinwhichfaithgerminates.TheBiblesays“Thejustshallliveby(hisown)faith”Jesussaidoften,

“Accordingtoyour(own)faithbeituntoyou”Matthew9:29

ThismeansthathowmuchyoureceivefromGoddependsonhowmuchyoubelieveHimfor.Personalfaithistheanswer.Anotherperson’sfaithcannotofferyoulastingvictoryoveryourpersonalissues.Brethrencanonlyhelpyouuptoapointbytheirfaith.Butyouhavegottobeabletostandonyourownfeetandfightyourownbattles.Since“faithcomethbyhearing”(knowledge)yourequirepersonalknowledgeoftheWordbeforeyoucanexerciseit.

Chapter8:ReleaseYourFaith

Faithisanimportantprerequisitetoreceivingyourpersonalvictory.YourfaithinHimpleasesHimthesamewayyourconfidenceinthepromisesofyourearthlyfatherpleasesandencourageshimtostrivetomakehimselfworthyofsuchesteem.

Unlesseverywordismixedwithfaithitcannotwork.Paulsaid

“Foruntouswasthegospelpreachedaswellasuntothem,butthewordpreacheddidnotprofitthem,notbeingmixedwithfaithinthemthatheardit”Hebrews4:2

Itneedsmeditationtogetthewordmixedwithfaith.Meditationisanexerciseinvolvingtheheart.TheheartmustbeopentoreceivetherevelationofthewordthroughtheserviceoftheHolySpirit.ThechurchtodayseemstohavemissedthisimportantaspectoftheChristianfaith.ThereisnorealmeditationinthewordofGod.TheBiblehasbecomeadustybookonthebook–shelfofmanypeopleprofessingtobebelievers.Theyonlyhurrythroughafewversesinthemorning,readthroughoneortwochaptersonSunday,andneatlytuckitontheshelf;“ThatisenoughwithGodfortheday,”theywillmuttertothemselves.Thentheywillplungeintotheirdailybusinessactivitiesandpreoccupationswithzeal,believing,thattheblessingsofGodwouldcontinuetofollowthem.

TheWordsays,

“Thisbookofthelawshallnotdepartoutofthymouth,butthoushaltmeditatethereindayandnightthatthoumayestobservetodoallthatiswrittentherein:forthenthoushaltmakethywayprosperous,andthenthoushalthavegoodsuccess”Joshua1:8

AgaininPsalm1:1–3,itiswritten,“Blessedistheman…(whose)delightisinthelawoftheLordandinhislawdothhemeditatedayandnightandheshallbelikeatreeplantedbytheriversofwaterthatbringethforthhisfruitinhisseason:hisleafalsoshallnotwither;andwhatsoeverhedoeth,shallprosper”.

Theartofmeditationisthereforenotahurriedbusiness,oraweeklyaffair

thattakesplaceinthechapel;itshouldbeacontinualexerciseinthedailywalkofthebeliever.TheblessedmanthePsalmisttalksabouthasnotonlydelightedhimselfinthewordofGod,buthehasalsogivenhimselftogenuinemeditationinit.

Ifyoumeetabelieverwhoselifereflectsvictory,youhaveseensomeonewhomeditatesonthewordofGodonaconstantbasis.Therearethreethingsthatmakeforeffectivemeditation.IhavementionedthepartplayedbytheHolySpiritasthedivineteacher.Therestaretimeandrightcompany.YouneedtimetoponderontheWordbeforeproceedingtoappropriateitintheparticularcircumstance.InthecaseofDavidJnr.,Ihadtocreateaspaceoftime.MyfaithstartedformingaroundthepromisesuntilIgottoapointwhereIknewthattheWordwouldworkforme.ImustsayatthispointthatmeditationconsistsinspiritualsearchingofthemysteriesbackingtheWord.Thisisnotwithinthehumancapacitytohandlefor“NomanknoweththethingsofGodexcepttheSpiritofGod.”IhadtobeaidedbytheHolySpirit.Anatmosphereofperversetalk,riotouslivingandotherformsofimmoralbehaviourwillnothelpyoutomeditateinthewordofGod.Thereisnowayyoucanprofitablyengageinit.Youneedaquietandsoundatmospheretomotivateyouintoalifeofprofitablemeditationintheword.TheBibledeclares:

“Blessedisthemanthatsittethnotintheseatofthescornful”Psalms1:1

Paulwarned,“badcompanyruinsgoodmorals.”

Christgaveasimilarwarning,

“Givenotwhatisholyuntodogsneithercastyeyourpearlsbeforetheswinelesttheytrampleuponitandturnbackandtearyou”Matthew7:6

Productivemeditationishinderedinbadcompany.

Infact,inthatsituationyouareindangerofbeinginfluenced.

“Hethatwalkethwiththewiseshallbewiseandacompanionoffoolsshallbedestroyed”Proverbs13:20

Definitely,wrongcompanyhasrobbedmanybelieversofGod’sperfectplanfortheirlives.Ifyouareabeliever,avoidsittinginthewrongplaceelseyouaresuretooperateawrongcounselandwalkinthewrongpath.

ThereforeyouneedtogiveyourselftothestudyoftheWord.

“StudytoshowthyselfapproveduntoGod,aworkmanthatneedethnottobeashamed,rightlydividingthewordoftruth”2Timothy2:15

Thereisnoshort–cuttoacquiringtheknowledge.

Thescripturesarenottobereadforexcitementandvocabulary;theyarespirit.Youthereforerequireindepthstudytoacquireindepthknowledgeofthemysteries.

Moreover,youneedrevelationknowledgeoftheWordthroughtheministrationoftheHolySpirit.TheHolySpiritisthedivineTeacher.ItiswrittenthatwhenHe(HolySpirit)iscome,

“Heshallteachyouallthings,andbringallthingstoyourremembrance…”John14:26

TheHolySpirithastwo–foldministryhere.

HeteachestheWordbyimpartingrevelationknowledge;Heshedslightonit,turningitintoavoice.ThatiswhytheBibleisthevoiceofGod—

“Iknowmysheep,theyknowmyvoice.”

TheHolySpiritalsobringstoremembrancewhateverHeteacheswhenitisrequiredforuse.HeremindsyouofthecounselofGodyouhavecomeacrossintheword.HeknowsthemindofGodoneveryissuebecause,

“GodhathrevealedthemuntousbyhisSpirit:fortheSpiritsearchethallthings,yeathedeepthingsofGod”1Corinthians2:10–24

ForyoutograspthedeepmysteriesofGod,youneedthebaptismintheHolySpirit.Jesussaid,

“Ihaveyemanythingstosayuntoyoubutyoucannotbear(havenocapacityfor)themnow,howbeitwhenhetheSpiritoftruth(the

HolyGhost)iscome…”John16:12–13

IfyouwanttogotoallthelengthintheknowledgeofGod’swillforyou,youneedthebaptismintheHolySpirit.

Lastly,youshouldbeinvolvedinthefellowshipofHischildren.Wearetoldnottoforsaketheassemblyofoneanother.Itisduringourgatheringtogetherthatwe,

“…giveattentionto:reading,toexhortation,todoctrine…”1Timothy4:13

ThesharingofGod’smysteries,inaccordancewithwhateachofHischildrenhasreceived,benefitsthewholebody.Atsuchtimes,theoperationsofthegiftsoftheHolySpiritaremostactive.PropheciesandotherrevelationgiftsshedmorelightonHiswillconsoling,advising,exhortingandexposingtheactivitiesofthedevilinthebody.Ifyoustandalone,youexposeyourselftodanger.BeinfellowshipwithGod’spreciouspeople.ItistherethatGodcommandstheblessing.Understandthatyoudonotknowenough.TheBiblesays,

“Lethimthatthinkethheknowsanythingknowthathedoesnotknowityetasheoughtto”1Corinthians8:2

Youneedotherstoteachandenlightenyou.Thediversitiesoftheministrygiftsarenotvestedinoneperson;theyaresharedinthebody.Whatyouhavecannotmeetallyourspiritualneeds.Therefore,whereveryouare,lookoutforaHolyGhostfellowshipandbepartofwhatGodisdoingthere.Thisisveryimportant.Clearofffrombadcompanyandcreateaconduciveatmosphereforproductivemeditation.

Thisactofmeditationwillproducefaithinyou.Ifyoumeditateonhealingscriptures,youwillbeabletoreleaseyourfaithinthatarea.Ifitisinprovisions,thefactthatthewordhasgainedentranceintoyoubytheHolyGhostputsyouontobeabletoreleaseyourfaithinthatdirection.Youwillneedtoreleaseyourfaithtogetyourvictory.

Chapter9:PresentYourCase

Ifyouwantmoneyfromyourbank,twobasicconditionsmustbemet.Afully–signedchequeinyourhand,andanamountofmoneyintheaccountenoughtomeettheamountstatedonthecheque.Ifthesetwoconditionsaresatisfied,yougotothebank,presentyourchequeandwaituntilyourmoneyisdeliveredtoyou.Severalpeoplemaybeatthebankwaitingtowithdrawmoney,buthardlydoesasituationarisewherebyonecustomer’smoneyisgiventotheother.Inthepresentationofyourrequestasabeliever,thisis,inaway,theprocedureyouadopt.Thereisanaccountinheavenforyou.Whetheryouareawareofsuchfactornotmakesnodifference;itisthere.ItisanaccountoverflowingwiththerichesofGodinChristJesus.Therichesareinexhaustible,andthevarietyunlimited.Buttheyaremadeavailableuponrequest.TheWordsays,“hethataskethreceiveth.”Thisisaforemostruletobearinmind.Itisnothethatbelievesthatreceives,buthethatbelievesandtranslateshisbeliefintoactionbyasking.Rememberitisnotfaiththathealsthesickbuttheprayeroffaith.

“Theprayeroffaithshallhealthesick”James5:15

Therefore,itisbelieforfaithfollowedbyaskingthatestablishesthepromiseforyou.YourprayermustfirstremindGodofHispromisesconcerningthatneedbecauseHedemandsthatyou,

“putme(Him)inremembrance;letuspleadtogether;declarethou,thatthoumayestbejustified”Isaiah43:26

Thenyougiveyourtangiblereasonsforyourrequestbecause,again,Godsays,

“produceyourcause…bringforthyourstrongreason,saiththeKingofJacob”Isaiah41:21

YourprayerisnottellingGodwhatishappening.

Heknowsitalready.ItistellingHimwhatyouwantHimtodoforyou,byremindingHimofHiswordconcerningyoursituation.Ifyouaretroubled

bysicknessforinstance,youhaveacase.TheWordhasmadeprovisionsforyourhealing.TheBiblesayshealingischildren’sbread.Itisalsowritten,

“Surelyhehasborneourgrief(sickness)andcarriedoursorrows(pains),andbyhisstripesyewerehealed”Isaiah53:4–5

IfyouareachildofGod,thenhealingisyourentitlement.SosetouttopresentyourcaseandGodwillsurelyjustifyyou.ThereisnowayHecandenyHimself.HeiskeepingwatchoverHiswordtoperformit.

Remember,Goddoesnotneedanyhealing;thereisnosicknessupthereinheaven.Itisyouwhoneedhealing,money,afertilewombetc.Goahead,therefore,infirmassurancethatwhateveryouask,youreceiveofHim.Thatisabenefitofyoursonship.

Chapter10:AddressTheSituation

YouhaveputGodinremembrance.YouhavegivenHimyourstrongreasons.Faithhasnowsprungupinyourheart.YounowhaveboldnessfromtheassuranceofGod’sapprovalandpresence.Now,youturnandfacetheoddsthathavebeenharassingyou.Youspeakoutthewayyouwantthingstobeandinheavenyourdecreeisestablished.

YouhavetodotheaddressingyourselfbecauseGodisnotgoingtodoit.WhenJesusChristwasatLazarus’tomb,HedidnotaskGodtospeaktothedeadman.Jesusdidit.Headdressedthedeadbody,“Lazaruscomeforth”HetoldHisdisciples,

“…whosoevershallsayuntothismountain,bethouremovedandcastintotheseaandshallnotdoubtinhisheartbutshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass,heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith”Mark11:23

Inthecaseconcerningthewelfareofmyson,Iwentstraighttoaddressthesituation.Isaid,“Boy,Iprophesytoyou,youshalleatandshallnotvomit,youshallsleepandyoursleepshallbesweet.”Thatsettledit.Heateandforthefirsttimeinthreedays,hedidnotvomit.Andwhatmore,hewentintoaverydeepsleep.PraisetheLord!Jesusisreal.TheBiblesays,

“thestrangersshallhearmyvoiceandassoonastheydotheyshallfadeawayfromtheirhidingplaces”Psalm18:44–45

Itisveryimportanthereforyoutonotethatthereisgreatpowerinyourmouth.Thereisadepositofcreativepowerinyou.Themomentyougetwhatthewordsaysaboutyoursituationfaithisbuiltup,asyoupresentyourcaseandyoustandtoaddressthesituationthecreativemiraculouspowerisreleasedintothesituation.Bythisyouhavemobilizedthehostofheavenintoswiftactionandtheyhandlethesituationwithdispatch.Butthewordofthemiraculoushastobereleasedfromyourmouthbeforethiscanbedone.

“Butwhatsaithit?Thewordisnighuntothee,eveninthymouth,andinthyheart,thatis,thewordoffaithwhichwepreach”Romans10:8

Thiswordconceivedinyourheart,formedbythetongue,andspokenout

ofthemouthbecomescreativepowerthatwillworkforyou.IfyoutakethewordofGodandspeakitboldlytoyoursituationbyfaith,itisaspowerfulandaseffectiveasJesusspeakingit.

Onceyourwordhasgoneforthinfaith,forgetabouttheimposingpresenceoftheproblem,orthehordeofoppositionthatwillhaulthemselvesagainstyou.TheWordwhichissharperthananytwoedgedswordhasgonetotherootoftheproblem.Whatremainsislikeahugesuperstructurewithoutabase,itscollapseisonlyamatteroftime.WhenJesusChristcursedthefruitlessfigtree,therewasnoimmediateoutwardmanifestationoftheeffectofthecurse.Nevertheless,inthespiritrealm,wherethevitalforcescontrollinglifelie,thetreehadceasedtoexist.

Thereforeanyappearanceofyourmountain,anyimpressionofthingsgettingworseevenafteryouhaveaddressedthemountainisasignofvictory.ThedevilsJesuscastoutrenttheirvictimssorebeforedeparting.Whenasnake’sheadiscutoff,thebodywrithesandconvulses.Thatisexactlywhathappenswhenyouaddressyour“mountain.”Donotshiftyourgroundafteryouhaveaddressedthesituation.Seeitdone.

Chapter11:DeclareYourVictory

Victoryisnotonlydemonstratedinactionbutinwordsalso.Whenyouarerelaxedovervictory,yourconfidencewilldefinitelyfindexpressioninyourlanguage.Youtalkpositivethings.Youroptimismbringsoututteranceslike“Itisdone”or“Ihavereceived.”Thereareno“ifs.”Thethingsyouarelookingforwardtoreceivinghavebecomesorealtoyouthatyouarecompletelyabsorbedincalculatingthedetails.

Yourutterancesbewildertheunbelieverbecauseof,perhaps,theformidablenatureoftheoddsagainstyou.Heasksyou“Areyousosurethiswillbepossible?”Yourconfidentanswercanonlyaddtohisconfusion.Hemayevenentertainsomedoubtaboutyourmentalstate.Couldyoubesuchadolt(stupidfellow)astocountyourchickensbeforetheyarehatched?Butthatispreciselyhowyouaretoappearbeforetheworldifyoureallywantyourvictory.Youmustobservealltherulesbecausehalfmeasurescarrynoweightinthespiritrealm.Itiswritten,

“whosoevershallkeepthewholelaw,andyetoffendinonepoint,isguiltyofall”James2:10

ThisisastrueasofthelawhandeddowntotheIsraelites,asitisoftheotherrulesorlawsofthespiritthatleadtovictoryinlife.Youhavegottoproclaimyourvictorybecausethelight(faith)inyourheartmustbeknowntotheworldoutside.TheBiblesays,“Nomanlightethalampandhidethitunderabushel.”Whenyousetthelamponatable,alldarknessisdrivenoff.Whenyouproclaimyourvictory,youputalldemonichosttoflightbecausetheysimplycannotstandfaith–loadedutterances.Itbewildersthem.Jesusemphasizedtheimportanceofthewordsyouspeakout.Hesaid,

“Forbythywordthoushaltbejustified,andbythywordsthoushaltbecondemned”Matthew12:37

That,isabasictruthoflifesincethecreationofman.ThepeopleofIsraelliterallytalkedthemselvesoutoftheirpossessionofthepromisedlandatKadeshBarnea.Theyconfessedanddeclaredinability.Theysaid,“wecannotgoin.Thepeoplearestrongerandmightier.Thereisnowaywecanwin.”

Theytalkedthemselvesoutofitandhadtospendextra40yearstogetintoit.Wrongconfessionwillcostyouyourvictory.Itmayevencostyoumoneyandifyouarenotcareful,itwillcostyouyourlife.Godalsotoldthem,

“AstrulyasIlive…asyehavespokeninmineears,sowillIdotoyou”Numbers14:28

‘Lifeanddeathareinthepowerofthetongue”(Proverbs14:28),becausethetongueistheoutletfortheabundancecontainedintheheartofman.

Notethatwhatyouarenowisaproductofwhatyouhavesaidaboutyourselfinthepast.Jesussaidthereisnowayaspringcanbringforthsweetandbitterwater.

Youcannotsayonethingandexpectadifferentthingtohappen.Thatisnotpossible.Whatproceedsfromyourmouthisaspiritualforcethatmakesorunmakesyou.Ifyourmouthhasnegativeideas,yourwordswilldefinitelybenegative.Andnegativewordswillyieldfailureandfrustration.Ontheotherhand,aheartfullofhealthyholyideasshallyieldsuccess,joyandlifeabundant.ThePsalmistsays,

“Whatmandesirethlife,andlovethmanydays,thathemayseegood?keepthytonguefromevilandthylipsfromspeakingguile”Psalm34:12–13

Butifyouwanttospeaktherightwords,youhavetoloadyourselfwiththewordofHisgrace,andyourwordswillgivegracetoallyourhearersandbringyourvictorieshome.

Chapter12:DemonstrateYourVictory

IhavesaidthatbelievingthepromisesofGoddoesnotguaranteeyouananswerexceptyoutranslateyourbeliefintoaction.Thatisfaithinaction,orfaithbackedbyworks.Whenyouaddressyoursituation,yougointoactionregardlessofyourfeelingsorappearancestothecontrary.Thisisyourdemonstrationofvictory.Itisawalkintovictoryconfirmingthefinalityofwhatyouhavespoken.Ifyouractionisactuallyspringingfromgenuinefaith,obstacleswillcrumble,revealingthoseneedswhichareaseagerlylookingforyouasyouareforthem.ThedemonstrationofvictoryisimportantbecauseGoddoesnotjudgebymerelipconfessionbutbylifeexpression.TheBiblesays

“GodisaGodofknowledge,andbywhomactionsareweighed”1Samuel2:3

Thatistosay,Hejustifiesyouonthebasisofwhatproceedsoutofyourheart.

“ItheLordsearchtheheart,Itrythereins,eventogiveeverymanaccordingtohisways,andaccordingtothefruitofhisdoings”Jeremiah17:10

Youractionsarecontrolledbythestateofyourheart.TheBiblesays“…outoftheheartaretheissuesoflife”JesusalsoemphasizedthesamepointtoHisdisciplesinMatthewchapter15.Youractionsmustagreewithyourwords.Youcannotsay“byhisstripesIwashealed”andcontinuetopatronizethechemist’sshopslookingforPanadol.Youaresayingonethinganddoinganother.Thatisnotconfession.Nothingisgoingtoworkforyou.Youractionsmustcorrespondwithyourdeclaration.Jamesspokeaboutyouractionsconfirmingyourfaith.Thatisfaithandcorrespondingaction.Besureandtaketimetodowhatyousay.

TheBiblerecordsinstancesofclassicdemonstrationsofvictorythatchangedthedestiniesofthepersonsconcerned.Hannah,wholaterbecamethemotherofSamuel,wasoneofsuchpersons.TheBiblerecordsthatwhenshehadfinishedsupplicatingforachildfromtheLord,shedidnotcontinue

towearherpreviousmournfullookbut,“shewentherway,anddideatandhercountenancewasnomoresad”(1Samuel1:18).

Davidwasanotherpersonwhobelievedinactionafterconfession.HebelievedGodwasabletodeliverGoliathintohishand,sohewentstraightintoaction.TherewasnotasinglesoldierintheranksofIsrael’sarmywhocouldclaimtobelievethatGodcoulddefeatthehostsofthePhilistine.TheiractionwasenoughproofthattheydidnotbelieveGodforvictory.

Anxietyandfearareenemiesoffaith.Theymanifestthemselvesinactions.Anxietybreedsfearandfearbreedsdoubtanddoubtwillrobyouofeverypromiseoftheword.

“Fretnotthyself”Psalm37:1“Becarefulfornothing…”Philippians4:6

Anxietyandfeararespiritualforces.TheyseektoentangleyouinyourChristianwalk,drawyouintothesenserealm,andrenderyouunsuitabletofightyourspiritualbattles.Butyoucanresistthem.TheBiblesays,

“Godhasnotgivenusthespiritoffearbutofpowerandofloveandofasoundmind”2Timothy1:7

Moreover,youareto“resistthedevilandhewillfleefromyou.”Whatevertreeyourheavenlyfatherhasnotplanted,youcanuproot.Youdonotuprootthetreebyfretting,becausebythatyouwillonlysucceedinuprootingyourownself.

“Forwhichofyoubytakingthoughtcanaddonecubittohisstature”Matthew6:27

Yes,yourfrettinganddoubtingwillharmyouphysicallyandpreventyoufromreceivingfromtheLord.Begoodtoyourownself.Berelaxedandcomfortable.Letyouractionsrevealthatyourheartisfixed,trustingtheLord.Youhaveaddressedthemountain.Nowgothroughasifithasdisappearedanditwillfleefromyourpresence.TheIsraelitesmovedtowardsthesea,andtheBiblesays,

“Theseasawthem(theirfaithinaction)anditfled”Psalm114:3Alleluia!

Chapter13:RefuseToQuit

Thelaststeptoyourvictoryistorefusetoquit.YouhavegottenGod’swordaboutthesituation,youhavebuiltupyourfaithinthatdirection,youhavepresentedyourcase,youhaveaddressedthesituation,youhavedeclaredyourvictoryandnowyouaredemonstratingit.Yourvictoryisalreadycertain.Ithasnowbeenreleasedintheheavenlies.Theangels–yourministeringspiritsareworkinghardonitsmanifestation.Youareatthepointofhavingit.Sodonotquit.

Jesussaid,

“Whatthingssoeveryedesirewhenyepray,believethatyereceivethemandyeshallhavethem”(Mark11:24)

Thereisaperiodbetweenreceivingandhavingit.Thisistheperiodthatyoursincerityabouttheothersixstepswillbetested.Doyoureallybelievewhatyouaredoing?Doyouexpectanyresultfromyouractions?Thisisthetimeyouwillproveit.Standthereandrefusetoquit.Onethingissure,theresultwillcome.Itisnotpossibleforanythingtostopitfromcoming.Nothingcanstandagainstyourvictory.Youarethemostimportantfactorinthisarea.Youcannotquitifyoureallyhavefaithinwhatyouaredoing.Awinnerdoesnotquitandaquitterdoesnot,andcannotwin.Itisaspirituallaw.Standfirmly.Refusetoshiftyourground.Ifyoudothis,yourvictoryiscertain.

Abrahamisaclassicexamplehere.Hedidnotconsiderthesituationsaroundhim.HekeptstandingonwhatGodtoldhim.Hewasinthebestpositiontodoubtandquit.ButheknewthatifGod’swordwastoworkforhim,hehadtosticktoit,sohedidnotquit.

“HestaggerednotatthepromiseofGodthroughunbelief;butwasstronginfaithgivingglorytoGod.Andbeingfullypersuadedthatwhathehadpromisedhewasablealsotoperform”Romans4:20–21

Hehadachoicetobestronginfaithortobeweakinfaith.Hehadachoicetostaggerornottostagger.Hehadachoicetoquitornottoquit.All

theoptionswereopentohimbutherefusedtoquit.HewasfullypersuadedaboutGod’sabilitytofulfillHispromise.

GodmetAbrahambecauseherefusedtoquit.Youwillalsoneedtobefullypersuaded.KnowenoughofGodtostandonHiswordandrefusetoquit.Remember,awinnerdoesnotquitandaquitterdoesnot,andcannotwin.

FinalWord:AcknowledgeTheReceipt

Godrequiresanddeservesyourartandactofacknowledgement.Onereasonwhypeoplehavebeenshut–offfromtheblessingoftheLordislackofacknowledgement.EverybelievermustbequicktoexpressthefactthatitisnotbypowernorbymightbutbytheSpiritoftheLordthathisvictoryhascome.ItisGodatworktodoHisownpleasureinyou.ThepsalmistalwaystooktimetoacknowledgethewondrousdeedsoftheLord.

“BlesstheLordOmysoulandforgetnotallhisbenefits.Whoforgivethallthineiniquities;whohealethallthydiseases;whoredeemeththylifefromdestruction;whocrowneththeewithlovingkindnessandtendermercies”Psalm103:2–4

HeknewheneededtoblesstheLordforthesebenefitsofforgiveness,healingandredemption.HeknewthiswouldendearhimtoGod’sheartandmoveHimtodomoreforhim.YoualsoneedtogivethankstoGodafteryouhavedoneallthese.Youdonotnecessarilyneedtoseethevictorybeforeyoubegintoacknowledgethereceipt.AsyougivethankstotheLord,Heisimpressedaboutyourfaith.Itisthenthatyouarereallywalkinginfaith.Yourownprincipleisnot“seeingisbelieving”but“believingisseeing.”BelievingactionsofpraiseandgivingofthanksendearyoutoGod’sheartandenhancesyourconfidenceinthereleaseofyourvictory.

“IneverythinggivethanksforthisisthewillofGodinChristJesusconcerningyou”1Thessalonians5:18

Godisinterestedingivingofthanks.YouhavetobequicktoacknowledgeGod’sgoodnessinyourlife.Doitconstantly.

TheLordJesusdemonstratedandemphasizedtheneedandimportanceofgivingofthanks.HewaspassingthroughSamariatoJerusalemonedayandthereweretenlepersoutsidethecity.TheyshoutedtoHimwithaloudvoiceforhelp.Hetheninstructedthemtogoandshowthemselvestothepriests.Astheywent,theywerehealedandoneofthemcamebacktotestifyandacknowledgehishealing.

“Andoneofthemwhenhesawthathewashealed,turnedback,

andwithaloudvoiceglorifiedGod.AndhefelldownonhisfaceatHisfeetgivingthanks:andhewasaSamaritan.AndJesusansweringsaid,weretherenottencleansed?Butwherearethenine?TherearenotfoundthatreturnedtogiveglorytoGod,savethisstranger”Luke17:15–18

ItisobviousherethatitisimportantforyoutogiveglorytoGodforthereceiptofyourvictoryineverything.GivethankstoGod.TheactofingratitudetoGodissinfulandattractssomecursesfromtheLord.

“Ifyewillnothear,andifyewillnotlayittoheart,togivegloryuntomyname,saiththeLordofhosts,Iwillevensendacurseuponyou,andIwillcurseyourblessings:yeaIhavecursedthemalreadybecauseyedonotlayittoheart”Malachi2:2

Itisthatserious.Goddeservesandrequiresyourthanksgiving.TaketimetogiveglorytoHisname.Heisworthytobepraised.Hehasbeenwonderfulandgoodtoyou.YouhaveadutytogivepraiseandthankstoHisname.Manypeopleneglectthisandtheyrunintounnecessarydifficultiesinlife.TheybegintoprayandfastnotknowingthattheyareresponsiblefortheirwoessimplybecausetheydonotlayittohearttogiveglorytoGod.

HewillnotshareHisglorywithanyman.Heissupremeandmighty.Infact,therearemanyreasonswhyyouneedtogivethanks.Lookatthingsaroundyou.Theraceisnottotheswift.

“ItisnotofhimthatwillethnortohimthatrunnethbutofGodthatshowethmercy”Romans9:16

“Theraceisnottotheswiftnorthebattletothestrong”Ecclesiastes9:11

ItisabsolutelythemercyandthedoingoftheLord.Paulsaid,“ByhisgraceIamwhatIam…”(1Corinthians15:10).

Whatevervictoryyouwinisbyhisgrace.BythefinishedworkofChrist,yougotit;notbyyourstrength.

ItisveryimportantthatyoulayittohearttoblessandgiveglorytoGodinallthings.Itwillalsohelpyourfaithalot.YouwillhaveconfidencetogobeforeGodalwaysforanotherroundofvictory,ifyoutaketimeto

acknowledgethepreviousones.

“ThatthecommunicationofthefaithmaybecomeeffectualbytheacknowledgingofeverygoodthingwhichisinyoubyChristJesus”Philemon6

Acknowledgethosegoodthings(yourvictories)inyourlifeandyourfaithwillbemoreeffectuallycommunicated.Youarebornawinner.

TableofContentsContentsIntroduction:FoundationForVictoryChapter1:ThereisWarChapter2:TheDramaAtCalvaryChapter3:YourNewStatusChapter4:TheFightOfFaithChapter5:ABornWinnerChapter6:GettingSetForYourVictoryChapter7:GetHoldOfTheWordChapter8:ReleaseYourFaithChapter9:PresentYourCaseChapter10:AddressTheSituationChapter11:DeclareYourVictoryChapter12:DemonstrateYourVictoryChapter13:RefuseToQuitFinalWord:AcknowledgeTheReceipt