TABLEOFCONTENTS

1 EVERYTHINGCREATEDCONTAINSANINSTRUCTION,ANASSIGNMENT,TOSOLVEASPECIFICPROBLEM

2 YOURASSIGNMENTWILLFORCEYOURGREATESTGIFTSANDTALENTSTOEMERGE

3 NEVERSTAYWHEREYOUHAVENOTBEENASSIGNED

4 YOURASSIGNMENTWILLALWAYSBEAPROBLEMTHATTHEHOLYSPIRITWILLQUALIFY

YOUTOSOLVE5 YOURASSIGNMENTISTOBEACCEPTED,NOTALTERED

6 YOURASSIGNMENTMAYMAKEYOUFEELFEARFULORINADEQUATE7 YOURASSIGNMENTMAYBETOSOMEONEWHOATFIRSTDOESNOTAPPRECIATEYOU

8 YOURASSIGNMENTWILLALWAYSBETOSOMEONEWITHAPROBLEM9 YOURASSIGNMENTWILLALWAYSBETOSOMEONEWHOISHURTING

10 YOURANOINTINGFORYOURASSIGNMENTMAYCREATEGREATCONVICTIONAND

DISCOMFORTINOTHERS

11 YOURASSIGNMENTMAYREQUIRESEASONSOFINTENSIFIEDPRAYERANDFASTING12 YOURASSIGNMENTMAYINVOLVESEASONSOFPAIN13 YOURASSIGNMENTANDANOINTINGWILLATTRACTATTACK

14 YOURASSIGNMENTWILLALWAYSHAVEANENEMY

15 THEGREATERYOURASSIGNMENT,THEGREATERYOURWARFARE

16 CRISISISANORMALEVENTONTHEROADTOYOURASSIGNMENT

17 SATANDOESNOTREACTTOYOUALONE,BUTRATHERTOYOURASSIGNMENT

18 ANYSATANICATTACKREVEALSWHATSATANFEARSMOSTINYOURFUTURE19 THECOMPLETIONOFYOURASSIGNMENTISTHEGREATESTFEAROFYOURENEMY

20 SATANWILLOFFERYOUANYTHINGTOSABOTAGEYOURASSIGNMENT

21 FOURKINDSOFPEOPLEWILLBEUSEDTODISTRACTYOUFROMYOURLIFEASSIGNMENT

22 YOURASSIGNMENTMAYBEDEEPLYRESENTEDBYSOMEONEWHOENVIESYOURSUCCESS

23 THOSEWHOHAVENOTDISCOVEREDTHEIROWNASSIGNMENTAREOFTENINTIMIDATEDBY

THOSEWHOHAVE

24 YOURASSIGNMENTMAYBEMISUNDERSTOODBYTHOSECLOSESTTOYOU

25 YOURASSIGNMENTMAYBEDESPISEDBYSOMEONEWHOSEOPINIONYOUCHERISH

26 GODWILLNOTSHOWYOUPICTURESOFWHATHEISBRINGINGYOUTHROUGH,BUT

RATHERWHATHEISBRINGINGYOUTO

27 GODCANMIRACULOUSLYTURNTHEWRONGDECISIONSOFOTHERSTOWORKFORYOUR

GOOD

28 GODWILLGOBEFOREYOUANDFIGHTFORYOUONYOURASSIGNMENT

29 THESUCCESSOFYOURASSIGNMENTOCCURSBECAUSEOFSOMETHINGGODHASCHOSEN

TOANOINTINYOURLIFE

30 YOURGIFTSANDTALENTSARECLUESTOYOURASSIGNMENT

31 YOURASSIGNMENTWILLREQUIRETOTALOBEDIENCE

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the KingJamesVersionoftheBible.TheAssignment:TheAnointing&TheAdversityISBN10:1-56394-700-5/ISBN13:978-1563947001/eB-75Copyright©2007byMIKEMURDOCKPublisher/Editor:DeborahMurdockJohnsonPublishedbyTheWisdomCenter•4051DentonHwy.•Ft.Worth,Texas761171-817-759-BOOK•1-817-759-2665•1-817-759-0300YouWillLoveOurWebsite..!WisdomOnline.comAll rights reserved under International Copyright Law. Contents and/or covermay not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the expresswrittenconsentofthepublisher.

EVERYTHINGCREATEDCONTAINSANINSTRUCTION,ANASSIGNMENT,TOSOLVEASPECIFICPROBLEM

YouAreHereForAReason.Withinyouisaninvisiblecalling,purposeanddestiny.Instructionsmaybe

unknown,ignoredordistorted.Buttheydoexist.These instructions are invisible, yet cannot be doubted. Examine a

watermelonseedcarefully. It is impossible,evenwith themicroscope, toseeawrittenandclearlydefinedinstructiontothatseedtoproducemorewatermelons.Yetthecommandcannotbedoubted.Plantamillionwatermelonseedsandnoneof themwillproducea tomato.The instruction isalreadydefined. Itcannotberefuted.Theproductistheproof.

Lookinsidethetomatoseed.Analyzeit.Ifyoutryforalifetimetolocatethe instruction to produce tomatoes, youwill never find it.Those instructionsarenotvisible.Yettomatoesareproducedfromtheseed.

Withineverythingcreatedisadesireandcommandtoincrease,produceandmultiply. Something within you wants to solve a problem for someone,somewhere,sometime.ThatIsYourAssignment.

Especiallymankind.“SoGodcreatedmaninHisownimage,intheimageofGod createdHe him;male and female createdHe them.AndGod blessedthem,andGodsaiduntothem,Befruitful,andmultiply,andreplenishtheearth,andsubdueit:andhavedominionoverthefishofthesea,andoverthefowloftheair,andovereverylivingthingthatmovethupontheearth,”(Genesis1:27-28).

When you die, it will be impossible for any autopsy to reveal yourAssignment. It is invisible. Your Assignment Is Something You Alone MustDiscernAndDiscoverWhileYouAreOnEarth.(SeeRomans14:12.)

That iswhy your relationshipwithGod is an absolutenecessity. NobodyelseknowsyourAssignment.Youcannotevenprove it toanotherperson. It isinvisible,andyetitisclearlydefinedwithinyou.Itcannotbedoubtedwhenyouare in thepresenceof theOneWhomadeyou,TheHolySpirit. “The spirit ofGod hathmademe, and the breath of theAlmighty hath givenme life,” (Job33:4).

“Iwill praiseThee; for I am fearfully andwonderfullymade:marvellousareThyworks;andthatmysoulknowethrightwell.Mysubstancewasnothid

fromThee,whenIwasmadeinsecret,andcuriouslywroughtinthelowestpartsof theearth.Thineeyesdidseemysubstance,yetbeingunperfect;andinThybookallmymemberswerewritten,whichincontinuancewerefashioned,whenasyettherewasnoneofthem,”(Psalm139:14-16).

8ImportantFactsAboutGodAndYourAssignment

1.GodIsTotallyFocusedOnYou,YourWaysAndYourAssignment.

“Thoucompassestmypathandmylyingdown,andartacquaintedwithallmyways,”(Psalm139:3).

2.GodCarefullyExaminesEveryWordYouSpeakDaily.“Forthereisnotawordinmytongue,but, lo,OLord,Thouknowest italtogether,”(Psalm139:4).

3. The Holy Spirit, Who Created You, Is In You And Around YouContinuously.HekeepsHishanduponyour life.“Thouhastbesetmebehindandbefore,andlaidThinehanduponme,”(Psalm139:5;alsoseePsalm16:8,11).

4.YouWillNeverBeOutsideOfHisReachOrAccess.“WhithershallIgofromThyspirit?orwhithershallIfleefromThypresence?IfIascendupintoheaven,Thouartthere:ifImakemybedinhell,behold,Thouartthere.IfItakethewingsofthemorning,anddwellintheuttermostpartsofthesea;EventhereshallThyhandleadme,andThyrighthandshallholdme,”(Psalm139:7-10).

5.WhenYouAreInTheDarkestTrialOfYourLife,HeWillTurnOnThe Light For You To Enable You To Complete This Assignment HePlantedWithinYou. “If I say, Surely the darkness shall coverme; even thenight shallbe light aboutme.Yea, thedarknesshidethnot fromThee;but thenightshinethas theday: thedarknessand the lightarebothalike toThee.ForThouhast possessedmy reins:Thouhast coveredme inmymother’swomb,”(Psalm139:11-13).

6.ItIsImpossibleToCountThePleasurableThoughtsThatPourOutFrom The Mind Of God Toward You Daily. “How precious also are Thythoughtsuntome,OGod!howgreatisthesumofthem!IfIshouldcountthem,they aremore in number than the sand:when I awake, I am stillwithThee,”(Psalm139:17-18).

7. It IsYourOwnResponsibilityTo IdentifyYourAssignment. SodonotexpectotherstodefineyourAssignmentforyou.Itisnottheirresponsibilitytodoso.TheyhaveapersonalresponsibilitytodiscovertheirownAssignment.

Itwilltaketheirentirelivesandmentalfocustocompleteit.YoumustdiscoveryourownAssignment foryourself.God intended it tobe so.Thiswill requireyour personal reaching, pursuing and moving toward His presence. “So theneveryoneofusshallgiveaccountofhimselftoGod,”(Romans14:12).

8.TheWordOfGodIsTheBlueprintForYourAssignment,AndMustBecome Your Daily Focus. Hearing from Him will make your Assignmentclear, irrefutable and immovable. “Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, OLord,accordinguntoThyword,”(Psalm119:65).

YouAreOnEarthToSolveAProblem.Thatiswhyitiscalled...TheAssignment.Remember:Everything Created Contains An Instruction, An Assignment,

ToSolveASpecificProblem.

YOURASSIGNMENTWILLFORCEYOURGREATESTGIFTSANDTALENTSTO

EMERGE

YourAssignmentWillRequireYourVeryBest.The apostle Paul knew this. “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that

thoustirupthegiftofGod,whichisintheebytheputtingonofmyhands,”(2Timothy1:6).

WhenPaul instructedTimothy to stirup thegiftswithinhim, it appearedthatTimothywasperhaps fearfulof evenusing thosegifts.SoPaulmotivatedhim,“ForGodhathnotgivenusthespiritoffear;butofpower,andoflove,andofasoundmind,”(2Timothy1:7).

There aremanydiversities of gifts that are distributed to us byTheHolySpirit. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there aredifferencesofadministrations,butthesameLord.Butalltheseworkeththatoneand the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will,” (1Corinthians12:4-5,11).

Paul, the great persuader, studied under Gamaliel, one of the leadinglawyersofhisday.(SeeActs22:3.)Hewasanegotiator.Articulate.Persuasive.Infact,KingAgrippascheduledapersonalaudiencewithhimandwhenthekingheardhimspeak,hesaidtoPaul,“AlmostthoupersuadestmetobeaChristian,”(Acts26:28).Whetherhewasbeingfacetiousorsincere,wedonotreallyknow.But we do know that Paul’s Assignment thrust him into the spotlight. HesuddenlywasthemostarticulatespokesmanofhisdaytodecreeanddeclaretheoraclesofGod.Paul’sAssignmentcausedhimtoreachinsidehimselfandforcehisgreatestgiftsandtalentstoemerge.

AnythinggoodwithinyouwillbeforcedtothesurfacewhenyougivetotalfocustoyourlifeAssignment.

EveryGiftWithinYouIsANecessityForYourAssignment.Remember:YourAssignmentWillForceYourGreatestGiftsAndTalentsTo

Emerge.

NEVERSTAYWHEREYOUHAVENOTBEENASSIGNED

YouAreNotAssignedEverywhere.Iwas speaking at a churchupNorth. I hadbeen there for twodays.The

atmosphere in thechurchwasasdeadas4o’clock in themorning.There is agreatdifferencebetweenholyquietnessanddeathlysilence—thesepeopleweredeathlysilent!

Ipersisted.Truthplantedcanchangelives.ButthepeoplekeptlookingatmeliketheydidnotunderstandawordIwassaying.Theystaredatme.Ididnotgiveupeasily,althoughIwasdyinginside.Everywordwastorturous.ButIkeptteachingtheWord,thinkingthatitwouldeventuallytakeroot.

Finally,Istoppedandaskedeveryonetobowtheirheadinprayer.“Father,”Iprayed,“whatintheworldiswronghere?”

“Thiswasyourschedule,”Hereplied.Iaskedthepeopletostandtotheirfeet.Iexplainedtothem,“Irealizethat

wearesupposedtocontinuehereuntiltomorrownight.However,Ihavenoticedinthelasttwodaysofministrythatyouhavejuststaredatme.Youhavenevershownanyresponse.NotruthIshareseemstoigniteyouorencourageyou.Youstare at me like I just landed from Neptune. I do not think you understandanythingIamsaying toyou!Well, I justasked theLordwhy.He toldmethatthisplace,thischurch,wasnotevenHisAssignmentforme.ItwassomethingIhad chosen on my own. So I am going back to Dallas. I will not be backtomorrownight.Godblessyoufolks!”

Somewould find that intolerable.However, I am certain that if youwillbecomemorecarefulinwhereyousowyourSeedofenergy,yourSeedofloveandtime,yourSeedofknowledge...Youwillseegreatdifferencesintheresultsofyourlife.

JesusdidnotgowhereHewasneeded.HewentwhereHewaswanted.Hetaught His disciples, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear yourwords,whenyedepartoutofthathouseorcity,shakeoffthedustofyourfeet,”(Matthew10:14).

GoWhereYouAreCelebrated,NotTolerated.Certainly,therewillbemomentswhenyourownassessmentofyourlabor

is inaccurate.Therewillbe timeswhenyou thinkyourwork is totally invain,onlytofindoutthroughalittlemoretenacityanddeterminationthatthewindsof

Godwerepreparingtoblow.Hisblessingswereabouttocome.ButthereisadifferencewhenyoupouryourlifeoutataspecificplaceGod

assignsyou.Afewweeksago,Isatinarestaurantwithagroupofpeople.Foronesolid

hourIsatquietlylisteningtotalkofballgames,politicsandpreacherswhohavefallenintosin.ThenitdawnedonmethatnoonehadaskedasinglequestioninpursuitofWisdom.Neitherdidanyoneseeminterestedinteachinganythingofsignificance. It had turned into a gossip party. I stood quickly tomy feet andsaid,“Godblesseveryoneofyou.”

WhenIwalkedoutoftherestaurant,Ifeltathousandpoundsliftoffme.Iwasfree.WhenIwalkedintomylittlemotelroom,itseemedlikeangelsweresinginginmyears.

YouDoNotHaveToStayWhereGodHasNotAssignedYou.Notevenforonemeal.

Remember:NeverStayWhereYouHaveNotBeenAssigned.

YOURASSIGNMENTWILLALWAYSBEAPROBLEMTHATTHEHOLYSPIRIT

WILLQUALIFYYOUTOSOLVE

GodMadeAWiseDecisionWhenHeChoseYou.God is not stupid.He is brilliant;He is aware;He is knowledgeable.He

doesthingsthatmenwouldneverdo.“ButnowthussaiththeLordthatcreatedthee,OJacob,andHethatformedthee,OIsrael,Fearnot:forIhaveredeemedthee,Ihavecalledtheebythyname;thouartMine,”(Isaiah43:1).

Ifyouwereincapable,Hewouldnothaveplacedthisburningdesireinyou.

13MemoryScripturesFor13MentalBattlesYouMayFace

1.YouMayFeelIncapable.“AndMosessaiduntoGod,WhoamI,thatI

shouldgountoPharaoh,andthatIshouldbringforththechildrenofIsraeloutofEgypt?”(Exodus3:11).

2. You May Feel Weak And Inarticulate. “And I was with you inweakness,andinfear,andinmuchtrembling.Andmyspeechandmypreachingwasnotwithenticingwordsofman’swisdom,butindemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower,”(1Corinthians2:3-4).

3.YouMayFeelUnworthy.“WhereofIwasmadeaminister,accordingtothe gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of Hispower.Untome,whoamlessthantheleastofallsaints,isthisgracegiven,thatI should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,”(Ephesians3:7-8).

4.YouMayFeelFoolishAndWeak. “ButGod hath chosen the foolishthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthewise;andGodhathchosentheweakthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthethingswhicharemighty,”(1Corinthians1:27).

5.YouMayFeelDespisedAndUndesiredBySomeone.“Andbasethingsof theworld,and thingswhicharedespised,hathGodchosen,yea,and thingswhicharenot, tobringtonoughtthingsthatare:ThatnofleshshouldgloryinHispresence,”(1Corinthians1:28-29).

6.YouMayFeelPowerless,WithoutCloutAnd Influence. “ForThou,Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt Thou compass him as with ashield,”(Psalm5:12).

7. You May Feel Unspiritual And Carnal. Listen to Paul: “This is afaithful saying, andworthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into theworld to save sinners; ofwhom I amchief.Howbeit for this cause I obtainedmercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for apattern to themwhich should hereafter believe onHim to life everlasting,” (1Timothy1:15-16).

8.YouMayFeelIgnorant,OrThatYouHaveABlemishedPast.“AndIthank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that He counted mefaithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and apersecutor, and injurious: but I obtainedmercy, because I did it ignorantly inunbelief.AndthegraceofourLordwasexceedingabundantwithfaithandlovewhichisinChristJesus,”(1Timothy1:12-14).

9.YouMayFeelDefenseless. “My defence is ofGod,which saveth theuprightinheart,”(Psalm7:10).

10. You May Feel That You Have Too Many Enemies. “When mineenemies are turnedback, they shall fall andperish atThypresence.ForThouhastmaintainedmyrightandmycause;Thousatestinthethronejudgingright,”(Psalm9:3-4).

11. You May Feel Too Needy. “For the needy shall not alway beforgotten,”(Psalm9:18).

12.YouMayFeelThatItWillTakeTooLongForGodToAssistYouAndToHelpYouBecomeWhatYouAreSupposedToBe.“Godisourrefugeandstrength,averypresenthelpintrouble,”(Psalm46:1).“Godshallhelpher,andthatrightearly,”(Psalm46:5).

13.YouMayFeelOverwhelmedByAdversity. “ThroughTheewillwepushdownourenemies:throughThynamewillwetreadthemunderthatriseupagainstus,”(Psalm44:5).

Godisnotlookingatyouroutwardappearance.Heislookingatyourheart.KeepitpurebeforeHim.PursueHimdailyandwithgreatdiligence.Andspeakthis great promise aloud throughout today: “I can do all things throughChristwhichstrengthenethme,”(Philippians4:13).

HereIsAThought-ProvokingListICallThe“TenCommandmentsForPreparationForYour

Assignment”

1.FullyEmbraceEverySeasonOfPreparation.“Studytoshewthyself

approveduntoGod,aworkmanthatneedethnottobeashamed,rightlydividingthewordoftruth,”(2Timothy2:15).

2.DetermineToPersevereThroughSeasonsOfSolitudeAndIsolationFromOthers.“Butshunprofaneandvainbabblings:fortheywillincreaseuntomoreungodliness,”(2Timothy2:16).

3.RefuseToDiscussYourAssignmentWithScornersAndFools.“Gofromthepresenceofafoolishman,whenthouperceivestnotinhimthelipsofknowledge,”(Proverbs14:7).

4.BeWillingToWorkDiligentlyAndBecomeQualified. “The soulofthesluggarddesireth,andhathnothing:butthesoulofthediligentshallbemadefat,”(Proverbs13:4).

5.BeVeryDiscreetAboutYourPersonalAndBusinessPlans.“Hethatkeepethhismouthkeepethhislife:buthethatopenethwidehislipsshallhavedestruction,”(Proverbs13:3).

6. Expect God To Hear Your Prayers. “He heareth the prayer of therighteous,”(Proverbs15:29).

7.SeekCorrectionAndDirectionFromWorthyMentors.“Theearthatheareththereproofof lifeabidethamongthewise.Hethatrefusethinstructiondespiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding,”(Proverbs15:31-32).

8. Expect Unnecessary Conflict To Be Avoided. “When a man’s wayspleasetheLord,Hemakethevenhisenemiestobeatpeacewithhim,”(Proverbs16:7).

9.AppreciateTheFinancesGodHasPresentlyProvided,AndExpectHim To Provide Supernaturally, On His Schedule. “Better is a little withrighteousnessthangreatrevenueswithoutright,”(Proverbs16:8).“ButmyGodshall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,”(Philippians4:19).

10.ExpectTheGiftsOfGodWithinYouToOpenDoorsAndConnectYouWithGreatMen. “Aman’sgiftmaketh roomforhim,andbringethhimbeforegreatmen,”(Proverbs18:16).

Iwroteasongseveralyearsago:“Hedoesnotalwayscallthequalified,ButHequalifiesthecalled!

So,youcan!Youcan!”InHispresence,youbecomequalified.Remember: Your Assignment Will Always Be A Problem That The Holy

SpiritWillQualifyYouToSolve.

YOURASSIGNMENTISTOBEACCEPTED,NOTALTERED

YouCannotImproveOnAnInstructionFromGod.Achan is a sad but enlightening story in the Old Testament. When the

childrenofIsraeltookJericho,theywereforbiddentokeepanyofthespoilsofwar.Achandisobeyed.HissinwasdiscoveredwhenthearmywentouttotakethecityofAi,but failedmiserably.WhenJoshuawentbefore theLord toaskwhyHehadabandonedhispeople,Godtoldhimthatitwasbecauseoneofthemhaddisobeyedhisorders.God then revealed to Joshua that itwasAchan.Therest is a tragic picture. Joshua had him stoned to death alongwith his wholefamilyandallhislivestock.(ReadJoshua7:1-26forthefullstory.)

YouCannot Afford The TragediesOf An Ignored Instruction. You cannotalterGod’swordstoyouwithoutpayingaterribleprice.

Jonahisanotherclassicexample.GodtoldhimtogotoNineveh.HewenttoTarshishinstead.Godthenscheduledthreetorturousdaysinthebottomofahuge fish. I call this “WhaleUniversity!”Hewas finallyvomitedup. It is themiserablestoryofadisobedientmanofGod.

There is another important truth here. Note that the sailors who werecarrying a rebellious man of God on their ship experienced the horriblefrightening storm of the sea. When they threw Jonah overboard, the stormsubsided.

WhenYouGetTheWrongPeopleOutOfYourLife,TheWrongThingsStopHappening.

KingSaulwasinstructedtokillalloftheAmalekites,enemiesofGod.Saulaltered the instructions.He permittedKingAgag to live. It is noteworthy thatlateronwhenamantookthecreditforkillingSaul,itwasanAmalekite.

WhatYouFailToDestroyWillEventuallyDestroyYou.WhatYouFailToMasterWillEventuallyMasterYou.WhatYouFailToConquerWillEventuallyConquerYou.

Judas refused to solve a greed problem. Samson refused to solve a lustproblem.Intheend,theywerebothdestroyed.

DoNotAttemptToAlterYourAssignment.Justdoit.Remember:YourAssignmentIsToBeAccepted,NotAltered.

YOURASSIGNMENTMAYMAKEYOUFEELFEARFULORINADEQUATE

YourAssignmentIsBiggerThanYou.

8IngredientsYourAssignmentWillRequire

1.YourAssignmentWillRequireTheAnointingOfTheHoly Spirit.

Theanointing is thepowerofGod. It removesburdens anddestroysyokesofbondage.“Anditshallcometopassinthatday,thatHisburdenshallbetakenawayfromoffthyshoulder,andHisyokefromoffthyneck,andtheyokeshallbedestroyedbecauseoftheanointing,”(Isaiah10:27).

It will require a continuous stream of supernatural interventions andmiracles.Godmadeitso,tokeepyoudependentandaddictedtoHispresence.“ThenHe answered and spake untome, saying, This is theword of the LorduntoZerubbabel,saying,Notbymight,norbypower,butbyMySpirit,saiththeLordofhosts,”(Zechariah4:6).

2.YourAssignmentWillRequireMoreFinancesThanYouPresentlyPossess.Why?BecauseGodwants tobeyourprovider.Hewantsyouto learndependenceuponHim.“ButmyGodshallsupplyallyourneedaccordingtoHisrichesinglorybyChristJesus,”(Philippians4:19).

3. Your Assignment Will Require More People Than You PresentlyKnow.Thisrequiresyoutodevelopgrace,patienceandkindnesstowardothers.This necessitates the fruit of the Spirit, “...love, joy, peace, longsuffering,gentleness,goodness, faith,meekness, temperance,” (Galatians5:22-23). “Twoare better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour,”(Ecclesiastes4:9).

4.YourAssignmentWillRequireDeathOfYourCarnalNatureDaily.“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the fleshlustethagainst thespirit,andthespiritagainst theflesh:andthesearecontrarytheonetotheother:sothatyecannotdothethingsthatyewould,”(Galatians5:16-17).

5. Your Assignment Will Require Boldness. Embrace the truth of 2Timothy1:7,“ForGodhathnotgivenusthespiritoffear;butofpower,andof

love,andofasoundmind.”6. Your Assignment Will Require The Weakest Part Of You To Be

Revealed.Jeremiahwasscared.Hefeltinferiortohiscalling.“ThensaidI,Ah,LordGod!behold,Icannotspeak:forIamachild.ButtheLordsaiduntome,Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, andwhatsoeverIcommandtheethoushaltspeak.Benotafraidoftheirfaces:forIamwiththeetodeliverthee,saiththeLord,”(Jeremiah1:6-8).

He felt like a child.Hewas nervous.Hewas frightened and very afraid.Yet, God instructed him not to discuss his weaknesses, his disability orlimitations.Why?BecauseGodwouldwalkbesidehim.

7.YourAssignmentWillRequireAQualifyingProcess.Godwillqualifyyou for yourAssignment.Moseswas very afraid and felt unequal to his task.“And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neitherheretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant: but I am slow ofspeech,andofaslowtongue,”(Exodus4:10).

God answered his fears. “And the Lord said unto him,Who hath mademan’smouth? orWhomaketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind?havenotItheLord?Nowthereforego,andIwillbewiththymouth,andteachtheewhatthoushaltsay,”(Exodus4:11-12).

8.YourAssignmentWillRequireTheContinuousMentorshipOfTheHolySpirit.HewillmentoryoudaybydayinyourAssignment.Heisawareofyour limitations.He isawareofyour inferiority.That iswhyyoupursueHim,reachforHimandrequireHim.“But theComforter,which is theHolyGhost,WhomtheFatherwillsendinMyname,Heshallteachyouallthings,andbringallthingstoyourremembrance,whatsoeverIhavesaiduntoyou,”(John14:26).Youwillnotsucceedalone.Godknowsthis.Itisevenmoreimportantthatyouknowit.

HereAre17Fear-FightingScripturesToUnlockTheFlowOfYourFaithAndDestroyTheGiantsOfFear

ThatRiseUpWithinYou.MemorizeThem.

1. “TheLord is onmy side; Iwill not fear:what canmandountome?”

(Psalm118:6).2.“Fearthounot;forIamwiththee:benotdismayed;forIamthyGod:I

willstrengthenthee;yea,Iwillhelpthee;yea,Iwillupholdtheewiththeright

handofMyrighteousness,”(Isaiah41:10).3.“AndtheyovercamehimbythebloodoftheLamb,andbythewordof

their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death,” (Revelation12:11).

4. “For the Lord your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for youagainstyourenemies,tosaveyou,”(Deuteronomy20:4).

5.“Bestrongandofgoodcourage,anddoit:fearnot,norbedismayed:fortheLordGod,evenmyGod,willbewiththee;Hewillnotfailthee,norforsakethee,”(1Chronicles28:20).

6.“Thefearofmanbringethasnare:butwhosoputtethhistrustintheLordshallbesafe,”(Proverbs29:25).

7.“Fearnot:forIhaveredeemedthee,Ihavecalledtheebythyname;thouartMine,”(Isaiah43:1).

8. “Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones,”(Genesis50:21).

9. “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:thoughwarshouldriseagainstme,inthiswillIbeconfident,”(Psalm27:3).

10.“Yea, thoughIwalk through thevalleyof theshadowofdeath, Iwillfear no evil: for Thou artwithme; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfortme,”(Psalm23:4).

11.“TheLordismylightandmysalvation;whomshallIfear?TheLordisthestrengthofmylife;ofwhomshallIbeafraid?”(Psalm27:1).

12.“Fearnot,littleflock;foritisyourFather’sgoodpleasuretogiveyouthekingdom,”(Luke12:32).

13.“Sothatwemayboldlysay,theLordismyhelper,andIwillnotfearwhatmanshalldountome,”(Hebrews13:6).

14. “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear nottherefore:yeareofmorevaluethanmanysparrows,”(Luke12:7).

15. “For yehavenot received theSpirit of bondage again to fear; but yehave received theSpiritofadoption,wherebywecry,Abba,Father,” (Romans8:15).

16.“And theLordsaiduntohim,Peacebeunto thee; fearnot: thoushaltnotdie,”(Judges6:23).

17.“GreaterisHethatisinyou,thanhethatisintheworld,”(1John4:4).TheWordsofGodarepowerful.Readthesewordsaloudeverydayforthe

next30days.Youwillseechainsbroken,doorsopenandtheriverofjoyflowacrossyourlifedaily.

SomeoneBiggerThanYouIsInsideYouToday.Remember:YourAssignmentMayMakeYouFeelFearfulOrInadequate.

YOURASSIGNMENTMAYBETOSOMEONEWHOATFIRSTDOESNOT

APPRECIATEYOU

EverybodyDesiresRespectAndAppreciation.Butyouwillnotalwaysbereceivedthatwayinthebeginning.Sometimes,

thosetowhomyouaresentseemblindedtoyou,theirdeliverer.Youmuststayconscious thatyouaresent. Isaiahknewthis:“Hehathsentme tobindup thebrokenhearted,toproclaimlibertytothecaptives,andtheopeningoftheprisontothemthatarebound,”(Isaiah61:1).

Thecaptivesdonotalwayscallforyou.Theyhavebecomeobsessedwiththeirownchains.Painhasnumbedthem.Memoriestormentthem.Disorderhasscrambledtheirthoughts.Whenyouentertheirlife,theymayfinditimpossibleto appreciate, celebrate, or respond appropriately to your presence...in thebeginning.

HereAre3ChampionsWhoseAssignmentsWereMisunderstood

1.JesusUnderstoodThisKindOfRejection.ButitdidnotpreventHim

from reaching out. His compassion documented their opportunity to makechanges. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonestthemwhich are sent unto thee, howoftenwould I have gathered thy childrentogether, evenas ahengatherethher chickensunderherwings, andyewouldnot!Behold,yourhouseisleftuntoyoudesolate,”(Matthew23:37-38).

2. Moses Was Misunderstood. When he saw an Egyptian smiting aHebrew, one of his brethren, he killed the Egyptian. He had the heart of adeliverer.His timingwas off, but his nature to setmen freewascoming alivewithinhim.

Yet thenextdaywhenhe tried tomakepeacebetweentwoHebrews,onereactedangrily.“Whomadetheeaprinceandajudgeoverus?intendestthoutokillme,asthoukilledsttheEgyptian?”(Exodus2:14).

Hisownpeople didnot appreciate the callingofGoduponhis life in the

beginning.3.TheApostlePaulKnewThisWouldOccurInTheLivesOfThoseHe

Was Mentoring. He had experienced stoning. He had spent many nights inprison alone. He knew what it was like to have church leaders distort histeaching.Ifanyoneknewwhat itmeant tobeunappreciated, itwastheapostlePaul. So when he wrote to the young preacher, Titus, he had an interestingobservation.Tituswashisprotégé.Headdressedhisletter:“ToTitus,mineownsonafterthecommonfaith:Grace,mercy,andpeace,fromGodtheFatherandtheLordJesusChristourSaviour.For thiscause left I thee inCrete, that thoushouldestsetinorderthethingsthatarewanting,andordaineldersineverycity,asIhadappointedthee,”(Titus1:4-5).

Then, Paul continues to describe the Cretians to whom Titus has beenassigned. “For there aremanyunruly andvain talkers anddeceivers, speciallythey of the circumcision:Whosemouthsmust be stopped,who subvertwholehouses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One ofthemselves,evenaprophetoftheirown,said,TheCretiansarealwayliars,evilbeasts,slowbellies,”(Titus1:10-12).

Hewasadmittingthatthesituationwasdifficult.Itwasalmostimpossible.TherewasabsolutelynothingattractiveaboutthisAssignment...inthebeginning.

ButhedoesnotinstructTitustorun,leaveorquit.Hepredictschanges.“Thiswitnessistrue.Whereforerebukethemsharply,

that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, andcommandmentsofmen,thatturnfromthetruth,”(Titus1:13-14).

Tituswastheretochangetheungratefulintogratefulpeople.Hewastheretomotivatethosewhowereunmotivated.HispresencewouldbringtheignorantintoaplaceofWisdom.

Paulbelievedpeoplecouldchange.Yousee,hehadbeenchangedhimself.“AndIthankChristJesusourLord,

Who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into theministry;Whowasbeforeablasphemer, andapersecutor, and injurious:but Iobtainedmercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of ourLordwasexceedingabundantwithfaithandlovewhichisinChristJesus.Thisisafaithfulsaying,andworthyofallacceptation,thatChristJesuscameintotheworld to save sinners; ofwhom I amchief.Howbeit for this cause I obtainedmercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for apattern to themwhich should hereafter believe onHim to life everlasting,” (1Timothy1:12-16).

When God assigns you to a person or a people, they will be broken,bruised,ingreatneedofrepair.Thatisthereasonyouareassignedtothem.

IfPeopleWereAlreadyPerfected,YouWouldBeUnnecessaryInTheirLife.Indueseason,theymaycelebrateyouasyourinfluencepenetratestheirlife

onadaily,habitualandcontinualbasis.If theydonotmakechangesafteryouhave obeyed God, then the instructions are clear: “And whosoever shall notreceiveyou,norhearyourwords,whenyedepartoutofthathouseorcity,shakeoffthedustofyourfeet.VerilyIsayuntoyou,ItshallbemoretolerableforthelandofSodomandGomorrhainthedayofjudgment,thanforthatcity.Behold,I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise asserpents,andharmlessasdoves,”(Matthew10:14-16).

StayAlertAndCautious.“Butbewareofmen:fortheywilldeliveryouuptothecouncils,andtheywillscourgeyouin theirsynagogues;andyeshallbebroughtbeforegovernorsandkings forMysake, fora testimonyagainst themandtheGentiles,”(Matthew10:17-18).

DependTotallyUponThePresenceOfTheHolySpiritToMentorYou InTheMomentOfCrisis.“Butwhentheydeliveryouup,takenothoughthoworwhatye shall speak: for it shall begivenyou in that samehourwhatye shallspeak.Foritisnotyethatspeak,buttheSpiritofyourFatherwhichspeakethinyou,”(Matthew10:19-20).

TheHolySpiritWillGiveYouGraceDuringEveryCrisis.Remember:YourAssignmentMayBeToSomeoneWhoAtFirstDoesNot

AppreciateYou.

YOURASSIGNMENTWILLALWAYSBETOSOMEONEWITHAPROBLEM

SomeoneCloseToYouIsHurting.John,thebeloveddisciple,urgedcompassion.“Butwhosohaththisworld’s

good,andseethhisbrotherhaveneed,andshuttethuphisbowelsofcompassionfromhim,howdwelleththeloveofGodinhim?”(1John3:17).

15PrinciplesInProblem-SolvingYouMustRecognizeAndApplyWhenHelpingOthers

1.SomeoneNeedsYou.SomeonewithaProblem.

Somebodywithahealthproblemneedsadoctor.Somebodywithacarproblemneedsamechanic.Somebodywithafinancialproblemneedsabanker.Somebodywithaspiritualproblemneedsaminister.

Yousee,problemsarereallywonderfulthings.Theymakeusreachforeachother.Problemsenableustoseethevalueofthoseclosetous.Theyenableotherstoobserveourimportanceaswell.Soneverrunfroma

problem.Simplyruntowardthesolution.2.SomeProblemsWillBeMoreNoticeableThanOthers.Tailorsnotice

missingbuttons.Mechanicshearsomethingwrongincarengines.Why?ThatistheirspecificAssignment.

3.GodExpectsYouToMoveSwiftlyToSolveAProblemForThoseToWhomYouAreAssigned. “Withholdnotgood from them towhom it isdue,whenitisinthepowerofthinehandtodoit,”(Proverbs3:27).

4.YourAssignmentWillDetermineAndHeightenWhatYouSeeAndHear.Youwillseethingsothersclosetoyoudonotnotice.Youwillhearthingsinaconversationthatothersmayoverlook.Theproblemyounoticeisacluetoyouranointingandcallinginlife.

5. You Are Not Assigned To Everybody With A Problem. Some

problemsare impossible foryou tosolve.Somebodyelsehasbeenassigned tosolvethosespecificproblemsforpeople.However,youmustlearntostayinthecenterofyourexpertise,thesolutionsyoucontain.

6. TheHoly SpiritWill Answer Every ImportantQuestionYouAsk.His answers will bring great peace to your heart. “Call unto Me, and I willanswerthee,andshewtheegreatandmightythings,whichthouknowestnot,”(Jeremiah33:3).

a.AskHimHonestlyIfTheProblemYouAreSeeingIsThePenaltyForAnActOfDisobedienceOrRebellion.Why?

NeverBreatheLifeIntoSomethingGodIsKilling.ThelastthingyouwanttodoisopposetheworkingsofGodinthelifeof

someone.Letme explain.Recently, someonewas discussing her sonwithme. She

said,“Ifeelsosorryforhim.Hehasbeenoutofworkforseveralmonths.SoIhavebeengivinghimspendingmoneyandlettinghimstayatthehouse.Couldyouhelphiminsomeway?”

Furtherdiscussionrevealedthattheyoungmanwasunbelievablylazy.Hehadpresentednoresumestoanycompanies.Hehadrefusedtodosmallchoresaroundthechurch.Hehadnotevenmowedthegrassathismother’shome,norwashedandwaxedhercarduringthedayshewas“outofwork.”

I refused to help the young man and encouraged her to withdraw hersupport.IexplainedDeuteronomy28,whereGodsaidHewouldonlybless“theworkofourhands.”PaulwrotetothechurchatThessalonica,“Forevenwhenwewerewithyou,thiswecommandedyou,thatifanywouldnotwork,neithershouldheeat.Forwehearthattherearesomewhichwalkamongyoudisorderly,workingnotatall,”(2Thessalonians3:10-11).

TheBible says you shouldwithdrawyourself from lazypeople. Part fromthem. “And if anyman obey not ourword by this epistle, note thatman, andhavenocompanywithhim,thathemaybeashamed,”(2Thessalonians3:14).

Now,heisnotanenemy.Heisabrother.Buthemustbetaughtthelawofproductivity:Increaserequireswork.

b. Ask The Holy Spirit, “Is this person having a problem due toignorance?AmIassignedtoteachhim?”Yousee,thisiswhatPhilipdidwhenhe ran to the Ethiopian eunuch and asked, “Understandest thou what thoureadest?” (Acts 8:30).Now, the eunuchwas not learned, but hewanted to betaught!Philipdidnothavetoforcehimtobecomeastudent.“Andhesaid,HowcanI,exceptsomemanshouldguideme?AndhedesiredPhilip thathewouldcomeupandsitwithhim,”(Acts8:31).

c.AskTheHolySpirit, “Am I the one youhaveassigned to solve this

problemforthisperson?”Ifyouare,greatjoywillenteryouasyoubondwiththis person to find a solution to his problem. This is why the ScriptureemphasizesinProverbs3:27,“Withholdnotgoodfromthemtowhomitisdue.”

d.AskTheHolySpirit,“Haveyouqualifiedmetosolvethisproblemandis this the right time to do so?” You see, the Scriptures instruct to solve aproblem“whenitisinthepowerofthinehandtodoit,”(Proverbs3:27).

IoftenseemanyproblemsIwanttosolve.ButTheHolySpiritforbidsme.I do not always knowwhy.ButHe has a specific plan. Paul experienced thisalso.“Nowwhen theyhadgone throughoutPhrygiaand the regionofGalatia,andwere forbidden of theHolyGhost to preach theword inAsia,After theywere come toMysia, they assayed to go intoBithynia:but the Spirit sufferedthemnot,”(Acts16:6-7).

7.AcceptThatTheHolySpiritWillForbidYouToSolveProblemsForSomePeople. It would seem that the gospel preached by Paulwould solve aproblemforeverybody,everywherehewent.ButGodalwayshasaplan.

Hehasreasons.Hehasseasons.“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the

heaven:Atimetobeborn,andatimetodie;atimetoplant,andatimetopluckupthatwhichisplanted;Atimetokill,andatimetoheal;atimetobreakdown,andatimetobuildup,”(Ecclesiastes3:1-3).

8.StayAwareThatTheAttitudeOfThePersonWithTheProblemIsMore ImportantToGodThanTheProblemTheyAreFacing. You see, arebel is not in position to receive from the Lord. But, “If ye be willing andobedient,yeshalleatthegoodoftheland,”(Isaiah1:19).

TimingissovitaltoTheHolySpirit.PermitHimtodirectyourstepsinthisareaeverysingledayofyourlife.“Behold,Istandatthedoor,andknock:ifanymanhearMyvoice,andopenthedoor,Iwillcomeintohim,andwillsupwithhim,andhewithMe,”(Revelation3:20).

9. GodWill Give You Great Compassion For The PersonWith TheProblem.

10.GodWillProvideYouWithUnderstandingAndTimeToRespondProperlyToTheProblem.(SeeGenesis41:15-36.)

11. The Person Will Have Great Confidence In Your Ability AndCalling To Solve The Problem For Them. (See Acts 8:31-39 and Genesis41:37-42.)

12.GodWillConfirmYourAssignmentWithInnerPeaceInYou,AndWithJoyInThem.(SeeGenesis41:15-44andActs8:31-39.)

13. ItWill Always Be At A Critical Turning Point In That Person’s

Life.(SeeActs8:31-39andGenesis41:15-44.)14. It Will Never Take You Away From Your Time With The Holy

SpiritAndPrivate Prayer. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and Hisrighteousness;andallthesethingsshallbeaddeduntoyou,”(Matthew6:33).

Emergenciesthat takeyououtofHispresenceandoutofyourtimespentwithGodareusuallyorchestratedbyhell tobreaktherhythmofyourspirituallife.

Every pastor receives “emergency phone calls” that come just before hispreaching service. It is intended tobreak his focus, dilute his enthusiasm anddestroytheservice.

15.IfItIsTheWillOfGodForYouToSolveAProblemForSomeone,YouWillHaveTheAbilityAndTheProvisionToDoSo.“Withholdnotgoodfrom them towhom it is due,when it is in thepowerof thinehand todo it,”(Proverbs3:27).

AcoupleapproachedmerecentlyatoneofmySchoolsofTheHolySpirit.Theywere congenial,warm and very loving.He spoke, “Did you receivemyphonecall?”

“Yes,Idid,”Ireplied.“I called you more than ten times but you never returned my telephone

calls.”Hewasveryconcerned.“My secretary told you that I require an explanation of the phone call

before I return any telephone call,” I explained carefully. “You see, I receivethousands of telephone calls because I have a television and radioministry aswell. I have established a standard that if you do not respect my secretaryenoughtofollowmyinstructionsthroughher,youaredisqualifiedforareturntelephonecall.”

Theyoungmanthensaid,“TheHolySpirit toldmywifeandmethatyouweregoingtogiveus$10,000.”

“Well,thatwasnotTheHolySpiritwhotoldyouthat.Tworeasons:First,Ido not knowyou at all.And, it iswritten, ‘Andwe beseech you, brethren, toknow them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord’ (1Thessalonians5:12). Ihadnotmetyou. Iamunawareofyourmentorshipandtheauthorityoveryour life.The second reason isveryobvious: I donothave$10,000togiveyou.TheHolySpiritwouldnevertellmetogivesomethingIdonotevenpossess.”

Theywerecrestfallen.ButIwasnotassignedtogivethem$10,000.Of course, I prayedwith them that the Lord would carefully guide their

affairsanddirectthemtothenecessaryrelationshipsandprovision.

YouAreNotAssignedToEverybody.YouAreNotAssignedEverywhere.YouCannotSolveEveryKindOfProblem.

Refuse To Be Manipulated, Dominated, Or Intimidated By TheUnreasonableDemandsAndExpectationsOfOthers.

Remember:When God Is Involved, Your Assignment Will Always Be ToSomeoneWithAProblemThatGodHasQualifiedYouToSolve.

YOURASSIGNMENTWILLALWAYSBETOSOMEONEWHOISHURTING

TheWholeEarthHurts.Paul explained it, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and

travailethinpaintogetheruntilnow,”(Romans8:22).JesusCameToHealAndRestore. “The thiefcomethnot,but for tosteal,

and tokill, and todestroy: I amcome that theymighthave life, and that theymighthaveitmoreabundantly,”(John10:10).“GodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower:Whowentaboutdoinggood,andhealingallthatwereoppressedofthedevil;forGodwaswithHim,”(Acts10:38).

Jesus Commanded The Disciples To Heal And Restore. “Heal the sick,cleansethelepers,raisethedead,castoutdevils:freelyyehavereceived,freelygive,”(Matthew10:8).

Jesus Expects Us ToHeal And Restore. “For I was an hungered, and yegaveMemeat:Iwasthirsty,andyegaveMedrink:Iwasastranger,andyetookMein:Naked,andyeclothedMe:Iwassick,andyevisitedMe:Iwasinprison,andyecameuntoMe,”(Matthew25:35-36).

Thewholeworldisstillhurting,andsomebody,somewhere, iswaitingforyou.

5WaysToIdentifyThoseWhoQualifyForYourPersonalAttention,YourValuableTimeAndHealing

MinistryToThem

1. They Must Demonstrate Humility. They must have the humility to

admittheyarewounded.“Iknowthyworks,thatthouartneithercoldnorhot:Iwould thouwert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neithercoldnorhot,IwillspuetheeoutofMymouth.Becausethousayest,Iamrich,andincreasedwithgoods,andhaveneedofnothing;andknowestnotthatthouartwretched,andmiserable,andpoor,andblind,andnaked,”(Revelation3:15-17).Yousee,manypeoplepermit theirpride to isolate themfrom thehandofGod.

ThatiswhyJesussaid,“Theythatarewholeneednotaphysician;buttheythataresick.Icamenottocalltherighteous,butsinnerstorepentance,”(Luke5:31-32).

TheUnrepentantAreDisqualifiedToReceiveHelp.2.TheyMustBelieveInYou.Theymusthavefullconfidencethatyouare

assigned by God in their season of hurt. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou thatkillesttheprophets,andstonestthemwhicharesentuntothee,howoftenwouldIhavegatheredthychildrentogether,evenasahengatherethherchickensunderherwings,andyewouldnot!Behold,yourhouseisleftuntoyoudesolate.ForIsayuntoyou,YeshallnotseeMehenceforth,tillyeshallsay,BlessedishethatcomethinthenameoftheLord,”(Matthew23:37-39).

JesusHimselfcouldnothealIsraelbecausetheydidnotseeHimastheSonof God. They refused to recognize His divinity. “And they were offended inHim.ButJesussaiduntothem,Aprophetisnotwithouthonour,saveinhisowncountry,andinhisownhouse,”(Matthew13:57).

Thisisatroublingexperience.Someofmyown relatives andclose friendshaveneededassistance from

time to time. Sometimes, TheHoly Spirit has stoppedme from reaching out.When I askwhy, He remindsme that, 1) they have refused to attend specialconferences I have sponsored that would have solved their problems; 2) theyhave refused to read booksor listen to tapes that answer every question theyhaveasked;and3)theyhavenotfollowedpreviouscounselIhavegiventhemincountlessconversations.

3.TheyMustPursue.Theymustbewillingtotakeimmediateactionandrespond.Theministry of Jesus succeeded in the hearts of thosewho reached.“AndwhenthemenofthatplacehadknowledgeofHim,theysentoutintoallthat country round about, and brought unto Him all that were diseased; AndbesoughtHimthattheymightonlytouchthehemofHisgarment:andasmanyastouchedweremadeperfectlywhole,”(Matthew14:35-36).

4. They Must Cooperate. They must be willing to pay the price ofpersistencetocooperatewithyourscheduleandavailability.Yousee,youarenotnecessarilyneedingthem—theyneedyou.WhengreatmenseriouslywantedthehelpofChrist,theycametoHimwhereverHewas.

5.TheyMustPersist.“And,behold,awomanofCanaancameoutofthesamecoasts,andcrieduntoHim,saying,Havemercyonme,OLord,ThousonofDavid;mydaughter isgrievouslyvexedwithadevil.ButHeansweredhernotaword,”(Matthew15:22-23).Notethis:Jesusrefusedtorespond.Why?Wereally do not know other than His answer a few sentences later. “And HisdisciplescameandbesoughtHim,saying,Sendheraway;forshecriethafterus.

ButHeansweredandsaid,IamnotsentbutuntothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael.ThencamesheandworshippedHim,saying,Lord,helpme,”(Matthew15:23-25).

Sheasked.Jesusignored.Sheworshipped.Jesusresponded.“ButHeansweredandsaid,Itisnotmeettotakethechildren’sbread,and

to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbswhichfall fromtheirmasters’ table.ThenJesusansweredandsaiduntoher,Owoman,great is thy faith:be it unto theeevenas thouwilt.Andherdaughterwasmadewholefromthatveryhour,”(Matthew15:26-28).

ThereisareasonGodleftthisstoryintheBibleforyou.HeraskingdidnotmoveJesus.HerworshipmovedHim.HerappreciationstirredHim.Herpersistencequalifiedher.TheseAreTheQualitiesThatQualifyTheHurtingToReceiveFromYou.Remember:YourAssignmentWillAlwaysBeToSomeoneWhoIsHurting.

YOURANOINTINGFORYOURASSIGNMENTMAYCREATEGREATCONVICTION

ANDDISCOMFORTINOTHERS

YourAssignmentWillRequireASpecialAnointing.The anointing is the power of God given to us to remove burdens and

destroytheyokesofbondageexistingonusandothers.

12FactsThatAreImportantInUnderstandingTheAnointingOfTheHolySpiritOnYourLife

1. The Anointing That Attracts Some Will Always Alienate Others.

Jesusexplainedit.“ThinknotthatIamcometosendpeaceonearth:Icamenottosendpeace,butasword.ForIamcometosetamanatvarianceagainsthisfather,andthedaughteragainsthermother,andthedaughterinlawagainsthermotherinlaw.Andaman’sfoesshallbetheyofhisownhousehold,”(Matthew10:34-36). Your obedience to The Holy Spirit will always draw or distanceothers.

2.TheAnointingOnYouWillAlwaysForceOthersToMakeDecisions.Sometimes these are decisions they donotwant tomakeor expose. (SeeActs7:54-59;24:24-25.)

3.TheHolySpiritUsesTheWordOfGodAsAForceThatDemandsResponse.“For thewordofGod isquick,andpowerful,andsharper thananytwoedgedsword,piercingeventothedividingasunderofsoulandspirit,andofthejointsandmarrow,andisadiscernerofthethoughtsandintentsoftheheart.NeitheristhereanycreaturethatisnotmanifestinHissight:butallthingsarenakedandopeneduntotheeyesofHimwithWhomwehavetodo,”(Hebrews4:12-13).

4. The Holy Spirit Is An Enemy To All Flesh. “For the flesh lustethagainsttheSpirit,andtheSpiritagainsttheflesh:andthesearecontrarytheonetotheother:sothatyecannotdothethingsthatyewould,”(Galatians5:17).

5. The Anointing On You May Intimidate Those In Positions OfLeadershipAndPower. It did for the apostle Paul. “And after certain days,

whenFelixcamewithhiswifeDrusilla,whichwasaJewess,hesentforPaul,and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned ofrighteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, andanswered,Gothywayforthistime;whenIhaveaconvenientseason,Iwillcallforthee,”(Acts24:24-25).

6.TheAnointingCanCreateProblemsWhenOthersAreIntimidatedByIt.TheanointingofPaulwas so intimidating thatFelix “leftPaulbound,”(Acts24:27).

Actsisfilledwiththebiographiesofchampions.Stephenwasoneofthem.Hewas fullof faithandpower.Hedidgreatwondersandmiraclesamong thepeople.Infact,noonecoulddebatesuccessfullyagainsthim.“Thentherearosecertainof the synagogue,which is called the synagogueof theLibertines, andCyrenians,andAlexandrians,andofthemofCiliciaandofAsia,disputingwithStephen.Andtheywerenotabletoresistthewisdomandthespiritbywhichhespake,”(Acts6:9-10).TheanointingofStephenarousedgreatangerinreligiouspeople.HerewastheirRetaliationPlan:

Theystirreduppeople.Theystirredupelders.Theystirredupscribes.Theycameuponhimandcaughthim.Theybroughthimtothecouncil.Theysetupfalsewitnesses.Yousee this inActs6:12-15.Yet the entire time thathe spoke, theBible

saystheylookedonhiscountenanceand,“sawhisfaceasithadbeenthefaceofan angel,” (Acts 6:15). He spoke to them concerning Abraham, Joseph andMoses.HeremindedthemofSolomon.AndwhenhetoldthemthattheyresistedTheHolySpirit,theBiblesays,“Whentheyheardthesethings,theywerecuttotheheart,andtheygnashedonhimwiththeirteeth,”(Acts7:54).

7.TheAnointingIsTheRewardOfTheHolySpiritForCommitmentAndPursuitOfHim.Acommitmentalwaysbirthsconviction.Yourobediencewillcreateenemies.“AndyeshallbehatedofallmenforMyname’ssake:buthethatendurethtotheendshallbesaved.Thediscipleisnotabovehismaster,northeservantabovehislord,”(Matthew10:22,24).

8.TheAnointingCanIncreaseSoStronglyThatYouCanSeeEventsOccurringInTheNextWorld.TheanointingwassopowerfuluponStephenthathesawintotheHeavens.“Buthe,beingfulloftheHolyGhost,lookedupstedfastlyintoheaven,andsawthegloryofGod,andJesusstandingontherighthandofGod,Andsaid,Behold,Iseetheheavensopened,andtheSonofmanstandingontherighthandofGod,”(Acts7:55-56).

9. The Anointing Can Infuriate Others And Provoke An AttackTowardYou. ItdidwithStephen.“Thentheycriedoutwitha loudvoice,andstoppedtheirears,andranuponhimwithoneaccord,Andcasthimoutof thecity,andstonedhim:andthewitnesseslaiddowntheirclothesatayoungman’sfeet,whose namewas Saul.And they stoned Stephen, calling uponGod, andsaying,Lord Jesus, receivemy spirit.Andhe kneeled down, and criedwith aloudvoice,Lord,laynotthissintotheircharge.Andwhenhehadsaidthis,hefellasleep,”(Acts7:57-60).

TheAnointingDoesNotAttractEveryone.TheAnointingIntimidates.TheAnointingInfuriates.TheAnointingAgitates.

10. The Anointing Is The Holy Presence And Power Of God ThatForcesTheUnholyNatureOfMenToBeRevealed.

11. TheAnointing Is The Light That ShowsWhere TheDarkness IsHiding.“Yea,thedarknesshidethnotfromthee;butthenightshinethastheday:thedarknessandthelightarebothaliketothee,”(Psalm139:12).

12.TheAnointingIsTheKnowledgeOfGodThatExposesIgnoranceAndErrorAroundYou. “For theWord ofGod is quick, and powerful, andsharperthananytwoedgedsword,piercingeventothedividingasunderofsoulandspirit,andof thejointsandmarrow,andisadiscernerof thethoughtsandintentsoftheheart,”(Hebrews4:12).

Hell fears theanointing that empowersyou tocompleteyourAssignmentmorethananythingelseaboutyourentirelife.

Ihaveseenthishappennumeroustimesinmyownlifeandministry.TheHolySpirithasdevelopedwithinmeanobsessionfortheWisdomofGod.TherearethreeareasinwhichGodhasbroughtwonderfulrevelationtomyheart:thethreeprioritiesoflifeareTheHolySpirit,theAssignmentandtheSeed.

The3PrioritiesOfLife

TheHolySpirit—SomeoneIsWalkingWithYou.TheAssignment—TheProblemYouWereCreatedToSolveOnEarth.TheSeed—AnythingYouHaveBeenGivenToCreateYourFuture.

I have spoken much about these priorities on Christian television acrossAmerica.

ItisobviousthatChristiantelevisionisdespisedbyhell.Ithasbroughtourentire world to a consciousness of Jesus that hundreds of years of churchpreaching did not do. Satan tries to use television as a weapon to destroyChristians.ButGodusesChristiantelevisionasaweapontodestroytheplansofsatan.

It is thegreatest toolofcommunication in thisgeneration.There is awarbeingwagedovertheairwaveseveryminuteofeveryday.

Often, Iwill travel thousandsofmiles in supportofa televisionministry.When I assist and minister, I often share with the partners of that particularnetwork.ItellmypersonaltestimonyofhowtheLordusedmySeed-sowingtocreatemanyharvests of blessing inmyown life. I ask the viewers to call thetelevision station andmake faith-promises. That enables thatministry to keephealingthehurtinginthatarea.

Now, I do not like being away from my home. I do not like travelingeverywhere.IfGodwerenotinvolved,Iwouldpossiblynotleavemyhouseforthe rest of my life. I have traveled millions of miles in the last 30 years ofministry. I sleep in strange hotels, eating food of every type. But I do thisbecause I love the work of the Lord, I love television ministries and I lovehelpingpeopleachievetheirdreamsandgoals.

Yet when I have taught on Seed-sowing, I have received hateful letters,criticallettersandcommentsthatwouldripanymantoshreds.ThecriticismattimeshasstirredmewithsuchangerthatIwantedto“takeavacationfromGod”forafewmonthsanddealwiththepeopledirectly!

Whydoesthiscriticismoccur?WhywouldanybodycriticizeamanofGodwho encourages people to take a portion ofwhatGod has given to them andbringitbacktoGod,sothatthenameofJesuswouldbeexaltedontheearth?

TheAnointingConvicts.TheAssignmentDemands.TheTruthCorrects.

Sowhenanyoneteachesgiving,thegodofgreedisexposedandforcedtoemerge.

You see, that angryviewerwasnot forced towatchme.Nobodycoercedhimtolistentomyteaching.Sowhyshouldhenotviewsomethingelse?

TheAnointingIsAMagnet.

ItAttractsTruthHatersLikeItAttractsTruthLovers.ItDivides.Menareforcedtoassesstruth.

Manyyearsagoagreathealingevangelistwantedtobuildagreatcenterforhealing and health. You would think that thousands of physicians would bethrilled.AmanofGodwasgoingtohelpthem“healthesick.”

Theoppositereactionoccurred.Likeabillionbees, theycame inhordes to fight againsthiswork. Itwas

likeaNiagaraFallsofcriticismthat threatened todestroy theveryvisionGodhadgivenhim.

WhatExcitesYouWillAngerAnother.WhatExcitesGodAngersSatan.That iswhy it is so essential to reallyknowyourownAssignment.When

GodrevealsHiscalluponyour life,youmust linger inHispresenceuntil thatawarenessbecomesunshakableandundoubtableinyourheart.

You Will Only Endure If You Are Fully Persuaded About Your OwnAssignment.

Remember: Your Anointing For Your Assignment May Create GreatConvictionAndDiscomfortInOthers.

YOURASSIGNMENTMAYREQUIRESEASONSOFINTENSIFIEDPRAYERANDFASTING

ChampionsUseTheWeaponOfFasting.

ThereAre25ImportantFactsAboutFasting

1.FastingIsAForceInTheSpiritWorld.Whenthedisciplescouldnot

castoutthedumbanddeafspiritoftheyoungson,theyaskedJesus,“Whycouldnot we cast him out? And He said unto them, This kind can come forth bynothing,butbyprayerandfasting,”(Mark9:28-29).

UnusualWarfareRequiresUnusualWeapons.JesusEmbracedPrayerAndFastingAsEffectiveWeapons.Demonpowers

always succumb to theseweapons. I amso thankful that thebodyofChrist isawakeningagainandbecomingawareoftheremarkableinfluencewecanhavewhenweprayandsetasidetimetofast.“ThenwasJesusledupoftheSpiritintothewilderness tobe temptedof thedevil.AndwhenHehad fasted fortydaysandfortynights,Hewasafterwardanhungered,”(Matthew4:1-2).

2. You Should Fast Between Major Events Of Your Life. Jesus did.WhenHewas baptized by JohnHe saw “the Spirit ofGod descending like adove,and lightinguponHim:Andloavoicefromheaven,saying,This isMybeloved son, in Whom I am well pleased,” (Matthew 3:16-17). [Then, Jesusfasted.] His next major event was the selection of His disciples. “And Jesus,walkingbytheseaofGalilee,sawtwobrethren,SimoncalledPeter,andAndrewhisbrother,castinganet intothesea:for theywerefishers.AndHesaithuntothem,FollowMe,andIwillmakeyoufishersofmen.Andtheystraightwaylefttheir nets, and followed Him. And going on from thence, He saw other twobrethren,JamesthesonofZebedee,andJohnhisbrother,inashipwithZebedeetheirfather,mendingtheirnets;andHecalledthem.Andtheyimmediatelylefttheshipandtheirfather,andfollowedHim,”(Matthew4:18-22).

3.YouShouldFastTo InfluenceTheJudgmentsOfGodAwayFromYourChildren. David did. “David therefore besoughtGod for the child; andDavidfasted,andwentin,andlayallnightupontheearth.Andtheeldersofhishousearose,andwenttohim,toraisehimupfromtheearth:buthewouldnot,

neitherdidheeatbreadwiththem,”(2Samuel12:16-17).4.YouShouldFastHabitually.Annadid.Anna,an84yearoldwidowand

prophetessneverleftthetemple,butfastedcontinually.“Andshewasawidowof about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, butservedGodwithfastingsandprayersnightandday,”(Luke2:37).

5. Your Fasting Follows The Examples Of Great Champions. TheApostlePaul fasted. “But in all things approvingourselves as theministersofGod, inmuchpatience, inafflictions, innecessities, indistresses, in stripes, inimprisonments,intumults,inlabours,inwatchings,infastings,”(2Corinthians6:4-5).

6. You Should Fast Often. “In weariness and painfulness, in watchingsoften, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness,” (2Corinthians11:27).

7. You Should Fast For The Healing Of Your Children. David did.“DavidthereforebesoughtGodforthechild;andDavidfasted,andwentin,andlayallnightupontheearth.Andtheeldersofhishousearose,andwenttohim,toraisehimupfromtheearth:buthewouldnot,neitherdidheeatbreadwiththem,”(2Samuel12:16-17).

8.YouShouldFastToCreateFavorInAPoliticalCrisis.Estherdid.Sherequestedthatmanyjoinherinafastforthreedayswithoutfoodordrink,andshegotheremployeestodolikewise.“ThenEstherbadethemreturnMordecaithisanswer,Go,gathertogetheralltheJewsthatarepresentinShushan,andfastye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also andmymaidenswillfastlikewise,”(Esther4:15-16).

9.YouShouldFastToCreateAcceptanceAndInfluenceWithThoseInLeadershipAndPositionsOfPower.QueenEstherdid.(SeeEsther4:15-16.)

10.YouShouldFastDuringTimesOfUnusualAttackAnd Isolation.Daviddid.“WhenIwept,andchastenedmysoulwith fasting, thatwas tomyreproach,”(Psalm69:10).

11. Your Fasting Will Produce Humility. “I humbled my soul withfasting,”(Psalm35:13).

12.YouShouldFastToInfluenceThreeAreasOfYourLife.Ezra, thepriest,did:1)Direction;2)Family;and3)Finances.“ThenIproclaimedafastthere,at the riverofAhava, thatwemightafflictourselvesbeforeourGod, toseekofHimarightwayforus,andforourlittleones,andforalloursubstance,”(Ezra8:21).

13. Your Fasting IsWasted Effort If You Lack Integrity Or ProperMotives.“ThensaidtheLorduntome,Praynotforthispeoplefortheirgood.Whentheyfast,Iwillnotheartheircry;andwhentheyofferburntofferingand

anoblation,Iwillnotacceptthem:butIwillconsumethembythesword,andbythefamine,andbythepestilence,”(Jeremiah14:11-12).

14.YouShouldFastToAvertTheJudgmentsOfGodUponYourLife.“Sanctifyyeafast,callasolemnassembly...forthedayoftheLordisathand,andasadestructionfromtheAlmightyshallitcome,”(Joel1:14-15).

15. Your Fasting Affects Your Supernatural Provision. “Blow thetrumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast...Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto Hispeople,Behold,Iwillsendyoucorn,andwine,andoil,andyeshallbesatisfiedtherewith: and Iwillnomoremakeyoua reproachamong theheathen,” (Joel2:15,19).

16. Your Fasting IsWrong If It Is Done Publicly To Impress OtherPeopleAboutYourSpirituality.“Andwhenthouprayest,thoushaltnotbeasthehypocritesare: for they love topraystanding in thesynagoguesand in thecornersofthestreets,thattheymaybeseenofmen...Moreoverwhenyefastbenot,as thehypocrites,ofasadcountenance: for theydisfigure their faces, thattheymayappearuntomentofast,”(Matthew6:5,16).

17.YourFastingShouldBeAPrivateAndSilentPostureBeforeGod.“But thou,when thou fasteth, anoint thinehead, andwash thy face;That thouappear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thyFather,whichseethinsecret,shallrewardtheeopenly,”(Matthew6:17-18).

18. Your Father Guarantees To Reward You Openly For PrivateFasting. “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;Thatthouappearnotuntomentofast,butuntothyFatherwhichisinsecret:andthyFather,whichseethinsecret,shallrewardtheeopenly,”(Matthew6:17-18).

19.YourFastingMovesGodToDestroyYourEnemy.“BlowthetrumpetinZion,sanctifyafast,callasolemnassembly...andIwillnomoremakeyouareproach among the heathen:But Iwill remove far off fromyou the northernarmy,andwilldrivehimintoalandbarrenanddesolate,withhisfacetowardtheeastsea,andhishinderparttowardtheutmostsea,andhisstinkshallcomeup,andhisillsavourshallcomeup,becausehehathdonegreatthings,”(Joel2:15,19-20).

20.YourFastingBirthsASeasonOfRestorationAfterLoss.“Blowthetrumpet inZion, sanctify a fast, call a solemnassembly...andHewill cause tocome down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the firstmonth.And the floors shall be full ofwheat, and thevats shall overflowwithwineandoil.AndIwillrestoretoyoutheyears that thelocusthatheaten, thecankerworm, and the caterpillar, and thepalmerworm,Mygreat armywhich Isentamongyou.Andyeshalleatinplenty,andbesatisfied,andpraisethenameoftheLordyourGod,thathathdealtwondrouslywithyou:andMypeopleshall

neverbeashamed,”(Joel2:15,23-26).21.YourFastingCanCauseAnOutflowingOfTheHolySpiritToward

Your Life. “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemnassembly...And it shall come to pass afterward, that Iwill pour outMy spirituponall flesh;andyoursonsandyourdaughtersshallprophesy,youroldmenshall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon theservantsanduponthehandmaidsinthosedayswillIpouroutMySpirit,”(Joel2:15,28-29).

22.GodCommandedUsTo Fast. “Therefore also now, saith the Lord,turnyeeventoMewithallyourheart,andwithfasting,andwithweeping,andwithmourning:Andrendyourheart,andnotyourgarments,andturnuntotheLord your God: for He is gracious andmerciful, slow to anger, and of greatkindness,andrepentethhimoftheevil,”(Joel2:12-13).

23.VariousFastsArePossible.Somepeoplefastfromfoodandwaterforthreedays.Somesimply fastwithout food for threedays, sevendays, twenty-onedaysorfortydays.TheimportantthingistobeledbythevoiceofTheHolySpirit. (It is alwayswise to have a physician oversee fasts for the purpose ofkeepingyourhealthstrong.)

24. The Purpose Of Fasting Is Not To Destroy Your Health. It is todeprive yourself of something you love, tomove the hand ofGod to providesomethingyoudonothave.Ihavefastedthreedaysperweekformanymonthsofmyministryandlife.Ihavediscoveredtheimportanceoftotalfocusduringmealtimes.Ratherthansitattherestauranttablewithfriendsduringadinner,itisbetter towithdrawyourself from thecompanyofothersand focus inprivateprayertimewithHim.

25. Your Geographical Location For Your Assignment Can BeRevealedFollowingAFast. “As theyministered to theLord, and fasted, theHolyGhostsaid,SeparateMeBarnabasandSaulfortheworkwhereuntoIhavecalledthem.Andwhentheyhadfastedandprayed,andlaidtheirhandsonthem,theysentthemaway.Sothey,beingsentforthbytheHolyGhost,departeduntoSeleucia;andfromthencetheysailedtoCyprus,”(Acts13:2-4).ThesameHolySpiritthatrevealedthecityandcountryfortheirAssignmentfollowingafastisnotarespecterofpersons.HewillhonorthisSeedofloveanddeprivation.

Everychampionof faithknows thepowerofprayer.Thosewhoembracetheextraweaponoffastingseeincreasedresultsbeyondtheirimagination.

HereAre10KeysToEffectivePrayingThatWillProduceTheResultsYouNeed

1. Do Not Attempt To Pray For Anything Until You Have Forgiven

ThoseWhoHaveWrongedYou. “Andwhenye standpraying, forgive, if yehave ought against any: that yourFather alsowhich is in heavenmay forgiveyouyourtrespasses.Butifyedonotforgive,neitherwillyourFatherwhichisinheavenforgiveyourtrespasses,”(Mark11:25-26).

2.YouMustCompletelyBelieveInYourHeartWhatYouArePrayingWithYourMouth.“Forverily I sayuntoyou,Thatwhosoevershall sayuntothismountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall notdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem,”(Mark11:23-24).

3.PrayerMustBeContinuousAndReceiveYourTotalFocus.“Butwewillgiveourselvescontinuallytoprayer,andtotheministryoftheword,”(Acts6:4).

4.UnkindnessAndDisrespectToYourFamilyMembersCanHinderThe Results Of Your Prayers. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with themaccordingtoknowledge,givinghonouruntothewife,asuntotheweakervessel,and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be nothindered,”(1Peter3:7).

5.ThePrayersOfYourMentorsAndSpiritualLeadersAreEspeciallyEffectiveWhenYouPursueThem. “Isanysickamongyou? lethimcall fortheeldersof thechurch;andlet themprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoil inthenameoftheLord:Andtheprayeroffaithshallsavethesick,andtheLordshall raisehimup; and if hehave committed sins, they shall be forgivenhim.Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that yemay behealed.Theeffectualferventprayerofarighteousmanavailethmuch,”(James5:14-16). So, pursue the prayer of agreement with those who have spiritualoversightofyourlife.Thereisadifference.

6. Your Personal Intercession For Your Leaders Can ProduceMiraculousChange.“Peterthereforewaskeptinprison:butprayerwasmadewithoutceasingofthechurchuntoGodforhim,”(Acts12:5).Asyouknow,theangeloftheLordcameandthechainsfelloffPeter’shandsandhewassetfreefromtheprison.

7.YouShouldHaveASpecialPlaceForDailyPrayer.Icallthespecialroomwhere ImeetwithTheHolySpirit eachday,“TheSecretPlace.” Ihavealtarsaroundtheroom.IkeepanopenBible,legalpadsandpens,andacassetterecorder to tapemynotes. It ismydailyappointmentwithGod. It is themost

importantpartofeveryday.8.YourAppointmentWithHimShouldBeSpecific,AtACertainTime

EveryDay.Thereispowerinroutineandrhythm.Itisthemostdifficultthingyou will ever birth in your Christian life. Your time with The Holy Spirit inprivateprayer is themostpowerfulweaponyouhaveagainstsatan.TheSecretOfYourFutureIsHiddenInYourDailyRoutine.

9.MusicPlaysAnImportantPart In“TheSecretPlace.”Keeppraiseandworship continuously onmusic cassettes or CD’s. Sing new songs to theLord,asTheHolySpiritinspiresyou.“ComebeforeHispresencewithsinging.EnterintoHisgateswiththanksgiving,andintoHiscourtswithpraise,”(Psalm100:2,4).

10.LearnToPrayInTheLanguageOfTheHolySpiritAndInterpretBackWhatHeIsInstructing.“Whereforelethimthatspeakethinanunknowntonguepraythathemayinterpret.ForifIprayinanunknowntongue,myspiritprayeth,butmyunderstandingisunfruitful.Whatisitthen?Iwillpraywiththespirit,andIwillpraywiththeunderstandingalso:Iwillsingwiththespirit,andIwillsingwiththeunderstandingalso,”(1Corinthians14:13-15).

YourAssignmentWillAlwaysRequireHisPresence.Remember:Your AssignmentMay Require SeasonsOf Intensified Prayer

AndFasting.

YOURASSIGNMENTMAYINVOLVESEASONSOFPAIN

EveryChampionKnowsPain.Thinkaboutthisforamoment.Painisanydiscomfortcreatedbyadisorder

in your body, your home or your life. Order Is Simply The AccurateArrangementOfThings.Sopainisnotreallyyourenemy.Rather,itistheproofthatyourenemyexists.Painisamessengerinstructingyouthatsomethingisoutoforderinyourlife.Godusesittotalktous,tochangeusandtomotivateustoorder.

PainIsDiscomfortCreatedByTheSupernaturalBirthingAndEntryOfAPerson,SeasonOrMiracleGodIsBringingIntoYourLife.

Sometimesitisunnecessary.Sometimesitisnecessary.Itdependsonyourwillingnesstochange.Mothersexperiencepainwhentheybirththeirchildrenintotheworld.Jesus

experienced painwhenHe launchedHis earthlyministry following the severetemptationsofsatan.(SeeMatthew4.)Paulwroteaboutthis:“Inwearinessandpainfulness, inwatchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in coldandnakedness,”(2Corinthians11:27).

HereAre22PowerKeysToHelpYouWalkThroughThePainfulSeasonsInYourLife

1.RefuseToPanic. Slowdown and take the time to hear the soft, quiet

voiceofTheHolySpirit.“TheLordisgooduntothemthatwaitforHim,tothesoulthatseekethHim.It isgoodthatamanshouldbothhopeandquietlywaitforthesalvationoftheLord,”(Lamentations3:25-26).

2. Admit Your Pain. Be honest with yourself and with those you love.“Confessyour faults one to another, andprayone for another, that yemaybehealed.Theeffectualferventprayerofarighteousmanavailethmuch,”(James5:16).

3.DetermineToStayInPursuitOfGodEvenInPainfulExperiences,By Focusing On The Promised Promotion. “...If so be that we suffer with

Him,thatwemaybealsoglorifiedtogether.ForIreckonthatthesufferingsofthispresent timearenotworthy tobecomparedwith theglorywhichshallberevealed in us,” (Romans 8:17-18). The apostle Paul reminded Timothy, hisprotégé,ofthis.“Ifwesuffer,weshallalsoreignwithHim:ifwedenyHim,Healsowilldenyus,”(2Timothy2:12).

4. Rearrange Your Daily Schedule ToMake “The Secret Place” ThePriorityOfEachMorning.YoumusthearthevoiceofTheHolySpiritagain.Hehears.Heheals.Hehelps.“HethatdwellethinthesecretplaceofthemostHighshallabideundertheshadowoftheAlmighty,”(Psalm91:1).

5.HoldFastAndStandStrongByAbsorbingTheWordOfGodDaily.“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on thebreastplateofrighteousness,”(Ephesians6:14).

6.RemindYourselfThatPainDoesPass.“...Weepingmayendureforanight,butjoycomethinthemorning,”(Psalm30:5).

7.Remember,PainIsOftenProducedByIgnorance.Irememberdriving500milesacrosstheUnitedStatespullingalittletrailercontainingmyclothes,publicaddresssystemandtapes.WhenIwalkedintotheofficeofthepastor,helooked up stunned. Several of his staffmemberswere around. “What are youdoinghere?”

“Iamheretobeginthecrusade,”wasmyreply.“Iamsosorry.Ihavecanceledthat.Youdidnotreceivemyletter?”Itbrokemyheart.Ihadjustdriven500milesinvain.Nowthatwaspainful.

But it was through my ignorance. I had not confirmed by telephone the daybefore.Ihadnotconfirmedwithhimbyletter. Ihadassumed thatouroriginalconversationwaspermanent.

8.MakeA FirmDecision To BecomeA Learner. Discern thementorswho could have enabled you to avoid this problem. Learn. Read. Observe.Think.AsktheLordtoforgiveyouandgiveyouanotheropportunitytolearn.

9. Honestly Confront The True Reasons For Your Pain. Did you dosomething ignorantly? Did you trust another to handle your business for youunwisely?HaveyoubeenintotalrebelliontoaknownlawofGod?Alwaysnameitforwhatitis.

10. Discern Whether Your Pain Has Come Through Your OwnPersonal Rebellion To The Laws Of God Or The Laws Of The Land.Government is established byGod.He expects us to honor those in authorityoverus.“Leteverysoulbesubjectuntothehigherpowers.Forthereisnopowerbut of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever thereforeresisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shallreceivetothemselvesdamnation.Forrulersarenotaterrortogoodworks,butto

theevil,”(Romans13:1-3).You see, somepeople lie about their income.Theydeliberatelybreak the

law.Theydespise the leadership of the nation. They are indirect defiance ofScripture. “For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers,attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues:tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear;honourtowhomhonour,”(Romans13:6-7).

11.Repent IfYourPainHasBeenProducedByDeliberateDisregardForWiseCounsel.Thereisnoeasierwaytomoveoutofpainthanthroughthegateofrepentance.“IfIshutupheaventhattherebenorain,orifIcommandthelocusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people; If Mypeople,whicharecalledbyMyname, shallhumble themselves,andpray,andseekMyface,and turn from theirwickedways; thenwill Ihear fromheaven,andwillforgivetheirsin,andwillhealtheirland,”(2Chronicles7:13-14).

12. Face The Fact That Your Pain May Be Produced Because YouTrustedTheWrongPeople.Manyyearsago,Igaveallofmyfinancialpapersto aman that I thoughtwas aCertifiedPublicAccountant.When the InternalRevenue Service approached me several years later, I discovered he was notcertified at all. He had made some terrible mistakes. It cost me a fortune tolocatethefinancestorepayproperly.Ihadtrustedthewrongpeople.

TheYoungTrust.TheWiseTest.13.AskForgivenessOfThoseYouMayHaveWrongedAndForgive

ThoseWhoHaveWrongedYou. “Andwhenye standpraying, forgive, if yehave ought against any: that yourFather alsowhich is in heavenmay forgiveyouyourtrespasses,”(Mark11:25).

14.BeThankfulIfYourPainIsReallyTheChasteningOfTheLord.Remembertherewardsthatfollow.“Nownochasteningforthepresentseemethtobejoyous,butgrievous:neverthelessafterwardityieldeththepeaceablefruitof righteousness unto themwhich are exercised thereby.Wherefore lift up thehandswhichhangdown,andthefeebleknees;Andmakestraightpathsforyourfeet,lestthatwhichislamebeturnedoutoftheway;butletitratherbehealed,”(Hebrews12:11-13).

15. Reach Quickly For The Mentors Who Have Proven TheirCompassion And Competence In Times Of Storms. “Is any among youafflicted? let him pray. Is anymerry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick amongyou? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord:Andtheprayeroffaithshallsavethe sick, and theLord shall raisehimup; and ifhehavecommitted sins, theyshall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for

another,thatyemaybehealed.Theeffectualferventprayerofarighteousmanavailethmuch,”(James5:13-16).

16. Use SufferingAsA PowerfulMotivation TowardObedienceAndRestoration.“ThoughHewereaSon,yet learnedHeobedienceby the thingswhichHe suffered;And beingmade perfect,He became the author of eternalsalvationuntoallthemthatobeyHim,”(Hebrews5:8-9).

17. Remember, Broken People Often Become Masters At MendingOthers.Asoneofmygood friendsoften says, “Yourmess is yourmessage.”Wherever you have hurt the worst, is usually where God can use you thegreatest.

18.AllowPainTo IncreaseYourCompassionForOthers.The apostlePaulwroteitthisway,“Whocomfortethusinallourtribulation,thatwemaybeable to comfort themwhich are in any trouble, by the comfortwherewithweourselvesarecomfortedofGod,”(2Corinthians1:4).

19. Focus On Removing The Pain Of Someone Else.What You MakeHappenForOthers,GodWillMakeHappenForYou.Concentrateonsomeoneelse.When Job prayed for his friends his own captivitywas turned. “And theLordturnedthecaptivityofJob,whenheprayedforhisfriends:also theLordgave Job twice as much as he had before,” (Job 42:10). “Knowing thatwhatsoever good thing anyman doeth, the same shall he receive of theLord,whetherhebebondorfree,”(Ephesians6:8).

20. Sow Your Greatest Seeds Of Patience, Expectation And TimeDuringSeasonsOfPain.“Theythatsowintearsshallreapinjoy.Hethatgoethforth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again withrejoicing,bringinghissheaveswithhim,”(Psalm126:5-6).

21.RefuseToMakeAnyMajorDecisionsUntilTheHolySpiritSpeaks.Your decisions will be based on escaping pain rather than fulfilling Hiscommand in your life. “And thine ears shall hear aword behind thee, saying,Thisistheway,walkyeinit,whenyeturntotherighthand,andwhenyeturntotheleft,”(Isaiah30:21).

22. Remind Yourself Of The Ultimate End Of Your Assignment, ToLiveForeverInHisPresence.“AndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheavensaying,Behold, the tabernacleofGod iswithmen, andHewill dwellwith them, andtheyshallbeHispeople,andGodHimselfshallbewiththem,andbetheirGod.AndGodshallwipeawayall tearsfromtheireyes;andthereshallbenomoredeath,neither sorrow,norcrying,neither shall therebeanymorepain: for theformerthingsarepassedaway.AndHethatsatuponthethronesaid,Behold,Imakeallthingsnew.AndHesaiduntome,Write:forthesewordsaretrueandfaithful.AndHesaiduntome,Itisdone.IamAlphaandOmega,thebeginning

andtheend.Iwillgiveuntohimthatisathirstofthefountainofthewateroflifefreely.Hethatovercomethshallinheritallthings;andIwillbehisGod,andheshallbeMyson,”(Revelation21:3-7).

GodRequiresEndurance.(SeeMatthew10:22.)GodRespectsEndurance.(See2Timothy2:3.)GodRewardsEndurance.(SeeJames1:12.)EnduranceQualifiesYouForTheThrone.Remember:YourAssignmentMayInvolveSeasonsOfPain.

YOURASSIGNMENTANDANOINTINGWILLATTRACTATTACK

SomebodyWillNotLikeWhatYouAreDoing.Ever.In the ancient writings of Ezra, a remarkable portrait is painted for us.

When the foundationof the templeof theLordwasbeing laid, trumpetsweresounded.Theysang togetherby chorus inpraising andgiving thanksunto theLord.Manyofthepriestsweptandshoutedforjoy.

Thenoisewasheardafaroff.“AndwhenthebuilderslaidthefoundationofthetempleoftheLord,theysetthepriestsintheirapparelwithtrumpets,andtheLevitesthesonsofAsaphwithcymbals,topraisetheLord,aftertheordinanceofDavidkingofIsrael.Andtheysangtogetherbycourseinpraisingandgivingthanks unto the Lord; because He is good, for His mercy endureth for evertowardIsrael.Andallthepeopleshoutedwithagreatshout,whentheypraisedtheLord,becausethefoundationofthehouseoftheLordwaslaid.ButmanyofthepriestsandLevitesandchiefofthefathers,whowereancientmen,thathadseenthefirsthouse,whenthefoundationofthishousewaslaidbeforetheireyes,wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the peoplecouldnotdiscernthenoiseoftheshoutofjoyfromthenoiseoftheweepingofthepeople: for thepeople shoutedwith a loud shout, and thenoisewasheardafaroff,”(Ezra3:10-13).

Then,theattackbegan.

HereAre22DefenseTechniquesToRememberDuringSeasonsOfPersonalAttack

1.ExpectSomeoneToBeUnhappyOverYourProgress.They always

are.They“hiredcounsellorsagainstthem,tofrustratetheirpurpose,”(Ezra4:5).Letterswerewritten.Accusationswerebelieved.

Read it for yourself. “Nowwhen the copy of kingArtaxerxes’ letterwasread...theywentupinhastetoJerusalemuntotheJews,andmadethemtoceaseby force and power. Then ceased the work of the house of God which is atJerusalem,”(Ezra4:23-24).

2.RememberThatYouAreAChampion,NotALoser.

ChampionsSpendTheirTimeBuildingTheirDreams.LosersSpendTheirLivesCriticizingThoseDreams.3.InvestYourWordsAndEnergyInCreatingNewGoalsAndDreams.Losersinvesttheirwordsandlaborintryingtodestroythegoalsofothers.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of yourmouth, but thatwhich isgood to the use of edifying, that itmayminister grace unto the hearers. Andgrieve not The Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day ofredemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evilspeaking,beputawayfromyou,withallmalice,”(Ephesians4:29-31).

4. Recognize That What Makes You Weep May Cause Others ToBecomeAngry.Nehemiahweptover theconditionofJerusalem.“ThewallofJerusalemalsoisbrokendown,andthegatesthereofareburnedwithfire.Anditcametopass,whenIheardthesewords,thatIsatdownandwept,andmournedcertaindays,andfasted,andprayedbeforetheGodofheaven,”(Nehemiah1:3-4).

5.RememberThatWhenYourAssignment IsAwakenedWithinYou,YourAdversaryIsAwakenedAgainstYou.IthappenedtoNehemiah.“WhenSanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, itgrievedthemexceedinglythattherewascomeamantoseekthewelfareofthechildrenofIsrael...theylaughedustoscorn,anddespisedus,”(Nehemiah2:10,19). “Theywere verywroth, and conspired all of them together to come andfightagainstJerusalem,andtohinderit,”(Nehemiah4:7-8).

6. Pray, Confess,Weep And Cast Yourself Down Before God. “NowwhenEzrahadprayed,andwhenhehadconfessed,weepingandcastinghimselfdownbefore the house ofGod, there assembledunto himout of Israel a verygreat congregation ofmen andwomen and children: for the peoplewept verysore,”(Ezra10:1).

7.Fast.Ezradid.“ThenEzraroseupfrombefore thehouseofGod...andwhenhecamethither,hedideatnobread,nordrinkwater,”(Ezra10:6).

8. Exhort ThoseWorking Around You To Be Strong And Unafraid,AndToBeWillingToFightForTheirFamilies.Ezradid.“AndIlooked,androseup,andsaiduntothenobles,andtotherulers,andtotherestofthepeople,Benotyeafraidof them: remember theLord,which isgreat and terrible, andfight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and yourhouses,”(Nehemiah4:14).

9.StayAwake,AlertAndAware.Nehemiahdid.“NeverthelesswemadeourprayeruntoourGod,andsetawatchagainstthemdayandnight,becauseofthem,”(Nehemiah4:9;seealso1Peter5:8).

10.StayProductiveAndFocused.Nehemiahdid.“Wereturnedallofus

tothewall,everyoneuntohiswork,”(Nehemiah4:15).11.RearrangeYourDailyRoutineInOrderToBeCautious,Guarded

And Protected From Your Enemies. Nehemiah did. “So neither I, nor mybrethren,normyservants,northemenoftheguardwhichfollowedme,noneofus put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing,”(Nehemiah4:23).

12. Encourage Singers And Spiritual Leaders Over You To Stay AtTheirPlaceOfAssignment.Nehemiah did. “Now it came to pass,when thewallwasbuilt,andIhadsetupthedoors,andtheportersandthesingersandtheLeviteswereappointed,”(Nehemiah7:1).

13.SecureTheLeadershipAndManagementSkillsOfFaithful,GodlyMen.Nehemiahdid.“ThatIgavemybrotherHanani,andHananiahtherulerofthe palace, charge over Jerusalem: for hewas a faithfulman, and fearedGodabovemany,”(Nehemiah7:2).

14. Study The Biographies Of Those Who Have Endured. Paulexperienced much attack and criticism. “Alexander the coppersmith did memuchevil:theLordrewardhimaccordingtohisworks:Ofwhombethouwarealso;forhehathgreatlywithstoodourwords,”(2Timothy4:14-15).

15. Forgive ThoseWho Attack You, Knowing That GodWill StandWithYou. Paul did.WhenPaul experienced attack and alienation, he forgaveanddependedonthedeliveringpowerofGod.“Atmyfirstanswernomanstoodwithme, but allmen forsookme: I prayGod that itmay not be laid to theircharge.NotwithstandingtheLordstoodwithme,andstrengthenedme; thatbymethepreachingmightbefullyknown,andthatalltheGentilesmighthear:andIwasdeliveredoutofthemouthofthelion,”(2Timothy4:16-17).

16.StayFocusedOnYourAssignment.Pauldid.PaulstayedfocusedontheresultsofhisministryandkepthisexpectationonGodashisdeliverer.“AndtheLordshalldelivermefromeveryevilwork,andwillpreservemeuntoHisheavenlykingdom:toWhombegloryforeverandever,”(2Timothy4:18).

17.PursueThePresenceOfGodAndHisWord.Daviddid.WhenDavidwas attacked and criticized, hepursued thepresenceofGod and absorbed thewords of the covenant. “Unless Thy law had beenmy delights, I should thenhaveperishedinmineaffliction,”(Psalm119:92).

18.DevelopMoreWisdomRegardingThePurposeOfAttack.

Criticismisanobservationdesignedtodistractyou.Attackisoppositiondesignedtodestroyyou.Criticismisintendedtodemoralizeyou.Attack is intended todemoralize thosearoundyouandanyonedesiring to

helpyou.Criticismismeanttomakeyourfutureundesirable.Attackistomakeyourfutureunreachable.Criticswillopposeyourmethods.Enemiesopposeyourmotives.

19. Remember That Your Attitude Is More Important Than TheAttackAgainstYou.Attackspass.Yourattitude, ifbitterordemoralized,cangrowwithinyou a rootofbitterness thatwill poison everydayofyour future.“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root ofbitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled,” (Hebrews12:15).

20.SecureTheMinistryOfAnotherIntercessor.“AgainIsayuntoyou,Thatiftwoofyoushallagreeonearthastouchinganythingthattheyshallask,itshallbedoneforthemofmyFatherwhichisinheaven,”(Matthew18:19).

21.ExpectYourFaithToBeHonoredSupernaturallyByTheGodWhoIntervenes...JustWhenYouNeed It TheMost. “And Jesus answering saithuntothem,Havefaith inGod.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Thatwhosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnot doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those thingswhich he saith shallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem,”(Mark11:22-24).

22. ExpectGodTo Bring TheCounselOfYour Enemies ToNought.“Anditcametopass,whenourenemiesheard that itwasknownuntous,andGodhadbroughttheircounseltonought,thatwereturnedallofustothewall,everyoneuntohiswork,”(Nehemiah4:15).

HereAre8KeysThatUnlockVictoryInEveryAttack

1.AttackRevealsThatYourEnemyFullyBelievesYouAreCapableOf

ObtainingYourGoal.(Theywouldnotwastetheirammunition,time,financesandeffort if theythoughtyourdreamsorgoalswereimpossible.)“IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhichstrengthenethme,”(Philippians4:13).Ifyourenemybelievesinyourfuture,soshouldyou!

2.SatanOnlyAttacksAtTheBirthOfSomethingSignificantInYourLife.Itmaybeyourministry,aswithJesusinMatthew4.Itmaybethebirthof

achampioninyourhousehold,likethebirthofMosesthatactivatedthekillingofall thenewbornchildren inEgypt. Itmaybe thebirthofamiracleabout tooccurinyourpersonallife.(SeeDaniel9.)

3. SatanUses ThoseClosest ToYouAsGates IntoYourHeart. Yourintercessionisoftentheonlycoveringtheyhave,sopraydailyforthegraceandmerciesofGodtobeshowntowardthoseyoulove.“Andaman’sfoesshallbetheyofhisownhousehold,”(Matthew10:36).

4.TheWordOfGodIsTheBestDefenseYouPossess.Jesususedit inMatthew4duringHistemptationseason.Itwillworkeverytimetodemoralizethe tiradeofwordssatanuses relentlesslyagainstyourmind.“UnlessThy lawhadbeenmydelights, I should then have perished inmine affliction,” (Psalm119:92).

5. Angels Are Continually Ready To Minister To You At TheConclusionOfACrisis.“ThenthedevilleavethHim,and,behold,angelscameandministereduntoHim,”(Matthew4:11).

6. Continuous Praise And Worship Leaving Your Lips DemoralizesSatanAndAttractsThePresenceOfGod.“IwillblesstheLordatalltimes:Hispraiseshallcontinuallybeinmymouth,”(Psalm34:1).

7.YourFaith IsWorkingForYouEveryMomentOfYourLife. “Butwithout faith it is impossible to pleaseHim: for he that cometh toGodmustbelievethatHeis,andthatHeisarewarderofthemthatdiligentlyseekHim,”(Hebrews11:6).

8.TheWeaponOfWisdomAssuresYourPromotionWillFollowEveryCrisis.“Ifwesuffer,weshallalsoreignwithHim:ifwedenyHim,Healsowilldenyus,”(2Timothy2:12).“Forwisdomisadefence,andmoneyisadefence:buttheexcellencyofknowledgeis,thatwisdomgivethlifetothemthathaveit,”(Ecclesiastes7:12).

Attack Is Merely Proof That Your Enemy Considers Your AssignmentAchievable.

Remember:YourAssignmentAndAnointingWillAttractAttack.

YOURASSIGNMENTWILLALWAYSHAVEANENEMY

SomeoneWillHateYou.Getusedtoit.Your Assignment is to build up something that is good and tear down

somethingthatisbad.ListentotheinstructionsofGodtoJeremiah.“See,Ihavethisdaysettheeoverthenationsandoverthekingdoms,torootout,andtopulldown, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant,” (Jeremiah1:10).

Itisonlynaturalforyoutohaveanenemy.“Iftheworldhateyou,yeknowthat ithatedMebefore ithatedyou. Ifyewereof theworld, theworldwouldlovehisown:butbecauseyearenotoftheworld,butIhavechosenyououtoftheworld, therefore theworldhatethyou.Remember thewordthatIsaiduntoyou,Theservant isnotgreater thanhis lord. If theyhavepersecutedMe, theywillalsopersecuteyou;iftheyhavekeptMysaying,theywillkeepyoursalso.But all these thingswill they do unto you forMy name’s sake, because theyknownotHimthatsentMe,”(John15:18-21).

It isanagonizingandheart rendingpicture,but ithappened.After thirty-three-and-a-half years on earth, the last moments of Jesus were still like amagnettoHisenemies.ThatiswhyHeprayed,“Father,forgivethem;fortheyknownotwhattheydo,”ListentowhattheyweredoingaroundHim:“Andthepeoplestoodbeholding.AndtherulersalsowiththemderidedHim,saying,Hesavedothers;letHimsaveHimself,ifHebeChrist,thechosenofGod.Andthesoldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him, and offering Him vinegar, Andsaying, If Thou be the king of the Jews, save Thyself. And one of themalefactorswhichwerehanged railedonHimsaying, IfThoubeChrist, saveThyselfandus,”(Luke23:35-37,39).

HereAre5ReasonsYourAssignmentWillAlwaysHaveAnEnemy

1.YourAssignmentWillStopSomethingWrongFromGrowingBigger.

Estherknewthis.(SeeEsther4:13-17.)2.YourAssignmentWillParalyzeTheInfluenceOfTheUngodly.Jonah

finally embraced this command. “So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh,accordingtothewordoftheLord.NowNinevehwasanexceedinggreatcityofthreedays’journey.AndJonahbegantoenterintothecityaday’sjourney,andhe cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So thepeopleofNinevehbelievedGod, andproclaimeda fast, andputon sackcloth,fromthegreatestofthemeventotheleastofthem,”(Jonah3:3-5).

3. Your Assignment Ultimately Will Destroy Something God HatesVeryMuch.Davidknewthis.(See1Samuel17:45-53.)

4. Your Assignment Will Grow The Seeds Of Hope And Courage InAnotherPerson.Daviddidthis.(See1Samuel17:52.)

5. Your Assignment Will Strengthen Something Satan WantsWeakened.AaronandHurexperiencedthis.(SeeExodus17:12.)

HereAre3MistakesYourEnemyWillAlwaysMake

1.YourEnemyWillAlwaysMisinterpretTheEventsAroundYou. (Read

Matthew27:40-44.)2. What Your Enemy Assumes Is Your End Will Always Be Your

Beginning.(ReadJob2:3-7;42:10,12-17.)3.What Your EnemyAssumes Is Your Exit From Their Presence Is

YourEntryIntoTheNextSeasonOfPromotion.(ReadActs7:54-59.)

HereAre7SecretsEverySurvivorKnows

1.AsLongAsYouLive,ThereWillBeAnAdversaryToOpposeYou

AtEveryTurn.So,learningspiritualwarfareagainstsatanicforcesisimportant—itisabsolutelynecessary.

2. You Must Learn That Satan Is Your Only True Enemy. “For wewrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,against the rulersof thedarknessof thisworld,against spiritualwickedness inhighplaces,”(Ephesians6:12).

3. Your Sufficiency Is Not In Yourself. “Not that we are sufficient ofourselvestothinkanythingasofourselves;butoursufficiencyisofGod;Whoalsohathmadeusableministersofthenewtestament,”(2Corinthians3:5-6).

4.YouMustDecideToFightBack.“Finally,mybrethren,bestronginthe

Lord, and in the power of His might,” (Ephesians 6:10). It is your personalresponsibility to stand against the methods of satan against you. “Put on thewhole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of thedevil,”(Ephesians6:11).

5. YouMust Decide To Put On The Spiritual Armour That ProtectsAndDefendsYou.“WhereforetakeuntoyouthewholearmourofGod,thatyemaybe able towithstand in the evil day, andhavingdone all, to stand.Standtherefore,havingyourloinsgirtaboutwithtruth,andhavingonthebreastplateofrighteousness;Andyourfeetshodwiththepreparationofthegospelofpeace;Aboveall,takingtheshieldoffaith,wherewithyeshallbeabletoquenchallthefierydartsofthewicked.Andtakethehelmetofsalvation,andtheswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod:PrayingalwayswithallprayerandsupplicationintheSpirit,andwatchingthereuntowithallperseveranceandsupplicationforallsaints,”(Ephesians6:13-18).

6.YouMustBeTeachableAndCapableOfBeingMentoredDailyByTheHoly Spirit To The TechniquesOfWarfare. “Blessed be the Lordmystrength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight,” (Psalm144:1).

7. Remind Yourself About The Rewards Of Overcoming. “He thatovercometh,thesameshallbeclothedinwhiteraiment;andIwillnotblotouthisnameoutofthebookoflife,butIwillconfesshisnamebeforeMyFather,andbeforeHis angels,” (Revelation3:5). “Him thatovercomethwill Imakeapillar in the templeofMyGod, andhe shallgonomoreout: and IwillwriteuponhimthenameofMyGod,andthenameofthecityofMyGod,whichisnew Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven fromMyGod: and I willwriteuponhimMynewname,”(Revelation3:12).

“TohimthatovercomethwillIgranttositwithMeinMythrone,evenasIalso overcame, and am set downwithMy Father in His throne,” (Revelation3:21).

SatanWantsYourFocusToBeOnTheBattle.GodWantsYourFocusToBeOnTheSpoilsOfBattle.

Remember That Battle Occurs When Two Forces Want The SamePossession.Soyourpurpose inyourAssignment is notmerely survival in theheat of battle. Your battle is to win possession of something you desperatelydesire,needanddeserve.

ThePersistentWin.Always.Remember:YourAssignmentWillAlwaysHaveAnEnemy.

THEGREATERYOURASSIGNMENT,THEGREATERYOURWARFARE

TheGreaterYourWarfare,TheGreaterYourReward.YourPotentialDeterminesTheAmountOfDemonicOppositionToYou.It appears that both rewardsandpenalties aremeasuredout tous. “And

that servant,whichknewhis lord’swill, andpreparednothimself, neitherdidaccording tohiswill, shallbebeatenwithmanystripes.Buthe thatknewnot,anddidcommit thingsworthyof stripes, shallbebeatenwith fewstripes.Foruntowhomsoevermuchisgiven,ofhimshallbemuchrequired:andtowhommenhavecommittedmuch,ofhimtheywillaskthemore,”(Luke12:47-48).

TheapostlePaulhasafascinatingobservation.“Everyman’sworkshallbemademanifest:forthedayshalldeclareit,becauseitshallberevealedbyfire;andthefireshalltryeveryman’sworkofwhatsortitis.Ifanyman’sworkabidewhichhehathbuiltthereupon,heshallreceiveareward.Ifanyman’sworkshallbeburned,heshallsufferloss:buthehimselfshallbesaved;yetsoasbyfire,”(1Corinthians3:13-15).

When I talk about one Assignment being greater than another, I amreferring to the influence of that Assignment, not the importance of anAssignment.

EveryAssignmentmatters.ThebirthofMoseswas thebirthof achampion.Hewasadeliverer.His

influencewasmorewidespreadthanthatofanyotherHebrew.Forthatreason,the warfare increased. In fact, there was a decision to kill the sons of theHebrews.“AndthekingofEgyptspaketotheHebrewmidwives,ofwhichthenameof the onewasShiphrah, and the nameof the otherPuah:Andhe said,WhenyedotheofficeofamidwifetotheHebrewwomen,andseethemuponthestools;ifitbeason,thenyeshallkillhim:butifitbeadaughter,thensheshalllive,”(Exodus1:15-16).

TheGreaterYourAssignment,TheGreaterYourWarfare.IthappenedinthelifeofthebabyJesus.“ThenHerod,whenhesawthathe

wasmockedofthewisemen,wasexceedingwroth,andsentforth,andslewallthechildrenthatwereinBethlehem,andinallthecoaststhereof,fromtwoyearsoldandunder,accordingtothetimewhichhehaddiligentlyenquiredofthewisemen,”(Matthew2:16).

IthappenedbecauseoftheinfluenceoftheAssignment.

Thatexplainsthecommonthreadamonghealingministries.AlmostallthehealingministersIhaveknownexperiencedsevereorincurablediseasesintheirchildhood. Their Assignment of healing attracted the enemy of sickness anddiseaseatthebeginningoftheirlives.

That clarifies the similarity of prosperity teaching. When I listen toministerswhounlock thecurrentsofprosperity into thebodyofChrist, Ihearthemshareabouttherelentlessattackofsatanagainsttheirfinances.Somewerebornimpoverished.

YourPainIsOftenYourPassportToYourNextSeason.Doyouhavechildren?Readthiscarefully.WhenOneOfYourChildrenSeemsToAttractMoreDemonicAttentionAnd

ActivityThanAllOfTheOthersCombined,ThatIsASignalToYouAboutThePotentialInfluenceOfThatChild.

Satanpossiblydiscernsthefutureofthatchildbyobservingthequalitiesinthechild.Idonotunderstandhowthishappens.

TheWarfareAroundYourLife IndicatesTheQualityOfTheNext SeasonYouAreAboutToEnter.

IhaveoftenbeencautionedbyTheHolySpiritagainstcriticizingothers.Itis possible that you and I could not endure for one hour what others haveenduredforalifetime.Somewhere,IreadanoldIndianproverb,“Youhavenoright to criticize an Indian until you have walked at least one mile in hismoccasins.”Thinkaboutit.

Rewards Are Coming. You can count on it. “God is not a man, that Heshouldlie;neitherthesonofman,thatHeshouldrepent:hathHesaid,andshallhe not do it? or hathHe spoken, and shall He notmake it good?” (Numbers23:19).

The Promise Is Clear: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him,” (2Timothy2:12). “And if children, thenheirs;heirsofGod, and joint-heirswithChrist;ifsobethatwesufferwithHim,thatwemaybealsoglorifiedtogether,”(Romans8:17).

TheRewardsAreWorthThePrice.“ForIreckonthatthesufferingsofthispresent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall berevealedinus,”(Romans8:18).

StayStrong.Remember:TheGreaterYourAssignment,TheGreaterYourWarfare.

CRISISISANORMALEVENTONTHEROADTOYOURASSIGNMENT

CrisisNeverSurprisesGod.Peterbelievedthis.“Beloved,thinkitnotstrangeconcerningthefierytrial

which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: Butrejoice,inasmuchasyearepartakersofChrist’ssufferings;that,whenHisgloryshallberevealed,yemaybegladalsowithexceedingjoy,”(1Peter4:12-13).

HereAre20ImportantFactsToRememberDuringCrisis

1.EveryChampion In Scripture SeemedToMoveContinually From

OneCrisisIntoAnother.“ButinallthingsapprovingourselvesastheministersofGod,inmuchpatience,inafflictions,innecessities,indistresses,Instripes,inimprisonments,intumults,inlabours,inwatchings,infastings,”(2Corinthians6:4-5).

2. Paul Experienced Highs And Lows In Favor And Disfavor. “Byhonouranddishonour,byevilreportandgoodreport:asdeceivers,andyettrue;Asunknown,andyetwellknown;asdying,and,behold,welive;aschastened,andnotkilled;Assorrowful,yetalwayrejoicing;aspoor,yetmakingmanyrich;ashavingnothing,andyetpossessingallthings,”(2Corinthians6:8-10).

3. JesusExperiencedNumerousCrises. It finally seemed to end at thecrucifixion. Yet even at His crucifixion, He was jeered and taunted by Hisenemies.EvenHis resurrectionhasbeendoubtedby thousands. (SeeMatthew27:40-43.)

4. Crisis Is Always The Hinge On The Door Of Promotion. Everychampionhashaddifficultcircumstancestoovercome.

Danielexperiencedbeingthrownintothelion’sden.ThreeHebrewchildrenexperiencedthefieryfurnace.Jobexperiencedatotallossofchildren,possessionsandgoodhealth.Elijahhadhisbrookdryup.ThewidowofZarephath came toher lastmeal during the famine, almost

starving.Joseph experienced hatred by his brothers, false accusation against hischaracter, and thenwas forgotten inprison twoyears after he interpretedthedreamofthebutler.Isaachadonefoolishson,Esau,andadeceptive,manipulativesoncalledJacob.

Avisit to aworkshopwould benefit us. Picture this scenario. Pause for amoment and revisit the workshop where a world-renowned missionaryevangelist is speaking. The place is crammed with young preachers who areexcitedabouttherevelationimpartedthroughthisman.Whenyouwalkthroughthedoor,youarelookingforatall,good-lookingandpowerfullybuiltmanwithexquisitestatureanddynamicmagnetism.Youaskforhim,andtheypointtoasquinty-eyed,short,bowleggedmanspeakingfromtheplatform.

Listentohim.“AretheyministersofChrist?(Ispeakasafool)Iammore;inlaboursmoreabundant,instripesabovemeasure,inprisonsmorefrequent,indeathsoft.OftheJewsfivetimesreceivedIfortystripessaveone.ThricewasIbeatenwithrods,oncewasIstoned, thriceIsufferedshipwreck,anightandadayIhavebeeninthedeep;Injourneyingsoften,inperilsofwaters,inperilsofrobbers,inperilsbymineowncountrymen,inperilsbytheheathen,inperilsinthe city, in perils in thewilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among falsebrethren;Inwearinessandpainfulness,inwatchingsoften,inhungerandthirst,in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.Beside those things that arewithout,thatwhichcomethuponmedaily,thecareofallthechurches.Whoisweak,andIamnotweak?whoisoffended,andIburnnot?”(2Corinthians11:23-29).

Paulisnotcomplaining.Heisexultant!“IfImustneedsglory,Iwillgloryofthethingswhichconcernmineinfirmities,”(2Corinthians11:30).

5. Paul Knew That A Crisis Attracted The Power And Strength OfGod.Hecontinues,“AndHesaiduntome,Mygraceissufficientforthee:forMy strength is made perfect in weakness.Most gladly therefore will I rathergloryinmyinfirmities,thatthepowerofChristmayrestuponme.ThereforeItake pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, indistresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong,” (2Corinthians12:9-10).

6.PaulEmbracedTheseSeasonsOfCrisis.“Ifwesuffer,weshallalsoreignwithHim,”(2Timothy2:12).“Ifsobe thatwesufferwithHim, thatwemay be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this presenttimearenotworthy tobe comparedwith theglorywhich shall be revealed inus,”(Romans8:17-18).

7.PaulAnticipatedRecognitionAndRewardForSurvivingTheCrisis.His voice was filled with energy, excitement and joy. “I have fought a goodfight,Ihavefinishedmycourse,Ihavekeptthefaith:Henceforththereislaidupformeacrownofrighteousness,whichtheLord,therighteousjudge,shallgiveme at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love Hisappearing,”(2Timothy4:7-8).

8. Paul Remembered When His Difficult Days Were Caused ByIgnoranceInsteadOfTheBirthingOfHisPromotion.“Forweourselvesalsowere sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts andpleasures, living inmaliceandenvy,hateful,andhatingoneanother.Butafterthat the kindness and love ofGod our Saviour towardman appeared, Not byworks of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy Hesaved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;WhichHeshedonusabundantlythroughJesusChristourSaviour;ThatbeingjustifiedbyHisgrace,weshouldbemadeheirsaccordingtothehopeofeternallife,”(Titus3:3-7).

9.PaulEncouragedUsToLookBeyondThePresentCrisis.“Lookingforthatblessedhope,andthegloriousappearingofthegreatGodandourSaviorJesusChrist,”(Titus2:13).

10.PeterAlsoKnewWhatWasOnTheOtherSideOfSufferingAndCrisis. “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that,whenHisgloryshallberevealed,yemaybegladalsowithexceedingjoy.IfyebereproachedforthenameofChrist,happyareye;forthespiritofgloryandofGodrestethuponyou:ontheirpartHeisevilspokenof,butonyourpartHeisglorified,”(1Peter4:13-14).

11.JamesSawTheCrownOfLifeThatLayBeyondCrisis.“Blessedisthemanthatendurethtemptation:forwhenheistried,heshallreceivethecrownoflife,whichtheLordhathpromisedtothemthatloveHim,”(James1:12).

12.CrisisWillProducePatience. “Knowing this, that the tryingofyourfaithworkethpatience,”(James1:3).

13. PatienceWill ProduceEveryMiracleAndDesired ProvisionYouCouldWant.“Butletpatiencehaveherperfectwork,thatyemaybeperfectandentire,wantingnothing,”(James1:4).

14.YouWillHaveACompanionThroughEveryCrisis.“Fearnot:forIhaveredeemedthee,Ihavecalledtheebythyname;thouartmine.Whenthoupassestthroughthewaters,Iwillbewiththee;andthroughtherivers,theyshallnotoverflowthee:whenthouwalkestthroughthefire,thoushaltnotbeburned;neithershalltheflamekindleuponthee,”(Isaiah43:1-2).

15.YourCrisisWillPass.“ForHisangerendurethbutamoment;inHis

favourislife:weepingmayendureforanight,butjoycomethinthemorning,”(Psalm30:5).

16.LearnToPictureTheRewardsBeyondCrisis.“Nownochasteningfor the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward ityieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercisedthereby.Wherefore lift up the handswhich hang down, and the feeble knees;Andmakestraightpathsforyourfeet, lest thatwhich is lamebe turnedoutoftheway;butletitratherbehealed,”(Hebrews12:11-13).

17.NeverDiscussTheProblemsOfYourCrisisWithAnyoneIncapableOfSolvingThem.“Afoolutterethallhismind:butawisemankeepethitintillafterwards,”(Proverbs29:11).

18.YouWillLearnMoreInCrisisThanYouWillEverLearnInAnyVictory.“ThoughHewereaSon,yetlearnedHeobediencebythethingswhichHesuffered,”(Hebrews5:8).

19.CrisisIsTheSeasonInWhichGodHasAnOpportunityToRevealHisLoveAndSupernaturalPowerToYourLife.“AndHesaiduntome,Mygrace issufficient for thee: forMystrength ismadeperfect inweakness.Mostgladly thereforewill I rather glory inmy infirmities, that the power ofChristmay rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, innecessities,inpersecutions,indistressesforChrist’ssake:forwhenIamweak,thenamIstrong,”(2Corinthians12:9-10).

20.InEveryCrisis,IncreasingYourTimeSpentIn“TheSecretPlace,”YourPrayerCloset,WillBringProtection.“ForinthetimeoftroubleHeshallhideme inHis pavilion: in the secret ofHis tabernacle shallHe hideme;Heshallsetmeupuponarock.Andnowshallmineheadbeliftedupabovemineenemiesroundaboutme:thereforewillIofferinHistabernaclesacrificesofjoy;Iwillsing,yea,IwillsingpraisesuntotheLord,”(Psalm27:5-6).

CrisisIsAlwaysAnExitFromYourPresent.CrisisIsYourPassageToPromotion.Remember:CrisisIsANormalEventOnTheRoadToYourAssignment.

SATANDOESNOTREACTTOYOUALONE,BUTRATHERTOYOUR

ASSIGNMENT

YourAssignmentIsMoreApparentToSatanThanYouMayRealize.Yousee,itisnotmerelyyousatanwantstodestroy.YourAssignmentisa

threat to hisplans. “Lest satan should get an advantage of us: forwe are notignorantofhisdevices,”(2Corinthians2:11).

Doyoueverfeelthatsatanhasselectedonlyyou todestroy?Thinkagain.Heattacksbeautifulpeopleanduglypeople,fatpeopleandskinnypeople,richpeopleandpoorpeople,intelligentpeopleandignorantpeople.EspeciallythosewhoseobedienceiscreatingspecialattentionfromGod.“AndtheLordsaiduntosatan, Whence comest thou? Then satan answered the Lord, and said, Fromgoingtoandfrointheearth,andfromwalkingupanddowninit.AndtheLordsaiduntosatan,HastthouconsideredMyservantJob,thatthereisnonelikehimintheearth,aperfectandanuprightman,onethatfearethGod,andeschewethevil?”(Job1:7-8).

SatanWillStartAWarAgainstOnePerson.Why?Becauseoftheinfluenceofthatperson’sAssignment.

SataninspiredPharaohtodestroythousandsoftheHebrewchildrenjusttostoptheentryofMosesintohisgeneration.

Herod had all the children in Bethlehem younger than two years of agekilled,becausethechampionwasborn,JesusofNazareth.Obviously,therewasnochargethathebroughtagainsttheseinnocentbabies.

Abortion IsThe Satanic StrategyTo StopTheEntryOfAChampion IntoThisGeneration.

Somehow, Your Assignment Will Usher In A New Season For Someone.Satanwantstoparalyzetheprogressofthoseseasons.Yousee,Godhasaplan.Heplanseverythingcarefullyinadvance.Thinkaboutit.ThebirthofJesuswasprophesiedhundredsofyearsbeforeiteveroccurred.

HereAre5FactsAboutPlanning

1.GodIsWorkingOnAPlanAndSchedule.Anybodywhoplanssupper

(the marriage supper of the Lamb) thousands of years in advance must be athoroughandcompetentplannerandthinker.

2. Jesus Respected Planning. “For which of you, intending to build atower,sittethnotdownfirst,andcounteththecost,whetherhehavesufficienttofinishit?Lesthaply,afterhehathlaidthefoundation,andisnotabletofinishit,allthatbeholditbegintomockhim,Saying,Thismanbegantobuild,andwasnotabletofinish,”(Luke14:28-30).

3. Even Ants That Plan Are ConsideredWise. Listen to the writer ofProverbs.“Gototheant,thousluggard;considerherways,andbewise:Whichhaving no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, andgatherethherfoodintheharvest,”(Proverbs6:6-8).

4. Champions Always Have A Plan. Noah was given a plan for theconstructionoftheark.Moseshadaplanforthetabernacle.Solomonhadaplanfor the templehewas tobuild.Eachof thoseplanscamefromourmeticulousandgloriousFatherWhoisthoroughinHispreparation.

5.SatanFearsTheMasterPlan.Satanknowsthis.Youwereborn forareason. Your Assignment was decided by God. Satan tries every conceivablewaytodiscernit,abortitandstopit.Thisexplainshisattacksagainstyourlife.No, he does not necessarily attack you every day, but especially attackswhenthereisaturningpointornewdevelopmentinyourAssignment.“Toeverythingthere is a season, anda time toeverypurposeunder theheaven:A time tobeborn, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up thatwhich isplanted;Atimetokill,andatimetoheal;atimetobreakdown,andatimetobuildup,”(Ecclesiastes3:1-3).

Danielhadaremarkableencounter.Iwillparaphraseit.Danielprayedfor21daysforrevelation,for interpretationof thedream.Attheend, theangeloftheLord appeared, “Your prayer, brotherDaniel,was heard and granted threeweeksago!Assoonasyouprayed,IwasreleasedfromthepresenceofGodtobringyoutherevelationandinterpretationyouaskedfor,butontheway,Iwasintercepted by demonic powers. I called for the assistance of Michael, anarchangelfromoneof theotherprovinces.Hecame.NowIamhere!”(Daniel10:11-15).

Itappearsthatangelsanddemonsarenotomnipresent.Godalonecanbeeverywhere at the same time. It also appears that they are not reproductive,whichmeanstheydonotmultiply thousandsoftimeslikewedo.(Thinkaboutthis. They cannot increase in number, but God has given humans the gift ofmultiplication.)

AnythingThatGetsTheAttentionOfGodArousesTheAttentionOfSatan.AnythingThatStirsTheAffectionOfGodActivatesTheAgitationOfHell.

ItisobviousinthelifeofJob.Hewasaman“perfectandupright,”(Job1:1).Hewas blessed andhonored by theLord.When satan appeared beforeGod,GodbegantobringupJob’snameintheconversation.

JobWasGod’sTrophyOfGraceInHisMuseumOfMiracles.GodwantedsatantonotethattherewasahumanonearthwholovedHim.

“AndtheLordsaiduntosatan,HastthouconsideredMyservantJob,thatthereisnonelikehimintheearth,aperfectandanuprightman,onethatfearethGod,andeschewethevil?”(Job1:8).

MillionsofconversationshaveprobablyoccurredbetweenGodandsatan.It appears that both of them discuss different people. Satan is God’s ex-employee. (See Luke 10:18.) He was rebellious and ignorant. God wants toremindhimthatsomeoneelsehasbeencreatedwhotrulylovesHim!

God has a remarkable sense of humor. He is also very responsive toobedience.WheneveryouobeyHimatanycost,atrustfactorisbuiltup.ThenGodrevealsHimselfmoreandmoretoyouinmiraculousways.

HereAre6PowerfulFactsAboutIntimacyWithGod

1.IntimacyHasRewards.2. Intimacy With God Has Innumerable, Unexplainable And

IrreplaceableRewards.3.WheneverThereIsIntimacy,ThereIsMultiplication.4.WheneverThereIsIntimacy,SomethingIsConceived.5.WheneverThereIsIntimacy,SomethingIsConceivedAndProduced

ThatNeverExistedBefore.Unityiscreated.6. Intimacy Increases Personal Power. “How should one chase a

thousand,andtwoputtenthousandtoflight?”(Deuteronomy32:30).As Solomon said, “Two are better than one; because they have a good

rewardfortheirlabour.Foriftheyfall,theonewillliftuphisfellow:butwoetohim that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up...athreefoldcordisnotquicklybroken,”(Ecclesiastes4:9-10,12).

YourAssignmentisyourgoldenbondwithyourCreator.TheObsessionOfSatanIsToSeparateYouFromGod.Whenhestopsyour

Assignment,hehasbrokenyourrelationshipwithGod.DemonicPowersAreAssignedToYou.No, theymaynotbeassigned toyoudaily.Afterall, satandoesnothave

enough demons to assign them all to one person every day.Humansmultiply.

Demonsdonot.Sotheyhavetobeconstantlyreassignedgeographically.NowIdonotknowverymuchaboutdemonsandangels,butIdoknowthatthereareweeksinmylifewhenIfeelnoadversityoroppositionwhatsoever.

NotethedilemmaofDanielonceagain.Demonswereassignedtokeephisanswering angel from arriving. Obviously, there were extra demons assigned,because the angel himself called for additional support and overcame thedemonswhowereopposinghim.

Itmaybethatafterangelsreceivetheirinstructions(toministertous)thatdemons react.Now, think for onemomentwithme.Where do banks positionsecurityguards?Ahundredmilesfromthebankvault?Ofcoursenot.Securityforces are stationedwherever the treasure is placed. So learn from this.Whensatan assigns demonic activity around your house, you can rest assuredsomethingwonderfulisenroutefromthehandofGodtoyourhouse.Satanhasmadeadiscovery.Hisobsessionistoabortitsarrivalatyourhouse.

Getexcitedaboutthis!AmiraclepackagehasjustleftHeaven.Itisenroutetoyou.Demonicscoutshavediscoveredashippinginvoicewithyournameonit.Thereisanattempttointerceptitsarrival.

Has there been an unusual attack upon your life recently? It is quiteobvious.YouareatamajorturningpointinyourlifeandAssignment.

Turning point?Yes. Things are going to change so dramatically that youwillneveragainseesimilaritiestoyesterday.Everythingisnewfromthispointon.Sostopdiscussingthepainfullossesofthepast.

StopFeedingAndNurturingMemoriesThatMustDie.“Rememberyenotthe former things, neither consider the things of old.Behold, Iwill do a newthing;nowitshallspringforth;shallyenotknowit?Iwillevenmakeawayinthewilderness,andriversinthedesert,”(Isaiah43:18-19).

Yesterdayisover.Nowfocusonyourfuture.Your Assignment Is Feared, So The Attack On You Reveals That It Is

Achievable.Remember: Satan Does Not React To You Alone, But Rather To Your

Assignment.

ANYSATANICATTACKREVEALSWHATSATANFEARSMOSTINYOURFUTURE

YourPastIsOver.YourFutureIsFeared.Think about yourmind for amoment.Yourmind has two functions: the

memoryandtheimagination.Thepurposeofyourmemoryistoreplayeventsinyourpast.Thepurposeofyourimaginationistopreplayeventsinyourfuture.

Now,yourpastisover.Satanhasnofearofyourpast.Hemerelyusesitasamemorytotauntyou,intimidateyouanddemoralizeyou.Itisover.GodDoesNotRememberYourPast.“Forastheheavenishighabovetheearth,sogreatisHismercytowardthemthatfearHim.Asfarastheeastisfromthewest,sofarhathHeremovedourtransgressionsfromus,”(Psalm103:11-12).

Yearsago,satankeptreplayingamomentofdisappointmentinmylife.Heplayeditoverandoveragain.Exasperated,IaskedtheLord,“Whydoessatankeepdoingthis?”

“Heisrunninglowonmaterial!”wastheinnerreplyfromTheHolySpirit.Whensatankeepsshowingyouthesamephotographsofyesterdayfailures,

itindicatesthatheis“runninglowonmaterial.”Hehasnothingfreshtoflashonthescreenofyourmind.Heisscramblingtofindphotographstoparalyzeyouemotionallyandspiritually.

It Is ImportantForYouToMoveQuicklyAwayFromTheMemoriesThatDestroyYou.“Rememberyenottheformerthings,neitherconsiderthethingsofold,”(Isaiah43:18).

FocusingOnTomorrowMovesYouAwayFromYesterday. “Behold, Iwilldoanewthing;nowitshallspringforth;shallyenotknowit?Iwillevenmakeawayinthewilderness,andriversinthedesert,”(Isaiah43:19).

YourFutureIsIntimidatingToSatan.NotethelifeofMoses.WhatcausedPharaohtobestirreduptokillthesmallchildrenoftheHebrews?TheHebrewswere his slaves. Somehow, in the spirit world an awareness emerged that achampionwasinthewombofawomanofGod.Thatchampionwouldstartanexodus of the Israelites out of Egypt. Pharaoh was about to lose millions ofslaveswholaboredforhim.AnattackonthechildrenrevealsthatthepotentialofthosechildrenwasdevastatingtoPharaohandhisdemonicregime.

What caused Herod to suddenly kill all the children two years old andunder?Herod“slewallthechildrenthatwereinBethlehem,andinallthecoaststhereof,fromtwoyearsoldandunder,”(Matthew2:16).Herod’sauthoritywas

threatened.Somemothercarriedanauthoritythatwoulddisplacehimfromhisthrone.

Ihavebeenintriguedformanyyearsaboutthisphenomenon.Whensomeministergreatlyusedinhealingshareshistestimony,itseemsinevitablethathehadanincurableorseverediseaseinhischildhood.

Wherever You Fight Your Greatest Battle Is Where You Experience YourGreatestVictoriesAndTriumphs.

ThePhotographOfYourTriumphIsInThePainOfYourTrial.Ifyoulooklongenoughatyourtrial,youwillseethephotographofyourpromotionemergeclearlyforyourspirittodiscern.

ListencarefullytothosewhomGodisusingtobringhealinginmarriagesandbrokenrelationships.Almosteveryonehasknownabuse,rejectionorsomedeepsorrowfulexperienceofabrokenhomeinchildhood.

Reviewthenatureoftheattacksyouhaveexperiencedrepeatedly.AskTheHolySpirit to reveal the pathHe is qualifying and assigning for you towalk.Someonehaswellsaid,“Thepainyoucanfeelisthepainyoucanheal.”

YourTearsTodayWillBeTheRainOnSomeone’sDesertTomorrow.Remember:Any Satanic Attack RevealsWhat Satan FearsMost In Your

Future.

THECOMPLETIONOFYOURASSIGNMENTISTHEGREATESTFEAROFYOUR

ENEMY

SatanHatesFinishers.Itisnotenoughtobegin.Onlythosewhoenduretotheendwillbesaved,

promotedandrewarded.

HereAre24EncouragementKeysThatWillHelpYouFinishAndCompleteTheAssignmentGodHasBirthed

IntoYourHeart

1. Jesus Was A Finisher. When He died on Calvary, He cried, “It is

finished:andHebowedHishead,andgaveuptheghost,”(John19:30).HeevenprayedthistotheFather,“IhaveglorifiedTheeontheearth:IhavefinishedtheworkwhichThougavestMetodo,”(John17:4).

2.Jesus IsEvenCalledAFinisher. “Lookingunto Jesus theauthor andfinisherofourfaith;WhoforthejoythatwassetbeforeHimenduredthecross,despising the shame, and is set downat the right handof the throneofGod,”(Hebrews12:2).

3. The Obsession Of Jesus Was To Finish. He wanted to reach theconclusionofHisAssignmentonearth.Hethoughtit.Hetalkedit.Helivedit.“Jesussaithunto them,Mymeat is todo thewillofHimthatsentMe,and tofinishHiswork,”(John4:34).

4. Jesus Considered Non-finishers To Be Disqualified For TheKingdom. “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to theplough,andlookingback,isfitforthekingdomofGod,”(Luke9:62).

5.TheApostlePaulWasAFinisher.“Ihavefoughtagoodfight,Ihavefinishedmycourse,Ihavekeptthefaith,”(2Timothy4:7).

6.NehemiahWasAFinisher.“SothewallwasfinishedinthetwentyandfifthdayofthemonthElul,infiftyandtwodays,”(Nehemiah6:15).

7. SolomonWas A Finisher. “Thus Solomon finished the house of theLord,andtheking’shouse,”(2Chronicles7:11).

8. Satan Always Attacks In Seasons. It seems that he attacks whensomethingisbeingbirthedinyourlifethatisveryimportant.Itmaybethebirthofyourministry,thebirthofanewrevelationfromGod,orthebirthofachildinyour home that God will use as a champion. It may be the beginning of aphysicalorfinancialmiracle.

9. Protect The Child In Your Home That Attracts More DemonicAttention Than All Of The Other Children Combined. That child has aninvisible Assignment which hell has discerned. Now, it is obvious that satancannotforetelleverything,orhemightneverhaverebelledagainstGodtobeginwith. But it does appear that in the spirit world information is discerned andprocessed. So,when one of your children seems to be “the trouble-maker” inyour family, understand that that childmaybe experiencingmental attacks bydemonicspiritsmorethanalloftheotherscombined.Hisfutureisdreaded.

Ihaveknownmanydayswithoutanysatanicattack;whenmymindwasatpeace;when thingswereperfectly normal and smooth in theoffice;when lifeflowed.Thensuddenly,almostwithoutwarning,hundredsofthingsstartedgoingwrong. It is my personal opinion that demons are not assigned everywhereequally. Ibelieve theyreceiveAssignmentsaccording to theamountofdangerandthreatthatsatansenses.

10.YouAreAPowerfulAndInfluentialWeaponAgainstSatan.Hewillassign demonic forces to fragment your focus, derail your Assignment anddestroyyoureffectiveness.Youhavethepotential todogreatdamagetosatan.Youwillbecomeaspecialtarget.

11.YouWillBeTemptedAThousandTimesToTurnBackOrTurnAway FromYour Assignment. “From that time many of His disciples wentback,andwalkednomorewithHim,”(John6:66).

12.IfYouWantToFindAnExcuseToTurnAwayFromTheCallingAnd Anointing Imparted To You, You Can Find A Thousand Exits. Oneministertoldme,“Icannotpastoranymorebecausemywifedoesnotwantmetopastor.”ThatmanwillstandbeforeGodtogiveanaccountofhimself.

13. Do Not Claim To Lack Enough Finances To Complete YourAssignment. God will open the book to Deuteronomy 28 and declare, “Ipromised you provisionwhen you obeyMy instructions,” (readDeuteronomy28:1-14).

14. Do Not Blame The Persecutions And Criticisms Received FromYour Family Members. Jesus will say, “And ye shall be betrayed both byparents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall theycausetobeputtodeath.AndyeshallbehatedofallmenforMyname’ssake.Butthereshallnotanhairofyourheadperish,”(Luke21:16-18).

15.DoNotComplainWhenYourPrayersWereUnanswered.Jesuswillreply,“IfyeabideinMe,andMywordsabideinyou,yeshallaskwhatyewill,anditshallbedoneuntoyou,”(John15:7).

16.RememberWhyYou ShouldCompleteHisAssignment ForYourLife. Peter answered this: “Then Simon Peter answeredHim, Lord, to whomshallwego?Thouhast thewordsofeternal life.AndwebelieveandaresurethatThouartthatChrist,theSonofthelivingGod,”(John6:68-69).

17.RememberGod’sPromiseToKeepAliveWhatHeBirthedWithinYou.“Beingconfidentofthisverything,thathewhichhathbegunagoodworkinyouwillperformituntilthedayofJesusChrist,”(Philippians1:6).

18. Ask Freely AndOften For Those ThingsWhichWill StrengthenYou. “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.HithertohaveyeaskednothinginMyname:ask,andyeshallreceive,thatyourjoymaybefull,”(John16:23-24).

19.RememberThatGodExpectsYouToAskForWisdomContinually.“Ifanyofyoulackwisdom,lethimaskofGod,thatgivethtoallmenliberally,andupbraidethnot;anditshallbegivenhim,”(James1:5).

20.DetermineAndForeverDecreeThatYouWantToCompleteYourAssignment.“Butlethimaskinfaith,nothingwavering.Forhethatwaverethislikeawaveoftheseadrivenwiththewindandtossed.ForletnotthatmanthinkthatheshallreceiveanythingoftheLord.Adoublemindedmanisunstableinallhisways,”(James1:6-8).

21.PursuePeacefulConversationsInsteadOfContentiousTopics.“Letusthereforefollowafterthethingswhichmakeforpeace,andthingswherewithonemayedifyanother,”(Romans14:19).“Butfoolishandunlearnedquestionsavoid,knowingthattheydogenderstrifes.AndtheservantoftheLordmustnotstrive;butbegentleuntoallmen,apttoteach,patient,”(2Timothy2:23-24).

22.FleeTheFamiliarTraps.“Fleealsoyouthfullusts,”(2Timothy2:22).“Fortheloveofmoneyis therootofallevil:whichwhilesomecovetedafter,they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with manysorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow afterrighteousness,godliness,faith,love,patience,meekness,”(1Timothy6:10-11).

23.FightTenaciouslyToHoldOntoYourAssignment.“Fight thegoodfight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called,” (1Timothy6:12).

24. Remember Jesus. Jesus is our pattern. He is our example. He ispraying and interceding to the Father for you today. The Holy Spirit isintercedingforyouonearth.

EnduranceIsYourDecision.

Remember:TheCompletionOfYourAssignment IsTheGreatestFearOfYourEnemy.

SATANWILLOFFERYOUANYTHINGTOSABOTAGEYOURASSIGNMENT

BaitIsAlwaysAlluring.Pictureavastocean. Imaginefishswimmingcontinuously.Nowpicturea

fisherman dragging hooks under the water. Does he bait those hooks withworms? Of course he does. Why? It attracts the attention of the fish. It issomethingtheylove.Noneofthefishplantodiethatday.Butithappens...whentheonlythingontheirmindistoeatthatworm.

Now,thatoceanistheseaofhumanity.YouandIswimalonginlife.But,satan is baiting his hook. Hewill use any kind of bait orworm necessary toattractyourattention,tosnareyouanddestroyyourAssignment.

HereAreThe3MostEffectiveBaitStrategiesSatanUses

1.HeMayUseTheBaitOfFameAndGlamour.Itmusthaveworkedfor

Demas.“ForDemashathforsakenMe,havingloved thispresentworld,and isdeparteduntoThessalonica,”(2Timothy4:10).

2.SatanMayUseTheBaitOfFinancialPossessions. Itworkedon therichyoung ruler. Jesussaiduntohim,“Go thyway, sellwhatsoever thouhast,andgivetothepoor,andthoushalthavetreasureinheaven:andcome,takeupthecross,andfollowMe,”(Mark10:21).TheBiblesayshewasverysadatthesayingandwentawaygrieved, forhehadgreatpossessions. Jesus said,“HowhardlyshalltheythathaverichesenterintothekingdomofGod!”(Mark10:23).

3.SatanOftenUsesTheBaitOfSexualSeduction.ItworkedonSamson.“Anditcametopassafterward, thathe lovedawomanin thevalleyofSorek,whosenamewasDelilah,”(Judges16:4).

Whatcandistractyouisbait.WhatcandelayyourpursuitofGoddailyisbait.Whatdetoursyoufromyourcallingisbait.Whathasthepotentialtodestroyyourfaithisbait.

YouHaveAccessToTheHolySpirit,AndHeWillTeachYouThroughIt.Hewill reveal things to you.Hewillmentor you.Hewill expose thepitfalls andtrapslaidforyouifyouwilltakethetimetohearHisvoice.“Lestsatanshouldgetanadvantageofus: forwearenot ignorantofhisdevices,” (2Corinthians2:11).

Anumberofyearsago, Iexperiencedsignificant success in songwriting.Many of my songs were sung on radio and television every day. They weresongsofovercoming,survivalanddeterminationtoserveGod.“YouCanMakeIt!”Anotherwas,“Jesus,JusttheMentionofYourName.”Manyweresongsofhealing,“HeisaHealingJesus.”Andthereweremany,manyothers.

Mytelephonerangoneday.Afriendofminesaid thata famousgroup inNashville,Tennessee,lovedmysongsandwantedtodoanentirealbumofthem.“Justoneproblem,Mike,”hesaid.“Theyarefamouscountrysingers.Yourtunesand lyricsareperfectexcept theywant to leave thenameofJesusoutof themsincetheyarenotreligiouspeople.Youcouldmakeafortune.”

Ihadexperiencedadivorce.So,Ihadwritten“brokenheart”songsinthelatenighthoursthatIknewcouldmakethechartsinstantly.Thesesongscouldbesungaroundtheworld,ifIwouldjustleavethenameofJesusoutofthem.Irejected it instantly, of course.And Iwrote songs declaringmy obsession forHimandthateverything that Ididwouldbringglory toHim.However, later Idiscussed itwith other famouswriters in thework ofGod. They insisted thatGodcouldusethesesongstogeneratefinancesformyministry.“Itisjustasongandsomebodyisgoingtowritethemanyway,”theyexplained.

I fought some deep battles in my heart on occasions. I tried to explaineverythingtoGod!ButIcouldnotgetawayfromthosewordsPaulwrote.“LetthewordofChristdwellinyourichlyinallwisdom;teachingandadmonishingoneanotherinpsalmsandhymnsandspiritualsongs,singingwithgraceinyourheartstotheLord.Andwhatsoeveryedoinwordordeed,doallinthenameoftheLordJesus,givingthankstoGodandtheFatherbyhim,”(Colossians3:16-17).

HisWordWillAlwaysContainYourAnswers.Oh, satan is inconstantnegotiation forourgifts, skillsand talents in the

bodyofChrist!MyhearthasbeenbrokentowatchfamousChristiansperforminnightclubsonSaturdaynight,inmajorchurchesonSundaymorningandthendoChristian talk shows onMonday.They explain that they are a “witness in themarketplace.”Theyuse illustrationsofJesuseatingwithPublicansandsinnersasjustification.IcannotunderstandhowyoucouldusethegiftsgiventoglorifyGodtogenerateandfeedtheliquor,gambling,andentertainmentbusinessthatisintotaldefiancetotruthandtheworkofGod.

Satanhasdeceivedthem.Thereisnootheranswer.I sat in awell-known church inNashville, Tennessee,many years ago. I

lookedacrosstheaisleatafamoussinger.Theworldstillknowshim.Aministerexplained to several of us afterwards, “He wants to stop singing his countrysongsandjustsinggospel,butItoldhimthatwasunnecessary.ThehandofGodisonhimthereinthemarket.Heshouldstayandkeepsingingusinghisfavorintheworld.”Today,thatpastorisnolongerpreachingthegospel,andIhavenotheardapublicChristiantestimonyfromthissingerinmanyyears.

SatanWillOfferYouAnythingToSabotageYourAssignment.Anything.YourAssignmentWillCostYou.Itwill cost you everything.Everything. Jesuswarned us. “AndwhenHe

had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them,WhosoeverwillcomeafterMe,lethimdenyhimself,andtakeuphiscross,andfollowMe.Forwhosoeverwill savehis life shall lose it; butwhosoever shalllosehislifeforMysakeandthegospel’s,thesameshallsaveit.Forwhatshallitprofitaman,ifheshallgainthewholeworld,andlosehisownsoul?Orwhatshall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall beashamedofMeandofMywordsinthisadulterousandsinfulgeneration;ofhimalsoshalltheSonofmanbeashamed,whenhecomethinthegloryofhisFatherwiththeholyangels,”(Mark8:34-38).

Thereisapowerfulandcunningfishermandroppingbaitinyourpond.Donotfallforit.Youhavecometoofar,investedtoomuch,wontoomanybattlestoturnbacknow.

YourAssignmentIsWorthAnyPrice.Remember:SatanWillOfferYouAnythingToSabotageYourAssignment.

FOURKINDSOFPEOPLEWILLBEUSEDTODISTRACTYOUFROMYOUR

LIFEASSIGNMENT

IntimacyCanDestroy.Intimacywithonewrongpersoncandestroyyouforever.WhenGodwants

topromoteyou,Heputsapersoninyourlife.Whensatanwantstodestroyyou,heplacesapersonclosetoyou.

ThereAre4KindsOfPeopleSatanWillUseToDistractYou,DemoralizeYouAndDiscourageYou

1. Those Who Do Not Really Accept Your Assignment. They do not

really knowyou.Theyhavenot spent timewithGod, fasting and praying foryou. Usually, they look on the outward appearance of you and yourcircumstances.Theylaughatyourdreamsandgoals.

I have a precious friendwho iswell along in years.He is awhite-hairedfireballofenergy.WhenGodspoketohimtobirthachurchinanewcity,somefolkslaughed.Hehadbeenabusinessman.ButheknewthevoiceofGod.Thosewhorefused toaccepthisAssignmentas from theLordrefused to participate.Now,heisaverysuccessfulpastorandisdoingagreatworkforGod.HadhelistenedtothosewhohadneverconsultedTheHolySpiritinthefirstplace,hemighthavebeenatotalfailuretoday.

HereAre4QuestionsThatQualifyPeopleForIntimacy:A.Have They Taken The Time To Pray Privately About Your Vision And

Goal?B.HaveTheyQuestionedYouAtLengthToDevelopAFullUnderstanding

OfYourAssignment?C.HowManyHoursHaveYouReallySpentWithThem?D.Are TheyWilling To PrayWith You AndWalk Side By SideWith You

ConcerningYourAssignment?2.ThoseWhoDoNotTrulyRespectYourAssignment. Imust tellyou

thispersonalillustration.Ireallybelieveeverypersonshouldhavealifeproduct,

a life legacy. For example, furniture companies produce furniture. Pianocompanies produce pianos. Sign companies produce signs. An automobilecompanyproducesautomobiles.YoushouldknowthelegacyGodhasdesignedforyoutoleaveuponearth—yourAssignment.

SoIaskedmypreciousmother,“Mother,whatisyourlifeproduct?”“Ohson,Idonothaveanylifeproduct.Iamjust tryingtogetyouseven

kidstoheaven.”Now that truly is a life product—the salvation and redemption of your

sevenchildren!Some people have criticized my mother because she had dedicated her

entire life tobeingawifetomyfather,andafull-timemotherathome.Ihaveheardmanywordsover theyears as people said, “Youneed toget out of thishouseandawayfromthesekidsandgetyourselfajob!”

Thosepeoplehavelittlerespectformothers,housewivesandthosewhoarecalledalongsidetheirhusbands.HowIthankGodthatmymotherrefusedtheirinfluence!Mymemoriesofhomeareofconstantandtotalaccesstomymotherandfather.Theyhadfamilyaltartimestwiceaday,morningandnight.Motherenforcedmemorization of one Scripture eachmorning. I believe thatmy ownAssignment became defined, refined and confined because of a mother whorespectedherownAssignment.

Recently, apastorofa largewell-knownchurchaskedme,“Mike, Iwishyouwouldnotholdcrusadesatthesesmalllittlechurchesaroundtownhere.Mypeople like to feel that our church is so successful that we can attractinternationalministriesotherscannotschedule.Itwouldmeanalottomeifyouwouldcometojustmychurchwhenyoucometothiscity.”Hehadlittlerespectforministerswithsmallcongregations.Thiskindofattitudeissad.

MarkThoseWhoHaveLittleRespectForYourAssignment.Theymayloveyou, but theydonot respect yourAssignment.Letme explain. I host amajorWorldWisdomConference each year. It costs thousands of dollars forme tosponsorit.Iflyinsomeofthemosteffectiveministerswhohaveeverspoken.Itisfirst-classalltheway.Yetsomepeoplelive30minutesawayandwillnotevendrive over to the conference for one day. I have relatives and close familymemberswhowillnotcomefor justoneday.It is thefocusofmyentireyear,but they have little respect forWisdom, the anointing ormyministry.Now, Icannotsaytheydonotloveme.But,theydonotrespectthemantle,thecalling,theAssignment.

LoveIsFindingSomeoneDesirable.RespectIsFindingSomeoneNecessary.Never Linger In The Presence Of Those Who Do Not Respect Your

Assignment.Peoplewillneverprotectwhattheydonotrespect.3.ThoseWhoWillNotProtectYourAssignment.WhatYouRespect, YouWill Protect. I have known hundreds ofmen of

Godduringmy50yearsonearth.Somearewell-known,effectiveandhavedonean incrediblework forGod.Yes, I haveobserved theirweaknesses, flaws andhuman traits. It has endearedme to them,not alienatedme from them. I haverefusedtodiscussthoseflawswithanyone.Why?ItistherightthingtodointheeyesofGod.

HaveyoueverreadthecompletestoryofDavidandhowheprotectedthepositionandcallingofSaul?HerefusedtodamageanddestroytheinfluenceofSaul, thoughSaul’s actionswere foolish anddevastating.Heeven tried tokillDavidandhisownson,Jonathan(David’sclosestfriend).

YetthediscretionandloyaltyofDavidbecamelegendary.Anentirenationsawamanofintegrity,honor,graciousnessanddignity.Hewasnotcondoningthebehaviorandconductofafool.Rather,herespectedtheAssignmentofSaul.

Years later, when David was brokenhearted, his mind was aflame withmemoriesofthewateratBethlehem.Hewishedforitaloud.Oneofhisthoughtsoflongingwas,“AndDavidlonged,andsaid,OhthatonewouldgivemedrinkofthewaterofthewellofBethlehem,whichisbythegate!”(2Samuel23:15).HisthreestrongestleadersbrokethroughthehostofthePhilistinesandbroughthimbackwater.He refused todrink it because it involved the life of his ownmenthatheloved.ThatkindofloyaltywasinspiredbecauseDavidprotectedtheanointing,themantleandtheAssignmentofanother.Intime,hisownmenhaddevelopedaprotectionforhisAssignment.

Oneofmyclosefriendshadadrugproblem.Itconcernedmedeeply.Eventhoughherefusedtofaceithonestly,Irefusedtoadvertisehisproblem.Why?Iwanted toprotecthisAssignment.His life isnotover.Hisfuture isnotended.GodstillhasHishandonhislife.AsIprotectthatAssignmentwithinhim,Godwillhonorandblessmyownministryforit.

Move Away FromWrong PeopleWhoWill Not Protect YourName, YourFocusAndYourCalling.LookatSamson.Watch theconniving,schemingandmanipulationofDelilahasshesoughttoprobeforhisareaofweakness.

WrongPeopleBreatheLifeIntoYourWeakness.RightPeopleStarveYourWeakness.4.ThoseWhoDoNotExpectYouToReallyAchieveYourAssignment.

Theyhavelittlefaithinyou.RememberEliab,theoldestbrotherofDavidwhoactedangrilywhenDaviddiscussedkillingthelion?

Eliab reacted angrily towardDavid. “Why camest thou downhither? andwithwhomhast thouleft thosefewsheepinthewilderness?Iknowthypride,

andthenaughtinessofthineheart;forthouartcomedownthatthoumightestseethebattle,”(1Samuel17:28).

Hisownfamilysawhimasa littleshepherdboy,unawareofhisvictoriesoverthelionandbear.Theyexpectedhimtofail.Theycouldnotimaginehimonthethrone.Hewastheir“babybrother.”

Doyouhavesomeoneinyourfamilywhofeels thesamewayaboutyourlifeandfuture?Donotwasteyourenergyandtimeattemptingtopersuadethem.Godwillvindicateyou.

TimeWillValidateYou.“Andletusnotbewearyinwelldoing:forindueseasonweshallreap,ifwefaintnot,”(Galatians6:9).

KeepSolvingProblems.Stayaliveandvibrant.Keepyourspiritsweet.AndpermitGod todo thepromoting. “Aswehave thereforeopportunity, let usdogood unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,”(Galatians6:10).

Men Are Merely Channels; They Are Not Your Source. “For promotioncomethneitherfromtheeast,norfromthewest,norfromthesouth.ButGodisthejudge:Heputtethdownone,andsettethupanother,”(Psalm75:6-7).

HereAre7ImportantRemindersFor

Relationships1.IntimacyShouldBeEarned,NotFreelyGiven.(See1Thessalonians

5:12-13.)2. Intimacy Should Be The Reward For Proven Loyalty. (See John

15:13-14.)3.TrueFriendshipIsAGift,NeverADemandedRequirement. (See1

Corinthians13.)4. When Wrong People Leave Your Life, Wrong Things Stop

Happening.(SeeJonah1:15.)5.WhenRightPeopleEnterYourLife,RightThingsBeginToHappen.

(SeeJohn4:4-30.)6.IfYouFailToGuardYourOwnLife,YouAreLikeACityWithout

Walls.(SeeProverbs25:28.)7.FailureOccursWhenTheWrongPersonGetsTooClose.(SeeJudges

16:4-21.)TreasureTheGoldenWallOfProtectionGodIsBuildingAroundYourLife.Remember:FourKindsOfPeopleWillBeUsedToDistractYouFromYour

LifeAssignment.

YOURASSIGNMENTMAYBEDEEPLYRESENTEDBYSOMEONEWHOENVIES

YOURSUCCESS

SomebodyWillDespiseYouBecauseOfYourSuccess.Yousee,somebodywillcompareyoursuccesswiththeirown.Itisunwise,

unnecessary and ungodly. But, it happens every day. Paul warned, “But theymeasuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves amongthemselves,arenotwise,”(2Corinthians10:12).

Successwilldepleteyou.Itrequiressomuchofyourtime,yourenergyandlife thatwhen you look at it, you see struggle, tears and pain.Others do not.Theywerenottherewhenyouweptandintercededthroughthenight.Theydidnot taste the threat of bankruptcy. No, they never see what you see in yoursuccesses.

Youseeresponsibility.Theyseerewards.Youseecost.Theyseecompensation.Youseetears.Theyseetriumph.Envyisadeadlypoisonwhichbreaksupfriendships,woundsmarriagesand

stainsthebeautyofprogress.Solomonwrote,“Jealousyiscruelasthegrave:thecoals thereof are coals of fire,which hath amost vehement flame,” (Song ofSolomon8:6).

Davidbecamethetargetofintenseenvy.AfterhedefeatedGoliath,womencameoutofall thecitiesof Israel, singinganddancing,with tabrets,with joy,andwiththeinstrumentsofmusicandsaid,“Saulhathslainhisthousands,andDavidhistenthousands,”(1Samuel18:7).

Jealousy overcame Saul. “And Saul was very wroth, and the sayingdispleasedhim;andhesaid,TheyhaveascribeduntoDavidtenthousands,andtome they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he havemore but thekingdom?AndSauleyedDavid from thatdayand forward.AndSaulcast thejavelin;forhesaid,IwillsmiteDavideventothewallwithit,”(1Samuel18:8-9,11).

Thinkaboutit.Jealousybirthsthespiritofmurderanddestruction.

HereAre7KeysInOvercomingEnvyAndJealousy

1.Realize ThatYouHave SomethingAnotherAdmires. A fascinating

verseexplainsitall:“AndSaulwasafraidofDavid,becausetheLordwaswithhim,andwasdepartedfromSaul,”(1Samuel18:12).

2.YouCannotStopEnvy InOthers. It is their own problem.You see,theiremptinesshasbeenexposedbecauseofsomethingGodhasgiven toyou.YouhavereceivedsomethingfromGodthattheywishtheypossessed.

3. Never Belittle Yourself To Generate Favor. You will be tempted tobelittleanddownplayyourownsuccessesandblessingstoappeaseandsatisfyajealousandangryfriendorfoe.Donotwasteyourenergy.“Makenofriendshipwithanangryman;andwithafuriousmanthoushaltnotgo:Lestthoulearnhisways,andgetasnaretothysoul,”(Proverbs22:24-25).

Daviddidthis.“AndDavidavoidedoutofhispresencetwice,”(1Samuel18:11).

4.WhenEnvyArises,YourPresenceUsuallyFuelsAndNurturesTheEnvy.Keepyourwordskindandhumble.“Asoftanswer turnethawaywrath:butgrievouswordsstirupanger,”(Proverbs15:1).

5.YouCannotSolveAProblemForEnviousPeople.“Wrathiscruel,andangerisoutrageous;butwhoisabletostandbeforeenvy?”(Proverbs27:4).

6.EnvyRequiresTheSurgeryOfTheHolySpirit.HewillhavetoputsuchlovewithinthemforHimandyouthatchangeemerges.“Charitysufferethlong,andiskind;charityenviethnot,”(1Corinthians13:4).

7. ExpressYourEnthusiasmToAnAppropriateAudience.Wait untilyouareinthepresenceofsomeonewhotrulyrejoiceswithyou.Avoidboastinginyourachievement.“Letanothermanpraisethee,andnotthineownmouth;astranger,andnotthineownlips,”(Proverbs27:2).

Ihavefeltattacksofenvywithinmyselftowardothers.Severalyearsago,Isawtheincrediblebuildingsandsanctuaryofafriendofmine.Ilookedaroundand thought, “I cannot evenget a newsletter publishedon timeandherehe iswitha televisionstudio,4,000 loyalchurchmembersandagorgeoushome!”Ifeltsosmall.Ifeltunimportant.Ifeltunnecessary.

ThenIflewacrossthecountryandvisitedwithseveralofmydearfriendswhohaveworldrenownedministriesIwouldbeabletoinfluence.Theirbudgetwasmorethan$150,000,000eachyear.Theycouldhaveanythingtheywanted,anytimeoftheday.TheycouldspeakandmajorleadersofAmericawouldflytotheircitytomeetthem.

As I stared at my little pebbles next to their mountains, I felt soinsignificant.ThentheFatherremindedme.

Mypebblehadpebbleresponsibilities.Theirmountainhadmountainresponsibilities.

Icouldnotseethedepthoftheirpain,stressandwarfare.Itwasalessoninunderstandingmy Assignment. “Do you want me to increase the welfare anddifficultiesinyourlife?”Ofcoursenot.

Ifyousuffer,youreign.Ifyoureign,yousuffer.Whilethechildlesscouplelookslonginglyatthemotherwithfivechildren,

theymaybeunawareofthegreatdifficultiesandburdensthatmothercarries.Jesussaiditclearly,“Whatisthattothee?followthouMe,”(John21:22).

YourownAssignmentwillrequireallofyou.Rejectjealousy.Despiseenvy.Donotenvyothers,anddonotlettheirjealousybreakyourownfocus.

YourHappiestDaysAreJustAhead.Remember:Your AssignmentMay BeDeeply Resented By SomeoneWho

EnviesYourSuccess.

THOSEWHOHAVENOTDISCOVEREDTHEIROwnASSIGNMENTAREOFTEN

INTIMIDATEDBYTHOSEWHOHAVE

FewReallyKnowWhereTheyBelong.When you do not know your rightful place orAssignment, life becomes

unsettlinganduncomfortable.DiscomfortBirthsInsignificance.InsignificanceGivesBirthToInferiority.InferiorityIsOftenThePathToAngerAndRetaliation.InformationBreedsConfidence.WhenyouknowyourAssignment,thereis

anaturalflowofenthusiasmandenergythroughyourlife.Otherssenseit.Youare a magnet. The currents of self-confidence are very powerful. While it iscomfortingtothoseunderyourcare,itisverydiscomfortingtothosestrugglingandgrapplingforclarityoftheirownAssignment.

HereAre4KeysInHelpingOthersDiscernTheirOwnAssignment

1. Ask Questions Concerning The Passion, Love And The Greatest

DesiresOfTheir Life. This will move them toward self-examination. It wasthrough a consultant interrogatingme endlessly that clarity developed formyown life. Nobody had taken the time to meticulously question my deepestdesires.

Somequestionscouldinclude:Whatoccurredonthehappiestdayyoucanrecallinyourlifetime?Whatdesiresneverseemtovaryorchangethroughoutyourlife?If everyone on earth received a $10 an hour pay, regardless of their

companyorjobposition,whatwouldyouchoosetodowithyourlife?Ifmoneywasnotafactor,howwouldyouspendyourhoursdaily?2.AskThemTheQualitiesTheyHaveDiscernedInThemselvesThat

Others Respond To Most Favorably. This includes the compliments andgenerouswords that comemost often from their closest friends.Everyonehas

desirablequalities. It is important todiscern them through the compliments ofothers.Often,thereisahiddenqualityinusthoughwedonotrecognizeit,thatismagnifiedandquiteobvioustoothersaroundus.

3. Remember That Your ReachingOut AndReassuringOthers Is ASeedGodWillHonor. “Knowing thatwhatsoevergood thinganymandoeth,thesameshallhereceiveoftheLord,whetherhebebondorfree,”(Ephesians6:8).

Solvingproblemsforothershasunlockedmuchrevelationwithinmyownheart. It seems to me that when I try hard to solve a personal problem, thesolutionseludeme.WhenIbecomeobsessedwithsolvingaproblemforanother,the answers are clear and easily observed. So, many things I have done inhelping others have had a boomerang effect—it comes back to bless me.“Withhold not good from them towhom it is due,when it is in the power ofthinehandtodoit,”(Proverbs3:27).

4.EncourageOthersToDiscoverTheTrueAndCompleteMeaningOfTheir Name. Somehow, the Creator of the universe has influenced ourgenealogy,geographicalbeginnings,andthegenesinus.“Mysubstancewasnothidfromthee,whenIwasmadeinsecret,andcuriouslywroughtinthelowestpartsoftheearth,”(Psalm139:15).

Iwroteapowerfulsongmanyyearsago,“MadewithMercy.”Madewithmercy,formedbygrace.Clothedwithfavor,I’vefoundmyplace.Hewon’tletmeforget,ThatHemademetositinhighplaces.Iwasmadewithmercy,formedbygrace.Hesawmeinmymother’swombbeforeIsawHislight.HedrewtheplansHehadformebeforeIhadmysight.InThylove,Iwasconceived.Hegavemespecialfaithtobelieve.Helovedmewithalove,somehowIhadtobelieve.Do you long tomake a difference in someone close to you?Do you lay

awakeat nightwonderingwhatkindofproblemsyouwould love to solve forothers?HelpthemdiscoveranddevelopanobsessionwiththeirAssignmentonearth.

Bydoingthisyouwillgivethemthegreatestgiftofall—theonethatlinksthem to theOnewhocreated themand to thepeople towhomtheyhavebeenassigned.

RememberBillyGraham’sresponse:YourEnemiesDoNotBelieveYourExplanations.

YourFriendsDoNotRequireThem.Remember:ThoseWhoHaveNotDiscovered TheirOwnAssignmentAre

OftenIntimidatedByThoseWhoHave.

YOURASSIGNMENTMAYBEMISUNDERSTOODBYTHOSECLOSESTTOYOU

WhatBecomesFamiliarOftenBecomesHidden.Letmeexplain.Supposeyouhavedriveneverymorningtoyourjobforthe

lastfiveyears.Youseethesamebuildings,thesamestoresandthesameplacesofbusiness.Suddenly,younotesomething.Youseeanewsignorstore.

“Whendidtheybuildthat?”youexclaim!“Thathasalwaysbeenthere,”isthepuzzledreplyofyourfriend.Itistrue.

Thatbuildingorsignhasbeenthereforseveralyears.Butitbecamesofamiliartoyouthatyourmindbegantoignoreit.

HereAre6InsightsToRememberWhenYourFamilyDoesNotUnderstandYourAssignment

1.WhatBecomesFamiliarToTheMind,TheMindMakesADecision

To Ignore. It wants something new and different. So, for whatever reason,somethingwakesupyourinterest.

Our families experience this. You have been around your brothers andsisterssolongthattheiroutstandingqualitieshavebecomefamiliarandarenowhiddentoyou.Othersrespondandcomplimentthem,butyoudonotrespondtothosequalitiesanylongerbecauseyouhavebecomeaccustomedtothem.

2. Intellect, Communication Skills And Integrity Do Not NecessarilyGuaranteeYourAcceptance.

Demas traveledwithPaul.How could the gospel, communicated throughthe greatness and tenacity of Paul, become common place? But it did. Thenewness andmagnetism of theGospel became too familiar. “ForDemas hathforsaken Me, having loved this present world, and is departed untoThessalonica,”(2Timothy4:10).

3.JesusTastedTheBitternessOfFamiliarity.He tasted loneliness andalienationfromHisownbrothers.Theybecamesofamiliarwithandaccustomedto His presence that it was difficult for them to grasp His divinity andsignificance.“ForneitherdidHisbrethrenbelieveinHim,”(John7:5).

4.YouMust StayAwareOfYourDifference FromOthers. Jesus did.

“Then Jesus saidunto them,My time isnotyet come:butyour time is alwayready,”(John7:6).

5. Others Are Not Feeling Your Pain, Your Difference And YourAlienation.Youmayevenbecomethetargetofscornandridicule.Jesus’familydid not understand this. Jesus knew they did not feel His pain. “The worldcannothateyou;butMeithateth,becauseItestifyofit,thattheworksthereofareevil,”(John7:7).

6. Your Family Is Comfortable With Places You Are Not. Jesusexperiencedthis,too.HisbrotherswerecomfortableinplaceswhereHewasnot.“Goyeupuntothisfeast:Igonotupyetuntothisfeast;forMytimeisnotyetfull come,” (John7:8).You toomust learn toaccept this.Otherwise,youmaybecomebitter,angryandretaliatorywhenthoseclosesttoyouseemdisloyalanddisinterested.“ButJesussaiduntothem,Aprophetisnotwithouthonour,butinhisowncountry,andamonghisownkin,andinhisownhouse,”(Mark6:4).

IhaveoftenwishedIcouldattendthe“Josephworkshop.”Whatwerethegreat principles that enabled him tomaintain his focus after his own familydespisedhim?Hetoldhisbrothersabouthisremarkabledream.

Hisfatherrebukedhim.Hisbrothersenviedhim.Heknewrejection.“Andhetoldittohisfather,andtohisbrethren:andhis

father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hastdreamed? Shall I and thymother and thy brethren indeed come to bow downourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his fatherobservedthesaying,”(Genesis37:10-11).

They hated his very presence. Hewanted to be around them. He soughtthem out. Hewanted conversation. But, “When they saw him afar off, evenbefore he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him,”(Genesis37:18).

Whatmadethemsoangry?Hewasjusttheirkidbrother.Was it hisappearance?Was it hisbehavior and conduct?Of coursenot.

What was their source of agitation? The answer is clearly seen in theirconversationabout him. “And they said one to another, behold, this dreamercometh,”(Genesis37:19).

Hehadadream.Theywereintimidatedbyhisdreams.Theywereangeredbyhisfuture.Theywereuncomfortablewithhisdestiny.Theywereinfuriatedbyhisgoals.

TheymisunderstoodhisAssignment.

Theirmindsweretoosmallforthebignessofhisfuture.Readtheirwords:“Comenowtherefore,andletusslayhim,andcasthim

into somepit, andwewill say,Someevil beasthathdevouredhim,” (Genesis37:20).

Theywerewillingtoscheme.Theywerewillingtolie.Theywerewillingtokill.Itwashisdreamsthatagitated,infuriatedandangeredthem.Keepreading.

“Andweshallseewhatwillbecomeofhisdreams,”(Genesis37:20).Destinyisinvisible.Greatnessisinvisible.Yetitspresenceissopowerfulthatothersreact.Thegreatnessanddestiny

ofyourdreamcannotberefuted,doubtedordestroyedbyhatred.GreatnessHasaPresence.Destinyisamagnet.Greatnessintimidates.Destinyintimidates.

GreatnessAlwaysForcesSmallnessToReact.LookatDavid.Hehadbeentendingsheep.Hisfatherwantedhimtobring

lunchtohisbrothers inbattle.Weretheyhappytoseehim?Weretheythrilledbecausetheiryoungbrothercametothewar?

“And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; andEliab’s angerwaskindled againstDavid, andhe said,Whycamest thoudownhither?andwithwhomhastthouleftthosefewsheepinthewilderness?Iknowthypride,andthenaughtinessof thineheart;for thouartcomedownthat thoumightestseethebattle,”(1Samuel17:28).

Whatreallyangeredhisbrother?“AndEliabhiseldestbrotherheardwhenhe spake unto themen,” (1 Samuel 17:28).WhateverDavid said to the othersoldiersbirthedavolcanicfuryfromhisoldestbrother.DavidhadbeenaskingabouttherewardsofferedtoachampionofIsraelwhowoulddefeatGoliath.

Davidwasdiscussingtheblessings,benefitsandincentivesforchampions.HeWantedSomethingInHisFutureMoreThanTheyReallyDid.

Destinyisinyourrealdifferencefromothers.Yourdifferenceagitates.Yourdifferenceisinthegreatnessyouwanttobirthinyourfuture.Thatdifferenceoftenmakesothersuncomfortable,miserableandangry inyourpresence.

Your Family Is The Testing Ground For The Dreams And Destiny God

PlantsWithin You. You cannot really run away from your family.Blood doesbond.Godmadeitso.Youmayexperienceanger,disappointmentandfury.Butfor some unexplainable reason, you always reach back for those in yourhouseholdintimesofcrisis,lossortragedy.

AdversityCanMakeYouMoreArticulate.Youare forced toexplainwhatyou feel, what you see and what you believe in the face of those who areunbelieving.Youareforcedtokeepyourselfmotivated inthepresenceofthosewhoareuninspired.YouareforcedtogrowSeedsoffaithinaprevailingclimateofdoubt.

Those closest to you are being used of God to prepare you to becomepowerfulonthefieldofbattle,intheArenaofyourDestiny.

So,sharpenyourskills.Listencloselytotheirobservations.Consider theircriticisms.Godalwaysusestimetovindicateyou.Restinthat.

Sometimes Those Closest To You Are The Last To Grasp What You AreReallyAbout.

YourFamilyIsYourFirstClassroom.Remember:YourAssignmentMayBeMisunderstoodByThoseClosestTo

You.

YOURASSIGNMENTMAYBEDESPISEDBYSOMEONEWHOSEOPINIONYOU

CHERISH

ItIsNormalToDesireRecognition.JesusHimself askedHis disciples, “Whomdomen say that I the Son of

Manam?”(Matthew16:13).ButHewasespeciallyinterestedinseeingifthoseclosesttoHimdiscernedwhoHereallywas:“Hesaithuntothem,ButwhomsayyethatIam?”(Matthew16:15).

Look atMoses.When he killed the Egyptianwhowas fighting a fellowHebrew,itwasobviousthathisnatureasadelivererhadbeenbirthed.Whatwasthe first reaction of those in captivity? “Whomade thee a prince and a judgeoverus?intendestthoutokillme,asthoukilledsttheEgyptian?”(Exodus2:14).

CaptivesDoNotAlwaysRecognizeTheirDeliverer.ReviewthelifeofJoseph.Hewasexcitedoverhisdream.Godhadbirthed

aphotographofhisdestiny.Hisgreatnesswaswithinreach.Whydidheshareitwithhisbrothersandfather?Perhapshedesiredrecognitionandapproval.Whatwas their response? His brother rebuked him. His father rebuked him. Hisbrothersenviedhimanddecidedtokillhim.“Andhetoldittohisfather,andtohisbrethren:andhisfatherrebukedhim,andsaiduntohim,Whatisthisdreamthatthouhastdreamed?ShallIandthymotherandthybrethrenindeedcometobowdownourselvestotheetotheearth?Andhisbrethrenenviedhim;buthisfatherobserved the saying.Comenow therefore, and letus slayhim,andcasthimintosomepit,andwewillsay,Someevilbeasthathdevouredhim:andweshallseewhatwillbecomeofhisdreams,”(Genesis37:10-11,20).

Ihada revealingexperiencemanyyears ago.When I arrivedback in theUnitedStates fromanoverseas crusade,mydeskhad1,000 letters on it.As Iread each letter, I wept, I sobbed. I could not read five or six letters withoutbreakingdownemotionally.Thehurtsandwoundsofpeopleconcernedme.Myheartwasbroken.HourafterhourIpersonallyreadeveryletter.

WhenIfinished,Ilookedatmysecretary.“Itisimpossibleformetowriteandcounselaccuratelyandcompletelyenoughinoneresponseletterbacktoallmypartners,”Iexplained.“ImustwriteamasterWisdombookthatanswersallthequestionstheyhaveasked.”

Itoiled.Iwentthroughallmysermonnotesandpastnewsletters.Finally,Ifinishedmymanuscript.Iwassoexcited.Ittookmonthsofdifficultandtedious

labor.Itwasmorethan200pages.Iwasexhilarated.ButIwantedtohavetheapprovalandencouragementofthoseImostadmiredandrespected.

I pictured publishing their comments in a beautiful full-color brochureillustratingmyfirstlargeandsignificantbook.IttookmeallnightlongtoXeroxeightcopiesofthebook—1,600pages.IselectedtheeightministersthatImostrespectedandvaluedinmyministryatthattime.Theywereveryclosepersonalfriends.Iplacedthe200-pagemanuscriptineightdifferentheavyenvelopesandrushedthemout inovernightmail. Iwas tired,wearyandexhausted,butquitehappy. I asked them to give me their personal opinion of my new lifetimeproject,mybook.

Everyday I askedmysecretary, “Have theywrittenbackyet?Have theirletters arrived?”Every day, shewould shake her head. Finally, I sentanothernotetothemaboutittoencouragethemtoreadthemanuscriptandtelephoneorwritemeback.Theiropinionsmeanttheworldtome.

Well,sixneverwrotemeback.Onewroteme four lines of comment.Buttheheroofmylife,whoseopinionIcherishedmorethananyone’s,wrotemeatwo page letter of response. I was ecstatic.My secretary and others gatheredaroundtheletter.Icouldnotwaitforhisaffirmationandapproval.

His letter broke my heart. With the incredible gifts to articulate hepossessed,hecutmeapartlikeasurgeonwithascalpel.Hecarvedmeup,andspitmeout.Iwasinshockathisresponse.Iwasdumbfounded.Infact,Icouldnotevenspeakfortwodays.TheemotionalparalysisIexperiencedcouldnotbeexplained.Mystaffwasheartbroken.Wehadwaiteddailyforhisreaction.Heisstillawell-knownministertoday,butIlearnedsomething.Itwasaveryvaluablelesson.

NobodyElseUnderstandsWhatGodHasToldYouToDoWithYourLife.Nobody.

Theyneverhave.Theyneverwill.Theymightnevereventry.Youmustseetheweaknessesofhumans.Thereisnothinggoodinourflesh.

Nothing. The psalmistwrote, “Verily everyman at his best state is altogethervanity,” (Psalm 39:5). “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all ourrighteousnessesareasfilthyrags;andwealldofadeasaleaf,”(Isaiah64:6).

DisappointmentInPeopleMakesYouReachForGod.HebuiltthisintothesystemtomotivateourloveforHim.YouWillNeverDevelopAnAddictionToTheHoly Spirit As LongAsYouBelieveAnd PlaceYourHopes InAnotherHumanBeing.

Today, the pain has left. Thewounds havehealed. The root of bitterness

nevergrew.GodusedtheexperiencetodevelopwithinmeanobsessionforHisapproval,HisvoiceandHispresence.

Recently,oneofmyclosestfriendsdecidedtobirthanewchurchinalargecity.Hisexcitementandenergywerethrillingtoobserve.Hefasted.Heprayed.He sought counsel. Finally, one of his close relatives came to visit with him.Whenhecalledmelatethatnight,hismindandhearthadbeendeeplywounded.Theirwordshadcuthimlikeaknife.Hismotivationhadbeenseverelyaffected.Theiropinionshadmatteredafterall.

Disappointment Is Usually The Only Weapon God Has To Break OurDependencyUponAnotherHumanBeing.

Several years ago, I decided to celebrate Christmas in the biggest way Ieverhad.Ihadreceivedaroyaltycheck.Itwasexcitingtospendhourafterhourshoppinginthestoresfor42relatives:niecesandnephews,brothersandsisters.ThoseIlovedthemost.Ihadnotdonethisinmanyyears.

Thoseclose tomeknow thatmy time ispreciousandvaluable tome.Sowhen I spent several days inDecember shopping, Iwasquite impressedwithmyself!Then,Idecidedtoloadupthevananddrive400milestobringall thegiftstoeveryone.Idespisedriving.Itisburdensometome.Ihavetraveledfor30yearsandeven flyingseemsslow tome thesedays.But, itwasChristmas!AndIloveplayingSantaClaus!

Ipulledintothedrivewayofmyfather’shouselateatnight.Iunloadedthevan.Myheartwas full.My thoughtswere, “Iwonderhow theywill like theirpresents?”

WhenChristmaswasover,thescheduleofeveryone’sarrivalanddeparturewassoerratic,forsomereasonnobodyseemedtonoticetheirgiftsatall.Infact,someofthegiftsstayedunopenedforseveraldays.Ithurt.Ithurtdeeply.ButIlearned another lesson:Giving brings pleasure to the giver. If you ever enjoysowing into others, you must accept that their reactions will disappoint youeverydayofyourlife.

Familyreunionsshouldbefun.Atoneofmyreunions,havingwrittentwonewbooksandbeingquiteproudofanewsongjustcompleted,Iwasanxioustosit at the piano during a family reunion and “show off” my new song. As Iplayedthesongonthepianoandsangitformyrelatives,nobodysaidaword.Theykepttalkingamongthemselvesaboutvariousthings.

So I quit singing and handedmy two new books to everyone to review.Withinseconds,thebookswereclosedandplacedonthecabinetnearby.Noonediscussed them.Not oneword of commendationwas spoken. Iwas horrified.My sensitive nature reacted fiercely. But, that was not the end of the story.Someonevery close tomyheartwent to thebackbedroomandbroughtout a

cassette. One of his friends frommany years ago was playing the guitar andsingingsomecountrysongsonit.Hewantedmetohearhismusic.

SoIsatthereandlistenedinsilentrageaseveryoneexclaimedandoohedandaahedover themost ridiculoussingingyouhaveeverheard inyour life. Ihadpersonallysweatedbloodovereverywordofmyownsongsandbooks,buttheywereignored.

ThoseYouLoveWillRarelyCelebrateYourAssignment.Ibelieveyouhavehadsimilarexperiences inyourownlife.NowIknow

thatnoneofmyrelativeshadintendedtheirresponsetoaffectmelikethat.Theirthoughtswereinadifferentdirection.Butithasmadememorecompassionatetoward those who approach me daily with their own achievements. It hassoftenedmy ownwords and causedme to look for the good that others haveproducedwiththeirlives.

Thepsalmistexperiencedthisdepthofdisappointment:“Thusmyheartwasgrieved,andIwasprickedinmyreins.SofoolishwasI,andignorant:Iwasasabeast beforeThee.Nevertheless I am continuallywithThee:Whomhave I inheavenbutThee?And there is noneuponearth that I desirebesideThee.Myfleshandmyheartfaileth:butGodisthestrengthofmyheart,andmyportionforever,”(Psalm73:21-23,25-26).

HereAre4PointsToPonderWhenOthersDoNotReceiveYourAssignment

1. Become Persuaded About Your Own Assignment, Because Others

WillNotAlwaysBeThereToEncourageYouInIt.2.RememberThatThoseClosestToYouAreOftenHurtingAlso,Due

ToLackOfEncouragementFromOthers.3.EmbraceThisKindOfDisappointmentAsAWonderfulClassroom

WhereGodRemindsYouThatHisOpinionIsTheOnlyOneThatReallyMattersAfterAll.

4. Remember To Enter “The Secret Place” For Healing AndRestoration After You Experience Rejection. Disappointment fulfills thedesireofGodwhenitmotivatesyoutopursueHimagain...Exclusively.

NothingIsEverAsBadAsItFirstAppears.Remember:YourAssignmentMayBeDespisedBySomeoneWhoseOpinion

YouCherish.

GODWILLNOTSHOWYOUPICTURESOFWHATHEISBRINGINGYOU

THROUGH,BUTRATHERWHATHEISRBINGINGYOUTO

GodWillTalkToYouInFaithPictures.Habakkukunderstood thiswell. “Iwill standuponmywatch, and setme

uponthetower,andwillwatchtoseewhathewillsayuntome,andwhatIshallanswerwhenIamreproved,”(Habakkuk2:1).

Abrahamexperiencedthis.AfterhisnephewLotseparatedfromhimduetothestrifebetweentheiremployees,GodspoketoAbraham.“Liftupnowthineeyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, andeastward,andwestward:forallthelandwhichthouseest,totheewillIgiveit,andtothySeedforever,”(Genesis13:14-15).

Sometimesthesefaithpicturesarecreatedinternallytohangonthewallsofourimagination.Sometimestheyarecarefullysoughtouttohangonthewallsofourhomes.But,theyarevery,veryimportant.

HereAre17Life-ChangingPrinciplesAndKeysAboutTheFaithPicturesGodUsesInYourLife

1.WhateverYouCanSee,YouCanPursue.Mentalpicturesdetermineyourfocus.Focusdeterminesyourbehavior.2. God Can Give You Pictures Of Events In Your Future. He gave

Abrahamafaithpictureofhisfuturechildren.“AndIwillmakethyseedasthedustoftheearth:sothatifamancannumberthedustoftheearth,thenshallthyseedalsobenumbered,”(Genesis13:16).

3.GodWillNotAlwaysGiveYouAPictureOfAttacksAhead.GoddidnotgiveAbrahamapictureofhis future trialsandhardships.Hedidnotseeapicture of Ishmael, the son of doubt conceived (because of unbelief)with hishandmaid,Hagar.HedidnotreceivedreamsofSodomandGomorrahandtheirdestruction. He did not have photographs of the terrible experience withAbimelech, king of Gerar. Rather, God showed him photographs of his

conclusion,nothisexperiencesenroutetohisgoalsanddreams.4.GodMayTalkToYouInDreams.Godshowedpicturesofrulershipto

Josephinhisnightdreams.“And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have

dreamed:For,behold,wewerebinding sheaves in the field, and, lo,mysheafarose,andalsostoodupright;and,behold,yoursheavesstoodroundabout,andmade obeisance tomy sheaf.And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeedreignoverus?orshaltthouindeedhavedominionoverus?Andtheyhatedhimyet themore for his dreams, and for his words. And he dreamed yet anotherdream,andtoldithisbrethren,andsaid,Behold,Ihavedreamedadreammore;and,behold,thesunandthemoonandtheelevenstarsmadeobeisancetome,”(Genesis37:6-9).

5.FaithPictures InspirePursuit. They energize us toward our dreams.Theyunlocktheflowoffaith.“And,behold,awoman,whichwasdiseasedwithanissueofbloodtwelveyears,camebehindHim,andtouchedthehemofHisgarment:Forshesaidwithinherself,IfImaybuttouchHisgarment,Ishallbewhole.ButJesusturnedHimabout,andwhenHesawher,Hesaid,Daughter,beof good comfort; thy faith hathmade theewhole. And thewomanwasmadewholefromthathour,”(Matthew9:20-22).

Thiswomanhadafaithpicture.Shesawsomethinginsideherimagination.Shehonestlybelievedthatwhenshecouldtouchhisgarment,somethingwouldhappen.Itdidhappen.

Thisissometimescalledapointofcontact.ApointofcontactisanythingGodusesasavehicletoinspireyourfaithor

giveitdirection.Apointofcontactisalwayssomethingthatyoudo.6.YourFaithPictureIsAGiftFromGodThatUnlocksYourFaithTo

AchieveYourDestiny,PurposeAndAssignment.Theprophetusedthiswhenhe toldNaaman todip in the Jordan seven times.Naamandid so, andhewashealed of leprosy. Jesus used it when he instructed them at the marriage inCanaantofillthewaterpotswithwater.Theydid,andthewaterwasturnedintowine.

7.PicturesOfProsperityUnlockYourFaith.ElijahusedPicture-Powerwhen he promised provision to thewidow of Zarephath, “The barrel ofmealshall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lordsendethrainupontheearth,”(1Kings17:14).

8.YourFaithPhotographStrengthensYouThroughDifficultSeasons.JesushadapictureofHisvictorythatsustainedHim.ItenergizedHim.ItgaveHim focus. It gaveHimendurance capability. Jesus, “For the joy thatwas setbeforeHimenduredthecross,despisingtheshame,andissetdownattheright

handofthethroneofGod,”(Hebrews12:2).9. Always Document Night Dreams That Inspire Changes In Your

Behavior.Dreamsoftenmakechildren suddenlybecome interestedandcaringtoward theirparents.Perhaps theyhavedreamsorseepicturesof thedeathoftheir parents. It motivates. It corrects. One friend of mine visits hospitalsregularly.Hesaysthatseeingpeopleinthatsettingmotivateshimtoexercise,eathealthy,andtakecareofhisbody.

Howimportantisapicture?Asktheliquorandcigaretteindustry.Theywillpaymorethan$780,000forthirtysecondsofpicturesonaTVscreenduringtheSuperBowl.Trytobuytimeonprimetimetelevision.Itwouldbankruptmostofus.Thepowerofapicturecannotbeoverestimated.

10.RejectPicturesOfDoubtAndUnbelief.Wrongpicturesgrowwrongemotions and futures.Wrongpicturesmake pure children impure and corrupt.Wrongpictureshavecausedchildrentokilltheirparentswhiletheywereasleep.Wrong television programming has almost destroyed the conscience of thisgenerationofteenagers.

11. If One Wrong Picture Can Destroy Your Life, Then OneWonderful,AccurateAndGloriousPictureOfGodCanRadicallyChangeYourLifeForeverAsWell.

12. The Picture That Dominates Your Mind Will Control YourBehavior. God rarely shows you pictures of an approaching trial or a fieryfurnaceexperience. IfHeonly showedyoupicturesof anapproaching trialordifficulty, you would treat that adversity as a destination instead of anexperiencealongtheway.

Sightgivesbirthtodesire.WhatYouSeeIsWhatYouPursue.Have you ever been suddenlymotivated to go to the refrigerator and eat

after seeing a television commercial on food? Of course. When you saw acommercialonphysicalfitness,wereyouinspiredtojoinahealthspaorbuyajoggingsuitandstartwalkingandjogging?Ofcourseyouwere.

PicturesAffectBehavior.13.What You Hear AffectsWhat You Say To Others. Jesus Himself

mentionedthisaboutTheHolySpirit:“ButwhatsoeverHeshallhear,thatshallHespeak,”(John16:13).

14.ItIsCrucialThatYouSeeTheRightPictures,AndThatYouAvoidWrongPhotographsOfFailure,DefeatAndDiscouragement.WhenMosessent twelve spies into Canaan in preparation for a victorious march into thepromisedland,tenreturnedwithphotographsofinferiority,unbeliefandfailure.“But themen thatwentupwithhimsaid,Webenotable togoupagainst thepeople;fortheyarestrongerthanwe.Andtheybroughtupanevilreportofthe

land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land,throughwhichwehavegonetosearchit,isalandthateatethuptheinhabitantsthereof;andallthepeoplethatwesawinitaremenofagreatstature.Andtherewesawthegiants,thesonsofAnak,whichcomeofthegiants:andwewereinourownsightasgrasshoppers,andsowewereintheirsight,”(Numbers13:31-33).Theyhadapictureofthemselvesasbeinginferior,weakandlosers.

Theyembracedit.Theybelievedit.Theyspokeit.TheysawgiantsinsteadofseeingGod.Theycomparedthemselvestothegiants,insteadofcomparingthegiantsto

their God. I often call it, “The Grasshopper Complex.” “The GrasshopperComplex”defeatsyoufromtheinside.Enemiesarereallyunnecessary,sinceyouchoosetobecomeyourownworstenemy.

The Israelitesdidnot forfeitCanaanbecauseofgiants.They lostCanaanbecause of doubt, unbelief and nurturing wrong photographs of themselves.They studied theirdifference inphysical strength insteadof theirdifference inspiritualpower.

Joshua andCalebnurtured aphotographof theirvictories.Theychose tobelieveinthepowerofGodinsteadofthestrengthoftheiropposition.

YoumustdothesametoachievethegreatthingsGodwantsyoutoachieve.Everychildhaspainfulmemories.Sometimes,thereisamemoryofafather

whoscreamedout,“Youaresostupid.Youwillneveramounttoanything.Youare nothing but a bum!” That photograph finds a landing place in ourimagination.Then,anexasperatedmotherblurtsout,“IwishIhadneverhadanyofyou children. Itwas amistake tohaveyou!”Thephotograph is reinforced,strengthened.

WrongPhotographsDestroyGoodPeople.FaithPicturesCanCorrectDamagedPeople.15. You Will Experience The Greatest Faith Pictures Of Your Life

WhenYou SpendTime In The Secret Place.When you spend time in TheSecretPlace,wrongpicturesdieandrightpicturescomealiveinHispresence.

So,whensomeonestepsintoyourlifeandannounces,“IhaveawordfromtheLordforyou,”youcannow judge it.Godrarelygivesyouphotographsofwhat He is bringing you through, but encourages you with a picture of Hisdesiredend.

“ForIknowthethoughtsthatIthinktowardyou,saiththeLord,thoughtsofpeace,andnotofevil,togiveyouanexpectedend,”(Jeremiah29:11).

16.WhenATrueProphetHasAWordFromGodForYou,TheFaith

PictureWillBringPeace.Payattentiontofaithpictures.ThearkofNoahwasapictureofthearkof

safety through Jesus. The tabernacle of Israel was a photograph of theredemptionplanthroughthebloodofChrist.TheunionofwifeandhusbandisaphotographofthebodyofChristlinkedtoJesus,ourHead.

17.WhatYouKeepSeeingAffectsWhatYouKeepDoing.“Thelightofthebodyistheeye:ifthereforethineeyebesingle,thywholebodyshallbefullof light.But if thine eye be evil, thywhole body shall be full of darkness. Iftherefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”(Matthew6:22-23).

Everything YouDoWill Be A Subconscious Attempt ToMake Your FaithPictureComeTrue.

Remember:GodWillNotShowYouPicturesOfWhatHeIsBringingYouThrough,ButRatherWhatHeIsBringingYouTo.

GODCANMIRACULOUSLYTURNTHEWRONGDECISIONSOFOTHERSTO

WORKFORYOURGOOD

WhenGodWantsYouInThePalace,NobodyElseCanKeepYouInThePit.YourAssignmentdoesnotalwaysrequirethecooperationofeveryoneelse.

Itrequiresthecooperationofoneperson—You.ImaginebeingaquietspectatorasJosephmeetshisbrothers.Heisaboutto

revealtothemwhoheis.Walkwithmeaswequietlytiptoethroughthepalacedoors and down the hall. Let us slip in the back of the room for a moment.Nobodycanseeus.LetuslistencarefullyasJosephquietlysoothesthetroublednervesofhisbrothersafterheinformsthemthatheistheirbabybrother.

When he had first discussed his dreams with them as a teenager, it hadangeredthem.ItangeredthemsomuchthatinajealousragetheysoldhimforafewdollarstoapassingcaravanofIshmaelites.

Afterbeing sold into slavery, JosephbecameheadofPotiphar’sbusiness.Then thewifeofPotipharattemptedaseduction.Whenherefused,she falselyaccusedhimpublicly,andhewascastintoprison.

Josephwasablamelessman,accordingtoScripture.Thereisnorecordofanymoral or devastatingmistakes in any way. Yet others continuouslymadedecisionsthataffectedhislife.

Peoplewantedhiminthepit.Godwantedhiminthepalace.Hisbrothersmadeawrongdecisioninhatinghim.Potiphar’swifemadeawrongdecisioninaccusinghim.Thebutlermadeawrongdecisioninforgettinghim.ButGodNeverForgotAboutHim.Everystepofthewaywasanorchestratedpromotiontothethrone.Ashis

brotherslistenedwithtearsstreamingdowntheirfaces,“Josephsaiduntothem,Fearnot:foramI in theplaceofGod?Butasforyou,yethoughtevilagainstme;butGodmeantituntogood,tobringtopass,asitisthisday,tosavemuchpeoplealive.Nowthereforefearyenot:Iwillnourishyou,andyourlittleones.And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them,” (Genesis 50:19-21).JosephbelievedinhisAssignment.HeknewGodhadareasonforeverything.

ThePurposeOfGodWillAlwaysDisplaceThePlansOfMen.JosephKnew theMasterPrincipleofRecovery—WhatYouMakeHappen

ForOthers,GodWillMakeHappenForYou.“Knowing thatwhatsoevergoodthinganymandoeth,thesameshallhereceiveoftheLord,whetherhebebondorfree,”(Ephesians6:8).

Herefusedtowithdraw,shrivelanddie.Whenothersrefused towaterhisdream,hecontinuedtonurturehisownfuture.Hepleadedwiththebutler.“Butthinkonmewhenitshallbewellwiththee,andshewkindness,Ipraythee,untome,andmakementionofmeuntoPharaoh,andbringmeoutofthishouse:ForindeedIwasstolenawayoutof the landof theHebrews:andherealsohaveIdonenothingthattheyshouldputmeintothedungeon,”(Genesis40:14-15).

You must learn this if you want to succeed significantly with yourAssignmentandyour life.Countless timesIhaveheard thecriesof thosewhoblamed their husband, wife or pastor for stopping their ministry, or forpreventingapromotionandrobbingthemofawonderfulseasonintheirlife.Itdoesnotworkthatway.

WhenGodIsInvolved,SuccessOccurs.HeWillTurnTheWrongDecisionsOfThoseAroundYouToWorkForYour

Good. It happened in the life of Paul. He told those planning to sail, “Sirs, Iperceive that this voyagewill bewithhurt andmuchdamage, not onlyof theladingandship,butalsoofourlives,”(Acts27:10).

The centurion believed the owner of the shipmore than thewordswhichwerespokenbyPaul.Yes,therewillbemanytimesinyourlifethatthosewhocontrolthedecision-makingprocessmayappeartothwartoraborttheprogressofyourdream.

Donotpanic.Godisstillinvolved.Hewillturnwhatisintendedforeviltoproduceamiraculouseventforyourlife.Everysingletime.

Thestormsarose.Itbecameunbearable.Lukerecords,“Andwhenneithersunnorstars inmanydaysappeared,andnosmall tempest layonus,allhopethatweshouldbesavedwasthentakenaway,”(Acts27:20).

HereAreThe4SecretsOfPaulForSurvivingTheStorms

1.TheApostlePaulStayedAsSecureInAStormAsHeWasInThe

Harbor. “But after longabstinencePaul stood forth in themidstof them,andsaid,Sirs,yeshouldhavehearkeneduntome,andnothaveloosedfromCrete,andtohavegainedthisharmandloss,”(Acts27:21).

2. Paul Kept His Joy Even While Others Were Making MistakesAroundHim.“AndnowIexhortyoutobeofgoodcheer:forthereshallbenolossofanyman’slifeamongyou,butoftheship,”(Acts27:22).

3.PaulBelievedSomeoneWhenOthersBelievedSomething.“FortherestoodbymethisnighttheangelofGod,WhoseIam,andWhomIserve,saying,Fearnot,Paul;thoumustbebroughtbeforeCaesar:and,lo,Godhathgiventheeallthemthatsailwiththee.Wherefore,sirs,beofgoodcheer:forIbelieveGod,thatitshallbeevenasitwastoldme,”(Acts27:23-25).

4. Paul Kept The Faith Picture Of His Future While Others WereLookingAtThePictureOfTheFailure.Aftertheshipwreck,theylandedonanisland.WhentheislandpeoplesawPaulshakeoffasnakethathadattacheditselftohishand,theysaidthat“hewasagod,”(Acts28:6).WhentheFatherofthechiefmanoftheisland,whosenamewasPublius,wassick,Paulintervened“Andprayed,andlaidhishandsonhim,andhealedhim,”(Acts28:8).Whenhishealingoccurred,manyothersdiseasedontheislandcameandwerehealed.Astheywerehealed,theybegantoblessandhonortheapostlePaul.Lukewroteitthisway, “Who also honoured uswithmanyhonours; andwhenwedeparted,theyladeduswithsuchthingsaswerenecessary,”(Acts28:10).

EveryChampionExperiencesThese9ChangingSeasons—HeHoldsOnDuringTheCrisis,Knowing

ThatRewardIsInevitable

1.CrisisProducesOpportunity.2.OpportunityProducesMinistry.3.MinistryProducesFavor.4.FavorProducesPromotion.5.PromotionProducesIncrease.6.IncreaseMultipliesResponsibility.7.ResponsibilityProducesRewards.8.RewardsAttractAttack.9.AttackCreatesCrisis.Somehow—someway—through somebody—God will turn every wrong

decisionofotherstoproduceamiraculousseasonofmiraclesinyourlife.Andthecycleofrewardneverends!ExpectIt!!

Remember:GodCanMiraculouslyTurnTheWrongDecisionsOfOthersToWorkForYourGood.

GODWILLGOBEFOREYOUANDFIGHTFORYOUONYOURASSIGNMENT

WarfareIsInevitable.

ReviewThese20ImportantKeysThatCanHelpYouUnlockAThousandVictories

1.WarfareIsAlwaysSeasonal. “Toevery thing there isa season,anda

time to everypurposeunder theheaven:A time tokill, and a time toheal;...atimeofwar,andatimeofpeace,”(Ecclesiastes3:1,3,8).

2.WarfareAlwaysOccursWhenTwoPeopleWantTheSameThing.Ithappensonthenewseveryday.Twonationswantthesameterritory,sobattleisannounced.Whentwocompanieswant thesamemarketplace, thewar ison. Ithappensineveryfamilywhensatandecidestodominateandcontrolyourchild—thewarbegins.

3. People Are Not Your Enemy. “For we wrestle not against flesh andblood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of thedarknessofthisworld,againstspiritualwickednessinhighplaces,”(Ephesians6:12).

4.GodHasProvidedAnArmorThatDefendsYou. “Puton thewholearmourofGod,thatyemaybeabletostandagainstthewilesofthedevil...thatye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand,”(Ephesians6:11,13).

5.YourSwordIsTheWordOfGod.“Andtakethehelmetofsalvation,andtheswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod,”(Ephesians6:17).

6.YouHaveThePersonalMentorshipOfTheHolySpirit,WhoWillTeachYouThePrinciplesOfWarfareAndBattle.“Blessedbe theLordmystrength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight,” (Psalm144:1).

7.WhileYourEnemiesUseCarnalWeaponry,YouMustEnterEveryBattleForThePurposeOfBringingGloryToGod.“ThensaidDavidtothePhilistine,Thoucomesttomewithasword,andwithaspear,andwithashield:but Icome to thee in thenameof theLordofhosts, theGodof thearmiesof

Israel,Whomthouhastdefied...thatalltheearthmayknowthatthereisaGodinIsrael...for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands,” (1Samuel17:45-47).

8.YouMustExpectToWinEveryBattle.“ThisdaywilltheLorddelivertheeintominehand,”(1Samuel17:46).

9. BeRuthlessAndAggressive InDestroyingYourEnemy. “This daywill theLorddelivertheeintominehand;andIwillsmitethee,andtakethineheadfromthee;andIwillgivethecarcasesofthehostofthePhilistinesthisdayuntothefowlsoftheair,andtothewildbeastsoftheearth;thatalltheearthmayknowthatthereisaGodinIsrael,”(1Samuel17:46).

10. Expect OthersWho Are Spectators To Be Persuaded About ThePower Of Your God ThatWins Your Battle. “And all this assembly shallknowthattheLordsavethnotwithswordandspear:forthebattleistheLord’s,andHewillgiveyouintoourhands,”(1Samuel17:47).

11. Expect God To Fight For You When You Cannot Even DefendYourself.“Benotafraidnordismayedbyreasonofthisgreatmultitude;forthebattle is not yours, but God’s. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: setyourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you,” (2Chronicles 20:15, 17). “The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is His name,”(Exodus15:3).

12.ExpectTheHolySpiritToAlreadyBeActiveInDemoralizingYourEnemiesAndWeakeningThemWithFearTowardYou.AsRahab told thespieswhoenteredJericho,“Iknowthat theLordhathgivenyou the land,andthat your terror is fallen uponus, and that all the inhabitants of the land faintbecauseofyou.Andassoonaswehadheardthesethings,ourheartsdidmelt,neitherdidthereremainanymorecourageinanyman,becauseofyou:fortheLordyourGod,HeisGodinheavenabove,andinearthbeneath,”(Joshua2:9,11).

13.AlwaysRememberThatYourEnemiesMayBeIgnorantOfYourPast Victories, Which Makes Them Vulnerable, Unsuspecting AndUnprepared.

14.YourEnemiesMayBeAwareOfYourPastVictories,WhichMakesThemFearfulOfYou. In Jericho theywere awareof theparadeofvictories,andasRahabsaid,“ForwehaveheardhowtheLorddriedupthewateroftheRedseaforyou,whenyecameoutofEgypt;andwhatyediduntothetwokingsof theAmorites, thatwere on the other side Jordan, Sihon andOg,whom yeutterlydestroyed,”(Joshua2:10).

GoliathwasunawareofDavid’svictorywiththebearandthelion.Heknewnothingoftheyoungman’swalkwithGod.Sohewasvulnerable.

15.RememberThatAnySnareOrPitSetByTheEnemyForYouWillBeRevealedToYouByTheHolySpirit.“Lestsatanshouldgetanadvantageofus:forwearenotignorantofhisdevices,”(2Corinthians2:11).

16.RememberThatYouHaveTheHolySpirit,WhoIsMorePowerfulThanAnyEnemyThatRisesAgainstYou.TheapostleJohnwrote,“GreaterisHethatisinyou,thanhethatisintheworld,”(1John4:4).

17.NeverFearYourEnemy.“ForGodhathnotgivenusthespiritoffear;butofpower,andoflove,andofasoundmind,”(2Timothy1:7).

18. IfYouFalter,SimplyRiseUpAgain. “For a justman falleth seventimes, and riseth up again,” (Proverbs 24:16). “The steps of a good man areorderedbytheLord:andHedelightethinhisway.Thoughhefall,heshallnotbeutterlycastdown:fortheLordupholdethhimwithHishand,”(Psalm37:23-24).

19.RememberThatYouAreSurroundedByAngels.“TheangeloftheLordencampethroundaboutthemthatfearHim,anddelivereththem,”(Psalm34:7).

20.KeepTheWeaponOfPraiseContinuously InYourMouth. Davidwrote,“Iwillbless theLordatall times:Hispraiseshallcontinuallybe inmymouth,”(Psalm34:1).

YouWillNeverFightAlone.Remember: God Will Go Before You And Fight For You On Your

Assignment.

THESUCCESSOFYOURASSIGNMENTOCCURSBECAUSEOFSOMETHINGGOD

HASCHOSENTOANOINTINYOURLIFE

YourSuccessWillDependOnTheAnointing.

HereAre18KeysToHelpYouKeepTheAnointingVibrantAndAliveInYourLife

1. You Have Been Given Something God Can Use. Find it. “But the

manifestationoftheSpiritisgiventoeverymantoprofitwithal,”(1Corinthians12:7)

Davidhada slingshot. I amcertain thousandsofyoungmenhis age alsopossessedslingshots.HisincreaseddependenceonGodincreasedtheanointingheexperienced.

2. Anything Common In You Will Become Uncommon Under TheAnointing.The anointing on his life made a common weapon an uncommonone.(See1Samuel17:45-51.)Remember—theanointingisthepowerofGod.Itremovesburdensanddestroysyokesofbondage.“Anditshallcometopassinthatday,thatHisburdenshallbetakenawayfromoffthyshoulder,andHisyokefromoff thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing,”(Isaiah10:27).

3.YouDoNotNeedTheWeaponsOfOthers.“SoDavidprevailedoverthePhilistinewithaslingandwithastone,andsmote thePhilistine,andslewhim;buttherewasnoswordinthehandofDavid,”(1Samuel17:50).

4. Others Will Believe That Your Weapon Is Not Sufficient InCompletingYourAssignment.“AndSaularmedDavidwithhisarmour,andheputanhelmetofbrassuponhishead;alsohearmedhimwithacoatofmail.AndDavidgirdedhissworduponhisarmour,andheassayed togo;forhehadnotprovedit,”(1Samuel17:38-39).

5.YouMustRefuse ToCopy,DuplicateOrUse TheWeaponsOtherMenUseInTheirBattles.“AndDavidsaiduntoSaul,Icannotgowiththese;forIhavenotprovedthem.AndDavidputthemoffhim,”(1Samuel17:39).

6. Whatever You Have Been Given Will Create Anything Else YouHaveBeenPromised.Moses possessed a rod. “And the Lord said unto him,What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on theground.Andhecast itontheground,anditbecameaserpent;andMosesfledfrombeforeit.AndtheLordsaiduntoMoses,Putforththinehand,andtakeitbythetail.Andheputforthhishand,andcaughtit,anditbecamearodinhishand: That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God ofAbraham, theGod of Isaac, and theGod of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee,”(Exodus4:2-5).

7. You Have Something That Makes You Unlike Others. You mustdiscern it.Develop it.Andbuildyour lifeandministryaroundtheuniquegift,strengthortalentGodhasgivenyou.(See1Corinthians12:14-21.)Donotbuildyourlifetryingtocorrectyourweaknesses.Buildyourlifedefiningandrefiningthe strengths and gifts you have been given.Those strengths are theweaponsGodwilluseinwarfare.Thosestrengthsarethevehiclestoeachvictory.

8. God Is Already AwareOf YourGreatest Fear AndWeakness. Aninteresting comment comes from the Lord to Jeremiah. Jeremiah feltoverwhelmed with his Assignment. “Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, Icannotspeak:forIamachild,”(Jeremiah1:6).Godcorrectshimconcerninghisobsessionwithhisweakness.(SeeJeremiah1:7.)

9.GodIsNotInterestedInWhatYouCannotDo,ButWhateverYouAreWillingToDo.“ButtheLordsaiduntome,Saynot,Iamachild:forthoushaltgotoallthatIshallsendthee,andwhatsoeverIcommandtheethoushaltspeak,”(Jeremiah1:7).

10.YourWeaknessWillNot StopYourAssignment IfYourHeart IsRight.Josephlackedthesocialskillsofbecominglikabletohisbrothers.But,hehad another gift: the ability to interpret dreams. Itwas that ability thatmovedhimfromtheprisonintothepalace.(SeeGenesis41:39-45.)

11.WhateverYouLack IsUnnecessaryWhenGodChoosesToBlessYouSupernaturally.ThewidowofZarephathdidnothaveajob.Sheobviouslyhad no social connections to offer people. In fact, she did not even have theappeal tounlock thegivingofbenevolentpeople.Her familywaseitherdead,incapableoruncaring.(See1Kings17.)

12. Your Respect For The Anointing Of Others Will Increase ThePowerOfYourOwnCalling.ThewidowhadtheabilitytolistentoamanofGod. Itwas that strength that kept her in abundant provisionduring theworstfamineofherlife.(See1Kings17.)

13. You Already Possess Everything You Need To Do Your PresentAssignment.Inventorywhatyouhavebeengiven.Documentthosepersonswith

whomyouhavefavororaccess.ListthemarvelousandwonderfulblessingsofGodthatarealreadywithinyourreach.(SeePhilippians4:13,19.)

14. When You Exhaust The Benefits Of Your Present Season, YouBecomeQualifiedToEnterYourNextSeasonOf Increase.Youmust raiseeveryinchofwhatyoupresentlypossesstoitshighestlevelofexcellence.WhatYouDoFirstDeterminesWhatGodWillDoSecond.(SeeMatthew6:33.)

15.RespectTheAssignmentOfOthers.WhenYouBecomeAppreciativeOf The Gifts And Strengths Of Others, Favor Will Flow Toward You LikeNiagaraFalls.Itisunexplainableandunstoppable.Whatyourespectwillcometowardyou.TheAnointingYouAppreciateIsTheAnointingThatIncreasesInYourLife.(SeeEphesians5:20.)

16.AcknowledgeEveryGoodThingInYou.“ThatthecommunicationofthyfaithmaybecomeeffectualbytheacknowledgingofeverygoodthingwhichisinyouinChristJesus,”(Philemon1:6).

17. Expect Your Strengths And Gifts To Continue For The Rest OfEternity.“Beingconfidentofthisverything,thathewhichhathbegunagoodworkinyouwillperformituntilthedayofJesusChrist,”(Philippians1:6).

18.ExpectYourGreatestStrengthAndGiftsToImprove,IncreaseAndBecomePerfectedByThePresenceOfTheHolySpirit InYourLife.“TheLordwillperfectthatwhichconcernethme,”(Psalm138:8).

SomethingYouAlreadyHoldInYourHandWillDefeatAnyPlanOfYourEnemy.

Remember:TheSuccessOfYourAssignmentOccursBecauseOfSomethingGodHasChosenToAnointInYourLife.

YOURGIFTSANDTALENTSARECLUESTOYOURASSIGNMENT

SuccessfulPeopleAreDoingWhatTheyAreMostGiftedToDo.

HereAre8ImportantWisdomKeysRegardingYourGiftsAndTalents

1. TheHoly SpiritGivesYouAll TheGifts, SkillsAndAbilitiesYou

Possess.“Nowtherearediversitiesofgifts,butthesameSpirit,”(1Corinthians12:4).

2.TheHolySpiritGivesDifferentGiftsToDifferentPeople,DependingOnHisAssignment InTheirLives. “But all theseworketh that one and theselfsameSpirit, dividing to everyman severally ashewill.For as thebody isone,andhathmanymembers,andallthemembersofthatonebody,beingmany,areonebody:soalsoisChrist,”(1Corinthians12:11-12).

3. Your GiftsWere Determined By God To Be Used To Please AndPleasureHim. “ButnowhathGod set themembers everyoneof them in thebody,asithathpleasedHim,”(1Corinthians12:18).“Thouartworthy,OLord,toreceivegloryandhonourandpower:forThouhastcreatedallthings,andforThypleasuretheyareandwerecreated,”(Revelation4:11).

4.GodIntendedYourPleasureAsYouLaborAndToilInYourDailyWorkAndAssignment.“Thereisnothingbetterforaman,thanthatheshouldeatanddrink,and thatheshouldmakehissoulenjoygood inhis labour.ThisalsoIsaw,thatitwasfromthehandofGod...Andalsothateverymanshouldeatand drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God,”(Ecclesiastes2:24;3:13).

5. God Expects You To Solve Problems For Others When You AreCapableOfDoingIt.“Withholdnotgoodfromthemtowhomitisdue,whenitisinthepowerofthinehandtodoit,”(Proverbs3:27).

6. When You Use Your Gifts To Help Others, God Will Bless You.“Knowingthatwhatsoevergoodthinganymandoeth,thesameshallhereceiveoftheLord,whetherhebebondorfree,”(Ephesians6:8).

7. IfYouRefuseToUseAndGrowInYourGifts,GodWithdrawsThem

AndGivesThemToOthers.(SeeMatthew25:15,19,24-29.)8. What You Have Received From God Will Determine What He

ExpectsFromYou.“Foruntowhomsoevermuchisgiven,ofhimshallbemuchrequired: and to whommen have committed much, of him they will ask themore,”(Luke12:48).

Oh friend, give attention to the passion that burns in your heart!Acknowledge thegifts, skillsand talentsGodhasgivenyou.YouwillgiveanaccountbeforeGodforeveryoneofthem.

Remember:YourGiftsAndTalentsAreCluesToYourAssignment.

YOURASSIGNMENTWILLREQUIRETOTALOBEDIENCE

ObedienceIsTheOnlyThingGodWillEverRequireOfYou.When You Ask God For A Miracle, He Will Always Give You An

Instruction.Eachmiracleislinkedtoanactofobedience.YourobedienceistheonlyproofthatyoutrulybelievedHisinstructionstoyou.

Let me illustrate. Picture yourself sitting at the table. You instruct yourteenage son tomow thegrass thenextmorning.Youalsowarnhim that if hefails to do so, he will not be able to attend the football game the followingweekend.

Whenyouarrivehomefromwork,thegrassisstillhigh.Itisnotmowed.Youareinfuriated.Youwalktohisbedroomonlytofindhimproppeduponhisbedwith theTVblaring, and he is on the telephonewith his girlfriend.Whathappened?

Hereallydidnotbelieveyou.Soyouspeaktohimandsay,“Youhaveforfeitedtheprivilegeofattending

thefootballgamenextweekend.”“Oh,comeon.Thatisnotfair!”heyellsout.“Iamgoingtodoit.Ijustdo

notwanttodoittoday!”Thisissosimplebutveryclear.Hedidnotobeyyourinstructionbecause

hereallydidnotbelieveyouwoulddowhatyousaid.Nowifyouyield tohisclamoring,whining and complaining, and you permit him to attend the game,youwilldestroy every threadof credibility beingwoven around his life.Yourwordswillnevermeananythingtohim.

So when the weekend rolls around, you make him stay home. Will herememberitthenexttimeyouinstructhimtomowthegrass?Probably.

HereAre17KeysToHelpUsGraspTheImportanceOfObedience

1.PainIsSometimesNecessaryForUsToUnderstandTheImportance

OfObedience.Thisoftenhappens inour relationshipwithGod.Yousee,He longs tobe

ourCompanion,ourMentor,ourBestFriend.Heisnotamilitaryleaderinourlives.Heismuchmorethanaboss.Hedoesnotenjoypunishment.Infact,heloves toshowmercy.“For theLordisgood;Hismercyiseverlasting;andHistruth endureth to all generations. Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto theLord;forHeisgood:forHismercyendurethforever,”(Psalm100:5;106:1).

Unfortunately, sometimes His instructions are not taken seriously.SometimesHeisscorned,scoffedatandignored.

2.NobodySucceedsWhoIgnoresHim.HeisGod.3.HeIsAHolyGod.“Becauseitiswritten,Beyeholy;forIamholy,”(1

Peter1:16).4.He Is A JustGod. “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take

counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told itfromthattime?havenotItheLord?andthereisnoGodelsebesideme;ajustGodandaSaviour;thereisnonebesideme,”(Isaiah45:21).

5.HeIsAJealousGod. “Thoushaltnotbowdown thyself to them,norservethem:forItheLordthyGodamajealousGod,visitingtheiniquityofthefathersuponthechildrenuntothethirdandfourthgenerationofthemthathateme,”(Exodus20:5).

6.Obedience Is TheOnly Proof ThatYouTruly TrustHim. And Helongstobebelieved.TwoofthemostwonderfultruthsIhavediscoveredinmyentirelifeare:

HisOnlyPleasureIsToBeBelieved.HisOnlyPainIsToBeDoubted.7.HeWantsToBeBelievedAndObedienceIsTheOnlyProofOfYour

Faith. “God isnotaman, thatHeshould lie;neither theSonofMan, thatHeshouldrepent:hathHesaid,andshallHenotdoit?orhathHespoken,andshallHenotmakeitgood?”(Numbers23:19).

8.HeWantsUsToObeyHimInOrderToProduceGoodSeasonsOfBlessingAndRewardInOurLives.“Ifyebewillingandobedient,yeshalleatthegoodoftheland,”(Isaiah1:19).

9. He Offers Rewards As Incentives For Obedience. “And all theseblessingsshallcomeon thee,andovertake thee, if thoushalthearkenunto thevoiceoftheLordthyGod,”(Deuteronomy28:2).

10.HeWarnsOfPenaltiesToDiscourageUsFromDisobedience.“Butitshallcometopass,ifthouwiltnothearkenuntothevoiceoftheLordthyGod,toobservetodoallHiscommandmentsandHisstatuteswhichIcommandtheethis day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee,”(Deuteronomy28:15).

11.HeExpectsObedience. Jesus said, “My sheep hearMyvoice, and I

knowthem,andtheyfollowMe,”(John10:27).12.YourAssignmentWillContainACollectionOf Instructions.Most

ofthemarealreadyclearlywrittenintheWordofGod.Youcanreadthemdaily.Youcanhearthemdailyoncassettetapes.SomepeoplewanttohearinstructionsspokenintotheirconsciousmindsorheartsthatdifferfromwhatHehasalreadyestablished in HisWord. “For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven,”(Psalm119:89).

13.YouWillNeverReceiveAnInstructionFromTheHolySpiritThatContradicts HisWord. “For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven,”(Psalm119:89).

14.GodWillPermitAdversityToEnableYouToLearnHisLaws.“ItisgoodformethatIhavebeenafflicted;thatImightlearnThystatutes,”(Psalm119:71).

15.HisWordPreventsDisasterAndDestruction.“UnlessThylawhadbeen my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction,” (Psalm119:92).

16.HisWord IsTheOnly IngredientThatCleansesYourMindAndLife.“Wherewithalshallayoungmancleansehisway?bytakingheedtheretoaccordingtoThyword,”(Psalm119:9).

17.GodWillDestroyAPartToPreserveTheWhole.“Andif thyrighteyeoffendthee,pluckitout,andcastitfromthee:foritisprofitablefortheethatoneof thymembersshouldperish,andnot that thywholebodyshouldbecastintohell.Andifthyrighthandoffendthee,cutitoff,andcastitfromthee:foritis profitable for thee that one of thymembers should perish, and not that thywholebodyshouldbecastintohell,”(Matthew5:29-30).

Forseveralyears,Ifoughtadeepinternalbattle.Someofthemosteffectiveministers I have known in my lifetime made some major mistakes. I feltespecially confused concerning one very powerful and articulate minister. Iknewhimwell.Ilovedhimthen,andIstilllovehimtoday.IwasshockedwhenIdiscoveredthathehadbeenlivingadoublelife.Hewasextremelymilitantinhis criticism toward other ministers. Yet, thousands of people flocked to hismeetings.

Whenhisministrybegantofoldandunravelbecauseofhisconfessedsin,IquestionedGodaboutit.Itseemedtomethatmercyshouldhavecoveredhissin.SurelyGodcouldhavearrangedforhisconfessionandrestorationtobeprivateandpersonal.Whydid his failure have to become so public? Iwas frustratedthatGoddidnotcoverhissinprivatelyandprotecttheentirebodyofChristfromthewounds.

Godtaughtmealessonthroughoneofmychoiceanimals,mysilverfox.I

lovedmylittlefox.HewasbeautifulandIenjoyedwatchinghimrunthroughhiskenneldaily.Unfortunately,hekeptescaping.Hewouldfindawaytogetoutofhisperimeters,andeverytimehedidso,hewouldkilltwoorthreeofmyducks.Infact,onedayhekilledeightorninelittlebabyducksandtheirmother.Iwasupset,butIwouldalwaysmanagetocoaxhimtocomebacktome.Oncehewasinmyarms, Iwould takehimback to thekennelagain. Iwould lock thegateandattempttokeephiminsidehisownkennel.

NowIhadseveralducksthatwerelayingeggsallovertheproperty.Littleducklingswererunningeverywhere. I loveanimalsandhaveownednumerousanimals over the years, including a lion, a zebra, wolves, llamas, deer andantelope,dogs,peacocks,pigs,fish,etc.

Thiswasmyfirstfox.OnemorningIwalkedoutsideandsawseveraldeadducksallovertheyard.

My beautiful silver foxwas standing over two or three thatwere dead. Iwasextremelydisheartened. Ididnotknowwhatelse todo.ButonceagainI triedwithmercyandkindnesstocoaxhimtome.Herefusedtocome.IdideverythingIknewtogethimtocometome.Itriedtorunhimbacktowardhispen.Hewastoocunning.

Ilookedaroundmyyardandsawtheotheranimals.Someofmypeacocksandchickensweresofearful.Itwasobviousthathewouldsoonkillthemalso.

Hekeptrefusingtocometome.SoIwenttomybedroomandpulledopenmydrawer.Ireachedformy.357magnumandwalkedouttotheyard.Ilookedat one of the most beautiful animals I had ever owned. It was an animal Ienjoyedandlovedandwantedtokeep.

ButIhadtoshowmercy—totheotheranimalsontheproperty.I had to protect them. I killed the silver fox. It was with sadness that I

watchedhimbeingburied.ThenGodtaughtmeapowerfullesson.HeshowedmethatmanytimesHehadcalled,coaxedandcorrected those

whohadrebelledagainstHislaws.HerevealedtomethatwheneverIsawHisjudgments on a person, that person had already refused hundreds ofopportunitiestomakechanges.Intheirrebellion,theyeventuallyfeltimmunetojudgment. The mercy of God became dangerous to them then, because itdistortedtheirvisionandopinionofsin.

God did show mercy...to the whole body of Christ by removing theirinfluencethathadbecomelikeapoisonintothebodyofChrist.HisloveforthebodyofChristrequiredaswiftpenaltytothescofferandscorner.

MercyisveryimportanttoGod.GraceisjustasimportanttoHim.

Hismercyisforgiveness—fromsin.Hisgraceisempowerment—oversin.Hismercyistheremoval—ofsin.Hisgraceisvictory—oversin.Mercyisaremovingofsin.Graceisanimpartingofpower.Hisgrace(orpowertoovercome)isasaccessibleasHismercy.Hisgoalisnotreallymercy.Hisgoalisrelationship.HismercyisHisbridgeintograce.Hisgraceisthebridgeintorelationship.Whenyouignoregrace,relationshipbecomesimpossible.ThemostimportantthingyouwilldotodayisobeyHisvoice...everyhour.Yourjoydependsonit.YourAssignmentdependsonit.Yourlifedependsonit.Ihavealittleroominmyhousecalled,“TheSecretPlace.”Itisdedicated

to The Holy Spirit. His presence is my very life. I could not live a momentwithoutHim,HispresenceandHiscounsel.

Onthewallisaplaque.IreaditalmosteverydaythatIamathome.Ithasbeen engraved on thewalls ofmy heart by a praying father andmother. It isappropriatetoconcludethisbookwiththesepowerful,unforgettablewords:“Letus hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep Hiscommandments: for this is thewhole duty ofman. ForGod shall bring everyworkintojudgment,witheverysecretthing,whetheritbegood,orwhetheritbeevil,”(Ecclesiastes12:13-14).

Remember:YourAssignmentWillRequireTotalObedience.

DECISION

WillYouAcceptJesusAsYourPersonalSaviorToday?

TheBible says, “That if thou shalt confesswith thymouth theLord Jesus, andshaltbelieveinthineheartthatGodhathraisedHimfromthedead,thoushaltbesaved,”(Romans10:9).

Praythisprayerfromyourhearttoday!“DearJesus,IbelievethatYoudiedformeandroseagainonthethirdday.

IconfessIamasinner...IneedYourloveandforgiveness...Comeintomyheart.Forgive my sins. I receive Your eternal life. Confirm Your love by giving mepeace,joyandsupernaturalloveforothers.Amen.”

DR.MIKEMURDOCKisintremendousdemandasoneofthemostdynamicspeakersinAmericatoday.

More than 17,000 audiences in over 100 countries have attended hisSchoolsofWisdomandconferences.Hundredsofinvitationscometohimfromchurches,collegesandbusinesscorporations.Heisanotedauthorofover250books,includingthebestsellers,TheLeadershipSecretsofJesusandSecretsofthe Richest Man Who Ever Lived. Thousands view his weekly televisionprogram,WisdomKeyswithMikeMurdock.ManyattendhisSchoolsofWisdomthathehostsinmanycitiesofAmerica.

Yes,Mike, I made a decision to accept Christ as my personal Saviortoday. Please send me my free gift of your book, 31Keys to a NewBeginningtohelpmewithmynewlifeinChrist.

MailTo:

TheWisdomCenter•4051DentonHwy.•Ft.Worth,TX761171-817-759-BOOK•1-817-759-2665•1-817-759-0300•YouWillLoveOurWebsite..!WisdomOnline.com

DR.MIKEMURDOCK

1. Has embraced his Assignment to Pursue...Proclaim...and Publish theWisdomofGodtohelppeopleachievetheirdreamsandgoals.

2. Preachedhisfirstpublicsermonattheageof8.

3. Preachedhisfirstevangelisticcrusadeattheageof15.

4. Began full-time evangelism at the age of 19, which has continued since1966.

5. Has traveled and spoken to more than 17,000 audiences in over 100countries, including East and West Africa, Asia, Europe and SouthAmerica.

6. Noted author of over 250 books, including best sellers, Wisdom forWinning, Dream Seeds, The Double Diamond Principle, The Law ofRecognitionandTheHolySpiritHandbook.

7. CreatedthepopularTopicalBibleseriesforBusinessmen,Mothers,Fathers,Teenagers;TheOne-MinutePocketBible series, andTheUncommonLifeseries.

8. The Creator of The Master 7 Mentorship Program, an AchievementProgramforBelievers.

9. Hascomposedthousandsofsongssuchas“IAmBlessed,”“YouCanMakeIt,”“GodRidesOnWingsofLove”and“Jesus,JustTheMentionofYourName,”recordedbymanygospelartists.

10. Is the Founder and Senior Pastor of TheWisdomCenter, in FortWorth,Texas...aChurchwithInternationalMinistryaroundtheworld.

11. Host ofWisdom Keys with Mike Murdock, a weekly TV Program seen

internationally.

12. Has appeared often onTBN,CBN,BET,Daystar, InspirationalNetwork,LeSeaBroadcastingandothertelevisionnetworkprograms.

13. Hasledover3,000toacceptthecallintofull-timeministry.

THEMINISTRY

1. WisdomBooks&Literature-Over250best-sellingWisdomBooksand70TeachingTapeSeries.

2. ChurchCrusades-MultitudesareministeredtoincrusadesandseminarsthroughoutAmericain“TheUncommonWisdomConferences.”Knownasamanwho loves pastors, he has focusedon church crusades for over 45years.

3. MusicMinistry-Millionshavebeenblessedbytheanointedsongwritingand singingofMikeMurdock,whohasmadeover 15music albums andCDsavailable.

4. Television - Wisdom Keys with Mike Murdock, a nationally-syndicatedweeklytelevisionprogram.

5. The Wisdom Center - The Church and Ministry Offices where Dr.MurdockspeaksweeklyonWisdomforTheUncommonLife.

6. Schools ofTheHolySpirit -MikeMurdock hosts Schools ofTheHolySpirit in many churches to mentor believers on the Person andCompanionshipofTheHolySpirit.

7. SchoolsofWisdom-InmanymajorcitiesMikeMurdockhostsSchoolsofWisdom for those who want personalized and advanced training forachieving“TheUncommonDream.”

8. MissionsOutreach-Dr.MikeMurdock’soverseasoutreachestoover100countrieshaveincludedcrusadesinEastandWestAfrica,Asia,EuropeandSouthAmerica.