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Who’s running your town, faith or fear? Your influence in this world is far greater than you might think.
by Kenneth Copeland
Your influence in this world is far greater than just the confines of your house, your yard and your little work space at the office.
Actually, if the truth were known, the whole company where you work is dependent upon you, the whole neighborhood where you live is dependent upon you, even the entire nation needs you—if you are fearless and full of faith.
And the reason we can be so influential is because as believers, we are not in this by ourselves.
We are the Body of Christ. We are the Body of God’s anointed ones. Therefore, we are joined together through our connection to Jesus’ anointing.
What’s more, Jesus gave us all authority and dominion in heaven and earth before He returned to the Father (Luke 9:1-2). And He is expecting us to take that authority and cause His enemies to be made His footstool (Hebrews 10:13). The problem is, we have not been using and enforcing that dominion to its fullest.
But that’s all changing, now. And it must change.
A Tale of Two Cities
To give you a sense of the scope of authority you and I have, I want to tell you about two cities as they were back in the days when Jesus walked this earth. One city was run by fear, and the other by faith—they were as different as night and day.
In fact, the atmosphere in each city determined what Jesus could and could not do when he visited them. We read about the city of fear in Mark 5:1-8:
[Jesus and His disciples] came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when [Jesus] was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For [Jesus] said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
Jesus and His disciples had crossed the Sea of Galilee by boat, and when they arrived on the shore in the region called Decapolis, they were met by a demon-possessed man. We know him as the “mad man of Gadera.”
In this passage, we learn that Jesus commanded the devil that possessed this man to come out of him. But notice what we discover in verse 9: “And [Jesus] asked [the devil], What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.”
Just how many is many?
Try 6,000.
Legion was a military term in those days that referred to 6,000 soldiers. So this one particular devil to whom Jesus was speaking revealed that there were actually 6,000 devils working in and through this madman’s life—through his spirit, soul and body.
But what I especially want you to see is that these 6,000 devils were not necessarily in this man all at one time. The one devil that Jesus addressed face to face was really the higher ranking devil of the bunch. He was the one that had authority over the entire legion. That is, he was a high-ranking devil who commanded a troop of at least 6,000 devils.
Now, at first glance, that statement may seem strange. But not when you consider that the “legion” we see in Mark 5 is what the Apostle Paul referred to in Ephesians as “principalities…powers…rulers of the darkness of this world.” In fact, Ephesians 6:12 gives us an understanding of the structure of the enemy’s domain. It says, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The devil with whom Jesus had conversation—the one devil that actually possessed the madman of Gadera—was a ruler over the 6,000 “principalities and powers” that functioned under his command through the man. He was a “ruler of the darkness of this world.”
We can see there is a rank and file throughout the entire kingdom of darkness. There are “low-level devils,” and then there are evil spirits in different ranks or classes. There is a chain of command that even the enemy follows.
The City of Fear
Now getting back to the madman of Gadera…if you’re like me, you’ve wondered, Why are 6,000 devils and one commander hanging out with this guy?
That seems like a lot of “fire power” for just one crazy man.
To get an answer to this question, let’s take a look at how the citizens of that area responded to what happened between Jesus and their hometown madman.
Let’s pick up with Mark 5:11-17:
Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought [Jesus], saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
Here is a man who has been running around naked, living in a graveyard and doing all sorts of bizarre and wicked things. Suddenly, he is gloriously delivered by the power of God. He is wearing clothes once again, and he is in his right mind. Yet, instead of the townspeople being thrilled that he had been delivered, they were filled with fear. So much so that verse 17 says that the people “began to pray [Jesus] to depart out of their coasts.”
In this passage, the word pray means to “earnestly, sincerely beg.” So the people in and around these cities of Decapolis were actually begging Jesus to leave.
Why?
Luke 8 also recounts this incident and it tells us that “the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought [Jesus] to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear” (verse 37).
The people responded to Jesus’ ministry of deliverance with great fear.
And there’s our answer as to why they wanted Jesus to leave…fear.
Fear was what this legion of devils and their commander were all about. Over a period of time they had been able to build a stronghold of fear and control the whole coastal area.
Consequently, the people of this city and surrounding areas constantly lived under fear. It dominated the heavenlies—the spiritual atmosphere—over that entire region.
It was fear that came running to meet Jesus when His boat landed. Fear wanted to know what He was up to. Fear ran to tell what Jesus had done to a herd of 2,000 swine. Fear wanted to know what He had done to the crazy man.
And, of course, it was fear that begged Jesus, “Oh…please, please, please, get out of here!”
Watch as Kenneth Copeland teaches about how to refuse fear!
Drowning in a Sea of Fear
If you study the scriptures carefully, you begin to realize that Jesus and His disciples encountered the stronghold of fear set up in Decapolis before they landed on its shores and met up with the madman of Gadera and his 6,001 devils.
Actually, it started the night before they arrived, out on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus’ disciples were certain they were going to die…and Jesus was going to sleep through the whole thing. We find the following account of it in Mark 4:35-41.
When the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
First, the disciples feared the storm. Then they feared Jesus.
There is a pattern here. The disciples feared the storm, then they feared Jesus—who actually delivered them from the storm.
Likewise, the people of the country of the Gadarenes feared what happened to the swine and to the madman. Then they feared Jesus—who delivered the man from the demons.
If it wasn’t fear of one thing, it was fear of another. And behind all that fear was a legion of devils and their commander. They were ruling over and controlling that whole area. And I guarantee you they were the ones responsible for the storm that blew up that night on the Sea of Galilee.
Why would the devils do that?
Simply because they were trying to protect their territory.
Jesus and His disciples were headed straight toward the stronghold of fear that “legion” had built, and “legion” didn’t want anyone messing with it.
Jesus was bringing a boatload of love and compassion to that side of the Galilee, and 1 John 4:18 tells us that “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.”
Love was on His way to cast out fear, therefore, “legion” had to do everything possible to try and stop Jesus and His men. I don’t doubt that all 6,000 devils were zeroed in on that boat that night.
Now obviously, “legion” did not expect to be able to stop the anointed Son of God. There’s no way they could have drowned Jesus. But they could make a play for the whole boatload and hope to at least take out a few disciples. And that’s exactly what they set out to do, even to the point of trying to divide the disciples from Jesus through fear and offense. After all, a house divided against itself will fall (Luke 11:17).
In Mark 4:38, the disciples protested, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” They feared for their safety and thought Jesus didn’t care.
But Jesus was resting in the fact that His Father had instructed Him to go to the “other side” of the Galilee. Hebrews 4 tells us that faith rests. The disciples could have done the same thing. Peter could have stood up and declared, “The Master told us we’re going to the other side so we’re going to the other side, and no storm is going to keep us from getting there. Peace, be still!”
Instead, they got caught up in the danger of their circumstances. They allowed themselves to be tossed about by every wave of fear. And then, when they finally did turn to the Master…He was asleep, resting in faith. But they mistook His rest as irresponsibility. They must have thought He should have joined them in being fearful and worrying.
Before it was over though, Jesus stood up and dealt with the storm. Then He addressed their fear, and their lack of faith.
The City of Faith
In contrast to Decapolis, an area of fear, there was a coastal region over which I believe there was a stronghold of faith. We read about it in Mark 5:21-24.
And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
Again, Jesus had no sooner stepped out of the boat and onto the land, than a man was there to meet Him. This time, however, the man who met Jesus at the shore was not a man dominated and driven by fear. Rather, he was a man dominated and driven by faith. That man was Jairus, ruler of the synagogue.
Notice, too, that on the journey to this side of the Sea of Galilee, there was no storm. The atmosphere was completely different—there was a spirit of faith in this region. Jesus was actually welcomed instead of being asked to leave.
And the fact that Jairus welcomed Jesus and invited Him to his home was even more significant from the standpoint that Jairus was an important public figure. He was a leader, a pastor and president of the synagogue. He was a man of great wealth and position in the community. Everyone knew him. And all eyes were sure to be on him—especially when he fell on his face before Jesus while “much people” were around. And the truth was, Jairus could have lost everything by simply associating with Jesus.
However, Jairus was a man of faith. Had he been a man of fear, he never would have fallen down in front of Jesus in such a public display. Had he been a man of fear, there probably would not have been any other open display of faith that day. And by that, I’m referring to the woman with the issue of blood who got healed when Jesus stopped and told her, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague” (Mark 5:34).
Again faith was out there on the road that day, indicating there was an atmosphere of faith in that place, not fear and doubt.
In fact, when someone from Jairus’ house came with the news that his daughter had died, Jesus turned to Jairus and said, “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole” (Luke 8:50).
In other words, the spirit of fear was trying to push its way into Jairus’ mind, will and emotions. It was trying to gather up like a storm cloud of darkness and quench his faith. But Jesus commanded him to remain in that place of faith, and that’s exactly what Jairus did. And in the end, his daughter was raised up.
Jesus could only perform miracles where there was faith—an atmosphere and a spirit of faith. And as a man of God, Jairus’ spirit of faith had great influence over that region.
This is the same principle we see at work when Adam and Eve sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. Fear caused them to run from God instead of to Him. In fact, fear will always separate us from God. Why? Because fear is not of God, and fear and God never go together.
Deuteronomy 28:66 tells us that fear is under the curse. But Galatians 3:13 and Hebrews 2:14-15 assure us that we’ve been delivered from that curse of fear through the blood of Jesus—the same as we have been delivered from sickness, lack and hell itself.
There’s no denying we live in a fear-based world, but we can and must resist fear.
It’s not enough just to be in the boat with Jesus. We have to resist every wave of fear that would come crashing against us.
Jesus gave us the power. He gave us the authority. Now, it’s up to us.
So rest in faith by believing the love (1 John 4:16-18). And when you have to, stand up in your boat and declare—Peace, be still!
Racism, at its root, is really a spirit of division. Learn 7 ways to destroy the spirit of racism in your life and family!
No one in their right mind would willingly turn a rattlesnake loose in their home. Yet people everywhere are doing it, right now. They’re throwing open the doors of their lives to a spiritual snake so deadly that, according to the Bible, it brings with it “every evil work” (James 3:16, KJV). They’re making themselves vulnerable to a demonic enemy whose aim is to steal, kill and destroy; and whose strategy is to divide and conquer.
You can tell how well the strategy of strife is working just by looking around. The results are clear for all to see: people fussing and fighting with each other, relationships rupturing, entire groups of people arguing, accusing and hating each other—over everything from government policy to race and religion.
As if that weren’t bad enough, most of the people involved don’t have the first clue as to why it’s all happening. They can sense they’re being threatened and wounded, but they’re totally unaware of the snake in the grass. Determined to defend themselves, they’re fighting with each other because they don’t know who else to fight.
What Is Racism?
When people of one race or ethnicity rise up in hatred against another, we call it racism. But racism isn’t really a Bible word. The Scriptures don’t use it because from God’s perspective, racism isn’t a thing— it’s a spirit. It’s the spirit of division. The Greek word dichostasia indicates its work is “dissension, division and sedition.” It’s a work of the devil himself, and the demonic emissaries he sends out to do his divisionary work. By contrast, God’s work is peace, unity, harmony and joy (John 14:27; Romans 14:17).
If you’ll follow love, the spirit of racism—which is the spirit of division—will never be able to deceive you and spoil your house. When you understand the truth about races; learn to kill the root of racism; and use wisdom, love, perspective and forgiveness, you will be equipped to stand against this divisive spirit. Below are seven ways to destroy the spirit of racism, so it never has an opportunity to interfere in your life.
Learn how to respond to racial tensions in America as Kenneth Copeland and Keith Butler discuss this important issue.
1. Understand There Are Only Two Races
“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” –1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV)
God never intended for Americans to divide up every chance they get and fight each other. His dream was always for this land to be a place where all cultures and people of all backgrounds could worship Him freely, together. He wanted a place where people weren’t divided into all kinds of different, so-called “races.”
As far as God is concerned, there are only two races on earth, anyway—those who have chosen to be a part of His family and those who haven’t. From His perspective, the division between those two groups is the only division there is. He has never divided up mankind on the basis of money, clothing, culture, geography or skin color. People began listening to the devil and came up with those divisions. He got in there and started creating havoc.
God’s dream is for people of all colors—black, red, white, brown and yellow—to live and glorify Him together. If you doubt that, just look at heaven (Revelation 7:9-10). God’s plan has always been BLESSING—people coming together through faith in Him and prospering together as one race.
2. Kill Racism at the Root
“The fig tree withered from the roots.” –Mark 11:20 (NIV)
Prejudice and integration are secular words. The world has been using them for years. Governments have bent over backward trying to deal with the problem they call “prejudice” by passing integration laws and forcing people to come together. Such laws are fine, as far as they go. But they’ve never really solved the problem. Despite the best efforts of governments and legislators, racial strife continues breaking out. “We thought we fixed this!” they’ll say. “So, why are people still fighting?”
They’re still fighting because prejudice is not the root of the problem. Prejudice is the result of it. Prejudice is like the leaves on a tree. The root of the tree is the spirit of division; and integration, by itself, won’t get rid of it. People can hate one another sitting side by side just the same as they can hate each other when they’re on opposite sides of town. In the front of the bus or the back of the bus, hate is hate. You can allow a man to sit in the front of the bus, and the people behind him can still look at the back of his head and hate every bone in his body. So, until you deal with the spirit of division, the problem will still be there.
The only antidote to hate and division is love. You can kill racism at the root by renewing your mind to the love of God. Regularly speak 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 over yourself. Then, determine to always respond in love to others through your words, your actions and prayer. If you’re walking in love, the spirit of division doesn’t stand a chance.
“Wisdom is the principal thing.” –Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)
When ethnic groups are rising up against each other and ugly things are being said and done by people all around us, it’s tempting to let ourselves be drawn into the conflict. This is especially true when some of the ugly things being said and done are purposely directed toward us. We can be tempted to react in the flesh and become part of the problem instead of part of the solution.
How do we make sure we don’t fall prey to that temptation? How can we continue being the blessing Jesus called us to be when the very people we’re trying to bless are yielding to the spirit of division and making us the targets of their racism, bigotry or hate?
Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) says, “Wisdom is the principal thing.” The word principal means “first, highest in rank, importance or value.” It indicates that when we have God’s wisdom about a situation, we have the only thing that matters. When we have God’s wisdom, we have something so powerful, no one and nothing in this world can keep us down.
This is the reason we, as believers, don’t have to fight and get mad at people when the spirit of division uses them to try to oppress us in some way. We can keep walking in kindness and love because we have an advantage. All we have to do is believe and do what God says, and His wisdom will protect and promote us.
4. Love Your Neighbor
“Love never fails.”—1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV)
Racism was rampant between Jews and Samaritans in Jesus’ day. The Jews viewed the Samaritans as half-breeds who were both racially and religiously inferior. The Samaritans, in turn, hated the Jews. The two groups detested each other so much they lived in separate parts of the country and practiced a segregated lifestyle.
Jesus confronted this ungodly perspective by telling about the Good Samaritan. At the time, it was unthinkable for a Jew to consider Samaritans to be his neighbors. This, of course, was the root of the problem. Those who were bigoted against Samaritans needed a new nature. They needed to believe in Jesus and be born again. Then, they’d be able to love their neighbors (Samaritans included) as themselves.
One of the many great advantages of being a born-again believer is that because Love Himself lives in us, we can love anyone, anywhere, at any time. We can love everyone from the beggar on the street corner to the braggart in the corner office. After all, “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 5:5, KJV). We’ve inherited our heavenly Father’s nature. We’re love children of a love God, and we have inside us everything it takes to keep all His commandments.
5. See Things From the Other Perspective
“Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” –Philippians 2:3-4
If we’re going to bridge gaps that have been created by the spirit of division, we’ll need to care enough to put ourselves in the other fellow’s shoes and find out how he thinks, so we can be the blessing we want to be. If we don’t understand how people of other skin colors or ethnicities see things, we can wind up saying and doing things that are offensive to them simply because we don’t know any better. We can hurt them accidentally, just because we don’t understand their point of view.
Such mistakes aren’t unique to white people, of course. Everyone, regardless of skin color, can be offensive at times, so we shouldn’t be hard on each other. If someone says something insensitive to us, we ought to believe the best and assume that person isn’t intentionally trying to hurt us. Such assumptions are particularly safe in church because no born-again child of God can truly be a racist. No Christian, regardless of how he or she has been raised to think or talk about people of other races, can truly be a bigot at heart.
What about people who actually say offensive things on purpose? No matter how offensive people might be, you must never, for any reason, allow yourself to become offended with them. It’s not worth it. By taking offense, you become a partner with them and open yourself up to the work of the devil. Don’t take the bait!
6. Choose to Forgive
“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” –Mark 11:25
When it comes to winning the war against the spirit of division, forgiveness is one of the mightiest weapons in our spiritual arsenal. As believers, we need to be using it all the time.
When we choose to forgive others, it will work for us and connect us to the same supernatural power that heals, delivers and works miracles. If we refuse or neglect to forgive people, it will work against us because our unforgiveness will choke off the operation of God’s Anointing, and His power will be restrained in our lives.
Many Christians don’t seem to understand this. They have the idea that forgiveness is optional. But what if someone has hurt you so badly, you can’t even stand the thought of them? What should you do?
Just obey Jesus. He didn’t ask you to feel better about the person who wronged you. He commanded you to forgive them. Forgiveness isn’t about feelings; it’s an act of obedience. It’s choosing to put God’s Word above your emotions by making a decision to say, “I forgive.”
7. Come Into Agreement
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you.” –1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)
The spirit behind racism, the spirit of division, is an enemy, and those of us who are members of God’s family need to be constantly on guard against it because it’s doing its best to set the world on fire all around us.
Worst of all, the spirit of division is targeting believers. It’s trying to split up churches and separate members of the Body of Christ, knowing, as Jesus put it, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand” (Matthew 12:25).
Those of us who live in the United States of America, especially, need to wake up to this danger because spiritual unity is one of the truths on which this nation was founded. Yet right now, Americans are picking sides and fighting each other with startling ferocity.
It’s one thing when Americans disagree with a leader’s decisions and refuse to vote for him or her. But it’s another thing when their disagreement turns to hatred. This should not be.
How should we respond?
Matthew 18:19 says, ““I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.”
The word agree means “to make a symphony together.” It refers to harmonizing with one another like instruments in an orchestra. The same is true, spiritually, in the Body of Christ. Each of us is different, yet we’re one in the spirit. We don’t have to try to be one. Jesus has already made us one through what He did on the cross. When we’re in harmony, the power is so strong that miracles will be done (Matthew 18:19).
If you’re ready for that kind of miracle power in your life, right now just say out loud, “Spirit of division, I’m serving you notice, in the Name of Jesus, that my house, my church, my neighborhood, my city are closed to you. I’ll not be deceived by you anymore. From now on, I’m not moved by the differences between me and other people. I’m moved by the Spirit of God. My ministry is the ministry of reconciliation. I walk in love because God is Love. Whether anyone else loves me or not, is not my business. I’m going to love them because that’s what He’s told me to do. That’s my job, and I’m going to do it!”
When you put these seven ways to destroy the spirit of racism into practice and take steps toward binding the spirit of division, you will be doing your part to break the spirit of racism in this country. Stand for unity in your home, the Church and your nation. Then, get ready for a new day and a new power. Divided, we fall. But once we stand united—all heaven will break loose!
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Texas is known as the cowboy capital of the world.
Home to many cattle ranches, rodeos and even a host of cowboy churches, you don’t have to go far to find cowboys in the Lone Star State. Even the VICTORY Channel™ programmer Butch Bruton is a bona fide cowboy!
If you ever visit Texas, how will you know if you come across a cowboy? It’s easy.
Because cowboys tends cattle and horses or compete in rodeos, they stand out among city folk. In Texas, you don’t have to ask if someone is a cowboy. You know it by the way they talk, the way they dress and the way they spend their time. They’re walking pictures of the Western world!
What about you?
Do you stand out in the world as a walking picture of Jesus? If strangers met you on the street, would there be enough about you that stood out from the rest of the world for them to know you’re a Christian?
We are called to be in the world, but not of it. We are called to be set apart—and not to have friendship with the world by living by its standards. When things like the most recent pandemic show up, we should live like no one else—and not just by watching church on Sundays.
Here are three ways you should look different from the world during this time—and all the time.
1. Your Speaking and Believing
Turn on the TV, open a magazine or just stand near the water cooler for a few minutes, and you’ll find out just how the world speaks and believes. The focus of most exchanges is negative, fear-based, grumbling and complaining, gossiping, or full of doubt.
But not you! You’re different. You stand out.
When you talk, you are positive, optimistic, encouraging, complimentary and hopeful. When others are negative, instead of joining in, you offer the opposite—the biblical perspective, such as…
When others are suspicious of someone, you choose to believe the best.
When others are talking fear about COVID-19, you talk about how you know you’re protected and blessed.
When people speak fearfully of losing their jobs, you’re believing for a promotion and a raise!
That’s how you shine the light of Christ’s love in a world that has no hope. When everyone else is hoarding supplies, fearing for their health, and worrying about losing their jobs—you should stand out.
If you act just like the world—experiencing the same fears, sicknesses and lack—when you ask them, “Do you know Jesus?” there won’t be much drawing them to Him because you have all the same problems they do!
But when you stand out—being confident and at peace when everyone else is frantic—they’ll be drawn to you. They’ll want to know how to get what you have. You’ll be a light in a dark world, just like Jesus called you to be.
Believe and speak your faith, even in the toughest times. Then you will prosper, and you will stand out!
(Wondering where you stand? Find out if you’re siding with the right belief system HERE.)
2. Your Standards
Another way you should look different from the world is in your standards. Fitting in with the world means to do as they do.
This can mean gossiping, swearing, getting drunk, living promiscuously, telling dirty jokes, disrespecting authority, wallowing in depression and many other behaviors unpleasing to God. If you feel a deep desire to fit in, it’s only a matter of time before you start lowering your standards.
Research shows that people are greatly influenced by those they spend time with. For example, those who spend time with people engaged in criminal activity—even if they initially oppose it—eventually end up as criminals themselves. Studies also show that people are 147 times more likely to get a divorce if they have multiple friends in their circle who are divorced.
If you’re looking to fit in, you may start watching television shows and movies you wouldn’t normally watch, or listening to music you know isn’t pleasing to God. If you aren’t careful, people may even begin to sway your political beliefs and convince you that your beliefs constitute some form of hate or are not “inclusive” of all people.
If you have to compromise your beliefs to fit in with a particular group of people—you’re in the wrong company! And it isn’t a place where you want to belong.
(Need help standing strong? Use A Prayer to Stand Out in the World HERE.)
You do not belong to this world (John 17:16). That’s good news! Because you DO belong to Christ. In Him is where you will find your standard of living—which exists for your success and happiness!
We are called to be in the world but not of it (Romans 12:2). That means, though we are part of the world and its system, we are not to act the way the world acts in word or deed. We should stand out! The Bible is your final authority—not Aunt Jane, Cousin Fred, Watercooler Bob or Neighbor Jeff.
The wise walk with the wise. If the people around you are making poor choices, it’s time to cut ties and find godly friends who will encourage you to go higher in your faith and support your biblical views.
3. Your Results
If you believe the only difference between you and those in the world is that you’re going to heaven, you’re missing it. Being born again is amazing, but it isn’t enough! You have to know you have been delivered from darkness NOW in order to know not to camp there.
One way you should stand out and look different from the world is in your results, especially during times like the most recent pandemic. That’s because you don’t live under the dominion of this world anymore. You’re not subject to the times; the times are subject to you.
That means you can be side by side in the same situation with someone who isn’t saved, and they will have a completely different experience than you will. A thousand may fall at your side, but these evils will not touch you (Psalm 91:7). A thousand may be laid off, but you’ll be promoted. A thousand may contract an illness, but you’ll stay healthy and protected. A thousand may have relationship troubles, but yours will stand the test of time.
As long as we stay out of fear, God will lift us over the troubles of the world. With Him, we won’t just survive in tough times, we’ll thrive! For example, some KCM Partners Robert and Bobbie Snow and were recently in the path of a tornado. Every house around theirs was torn down; the area was leveled—except for one house—theirs. That’s standing out!
When you live in the same conditions with different results, unbelievers are going to want to know how to get what you have! They’ll want that same supernatural healing and delivering power of God, the protection, the health, the provision, the peace, the happiness. That’s what draws people to Jesus—the abundant life He promised is only for His people.
Why? Because when you were born again, you were translated out of the effects of this world and into the kingdom of God. You were rescued from the kingdom of darkness through the precious blood of the Lamb. That puts you in a new position—a position of victory!
To get there, we must adjust our words, thoughts and actions to the Kingdom we’ve been translated to, or we will keep living in the dark. And we do that by renewing our minds to the Word of God every day.
As you go about your life each day, ask yourself, Do I stand out? Do I look different from the world in the way I live, speak and believe? Am I getting better results? Keep your eyes on the Word of God, and keep making adjustments to be in line with what is pleasing to Him. Then, like a ten-gallon hat identifies a cowboy, your life will advertise your relationship with Jesus and the hope you have in Him to those who so desperately need Him.
Watch Gloria Copeland and Pastor George Pearsons teach you why you are marked for increase.
Have you ever heard of Chesed? This revelation about God could change everything.
What we’re about to share with you is something Kenneth Copeland says changed his life more than any single revelation.
It changed the way he reads the New Testament. It has settled every question he has ever had—or could have—about prosperity, healing and every other blessing of God.
The revelation is as big as eternity, yet it can be summed up in one, small Hebrew word—chesed. That word may mean nothing to you right now, but once you gain insight into it, your spirit will take off like a bird out of a cage. It will help you understand why you have a place at the Table of the King.
What truth could be that powerful? Read it for yourself: “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. But they like men have transgressed the covenant” (Hosea 6:6-7, KJV).
Chesed Is God’s Mercy
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy [chesed] endureth for ever.” –Psalm 136:1 (KJV)
The word mercy in that verse is actually the Hebrew word chesed (pronounced kheh’-sed). It is translated in the Old Testament as “mercy, kindness, tender mercies, lovingkindness and fidelity.” Its counterpart in the Greek language is agape. Although agape was in the Greek language in Jesus’ day, until He used it, most people didn’t know what it meant. It was not heard on the streets.
People still don’t know what it means. You talk to most of them about unconditional love or real mercy, and they just bat their eyes at you like a frog in a hailstorm. Yet, without that understanding, we can’t even begin to grasp the nature of our relationship with God.
If you doubt it, take some time and read Psalm 136. Chesed is mentioned in all 26 verses. Obviously, the psalmist was driving home a point. He was telling us that the compelling force behind all of God’s actions is chesed.
Listen in as Kenneth Copeland explains more about what chesed means.
Chesed Is God’s Faithfulness
“O give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever.” –Psalm 136:1 (AMPC)
How is it that we’ve failed to grasp something as vital as this chesed of God? Because it is a word rooted in and born out of covenant relationship, and modern men (especially those from Western cultures) don’t know much about covenant—or being faithful no matter what.
Our society, as a whole, is so full of backbiting and lying that we don’t even think in terms of unbreakable covenants, but God does. In fact, the whole Bible—Old Testament and New—is absolutely, irrevocably, forever based on covenant relationship.
Faithfulness is a concept that is tough to wrap our heads around, with so much deceit and self-serving in the world today. But God is faithful. Faithful to His promises. Faithful to protect us, faithful to heal us, faithful to provide for us. God cannot exist without showing chesed.
In the natural realm, chesed can be compared to that tender yet fiercely protective love a mother has, when she holds her baby in her arms and her heart goes out to it. It’s the love that causes her to say, “I’ll nurse you, little one. I’ll care for you. I’ll teach you all that I know. I’ll see to it that no one harms you.”
That is a picture of chesed. It’s a picture of God Almighty saying to you, “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you.”
Watch Kenneth Copeland teach you more about the meaning of chesed.
Chesed Is God’s Love for You
“For God so loved the world….” –John 3:16 (KJV)
More than just a quality He possesses, chesed is God’s very nature. The New Testament puts it this way: “God is agape” (1 John 4:16).
The Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word agape is chesed. It literally refers to the compulsion to give and to love without limit those who have no merit. That is why, in the New Testament, the English translators sometimes used the word charity.
Chesed is the force that rises inside someone, causing them to stand up for the benefit of another. Another way of saying it is that it’s the picture of having a blood brother. From God’s perspective, it might best be described in John 3:16 (KJV): “For God so ‘chesed’ the world, that he gave his only Son….”
As born-again believers, we’re commissioned as heaven’s ambassadors to the world, sent as witnesses that God—the Father, Creator of heaven and earth—loves them, and has provided for them the priceless gift of eternal life and the glorious magnitude of all that His amazing and powerful chesed/agape love includes.
He has made us His representatives, filled with His Anointing, to boldly let the world know there’s sight for blind eyes, healing for sick bodies, provision for lack, deliverance from bondages and help for families. (Find out how the names of God reveal His promises to you HERE.)
We’re sent to tell them of His chesed/agape and that there’s victory in the Anointed One and His Anointing—Jesus Christ!
God loves you because He wants to love you. He loves you because you and He are connected by the pure, covenant blood of Jesus—and there’s nothing you can do to change that. That’s what agape—chesed—is!
No matter how you feel today, you are loved. Your feelings may tell you otherwise, but your heavenly Father has loved you with His chesed from the beginning of your life. He loves you unconditionally, just the way you are, every day of your life. He never changes…He never leaves nor forsakes you. Receive His embrace today. Receive His love.
Get the Revelation
When you get a revelation of chesed, that’s how you’ll talk about your relationship to God. God wants you to talk that way! He is burning up on the inside to give to you. Chesed is driving Him every moment of every day to love you, protect you and give you everything He has. He has been trying for years to get us to come to His Table. But we’ve been crawling underneath it, begging for the crumbs!
Today He’s calling to us more fervently than ever! “Get out from under the Table and put your robe on. Take My promises by faith. They’re yours. Come boldly to the throne of grace and obtain chesed.” It’s time we listened to Him.
It’s time we all took our place at the Table of the King.
Watch Kenneth Copeland teach you why God’s covenant with you is His offer of friendship.
But let’s take a look at what the word perfect means in the verses we’re unpacking today. The New King James Version of 1 John 4:16-18 says…
“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
In this scripture, the Greek word for perfect is also translated as to come to full maturity.
So what this scripture is saying is that when we bring love to full maturity, we won’t have to deal with fear ever again.
Wow! That’s a BIG promise. But, then again, that’s what God is known for.
So how does perfect (fully mature) love cast out fear?
Let’s find out.
Believing God’s Love Casts Out Fear
You are loved.
So much. And unconditionally—by God.
Do you know that? Really know it?
Most of us have sung the lyrics “Jesus loves me this I know,” but sadly, most Christians only mentally assent to the idea without having a profound revelation of God’s love for them. If they did, it would totally change everything.
How do you know when you believe God’s love for you?
You won’t fear anything anymore.
Not the loss of a job, how people will respond to you, how you’ll pay the bills, whether your family will be healthy or safe. (Learn how love keeps you safe HERE.)
Is this possible? Yes!
God has not given you the spirit of fear. That means He doesn’t want you to have fear—ever. And if that’s His will for you, it is also possible.
So what stops people from believing?
Hurts and wounds from the past that haven’t fully healed
Guilt and shame about the past
Insecurities
Low self-esteem
A lack of knowledge of the Word of God.
God’s love is unconditional. His mercy covers everything on the above list. All you have to do now is believe and receive His love.
What a shame it is that people suffer at the hands of fear because they don’t believe the love God has for them. Don’t let that happen to you. Learn to believe the love.
Think about it. God is in love with you—so in love, He’s given you everything He has! He’s given you all the healing, all the wisdom, all the wealth, all the strength you could ever need.
Believe the love God has for you. It’s already been released in the blood of Jesus.
Believe the love. It’s already been released in Jesus’ Name.
Believe the love. It’s already been released in His Word.
Meditate on scriptures about His love for you over and over. Say to yourself, again and again, all day, “I believe the love Jesus has for me.” Once it gets down into your heart, you’ll never fear again.
Watch Kenneth Copeland and Bill Winston teach you how perfect love casts out fear.
Practicing God’s Love Casts Out Fear
Believing God’s love is the first step to casting out fear, but we must not forget that practicing God’s love is of equal importance.
How can loving others cast out fear?
When you’re perfectly walking that love line, you’re in obedience to God. And as long as you’re in obedience, the devil can’t touch you. That means he can’t put fear on you.
Even more, the more you grow your love, the more you grow your faith. The Bible says faith works by love, and since faith is the opposite of fear, the more love you have going on in your life, the smaller fear will become!
Love is a decision! The more you practice love, the closer you’ll come to perfect (fully matured) love. Here are some things to remember about practicing God’s love that will cast out fear.
Love forgives.
Love refuses to get offended.
Love values people.
Love and pride cannot coexist.
Love is not envious or jealous of others.
Love is patient and kind.
Love believes the best in others, rather than assuming the worst.
Love shuts the door on strife.
Practicing the love of God will grow your faith and diminish your fear until it disappears.
Kenneth Copeland says, “When you major in the love of God and you give Him space and opportunity, He will manifest.”
Love is the most important key to growing up in God. In fact, if we don’t grow up in love…we won’t grow up at all. Growing up in God keeps you out of fear because God takes up every space in your spirit, soul and body.
If you haven’t given love much attention lately, it’s time to shift your focus! Getting a revelation of God’s love down in your spirit and then working to practice loving others is a major game changer. Imagine never fearing anything ever again. Imagine living in peace, joy and the prosperity that comes from an obedient, love-filled life. It’s yours for the taking. LOVE.
Watch Kenneth and Gloria Copeland teach you how walking in love always reaps a reward.
We are seeing the signs of the times with the current pandemic of COVID-19 (see Matthew 16:3). People are afraid to go outside without a mask and rubber gloves, afraid to talk to neighbors, and afraid to visit their elderly loved ones. We watch the news and hear how many people have died each day. In the past six weeks, more than thirty million Americans have filed for unemployment, forcing families to line up at food banks as they wait for help. We are forced to take things one day at a time and trust the Lord for His provision. In these times like our generation has never experienced, many of us are in fear, wondering if this pandemic will ever come to an end.
According to Wikipedia, as of May 21, 2020, worldwide there have been 3,618,325 confirmed cases of this virus; of these, 1,184,145 people have recovered, and 253,381 have died. In the United States, there have been 71,532 deaths, with almost every American knowing a friend or loved one who has either had COVID-19 or died from it. We can hear all these statistics on the news and ask, “Lord, what about me? What about my future? What about my family?”
As Christians, we are to share Christ with those around us. But how do we also witness in a world in which everyone is cautious about everyone and everything around them?
It may seem hard to get our eyes off our current situation, but we must. I had to look in the mirror, get out my Bible, and do what I am about to encourage you to do: look at the glass as half full instead of half empty!
We must stand up and boldly confess that today is the day of salvation! Greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world! We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength! We are as bold as a lion! Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly! We are healed! No weapon formed against us shall prosper! (See 2 Corinthians 6:2; 1 John 4:4; Philippians 4:13; Proverbs 28:1; John 10:10; Isaiah 53:5; Isaiah 54:17)
Jesus said, “I only do what I see the Father do. I only say what I hear the Father say.” (see John 5:19) So, as we go about like Jesus did, we simply need to listen to the Holy Spirit, and He will tell us where to go. As we begin to get our eyes off ourselves and look to a neighbor or friend or loved one and reach out to them, God will also meet our own needs and wants!
Here is the KCM/EMIC reference card and evangelism training. Download the link and get started today!
And to encourage you further, below are some testimonies from our students Evangelism Class at Kenneth Copeland Bible College:
“Thank you very much for your help and impartation. You made witnessing so easy, doable, and enjoyable. I am so glad that you and Pastor Brian taught us that. Through the teaching and your encouragement, I led my oldest brother, who was living in Italy, to the Lord during the Evangelism Class. I am so glad I did because not too long after, he fell sick. And exactly a year after I led him to Christ, he transitioned to heaven. That gave me so much comfort and joy. Thank you, thank you. I was very blessed by the class.” – Millicent M.
“Saturday, we met at the church; we prayed first and then went out to witness. God led me to women with children. Two of them prayed with me and received Christ in their lives! They were injected! As I continue to go out and witness, I will remember to first pray and bind the strong man.” – Betty G.
“I was in Kroger, standing in line waiting to check out, and the Holy Spirit brought my attention to a certain employee of the store. He was busy at work, so I didn’t approach him, but I prayed for him. As I was going to get gas at the store’s fuel station, I saw him (his name is Angel) walking though the parking lot. As I was getting gas, the Holy Spirit was working in my heart to talk to him. I approached him and spoke with him. After asking him why he would go to heaven, he replied that he was a good person and that he tried to spread good vibes. I told him that everyone has sinned, and the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, and the only way to the Father was through Christ Jesus. I asked him if he wanted to be sure that he was going to see his grandma again, who had died. After thinking about this for a second, he said, “Let’s do it.” I led him in the prayer of salvation and told him what had just happened in his life.
The Holy Spirit was strong on me to “Not let this go,” as Angel said, “Maybe at another time.” It is so important to be led by the Spirit when it comes to the matter of evangelism, and that is what I learned in this class.” – J. Asher
“One Saturday outreach I went out with Gabe as my partner, and it pushed me to get back out into the harvest field and be a fisher of men. This outreach was during The 3:16 Experience when Kellie Copeland came to minister. I woke up late that morning, but the Lord told me to still go, so I did. Gabe and I went out to get something to eat first, being that we were hungry, so we went to McDonald’s for lunch. The Lord highlighted a guy who worked at Discount Tire, and I was able to lead him to Jesus—and to think what would have happened if I had not gone out and just rolled over in my bed! After lunch we went to Walmart, and Gabe led three people to the Lord, and it was awesome! Looking back at that day, I realize more that Jesus is looking for us to be willing and obedient and to respond to Him, being sensitive to where He wants us to go, because we are an answer to prayer as we are led to who we should talk to.” – Isaiah B.
An unexpected layoff, a hit to your small business as a result of COVID-19, or hourly work eliminated has left you wondering how you’ll pay the bills and if things will return to normal.
Financial famine can leave you drained mentally, emotionally and even spiritually…
…but you don’t have to accept it.
As a believer in Christ Jesus, you must remember one thing:
You are not subject to the times—the times are subject to you.
That’s a bit of wisdom from Pastor George Pearsons on taking dominion during difficult times. To turn financial famine around, you have to stand your ground in your victorious position in Christ Jesus.
No matter what is going on in the world around us, there is a path to prosperity that is guaranteed to Christians who dare to believe.
Turning financial famine around begins with knowing this:
God made a covenant (a promise) with you that ensures your financial success—no matter what is happening around you (Find an explanation of the covenant HERE.)
Covenant prosperity is available to you. It’s in the bank. But you’ve got to unlock it.
It’s time to “remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant” (Deuteronomy 8:18, NKJV).
If you’re facing a financial famine, here is how you can begin to turn it around and take back what the devil has stolen.
First things first…
1. Choose a Belief System
The first key to turning financial famine around is to choose a belief system. Just like walking into a bakery filled with all different types of muffins, donuts and fritters, you have a host of options in front of you when it comes to what you believe—only not all of them are equally sweet.
In other words, to avoid going on autopilot (which usually means going with the most recent flow of society), you have the opportunity to DECIDE which belief system you want to base your life on.
Your best choice?
Choose to believe the covenant between you and God.
It’s very personal, if you think about it. God sealed His promises to you in blood—the blood of His precious Son, Jesus. That covenant includes deliverance from sin, sickness, disease, depression, poverty and lack. Most people are quick to take God up on His offer of salvation, but then leave everything else on the table.
Have you been thrown into a financial famine as a result of what’s going on in our world today?
(Find 5 Simple Habits to Increase Your Finances HERE)
You can change the course of your year by doing one thing—choose God’s system for wealth. Don’t rely on your job, the government, credit cards or a future inheritance. Believe that God is the One who gives you the power to get wealth—and don’t budge!
Stick with the system.
Then, you’ll be ready to…
2. Own Your End of the Bargain
If you’ve overlooked this guaranteed path to prosperity thus far, it’s not too late! It’s the most certain path to turning financial famine around.
God has already done His part. Now all you have to do is own your end of the bargain.
What bargain?
Well, a covenant is an agreement between TWO parties. God, in His goodness, has already delivered on His promise. All you have to do to receive it is this:
Love Him above anything and anyone else in your life.
Love others (forgive, don’t judge or criticize, refuse to gossip, be a blessing!).
Honor God with your finances by tithing. Remember: Isaac sowed in famine and reaped one hundredfold in the same year! A famine can’t stop THE BLESSING of God!
Make a sincere effort to obey ALL His commands. (Find a list of “Ifs” in the Bible that could be standing between you and prosperity HERE.)
If you think about it, all God’s commands are for our own good. When we obey, life gets better and the door to prosperity swings wide open!
Watch Kenneth Copeland teach you to receive your covenant promises by listening.
Now that you’re on the path to financial prosperity, be sure to…
3. Raise Your Vision
Have you ever heard people say, “How much is enough?” As in, people should limit themselves in prosperity to what certain people feel is “enough” to live comfortably, but not too abundantly.
A pastor once said, “That’s the most selfish thing a person can say.”
Why?
Because it doesn’t consider the needs of anyone else. If people only have “enough” for themselves, how are they supposed to help anyone else? How can we, as Christians, minister to people the way Jesus did if we only have just enough to meet our own needs?
God’s reason for prospering His people is simple—to establish His covenant on the earth and allow us to give to those in need: Those are God’s purposes for prosperity!
To increase in God’s covenant of prosperity, we must be trustworthy with His blessings. (Can God trust you with wealth? Find out HERE.) A good steward stays humble, never forgets God and is a generous giver. (Those are important keys to getting wealth, as well!)
How we handle covenant prosperity is key. If we’ll start giving, if we’ll start taking care of the needs in people’s pocketbooks, we’ll be far more likely to win their hearts. Don’t ever let anyone tell you it’s wrong to want to prosper. It’s wrong for you not to want to prosper when that prosperity can mean the difference between heaven and hell for millions of people.
Let’s Get Prospering!
As you believe God to turn your financial famine around, be expecting increase and set your mind on giving to meet the needs of others, too. Then, stand fast in faith and get ready to enjoy the greatest prosperity you’ve ever known!
Don’t let your current circumstances or the uncertainty of the world today cause you to miss out on God’s perfect plan for you. It’s been said success is achieved through inches of progress, not miles. It’s the small changes you make in your life that will change the larger circumstances. So, start making changes and let’s get prospering!
Watch Kenneth Copeland teach you how to step into the power realm and receive your covenant promises.
A missionary in China named Rosa Smith contracted smallpox.
She faced dire natural circumstances: No vaccine. No cure. No hope of survival.
She didn’t beg God. She didn’t pray and hope He would do something. She didn’t start a prayer chain.
In faith, she asked Him what she should do.
This is what He told her…
Praise Me. Praise Me for My faithfulness to My Word.
Then, He showed her a vision of an empty basket labeled “Praise.” He told her when she had filled it to the top, she would receive her healing.
So—even as ill as she was—she began singing, shouting and praising the Lord. The doctors thought she was delirious and told her to be quiet, but she kept on praising. When they told her if she recovered, she would be disfigured for life, she praised louder than ever.
She shouted and sang and praised until the Lord showed her the praise basket was full and overflowing. Then, she fell asleep. When she woke up, all her symptoms had vanished, leaving no trace, not even a single scar.
The world didn’t have an answer to her trouble. But God did.
Praise was the cure.
Are you facing an impossible situation today? Have the effects of COVID-19 brought on fear or financial trouble that needs a spiritual remedy?
Praise is the cure.
You can fill your praise basket to overflowing, forcing the troubles in your life to vanish and leave no trace of ever being there if you’ll do one thing….use the praise cure.
Here’s how you start.
1. Praise God for His Faithfulness to His Word
If things are low right now—your health, finances, relationships—it can be tough to switch over to gratitude and praise. But you must if you want to break through to the other side.
Mark Hankins says, “The praise cure works every time and not just in one area—it will work in every area of your life. It is available at every moment to every one of us.”
Think about First Peter 1:8, which says, “…you believe and you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (MEV).
When you believe—you rejoice. The missionary who recovered says it’s simple to use the praise cure: “Just believe what God says Jesus has done for you—body, soul and spirit. Think about it, talk about it, sing about it, shout about it, and the praise cure has begun.”
Praise God for His faithfulness to His Word. His Word never fails. It never returns void. And He ALWAYS keeps His promises. Praise Him for it!
Being now: “Thank You, God, thank You. Thank You for Your faithfulness to Your Word. Glory to God! Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness and Your mercy. I praise You, Lord! Glory to You, God!” Sing it, shout it—praise Him!
2. Keep Praising Until You Break Through
Some people want to throw up one or two “Hallelujahs” and call it a day, but that’s not how praise will cure your trouble. The missionary who was healed praised until her breakthrough came.
Something happens when you move over into a spirit of praise that keeps going until you break through. There’s power in praise—that’s why Psalm 22:3 says He inhabits the praises of His people.
Some people want to praise quietly to themselves. That won’t work!
You cannot sit there with your mouth shut and expect the praise cure to work for you. There is no silent praise. You’ve got to open your mouth!
Be loud. Be bold. Give confident thanks to God. You can’t afford to be silent. (Need help getting started? Use our list of 36 Reasons to Praise the Lord HERE.)
Remember…Paul and Silas were praising out loud. Their backs were bleeding; they were in pain; their hands and feet were bound. It looked like the devil had won a victory. But he made one mistake…and you can imagine Paul saying to the devil, “You’ve got my hands and feet bound, but you should’ve taped my mouth shut—because as long as I can move my mouth, I can move a mountain. As long as I can move my mouth, I have authority.”
And their praises went through that prison and up to heaven. Then the power of God came down on that sound and set them—and everyone around them—FREE.
If you’ll dare to lift your voice in praise, not only will it set you free, it will set those around you free, too.
Keep praising. Keep praising. Keep praising. Fill up that basket!
Watch Mark Hankins teach about filling your praise basket at Eagle Mountain International Church.
3. Laugh at the Devil
As you’re praising, the devil is going to show up.
Guaranteed.
He’s going to tell you all about why you’re not going to get what you need from God. He’s going to try to get you to shut your mouth.
So you need to be prepared. What are you going to do? Laugh at the devil.
You’re not mocking him—you’re laughing at the idea that you don’t already have what God has promised you. You’re laughing in the face of fear and doubt. You’re refusing to take his empty threats seriously.
When Kenneth Hagin was healed of a terminal heart condition, that’s just what he had to do. After he was healed, the symptoms tried to come back. He knew he was healed, so he decided to laugh at the devil’s attempts to get him to retreat from his stand.
He had to force himself to laugh because he didn’t feel like it. So he just laid there in the bed and said, “Ha.” Then he said, “Ha-ha.” The devil said, “This time you’re not going to get your healing.” Brother Hagin said, “That’s why I’m laughing. I don’t have to get it. Jesus got it for me 2,000 years ago.”
The devil came back again and said the same thing. And Brother Hagin just kept on laughing and saying, “It’s mine. I have it now.”
This went on for 45 minutes until he fell asleep. When he woke up, every symptom was gone and never came back. Praise keeps the victory!
You see, that’s just it. You’re never fighting for victory, you’re fighting from a position of victory.
Whatever is going on in your life—just laugh at the devil. Ha-ha-ha! Then say, “Devil, that’s not going to work in my life. I’m going to rejoice in God’s goodness, rejoice in His mercy, and rejoice that I have every promise through Christ Jesus. So I’m going to go ahead and laugh and rejoice.”
You know, C.S. Lewis said, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
It’s time to use a tool that is so easy, so available and completely free to take victory over finances, health, relationships or anything else you need.
Use the praise cure. Praise until your basket is filled up and tilts the situation in your favor. While you’re singing and shouting and praising—God is taking care of your situation. It is so much more fun to praise God than to sit and worry. Praise Him! He is worthy.
Watch Kenneth and Gloria Copeland teach you why praising is the final step before receiving.
