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Posted on May 17, 2022 - 7:42 am by KCM

4 Confidence-Builders When You’re in a Fight Against Sickness

God’s ALL in when it comes to your taking it to the devil. He’s done everything He can to fully weaponize you, so you can put a stop to the enemy’s stealing, killing and destroying (Ephesians 6:10-18).

However, as with any fight, victory only comes when you’ve got the right weapons and strategies in place—and—the confidence to use them. That’s why, when you’re in a fight against any kind of sickness or disease, it’s just as vital to build up your spiritual confidence as it is your natural immunities.

Here are four confidence-builders that will help you dig in, stand your ground and push you over the top anytime you have to face off against the enemy when it comes to your health or that of someone else. Healing will work for you!

Confidence-Builder No. 1: Jesus Is Our Champion Healer

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.” –(Luke 3:21-23, NIV)

If you did a quick read of the books of the Bible written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, or a random survey of today’s mainstream Christians, the one major theme that would likely stand out in the ministry of Jesus is the fact that He was a Healer—because healing people was something Jesus did a lot.

“People brought to him all who were ill…and he healed them.” –(Matthew 4:24, NIV)
“With a word…[he] healed all the sick.” –(Matthew 8:16, NIV)
“A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.” –(Matthew 12:15, NIV)
“Wherever he went…. all who touched [his cloak] were healed.” –(Mark 6:56, NIV)
“People brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and…he healed them.” –(Luke 4:40, NIV)
“News about him spread…so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.” –(Luke 5:15, NIV)

Jesus was known for healing. Healing was a huge part of His ministry more than 2,000 years ago, and it’s a huge part of His ministry today.

It’s often been thought—and taught—that Jesus focused so much on healing because He needed to prove His divinity (as if He had to earn the right to sit at the throne of God!). But that’s not true.

Besides, Jesus never openly discussed His being God in the flesh. He only spoke and ministered to people from His identity as the Son of Man (one of us), which is how He typically referred to Himself. In fact, take a closer look at the Gospels, and you’ll find Jesus never took credit for any of the supernatural signs and wonders performed during His ministry.

Not long after He was baptized (Luke 3), Jesus arrived at His hometown and announced: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News…” (Luke 4:18-19).

From that moment on Jesus attributed all signs, wonders and miracles to His Father—“My Father who lives in me does his work through me,” He would often say (John 14:10).

Jesus never healed anyone; the Holy Spirit working through Him did. It wasn’t Jesus’ ministry. It was the Holy Spirit’s, which was a critical distinction because of what was about to happen. An important handoff was about to take place, one that would impact our lives 2,000 years later. It was a handoff that would leave no doubt in our minds about “healing”—and our role in it.

Confidence-Builder No. 2: Healing Worked for the 12

“Jesus gathered his twelve disciples and imparted to them authority to cast out demons and to heal every sickness and every disease…. ‘As you go, preach this message: “Heaven’s kingdom realm is accessible, close enough to touch.” You must continually bring healing to lepers and to those who are sick, and make it your habit to break off the demonic presence from people, and raise the dead back to life. Freely you received the power of the kingdom, so freely release it to others.’” –(Matthew 10:1, 7-8, TPT)

As our Champion Healer, Jesus wasted no time in demonstrating to His disciples God’s love and compassion through the ministry of healing. Then He released them to go and do the same—“freely!”

Empowered with authority, a simple message and a whole lot of power, off the 12 went. By Luke’s account, God’s plan went as expected…

“The apostles departed and went into the villages with the wonderful news of God’s kingdom, and they healed diseases wherever they went” (Luke 9:6, TPT).

Where there had only been one person through whom God was able to “do His works” (Jesus), now there were 12. More importantly, however, God had established a precedence, a pattern, a new way of building and advancing His kingdom. We find the blueprint to it laid out in Matthew 9:35 (NIV), just before Jesus deployed His disciples:

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”

Teaching, proclaiming, healing. (Key word: healing)

God sent Jesus into the world to redeem His relationship with mankind—and to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). And one of God’s primary strategies to bring the devil’s works to an end was healing…

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38, NKJV).

With a working strategy in place and an easy-to-follow pattern that had been well-tested, it was time for Jesus to execute the plan with His original 12 disciples—and it worked. But that was just the beginning.

Because just before Jesus sent His soon-to-be 12 apostles (or 11 since Judas never became an apostle), He charged them with this:

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38, NIV).

Confidence-Builder No. 3: Healing Worked for the 72

“The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them…. ‘Heal the sick, and tell them, “The kingdom of God is near you now….”’ Then he said to the disciples, ‘Anyone who accepts [you] is also accepting me. And anyone who is rejecting you is rejecting me.’” –(Luke 10:1-2, 9, 16)

Apparently, the 12 disciples took Jesus’ prayer request for “more workers” to heart and got after it. Because not long after they returned from their mission, Jesus was able to commission and send another 72.

And how did that go for them?

Luke 10:17 tells us, “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, ‘Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!’”

God’s plan had now gone viral.

The pattern established by the One worked for the 12, and now the 72. One major difference, however, was that the plan and the pattern had developed into a persona—72 “personas,” to be exact.

Jesus had told them, “Anyone who accepts [or rejects] you is also accepting [or rejecting] Me.” That meant there would be no distinction between Jesus and the 12 or the 72. The same Holy Spirit would operate effectively through them all—the same anointing to teach, preach and heal—yielding the same results.

Once again, the plan worked and the results were exponential, but soon the real test would come. Before that, however, Jesus had to challenge His disciples to reach for an even higher level:

“Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done,” He told them, “and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father” (John 14:12).

Jesus threw a lot at His disciples in that one statement, but time was short, and He needed them ready for His departure—and His leaving them behind wasn’t at all how they imagined this playing out.

But the real shocker was the idea that, with Jesus gone, how could they possibly do MORE, more than what they had already experienced?

Full disclosure came when Jesus went on to tell them, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another [Helper], who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who…. lives with you now and later will be in you” (John 14:16-17).

Jesus knew “greater works” would come with the Holy Spirit. So, with some experience under their belt and Jesus’ complete confidence in them, the disciples were ready to pick up where He would leave off—and now, there wasn’t anything they couldn’t do!

Confidence-Builder No. 4: Healing Will Work for You

“It is the same Holy Spirit who continues to distribute many different varieties of gifts…. different kinds of miracles that accomplish different results through each believer’s gift and ministry as he energizes and activates them. Each believer is given [public manifestations] by the Holy Spirit to benefit not just himself but all.” –(1 Corinthians 12: 4, 6-7, TPT)

By now you’re probably figuring out that everyone Jesus called and ordained into His ministry, was primarily set against sickness and disease. It was His branding then; it’s His branding now.

The question is: Who are included in the “called and ordained”?

Jesus’ parting words to His disciples answers that question:

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…. and these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will…place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” (Mark 16:15-18, NIV).

If you are “saved,” then God fully intends for healing to accompany you, follow you, be with you. He never intended healing just to accompany Jesus, or the 12, or the 72. He intended it for EVERY believer.

What’s more, God doesn’t intend for healing just to be for you—for your benefit only. He expects YOU to minister the benefits of healing to others.

To qualify as a disciple of Jesus, you only have to do one thing He said:

“Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19, 8:22, 9:9).

Paul put it this way: “Follow me as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1, MEV).

Along that journey as a “follower” of Jesus, you can have confidence in the fact that healing is in your future, whether you need to receive it for yourself or minister it to someone else. Either way, you can trust that it’s always available to you.

But, remember, that confidence is not based in ourselves, our abilities or even our “gifts” (1 Corinthians 12). It’s “according to the power [of the Holy Spirit] that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20, NKJV). That’s how it worked for Jesus. That’s how it worked for the 12, and that’s how it worked for the 72.

Today, Jesus is sending us to do what He has directed ALL His disciples to do—simply follow the path He forged for us. As we do, it will always take us down the road of healing…for our good, and the good of all. You can be confident of that!

Wish You Could Take the “Un” Out of Your Daily Unexpecteds?

Word of the Week: May 16-20, 2022

Posted on May 11, 2022 - 11:28 am by KCM

You have been offered THE BLESSING of The LORD. It is a covenant gift that contains within it everything you could ever need in life. If you want to activate this gift, all you need to do is follow God’s direction and guidance. Now, take THE BLESSING, receive it, and use it today and every day!

Learn more about the Word of the Week in this week’s Believer’s Voice of Victory broadcasts with Kenneth Copeland!

Series Title: Follow God’s Direction To Live in THE BLESSING

When you follow God’s direction, you are sure to live in THE BLESSING! This week on Believer’s Voice of Victory, Kenneth Copeland reveals how to forever walk in God’s correction, direction, protection and perfection, so you can stay on course and live a perfect life in God. Discover the power of covenant correction and how you can rest assured that God will perform every bit of His WORD in your life!

Watch and download the study notes at kcm.org/watch. Or listen via podcast on your favorite podcasting app; simply search “Kenneth Copeland Ministries.”

Monday, May 16, 2022

Covenant Correction Brings Direction

Have you gone off course? Join Kenneth Copeland on Believer’s Voice of Victory as he discusses how the Bible is full of covenant, corrective words. Learn how covenant correction brings direction, so you can stay on course and always remain in THE BLESSING!

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

God’s Direction Is for Your Protection

God’s direction is for your protection! Watch Kenneth Copeland on Believer’s Voice of Victory as he encourages you to not despise God’s correction—for He corrects those He loves. When you’re eager to learn from Jesus, His correction leads to direction and protection in your life!

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Following God’s Direction Is Your Choice

Following God’s direction is your choice! Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory as Kenneth Copeland talks about how The WORD of God gives direction, but the decision to obey it is yours. When you give God’s WORD final authority in your life, He can lead and guide you with His perfect direction!

Thursday, May 19, 2022

God’s Direction Is for Your Perfection

God’s direction is for your perfection! Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory as Kenneth Copeland shares how to walk before God and be perfect. When you are faithful to stay in The WORD and speak it, He is faithful to perform His covenant promises and make you what you should be!

Friday, May 20, 2022

Follow God’s Direction To Live In THE BLESSING

You will have what you say! Watch Believer’s Voice of Victory, as Kenneth Copeland teaches you how to follow God’s direction to live in THE BLESSING. Learn to put God’s WORD in your mouth and speak it forth. When you do, you can rest assured that He will perform it!

How To Get the Direction You Need From God

Posted on May 11, 2022 - 3:33 am by KCM

Do you need direction from the Lord concerning a specific situation but don’t know how to receive it? Do you desire to hear the Lord answer you whenever you pray? The good news is that you can have the answers you need and the rewarding prayer life you desire. When you pray, you can be confident that you will be able to identify the Holy Spirit’s voice and that you will receive the answers to your prayers.
by Kenneth Copeland

Colossians 1:9-10 reminds us that a rich prayer life is possible: “So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”
The Apostle Paul wrote this passage to the church at Colossae to tell them exactly how he was praying for them. He wanted them to experience the same depth and richness that he and other believers experienced. He asked that they would have:

Complete knowledge of God’s will
Spiritual wisdom
Understanding

Prayer is one of the best ways to receive these spiritual treasures. In Jeremiah 33:3, God promised, “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Those “remarkable secrets” are “complete knowledge of His will, and spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Gaining these spiritual treasures requires tenacity. It takes more than simply bowing your head before your meals or sending up a quick prayer when things get tough. It requires seeking the Lord continually. Below are three habits to help you receive the direction you need every day.

Set Aside a Designated Prayer Time

This means keeping regular prayer times and studying the Word habitually. Setting aside daily prayer times allows you to focus on the Lord and your relationship with Him. Instead of simply coming to Him with a list of demands, you develop a relationship, and studying the Word helps strengthen that relationship. Through His Word, you begin to understand God’s will and His ways better as you strengthen your faith. You also allow Him to speak to you through His Word.
So often, people want to hear from the Holy Spirit without spending time developing that relationship. They want to treat God like a spiritual ATM. They’d like to drive up, punch in what they want, grab it and be on their way. But relationships take time. As you begin to commune with the Lord regularly, you begin to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice more easily and hear Him more clearly.

If you want to develop your prayer life, begin by setting aside a designated prayer time. If you keep a calendar, then make an appointment with yourself. In addition to thanking and praising God for allowing you to come boldly before Him in prayer (Hebrews 4:16), begin praying Colossians 1:9-10 over yourself. Ask the Lord to “give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding” so that you “will always honor and please [Him]” and that your life “will produce every kind of good fruit…”as you learn to know [Him] better and better.”

Spend Time Reading God’s Word

During your appointed time, spend time in God’s Word. Read a chapter or two and stand in faith, believing that God will give you the revelation you need. Slow down, listen and tune in to what the Holy Spirit may be saying to you. This isn’t a time to rush. This is a time to focus on the Lord and listen to the Holy Spirit.

Pray in Faith

After you read the Word, pray for a while in the Spirit and with your understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15). Pray in other tongues, and ask God to give you the interpretation. He’ll do it if you ask Him in faith. You might not always get the interpretation immediately, but if you will pray with expectation, it will come eventually. It might come as you’re driving to work or while you are at work. Or it might come gradually to your spirit over a matter of weeks, but one day you will have the answer to the situation you’ve been praying about.

Mark 11:24 promises, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” As you begin praying in faith for the direction you need, it will come. Trust God that His Word is true!

See our popular infographic below to help you understand the benefits of speaking in tongues.

Word of the Week: BVOV Broadcast May 9-13

Posted on May 5, 2022 - 10:55 am by KCM

The high ground is a place of safety. It’s a place where you have a good vantage point to see things from a better perspective. As born-again believers, we are seated with Jesus in heavenly places. Now, that is really high ground! Refuse to allow any temptation or distress to pull you down to a place of fear. Every morning, stand up, and declare your rights and privileges in Jesus Christ!

Learn more about the Word of the Week in this week’s Believer’s Voice of Victory broadcasts with Kenneth Copeland!

Series Title: Faith in God’s Everlasting Covenant

You were placed in a covenant relationship with God! This week on Believer’s Voice of Victory, watch Kenneth Copeland as he teaches the importance and power of faith in God’s everlasting covenant. Learn the significance of believing, speaking and being covenant-minded all the time. As you stand on the high ground of your covenant, watch God’s exceedingly great and precious promises produce victory in every area of your life! Watch and download the study notes at kcm.org/watch. Or listen via podcast on your favorite podcasting app; simply search “Kenneth Copeland Ministries.”

Monday, May 9, 2022

What Does Faith Say About Your Covenant?

What does faith say about your covenant? Join Kenneth Copeland as he explains why you have what you say. Whether you’re speaking fear or faith, the laws of the Spirit are always at work. Learn to meditate on the Word of God, so you can speak the language of the Spirit—the language of faith!

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Being Covenant-Minded All the Time

As believers, we are not to sorrow as those who have no hope! Watch Kenneth Copeland as he shares how you are no longer a stranger to the covenants of God. When you make a decision to be covenant minded all the time, you will have hope—which is the substance of mountain-moving faith!

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

The High Ground of Your Covenant

You’ve been seated in heavenly places! Watch Kenneth Copeland remind you that you were placed in a covenant relationship with God, and there’s no higher ground than that. Learn to stand strong and never surrender the high ground of your covenant!

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Covenant Corrections Come First

Are you quick to repent? Watch Kenneth Copeland teach what happens when covenant corrections come first. Find out why calling sin by its name, repenting, and resisting the devil allows you to stand boldly on your covenant!

Friday, May 13, 2022

God, the Covenant and the Contradiction

There’s power in your blood covenant! Watch Kenneth Copeland as he talks about God, the covenant, and the contradiction. Discover how Jesus sees to it that God’s exceedingly great and precious promises come to pass in your life!

9 Reasons To Have Hope—No Matter What

Posted on May 2, 2022 - 1:19 pm by KCM

If you’ve lost hope and can’t find a reason to ever hope again, here are 9 Reasons to Have Hope—No Matter What!

“I hope I get this new job.”

“I hope I will be healed soon.”

“I hope my children will follow the Lord.”

Maybe you’ve uttered words like these without really believing they will come to pass. So often, expressions of hope are laced with discouragement and doubt, especially in the face of overwhelming loss, repeated failures and betrayals of trust.

No matter how serious your circumstances, they are subject to change, and you can have hope. If you are going through hard times financially, in desperate need to move to a safer neighborhood, or needing a miracle in your marriage, it can all turn around—you can have hope.

If you have become weary and need a fresh Word from heaven, here are nine powerful reasons to have hope—no matter what.

1. Hope is a Force that Overcomes

“Every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. –1 John 5: 4-5

At this very moment, if you’ve been born again, you have residing on the inside of you three of the greatest forces ever created. These forces have the power to help you overcome any circumstance and change anything in your life.

What are these three forces? Faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

These forces are inseparable, and together they have the power to put you on top. But getting your hopes up is the key to putting faith and love to work in your life. To put it simply: If you’ll get your hopes up, everything can get better. Faith, hope and love are the answers you need today for anything you’re facing. Don’t be afraid—get your hopes up!

2. Hope is Already in You

“At that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” –Ephesians 2:12, NKJV

Most people understand how crucial faith and love are, but few understand the importance of hope. They’ve never realized that faith and love can’t function effectively without hope.

Regardless of what you feel hopeless about, the truth remains: You do have hope if you have God! So, don’t go by what you feel. Go by what God says about you and your situation in His Word. Then, by faith say, “Thank God, I have hope.”

Hopelessness is not caused by a lack of education, a lack of money or a lack of opportunity. Hopelessness comes from being without hope and without God in the world. So, if you have God, you have hope. But, like anything else, you have to feed your hope with the Word of God.

3. Hope isn’t a Wish

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.” –Philippians 1:20, NKJV

Real Bible hope is not “wishing.” That’s worldly hope. People in the world say, “I hope I get a raise at work,” when what they mean is, “I want a raise. I don’t think I’ll get it…but it would be nice if I did.”

The kind of hope described in the Word of God is much stronger than that because it’s not based on wishing or wanting. It is based on your covenant with God and the anointing He has provided to carry out that covenant in your life.

4. Hope is Always at Work

“But if we HOPE for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” –Romans 8:25, NIV

The powerful force of hope is a supernatural expectancy. But, keep in mind, you can expect something good or bad. Either way, you’re operating in the powerful force of hope. When you expect something good, you’re operating in hope that comes from the truth of God’s Word. When you are expecting something bad or negative, you’re operating in natural hope or even evil hope.

Supernatural hope knows what God has provided and expects it with eager confidence.

5. Gospel Hope Always Wins

“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham KEPT HOPING.” –Romans 4:18

God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations when Abraham was 100 years old and childless. All the hope he could see in the natural realm was negative. It was working against him. At his age, the only hope he had was of dying. He likely faced thoughts of doubt and natural opposition to God’s idea. But he combated those thoughts, and made a decision to operate in gospel hope instead. He had to choose between natural hope and gospel hope. He knew that gospel hope always wins—and it did!

6. Gospel Hope is NOW

“NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for….” –Hebrews 11:1, KJV

How do you know if you’re operating in gospel hope? Listen to your words. If you’re facing financial struggles, natural hope says, “I hope I’ll be able to pay my bills,” but supernatural gospel hope says, “My bills are paid, glory to God, because God’s Word says all my needs are met according to His riches in glory!” (Philippians 4:19).

Natural hope is always in the future. It’s always tomorrow or the next day: “Well, I know God will heal me if He wants to.” But supernatural hope is always right now: “I’m already healed because by His stripes I was healed!” That’s faith.

Faith always says, “Now.” If faith is now, when is hope? Hope is now, too.

7. Hope is the Blueprint of Faith

“Faith is the substance of things Hoped for….” –Hebrews 11:1, KJV

Just as the Bible is the blueprint for Christian living, hope is the blueprint of faith. Faith has to have hope to work. Hope has to have faith to produce.

Hope gives you the picture of what God wants for you through the Word of God. Then, faith takes that idea and goes after it. That is how hope and faith work together. Hope is the plan that faith sets out to accomplish. It’s the goal setter.

8. Hope Always Sees

“…the evidence of things not seen.” –Hebrews 11:1, KJV

The unseen things mentioned in Hebrews 11:1 are things seen with the eyes of hope. Hope always sees before the natural eye can. Some people have trouble focusing on those unseen things. They’re hung up on what their natural eyes see instead. After all, they reason, that’s reality.

How can you see through the eyes of hope? By renewing your mind—read, study and meditate on the Word of God. Pray and listen to the Holy Spirit. That is how we get ourselves out of the natural realm and step into the supernatural, where truth resides.

9. Hope Anchors Your Life

“This HOPE is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” —Hebrews 6:19

When a ship is tossed about by the waves and wind of the sea, it relies on one thing—the anchor. An anchor keeps the ship steady—firmly in place. That’s what hope does for you while you’re standing in faith. Maybe you’re believing for something, but the circumstances of life leave you feeling tossed about. Hope is your anchor.

You can’t drift around in hopelessness and live in victory. You have to get in the place of faith and stay there. You have to be stable in hope.

In conclusion, you already have everything you need to have real Bible hope. When you face struggles or disappointments, remember that hope is a force that is already in you, it isn’t a wish, it always works, it always wins, it’s now, it’s your blueprint, it always sees and it is an anchor. Hope will fuel your faith and take you to a place of victory through Christ Jesus. His promises are His will for YOU. So, no matter what, don’t give up—get your hopes up!

Pray With Us! 2022 National Day of Prayer Events

Posted on April 28, 2022 - 3:44 pm by KCM

We invite you to add your supply of faith with ours and pray with us during one or more of our 2022 National Day of Prayer events.

Thursday, May 5 is our National Day of Prayer, and we’ve already started praying! It has been prophesied, “America is experiencing a rebirth as a nation.” Therefore, we are praying by faith to that end. Remember what the Lord spoke to Pastor Terri Copeland Pearsons: There’s something about it when people who know how to use their faith come together and pray. So, make plans to join us this week for the following National Day of Prayer activities. We are excited to pray with you!

National Day of Prayer Conference Calls | Through Wednesday, May 4

Beginning April 4 through May 4, leading up to this special day, we are holding a Prayer Call Campaign. We will be praying in faith over various topics including our Nation’s Leaders, the Awakening, the Outpouring, the Glory and so much more! We invite you to be a part of these calls, as together, we make tremendous power available in prayer over our nation.

When: Through May 4
Days: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Times: 6 a.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. CT (no evening calls on Wednesdays)
Call-In Number: (605) 472-5622
Access Code: 930853#
Click here for a downloadable copy of the prayer guide!

National Day of Prayer Eve Service | Wednesday, May 4

Come together with us Wednesday, May 4, for our National Day of Prayer Eve Service. Starting at 7 p.m. CT, watch the event on VICTORY Channel®, or join us onsite at EMIC. Together, we’ll pray over our nation and for the Great Awakening.
Watch on VICTORY Channel. Find your channel HERE.

Specials on VICTORY Channel | Through May 5

Join Pastors George and Terri Pearsons for National Day of Prayer specials on VICTORY Channel. These specials will take place at the following times:

Pastor Terri on Morning Prayer
Tuesday, May 3 at 8:30 a.m. CT

VICTORY News
Thursday, May 5 at 4 p.m. CT

FlashPoint
Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. CT

Pastor George on Morning Prayer

Thursday, May 5 at 8:30 a.m. CT

National Day of Prayer Service | Thursday, May 5

If you’re local to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we invite YOU to be a part of Prayer Everywhere for our Nation! Join us Thursday, May 5, as it all begins in the EMIC Sanctuary from 11 a.m.-noon. During this exciting time, the Mountain will roar with the believers’ voice of prayer via “Groups Everywhere.” We will have 30 groups praying over various topics such as the Truth, our Nation’s Leaders, the Awakening, the Outpouring and so much more.

Thank you for joining us for our National Day of Prayer activities. It’s an honor to pray with YOU!

Pastor Terri Copeland Pearsons Prays for You on the National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer History

The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of America’s heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation. This has continued through our history. In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer.” In 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming that each subsequent president must declare a National Day of Prayer. And, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan amended this law, and designated the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.

The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation, as it enables us to recall and teach the way in which our Founding Fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call for us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people. The unanimous passage of the bill establishing the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning.

How To Develop a Powerful Prayer Life

Posted on April 26, 2022 - 11:23 am by KCM

“My prayer life is weak.” — If you’ve ever said those words, you’re not alone. Many Christians desire, more than anything, to overcome spiritual weakness and have a prayer life that changes their life. If that’s you, keep reading and discover how to develop a powerful prayer life today!

Have you experienced effective prayer? The kind that changes lives? Have you encountered a dire situation—a crumbling marriage, poor health, fractured relationships, lack of funds, crippling unemployment or emotional hurt—and come through it with an even stronger faith, knowing without any doubt that your God is far greater and stronger than any adversity? If that’s what you would like, then it’s time to begin practicing life-changing prayer. It’s time to direct your attention—your spirit and your mind—to the One who is able to “cause everything to work together for the good of those who love God” (Romans 8:28). It’s only through Him that you’ll experience the life change you so desperately desire.

Boldly Approaching the Throne of Grace

Of course, even if you know just how important prayer is, you may still need to know how to pray effectively. Hebrews 4:16 gives you a clue: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Consider the word boldly. It’s more than merely scooping up limited courage and peering into the Lord’s throne room. When you come boldly into a place, it means you know you belong. When you come in faith, it means you know you have God’s Word to strengthen and guide you. When you come humbly, it means you know you have His Spirit and recognize who He is. When you come expectantly, it means you acknowledge Him as your faithful High Priest. All of this leads to a confidence that has the power to transform you.

Praying Effectively

Prayer is an important part of Christians’ lives, yet some question whether their prayers are as effective as they could be. If that is you, then here are four steps to take to ensure that your prayers are effective:

Step 1: Pray an Effective Prayer by Knowing What the Bible Says

How can you pray in a way that pleases God if you don’t know His nature? You won’t know what He has promised. You won’t know how He handles situations. You won’t know what pleases or displeases Him. To pray more effectively, take time to get to know the One to whom you are praying—through His Word. Make Bible study part of your day…every day.

Step 2: Pray an Effective Prayer by First Asking for Wisdom

Before you ask God to solve a problem in your life, first ask Him for wisdom and for His perspective on it. Proverbs 4:7, KJV, calls wisdom “the principal thing,” and James 1:5, KJV, says God will give you His wisdom liberally. No matter what prayer you want answered, first ask for God’s wisdom to lead you.

Step 3: Pray an Effective Prayer by Remaining in Faith

Once you know what the Word says about your situation and you have God’s perspective on it, then settle within yourself what He has said. Trust Him to keep His Word. Thank Him for leading you, guiding you and answering you. Don’t let anything dissuade you from what the Lord has shown you. Stay faithful to the truth you have received.

Step 4: Pray an Effective Prayer by Forgiving

If you want the Lord to respond to your prayers, forgiveness is vital. In Mark 11, Jesus taught His disciples about the prayer of faith. At the end, He gave them the final step when He said, “…believe that ye receive…and ye shall have,” but in the very same breath, He said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive…” (verses 24-25, KJV). Effective prayers require faith, faith requires love, and love requires forgiveness. Don’t wait another second to forgive someone who has hurt you. Commit to live the life of love and faith and enjoy the benefit of effective prayer times.

You can rest knowing that your heavenly Father hears and answers your prayers when you put these steps into practice. Find out what the Bible has to say, ask for wisdom, remain in faith, and live a life of forgiveness. You’ll experience the joy of walking more closely with the Father and knowing that your prayers are effective!

Practical Prayer Tips

Thankfully, in addition to understanding how to approach God’s throne room and praying effectively, there are also practical ways you can strengthen your prayer life—practices you can implement to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness, to keep your focus on His promises, to help you mature in your prayer life, and to help promote a lifestyle of prayer.

Start a Prayer Journal

One of the easiest ways to remain strong in the face of challenges is to remind yourself of all God has done in the past. By recording your prayers as well as the answers you’ve received, you’re able to go back and see all God has already done for you. Then you can be like David and proclaim: “I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy” (Psalm 116:1). As you go before God with your current needs, be assured that His faithfulness will never ebb and flow. He will remain constant. Nothing will stir up your faith more today than looking back on what weighed on your heart weeks, months and years ago, and seeing God’s faithfulness.

Find a Meaningful Reminder

As you stand in faith for significant changes in your life, it can be helpful to have a visual reminder of what or for whom you are praying. Maybe it’s a family picture, a lab report or some other meaningful token. Remember, you aren’t praying to this item, but you are using it as a point of contact to focus and clarify the object of your prayers.

Set Reminders on Your Phone

Lives are busy; schedules are hectic. Sometimes it can feel as if there’s no time to pray like you know you should. The truth is, there is time. You simply have to start small and build from there. If you were to begin training for a run—whether a 5K or a marathon—you would need to start small. You would start by learning to run a mile before you ran three, and three before you ran six and so on. The same is true of your prayer life. You can start small by setting a reminder to pray every day for five minutes—perhaps first thing in the morning, during lunch or after dinner. As you make this habit, you will build your endurance—your prayer stamina—until it becomes ingrained.

Surround Yourself With Bible-believing Christians

If you want to learn how to pray life-changing prayers, then it will be helpful to surround yourself with those who have vibrant prayer lives themselves. You can also surround yourself with intercessors who will stand in faith with you as you pray for broken relationships, shaky finances or failing health. These people can serve as vital resources for you as you take notes and ask questions. They will help you as you “devote yourself to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” (Colossians 4:2). Other helpful ministry resources include books, teaching like you’ll find on kcm.org, and, of course, the Bible.

Revise Your Self-Talk

You may be full of faith as you pray for or discuss your needs with friends or mentors, but how do you talk to yourself about these needs? Do you speak life and faith over your situation, or do you complain and worry more than you pray? You should make sure that your self-talk is as full of faith as it would be if you were talking with friends.

“My prayer life is weak,” is a phrase you never have to say again! Your prayer life will improve as you boldly approach the throne of grace, pray effectively, and put these tips into practice. You’ll enjoy a more rewarding prayer life, and you’ll start to see answers. You’ve learned how to develop a powerful and effective prayer life and overcome spiritual weakness…and everything is about to change!

Setting the Captives Free

Posted on April 26, 2022 - 8:27 am by KCM

Bringing Hope to the Incarcerated

On March 25, 2022, Kenneth Copeland Ministries joined Mike Barber Ministries in hosting a five-day revival at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, the largest prison in the state. Over those five days, Kenneth Copeland, Mike Barber and their team taught the Word and reminded those incarcerated that God loves them and is for them, that prayer is a game-changer, and that in Christ there is always hope.

Over the five days, 3,200 men, women and youth came to hear the Word of God ministered. That’s more than 90% of the prison’s population! Hundreds of prisoners raised their hands to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.

As Kenneth Copeland said, “These are [Jesus’] brothers and sisters. They’re incarcerated, but it’s important that they know from The WORD of the living God that even though they’re in prison, prison doesn’t have to be in them.”

This revival marked the end of a two-year absence from in-person ministry within the prisons, something that had been shut down because of COVID. It’s an outreach that reflects the heart of Jesus from Matthew 25: “I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me…I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me’” (verses 36-40).

Watch this video to hear Brother Copeland’s thoughts on prison ministry and on this visit: https://fb.watch/c37fLltmFw/

Revivals like these mean life for the inmates. Many have never heard the gospel taught in faith or imagined that their lives could be different. When they hear the truth of God’s love for them and what Jesus’ sacrifice means for them, it’s life-changing!

Hear from two men whose lives were forever altered by the Word through KCM’s prison ministry. Once inmates, these men now teach the Word and disciple inmates, one as a chaplain and the other as a program director. They are now free and employed by the state prison system, helping others discover the freedom available through the Word and the miracle-working power of Jesus.

Testimonies like these have poured into KCM since the prison ministry’s launch in 1995. KCM, along with our ministry Partner Mike Barber Ministries, has taught the Word to the least of these for more than 27 years. In 2021, we sowed 304,893 products to chaplains free of charge for distribution to prisoners, with another 6,707 products sown directly to prisoners across the country. These products included Bibles, From Faith to Faith daily devotionals, monthly Partner Letters written personally by Brother Copeland, Believer’s Voice of Victory magazines and BVOV broadcasts. We are so thankful God continues to move in and through KCM’s prison ministry!

Thank you, Partners, for your support and your prayers. You have helped make this revival possible. Because of you, even more lives will be changed, and prisoners will be set free in Christ!

5 Reasons You Are Exempt From Supply-Chain Disruptions

Posted on April 19, 2022 - 8:55 am by KCM

We’ve all heard the reports.

Supply-chain bottlenecks around the world have caused record shortages of many products that American consumers are used to having readily available, including household goods, electronics and automobiles, to name a few. Experts have warned that problems will likely get worse before they get better.

But here’s where the line is drawn.

We are not subject to failing economic times. In fact, we don’t just survive during times of famine—we thrive. Consider Job 5:20-22, which says, “He will save you from death in time of famine…. You will laugh at destruction and famine.”

The world will always tell you that you have the same limits they have. But we are separated from this world’s system. You have to shake off those things that try to rise up and put limits on you. Take the limits off because God has more that He wants you to walk in. He wants you to have your bills paid in full, living in a debt-free home with debt-free cars because He does not want you to be indebted or to be the servant of other people.

Pastor George Pearsons recently shared from the Word of God why we, as believers, never need to fear the state of the economy. Here are 5 Reasons You Are Exempt from Supply-Chain Disruptions and why you can shout for joy—no matter what is going on in the world around you.

1. You Are a Tither

“I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes.” – Malachi 3:11 (NKJV)

If you are a faithful tither, you are exempt from “supply-chain disruptions,” inflation and any other economic downturn. That’s because tithing is the open door to THE BLESSING that is going to meet your needs, bless you and keep you prosperous.

There are promises in God’s Word to tithers.

1. The devourer is rebuked for your sake (Malachi 3:11). That means he can’t touch your money, your possessions or your family.

2. The windows of heaven are open over you (Malachi 3:10). God is talking specifically to tithers in this verse. The windows of heaven are open over tithers. And God says He will pour out such a blessing, you won’t have room for it! And there’s no tag like “unless your economy is bad” or “only if the world is doing well.” Praise God, we are not subject to the times; the times are subject to us!

Tithers’ rights cover every economic situation—they put you above and not beneath the economy. No recession is going to shut the tithers’ windows of heaven—not even something as severe as the Great Depression.

The world is subject to the economy and the world’s system, but the tither has privileges.

When the devourer comes to steal your money, your seed, your job and your possessions, you have the authority to put a stop to it. So, when lack tries to come in your life, you say, “No, you don’t, lack!” If you get laid off, you say, “Lord, where’s my better job? Show me where to find a better job. I never go without. I am prosperous. I am blessed. I am a tither. The windows of heaven are open to me.”

The blessing of the tither is what puts us over financially.

2. You Are a Sower

“Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.” –Genesis 26:12 (KJV)

Isaac reaped a hundredfold in the middle of a famine.

What is a famine?

Famine is defined as a severe shortage, extreme scarcity or serious economic downturn (sound familiar?). Many would say the United States is there now. But here is our exceedingly great and precious promise: “They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough” (Psalm 37: 19).

That’s a promise. Even in famine, you will have more than enough. That’s why being a sower is so important. When you are a sower, supply-chain issues will not affect you. That’s because you are in a spiritual state of sowing and reaping that cannot be hindered by any world economy.

Have you ever noticed that generous sowers are never without money to give? It’s spiritual law! With whatever measure you sow, you will also reap.

David Green, founder and CEO of retail giant Hobby Lobby, tells a story in his book Giving It All Away…And Getting It Back Again, about the power of living generously.

There’s a phrase common in some Christian circles that goes, “You can’t out-give God.” I tossed that phrase around myself more than once. Then…God seemed to say to me, “Well, you haven’t really tried, have you?”

David Green decided to increase his giving dramatically. His company significantly increased right after that. That pattern continued over and over until he reached a point at which he was giving far beyond anything he could ever imagine. The more the company has grown, the more they’ve given, and then they keep increasing. “We truly cannot seem to get ahead of Him,” David says.

Sowing is spiritual protection from economic downturns and supply-chain disruptions. It keeps money flowing to you, no matter what is going on around you. It’s why you are exempt from the current circumstances in our country.

3. You Have a Covenant of Prosperity

“And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you.” –Deuteronomy 28:2 (NKJV)

You are exempt from supply-chain shortages, inflation, economic downturns, layoffs and any other attack against your whole-life prosperity because you already have a covenant of prosperity with God.

Here’s a refresher on your covenant with God:

God made a covenant with Abraham, empowering him and his descendants with THE BLESSING—the ability to prosper and excel in everything. Finally, “through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham” (see Galatians 3:14) because “if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29, NKJV).

When you became a Christian, you became an heir to the greatest inheritance ever known.

THE BLESSING of the Lord was established by God to enforce all your covenant rights and to advance you along in life. He put THE BLESSING in place so we don’t have to toil, struggle or rely on man in any area of our lives. The world is unpredictable, at best, but THE BLESSING will provide for you even when natural circumstances are against you.It will take you from a dry place to a place of abundant rain—from shaky ground to a solid foundation. But you have to let THE BLESSING do the work.

Learn 5 Ways to Let THE BLESSING Do the Work HERE.

God wants you blessed! There’s no question about it—God’s will is for His people to prosper and enjoy a life of “always having all sufficiency in all things” (2 Corinthians 9:8, KJV).

Find 60 Scriptures About Prosperity and Success here.

If you’re operating in Kingdom principles, no matter how high the waters rise, you will rise to the top because you have a covenant of prosperity.

4. God Is the Source of Your Supply

“Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things.” –1 Corinthians 8:6 (AMPC)

When it comes to world events, you need to come into a place of a new revelation of God being your supply. He is your Source of all things.

The government is not your source. If the government is your source, you have to serve those people. God doesn’t want you dependent on the government. He wants you to be dependent only on Him. He likes to supersede natural events in getting supplies to His people.

Whatever you need, He will get it to you. He supplies all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). That is a word for today. He will supply—not according to whenever the ship makes port. The Rick Renner translation says, “But, my God will SUPPLY your needs so completely that He will eliminate all your deficiencies. He will meet all your physical and tangible needs until you are so full, you have no more capacity to hold anything else. He will SUPPLY all your needs until you are totally filled, packed full and overflowing to the point of bursting at the seams and spilling over.”

We do not live under the dominion, rule, control or influence of the world system. Our times are subject to the authority of God’s Word, the blood of Jesus, the Name of Jesus, the power of the tithe and the harvest of our seed.

Creflo Dollar says, “El Shaddai will demonstrate provisional miracles that are contrary to natural events.”

When people say, “You know, you can’t get that right now,” whatever it is, just say to yourself, “I’ll get it.”

Jesus is our Source, and the Word is our supply.

Why is this truth so important? Because as long as we rely on natural sources, our faith in God is not in operation, which blocks Him from showering us with abundant blessings. Today and every day, God wants to meet all your needs.

5. The Camels Are Coming

“And Isaac…lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.” –Genesis 24:63 (KJV)

As long as you are in the will of God, He will bring provision to you one way or another. You will never be without. You might be looking at bare shelves in the store, but that isn’t God’s only way of getting things to you!

Maybe you’re used to only one or two streams of supply, like a job or another source of income, but God is not limited to those sources. In fact, He is known for bringing things to His people in unexpected ways and through unlikely streams.

That’s what happened with Isaac when his future wife arrived. He was sitting in a field and then, Genesis 24:63 (KJV) says he “lifted up his eyes…and behold the camels were coming” with Rebekah riding toward him.

And in Isaiah 60:6, the provision that came to Jesus’ parents after His birth was foretold: “Vast caravans of camels will converge on you…bringing gold and frankincense…”

Don’t have what you need right now? That’s OK. The camels are coming! And they’re loaded down with goods.

These are just a few of the reasons you are exempt from supply-chain disruptions or any other economic setback. Now, say, “The camels are coming! The camels are coming! Look as far as the eye can see. They are loaded down with unlimited supplies! I believe it. I take it. I receive it in Jesus’ Name!”

A Word From the Lord Regarding the Economy

Grown Weary?

Posted on April 12, 2022 - 7:54 am by KCM

A Divine 3-Point Plan for Rest When You Can’t Go One More Day

Just when you’re about to throw up your hands and yell, “I quit!” or walk out the door saying something you shouldn’t, or hang up on someone, or tap the Unfollow button…

First, realize there’s probably a better way to handle the situation—especially when heated frustration can so easily cloud our judgment.

Second, while you may feel like you’re at the end of yourself, you need to know you have a Friend, an Ally, Someone who’s ready to step in at a moment’s notice and help carry the load. Even more reassuring, that “someone” has been thinking what you’ve been thinking:

It’s time for a break!

“Heaven and Earth were finished, down to the last detail.

“By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work. God blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day because on that day he rested from his work, all the creating God had done.

“This is the story of how it all started, of Heaven and Earth when they were created” (Genesis 2:1-4, MSG).

Kenneth Copeland occasionally refers to a Bible study technique he uses when he’s digging into God’s Word, trying to understand something. It’s called the Law of First Mention. It simply means that when an idea or principle appears for the first time in Scripture, that first reference establishes a precedence. It becomes the filter through which you interpret subsequent references to the same idea or topic.

In this case, God got all His work done in six days, and on the seventh, He took a break. Notice, that’s “how it all started”—work, work, work, work, work, work…then, take a break. And that’s how God intended for it to continue, all the way down to today.

(Maybe TGIF—Thank God It’s Friday—was His idea to begin with?)

God gets us, and He obviously knows when enough is enough. Being the Father and Creator that He is, He has a way to get you the break you so desperately need while salvaging—even maximizing—all your relationships, your sanity, your finances and your dreams in the process.

You don’t have to give up, walk out, hang up or shut up anymore.

But you will have to step up, if you’re all in for the therapeutic regimen God has in mind for the most peaceful, restful, enjoyable—and highly productive—life you’ll ever live.

So, if you’ve grown weary and can’t imagine dragging yourself through one more day, take a timeout and consider God’s three-point plan for rest. It’s a big part of God’s strategy to not only keep you in the race, but also to put you in the lead!

Take a look at the regimen God prescribed for Israel nearly 3400 years ago, then consider how it can impact your world today.

Point No. 1: Take Time to Rest

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” –Exodus 20:8-11

From the beginning of time (as the Bible measures it), God set seasons, cycles and time in motion. Day and night, summer and winter, seedtime and harvest (Genesis 8:22).

And from the moment God introduced Himself to His chosen people, Israel, at Mount Sinai, those seasons and cycles became central to their relationship.

After freeing Israel from 430 years of enslavement to Egypt, God met with them in the desert for some face time and to get acquainted. No. 4 on God’s short list of priorities for their future together (the Ten Commandments) was this idea of a weekly sabbath.

The Hebrew word shavat means “to rest.” God, in His wisdom, wanted His people—and eventually all mankind, livestock and cultivated lands—to rest. It was part of His regimen for a healthy lifestyle. God also intended for them to have quality focus time together during those sabbaths, all for the purpose of a healthy relationship.

The promise was—if Israel would do their due diligence and follow through with their part in this rest day—then they would find great joy and honor in the Lord, and He would give them the best of the best, as well as an inheritance (Isaiah 58:13-14).

Point No. 2: Take Time To Release

“Plant and harvest your crops for six years, but let the land be renewed and lie uncultivated during the seventh year. Then let the poor among you harvest whatever grows on its own. Leave the rest for wild animals to eat. The same applies to your vineyards and olive groves.” –(Exodus 23:10-12)

Basically, this was an expanded version of the weekly sabbath. It required a lot more on Israel’s part—more planning, more preparing, and more faith that they wouldn’t run out of food while they were busy resting (Leviticus 25:20-22).

But then God tacked on a surprising detail to this seventh-year sabbath:

“At the end of every seventh year you must cancel the debts of everyone who owes you money…. for the LORD’s time of release has arrived” (Deuteronomy 15:1-2).

With that, these seventh-year sabbaths became known to the Hebrew people as Shemitah years—years of “release,” or freedom, through the process of forgiving debt. It was like hitting a financial reset button.

And who couldn’t use that?

Point No. 3: Take Time to Restore

“‘You shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release [freedom] throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you.’” –(Leviticus 25:10, NASB)

Much like the seventh-year sabbath (Shemitah), God required Israel to rest and forgive all debts. But what really set this jubilee year apart was that all land that had been bought and sold over the previous 49 years was now to be restored back to the original family, the original tribe of Israel to which it had been allotted (Leviticus 25:13).

Again, it was like doing a reset, but on steroids!

Now, rest, release AND restoration were all happening in one year. Imagine the people’s anticipation.

Once God set these sabbaths in motion—the weekly, the seventh-year and the 50th-year—the idea of rest became a major part of the Hebrew lifestyle and culture, how they lived, worked, interacted with one another and related to God.

Sadly, though, what got off to a great start didn’t end so well.

After generations of turmoil and failure surrounding these sabbaths, King David lamented how Israel did not approve, acknowledge or respect God’s ways—and all over something designed for their benefit (Psalm 95:10).

Ultimately, it was Israel’s unbelief, rebellion and disobedience that kept them from their rest, their inheritance and their Promised Land (Hebrews 3:19).

Today’s Rest

So, for a great idea to have ended in such heartache and disappointment, what could possibly be our takeaway for today’s world?

The writer of Hebrews gives us a clue:

“God’s promise of entering his rest still stands…. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to [the Israelites]. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest…. So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today” (Hebrews 4:1-3, 6-7).

God is relentless. He’s faithful and never gives up on us!

When Jesus first stepped out on center stage of His ministry, He boldly “announced”—not just to Jews, but all mankind…

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…. to share the message of Jubilee” (Luke 4:18-19, TPT).

In that one word, Jesus was declaring:

Poor man, you don’t have to be poor anymore…sick woman, you don’t have to be sick anymore…bruised child, you don’t have to be bruised anymore!

I AM the Jubilee, and you can rest in Me…be released in Me…be restored in Me!

From that moment on, sabbath was no longer a particular day, a particular year or something you had to wait half a lifetime for. It was now. It was Jesus!

I am Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28).

Come to Me and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

Today, with the benefit of a few thousand years of hindsight, it’s easier to understand why our whole salvation experience is a “gift from God” (Ephesians 2:8-10). It’s something we can only receive. We could never work hard enough or long enough to earn or achieve it. That’s where we have to rest (trust) in God’s love and goodness toward us. Let Him do the heavy lifting.

Brother Copeland would be the first to tell you how years ago—in all the busyness of ministry, with weekdays flowing into weekdays—he got to place where he was violating the sabbath by preaching seven days a week and never taking time to rest. A couple of times it got serious enough that he nearly collapsed from working so much.

Then, as he tells it, “One day, God chewed me out pretty good. The LORD said, Kenneth, I’ve told you to rest 52 days a year. I also told you to start walking, and you didn’t!’”

In those few moments of a stern course-correction by God, it didn’t take Brother Copeland long to get into the Word and start working some new habits and healthier regimens into his life and ministry—especially at the prodding of Hebrews 4:10-11 (NIV):

“For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us [labor] to enter that rest.”

His takeaway was, when we truly rest, God can get busy working on our behalf, fulfilling His promises to us. But when we’re so busy working and doing everything ourselves—with very little exercising of our faith—that’s when God has to step back because His hands are tied. And you never want that!

The “labor” God expects from us is simply to do what it takes to keep the switch of faith turned on in our lives. When times are good, keep believing God. When times are tough, keep believing God.

So, don’t wait until you’re about to slam into another wall in life. Start setting time aside now to practice entering the rest, release and restoration God has for you. Disconnect from your daily and weekly grind and distractions, and focus on your caring Creator and faithful Father. Get in His Word, listen to His voice and take what He says seriously, being quick to obey Him.

Soon you’ll be like David: “By my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29, AMPC).

13 Radical Ideas To Ponder When You’re Backed Into a Financial Corner

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