Mary Esquivel, Author at KCM Blog - Page 3 of 5 Skip to main content

SHINE HIS LIGHT ON Peace

by Kenneth Copeland

 

Peace on Earth.

That’s a popular phrase this time of year. It’s Scriptural. It’s short. It fits nicely on the front of Christmas cards and looks great in gold script.

But let’s get real. That phrase, as spiritual as it might sound, isn’t worth the card it’s printed on if it’s not a reality in our lives. Peace on earth doesn’t mean anything to us when our stomachs are in knots over unpaid bills. Peace on earth is just a cliché when our minds are troubled and our lives are in turmoil.

In order for the good news of peace on earth to have real meaning, somehow that peace—the wholeness that Jesus provided for every person’s spirit, soul and body—must become real in our own lives.

The question is: How does that happen?

Do we ask God to do it for us? Do we just keep begging Him to give us peace and deliver us from our troubles until He finally gives in? Do we just keep pleading with Him on and on to heal, prosper and bless us?

No. Quite frankly, that’s a waste of time. The Scriptural fact is—God has already done all He is going to do about our deliverance.

As children of God, our heavenly Father has already blessed us “with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3, KJV).

What we do with those blessings now is completely up to us.

 

You Have a Determined Enemy

I realize your flesh doesn’t care to hear that. Neither does mine. Our flesh doesn’t like to take responsibility for anything.

It would rather wallow around helplessly waiting for Jesus Himself to descend from heaven, pat us on our pitiful heads and say, “There, there, honey. You just sit down, watch television and I’ll take care of all your problems for you.”

But it doesn’t matter how long we cry and moan, or how sad and desperate we act, Jesus is not going to do that for us. God is not moved by circumstances, but there is one thing He is moved by.

Faith.

God has already sent us His WORD. It’s up to us to put that WORD in our hearts and in our mouths. It’s up to us to believe it and act on it, so its power can work in our lives.

“But, Brother Copeland, I just don’t feel like doing that. I’m too busy getting everything ready for Christmas dinner. I’m too tired after shopping and wrapping gifts. I’m too overwhelmed.”

Then get ready for a lifetime of defeat, because you have an enemy who is determined to keep you from ever enjoying peace on this earth. He is totally committed to stealing from you, killing you and destroying you—even at Christmas.

His name is the devil, and if you don’t rise up and resist him by faith in The WORD, you will never fully experience the blessings Jesus came to earth to give.

Four Simple Instructions

That may not sound like a very nice thing to say at Christmastime, but it’s the truth. And the best gift I can give you is to tell you what to do about it. So I’m going to share with you some simple but powerful instructions from Isaiah 7.

There we find an Old Testament king named Ahaz facing much the same situation we face. Although he was one of God’s covenant people, a king of God’s own nation of Judah, Ahaz was about to be attacked by an enemy who was bent on his destruction.

Naturally speaking, Ahaz didn’t have a chance. The situation was desperate.

What did God do for Ahaz in that dark hour? He sent him His WORD through the prophet Isaiah. He gave Ahaz a set of supernatural instructions that, if followed, were divinely guaranteed to bring him victory and peace (verses 3-4, 7, 9).

Look carefully at that passage and you’ll see that in essence, God gave Ahaz three simple commands in Isaiah 7:4 and 9.

  1. Take heed.
  2. Be quiet.
  3. Fear not.
  4. Believe.

Although all four commands are relevant to us, for now I am going to focus on the first two. I will show you how they can empower you to live a fearless life of overcoming faith—a life in which peace on earth is not the exception but the rule.

  1. Take Heed!

Notice the very first thing God said was take heed or, in other words, pay attention!

What are we supposed to pay attention to? The WORD of God!

 Maybe you already know what The WORD says. But it’s not enough for us just to know it. We must meditate on it and keep our attention trained on it until revelation arises in our hearts. Then, and only then, will it become real in our lives.

Giving The WORD that kind of undivided attention isn’t easy. It takes determined effort. It requires us to watch diligently over our minds and refuse to give our attention to any thought that is contrary to that WORD. We must choose to think only thoughts that agree with it.

You won’t be able to pay attention to The WORD of God if you’re constantly flooding your mind with things that violate it. You can’t bring every thought into captivity when you’re continually feeding on hours of foolish fables on television and reading stacks of what the world calls news.

So, before you can fully pay attention to The WORD, you’ll have to make some decisions. You’ll have to ask yourself, “Am I going to just do what comes easy, or am I going to stand up and be a champion in the things of God?” If you decide to be a champion, you’ll have to turn off some of that trash you’ve been watching and start spending time in The WORD instead.

  1. Be Quiet

The second thing the Lord commanded King Ahaz to do was this: Be quiet! Or to put it in blunt, West Texas terms, Keep your big, blab mouth shut!

Why is it so important for us to be quiet in times of trouble?

Because our words have power. They are always working—either for us or against us. Most Christians don’t realize that. So when they hear the good news that God has given them the victory, they ruin everything by talking about their defeats!

Don’t do that! Even if those thoughts are flying through your mind, don’t give voice to them. Just cast them out and agree with God!

We have a New Testament example in Luke 1 of a man who should have done that and didn’t. About a year before Jesus was born, Zacharias was tending the altar of incense in the Temple, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him to give him some very good news about the coming birth of Zacharias’ son.

If Zacharias had taken heed to the word that had been given him, if he had given it his undivided attention, he might have done all right.

Instead, he focused on the problems in his life. He started thinking about all the reasons why God’s WORD wouldn’t work for him. After all, Elisabeth was barren. On top of that, both she and Zacharias were too old to have children anymore.

With those things on his mind, Zacharias opened his mouth and started talking. He interrupted the whole plan of God. Those were the last words Zacharias spoke for nine months.

You and I need to learn a lesson from that story. If we can’t say something good, if we haven’t grown spiritually strong enough yet to respond with words of faith, we shouldn’t say anything at all.

 

Make Your Choice This Christmas

God is not going to do to us what He did to Zacharias. He is not going to force us to be quiet. He doesn’t have to. He has already completed the work of salvation through Jesus. He has fulfilled His promise to mankind.

Now He is giving us a choice.

We can either choose life or death. We can choose to believe The WORD or not. We can choose to heed The WORD or focus on our circumstances. We can choose to be quiet about those circumstances or we can yap on and on about how awful they are.

It is totally up to us.

If we’ll make the right choices and follow God’s instructions, “peace on earth” will become more than a pretty phrase on a Christmas card. It will become a powerful, personal reality in every area of our lives.

 

Dare to Shine His Light on Peace This Christmas!

 

  • What’s disrupting your peace? Heed The WORD concerning your situation.
  • When you’re tempted to speak things like, “I don’t think I’m ever going to get everything done,” or, “I can’t afford to buy gifts this year,” stop yourself before you even start to say them and replace them with the truth in God’s WORD. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). “My God supplies all my need according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
  • Be quiet. Refuse to complain or say anything that contradicts God’s WORD today!

SHINE HIS LIGHT ON The Tree of Life

by Gloria Copeland

 

Every year in New York City, thousands are drawn to the annual tree-lighting ceremony in Rockefeller Center. The Christmas tree, which is at the center of America’s busiest city, is lit and decorated exquisitely, and stands anywhere from 70 to 100 feet high. I’ve never attended myself, but its sparkling, majestic presence seems to draw people in, creating awe and wonder.

Long before New York City had the idea, there was an even more spectacular tree planted in the heart of Paradise. It was the centerpiece and crowning glory of the Garden of Eden. It was called the Tree of Life. God had given it to His people as a source of blessing and eternal life.

What’s more, God had given Adam and Eve everything they could possibly ever need. They even had the manifested presence of God Himself. They could walk and talk with Him “in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8, KJV). God was physically, substantially present in the garden.

Walking, talking and fellowshiping with God was His original plan for us. This is what God has always wanted and still wants today—to be near His children, to delight in them and for them to delight in Him. God longs to be close to us. He wants us to hear Him and come running into His loving presence.

Yes, God gave Adam and Eve everything they could possibly ever need or want. But He gave them something else, too. He gave them a choice. He gave them free wills to choose whether or not they would come to the Tree of Life to partake of His goodness.

And He gives us the same freedom of choice today. We can choose to draw near to Him and partake of His goodness. Or we can choose not to. I don’t know about you, but I want to walk with God and enjoy all His goodness!

The good news for you and me is today, 6,000 years later, we can get to that place of intimacy with God. We, too, can hear Him and come into His presence with the excitement and anticipation of the first human beings to ever meet God face to face. A Tree of Life is available to us today.

How do we draw near to the Tree of Life? The Bible tells us that we can draw near to Him through seeking His wisdom and His Word while also completely trusting Him.

 

Draw Near to the Tree of Life Through Wisdom

In Proverbs 3, the Word of God describes the benefits of obtaining God’s wisdom. There we read that wisdom’s profit is better than the profit of silver or gold. We’re told that it is more valuable than precious jewels. Long life, riches and honor belong to the one who presses in to the wisdom of God (verse 16).

But, as we learn in this passage, wisdom is something even more valuable than all the benefits it makes available to us: “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom…. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast” (verses 13,18, NASB).

Wisdom—God’s way of doing and being right—is a “tree of life”! You have full access to this Tree of Life through God’s Word.

 

Draw Near to the Tree of Life Through Seeking

The Tree of Life is the source for everything that God has in store for our lives. And the way we draw near to it is the way Jesus instructed us in Matthew 6:33, NASB: “Seek first His kingdom.” If you don’t seek, you’re not going to find.

It’s when we aggressively, actively go after the things of God that we get revelation. You’ll run right into the goodness of God. You’ll find that God is love. You’ll find that God desires to pour His blessings out upon your life in every way.

Wishing won’t work because it has no power to bring God’s highest and best into manifestation. Seeking works, which is how we draw near. Seeking, according to the Word of God, gets rewarded (Hebrews 11:16).

No doubt the Garden of Eden was a setting of unspeakable beauty, and heaven will be a place of unimaginable joy; but there’s a wealth of goodness to be enjoyed right here and now when you seek God each step of the way.

 

Draw Near to the Tree of Life by Trusting

Diligently seeking is not a new concept to people. Everyone on earth is diligently seeking after something. But there is supposed to be a big difference in the kinds of things we believers pursue. Jesus said we are not to worry about what we will eat or wear, or any other material need (Matthew 6:31-32).

When we get as fervent about going after God as those outside of God’s covenant are about going after worldly things, we will really begin to see the glory.

Why don’t you need to seek after the things of this world? Because “your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (verse 32, NIV).

Yes, God knows exactly what we need. He knows what we need spiritually, physically, financially and socially. He knows what His covenant people need and desire. And the wonderful thing about God is that He delights in providing these things for us! He wants us to have peace and wholeness—nothing missing, nothing broken.

It is up to us to completely trust Him to provide all we need.

Draw Near to the Tree of Life by His Word

One of the best ways to draw near to God and His wisdom is to dive into His Word, one on one—just you and God. Some of the most precious and powerful moments of my walk with God come while I’m fellowshiping with Him in His Word. The wisdom and revelation of God begin to come, and I get so excited!

You will never walk in the fullness of God’s goodness without learning how to study His Word on your own. It’s one of the primary ways you can experience Him speaking personally and powerfully to you each day.

Draw Near, Then Stay Near

Throughout the Bible, God shows us in His Word that He desires for us to draw near to Him. The responsibility lies with us to draw near and stay near. “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all of His works” (Psalm 73:28, NKJV).

God’s desire hasn’t changed from the beginning when He revealed His loving Self to the first man and woman. God’s desire is to be close to His people, to have them draw near to Him, so He can bestow His goodness and blessings upon them. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8, NKJV).

Can you sense His presence near you this Christmas season? Can you hear His Word echoing within your heart? He wants you to draw near now and always. You see, Jesus is the Tree of Life! He is the wisdom of God—the Word made flesh. Press in to that Tree and stay close. All who draw near to Him will be blessed.

 

Dare to Draw Near to the Tree of Life This Christmas!

 

  • Determine to press into Jesus, the Tree of Life, and stay close! To help you stay accountable, consider joining a Bible study group, or join KCM’s Partner Community.
  • Practice the presence of God by walking and talking with Him every day, all day. Talk to Him as you walk to your car, go shopping and do chores.
  • As you study His Word today, write down what God is saying to you through that Word, and how you will respond.
  • Share the Tree of Life! Ask God to show you someone you can share this post with, and be obedient!

SHINE HIS LIGHT ON Wisdom

by Kenneth Copeland

 

I once saw a bumper sticker on an old pickup truck that read, “Wise Men Still Seek Him.”

That sure is true. And, this Christmas, I think it’s a good time to talk about why seeking God is wise.

If you look at any Nativity scene, you’ll see a group of three men on camels, wearing priestly clothing. Religious tradition refers to them as the “three wise men,” though the Bible never indicates a specific number. But, what do we really know about this group who were among the first to seek Jesus after His birth?

We are first introduced to these people, known as the Magi, in Daniel 2:2. They were in the court of the king because they were considered to be the most educated people in the land. Known as Chaldeans in Babylon, they were a special group of priests who were experts in philosophy, science and astronomy. The wise men seeking Jesus would have descended from these people, known for their great intellect.

But, many others besides this group of wise men had also heard this information. The prophecy was very well known by the Jews and their leaders. So, what made the wise men different than so many others? Matthew 2:2, NKJV, says: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

 The wise men had opened their hearts to receive revelation from God, and then acted in faith on what He had revealed to them. They sought to worship Him, which means they had already determined that He was the Messiah.

That’s wisdom. Taking knowledge and allowing God to show you how to put it into operation. That’s what the Magi were doing when they set out to seek Jesus—putting their knowledge into operation through God-given insight.

The Jews had their Messiah right in front of them, yet because of the hardness of their hearts, they did not seek Him or receive Him. The wise men were seekers of truth, and did not allow customs, reasoning or objections from others to block their pursuit of it.

So, what can we learn about wisdom from these “wise men”? I think there are three things we can learn: Wisdom seeks truth, wisdom goes to great trouble to find God, and wisdom obeys God rather than man.

  1. Wisdom Seeks Truth

The wise men had spent much of their lives seeking for answers—perhaps even for meaning and purpose in their lives. They clearly had a hunger for truth, which likely inspired them to spend a great deal of time studying the coming of the Savior.

In Matthew 2:6, they also revealed that they knew of the prophecy of Christ’s birth. They had clearly invested time to find out more about what God had said.

If we want to walk in wisdom, we must also be seekers of truth—God’s truth. Proverbs 4:13, NKJV, says, “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.”

First Corinthians 3:18 tells us not to judge our wisdom or intelligence by the standards of this world. We need to find our instruction in The WORD of God—that’s where truth is found.

  1. Wisdom Goes to Great Effort to Find God

The wise men likely traveled a great distance to find Jesus. This would have come at great personal expense, as well as an investment of time. The trip may have been dangerous to themselves, their animals and those who accompanied them. They were willing to put seeking God ahead of themselves or any other interest.

There is no way around it. If we want to operate in the wisdom of God, we must put Him first in our lives. The most powerful thing we can do in life is take the time to seek God with all our hearts without compromise.

 Every believer who truly wants to follow God must make this declaration: “I am going to live by The WORD of God. Whatever I find in The WORD, that’s what I’m going to do!”

This is what it means to walk in the fear of The LORD. And when we do that, He’ll begin to reveal truths to us—even things no one else has ever seen before. That is how the goodness of God begins to flow into our lives.

Every time we get up in the morning, we should see God’s goodness manifested all around us—in our homes, in our children, in our relationships with our spouses, in the cars we drive, and in the clothes we wear.

That good place is available to you. God wants to reveal His wisdom for living abundantly and victoriously to you.

  1. Wisdom Obeys God Rather Than Man

When the wise men had been searching for Jesus, they came in contact with Herod. When Herod heard the purpose of their journey, he instructed them to come back and tell him where he could find Jesus. They could have been intimidated by this powerful figure, known for merciless acts. Instead, they put the word from The LORD first.

“Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way” (Matthew 2:12, NKJV).

The wisdom of God will reveal things to you that you wouldn’t otherwise know. Sometimes it will be for your protection and sometimes it will be for your promotion.

For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand” (Mark 4:22-23).

It’s important that we have “ears to hear” what God is saying to us through His WORD. We must keep The WORD in our mouths and “be listening” to His voice so we can “perceive and comprehend” the mysteries of His wisdom.

We need to be vigilant about what we allow our ears to hear. If we’re hearing trash, we can’t help but get trash down into our hearts. If we put unholy things before our eyes, the desire for sinful things will grow in our hearts. In Psalm 101:2-3, David says, “I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart. I will set no worthless thing before my eyes” (NASB).

 That’s why we must be careful what we’re hearing—because unbelief comes the same way faith comes—by hearing!

There is simply no other way to live free, blessed, well and supernaturally prosperous in the earth but to keep The WORD of God before our eyes, in our ears and “in the center of our heart.” This is how we obtain the treasure of God’s wisdom.

 

Enjoy the Benefits of Wisdom This Christmas

There are wonderful benefits that belong to anyone who will take hold of God’s wisdom. That’s why Proverbs 4:7, KJV, says, “Wisdom is the principal thing….” That means it’s the most important thing—the main thing you should want.

Wisdom is what will get you off the roller coaster of having your healing, then feeling symptoms again. Getting a great job, then losing a job. To solve your problems, you need wisdom!

How many times have you prayed and failed to receive your answer? I can tell you it wasn’t because God missed it! The WORD of God says you ask and receive not because you ask amiss (James 4:3). You need wisdom to ask for the right thing.

That means you need God’s thoughts about the situation before you can pray effectively.

So let The WORD of God, the wisdom of God, begin to influence your thinking. God’s way of thinking will save your life, pull you out of debt, and put you on the road to prosperity. It will introduce you to possibilities you have never seen before and get you out of any trouble—just like it did for those wise men 2,000 years ago.

 

Dare to Shine His Light on Wisdom This Christmas!

 

  • Have you made wisdom the principal thing? Invest the time in His WORD each day to seek God and His infinite wisdom.
  • Ask God to give you wisdom in all your ways, according to James 1:5, and He will give it to you!
  • Do a search for all the verses in the Bible with the word wisdom, then study and meditate on those truths.

SHINE HIS LIGHT ON Renewal

by Kenneth Copeland

 

If you’ve ever had a fresh Christmas tree in your home, you know what it’s like to water it and work to keep it strong and green. It gives off such a wonderful smell of pine when it’s freshly cut!

Over time, it doesn’t look quite as fresh anymore. No matter how much you water that tree, it’s just decided it’s done being fresh and green. Then, those pesky pine needles start to drop all over the floor. By the time you take it out to the curb, half the needles are still in your house on the floor, and it sure doesn’t look like that strong, sturdy tree you first brought home.

Sometimes, I think people liken their lives to that Christmas tree. They only have an expectation that life will be good for so long, and then they just expect it to decline.

Maybe this describes you. You’re not feeling as “fresh” as you used to, and for physical or emotional reasons, you’ve lost that zest for life you once had in your youth.

Well, this Christmas, I’m here to tell you about one of God’s greatest gifts to you as His child that can put pep in your step and a spark back into your life, and that’s the gift of renewal.

 

God’s Promise of Renewed Strength

Let me set the record straight: I plan to die young…at a very old age.

Or, to put it more accurately (since, as a believer, I’ve already done all the dying I’m ever going to do), I plan to depart this earth and go to heaven as a very youthful old man.

Spiritually, I have the DNA to do it. So do you and so does every other born-again child of God.

As people of faith, we all have great spiritual genes. If you need evidence, just take a look at Abraham. He lived to be 175. According to Romans 4:11, KJV, he’s “the father of all them that believe.” So longevity runs in our spiritual family.

It’s not the kind of longevity that just involves a lot of years, either. It’s not the kind that leaves you weak, worn out and sitting in a nursing home. No, it’s the kind that comes from having your youth renewed.

That’s what happened to Abraham. At somewhere around 100 years old, he got a new lease on life. His old body that had aged to the point where it was reproductively dead, got a fresh spark. The same thing happened to his wife, Sarah. At 90, she started coming alive as never before. So at an age most people consider ancient, Abraham and Sarah started over. They stepped into the fulfillment of God’s promise and had a baby.

Think of it! Those are the spiritual genes we inherited when we received Jesus as LORD, and God grafted us into the family of faith! We’re born again into a lineage of folks who were famous for living vibrantly on earth for a long, long time. We know we have their spiritual DNA because the Bible says, “Those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:9, 29, NKJV).

I have made a quality decision to lay claim to that heritage. I’m following the example of Abraham knowing that, because I have the same covenant of BLESSING, if I do what he did, I’ll get the same results.

 

Beware the Generational Curve

One enemy I encountered a few years ago is what I call the generational curve. That’s an influence passed down through our natural parents and grandparents. In my life, that curve came through the Indian bloodline that runs through my mother’s relatives. Physically, and in the way I think, I take after her side of the family.

But there’s something I’ve had to guard against: People on that side of my family start going downhill at about 70 years old.

Take my grandfather, for example. A strong, hardy man all his life, he hit his late 60s and began slowing down for no apparent reason. When he turned 70, he retired, sold the North Texas farmland that had been his home for years, and moved to town. He continued to decline until he passed away.

My mother’s life followed generally the same pattern. She lived just about the same number of years that he did. The year my mother died, I was sitting beside her hospital bed late one night praying for her to receive healing, when all of a sudden, the word of The LORD came to me.

 Your mother doesn’t need healing, He said.

I was so startled, I jumped. “Well, You could have fooled me!” I answered. “Look at her!

After reminding me of how quickly she’d gotten healed of the pneumonia she’d had a few days earlier, He said, Her body parts are worn out. What she needs is not healing but the covenant benefit in Psalm 103:5.

I looked down at my open Bible and read it. “Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (NKJV).

What The LORD told me next changed the course of my life.

Youth renewal is included in THE BLESSING of Abraham that’s yours in Christ Jesus, He said. If your mother had laid claim to that benefit and declared it over her life every day, things would have turned out differently for her. She didn’t know she should do that. But you do! You ought to say every single day, “I receive the benefit of my youth being renewed today!”

That was in 1988, and I’ve been claiming youth renewal ever since.

 

Never Quit

Thank God I did, too. Because about 20 years later, the devil snuck up on me through that generational curve. A few years before I was about to turn 70, I started wanting to quit. I’d look at my preaching schedule and think, I’ve been at this for 40 years now. I ought to just get in my bass boat and head up the creek. I ought to relax, retire and get ready to die.

Let me tell you right now that no born-again, faith-walking believer should ever think about quitting! We don’t have any business retiring from God’s service at 65 or 70 years old. We ought to give Him at least 100 years to BLESS the world through us.

Meanwhile, I found out my physical body had been affected. I went to the doctor with pain like I’d never experienced in my life. He diagnosed it as degenerative joint disease. The MRI he took of my spine showed one of the disks had ruptured, and a piece of it had worked its way into the nerve canal of the spine.

As if that wasn’t enough, the doctor did a full physical on me and found out my adrenal glands had just flatlined. I had no strength.

So it wasn’t just my mind wanting to quit. My body wanted to quit, too. I was going downhill fast, and the devil thought he had me beaten.

But there was something the devil didn’t consider: Psalm 103:5—THE BLESSING of youth renewal I’d been claiming by faith ever since 1988.

 

Act Like Abraham This Christmas

Then, just like Abraham, I started giving glory to God. I determined to be grateful and give Him thanks by faith. It occurred to me, for instance, that even though some parts of my body hurt, others didn’t. So I’d thank Him for that.

I thanked Him that I was saved and going to heaven instead of hell. I thanked Him for my children who are all serving Him. I thanked Him for all kinds of other blessings He’s given me. After a while I noticed that as long as I was shouting my gratitude to God, I wasn’t hurting. So I just kept it up.

Somewhere along the way, my physical body started changing. I don’t know exactly when. But I can tell you this: Sixteen months later, all signs of degenerative joint disease had vanished. I’ll be 80 years old this month and instead of slowing down, I’m gearing up. Instead of getting weaker, I’m getting stronger.

My physical body has been quickened by the resurrection power of God! Not only have I been healed from the disease that tried to destroy me, my adrenal glands are functioning. My thyroid has come back to life. I’m more alive in every way than I was 20 years ago!

I have a fresh spark. I’m enjoying a whole new fruit-bearing season of life, and I intend to live it to the fullest until Jesus and I are both satisfied. Not like some old Christmas tree that has a short season of glory, then just withers away.

Then, and only then, I’ll depart this planet like Abraham did. “He died at a good (ample, full) old age, an old man, satisfied and satiated, and was gathered to his people” (Genesis 25:8, AMPC).

The way I see it, that’s the only way to go.

 

Dare to Shine His Light on Renewal!

 

  • Take inventory of your life. In what areas do you need renewed strength? Write them down and acknowledge them before God.
  • Begin to speak the promise of renewed strength over these specific areas of your life.
  • Speak the promise of renewed youth and health over yourself every day. Say “My youth is renewed just like the eagle’s! I receive the benefit of my youth being renewed every day!”
  • Identify any generational curves you may have in your family, and determine and confess that they don’t have to belong to you! Begin praying that you will break those curses and overcome those obstacles with God’s help. Be like Abraham! Give glory to God and thank Him by faith while you’re waiting for renewal.

 

SHINE HIS LIGHT ON Victory

by Gloria Copeland

 

On Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, millions of Americans gather around their television sets to cheer on their favorite football team to win. We even enjoy small victories in our lives—Christmas lights hung on the highest peak of the house, a snowman that took four hours to build, and a pumpkin pie made from scratch that’s actually edible.

Victory. It’s what we’re all searching for, isn’t it? And not just the small wins that come from our favorite team winning the game or building a snowman. We want victory for the big things in life – like our finances, careers, ministry, health and relationships.

Webster defines victory as “final and complete supremacy.” That means when it’s over, it’s over. There is no more vying for the position of triumph. It is finished. And you have the crown.

You might be thinking, I could use some victory right about now. The good news is that you have it! First Corinthians 15:57, AMPC, says, “But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.” That means the victory has already been won—our victory.

Because of Jesus, we are not fighting for a position of victory, we are fighting from a position of victory.

 

The Victor’s Prize

When you think of a victor, you think of someone who won a battle or competition, and you also think of someone who took the spoils.

If you have ever watched the Olympics, you know that there have been quite a few times when a team won an Olympic gold medal due primarily to one person’s effort. Even a player who sits on the bench during the medal rounds will still receive a gold medal because he or she is aligned with that team.

We, as believers, have aligned ourselves with Jesus. Though we played no part in the victory he claimed on the Cross, we are partakers of the spoils because we’ve received what He did for us.

What is the prize?

Whenever there is a competition that involves a reward of some kind, the first thing everyone wants to know is what is the prize? People want to know what they’re fighting for. It helps them to decide if it’s worth the effort and to determine what is at stake if they lose the fight.

In this case, the prize is total victory in every area of your life. I’d say that’s worth fighting for!

You already have it, but there’s an enemy who wants to take it from you or, better yet, convince you that you don’t even have it in the first place.

 What are the spoils that you have through Jesus?

He won victory over death, grief, sin, sadness, lack, poverty, sickness, disease, strife, division and so much more. He defeated everything under the curse (Galatians 3:13). That’s a big victory!

It belongs to you—you just have to fight to keep it. Here are four steps to ensure that you keep your victory!

 

Four Steps to Ensure That You Keep Your Victory

  1. Make the decision: I will not be defeated; I will receive from God (1 John 5:4-5).

What would happen if those Olympians we talked about went around acting sad, defeated and miserable after winning their gold medals? What if they kept talking about how they just can’t seem to win? You’d say, “You’ve already won!”

That’s what Jesus is saying to you today. You’ve already won! But, you have to collect your prize and gather your spoils. He isn’t going to do it for you. He already did everything on the Cross. Your job is to receive those gifts and refuse to be defeated in life. You’ve already won!

  1. Resist Satan: Refuse to entertain his thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; James 4:7). As you begin to wonder in your mind, you will begin to wander from God’s best.

Anything that does not line up with the Word of God is a thought that must be cast down immediately. Don’t even entertain it. When thoughts do come in, respond and talk back with the truth of God’s Word concerning your situation. We have victory in every area of our lives—so find the scripture that matches your problem and speak it in the Name of Jesus, believing you receive it.

  1. Give your attention to God’s Word(Proverbs 4:20-22): Fix your mind on God’s Word (Joshua 1:8).

The more time you spend in His Word, the more the truth of your victory through Christ Jesus will become a reality in your life. It will be more real to you than your circumstances.

Purpose to avoid feeding your spirit negative influences (media, secular television). Faith comes by hearing—the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Fear comes by hearing that which is contrary to the Word of God.

  1. Refuse to speak words contrary to what you believe you have received from the Lord(Mark 11:23-24): Answer every doubt immediately with the Word of God—that includes every symptom of sickness, unforgiveness, lack, strife, fear, etc. Put His Word ahead of the word of the doctor, the bank, your co-workers or your friends. Your victory is voice activated—make sure you’re only speaking victorious words.

 

Live a Life of Victory This Christmas!

As you are consistent in these steps, victory will become a regular part of your life, just as Jesus promised in John 14:21: “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

There will be trials and troubles in this world. But, through Him, you’ve overcome them, mastered them, suppressed them and prevailed over them—conquered them.

To conquer means “to get the better of in competition or struggle, to master, suppress, prevail over, overwhelm, surmount, to gain superiority, to subdue, to vanquish, to crush, to defeat.”

No wonder 1 Corinthians 15:57 shouts, “Thanks be to God Who gives us the victory, [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ” (AMPC)!

Know that you are joined up with the One who has conquered the world, the flesh and the devil. Shout hallelujah and enjoy the victory!

You have world-overcoming victory faith!

 

Dare to Shine His Light on Victory This Christmas!

 

  • In what area of your life do you need victory this Christmas? Go through the four steps above to claim your victory!
  • If you’re struggling in your finances this Christmas, don’t despair! Resist the temptation to seek the world’s solutions. Go to the Word, find the many scriptures that promise you abundance, provision and a life without lack. Speak them, study them, meditate on them. Then, believe God for supernatural financial blessing this Christmas.
  • If you have sickness, disease or any kind of struggle in your physical body—Jesus already fought and won the victory over that specific problem for you. Now, reach out and take it. Don’t wait for the new year. It belongs to you NOW.
  • Is there strife in any of your relationships? Time for victory. Go to the Lord, and ask for His wisdom. Speak truth and refuse to speak contrary to the Word of God concerning your relationships. Pray and believe Him for a change even now.
  • Share your testimony of victory on your social media page! Be sure to tag Kenneth Copeland Ministries and use hashtags #25DaysofChristmas and #KCM25DayDare .

 

SHINE HIS LIGHT ON Seed Faith

by Kenneth Copeland

 

If you’re planning to visit a Christmas tree farm this year, the trees you’ll be choosing from are the result of careful planning. Five or six years ago, the farmer planted a pine cone seed in fertile soil. He believed in that pine cone seed and that one seed would produce enough to stake his livelihood on it.

I learned what drives farmers like that to do what they do when I was a student at Oral Roberts University in 1967. It set the course of my life and ministry, forever. It is something so simple, yet, powerful enough to create an entire universe. It is something so obvious, yet easily overlooked.

It is…faith in seed.

I remember boldly declaring to Gloria back then, “I am going to have the hundredfold return. You and I will walk in it. We’re going to do things and have things that people will be too scared to even talk about. But we are going to do it!”

Since that time, a lot of people have told me, “Copeland, you just set your sights too high.”

Well, I’m just doing what the Apostle Paul did: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14, KJV).

Notice it’s a high calling, not a low one.

That’s why, in nearly 50 years of ministry, I’ve found that a lot of church people—even preachers—get upset when you start talking about believing God for 30, 60 and a hundredfold return on what you sow into His kingdom. They get real nervous when you challenge them to receive all God has set before them.

But go talk to some farmers about the hundredfold return. That’s what they’re all after. They’re doing everything they can to get a hundredfold harvest from the seed they sow.

Why, then, are Christians so reluctant when it comes to believing God for a hundredfold return?

Because they don’t understand the principle of seed faith. Believers should use their faith for return on what they sow, the same as the farmer does.

God does everything He does by seed, and farmers do everything they do by seed.

 

A Lesson From a Farmer

In fact, a farmer is whom God used in 1947 to plant a seed in the heart of Dr. Oral Roberts. He planted this very principle of faith in a seed.

At the time, Dr. Roberts was pastoring a small church in Enid, Okla. He and his wife, Evelyn, had two children—and that was about all. They had no home, no car, few belongings, and lived from house to house with church members.

But on an unusually cold spring morning, just a couple hours before sunrise, a farmer knocked at their door.

The man apologized for waking them, but explained that he couldn’t wait any longer. He was about to lose his farm.

It turned out that this man was a member of Dr. Roberts’ church and happened to be one of the wealthiest men in the county. He had a large farm, but had lost a lot of money in the stock market and was about to lose everything. He came to Dr. Roberts for a miracle.

“God had me dig this up out of my backyard,” he said. Then he handed an old can to Dr. Roberts. Inside were four one-hundred dollar bills. “I want to put this in the offering for you and your family.”

In a church service the night before, Dr. Roberts had approached the church members about purchasing a parsonage. An offering was taken toward the down payment of a house and this farmer gave nothing. That night, however, God spoke to him.

“Oral,” the man said, “I’m a farmer, and I believe in seed. I’m not considering this as money. I’m considering it as seed for my miracle.”

Those words struck Dr. Roberts’ heart, and by the Spirit of God he heard, Seed faith!

Faith in seed. Faith in God’s way of doing things.

In the end, that farmer got his miracle, and Dr. Roberts got his house. But Dr. Roberts also went on to build his life, his ministry and a university worth more than half a billion dollars in property alone—and all by faith in a seed.

 

We Say Need—God Says Seed!

When we go to God with a need, He immediately begins talking to us about seed—something we can sow, or that we have sown, that will meet that need. Oftentimes, however, that’s the last thing we want to hear.

For example, there was a young rich man who ran up to Jesus and asked, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17, KJV).

He literally knelt before The LORD with all his need. He wanted eternal life.

“Go…sell whatsoever thou hast,” Jesus told him, “and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me” (verse 21, KJV).

With that, the man got up from his knees and walked away downcast. Verse 22 tells us why. “For he was holding great possessions” (AMPC).

This rich man came to Jesus with a need—the need for eternal life—and Jesus began talking to him about planting seed, but the man didn’t realize it. In his natural way of thinking, he thought Jesus meant he was just supposed to give away everything he had.

But that wasn’t the case at all. Jesus was simply trying to help him change from the world’s way of doing things to God’s way, by sowing a seed.

 

Teaspoonful or Truckload?

If you and I are going to enter God’s kingdom and operate in His ways, we must have faith in seed—and I don’t just mean have faith in God. Yes, we must trust God, but we must also have faith in the seed itself. We must believe it will produce for us, the same as a farmer would believe.

The Bible tells us that God based His kingdom, as well as the universe, on the principle of seedtime and harvest (Genesis 8:22). It has operated that way ever since.

Using parable after parable, Jesus taught His disciples the value of seed, as well as the power of faith in seed (Mark 4:21-34). But in the middle of all that teaching, He challenged them to have ears to hear. “To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them” (verse 25).

In other words, you and I are only limited by how much we choose to hear, or how much we choose to measure.

What exactly are we measuring? The amount of WORD we hear.

Like the disciples, God’s challenge is, “How much will we measure? How much of His WORD will we give ourselves to?”

The 30, 60 and hundredfold is not a theological debate. It’s a responsibility that falls back into our laps. We ultimately determine the amount of “return” we receive from every seed we sow into the kingdom of God. We decide whether it will be a teaspoonful, a handful or truckload.

God has faith in seed. That’s His way of doing things. His kingdom doesn’t operate any other way.

God is waiting. It’s your move. It’s your measure.

You don’t have to wait for the new year to begin sowing seed. That Christmas tree farmer is already five years ahead in his sowing. Now, you do the same!

 

Dare to Shine His Light on Seed Faith This Christmas!

 

  • What need do you have in your life right now? How can you sow a seed toward receiving a harvest in that area? If you aren’t sure—seek The LORD and have ears to hear His answer.
  • Sow seed by giving to your local church or a ministry committed to furthering the work of the Kingdom.
  • Sow seed by giving someone an unexpected gift that you know will bless them.
  • Sow seed by paying for someone’s coffee or food at a restaurant.
  • Keep a journal of the seed you’ve sown. Be sure to name each seed by documenting what you are believing for in return for the seed sown.
  • Begin to seek and expect supernatural blessing on your life this Christmas season. God’s provision is better than anything you’ll ever find under a Christmas tree.

 

SHINE HIS LIGHT ON Possibility

by Gloria Copeland

 

There’s something about Christmas that inspires children to begin dreaming. Maybe it’s the sparkle of Christmas lights on houses, the stockings hung and waiting to be filled, or dazzling packages nestled under the Christmas tree.

Somehow, anything seems possible this time of year. Many youngsters will even rush to bed much earlier than normal because they are so excited about the possibility of what will be under the tree when they wake up the next morning.

That’s what is so wonderful about children—their hopeful expectation. They dream big and expect miracles. Perhaps that is why Jesus desires for us to have childlike faith (Matthew 18:2-5).

What about you? Are you childlike in your anticipation this Christmas? Anticipation has always been a huge part of Christmas, as Jesus was the most anticipated gift ever received!

Put yourself in Mary’s shoes. She must have experienced months of anticipation as Jesus, the Messiah, grew in her womb. Moreover, the Jewish people had been taught for centuries to earnestly await the One who would save them, and here she was about to give birth to Him!

We also know the Magi traveled a great distance to see Jesus because they expected Him to be the king of the Jews. In the book of Daniel, we learn that the Magi were among the highest ranking officials in Babylon. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they began asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” They had not seen Him, but expected to see Him.

Just imagine what the Magi had to be thinking and dreaming! They must have been overwhelmed with excitement at the possibility of finding God in the form of a human baby.

They had to believe it was possible and put faith in God’s Word! They couldn’t afford to think ‘small’ or they may have never made that trip to find baby Jesus.

 

Small Thinking Limits God

Small thinking and small expectations limit God’s ability to work on your behalf. That’s why He often asks His people to raise their sights right before He does something remarkable.

For example, God wanted to do great things for and through Abram. While Abram was just looking for a plot of land to pasture his flocks, God wanted to give him all the land stretching out beyond the four points of the compass.

In the same way, Abraham wanted a single heir, but God wanted to make his descendants as innumerable as the dust of the earth.

God instructed him to “lift up your eyes.” In other words, “Raise your sights! You’re thinking too small.”

Abram believed God and caught His vision for his life, and what God spoke to him came to pass.

This Christmas season, God is telling us to raise our sights. To stop thinking small. We need to allow ourselves to dream about the possibilities that come along with believing God.

You don’t have to wait for the new year either; God is waiting to do more for you right now—in this season.

 

Expand Your Vision

Looking up and raising your level of expectation will impact every area of your life. Just as God had to move Abraham from thinking of only one son to thinking in terms of whole nations, God wants us to lift our eyes beyond being concerned only for our immediate needs and wants and only for those things that seem possible. He wants us to expect mighty things and to bring whole nations into His kingdom.

In what ways can you begin to think bigger? With the spirit of anticipation and excitement in the air this season, it’s a perfect time to start. Here are three ways to shine His light on possibilities:

  1. Raise Your Expectations

As long as you’re willing to live without God’s best, you will. In order to raise your expectations, you must look to God’s Word and His promises. Those promises, and nothing less, should be your expectations.

Here are a few promises from God’s Word every believer should have his or her sights on:

  • God’s best for you is healing (Isaiah 53:5). So, don’t expect sickness or disease.
  • His best for you is financial prosperity (Psalm 35:27, KJV). Therefore, don’t settle for lack or poverty.
  • His will for you is an “abundant increase of favors” (Genesis 12:2, AMPC). That means you should believe for favor in every area of your life. And you don’t have to earn it or be qualified for it in the natural!

Since God’s Word provides much better promises than anything this world has to offer, your expectations should be much greater than unbelievers’.

  1. Walk in Obedience
    God’s will for you is to dream big and receive big. But, there is a condition. You must be obedient to His Word.

For example, if you are believing for health and healing, you must mix your faith in Isaiah 53:5 with obedience in taking care of your body (1 Corinthians 6:19). Whether that be eating properly, exercising, or any other specific instruction that the Lord has given you personally—obedience is key.

Most people tend to associate obeying God with drudgery and pain. But the truth is, obedience is always to our advantage. We need to change our expectations accordingly. When, in answer to the call of God, you leave behind your old lifestyle, your old habits and your old patterns of thinking, you experience great advantage.

  1. Refuse Fear

Once you have begun to expect more and walk in obedience, the devil will send in doubt and fear to try and rob you of your blessing. This is a critical moment in receiving all that God has made possible for you.
We know that faith and fear are opposing forces, so you can’t have both at the same time. This requires an intentional effort to reject fear and only speak words of faith. James 4:7, KJV, says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” That means, the devil has to go when you resist him. Fear cannot stay when you fight with faith.

 

Don’t Limit God

Dreaming big was never meant to be limited to Christmastime. All of the wonder, hope and expectation that is felt at this time of year is to be in the heart of the believer each and every day. Purpose to live expecting great and exciting things in your life every day.

 

Dare to Shine His Light on Possibility!

 

  • As you watch your kids and grandkids dream this Christmas, look for ways to exhibit that same childlike faith in God and endeavor to “lift up your eyes” to greater things.
  • Identify an area where you have been limiting God. Look up verses to support God’s promise for you. Confess to God that you’ve been thinking small, and tell Him that you believe His Word over your circumstances. Have faith in God, and expect Him to move accordingly.
  • Spend some time dreaming with God about the possibilities for your life, and then, dare to ask Him for what you really want in your life. Reference a scripture that backs your claim, and ask—expecting to see great things.

SHINE HIS LIGHT ON Priorities

by Kenneth Copeland

 

Have you ever seen one of those advent calendars that counts down the days until Christmas? Some of them will have a little window you open to reveal a Scripture verse. Others have a trinket or a chocolate inside. Either way, you can’t open all the windows at once; you have to take them one day at a time.

Think how great it would be if you had only one thing on your to-do list today.

Not 100.

Not 10.

Just one.

That might be hard to imagine with Christmas right around the corner.

What if that one thing would put you and keep you in the perfect will of God, guarantee your success, and empower you to be BLESSED and a BLESSING every day of your life?

Sounds great, doesn’t it? But to most people (Christians included) it also sounds too good to be true. “My life is complicated and demanding,” they say. “I have to earn a living. I have to take care of my family and fulfill my responsibilities at church. I have a lot of different priorities. I can’t tend to just one thing!”

From the world’s perspective, such statements make sense. But according to the Bible, that’s not how God sees it. He says we have just one priority: “My son, attend to my WORDs” (Proverbs 4:20, KJV).

What does it mean to attend to God’s WORD? It means we put it first and make it final authority in our spirit, soul, body, finances and everything we do every day. It means we always take time to hear what The LORD is telling us so we can say and do whatever He tells us to.

In short, it means we hang on to Jesus’ every word.

 

Living in a Martha World

“But Brother Copeland, I’m too busy,” you might say.

That’s what Martha thought, too. Remember her story? She’s the woman in Luke 10 who hosted one of Jesus’ teaching meetings in her home.

If anyone ever had reason to think she didn’t have time for The WORD, Martha did. Especially the day Jesus came to her house. He had His 12 disciples with Him, and who knows how many of His other 70 staff members.

Needless to say, Martha was very busy! She was not only playing hostess to a virtual multitude, she was trying to figure out how to keep them fed. (That might describe you, too, especially this time of year!)

She didn’t have the luxury of calling Colonel Sanders to deliver meals for everyone like we do today. She had to make everything. She assumed her sister Mary would help, but instead of heading for the kitchen, Mary joined the disciples, “sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (verse 39, KJV).

So while Jesus taught and everyone else listened, Martha tended to the business of cooking…all by herself.

And she wasn’t happy about it.

Finally, Martha couldn’t stand it anymore. Convinced Jesus should correct the situation, she marched in and interrupted His sermon. “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me” (verse 40, NKJV).

 

Too Many Things to Do

Imagine this! Not only did Martha make a scene right in the middle of Jesus’ meeting, she as much as accused Him of not caring about her.

Martha was “[overly occupied and too busy]…distracted with much serving” (verse 40, AMPC).

 She had too many things on her to-do list.

How did Jesus help her? He answered and said to her: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (verses 41-42, NKJV).

To Martha’s credit, she didn’t argue with what Jesus told her. She didn’t say, “Be practical, LORD! What am I supposed to do? Just let everyone go hungry?”

That’s how most Christians these days would have responded. But the fact is, Jesus didn’t say people should go hungry. What He said was that only one thing is needed: to hear and obey His WORD.

When we make that one thing our priority, everything else falls in line.

 

The Teacher Is in Your House

“But Brother Copeland,” you might say, “Martha’s situation was different than mine. Jesus was right there with her, teaching God’s WORD!”

Yes, He was. But the same is true for you. As a Holy Ghost-baptized believer, you can sit down, open your Bible, and hear Jesus preach to you every day. Why? Because you not only have God’s written WORD to read, you have the Holy Spirit living inside you to quicken that WORD.

In other words, just like Martha, you have the Teacher in your house—and every day He is saying the same thing to you He said to her: The one thing you really need to do is hear and obey God’s WORD.

 

The Secret to 100-Percent Success

God’s WORDs are the foundation of everything in His kingdom. They don’t just carry information, and they’re not only a means of communication. They’re infused with the very power of God Himself.

That’s why in John 6:63, Jesus said His WORDs are “spirit and life.”

Everything Jesus accomplished in the Gospels, He did by hearing and acting on God’s WORD.

Consider the incident at the pool of Bethesda. The Bible tells us that when Jesus walked up to that pool, multitudes of blind, crippled and diseased people were crowded all around waiting for the angel to stir the water. Yet Jesus walked right past them all and focused His attention on one bedridden man. “Wilt thou be made whole?” He asked. “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk” (John 5:6, 8, KJV).

Twelve words. That’s all Jesus spoke because that’s all the Father told Him to say. As a result, He had 100-percent success.

You know as well as I do, if we’d been there we would have set up the Pool of Bethesda Healing Association. We would have bottled the water, lined up all the sick people and anointed them with it.

But none of it would have done any good because only one thing is needful. The WORD of God.

Whatever He says, that’s what we need to say and do—and nothing else!

 

The Answer to Your To-Do List

God’s WORD can supply enough divine wisdom, power and life to conquer any challenge you might be facing. When you give His WORD first place, you open your heart and your ears to hear the Holy Spirit leading and guiding you. He can give you insights on how to tackle your daily to-do list more efficiently. He can relieve you of the burdens and life struggles you are carrying.

So make it your priority this Christmas. Simplify your life and make attending to God’s WORD the only thing on your to-do list. Just like that advent calendar, you can’t take on everything all at once. There has to be an order to things.

Spend time with Him every day and find out what He’s saying to you. Then stick with His plan. Say whatever He tells you to say, and do whatever He tells you to do.

It’s the only sure way to live BLESSED.

 

Dare to Shine His Light on Priorities This Christmas!

 

  • Rearrange your priority list by putting attending to God’s WORD at the top of the list. With a long Christmas to-do list, when can you make time for the most important item on the list—attending to God’s WORD? Is early morning best or in the evening before bed? Whatever you do—make spending time in His WORD and in prayer your top priority. Everything else will fall into place.
  • Set up a reoccurring daily appointment in your phone’s calendar for you to spend time studying God’s WORD.
  • Listen to The WORD on the go! If you have a lot of errands to run, consider listening to the Believer’s Voice of Victory podcast in your vehicle. Download your favorite podcast app, add the BVOV video or audio podcast, and allow The WORD to fill your spirit and bring peace to your day.

SHINE HIS LIGHT ON Worry

by Gloria Copeland

 

Seven swans a swimming, six geese a laying, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtledoves, and a partridge in a pear tree…That’s a lot of birds in one Christmas carol!

Birds, like robins and red cardinals, not only appear on Christmas cards, but they also have great symbolism in the Bible. God references eagles, doves and sparrows, among many others. They play a significant part in many well-known stories in the Bible.

I have sat at my kitchen table and looked out the window at the birds. In the cold of winter, I have seen a bird and thought, God has put Himself on the line to provide for that bird. Then I have gone out and thrown him something to eat.

Do you know that in all the times I’ve done that, I have never seen a bird looking worried about where his next meal would come from. God said He would provide for the birds, and He keeps His Word. He’s a good God.

So what about you? Are you worried? Do you feel like you’re spinning your wheels trying to get the things you need?

Then you aren’t living in a revelation of the goodness of God and His willingness to bless you. You aren’t following Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 6:25-34 to receive the good things God has laid up for you.

 

Why Worry?

You may think, But I’ve already heard that God is good, and He wants to bless me.

Then why are you worrying instead of receiving?

Many people believe God is good, but head knowledge alone doesn’t affect their daily lives. It takes more than head knowledge to change your circumstances—it takes a revelation from the Word of God.

Do you know what a revelation is? It’s a truth that becomes so real to you, as the Holy Spirit shines light on it, that it becomes a part of your life. You don’t just hear it and then forget about it. You act on it. It is knowledge acted on that brings results.

This is what happened to me years ago when this passage in Matthew 6 became my first encounter with a revelation from the Word of God.

I had been raised in a church where they didn’t really think God was interested or would get involved in their lives. As a result, they worried about everything—and they taught me to worry. I even believed it was irresponsible not to worry!

But when I read that God was even interested in the birds, I knew He must care about me! This scripture put great faith in me. It became a revelation to me, and I asked God to take my life and do something with it. I found out that when you give God just a little opening, He will come right in.

 

How to Not Worry

Now understand, just because I received revelation about worry doesn’t mean the temptation to worry immediately left me. When I took hold of these scriptures, I had to learn to not worry.

Minute by minute I would reject worried thoughts that came at me from every direction. Though I didn’t know it at the time, I was doing what 2 Corinthians 10:5 says. I was “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (KJV).

At the time, Ken and I were in desperate need of all kinds of things. We were drowning in a sea of debts and trouble, and the Word became our life preserver! I had read in Matthew 6:33 that if I would seek God first, He would take care of the “things.” This was such good news to me, I wanted to learn more.

My way out of worry and into the reality of God’s goodness all started with one scripture. Revelation from God’s Word has to be the basis for any real change you make. The Word has to be No. 1.

I would like to say this is always easy. But it’s not.

In this busy world, especially at Christmastime, what is easy is to get our priorities out of order. We can become so caught up in the cares of daily life that we don’t make time for God and His kingdom to be first place.

As a result, the Word gets choked out by cares and distractions—what Jesus called “thorns” in Mark 4:18-19.

If watching the news puts care, fear and worry into you, don’t watch. Nowadays you can watch bad news 24 hours a day, but that doesn’t mean you should! Spend that time in the “good news”—that’s what the word gospel means.

How do you stop worrying? You replace worrying with believing what the Word says. You can refuse worrying as you replace it with believing what the Word says

You see, meditation on the Word is more than just reading. It’s applying what is says to your life and changing your situation.

 

Trust God’s Goodness

God wants you to trust Him for everything you need. Look at Psalm 31:19: “How great is the goodness    you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,   blessing them before the watching world.”

When you trust Him, you can receive the good things He has laid up for you. To build that trust, you have to keep the Word as the center of your focus.

But if you’re listening to the devil’s lies and agreeing with them instead, you can’t be in faith. You’re sure to be anxious and worried.

When you worry, you’re in little or no faith, and that’s no place for a believer. Matthew 6:30 says, “And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

So choose to trust God. Choose to believe He will take care of you—even down to what you will eat, drink and wear.

 

Win the Battle of the Mind

Casting your cares on God is an act of faith. It may not be easy at first, but it is necessary if you want to live in victory.

 

First Peter 5:8-9, KJV, says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

You can’t worry and be in faith at the same time. Resist the devil’s lies and give him no place (James 4:7; Ephesians 4:27). As Matthew 6:25, KJV, says, “Take no thought….” You have to consciously refuse to take those worried thoughts he brings.

The result will be perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).

That’s what I have done all these years, and I hardly ever have a worried thought anymore. I walk in the peace that passes understanding. It doesn’t make sense to the natural mind, but, I’m not living a natural life.

Whenever you are tempted to worry, just look at a bird. Does it seem worried? No, it has a heavenly Father who cares about it.

Well you have that same Father, and He delights in providing for you.

Remember, the Lord is good to all.

That includes you. So why worry?

My prayer is that you won’t. You’ll be just like the birds, and you will enjoy a worry-free Christmas!

 

Dare to Shine His Light on Worry This Christmas!

 

  • God is on the line to take care of the birds, and He’s on the line to take care of you, too. Meditate on these truths as you watch the birds outside your own window.
  • Refuse to worry! Commit to be obedient to Jesus’ command and to receive all God has for you (Matthew 6:25-34).
  • For every issue you’re tempted to worry about, find scriptures that apply to your situation. Keep them in front of your eyes, and going in your ears and out your mouth, until that truth gets into your heart.
  • Whenever you find yourself worrying about anything, say out loud, “I take no thought about that.” Then speak a scripture promise that applies to what you were tempted to worry about.

 

SHINE HIS LIGHT ON Receiving

by Kenneth Copeland

 

Christmas is a season of giving. God sent His Son to earth to redeem all mankind, and we spend the entire season celebrating this most precious gift. As part of the festivities, people go to great effort and expense to select and purchase gifts for loved ones. If you’re like me, you find great joy in giving.

Giving is certainly an important principle to learn in the kingdom of God. If you study the Bible, it’s not hard to discern that God, too, finds great joy in giving, and He’s the biggest Giver of all.

But, what about receiving? If God is the biggest Giver of all and finds great joy in giving to us, how are we supposed to receive from Him? Let me illustrate what I mean by telling you a story about Pop, Gloria’s grandfather.

Strong. Sweet. Godly.

Pop was one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known. He belonged to a generation that was determined to pay its own way. He’d give you everything he had, but you couldn’t give him anything.

Of course it’s an admirable thing for people to want to pull their own load; but the fact is, our lives aren’t complete until we learn how to receive. And that was something Pop had never learned.

I remember when I discovered how true that was. He had an old, beat-up watch that he’d been wearing for years. One day the watchband broke, so he ran a paper clip through the band, bent the paper clip over the top of the watch, and wore it that way.

When I saw that paper clip holding his watchband together, I thought, A fine gentleman and man of God shouldn’t be wearing an old, broken watch like that! So I bought him a new watch. I didn’t pay a lot of money for it, but I saw it, liked it and decided to buy it. When Christmas came, I gave the watch to him as a gift.

Two or three months later we were back over at his place and I noticed that Pop didn’t have on his new watch. He was wearing that same old, broken watch.

I said, “Pop, where’s your new watch?”

“Oh, I don’t wear that,” he said.

“Is there something wrong with it? If that’s the case, I’ll get you another watch.”

“Oh, no, no. It’s a fine watch. It’s too fine. That watch is too nice for me.” He was serious.

He simply couldn’t receive my gift.

I remember feeling as if a door had slammed in my face. I had given Pop that watch and wanted to see him wear it. I was left with something missing when he refused to receive it from me (the joy of being a blessing to someone I cared about); and he was left with something missing, too. He was left without the blessing of wearing a new watch.

 

Robbed by False Humility

At that moment, The LORD spoke to me. Do you see how that Robbed by False Humilitymakes you feel? It does the same thing to Me. Of course, you know that he’s saying these things out of humility, don’t you?

I said, Yes, Sir, I know he is.

 But do you realize that it isn’t true humility? The LORD continued. All it did was grieve your heart.

Suddenly, I had a clear picture of how I had often treated The LORD.

We have the tendency to do the same thing Gloria’s grandfather did. Every day, God’s grace is extended to us, but often a sense of false humility keeps us from receiving. We don’t have confidence in the Giver so we turn away from His gifts.

You are Mine. Come and be blessed by Me, The LORD says.

“Oh, God,” we reply, “I might take a little bit of Your provision, just enough to get by, but I don’t think that it would be right for me to receive too many blessings from You.”

That’s false humility, and as I learned from Pop, false humility grieves God

How can we avoid grieving God in this way? We must learn that we walk in a great, eternal covenant that’s been formed between the Son and the Father. In addition, we need to get a clear concept of the grace of God, and take our place in it.

Let God Bless You

Your ability to operate in the grace to receive from God is linked to your understanding of your righteousness before Him—a righteousness purchased for you by Jesus’ sacrificial death.

In fact, 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares that we become the righteousness of God. Chapter 6, verse 1, says this: “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (KJV).

Do you see the connection? The WORD is clear. Failing to understand that you stand before God completely righteous—robed in the purity and authority of Jesus Himself—will cause you to nullify the operation of God’s grace in your life.

God wants to treat you as if you’ve never sinned. He wants to treat you like you are the smartest, holiest and most beautiful thing that ever existed.

All this time, He’s been trying to treat us this way, and yet we wouldn’t allow it. Like Gloria’s grandfather, we haven’t learned how to receive. When God has tried to bless us, we’ve said, “I’m just an old sinner, saved by grace. I’m not deserving of that.”

Well, you’re either an old sinner or you’re saved by grace. You can’t be both, and you need to make up your mind which one you want to be. If you are saved by grace, then you need to quit calling yourself an old sinner and start believing in the fullness of God’s saving grace.

When you refuse to receive the gifts that God is trying to bestow on you, you insult the blood of Jesus and reject the grace of God. You need to make up your mind that you’re not going to do that anymore!

I want to remind you that God is no respecter of persons. Everything that He has ever done for Jesus, He will do for you. Everything He has ever given Jesus, He will give to you. Remember: “If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32, KJV).

We are joint heirs with Jesus and His Anointing. We are one spirit with Him. Everything that Jesus has is ours, and we access these blessings by faith.

 

Faith to Receive This Christmas

In 2 Corinthians 8:9, the Bible says that Jesus, who was very rich, for our sakes became poor so that we, through His poverty, might become rich. He did it so that we would be abundantly supplied.

In this hour, God is urging us to abound in this grace, too. Jesus has given us everything heaven has to offer, and He wants us to step into our wealthy place in Him (Psalm 66:12).

Sadly, when most Christians hear that news, they respond as Pop did. “I can’t wear that. It’s too nice for me.” Don’t be guilty of grieving God’s heart in this way. Receive God’s promise of abundance by faith so that you might abound in His grace.

God loves it when you find out what is yours. He doesn’t wait until Christmas to bless us with His promises. They are ours for the taking every day! Will you receive them?

 

Dare to Receive From Him This Christmas!

 

  • Right this very moment, God has blessings and promises that He has set before you, in the same way I set the watch before Pop. Ask The LORD to reveal to you the gifts you have left on the table. Then, ask for God’s forgiveness for not accepting them, and tell Him that you’ll receive them now!
  • Thank God for all that He has provided for you through the gift of Jesus Christ, and determine to receive everything He died to give you.
  • Ask God for the wisdom to bless others this season with the gifts He’s given you.
  • Practice being a good receiver! Each time you are given a gift this Christmas, receive it with joy by expressing your thanks and gratitude. Eliminate phrases like, “I wish you wouldn’t have done that,” and “I can’t possibly accept this.” Instead, say things like, “I receive this gift as a blessing from The LORD,” and, “I will receive it.”