COMPASSION IN ACTION

September 30 - Compassion in Action

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."
(Matthew 9:36)

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Compassion. That's the one thing people need more than anything else in this world. They need someone to reach out to them with the compassion of God.

Compassion is a deep yearning that responds to the needs of people. It's much deeper than sympathy. Sympathy can just sit around feeling sorry for people. Compassion has to do something for them.

Compassion is what motivates God, and Jesus' life on earth was a picture of that compassion in action. His whole ministry was driven by it. It was compassion that caused Him to multiply the loaves and fishes, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead. It was compassion that compelled Him to go to the Cross. And it's that same compassion that He now longs to pour out through you.

That's a staggering thought, isn't it?

It's staggering to realize that we believers are the only body Jesus has on this earth now. His healing must flow through our hands and our faith. His compassion must move us to provide for the hungry. It must compel us to cast out demons and set the captives free.

"But, Brother Copeland, I don't have that kind of compassion!"

Yes, you do. If you have the Spirit of God dwelling inside you, you do-- because He is that kind of love! You simply need to activate it.

How? Just like Jesus did when He walked the earth. Through prayer and fellowship with the Father. Look through the Gospels and notice how much time Jesus spent alone with the Father. That time activated the compassion of God within Him. It caused Him to feel what God feels about the suffering of mankind. It stirred Him so much that whenever He encountered a need, He met it by the power of God.

Follow His example. Spend time in fellowship with your Father. Meditate on His compassion until it rises up strong on the inside of you. Stir it up until the desire to see others set free becomes paramount in your thinking.

Jesus has sent you to reach out and touch a love-starved world with His compassion.

If you don't do it, who will?

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Scripture Study: Mark 6:32-46

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

DARE TO DECIDE

September 29 - Dare to Decide

"Be it according to thy word."
(Exodus 8:10)
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I used to worry about making decisions for God. I used to be afraid to step out on faith and declare I was going to do something new that He'd shown me to do. I'd think, "What if I fail?" I was so scared of failing, I'd muddle around in indecision for weeks. Then one day I found out it wasn't my power that was going to carry it out anyway. But it took my decision to move God in on the scene. Once I decided what I was going to do and set it down firm, God backed me!

What I learned is a truth from the Word of God that, if you'll pay attention to it, will revolutionize your life. It's truth that carries an awesome responsibility with it, but it's a wonderful thing to realize.

Here it is: The right, the privilege, and the power to DECIDE has been left by God in the hands of men.

You have the right, for example, to decide where you're going to spend eternity. You have a right to make that decision, and God will back your decision.

God can do everything for you but decide. He's provided the power. He's provided His Name. He's provided the blood of Jesus. He's provided the kingdom of God. He's even made us partakers of it (Col. 1:12).

But He's not going to stuff that inheritance down our throats. Somewhere down the line we each have to make the decision to receive it.

Now the beautiful part is this: When you make that decision, God will back you to the hilt with His power. Once you make a decision to be born again, there's no devil in hell big enough to stop you. All you have to do is decide.

Decide now. Declare your decision. Let it be done unto you according to your words.

Is God leading you in some new direction? Is He leading you to step out in faith for healing or prosperity or to take a whole new step of ministry? Don't let fear hold you back.

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Scripture Study: Romans 4:13-21

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

NO BURDEN

September 28 - No Burden

"For the [true] love of God is this, that we do His commands--keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching. And these orders of His are not irksome--burdensome, oppressive, or grievous."
(1 John 5:3, Amp)

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Do you know why the Word of God and the orders God gives to you in your spirit are not burdensome or oppressive? Because everything He tells you is for your good and for your victory!

God knows what it takes to live in victory in this present evil world. In fact, He's the only one Who knows. The people of this world cannot tell you how to live victoriously. They don't know how. But God does! He can make things work, even in the middle of darkness, and if we'll follow His instructions, commands and precepts from His Word, we can too!

Let me give you an example. One commandment that God gave to us is to love one another and forgive one another as He has forgiven us. This command is not grievous because it's the key to our freedom. If you can walk in the love that's been shed abroad in your heart, you'll have joy every day. But if you don't walk in this commandment of love, somebody will get your joy before lunch! God knows that. So, He made a command of love and forgiveness because love works! Without love, there won't be any joy, and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Don't resent God's teachings. Don't consider His ways a burden to your lifestyle. Rejoice over them. Take them gladly by the hand and let them lead you all the way to victory!

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Scripture Study: 1 John 5:1-5

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

PATTER'S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

GOD'S WAY, GOD'S WILL, GOD'S WORD
BY PAT GULLEY

Gen 3:24
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (KJV)

God has always been THE MAN with THE PLAN. Nothing takes him by surprise and everything He plans is for His glory and our blessing. God created each and every human being for His own pleasure and His own glory. (Is 14:26) That is the purpose he purposed from the very beginning of Creation and he created you for a specific purpose.

1. GOD'S WAY
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way.

There is one way to live life and that is to choose God's way. I know we have talked about this before, but I want to remind you of the importance of knowing the destination of the Path you are taking. There would be nothing more devastating that to get to the end of your road, and find yourself at a dead end with no way to turn around. While there is still life, breath, and movement in your body, call on the LORD Jesus Christ and humble yourself before Him and you will have no regrets as all your mistakes and wrong choices will be "under the blood" of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2. GOD'S WILL
Ps 40:8 I delight to do thy will, o my God.

It is important for us to realize that God's Will is much better for us than our own will. Even Jesus prayed for God's will and not his own will to be done in His life. King David wrote a Psalm (Ps 40:8) and said that it was his delight to do the will of God. When the Disciples came to Jesus and asked Him to teach them how to pray, He told them their prayers were to always be directed to their Father in Heaven. He also told them that they were to pray for God's will to be done in earth, not only in their lives but in the lives of their loved ones and all other dwellers on this planet. (Mt 6:9-13) As long as we dwell in these vessels of clay we are to pray every day for God's will to prevail over man's will. We are also taught to pray for God's will to prevail over the will of the Devil who is the god of this world. (2Co 4:4) It is good for us to always remember that God's will is not automatically done, or Jesus would not have told us to pray for God's will to succeed.

3. GOD'S WORD
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God and the Word was God.

We must accept the BIBLE as the legitimate written and revealed Word of God. We must agree that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's Word and that God sent Him to earth as His "Show & Tell" to be Heaven's Witness to all humankind. Jesus is to be believed. God's Word was made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and that Word can be counted on and trusted. Be a Believer. Make a decision to do it God's Way.

God's Way is God's Will and we have God's Word on it.

SPIRITUAL ARMOR FOR SPIRITUAL WAR

September 27 - Spiritual Armor for Spiritual War

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
(Ephesians 6:12)
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Unfortunately, most of us don't know the first thing about fighting the kind of war in this scripture. For, as Ephesians 6:10-12 says, it's not a battle of flesh and blood, but of the spirit.

Most believers are so earthly minded (or carnally minded) that they never even realize the actual source of the enemy's attacks. They blame circumstances and people. They waste their energy fighting natural conditions instead of supernatural causes.

We need to wake up to the warfare that's going on in the heavenly realm!

We can get a glimpse of it in Daniel 10:12-20. There, we find that Daniel had been fasting and praying for 21 days, awaiting a word from the Lord. Then, an angel appeared to him 21 days later with the answer. What took him so long? He was fighting the enemy in the heavens.

That confuses some people. They say, "Devils fighting in heaven? I thought God reigned in heaven!" What they don't understand is that the Bible teaches there are three different areas called heaven:

1. The heaven where God resides.

2. The stellar heavens (what we call "outer space").

3. The heavens around this earth (the atmosphere surrounding this planet).

This last heaven is where spiritual war takes place. (That's why Ephesians 2:2 calls Satan the prince of the power of the air.) The air is where wicked spirits operate. From there, they attempt to rule the nations assigned to them.

And rule them they will unless the prayers of God's people keep them from it.

God has an army marching in this land. If we band together, we can prevent the wickedness in high places from ruling our nation. The time has come for us to pray. So, put on your full armor and take your place in the ranks of the faithful in intercession for our country and the nations of the world!

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Scripture Study: Daniel 10:1-14

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

LET YOUR NEW MAN OUT

September 26 - Let Your New Man Out

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
(Romans 12:1)
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When you made Jesus Christ Lord of your life, you became what the Bible calls a "new creature." Inside, you're not the same person you were before. You have the nature of God born into you. But it's not enough for you just to have that new nature on the inside. You have to let it take over the outside as well.

Don't expect that to happen automatically. You have to make a decision to bring your body into obedience to the new man within you. You must determine to do what Romans 6:12 says and "let not sin...reign in your mortal body."

I know that sounds tough, but remember, you're not in this alone. You have a Helper inside you to enable you to carry out that decision. His name is the Holy Spirit. He's there to strengthen you. He gives you the power to put sin out of your life and under your feet.

Make that decisive dedication of your body today--and let that new man that's on the inside of you begin to come out!
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Scripture Study: Romans 6:12-23

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

MOVE CLOSER EVERY DAY

September 25 - Move Closer Every Day

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
(John 15:5)
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Abiding in Jesus isn't something that comes automatically to any believer. It's a lifestyle that involves discipline and effort.

We have to choose to give ourselves to our union with Him, to give Him first place where our attention is concerned. If we want to grow spiritually, if we want to walk in power and in fellowship with the Lord, we'll have to spend the time it takes to know Him.

That's not something we can do for a while and then forget about either. We must continue in it every day. For the moment we stop moving closer to Jesus, we always start drifting away.

You see, here in this natural world you're surrounded by ungodliness. You live in a body that is totally natural. Unless you purposely counter that with daily prayer and time in the Word, your body and your mind will simply give in to the pressures around you and go the way of the world.

Right now, make a decision to give yourself to the things of God. Focus your attention on the Lord. Surround yourself with His Word. Listen to preaching and teaching tapes while you're getting dressed, driving to work, preparing dinner, working on your car, exercising, cleaning house and when you go to bed. Listen to the Word of God anytime, anywhere!

Abide in Him today.

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Scripture Study: John 15:1-11

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

GOD'S WILL IS LIBERTY

September 24 - God's Will Is Liberty

"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
(2 Corinthians 3:17)

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Liberty. If you could put the will of God into one word, that would be the word. God wants people to be free. Free from sin, sickness, poverty, oppression and every other curse.

That freedom is what Jesus came to provide. He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor...to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised" (Luke 4:18). That's what He trained His disciples to do. And if you're a born-again believer, that's what He wants you to do too!

Some people say, "Well, I don't know about that. That may not be God's will for today."

But listen, the Bible says God never changes. He hasn't changed His will for the earth. He doesn't do one thing awhile and then go do another thing awhile. Jesus' life was a perfect picture of God's will 2,000 years ago-- and it still is! That's why He left instructions for us to go and do the works that He did. That's why He sent the Holy Spirit to empower us to do them.

Jesus still wants to do the will of the Father here on earth--but He does it through us. He has to work with us until we're willing to lay down our traditions and let Him do His thing. That's what the early Church did. They started out with a bang because they did as Jesus taught them. Everywhere they went people became free.

Let's pray for the Church of today to deliver the liberty of God to the world. Let's quit questioning the will of God and start carrying it out instead. He said the works that He did we would do also and even greater works (John 14:12). It's time for us to take up where Jesus left off and set the captives free!

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Scripture Study: Isaiah 61:1-11

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

REKINDLE THE FIRE

September 23 - Rekindle the Fire

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
(James 4:8)
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Remember when you first got into the Word and were so excited about the things of God? Remember when you could hardly wait to read the next chapter in the Bible or listen to the latest teaching tape? There was only one word to describe you-- HOT! Your reborn spirit was on fire for God.

When Ken and I first heard the message of faith, we were like that. We were so on fire that nothing else in the world interested us. We had learned that we could trust God's Word just like we could trust the word of a close friend, and we were hungry to find out everything He had promised us in His Word.

Back then, it seemed all I did was read God's Word. I read faith books. I listened to tapes. I was dedicated. My total interest was the Word of God.

But slowly that changed. At first I didn't even realize it was happening. Then the Holy Spirit went to work on me and showed me that I had grown lukewarm. I had let the fire die down. I still read the Word, but I had lost my enthusiasm.

Maybe you've had this same experience. If so, I want to tell you how to get the fire back. It worked for me and it will work for you.

God's Word says to draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. In order to do that you will have to first drop the things that are stealing your time from reading the Word. Delight yourself in His Word. Become diligent again. If you will give your attention to the things of God, soon your desire for God will increase. Your desire will follow your attention. The more you attend to something, the more your desire is drawn to give attention to that thing.

I can show you that this is a natural principle. If you play golf, you'll go for months at a time without even thinking about it. Then one day you'll make time in your schedule to go to the course and play a round or two. The next day you may want to play again. Your desire gets stronger and stronger the more you play.

This same thing will happen in the spirit realm. Your soul's desire will follow whatever you spend your time doing. Start building yourself up by praying in the Spirit. Believe and act on everything God says to you. Before long that flicker that's been wavering in your spirit will grow again into an all-consuming FIRE!

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Scripture Study: Revelation 3:13-22

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

A LITTLE EVERY DAY

September 22 - A Little Every Day

"Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it."
(Luke 13:18-19)

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If you're going to grow in the kingdom of God, you're going to do it just like a seed that's been planted in the ground. How does a seed grow? All at once? No, it grows constantly-- 24 hours a day--a little all the time until it accomplishes what it was created to do.

Many of us don't operate that way spiritually. We study and pray very hard for a few days and then quit. Then, when some disaster comes, we make a mad attempt to pray and stand on the Word, all the while realizing that, for some reason, we're just not as strong as we ought to be.

There's no such thing as an overnight success in the kingdom of God! Real strength, real growth comes as you consistently and constantly keep the Word before your eyes, in your ears, and in the midst of your heart. Not just when you want to or when you feel like it, but constantly, like the seed, a little all the time.

A man came up to me once and said, "Man, your ministry just took off overnight, didn't it?"

"If it did," I answered, "it was certainly the longest night I ever spent in my life!"

From his perspective my success did seem to spring up quickly. That's because he didn't see me during all those hours and weeks and months and years I spent in the Word of God. He didn't see the daily process that lay behind that success. He just saw the results.

Make up your mind to begin that daily process of constant growth today. Determine to start putting the Word in your heart consistently. Every day a line here, a line there--a tape here, a tape there.

Begin to act as though that Word is true every hour of the day regardless of what comes or how you feel. Keep adding to your faith, meditating on it, confessing it, seven days a week.

Eventually, your faith will be bigger than you ever dreamed it could be.

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Scripture Study: Luke 13:18-21

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

UNITY OF FAITH

September 21 - Unity of Faith

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."
(Ephesians 4:11-13)

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Till we all come in the unity of the faith. What this scripture means is simply this: If we're ever going to become truly powerful in the kingdom of God, if we're ever going to be any great threat to the devil, we're going to have to grow up--together.

It won't be enough for just a few of us to grow up on our own and say, "Too bad" about everybody else. It doesn't work that way. We're a part of each other. The Bible calls us one body...the Body of Christ.

Let me give you an example. When I began teaching God's revelation on the laws of prosperity, I started getting incredible flack. Preachers started calling me and chewing me out because I wouldn't borrow money and things like that. Finally God said to me one day in prayer, "Don't teach on the laws of prosperity any more until I tell you to."

"Why not?" I asked.

"There's strife in the camp," He told me. "Other preachers are mad at you and in strife over it."

I didn't realize then that the level where we stopped would affect us all. I didn't realize that even I wouldn't be able to go on and operate in the additional laws of prosperity until the rest of the Body would go with me.

We're not islands unto ourselves. I can't do anything without affecting you. You can't do anything without affecting me. We're joined together by God but held together by one another (Eph. 4:16). We can only grow up...together!

Learn to walk in love. Refuse to fall prey to division and isolation. Feed on the Word daily and encourage your brothers and sisters by feeding it to them too, so we can all grow up to be "a perfect [or mature] man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

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Scripture Study: 1 Corinthians 12:13-28

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

METAMORA PATTER'S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: LET YOUR NO MEAN NO

LET YOUR NO MEAN NO
BY PAT GULLEY

James 5:12
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. (KJV)

Isn't it great when you know you can take someone at his or her word? If you ask them to do a certain thing and they say 'yes' you know you can count on that thing being done. If they tell you no, then you know that it will be futile to continue asking them or begging them because you know that their yes means 'yes' and that their no means 'no.'

God's Word is like that. He says what He means and He means what He said. I find great comfort in that. The Bible teaches us that there is no variableness or shadow of turning with our Heavenly Father. (James 1:17)

We find this same characteristic trait in His Son, Jesus Christ. We have read in the Letter to the Hebrews that the Son was made in the exact image of His Father. (Heb 1:3)

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (KJV)

We also read in the Book of Genesis that God created mankind in His image. That means that you and I are capable of choosing our words and following up on those words. The ability to choose our words is one of the many things that separate man from animals. (We are more than a "thumb" above the animal kingdom.)

This capability is so dramatic that God said that we would be judged by the words we speak. (Mt 12:37) The Prophet Malachi told the Nation of Israel that they had wearied God with their words and that they had been hard on God with their conversations concerning Him. (Mal 2:17; 3:13) It truly boggles my mind to think that we too often speak words without giving any heed to the results of those words. The Apostle Paul told the Church at Galatia that they would reap the harvest of the words they speak.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (KJV)

It is very obvious that your words reflect you and your values. As a parent you need to be consistent when talking to and teaching and training your children. Can they trust you? Do your words mean what you say? Do you say yes to them one day and say no to the very same thing the next day? Do you ever promise them that if they do 'this' or 'that' one more time they will suffer a consequence that never comes? This makes it very hard for them to believe what you say.

And do you really expect them to keep count of how many times you have told them to do or not do a certain thing? Do you say, 'How many times have I told you not to slam that door, or how many times have I told you not to hit your brother'. Do your words wear them out so that they quit listening?

I believe it is important for people to be able to take us at our word. It is especially imperative that our children know they can count on us and on the words we say. If you promise them a consequence for doing such and such, then if they do such and such, they are asking for you to do what you said you would do. Don't disappoint them. Be a man or woman of your word. Let your yes mean 'yes', and let your no mean 'no'.

TIME TO GET SERIOUS

September 20 - Time to Get Serious

"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee.... I [will] remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches."
(Psalm 63:1,6)

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If you're going to live in divine health, there are going to be times when you'll have to be downright extreme about the Word of God. Times when you may be facing a sickness so severe that you need more than just a few moments in the Word and a quick prayer to receive your healing.

I want to tell you, in very practical terms, what I would do in a situation like that.

The moment I woke up in the morning, before I did anything else, I'd take Communion. I'd say, "Lord, I dedicate my body all day today to the service of my Lord Jesus Christ. I take Jesus' pure blood shed for me."

Then I'd put the devil in his place. I'd say, "I rebuke you, Satan. You're not going to put any sickness and disease on me today. Regardless of the symptoms, regardless of what my body thinks about it, by the power of Jesus through His Spirit, I have overcome this sickness because He that is within me is greater than he that is in the world."

Then, all day long, I'd thank God for my healing. I'd choose some teaching tapes that would fill my mind and my spirit with the anointed Word of God, and I'd listen to them throughout the day. In the afternoon, I'd praise God and receive Communion again to remind myself that the blood of Jesus is in my veins, that I'm part of God's family.

You don't have to wait until the second Sunday of each month or whatever to receive Communion. Jesus just said, "As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of Me." And if you're facing a serious attack of the devil, you need to remember Him all day and all night. You need to consider Jesus until thoughts of Him push the thoughts of that sickness right out of your mind.

That night before bed I'd receive Communion again, then I'd praise myself to sleep. If I woke up in the night, I'd reach over and get my Bible and read all the healing scriptures and make the devil sorry he woke me.

When the devil launches a serious attack against your body, don't mess around. Get serious about the Word. Put yourself under its constant care and it will take good care of you.

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Scripture Study: Hebrews 4:9-16

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

A WORD ABOUT ANGELS

September 19 - A Word About Angels

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
(Psalm 91:11)

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It's time to set the record straight. Angels are not kid stuff. They're not little fat babies with long blonde hair and bows and arrows in their hands. Angels are big, strong warriors. They are real. They are powerful. And, if you are a believer, they are a vital part of your life.

We see examples of what angels can do all through the Bible. For instance, when the children of Israel were fleeing from Egypt with Pharaoh's army hot on their heels, the Bible tells us that suddenly the wheels on the Egyptians' chariots got fouled up. They just quit rolling!

Who do you think caused that? The angels, of course!

They haven't retired since then either. Angels are at work today just as they've always been.

A few years ago in one of Israel's major wars, the enemy had their guns trained on Israeli cities. Those guns were the finest military equipment money could buy. They had a range of at least 20 miles and were equipped with electronic gun sights for accuracy.

But something very odd happened. Every time they fired those guns at the Israelis, they either overshot or fell far short of their targets. We know there was nothing wrong with the guns because later the Israelis captured them and fired them back at the enemy with perfect success.

What happened? Angels, that's what!

My friend, that isn't just a fairy tale. That's a real-life example of the involvement of angels in the lives of God's people today. And, if you're a child of God, then you have a right to expect God's angels to do the same kind of things for you.

So, start expecting! Say, "Thank You, heavenly Father for giving Your angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways." Once you've spoken that word of faith, stand fast. Don't fear. Don't waver. Just be patient and keep believing, and you will surely see the salvation of the Lord.

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Scripture Study: Acts 12:1-17


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

WHY DID GOD CREATE YOU?

September 18 - Why Did God Create You?

"What we have seen and [ourselves] heard we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have (which is a distinguishing mark of Christians) is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, the Messiah."
(1 John 1:3, Amp)

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Man is something really special. He is made in the image of God. He is made to have fellowship with God.

Some people get the idea that God made man so He'd have someone to dominate. But God is not a dominator. God is love and love needs to give to someone. That's why God made man. He made him so He could give him His love.

God could have given His love to the angels, and He did that. But giving to angels didn't provide total fulfillment. Why? Because angels aren't made in His image.

You're the same way. Let's say, for example, you have a puppy as a pet. You can fellowship with that little pet just so much, but then there comes a time when you need to talk to somebody. There comes a time when you need to have communication on your own level.

The reason you're like that is because you're created in the image of God. That's how He is. He has a desire to fellowship with someone like Himself.

Dare to believe you're something really special today--a one-of-a-kind creation made by God in His very own image. Dare to receive His love and dare to love Him back!

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Scripture Study: Genesis 1:26-31

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

BE COURAGEOUS

September 17 - Be Courageous

"Be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest."
(Joshua 1:7)

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Living a life of faith takes courage. Most people don't realize it, but it does! It takes courage to stand up in the face of sickness and declare you're healed by the stripes of Jesus. It takes courage to believe for prosperity and put your last dime in the offering plate when poverty is staring you in the face. There are going to be some days when you'd rather pull the covers over your head and hide than take another faith stand against the devil. But you can't. Because the battle of faith isn't fought once and then forgotten. If you want to keep living in victory, you have to fight it again and again.

There's no way around it. Of course, some of God's people still try to find one. The Israelites, for example. They thought their battles should be over when they crossed the Red Sea. So when they heard reports of giants living in the Promised Land, they decided they couldn't face the fight. Their courage failed them. So they took a 40-year detour through the wilderness.

But you know what? They still couldn't avoid that fight. When the time came for the next generation to enter the Promised Land, the giants were still there!

This time, however, they found the courage to face them. Where did they find it? In the Word of God.

Their leader, Joshua, had obeyed the instruction of the Lord and kept that Word on his mind and in his heart day and night. He'd meditated on it and let it constantly remind him that God was on their side.

If you're going to fight the good fight of faith to the finish, you'll have to do just like Joshua did. You'll have to continually draw courage from the Word of God. So make up your mind to do it. Get into that Word and let it change you from a coward to an overcomer. Then march into battle and slay the giants in your land.

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Scripture Study: Joshua 1


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

STAND UP AND BE COUNTED

September 16 - Stand Up and Be Counted

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
(1 Timothy 2:1-2)

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We are commanded to pray for our country and our leaders. But having prayed, God expects us to act. The elections in the United States are vital to the future of this nation. Our country is in the midst of a spiritual outpouring, and it's vitally important that the right people be elected. We must see to it.

Don't wait until election time is upon us before you start seeking God for whom to vote. Begin to pray now so that the news media and other voices from every corner cannot influence you and cannot draw you in a direction away from the Spirit of God. Pray so that you won't be influenced by natural reactions and natural responses to cleverly designed commercials and ideas.

Start praying now about the coming elections. Whether they are small local elections or major national elections, make them a part of every prayer you pray. Then thank the Spirit of God for His wisdom concerning your vote. Thank Him for giving you His wisdom about what to say and when to say it to others. Thank Him for giving you wisdom to declare the Name of Jesus and declare that this shall be a God indwelt, God-ordained, God-overseen administration.

So register. Pray. Vote. Then stand up and be counted by the power of the living God.

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Scripture Study: 1 Timothy 2:1-8


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

HOW'S YOUR SPIRITUAL MAINTENANCE?

September 15 - How's Your Spiritual Maintenance?

"The cares and anxieties of the world, and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless."
(Mark 4:19, Amp)



Did you know that the seemingly innocent things in your everyday life can suffocate your spiritual life if you allow it?

A friend of mine said the Lord told her in prayer one day that this nation had become a nation of maintenance men. "You have so many things to maintain," He told her. "You maintain your house. You maintain your car, your yard, your machines, your hair...."

It's true. You can become a maintainer of so many natural things that you don't have any time left to maintain your own spirit!

When you find yourself in that situation, it's time to simplify your life. I've had to learn that myself. Now when I'm considering something I think I need, I don't just count the cost in dollars and cents. I think about how much time it will take to maintain it. I check to see if I can spiritually afford it.

Second Timothy 2:4 says, "Don't get entangled in the affairs of this life." One thing I've learned over the last 25 years: Nothing is as important as spending time in prayer and in the Word with the Father. Absolutely nothing in my life is as vital as that.

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Scripture Study: Mark 4:18-24

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

TAKE CORRECTION

September 14 - Take Correction

"Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man...and he will increase in learning."
(Proverbs 9:8-9, Amp)



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There is one thing you can do that will accelerate your spiritual growth more than almost any other thing: learn to take correction--from the Spirit of God and from His people.

So few believers seem to be able to do that. When their preacher gets in the pulpit and preaches about something they already know, about some aspect of life they've already submitted to the Lord, they think he's great. They like him because he makes them feel good. But the moment he stands up and begins to preach about something they're doing wrong, they take offense.

God says that's foolish. He says, in Proverbs 1:7, only fools strike out at, or despise, correction.

So don't be like that. When your pastor or anyone else in the Body of Christ has a word of correction for you, receive it gratefully. Appreciate those who share the wisdom of God with you. When someone points out somewhere that you've missed it, instead of reacting against them, examine yourself and say, "Is that right? Does that agree with the Word? Do I need to make a change there?"

If the answer to those questions is yes, then make the changes you need to make to get your life in line.

I know that's not easy. None of us likes to be corrected. But if you'll make up your mind you're going to receive that correction anyway, that you're going to remain teachable, you'll be able to go on and grow in spiritual things much more quickly.

One man said, "If you think you've already arrived, you aren't going anywhere." Remember that next time someone corrects you. Love that person and thank him for speeding along your spiritual progress. If you'll do that, you'll come out ahead every time.

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Scripture Study: Proverbs 3:11-24

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

CHANGE THE IMAGE

September 12 - Change the Image

"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."
(Romans 8:24-25)

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According to Romans, hope is actually looking at something that you can't see. How do you do that? You do it by looking at the promises of God in the Word until with your inner eyes--the eyes of your spirit--a picture is formed.

For example, one of the hardest things I ever had to do was face the fact that the inner image I had of myself physically was fat. It didn't matter how hard I tried to change, it wouldn't go away. I was always on a diet. I must have lost (and regained) hundreds of pounds over the years.

I finally had to admit that as long as my inner image of myself was fat, my outer self was going to match it. Remember, it's faith that changes things, and without the inner image of hope, faith cannot work.

So I decided to fast for seven days. I searched my Bible for every scripture I could find on food and eating and I found many.

I meditated on every one of those scriptures and prayed in the Spirit for seven full days. What was I doing? I was laying hold on a different inner image.

This is not something you can do overnight. It takes time. Especially if the inner image you're changing has been there for years.

But you can do it. Go to the Word of God today and begin to change the images inside you. Change them from images of despair to images of hope. Get a blueprint in your heart and your faith will build on it!

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Scripture Study: Romans 4:16-21

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

DON'T BE DISTURBED

September 11 - Don't Be Disturbed

"The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect."
(Psalm 33:10)
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You may be facing trouble today that's being caused by people who have willfully plotted to do you harm. They may be trying to steal your business, your home, your children, or even to destroy your marriage. If so, I have a word of encouragement for you. According to Psalm 33:10, God will bring the plans of those people to nought. He will make their devices of none effect. The counsel of the heathen is brought to nought, but the counsel of the Lord stands forever!

Remember this: When you make God your stronghold in the time of trouble, no one can overcome you. No matter how powerful they are in the natural, the odds are in your favor because you trust in the Lord. They may think they've got an edge over you, but God is on your side and that gives you the advantage!

Rest assured, you are eventually going to triumph over this trouble. In the meantime, if you'll set your affections on the Lord, the thoughts of His heart continually will be coming into your heart. "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide" (Ps. 37:30-31). God's counsel will give you stability when all the world around you is shaking. Evil tidings will not be able to steal your peace. The thoughts of God will immediately rise up and rebuke the evil tidings from taking root in your heart.

Don't let the temporary successes of the troublemaker disturb you. Instead, "mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace" (verse 37).



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Scripture Study: Psalm 33:1-10

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

HIS STILL SMALL VOICE

September 10 - His Still Small Voice

"But the anointing which ye have received of [God] abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth."
(1 John 2:27)

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Have you ever noticed that you are sometimes aware of certain things even before you know what the Word says about them? That's because the Holy Spirit is inside you teaching you the truth. He speaks into your spirit. Then your spirit relays His promptings to your mind. Suddenly, you'll have a new thought. "I need to forgive that person," you'll think, or "I need to stop saying those unkind things."

As you become more aware of the Spirit of God in your everyday affairs, you'll be quicker to hear and obey those promptings. You'll actually get in the habit of allowing the Spirit of Truth to reveal the will of God to you. And, believe me, that's one habit God wants you to have!

One of the first things that the Spirit said to me when I began to listen to His promptings was "spend more time in prayer." As I obeyed, I began to be impressed to spend at least one hour a day in prayer. After I'd begun to do that, He revealed it to me in His Word (Matt. 26:40).

Since then, I have talked with people from all over the world who are hearing the same thing. Believers everywhere are hearing the Spirit of God direct them to more prayer.

God hasn't given the Holy Spirit to just a few special Christians. He's given Him to all of us. And if we'll just learn to be sensitive to His voice, He'll guide us into all truth!

Think about how different your life would be if you knew the truth of God about every situation! Doesn't that just make you want to listen to your spirit? Doesn't it make you want to be on the keen edge of what God is saying?

Start tuning your ear to His still small voice within you. Honor Him and welcome His guidance into your everyday affairs. Listen for His promptings and be quick to obey. He's ready to speak to you.

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Scripture Study: John 15:1-15

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

METAMORA'S STEAM ENGINE

This steam engine will be in Metamora tomorrow for the last of its scheduled three days and will be giving rides for a small fee.

COME ON OVER TO METAMORA TODAY AND HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY.

If you don't want to take a train ride, there is always the Canal Boat or the horse and buggy for your enjoyment.

And of course we have lots of gift shops for you to tour, and cafes and restaurants for your eating plesure.

Sunday, September 10, is a great day to spend in Metamore, Indiana

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS

September 9 - Exercise Your Rights

"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
(Isaiah 53:5)

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Jesus came to earth and gave Himself as a sacrifice for sin in order to buy back for you everything that Adam lost. He came to destroy all the works of the devil...sickness and disease included. Once you receive Him as Lord of your life, all the rights and privileges God originally intended you to have (the right to things like fellowship with God, health and prosperity) are restored.

But you are the one who has to exercise those rights!

You see, the devil is an outlaw and even though Jesus has taken away his authority in the earth, even though he has no legal right to kill or steal from the children of God, he'll do it anyway...as long as you'll let him get away with it.

You must enforce his defeat by speaking the Word of God in faith. Act on His Word now. Demand that sickness and disease leave you in the Name of Jesus. Then refuse to back off that demand. Resist the devil with all you've got. He might fight you for a while, but sooner or later, he will have to flee from you!

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Scripture Study: Matthew 8:1-17


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

PLANT A SEED AND WATCH IT GROW

September 8 - Plant a Seed and Watch It Grow!

"And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."
(Mark 4:30-32)

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Jesus compares the workings of the kingdom of God to planting seeds in the earth. "When the seed is sown," He said, "it grows up...."

Notice He didn't say that it would occasionally grow up. Or it grows up if it's God's will. He said, "It grows up and becomes greater." Period.

God's economy isn't like ours. It isn't up one day and down the other. It's always the same and it always works perfectly. If you have good earth, good seed and good water, you're going to have growth. It's inevitable.

So, if you're facing a need, don't panic... plant a seed!

That seed may take the form of money or time or some other resources you have to give. But, no matter what form it takes, make sure you put life in it by giving it in faith and surrounding it with praise and worship. Say, "Lord, as I bring You my goods, I bring myself. I give myself to You--spirit, soul and body."

Pray over that seed. Fill it with faith, worship and the Word. Then plant it. You can rest assured--it will grow up and become greater!

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Scripture Study: Genesis 1:11-31

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

STRIKE IT RICH

September 7 - Strike It Rich

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
(Galatians 3:29)

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One of the problems that hung around me for years was poverty. But I remember the day I decided I wasn't going to be poor anymore. I was reading in the Word where it says that the blessing of Abraham has come upon the Gentiles by Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:14). Then I got down to the twenty-ninth verse where it says, "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE." Suddenly the truth hit me. I got so excited I could hardly stand myself.

I turned back over to Deuteronomy 28 and--line by line--I read those promised blessings. "Blessed in the city, blessed in the country. Blessed going out, blessed coming in. Blessed in your barns, blessed in your fields, blessed in all the works of your hands." Man, I had struck it rich!

I'd been going to school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I was living in a dumpy little house nobody would want to live in. But when I read those promises in the Word, I saw the light. I realized God already had redeemed me from the curse of poverty.

Well, that afternoon in my back bedroom, I took my Bible in my hand and I said: "I want to announce to Almighty God in heaven and to Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to all the angels of heaven, to all the demons of hell, and to anybody else that cares anything about hearing it, that from this day forward my needs are met according to God's riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

I told Him, "I'm standing on Your Word, and I'm looking to You to take care of me. I'll never ask a man for a dollar."

That was many years ago and I never have. You know why? Because that decision connected me to the power of God. It'll do the same for you.

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Scripture Study: Deuteronomy 28:1-13

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

STRIKE IT RICH

September 7 - Strike It Rich

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
(Galatians 3:29)

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One of the problems that hung around me for years was poverty. But I remember the day I decided I wasn't going to be poor anymore. I was reading in the Word where it says that the blessing of Abraham has come upon the Gentiles by Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:14). Then I got down to the twenty-ninth verse where it says, "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE." Suddenly the truth hit me. I got so excited I could hardly stand myself.

I turned back over to Deuteronomy 28 and--line by line--I read those promised blessings. "Blessed in the city, blessed in the country. Blessed going out, blessed coming in. Blessed in your barns, blessed in your fields, blessed in all the works of your hands." Man, I had struck it rich!

I'd been going to school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I was living in a dumpy little house nobody would want to live in. But when I read those promises in the Word, I saw the light. I realized God already had redeemed me from the curse of poverty.

Well, that afternoon in my back bedroom, I took my Bible in my hand and I said: "I want to announce to Almighty God in heaven and to Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to all the angels of heaven, to all the demons of hell, and to anybody else that cares anything about hearing it, that from this day forward my needs are met according to God's riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

I told Him, "I'm standing on Your Word, and I'm looking to You to take care of me. I'll never ask a man for a dollar."

That was many years ago and I never have. You know why? Because that decision connected me to the power of God. It'll do the same for you.

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Scripture Study: Deuteronomy 28:1-13

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

START SPEAKING FAITH NOW

September 5 - Start Speaking Faith Now

"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."
(Matthew 12:34-35)

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Words won't work without faith any more than faith will work without words! It takes them both to put the law of faith in motion.

Many believers don't realize that. They'll continually speak words of doubt and unbelief, then they'll jump up one day and say a couple of faith words and expect mountains to move-- and to their dismay, they don't.

Why not?

Because as Matthew 12:34-35 says, it's the words that come from the heart that produce results. The person who just throws in a couple of faith words now and then isn't speaking them from the abundance of his heart, so they're not effective.

Does that mean you shouldn't start speaking words of faith until you're sure you have the faith to back them?

No! Speaking words of faith is good spiritual exercise. If you want to receive healing by faith, for example, fasten your mind and your mouth on the Word of God where your health is concerned. Instead of talking about how miserable you feel, quote Isaiah 53:5. Say, "Jesus was wounded for my transgressions. He was bruised for my iniquities. The chastisement of my peace was upon Him; and with His stripes, praise God, I was healed!"

If you'll continue to meditate on those words and continue to say them, the truth in them will begin to sink in. They'll take root in your heart and begin to grow. And eventually you really will be speaking from the abundance of your heart.

When that happens, it won't matter what the circumstances look like. You'll know you have what you've been believing for and the devil himself won't be able to talk you out of it. You'll cross the line from hope to faith, and you'll start seeing those mountains move!

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Scripture Study: Matthew 12:33-37


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

LET GOD BE GLORIFIED

September 4 - Let God Be Glorified

"And Jesus went forth...moved with compassion...and he healed their sick. And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel."
(Matthew 14:14; 15:30-31)

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Religious tradition says that God gets glory when we bear up nobly under the agony of sickness and disease. But that's not what the Bible says. It says God gets glory when the blind see and the lame walk and the maimed are made whole!

In India or Africa where people haven't been taught those kinds of religious traditions, when somebody stands up and announces, "I come to you as a messenger from the most high God," people believe what he has to say. When they hear that Jesus, the King of Kings, shed His blood for them; when they hear that He's sent His messenger to tell them that He'll deliver them from sin and sickness and death today, they get excited. They don't argue with the Word of God. So you know what happens?

People begin to get healed. People start throwing away their crutches and flinging off their bandages!

When we learn to hear the Word of God like that, the same thing will happen to us. God is no respecter of persons. His Word works for everyone. It's how we receive it that makes the difference!

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Scripture Study: Acts 17:1-11

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

GOD'S COUNTRY

September 3 - God's Country

"The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
(Luke 18:27)

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Right now you and I are standing face-to-face with situations in our nation that need to be changed. Some of those situations look totally impossible. But they're not. Because this country belongs to God.

He's the One Who brought the United States of America into existence. He had a special purpose for it. He needed a country where the gospel could be preached freely and not suppressed.

It was God Himself Who stirred the heart and mind of Christopher Columbus and planted within him the dream of charting a new course to the West. Columbus said so in his own journals. He wrote: "It was the Lord Who put into my mind--I could feel His hand upon me--the fact that I could sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There's no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures."

Who brought Christopher Columbus to America? God brought him. This is God's nation. He raised it up, and it's not going to be taken away from Him.

The next time you're tempted to look at situations in this country as impossible, remember Who it belongs to. Then you can discover America just like Christopher Columbus did--by faith.

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Scripture Study: Psalm 106

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

GO FOR REVELATION KNOWLEDGE

September 2 - Go for Revelation Knowledge

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord."
(2 Peter 1:2)

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If you were to look up the Greek word that's translated "knowledge" in that scripture, you'd find out that it means more than just a mental understanding of something, more than the kind of knowledge that can be gained through your senses. It means exact knowledge. Knowledge that's been revealed directly to your heart by the Spirit of God. I call it revelation knowledge.

The lack of that kind of knowledge has caused more faith failures than anything else I know. That's because most Christians believe the Word with their minds, but they haven't meditated on it enough for it to "light up" in their hearts. If they had, that Word would absolutely revolutionize their lives. Nothing in heaven or earth would be able to shake them loose from it.

I know a widow who got hold of that kind of revelation one afternoon. She'd been meditating in the scriptures that say if you're a widow, God Almighty has taken His place as your provider and leader of your household.

She'd been feeling a little sorry for herself up until then. But when she received the revelation that God was actually head of her household now, she started talking to Him like she would a husband.

"I'm telling You, Lord, the plumbing in this house is pitiful. Will You please get it fixed?" she said. From that moment on, she never had any more trouble with her plumbing.

If you need something from God, determine right now that you're going to do what that widow did. Determine that you're going to meditate the Word until you get a revelation like that. Keep that Word before you until you receive a revelation of Jesus as your healer or your deliverer or your financier--whatever you need Him to be. Don't settle for a shallow mental understanding of Him. Get a deep revelation and His grace will be multiplied to you!

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Scripture Study: Psalm 1

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

PERSERVERANCE GETS RESULTS

September 1 - Perseverance Gets Results

"I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs."
(Luke 11:8, Amp)

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If, as God tells us in 1 Timothy 2:4, it's His will for all men to be saved, why aren't we seeing more of the masses of lost people born again every day? Have you ever wondered that?

I have...and as I've sought the Lord about it, I've come to realize that, for the most part, it's because those of us who are already saved don't pray persistently for those who aren't. Instead of persevering--staying before the Father, praying for them to receive the bread of salvation--like the man in Luke 11:8 did for his friend, when we don't see immediate results, we simply give up and go home.

What we don't realize is this: Perseverance is the key to success in intercession!

Why? It's certainly not because you have to change God's mind. He never changes. His mind's made up. He wants all men saved. The reason you have to persevere in intercession is to put pressure on the demonic forces that are trying to keep God's will from being accomplished. Those forces must be broken down through prayer so that strongholds are destroyed and spiritual blinders are removed from the spiritual eyes of the people you're praying for.

You see, God will not go against the will of people. But He will move through your intercession to reveal Himself. Through your persistent prayers, He will bring them to the knowledge of their need for Him. Then they'll reach out for Him and spiritual rebirth can take place!

If you're sitting around waiting on God to save Aunt Mary or Uncle Jim or your best friend...stop sitting around! Get busy interceding for them. Persevere in prayer. Pray the prayer in Ephesians 1:16-23 for them, refusing to give up until they're safely inside God's kingdom.

Jesus has already laid down His life so that they can be saved. The question is, will you?

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Scripture Study: Luke 11:1-10

Kenneth Copeland Ministries Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001