DON'T PLAY DEAD

October 31 - Don't Play Dead

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."
(Matthew 11:12)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Amplified Bible says, "A share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion."

I want you to get violent today. Yes, violent, determined, zealous. I want you to get so committed to the things of God that you'll withstand any attempt to take them away from you.

Too many believers these days are like the Israelites. They're wandering around in a wilderness of defeat because there's an enemy in the Promised Land. They're being robbed of their rightful inheritance because they're afraid to fight him. They keep hoping that somehow they'll find a way in without using force. But they won't! You have to make demands where Satan and his associates are concerned.

When God sent the Israelites into Canaan, He said, "Send the armed men to go before you." They were to go up armed--ready for the fight. He knew they'd have to fight to take the land. He never promised them that they wouldn't. What He promised them was they'd win every time.

The same is true for you. You can't just lie down and play dead when you're dealing with the devil. He's not going to let go of any area of your life--of your health or your finances or anything else--without a fight. He's not going to give it up unless you force him.

Quit sitting there in the wilderness. Quit sitting there while the devil steals the blessings of God out from under you. You have God's permission and His power and His ability to take the land. Get violent enough to do something about it...today!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

ENJOY THE VICTORY

October 28 - Enjoy the Victory

"But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory-making us conquerors--through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(1 Corinthians 15:57, Amp)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Victors! More than conquerors! That's what the Bible says we are. I know you've heard that many times before, but today I want you to let the reality of it really sink in. I want you to spend some time meditating about what those terms actually mean.

The dictionary says that victory means "final and complete supremacy or superiority in battle or war, success in any contest or struggling involving the defeat of an opponent or the overcoming of obstacles."

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."

Once you get those definitions firmly in mind, you'll realize in Jesus you've gotten much more than a ticket to heaven. You've gotten the best of the world you're living in now. Through Him, you've overcome it, mastered it, suppressed it and prevailed over it.

No wonder 1 Corinthians 15:57 shouts, "Thanks be to God! Because He gives us the victory, making us conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

Why don't you shout too! Shout thanks to God today for making you an overcomer. Praise Him that you are joined up with the One Who has conquered the world, the flesh and the devil. Shout hallelujah and enjoy the victory!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Romans 8:29-39


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

DON'T DEPEND ON GUESSWORK

October 27 - Don't Depend on Guesswork

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
(Jeremiah 33:3)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Who do you turn to when you need help, when you need an important answer to an important question? Do you ask God first?

So many believers fail to do that. They'll stand around wringing their hands and talking to each other all day. They'll inquire of their pastor. They'll inquire of their friends. They'll inquire of their husbands or wives. But do they inquire of God? No.

Don't make that mistake.

Instead, follow the example of King David. In 1 Chronicles 14, the Bible tells us he was about to face a battle with the very powerful Philistines who had ALL come out against him. The Philistine nation had been an enemy of Israel for years. David probably could have guessed that God would tell him to go to battle against them. But he didn't guess! He went to God and inquired, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand."

Don't depend on guesswork. When you encounter a problem, seek the Lord through the Word and in prayer and ask Him what the solution is. No matter how much scripture you learn, no matter how fully you perceive who you are in Christ Jesus, you'll never outgrow your need to do that.

Go to the Lord and find out exactly what He wants you to do. Don't decide your course of action and then ask God to bless your plans. Go to Him and say, "Lord, what are Your plans?" His plans are already blessed. If you follow them, your victory is guaranteed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: 1 Chronicles 14:8-17

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

TAKE YOUR PLACE

October 26 - Take Your Place

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ...And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
(Ephesians 2:4-6)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

God has raised us up to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! That's what the Word of God says. Very few of us have actually dared to believe this. We've uplifted Jesus. We've exalted Him--and rightly so! But at the same time, we've unwittingly belittled what He did by not allowing Him to bring us alongside Him.

That was God's purpose at Calvary: to bring us alongside Jesus. To make us what He already was.

You see, Jesus didn't need exalting. He was exalted before He ever came to this earth. He was already one with the Father. He didn't need to get authority over the devil--He'd never lost it!

He put on a physical body so that He could come to earth as a man and gain authority over sin and sickness, demons, fear, poverty and all the other curses that came when the law of death moved into the earth--and He did it. He succeeded. He mastered everything in the world of the intellect, everything in the physical world.

Before He ascended, He said, "All authority is given unto Me both in heaven and in the earth." Then He turned around and gave that authority to us by giving us His Name.

You and I are the reason Jesus came to earth and died and lived again. He didn't do it for Himself. He did it so He could bring us alongside. So we could wear His Name and wield His authority on the earth. He did it so that we could stand before God and be everything to Him that Jesus is.

When you were born again, you were made the righteousness of God in Christ! So as a born-again believer, dare to receive this message, to meditate on it and to act on it. Go ahead--dare to take your place!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Scripture Study: Ephesians 2:1-13


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

GET RID OF THE FROGS

October 25 - Get Rid of the Frogs

"When shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses?"
(Exodus 8:9)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Have you ever wrestled with one of those problems that stubbornly refuses to go away? It seems to be immune to all solutions. You swat at the thing in every conceivable way, but instead of being eliminated, it expands and multiplies until it's wildly out of control.

An Egyptian pharaoh faced just that kind of problem, the Bible tells us, thousands of years ago. He was in a hot dispute with God over the future of the Israelites, and as a result of that dispute, he woke up one morning to find his country swarming with frogs. Slimy, smelly, hopping-all-over-the-place frogs.

It was a serious problem. I'm not talking about a frog or two in the front yard. I mean frogs were everywhere--in their beds, on their tables. Big old frogs in the ovens. Little bitty frogs in the bread dough and the drinking water. Frogs. Frogs in your hair. Frogs in places you wouldn't even want to think about!

Then God made a move. He sent His man Moses in to Pharaoh to ask, "When shall I entreat the Lord to get these frogs out of here?"

Do you know what Pharaoh said?

"Tomorrow." Can you imagine that? He could have said, "Right now! Today!" But instead he decided he'd spend one more night among the frogs.

You say, "That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. Why in the world would he do it tomorrow?" I don't know. Probably for the same reason you want to wait until tomorrow to get saved or healed or prosperous.

Here's what I want you to notice. When Moses asked Pharaoh that question and he answered, "Tomorrow," Moses said, "All right. So that you know there's a God in heaven, BE IT DONE UNTO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR WORDS."

Let me ask you this: How long are you willing to let that persisting problem harass you? When are you going to get rid of the frogs in your life? Do you realize they'll stay around as long as you'll let them? They'll be there until you finally make a quality decision to go with the Word of God and get them out.

Why don't you do it today?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Exodus 8:1-13

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

GOD GOES TOO

October 24 - God Goes Too!

"But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him."
(1 Corinthians 6:17, Amp)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I once heard about a great man of God who looked in the mirror every day when he put on his suit and said, "Suit, everywhere you go today, God goes in you." And you know, he's right. If you have united yourself to God by receiving Jesus as Lord, everywhere you go today...God goes too!

As believers, we need to start becoming more conscious of that. We need to train ourselves to be constantly aware of God inside of us, talking to us, teaching us, counseling us, empowering us, and enduing us with Himself.

We need to continually remind ourselves that we are one spirit with Him. That means that every time we face a problem, every time we face an evil spirit that tries to influence and hinder our lives, God is facing it too. When we meet those things, God meets them. And He's already overcome them!

Let me encourage you when you get dressed today to look in the mirror and say, "I am united to the Lord and I have become one spirit with Him. Body, everywhere you go today...God goes. God is in you. The power of God is in you. The wisdom of God is in you. The victory of God is in you."

Say that to yourself every day-- many times a day. Keep doing it until you begin to develop the habit of thinking that way. Cultivate a constant awareness of the reality of God living in you!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: 1 Corinthians 6:17-20

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

CHOOSE LIFE

October 23 - Choose Life

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
(Romans 8:6)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


If you were given the choice between life and death, which would you choose? The answer seems obvious. But, in reality, it's not.

You see, choosing death doesn't necessarily mean jumping from the nearest cliff. It's much more subtle than that.

The Bible says death is being carnally minded, being entangled in this present worldly realm. The Bible also tells us what life is. "My son, attend to my words," says Proverbs 4:20-22, "...for they are life!"

To be worldly-minded is death. To be Word-minded is life.

In Luke 10, there's a story that illustrates this principle extremely well. It's the story of Mary and Martha. You probably remember it. Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet listening to Him teach while Martha was bustling around in the kitchen cooking dinner for everyone.

Finally Martha couldn't stand it anymore. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work myself? Tell her to help me!" Jesus answered, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).

Mary had set everything else aside, so she could hear the Word. But Martha had let the seemingly important business of living take priority over the Word. She'd chosen death, not life.

You see how easy it is to slip into that?

"But Brother Copeland," you say, "if I didn't spend all my time taking care of the business of living, my life would fall apart!"

Oh, really? Martha probably thought that too. She probably thought if she didn't cook dinner for all those folks, they'd go hungry. But they wouldn't have. Jesus had miraculously fed multitudes before and He could have done it again in Martha's home. She could have plopped herself down at Jesus' feet, and they could have had a banquet at God's expense!

Don't make the mistake that Martha did. Don't get so entangled in the business of living that you choose death by default. Decide to put the Word first place. Choose life!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Romans 8:5-13


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

WHEN TOUGH TIMES COME

October 22 - When Tough Times Come

"Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."
(Acts 9:31)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are times when life on this earth is hard and uncomfortable...and even downright painful. When those times come, you deeply need the comfort that only the Holy Spirit can bring.

How do you receive that kind of comfort?

By doing just what the believers in Acts did. By "walking in the fear of the Lord."

Now, when I talk about "the fear of the Lord," please understand, I'm not saying you should be afraid of God. He's your Father! You should be as secure and unafraid when you come before Him as a child who knows he is dearly loved. But you must also have so much respect for Him that whenever He reveals something you need to do, you do it immediately-- even if it goes against your natural desires. That's walking in the fear of the Lord.

Let me show you what I mean. Once, several years ago, I received a very disturbing phone call shortly before I was to preach at one of our meetings. It was painful news about a situation in which one of my children had been wronged. The news of it wounded my heart.

I cried, and in the natural, I wanted to get angry about it, to strike back in some way. But instead, I began praying in other tongues. As I prayed, I was prompted in my spirit to rejoice and praise the Lord.

I certainly didn't feel like praising. I felt like stomping my foot. But, out of respect to the Lord, I put my feelings aside and obeyed. Next, the Holy Spirit impressed me to read a particular prophecy. As I did, I could tell I was being strengthened.

Then suddenly, I realized I was free. By my obedience, I had opened myself to the comforting power of the Holy Spirit. The anger and pain that had filled me just moments before were gone! They had been replaced by the gentle love and reassurance of the Lord.

No matter how tough or painful a situation you may be facing today, trust and obey the directions of your Father. He will make that same supernatural, Holy Spirit-inspired comfort available to you!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scripture Study: Matthew 4:1-11

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'.

COVEENANT PROSPERITY

October 21 - Covenant Prosperity

"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant."
(Deuteronomy 8:18)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is God's reason for prospering His people? Is it so we can watch bigger TVs? So we can buy finer houses and more luxurious cars?

Establishing God's covenant on the earth and giving to those in need: Those are God's purposes for prosperity!

I've had some people tell me, "Well, Brother Copeland, Jesus' ministry was poor and He got along just fine." That's ridiculous. All the way through the Old Testament God promised material blessings to anyone who would walk perfectly and uprightly before Him. If God had failed to bless Jesus financially, He would have been breaking His own Word.

Jesus never built a worldly empire for Himself. But that doesn't mean He was poor. It means He was the greatest giver Who ever walked the face of this earth--and it's about time we started following in His footsteps.

If we'll start giving, if we'll start taking care of the needs in people's pocketbooks, we'll be far more likely to win their hearts.

What do you think will happen to the heart of a starving nation when you bring in a 747 full of food, clothes and medical supplies to them in the Name of Jesus and His love? The hearts of those people are going to soften! They're going to be willing to listen to what we have to say about Jesus.

Don't you ever let anyone tell you it's wrong to want to prosper. It's wrong for you not to want to prosper when that prosperity can mean the difference between heaven and hell for millions of people.

Forget about your own little needs. Raise your vision and set your mind on giving to meet someone else's, on establishing God's covenant in the earth. Then stand fast in faith and get ready to enjoy the greatest prosperity you've ever known.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Deuteronomy 8:11-18

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

DIRECTIONS FOR LIFE

October 20 - Directions for Life

"If any one intends to come after Me, let him deny himself--forget, ignore, disown, lose sight of himself and his own interests--and take up his cross, and...follow with Me. For whoever wants to save his [higher...] life, will lose [it]...and whoever gives up his life for My sake and the Gospel's, will save [it]."
(Mark 8:34-35, Amp)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Jesus said those words, He wasn't just giving us a prescription for getting to heaven. He was telling us how to live a superior life right here on earth.

You see, there's a high life that we can live right here, right now. But to get in on it, we have to lay down the way of life that most of us are accustomed to. We may have to let go of the very things we've been trying so hard to latch onto. We have to set our hearts instead on doing what God wants us to do.

That's what Jesus did. He didn't live His life for Himself. He lived it completely for God. He did only what the Father told Him to do--and He lived in total victory.

It's time to realize that getting born again is not something we do just to miss hell. Our purpose is to please God. To lay down our lives in order to fulfill His desires. To be His special possessions in the earth and to do whatever He tells us to do. Our top priority is to give ourselves to Him and to live in communion with Him. To spend enough time with Him that we can hear His voice and respond in obedience.

Only when we do that will we be genuinely fulfilled. Only when we do that will we be able to live the high life we've been longing for.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Acts 20:7-24

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

DON'T LET DIVISION STUNT YOUR GROWTH

October 19 - Don't Let Division Stunt Your Growth

"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions...."
(1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Envying, strife and divisions had reduced the early Corinthian Christians back to the natural, or carnal, state that they were in before they were born again. It had so stunted their spiritual growth that they couldn't understand the things the Apostle Paul wanted to teach them.

Satan has sent the same spirit of division among us today. He knows that a house divided against itself will fall. He also knows if we all come together in the unity of our faith, we'll arrive at the full stature of Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:13). So he has assigned a spirit of division to operate in our personal lives, our church lives, our social lives and our family lives. His goal is the same as it was in Corinth: To bring envying, strife, division and to stunt our spiritual growth.

But we don't have to yield to that spirit. Instead Paul says, "[by] speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ."

Compare "speaking the truth in love" to "envyings, strife, and divisions." Diametrical opposites, aren't they? You can't do both of them at the same time. As you speak the truth in love, you grow up. As you envy, fuss and separate from one another, you go back to babyhood.

Don't let Satan stop your spiritual growth by giving in to the spirit of division but speak the truth in love and "grow up into Him in all things!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: James 4:1-11


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

LIVING THE LOVE LIFE

October 17 - Living the Love Life

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
(John 15:13)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We often think of laying down your life for someone else in terms of dying. That's what Jesus did. He loved us so much He laid down His life by dying in our place so that we could live.

But now, He's asked us to lay down our lives in a different way. He's asked us to show our love, not by dying for others, but by living for them.

Exactly what does that mean?

Sometimes it means giving our lives by spending time in prayer for someone. Other times it means giving of ourselves with love and understanding. Many times it means laying down our own selfish desires in order to meet the needs of another.

Romans 15:1 puts it this way, "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."

When you lay down your life, you live to please God instead of yourself. You let your life be guided by His love. If love leads you to the person next door, you follow. When love calls you to intercede for someone in need, you yield.

Commit yourself today to lay down your own life--and take up the love life. Say:

"Father, in Jesus' Name, I see from Your Word that You were willing to give of Yourself, in the person of Your Son, for all men. I understand that because Jesus is Lord of my life, I, too, am called to give myself to others. I choose to accept that calling today.

"I'll give of my time. I'll give of Your love in me. I'll be strong and lift up those who are weak. I'm willing to be available to be used of You so that those around me might experience the abundant life You have provided.

"You have loved me, Lord, with the greatest love there is. I count it a privilege now to share that love with others. I thank You for it in Jesus' Name. Amen."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Galatians 5:22-26, Galatians 6:1-3"

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

PUT PATIENCE TO WORK

October 16 - Put Patience to Work

"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
(Hebrews 10:35-36)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Most of us have a distorted idea about patience. We think of it as something designed to help us suffer failure gracefully, but according to these scriptures, it will actually put us on the path to success!

Patience (or being consistently constant) is the power twin of faith. They work together to see to it that the promises of God are fulfilled in your life.

Say, for example, you need a job. You can go to the Word and see clearly that God promises to provide your needs. You can see He takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servants. Once you see that, faith takes hold and you shout, "Hallelujah, I've got the job I need."

But what happens to that faith tomorrow morning when you go to three interviews and get turned down all three times? Then what? That's when patience has to take over! That's when you have to make a decision to stay constant, to act as if nothing's changed.

The truth is, if you based your confidence on the Word of God, nothing has changed. It says exactly the same thing it said yesterday.

So, if you'll put patience to work, you know what you're going to say after those three unsuccessful job interviews? You're going to say, "Hallelujah, I've got the job I need!" just like you did before.

You see, faith opens the door to God's promise for you; and patience keeps it open until that promise is fulfilled.

Do you have your faith sights set on a promise of God today, a promise you've been waiting on for some time? Don't let the delay discourage you. Put patience to work. The Word guarantees you will receive your reward.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Hebrews 6:10-15


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

THE HEART OF THE KING

October 15 - The Heart of the King

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
(Proverbs 21:1)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Think about that for a moment! God has reserved the right to override the will of a nation's leader, if need be, to see that His people are governed according to His will.

What's more, God will hear the prayer of any government leader. Even if he's the worst reprobate in the whole world. He heard the prayer of old King Nebuchadnezzar. Believe me, that means He'll listen to any leader!

You see, Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon. He was an ungodly ruler of an ungodly nation. However, he'd taken captives from the land of Judah. He had some of God's people under his authority. So, God began to deal with him.

Again and again, God warned him, "Nebuchadnezzar, you're going to lose your mind if you don't straighten up." And, sure enough, he went just as crazy as could be.

He stayed that way for years too. Then one day he cried out to God and God heard him.

Despite his status as a heathen king of a heathen nation, God intervened repeatedly in Nebuchadnezzar's life and heard him when he finally cried out for help. Why? Because he had God's people under his rule!

That same principle still holds true today. If we'll open the way through prayer, God will deal with our leaders!

If we will humble ourselves in unity and pray, God can change the injustice and corruption that exist in our country, or any country for that matter. He'll change the hearts of everyone from the White House on down to make sure His children are governed justly.

Make it a point to pray for our leaders today!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Daniel 4:1-37


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

THAT GLORIOUS NAME

October 14 - That Glorious Name

"And I will do--I Myself will grant--whatever you may ask in My name [presenting all I AM] so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in [through] the Son."
(John 14:13, Amp)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Jesus' Name. It's more than a phrase we tack onto the end of our prayers. All that God is and does is represented in the Name of Jesus. The Amplified Bible says when you ask in His Name, you present your requests to the Father on the basis of all that Jesus is. So you can boldly expect to have those requests granted--not because you're worthy, but because He is!

What's more, the Name of Jesus carries authority over all other names. In Philippians 2:5-11, the Apostle Paul tells us, "God also hath highly exalted him [Jesus], and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth."

In spite of all the Word of God has to say about the power of the Name of Jesus, most believers don't seem to put much stock in it. They'll pray in the Name of Jesus, then turn right around and say, "I sure hope God answers that prayer." They don't realize that if they only had the faith to believe it, Jesus' Name alone carries enough clout to guarantee their prayers will be answered.

They even let religious slang rob them of the power of using that Name. I've heard many a well-meaning believer end his prayer with the phrase, "For Jesus' sake." But Jesus didn't say to pray for His sake. He said to pray in His Name.

I used to make that mistake myself. One night I was praying because I was suffering from a stomachache. "Oh, for Jesus' sake," I prayed, "heal my stomach."

After I'd said that a few times, the Lord spoke up on the inside of me. "Wait a minute," He said, "whose stomach is hurting here, Mine or yours?"

"Mine!" I answered.

Then He very plainly said, "In that case, pray for your stomach's sake, in My Name!"

Jesus' Name. Dig into the Word and find out just how much power and authority it really carries. Then use that power every time you pray. Stop hoping God will answer and start expecting Him to cause every circumstance in your life to bow its knee in honor of that glorious Name!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: John 16:13-24


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

FROM RELIGION TO REALITY

October 13 - From Religion to Reality

"For [God] hath made [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
(2 Corinthians 5:21)
--------------------------------------------------------------------

When you were born again, you weren't half-reborn, you weren't made half-righteous or a quarter righteous. You were made the righteousness of God in Christ! You were made a "joint-heir with Him." According to Strong's Concordance that word joint-heir refers to a personal equality based on an equality of possession.

Jesus went to the Cross to give you what He already possessed. He rose again so you could be recreated in His image. You are the victory of Almighty God! You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. You are everything to the Father that Jesus is. John 17:23 actually says that God loves you as much as He loves Jesus.

Once you dare to accept that fact, your life will forever be changed. You'll no longer be satisfied to just sit around whining and wishing things were different. You'll want to step up to the position of authority that Jesus has given you, to take your rightful place beside Him and learn to operate the way He does.

As His people, we are everything to God that Jesus is.

If you'll receive that message, if you'll dare to believe it, if you'll dare to put it into action, it will radically alter your life. It will take you from religion to reality!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: John 17:16-26

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

TUNE IN TO THE SPIRIT OF GRACE

October 12 - Tune in to the Spirit of Grace

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, TEACHING US that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."
(Titus 2:11)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grace teaches us! The "Spirit of grace" instructs us from the inside. Let the Holy Spirit of God counsel you and teach you how to live in this present world.

If you listen to the voice of the world, you will be worldly minded, or carnally minded, which is death. But, if you tune in to the voice of the Spirit of grace, you can become spiritually minded; and, according to the Word, that is life and peace. So, when the Spirit of God speaks to you through that still small voice inside your heart, listen and obey Him. His way works! Trust Him and remember that He's got your well-being in mind.

Maybe He's asking you to eliminate some activity that's consuming too much of your time and attention. Or maybe He's prompting you to get up a little earlier and spend more time in the Word and in prayer. Whatever it is He is telling you to do, if you'll do it, you'll be stronger in the grace of God, and consequently, in the blessing of God.

Don't hesitate another moment. DO IT! If you want a change, make a change.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: 1 Corinthians 1:3-8

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

PREPARE FOR PERSECUTION

October 11 - Prepare for Persecution

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
(2 Timothy 3:12)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Did you catch that? He said all who live godly lives are going to suffer persecution. Not just the super-saints, not just the missionaries in hostile lands--but ALL.

If you're going to live for God, you're going to run into persecution somewhere along the line. The devil's going to make sure of it!

Now I'm not saying that to frighten you or to depress you. I'm saying it because I want you to be prepared.

When you're wise to the strategies of the devil, it's harder for him to use them successfully on you to confuse you and get you off track.

Second Corinthians 10:4 says, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." So stay armed and ready for Satan's attack. Then, whenever and however it comes, it won't bring your life to a halt or even slow you down.

That's especially important right now because we're living in the last days. The devil's time is drawing short. He is desperate. He is going to do everything he can to stop the Church. But Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church!

Remember the more we grow to be like Jesus and the more God's glory is revealed through our lives, the bigger threat we are to Satan's kingdom. Jesus said, "Rejoice and be glad at such a time, and exult and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is rich and great and strong and intense and abundant in heaven" (Luke 6:23, The Amplified Bible).

So, when persecution comes your way, and you know it will, rejoice and be glad. Take the Jesus cure and begin to leap and jump and praise God! There is no way persecution will hurt you if you do that. I've tried it and it works.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Acts 6:1-15


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

LIVE FREE FROM FEAR

October 10 - Live Free From Fear

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence."
(Psalm 91:1-3)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is it possible to live free from fear in this dangerous and unpredictable world? Yes, it most definitely is! Because protection is a solid promise of God.

But it's not a promise that's offered to just anyone; it is promised to those who abide in the Lord. To abide means to dwell, to remain and to continue. To abide in the shadow of the Almighty is to live in continual union with Him, keeping His Word and obeying His voice. Those who abide in the Lord can live without dread of what the devil will do.

Let me make this clear though-- God's promise of protection doesn't guarantee that the devil will leave you alone! It means that God will give you a way of escape every time the devil rears his ugly face at you.

If you are afraid of the dangers around you, spend more time in the Word and in prayer until your trust in God overcomes your fear. Draw closer to the Lord until you are abiding in the shadow of the Almighty and--no matter how dangerous this world becomes--He surely shall deliver you!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Psalm 91:1-16


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

YOUR FIRST AND HIGHEST CALLING

October 9 - Your First and Highest Calling

"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
(1 Corinthians 1:9)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you know what God wants you to do more than anything else today? He wants you to fellowship with Him.

He wants you to walk with Him and talk with Him. To discuss the things of life with Him. He wants you to draw near to Him and partake of His very nature.

So many of us get so caught up in striving to please God in the things we do that we forget our first and highest calling is just to be in fellowship with Him.

That's right. God longs for us just to want to be with Him.

Have you ever considered how much it would mean for you to just come to God and say, "Father, I didn't really come today to get anything. I've prayed about my needs already and Your Word says they're met according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. So I just came to be with You. If You have anything You'd like to tell me, I'm ready to listen...and I want you to know that whatever I see in Your Word, I'll do it. I'll put it into effect in my life."

Why don't you tell that to God today? He's waiting to have fellowship with you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: 1 John 1:1-7


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

SEED OF FAITH

October 8 - Seed of Faith

"For verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
(Matthew 17:20)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Someone once said that the reason I can live like I do is because I have special faith. But, you know, that's just not true. I don't have special faith. God has given me the same measure of faith He's given to you and every other believer. The only reason my faith looks like it works better is because I use it!

If you've been living in the shadow of a mountain, waiting for God to give you some kind of special faith, make a change today. Step out and put the measure of faith you have to work moving the spiritual, physical, mental, or financial obstacles Satan has brought against you.

Romans 12:3 says God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. Believe Him! Step out in faith about that faith! Say, "Heavenly Father, I thank You that through faith in Jesus Christ, You have shared Your nature and Your Spirit with me. I am grateful for the measure of faith imparted to me as a believer.

"I make the decision today to walk in that faith. To put it to work on the situations around me. I commit myself to operate in mountain-moving faith, for I know that it is impossible to please You without it (Heb. 11:6).

"As I plant this faith and water it with Your Word (Rom. 10:17), I expect it to grow and overcome the mountains in my life and in the lives of those for whom I intercede.

"Thank You, Father, that as I do this, nothing shall be impossible to me! In Jesus' Name. Amen."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Scripture Study: Luke 8:41-56

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

LEAVE FOOLISHNESS BEHIND

October 7 - Leave Foolishness Behind

"Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed."
(Proverbs 13:21)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Satan has had us in a poverty mentality so long that it's tough for us to grasp just how intensely God really does desire to prosper us--even though He's demonstrated that desire again and again.

Take Abraham, for example. God made him an extremely wealthy man. Genesis 13:2 says he was rich in cattle, in silver and in gold.

Then, of course, there was Solomon. The Bible says he surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

God's servant Job possessed such great wealth that he was called the greatest of all the men of the East. That was before Satan put him through the wringer. Afterward, God blessed him with more than twice what Satan had stolen.

The problem is, just the thought of the kind of wealth God gave to those men scares most believers today. They're afraid it would destroy them.

God has said that "the prosperity of fools shall destroy them" (Prov. 1:32).

But that doesn't mean you should avoid being prosperous. It means you should avoid being a fool!

I challenge you, this week, to go to Proverbs and find out for yourself what God says about the characteristics of a fool. Let the Holy Spirit search your heart. If you see ways in which you've been a fool, repent and make a firm decision not to be caught in that trap again.

Let the Word of God inspire you to leave foolishness behind and stir within you the faith to reach out and receive what you, as a redeemed child of the living God, have a divine right to--not the curse of poverty, but the blessing of prosperity!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Genesis 15:1-6


Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

REVOLUTIONARY LOVE

October 6 - Revolutionary Love

"Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails--never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end."
(1 Corinthians 13:7-8, Amp)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Love never fails. Nothing works without it, and there can be no failure with it. When you live by love, you cannot fail.

It takes faith to believe that love's way will not fail. The natural mind cannot understand that because the natural man and his world are ruled by selfishness.

But when you practice love by faith and refuse to seek your own, you put the Father into action on your behalf. As long as you stay in love, God the Father seeks your own. He sees to it that you succeed. Walking in love is to your great advantage!

Agape love is a new kind of power. It makes you master of every situation. No weapon that is formed against you will prosper. No one even has the power to hurt your feelings because you are not ruled by feelings but by God's love. You are loving as He loves.

This love is revolutionary. If we fully understood the great return from living God's love, we'd probably be competing with each other, each of us trying to love the other more. And without a doubt, everyone would emerge from that competition a winner! For love is truly the only sure secret to our success.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Romans 12:9-21

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

October 5 - Subject to Change

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
(2 Corinthians 4:18)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't center your attention on what you can see in this natural, physical sense realm. Everything you see is temporal and subject to change. So, put your faith in the unseen eternal realm. The things which are eternal are not subject to change.

God's Word is eternal and it contains 7,000 promises to cover any circumstance you'll ever face. And, no matter what happens in this shifting, changing world you live in, those promises will forever be the same.

No matter how bad your body feels, the Word will always say, "By His stripes you were healed" (1 Pet. 2:24). No matter how bad your bank book looks, the Word will always say, "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

Don't settle for the meager existence the world says you can have. Lay hold of what the Word says you can have. Center your attention on the eternal truths of God and look not to the things which are seen. After all, they're subject to change!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

THE DECIDING WITNES

October 4 - The Deciding Witness

"In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."
(Matthew 18:16)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




You've been there many times, standing in the valley of decision. Perched precariously between victory and defeat. On one side of you is the word of the world authored by Satan that says, for example, "You're not going to get healed." On the other side of you, the Word of God is saying, "My Word is Yea and Amen" and "By His stripes, ye were healed." Who will determine how it all turns out? You will. You're the establishing witness.

I remember a fellow once who wanted me to pray for him. I said, "Now the Word says you're healed." He interrupted me and said, "Yeah, I know it says that, but I've got this terrible pain here...."

I looked him in the eye and said again, "The Word says, 'By His stripes, you were healed.'"

"I know it," he answered, "but I've got this terrible...."

I shook my head. "Listen, the Word says you're healed!"

He turned beet red. "I KNOW IT SAYS THAT, BUT I'VE GOT THIS...."

Finally, he stopped and stared at me. He didn't realize it, but he'd allowed his physical symptoms to become his evidence. It was what he believed. No matter what the Word said, he believed the thing he could see and feel.

But when he got quiet, I said to him, "Look, you're wanting me to agree with you and you're mad because I won't. But if I agree with you, you're going to die. Now if you'll agree with me and the Bible, we can get you healed."

Suddenly he saw it. His eyes lit up. "Oh, praise God! I see what you mean. I agree with the Word of God!"

I put my hands on his head and God healed him instantly.

You see, when he finally decided to get in agreement with God, he could have received in his bedroom or driving down the road or anywhere else. He could have received any time he decided to become the establishing witness.

You pray and establish your witness. That's your part. If you'll do it, God will back you--and when He backs you, everything else either has to get in line or get out of the way.

You're the deciding witness. What do you say?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Matthew 18:15-20

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

AVOID BIG FAILURES

October 3 - Avoid Big Failures

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness."
(Ephesians 4:17-19)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


There's a subtle strategy Satan uses to take control of our lives. The Bible calls it lasciviousness and it means "to have no restraint."

Lasciviousness has been preached as being extreme immorality, but it doesn't start out that way. It begins with just a few seemingly innocent thoughts. Then those thoughts grow and grow until they begin to produce serious sin.

One afternoon as a nine-year-old boy, for example, I just yielded to the desire to curse. I knew better, but I did it anyway. I had a relative who was so good at West Texas cussin' that I thought he invented it. I was intrigued and I wanted to try it.

When I let go of all restraint and began to say those curse words, something evil moved in on my thinking that seriously affected me for some 20 years. A law was set in motion. As a result, my flesh gradually became boss over my entire being.

Don't let Satan use the strategy of lasciviousness on you. Make up your mind and heart today to obey God in the little things. Avoid big failures by walking in His Spirit one small step at a time. Major victories will eventually be yours.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Ephesians 4:22-31

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

RUN TO GOD

October 2 - Run to God

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(1 John 1:9)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's wonderful to know you've been set free from the law of sin and death. It's glorious to know you never again have to submit to the slavery of sin. But what do you do when, in spite of those wonderful, glorious truths, you still miss the mark? What do you do when you stumble and fall into sin?

Run to your Father and repent!

That sounds simple. But oddly enough we often do just the opposite. Instead of running to God, we let fear and guilt drive us further and further from Him. We start thinking things like, "Well, I've missed it now. I might as well forget the rest of it and live like the devil."

Don't make that mistake. Don't let Satan talk you into sinning in one area of your life just because you missed it in another. When you get off track with God, just confess it and get right back on.

"But, Brother Copeland, I feel so guilty when I tell God what I've done that it's hard for me to make myself do it."

I know. I used to feel that way too. Then, one day, God said to me, "Kenneth, when you confessed that sin wasn't when I found out about it. I knew about it all the time! When you confessed it is when you got rid of it, when you were cleansed of its effects in your life."

When you make a mistake, when you miss the mark, remember, you have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous (1 John 2:1). Run to Him! He knows what you are going through. You don't need to be afraid. He didn't tear you apart for the sins you committed before you made Him Lord of your life, did He? Then how much more merciful and loving do you think He'll be now that you're His own? Now that you're reaching out for Him and have a heart for Him?

Don't run from God. Run to Him. Receive His forgiveness. Receive His cleansing. No matter how badly you've sinned, He's eager to forgive and to cleanse you of all unrighteousness.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 2 Samuel 12:1-13"

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001

BLESS THE LORD

October 1 - Bless the Lord

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."
(Hebrews 13:15)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Great things happen when you continually confess the mercy of God. Faith rises up on the inside of you. The reality that God loves you begins to sing through your spirit.

What's more, it brings honor to your Father when you believe His Word and magnify His love and mercy. You honor Him when you speak of His goodness and loving-kindness, when you talk about Him as your Father of love Who does only good. It blesses Him when you praise Him as the great God of the universe who is eager to bless and Who even gave His own Son because He so loved the world.

David was a man after God's own heart. He knew how to praise his God. Until you have the Word dwelling in you richly so that you can speak psalms and praises out of your own spirit, use the praises of David to magnify God. Speak them or sing them out loud to the Father.

Put His words continually on your lips. You will soon begin to experience the thrill and the joy of realizing that God is indeed "rich in mercy" because of His great love with which He loved us. Your faith will rise to new heights and your Father will be blessed! And you will be blessed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scripture Study: Psalm 89:1-18

Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Fort Worth, TX 76192-0001