WITNESSING TO THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

Have you ever asked yourself this question, If the Jehovah's witnesses are preaching the true word of God, why is it that they isolate themselves from every other people who believe in the same God they claim to preach about?
In an effort to answer this question, I decided not to be driving them away any longer, instead, I always welcome them into my home so that we could discuss the word of God to get the truth of it, and after finishing with them, few of them have repented and given their lives to Jesus, but most of them ended up not stopping by my house anymore. But in any case, we must bring the undiluted TRUTH of the word of God to everyone including the Jehovah's witnesses.
In my encounter with them, I've discovered many errors in their teachings. The major thing they talk about is that God will establish his kingdom here on earth in which there will be no unrighteousness, and that they will be the only one to inherit that kingdom. They never mention anything about salvation through God's only Son Jesus Christ. They also teach that people will not go to heaven, because heaven is for God and the earth was made for man, whereas the message that Jesus gave to us is that people should believe the Gospel, repent and be saved so we could be where he is.
Therefore, let's reach out to the Jehovah's witnesses with the undiluted truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to tell them that in order to enter into God's kingdom, there must be repentance and forgiveness of sins which only Jesus Christ can provide, so that they could hear it and be saved. May God help us as we minister to them in Jesus name. You are blessed. Jesus loves you and I do too.

HOW TO KNOW THE WILL OF GOD

Nanok Monirul Wrote:

HOW TO KNOW THE WILL OF GOD-Acts 9:1-6

If you were to have a face to face encounter with the Lord Jesus, and could ask Him any question you wanted, what would that question be? I suppose you would have to think long and hard about what you would ask Him, but I am guessing that many would be asking, “Lord, what would you have me to do?” That experience did happen to the man in our text, and he asked that very question. He also received a response from the Lord.
In this passage, Paul asked 2 very important questions. Questions to which we need sure answers. Those questions are: 1.) Who art thou Lord? (v.7) This is the single most important question in all of life. Who is Jesus Christ to you? Your answer determines where you will spend your eternity! 2.) Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? This is the second most important question in life. God’s will and His will alone should be the heart’s desire for every child of God. The context. Paul was told to go into the city and there, he would be told what to do. God did not hide His will from Paul, and He will not hide it from you!
This morning, I am going to preach to you about How To Know The Will of God. Now, before you can know Gods will for your life, you must have an understanding of how His will operates. There are three ways in which we may understand the will of God.
1. Gods Sovereign Will - This is a decision of God that is always carried out, nothing in the universe is ever able to stop it. God is God and He accomplished what He wishes. Gods Sovereign will is mysterious and is known only to God.
2. Gods Moral Will - This, too, is forever settled and is unchanging. Some things are right and some things are wrong, (It matters not what society says!) This Moral will is revealed in the Word of God and the conscience of man.
3. Gods Particular Will - He has a will that is particular and peculiar to your life. (Saul - Acts 9:15) This particular will will vary from saint to saint
I can see all 3 aspects of the will of God at work in my life. It was His Sovereign will that set His love upon me and saved me. It was His moral will that I stop cursing, drinking, etc. It was and is His particular will for my life that I become a preacher of the Gospel.
Even though you and I are such a small part of Gods vast creation, and our lives seem very insignificant, God knows you! He loves you! Even the very hairs of your head are numbered and known by Him. As a result, He has designed a particular plan for your life, and, He has promised to reveal it to you and to guide you into it.

Before we get into how to know His will, I am first going to address some myths concerning the will of God.
1.) God Will Give You A Road Map - God does not give roadmaps, He gives relationships. As you follow Him, He will reveal His will unto you. (Israel - Ex. 13:21 - The Pillar of Cloud and Fire!)
2.) God Doesn't Want You To Have Any Fun - Some see God as a Cosmic killjoy. That is, if you surrender to do His will, you will have a hard and an unhappy life. Many are afraid to find His will because they are afraid of what they might be asked to do. (Put yourself in the place of God. How do you treat your children? Isn't He better than us? Luke 11:11-13
3.) God Only Speaks To A Certain, Few Holy People - Gods will is not limited to those with position. He just doesn't speak to the Paul's, the Spurgeons and the Grahams. He has a will for every saint at every conceivable level of commitment. If you choose to follow in His will, you will be lead to a holier life. But, He calls us where we are!
4.) You Have To Wait On A Damascus Road Experience - Saul's experience certainly was dramatic, but it wasn't normal. God spoke to Saul in the earthquake, but more often, He speaks in the still, small voice - 1 Kings 19:11-12.
5.) God Only Reveals His Will To The Young - God calls people of all ages, He never stops using His saints. If He were finished with you, He would have called you home. If you are sitting on the sidelines, I can guarantee you that you need to seek His will! It is never too late to do the will of God.
6.) Gods Will Is Hidden From Us And We Have To Find It Ourselves - (The absurdity of a Father hiding His will from His son!) God never hides His will He reveals it! He wants you to know His will so you can get about doing it. (This is not a cosmic Easter egg hunt!)

Now that we have discussed several myths concerning the will of God, allow me to share with you a couple of easy steps that will lead us into knowing the will of God.
I. GODS GUIDANCE IS PROVISIONAL
(That is to say, God expects certain things from us. Unless we are able to deliver these characteristics, we will probably remain in the dark concerning His will.)
A. Be Willing To Obey Him - Saul wanted Gods will. Too often, we make our plans, set them in motion and then call God in to bless them. To genuinely do His will, we must put our will aside and be will to do all that He asks us to do. (Can you honestly say, Wherever He Leads GO?) Why should God reveal His will to us when He knows we aren't going to do it anyway?
B. Display A Spirit Of Meekness - That is, be teachable - Psa. 25:9. Saul -
He displayed a teachable spirit. If you aren't teachable, and think you know it all already, then you will probably never know His will.
C. Be Open To God - Earnestly, sincerely pray for Gods guidance. Report for duty. Don't wait to be drafted, just show up and ask Him if He has an assignment for you. If God isn't showing you anything, perhaps you should examine your life to see just how much time you really spend with Him in private. Too often he is speaking, but no one is listening!
D. Be Yielded To God - Saul - Acts 9:8-9, As soon as he had a word from
God, he got busy doing it. Again, God probably not reveal His will to someone who isn't going to do it anyway. If all areas of your life are yielded and open to His will, then you can expect that He will reveal Himself to you. Are you willing to do His will regardless of the cost? Luke 14:26-33.
II. GODS GUIDANCE IS PRACTICAL
God will reveal His will in ways that will be plain to see and understand.
He used several in the Bible. These are still His ways.
A. Through Miracles - Saul - Normally, God wont speak to a man like He did to Saul. This was a miracle! Occasionally, He will speak in the fashion, but don't wait on it before you start to serve Him!
B. Through His Word - Saul - v.5. Gods Word holds the answers to all of
life's questions - Psa. 119:89. Matt. 5:18 When you are in doubt concerning His will, go back to the Bible and read. This is Gods primary mode of address!
C. Through His People - Saul - Acts 9:8-20. God used Ananias to speak
His will to Saul. Never discount the counsel of the godly people all around you - Pro. 24:6. ( The danger of pride - It will cause you not to listen - 1 Cor. 10:12.
D. Through His Spirit - Saul - Acts 9:17. The Holy Spirit is in us, John
14:16, and he will guide us unto all truth, John 16:13. One of the distinguishing marks of Gods sheep is their earmark - John 10:1-14. God speaks to people through the Holy Ghost. Beware of listening to voices!
God has a big plan for your life! Do you know what it is? If not, be meek, teachable, open and yielded to God. Listen for His leading voice in His Word, His people and His Spirit and He will reveal His will unto you - John 14:21. He wants you to be in His will, and therefore, He will never leave you in the dark!
If you know His will, are you doing it? If not, there is no time like the present to surrender and yield to do the will of God.

Praying psitions

Rev. Ken Collins’ Website

www.kencollins.com

Shall We Sit, Stand, or Kneel to Pray?

You are visiting a friend’s church and the minister says, “Let us pray,” and you find when you reach for the kneeler that it isn’t there. Looking around, you see that everyone has remained seated with their eyes shut tight. Or perhaps you visit a synagogue, and the people stand to pray.

“What’s going on?” you wonder.

Here are the five traditional postures for prayer, how they originated, what they are used for, and who uses which one:

Standing:
   Eyes open, looking up
   Hands uplifted with the palms up

This is the oldest posture for prayer. It is called the orans position, from the Latin word for praying. By praying this way, the worshiper acknowledges God as external and transcendent. This posture is for thanksgiving, praises, blessings, benedictions, and general prayers. This is still the normal position for prayers in eastern churches and in Jewish synagogues, and it is still used in the western church, particularly when the clergy bless the bread and wine of the Eucharist.

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
—Luke 9:28-32, NIV

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed
—John 17:1a, NIV

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer…
—1 Timothy 2:8a, NIV

Standing:
   Looking down with eyes averted or closed
   Hands clasped at the waist

This is the traditional posture of a shackled prisoner of war who is brought before the conquering king. The hands are clasped at the waist as if they were shackled in chains. The eyes are averted—in ancient times, looking directly at one’s captor was insolent and a good way to get killed on the spot. This posture is for submissive petitions or for intercessory or penitential prayer, as we see in Luke 18:10-13.

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I want to thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
—Luke 18:10-13, NIV

Kneeling:
   Eyes open, looking up
   Hands uplifted with the palms up
      —OR—
   Looking down with eyes averted or closed
   Hands folded

This is the traditional posture for requesting favors from a king, and so it became the traditional posture for prayers of repentance or supplication. The Council of Nicaea in AD 325 forbade kneeling on Sundays, because penitential prayer is not appropriate during a celebration of the Resurrection. In western Christianity, kneeling came to mean simple humility and submission, and so kneeling became the normal posture for most prayers in the west. However, to eastern Christians, kneeling still means repentance or supplication.

The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt, and let him go.
—Matthew 18:26, NIV

[Jesus] withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
—Luke 22:41-44, NIV

Some western churches have kneelers so the congregation can pray in the pews. Others do not have kneelers, but when people gather at the altar railing, they kneel. The secret to kneeling is not to bend at the waist. Thrust your hips forward, so that your abdomen and thighs form a straight, vertical line, and you’ll be able to kneel for long periods of time without fatigue and without sitting on your heels.

Prostrate:
   Lying on one’s belly
   Looking down with eyes averted or closed

This is the traditional posture for begging favors from a king when the favors are great and the petitioner is either desperate or has no standing before the king even in the literal sense. It became the traditional posture for desperate, penitential, or intercessory prayer and is still used in eastern churches, which have plenty of room because they don’t have pews.

Then [Jesus] said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther,he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
—Matthew 26:38-39, NIV

Sitting:
   Looking down with eyes averted or closed
   Hands folded

The Roman Catholic Church invented pews during the Middle Ages, right before the Protestant Reformation. Since the Protestant Reformation was essentially a Christian education movement with very long sermons, the Protestants kept the pews even though they rejected just about everything else they regarded as a ‘Roman invention.’ As a result, sitting has become the normal posture for prayer for many western congregations.

In 2 Samuel 7:18, David sat to pray. However, sitting for prayer was not prevalent until after the invention of pews.

In general:

• Looking up is for thanks and glory
• Looking down is for submission and humility
• Standing while looking up shows confidence
• Standing while looking down shows submission
• Lying prostrate shows humility and possibly desperation
• Sitting used to connote leisure or that the person sitting is disabled or elderly, but now it is neutral

But does it matter whether we sit, stand, or kneel to pray?

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Copyright ©1995-2015 by the Rev. Kenneth W. Collins and his licensors. All rights reserved.
You can get permission to use this material. You can also E write to Ken

Acknowledgements
Bible quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® NIV® ©1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. All rights reserved.

WHAT YOU ARE CALLED TO DO pt 1

Amos Oluwashina-ayomi Anthony Wrote:

WHAT YOU ARE CALLED TO DO pt 1
Eph. 5:17 says “ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ”

In other words, the Bible is saying “ it is foolish to do what God has not told you to do ”. A lot of people are in trouble today because they are doing what they are not called to do.
Someone called me one day, he said “ I have been following you for some years, the witches and wizard you are exposing their secrets/destroying their kingdom have not captured you and many more people are getting to know you day by day which means truly you are a great man of God so help me with my problems ” but I answered him and said God is the only great person and once you are doing what God called you to do, his protection will be upon your life. In other words, when you are doing what God did not call you to do, don't expect Him to bless or protect you from danger that many come out of it. The 7 sons of Sce'va saw Paul and other Apostles casting out demons in people and they wanted to do the same thing but that evil spirit answered and said “ Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? ” and if you read down a bit to v16, you will see how d demon disgraced them nakedly and wounded. Acts 19:14-16.
Don't create problems for yourself by doing what you are not called to do;
- if you are not called to sing and you want to sing there will be problem.
- if you are not called to Pastor and you are pastoring there will be problem.
- if you are not called to deliverance ministry and you want to deliver someone there will be problem.
- if you are not called to travel and you travel out there will be problem. And as a matter of fact anytime you find yourself doing what you are not suppose to do then there will be serious problems.
A sister was running a school but in 14yrs the number of pupils in that Sch is 10 then she went to man of God to pray and there she discovered that she is to be selling vegetables and she looked at herself. A master degree holder selling vegetables so angrily she went away but after 2yrs, things remain the same so she decided to try what the man of God said and within 6 months she had build a house.

HOW TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE CALLED TO DO
1. Pray every time before you decide on what to do and hear from Him first. Proverbs 3:5-6
2. If you are experiencing unusual difficulties in what you are doing, pause and ask God again to be sure you are still on the right track. Gen. 25:22-23
3. Be sure of the voice you are taken instructions from, Is it voice of God, man, angels or demons etc Judges 13:17
4. Ask God how long it will take you to succeed/prosperous in that way so you can be prepared. Judges 18:5-6

A lot of Christians are doing the thing that God has not call them to do and they are praying to succeed day n night. The truth is that once u miss your way except u go back n find d way, u may never reach your goal again.

A sister was dating a brother and I told her, God didn't want you to marry this brother but she wouldn't listen. 7 days to their wedding dis brother travelled out of the country and yet to return since then. The problem now is everyone who collected that wedding invitation then were discouraging those single church men who should marry dis sister and she still remain single.

Until you start doing what God has called you to do, don't expect His blessings, protection or provision for you cos God dislikes disobedient children.

I am praying for someone here today that if your problems and tribulations are result of what you are doing that God has not called you to do, by His grace you shall be scheduled in the name of Jesus

You can call Pst. Amos +2348188864503 for prayers, counseling, deliverance n spiritual assistance from 10am - 3pm ( Mon-Fri )
You can also visit for counseling every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (10am - 1pm)

Names for God

WHAT PRAYER REALLY IS

Prayer is not telling God what to do, because he already knows your need, but prayer is agreeing with what God said in his word. Sure, and I want to correct this impression in the mind of many people, because if you know what prayer really is, then you'll know what to pray and how to pray.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:7-8, But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Thus, when you pray, find out what God says about your situation in his word, agree with it, and begin to thank him for it, and you'll see the manifestation of it. Yes, prayer works, but you must know how to pray in order to get results.

May God's will be done in your life as you begin to pray rightly in Jesus name. You are blessed. Jesus loves you and I do too.

FORSAKING THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

The Spirit of the Lord has made it known to me that many preachers of nowadays had forsaken the message of the cross which is supposed to be the focal point of every Gospel message, and have replaced them with the message of prosperity. As a matter of fact, you hardly hear about repentance in many churches again. 

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1.17-18, For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Certainly, the message that Jesus gave to us was that of repentance, and not of prosperity, and this repentance could only come through the message of the cross. So, as you go to church today, if you find yourself in a place where only prosperity is what they are talking about all the time, instead of repentance, you better run for your life, because the preacher has abandoned the actual message. 

May God help you to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, so that all other things could be added unto you in Jesus name. Have a wonderful and worry-free Sunday. You are blessed. Jesus loves you and I do too.

ONLY VERY FEW PEOPLE KNOWS WHAT GOD CAN DO

I've noticed that right from the beginning of creation until now, God has never taken side with the majority, and only very few people have been able to discover how God works.
Many people might be in a place, or in a church, but very few among them will actually know the things about God and what God can do in every situation. 

In Numbers 13, Moses sent out 12 spies to go and view the promise land, 10 of them came back believing that they cannot possess the land because of what they saw, but only 2 of them, Joshua and Caleb actually knew what God can do, and despite what they saw, because they knew about God, they believed him and were able to trust him, and God worked for them.

Similarly, many people might be in a place or in a church today, and very few of them will be able to know the things about God, and be able to trust God with their situations. So, are you among the few that know God, and would you trust him with your situations today? 

Sure, If you are one of the few who know your God, begin to rejoice because the Lord your God is with you. Daniel 11:32 says, Those who know their God shall be strong and do exploit. Yes, you shall do exploit in Jesus name. You are blessed. Jesus loves you and I do too.

REKINDLE YOU TRUST IN GOD

Do you have any problem that have lingered so long, and is about to make you loose your hope and trust in God? Or, have you started to question God because of your situation? 

David said in Psalm 37.25-26, I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Sure, as long as you are trying everyday to do God's will, God will surely visit you at his appointed time, and you'll surely rejoice. 

Now, may God give you the strength to hang on till your blessings arrive in Jesus name. You are blessed. Jesus loves you and I do too.

7 Ways God Teaches Us To Prosper

7 Ways God Teaches Us To Prosper -
Harold Herring

If stories about the Children of Israel cover over six books in the Bible, how can we ignore the fact that God has a lot He wants to teach us through them?

I Corinthians 10:11 in the New Living Translation says:

“These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.”

The Amplified Bible says it this way:

”Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction ….”

The point is … the Children of Israel are examples for us.  Their natural lives help us to see spiritual truths so we can succeed where many of them did not.

Scripture is not confined to one level of understanding and truth is parallel from one subject to another. 

That is why the story of the Israelites can teach us a lot about life on a number of levels. 

There are at least 7 important prosperity principles found in Joshua Chapter 1 that teach us how to become prosperous.

I)  The Past Is Dead

In Joshua Chapter 1: 1,2 we read the following in the Amplified Bible:

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ minister,

2 “Moses My servant is dead. So now arise [take his place], go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, the Israelites.”

There are two important points here:

First, Moses was called of God to lead the Children of Israel out of slavery… he performed his assignment as God directed…

Remember … there were those who refused to give up a slave mentality and it cost  a lot of others in Israel 40 years in the wilderness before there was a generation who could go to the next level.

If Joshua and Caleb went into the Promised Land, we know it’s possible to leave a slave mentality behind if we really want to but is may mean facing some giants along the way and it definitely means changing the way we think.

Second… God said… Moses is dead.  In other words… we don’t need to look back to the past because the past is dead.  

The slave mentality is dead. 

Our past mistakes are dead.

 The way to prosper is to look forward.  Just beyond these verses Joshua directs the Children of Israel to consecrate themselves before they go into battle … they were diected toprepare their hearts and bodies to go forward … they had to leave the past in the past and so must we.

2)  God Has Given Each of Us A Place of Dominion

Joshua 1: 3,4 says:

“Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses.

4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon to the great river Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites [Canaan]—and to the Great [Mediterranean] Sea on the west shall be your territory.”

God said… this is exactly the land you will possess. 

What does this mean to us?  We know God doesn’t mean for us to move to the Middle East to possess any land. 

It does means God promises each of us success in the sphere of influence we’ve been called to walk in.   He wants you to have influence and take dominion wherever you are.

Think of the influence Christians could have if we just put the Word to work… cultivating where God has placed us…taking dominion, making a difference for the kingdom.

This goes back to when God spokein Genesis 1:28 AMP:

“And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.”

God has us spread all over the World… to take dominion.

And we have been given everything we need to do it.  2 Peter 1:3 says:

 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

3)  God Has Promised Us Total Victory

Not only did God give us an assignment … He gives us promises and assurances for success.

5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

6 Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

7 Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

Here are the 7 points from these three scriptures:

First,   in Gods eyes, He sees no one capable of having dominion over you.

Second, this promise is not only good for the immediate ...but as far as God sees, the promise is good for as long as you live.

Third,God backs up His statement by promising to always be there ... to back you up.  Do you remember something God delivered you from? Well…if He delivered you before… He can surely do it again

Fourth,be strong and confident and of good courage...meaning we should be gaining confidence in every new circumstance and not losing it when difficulties arise.

Fifth, you will not only inherit the land God has placed you in, but you'll be an example to others who want to inherit their land.   

Sixth, stand strong and courageous so you may do according to what God says… in other words...keep doing the Word and don't give up.

Seventh, don’t turn to the left or to the right… i.e., stay focused on your assignment.

4)  God Gives Us a 7-Point Success System in Joshua 1:8

“This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success”

This scripture is really a success system for anything we want to accomplish in this life… if we just concentrated on this and did nothing else…we would wind up successful.

 Let’s break it down…

First, this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth … so many scriptures support the fact that we should let nothing but the Word come out of our mouths.

Second, we are to meditate on the Word day and night.  Our immersing in the Word will eventually cause us to not only think the way God thinks but to respond the way God responds.

Proverbs 22:17-19 says:

“Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;

“For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them.

“So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you.”

Third, that you may observe to do.  Once the Word of God is living fully in our thoughts, our actions will follow.  Sow a thought, reap an action, sow an action, reap a habit, sow good habits and reap a lifestyle of success.

Fourth, according to all that is written in it. “All” is going to be a continual process.  We will probably never attain “all” but as much as we can learn to apply of the Word… the more successful we will become.

Fifth, THEN you will become prosperous.  Prosperity is progressive.  When we look at ourselves and say…’how come I’m not making any progress? It's we've forgotten how far we've come so far.  It’s a continual upward climb which should never end.

Sixth, THEN you shall deal wisely.  With every part of the Word we apply, we will deal more wisely.  The key is not to forget the basics we've learned.  It is not usually what we need to learn that holds us back but what we need to remember.

Hebrews 2:1 says:

"Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away.”

Seventh, THEN we will experience ... not just success … but good success because we are blessed by God’s wisdom.

Proverbs 10:22 in the Amplified Bible says: 

”The blessing of the Lord—it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].”

Prosperity that is a cut above the world’s is the lack of sorrow. 

4)  God Promised Us He’d Be With Us Every Step of the Way

Joshua 1:9 says: 

“Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous.  Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This scripture is essentially repeating several points.

One of the basics most people struggle with is remembering that it's not our abilities but God's abilities that we must count on.  

The fact that the scripture says:  Have I not commanded you? indicates that this was a lesson that Joshua needed to have repeated… as do so many of the rest of us.

The Lord repeats…Be strong, vigorous and very courageous. 

5)  Fear MUST Go!

Fear is one of the most basic tactics of the enemy … because he knows it paralyzes us from taking action or worse makes us give up. 

The Bible is full of ‘Fear Nots!’  We may even feel guilty when we begin to fear knowing we shouldn't.  When we become afraid…we need to face the fear and decide what is really causing it by asking God what to do.  We cannot afford to ignore it and we certainly can't give in to it.  It opens a door we don’t want the devil to have access to. 

In Psalm 34:4 AMP it says:

“I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

In the New Testament we have Luke 10:19:

 “Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.”

Luke 10:19 is worth meditating on.  It validates the fact that the devil has ABSOLUTELY NO ABILITIES WE CANNOT DEFEAT.

6) Those Who Do Not Follow God’s Way … Will Not Succeed

Psalm 37:1,2 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God).

“For they shall good be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”

Joshua 1:18 says:

“Whoever rebels against your commandment and will not hearken to all you command him shall be put to death. 

When we don’t follow God commands we are only hurting ourselves.

After the successful takeover of Jericho, everything of value was to be ‘sacred unto the Lord’ … I call it the tithe of the wealth that would soon be released for the Israelites to enjoy.  But Achan stole some of the spoils in Jericho and buried it beneath his tent unbeknownst to Joshua or anyone else.  Therefore when they went up against the small city of Ai, they were soundly defeated.

Joshua 6:19 says:

“But all the silver and gold and vessels of bronze and iron are consecrated to the Lord; they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.”

Joshua 7:1 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But the Israelites committed a trespass in regard to the devoted things; for Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the things devoted [for destruction]. And the anger of the Lord burned against Israel.”

When Achan was discovered… he and his entire family were wiped out.

 We know this type of action is not permitted today… but when we don’t listen to the voice of the Lord, I wonder if there isn’t some spiritual setback …even though we may not recognize it outwardly.

7) God Will Take Care of the Opposition … if We Trust Him

The last part of verse 18 says:

“Only be strong, vigorous, and of good courage.”

The higher we go in the Kingdom of God, the more is at stake.  There is more responsibility BUT there is more reward.  That is why the Lord says over and over to “be strong … and of good courage.”

We will face opposition but the Lord always promises to be there:

We have already read where He will never leave us or forsake us.

In Psalm 34:6,7 it says:

“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

“The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.”

Over in Exodus 23:22 says:

“But if you will indeed listen to and obey His voice and all that I speak, then I be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.”

We know God wants us successful… there are too many scriptural promises not to believe it.  We may not be attaining all of it as fast as we want but we can rest assured that if we continue to do the Word… nothing can keep it from coming into our lives.