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Writer's Voice! - December 19, 2019

12/24/2019

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Your Happiness Depends On You


Are you happy — with you?
Six born again Christians…six different answers.
 
  1. One middle aged man responded with, “How can I be happy with myself when years ago my wife left me, took our four children with her, and now they will have nothing to do with me because of all the lies she told them about me.”
  2. One young woman said she could not be happy with herself because she was abused by her step-father in her childhood.
  3. One young man, after graduating college with honors and thousands of dollars in debt, has had difficulty finding a job that he enjoys going to every day. “I spent years of study…for what?”
  4. One elderly woman, grieving over the loss of her husband six years ago, said all the dreams they hoped to enjoy together when they retired vanished when her husband died.
  5. One middle aged woman with chronic medical problems said she cannot be happy with herself because she doesn’t feel good.
  6. One man responded, “Yes, I am happy within myself.”   
 
Unforgiveness
Abuse
Bitterness
Disappointment and shattered dreams
Sickness and pain
Freedom
 
Two things God cannot do for you:
  1. God will not resist the devil for you. He told you to do that. (James 4:7)
  2. God cannot “receive” for you. “…believe that you receive them and you shall have them.” (Mark 11:24)
You are a Spirit.
You have a Soul: Mind, Will, Emotions, Intellect, Memories
You live in a body.
 
How to tap into the benefits of healing and power in the Kingdom of God: Have Faith in God.  (Mark 11:22)
 
Benefits of the Kingdom of God
1. The Awesome Power of the Holy Spirit
Be baptized in the Holy Spirit! Pray in the Spirit to build up your spirit man and dominate painful experiences of the past. Jesus said, “It is to your advantage that I go away…” (John 16:7) How can that be? Jesus in His earthly ministry could not dwell inside you. Ah, but His Spirit can! Jesus said the Holy Spirit is the Parakletos; the Comforter, Helper, Teacher, Healer; He is the Power of God. Father anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and then He went about healing and delivering people from the devil. (Acts 10:38) Connect with Him by God's Word, study, and prayer ... and praying in the Spirit.
 
2. The Word of God
How were you born of God? “I was born again when I asked Jesus to come into my heart.” Yes. But something hidden was taking place.
“…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” (1 Peter 1:23) “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13) Just as your body needs food, your spirit needs spirit food ... "I am the bread of life." Read John Chapter 6.
 
Your Bible is not just paper and ink; it is living words and your connection to God’s Kingdom. When you study, you are giving life-producing food into your spirit man which provides ammunition for Holy Spirit to empower the words that come forth from your mouth. Christians who do not exercise a daily time of study, fellowship, and prayer will lead defeated unhappy lives wondering, “Where is God in my life?” It takes power to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) Where is that power? Is it way up somewhere in the sky? No! God’s power is in you … in the real you. Tap in by praying in tongues throughout your day. But make sure you have transferred God’s Word into you by study, and by hearing faith teaching for “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) Faith overcomes the world. (See 1 John 5:4-5)
 
3. The Kingdom of God is Within You (Luke 17:21)
When Jesus went about in His earthly ministry, healing the sick, delivering people of satanic spirits, feeding 20,000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread, raising the dead, He said, “... surely the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Luke 11:20) Later He declared, " ... the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20)
Jesus’ parting assignment to His disciples before His Ascension into Heaven was to go and preach the Word, cast out devils, and heal the sick, just like He did, but use His name to do it! He promised that He would confirm it with signs following. (Mark 16:14-20)

Power and authority resides in you to resist the devil and his schemes. Painful memories of the past, unforgiveness, loss of hope, pain and sorrow, can be defeated by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the Kingdom of God. That power is not outside you but rather inside you!
 
THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT SAINTS!
Once again, there are two things that God cannot do for you.
*God will not resist the devil for you. He told you to do that. (James 4:7)
*God will not “receive” for you. You believe you receive and you shall have. (Mark 11:24)
 
All six Christian people have had major problems in their life.
Unforgiveness
Abuse
Bitterness
Disappointment and shattered dreams
Sickness and pain
Freedom

Only the last Believer is happy with himself. “Yeah, but he didn’t have to overcome what the others have had to deal with.” Not true!
 
He was a soldier in Afghanistan and stepped on a mine while saving the life of another soldier and lost both his legs! He overcame because He received Jesus as His Lord, got filled with Holy Spirit, studies two hours every morning in God’s Word, prays in tongues, and ministers to the youth in His Church. Is he happy with himself?

“Yes, I am happy with myself! I am a Spirit–filled Christian fulfilling my purpose.”
 
This is that…which overcomes the world!
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
 
Christian, are you happy being you?
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 12.19.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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Writer's Voice! - October 21, 2019

10/21/2019

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Confidence: What is it?

Definition of Confidence: the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust; the state of feeling certain about the truth of something.
Antonym: distrust; doubt; misgiving; apprehension; disbelief; self-doubt; uncertainty; timidity; bashfulness; shyness
 
*Key to the Kingdom:
Fear is an enemy to confidence and to faith. Monitor your thoughts and your words.
 
In the earth, there are two groups of people, those who are unsaved and those who are born again of the Spirit of God. What does each group put their trust in?
 
What is confidence in the flesh?
The Apostle Paul admonished The Church at Philippi NOT to boast about who they are in the flesh but to “worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh…” Paul shares with them that his birth, his upbringing, and his stature as a well-known Pharisee (lawyer) were all rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus! (See Philippians Chapter 3)
 
*Key to the Kingdom:
You have to let go of the old in order to receive the new. (Matthew 9:16-17)
 
Standing in Your New Identity
We, who are born again citizens of Heaven, are to live and walk in the Spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit who abides within us. Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21) That means we train ourselves daily to be inside minded so that we can release the power of God’s Kingdom on earth. The more we know who we are in Christ, the more confident we become in our identity “in Christ” rather than who we are in the flesh.
 
You develop confidence by living by faith.
 
Vines Dictionary
Confidence: denotes persuasion; assurance; to trust; that which stands; a foundation.
 
The Righteousness of Faith
Paul put his total confidence and trust in his birth in Christ.
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,  if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:7-11)
 
JESUS OUR LORD
We will never truly know the depth of His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. What was Jesus struggling with? His will, for He saw what was ahead and wanted His Father to remove it from Him. (Matthew 26:36-46) Yet, He let go of His will and grabbed hold of His assignment to become sin for mankind, confident that Father would raise Him from Hell.
 
A deep personal relationship and knowledge of Father and His Word strengthened Jesus to let go of His will and reach ahead to do Father’s will. After all, He knew He was His Son!
 
Once again:
Key to the Kingdom: You have to let go of the old in order to receive the new.
 
The Apostle Paul experienced this: “… that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Paul suffered great persecution, yet confident, he let go of his past and yielded to do the Father’s will, just like Jesus.
 
Paul would not have written thirteen books in the New Testament had he been determined to rely and brag about all his past accomplishments. When you meet someone new, what do you want them to know about you—your MBA, your position in a well-known company, where you live, what you drive, or how much YOU are doing at your church?  

Our righteousness comes from what Jesus accomplished for you.
 
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-15)
 
All our lives, up until the day we leave this earthly body, are a multitude of daily choices. Forgetting those things of the past and reaching forward, confident in Christ and who He says we are, press forward to attain the prize ahead and fulfill the call of God in Christ Jesus. This confidence produces boldness and strength to carry out our assignment on earth, and confidence can be developed through daily use. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
 
“You are complete in Him…” (Colossians 2:10) The word complete means to “make full, to fill up!” That’s because Holy Spirit lives in you. Meditate on that.
 
This is that … which is our foundation.
“… In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Ephesians 3:12 NIV)
 
Recommended for you:
Bill Winston: Pray with Assurance (Confidence)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6TxRqFw-2o
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 10.21.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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Writer's Voice! - October 4, 2019

10/4/2019

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Bible Study

A Peek at My Bible Study This Morning
I am in a study of the Book of Philippians from the New American Standard Bible. I started reading Chapter One yesterday and copied several verses in my journal that stood out to me. I read the chapter again this morning for review, but rather than going on to the next chapter, verses 9-11 peaked my interest. God teaches me by making me curious.
 
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
 
My Recap:
  • Love may abound
  • in knowledge
  • and discernment
  • approve things that are excellent
  • to be sincere and blameless
  • til Jesus returns in the air to remove His church before The Day
  • having been filled with the ways of righteousness (right standing with God which comes from the inner man where Jesus’ Spirit dwells)
  • To God be the praise and glory forever!
  • I remembered the scripture: God is in me to establish His good pleasure. (See Philippians 2:13)
 
I thought, “What do I like best about this list?” I decided to put it into one sentence.

Love, knowledge, and discernment bring excellence and sincerity of character, producing righteousness, which makes me ready for the rapture and gives glory to the Father!
 
LOVE, KNOWLEDGE AND DISCERNMENT
I was curious about these three words so I went to Vines Dictionary. Here are some highlights from several pages of advanced explanation.
 
Love:
Agape: charity; kindness; love for man
God is love. 1 John 4:8 and 16.
Love can be known only from the action it prompts.
God’s love can be seen in the gift of His Son. Love had its perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in the Christian. (Galatians 5:22) Love seeks the welfare of all and works no ill to any.
Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments. Self-will, that is, self-pleasing, is the negation of love to God.
 
I remembered 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 and “Love never fails.”
 
Knowledge:
Ginosko: To be taking in knowledge, to come to know; recognize, and understand. Frequently suggests inception or progress in knowledge.
 
“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” (1 Corinthians 8:3) Here the knowing suggests approval and bears the meaning, “to be approved” – such knowledge is obtained, not by mere intellectual activity, but by operation of the Holy Spirit consequent acceptance of Christ, nor is such knowledge marked by finality; indicates a relation between the person knowing and the object known; what is known is of value or importance to the one who knows, and hence the establishment of the relationship – especially of God’s knowledge; to observe, fully perceive, notice attentively, discern, recognize; advanced knowledge or special appreciation - John 14:7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
 
After thinking about knowledge I wrote: “I like the words learning and enlightenment because they produce the wisdom from God.” I remembered Proverbs 4:7.
 
DISCERNMENT
Anakrino: To examine, judge.
To distinguish, or separate out so as to investigate by looking throughout (intensive) objects or particulars, hence signifies to examine, scrutinize, to hold a preliminary judicial examination preceding the trial proper (this first examination, implying more to follow, is often present in the non-legal uses of the word), it is said of searching the scriptures; “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11); also of discerning or determining the excellence of defects of a person or thing; (1 Corinthians 2:14) “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”
 
Knowledge also signifies to separate, discriminate; then, to learn by discriminating, to determine, to decide. (Acts 11:29) “For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.”
 
Also means: a distinguishing, a clear discrimination, discerning, judging, as in discerning of spirits, judging by evidence whether they are evil or of God. (1 Corinthians 12:10)

Also means: fit for, or skilled in, judging, Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
 
Studying the Word of God has tremendous benefits.
It feeds your spirit man by depositing the Word of God into you as you search and inquire. That makes you good ground which will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. God’s plan and purpose for your life is dependent on you eating from the Tree of Life, God’s Word.

Without that, you can do nothing for God. (See John 15:5)
 
This is that…which you were born of.
“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…”  (1 Peter 1:22-23)
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 9.26.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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Writer's Voice! - August 23, 2019

8/23/2019

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Your Physician's Health Quiz

(You have permission to make a copy of this for your personal study time.)
 
Healing is the children’s bread (Mt. 15:26).
Who is God’s child? —    What is the children’s bread? --
 
I took your infirmities. I bore your sicknesses (Mt. 8:17).
Who took your infirmities? --
Jesus bore your — .

I carried your pains (Isa. 53:4).
Jesus — your pains.

With My stripes you are healed (Isa. 53:5).
By Jesus — you are healed.
 
Christ has redeemed you from the curse of the law, having become a curse for you…so that the blessing of Abraham might come upon you… (Galatians 3:13-14)
What does redeemed mean to you? --
What has come upon you? --
The blessing of Abraham is found in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. True or false? --
 
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made you free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:2)
Which is the higher, more powerful law? --

The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you. He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal body through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11)
Who raised Jesus from the dead? — What does He give to your mortal body? --
Are you the temple of God’s Spirit? --
Does that mean resurrection power flows continually within you? --
 
I give you power and authority over all unclean spirits to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Mt. 10:1 & Luke 9:1).
Who has authority over all unclean spirits? --
Who has the assignment to heal sickness and disease? --
 
My words are life to you, and health and medicine to all your flesh (Pr. 4:22).
What is life to you? --
When God’s words abide in you, they are health and medicine to your flesh. True or false? --
 
(My) good report (words) makes your bones healthy (Pr. 15:30).
God’s word makes your — healthy.

No plague shall come near your dwelling (Ps. 91:10).
No plague shall come — you.

I heal all your diseases (Ps. 103:3).
Jesus — all your diseases.

I sent My word and healed you and delivered you from your destructions (Ps.
107:20). How did Jesus send His word to you? --

Your light shall break forth as the morning and your health shall spring forth speedily (Isaiah 58:8).
Your light shall — forth.
Your health is on its way quickly. True or false? --
 
I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds says the Lord (Jer. 30:17).
God will — health to you. He will heal you of your — .
 
I will satisfy you with long life (Ps. 91:16).
Who will satisfy you with long life? --
How many years is a long life? — (See Genesis 6:3)
 
My joy is your strength. (Neh. 8:10)
Whose joy is your strength? --
 
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Pr.17:22).
Make a list of things that make you joyful and do them.
Make a list of things that steal your joy and avoid them.

This is that…which is God’s will for His children.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 2)
"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Song for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm_u9BjxahA
"All Your Promises are Yes and Amen!"
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 8.23.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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Writer's Voice! - July 19, 2019

7/21/2019

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Purpose, Will, and Focus

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.” (2 Timothy 2:3-6)
 
THE SOLDIER — THE ATHLETE — AND THE FARMER
 
1. The Soldier
The Soldier is trained in combat tactics. His government supplies him with military training, military clothing, and military weapons. He is ready to war with enemies who oppose his government. This soldier is not alone.  Along with many others in his troop, and the vast army around the world, he follows orders from his superior officer. He has no desire to go AWOL – absent without leave. He does not concentrate or get all wrapped up and entangled with family issues or other controversies, for he knows very well that would distract him from his purpose.
*Take every thought captive to the Word of God. Stay focused and use your weapons.
*Further study: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 & Ephesians 6:10-18
 
2. The Athlete
The athlete has a deep burning desire to attain the prize ahead of him. Every day he disciplines himself, training fervently, desiring to follow all the rules. He is focused on the end result and has absolute trust in his personal trainer; obedient to do exactly what he is told to do. He believes that he will receive the prize he is striving for and is daily encouraged by his coach that he can win!
*Forgetting those things which are behind, reach forward and press toward the goal.
*Further study: Philippians 3:13-14
 
3. The Farmer
The farmer tills his ground, plants the seed, waters it, fertilizes it and removes unwanted weeds. The farmer is watchful over his ground every day…keeping out animals, disease, and bugs that come to steal and destroy his crop. When the crop is in, he is first to eat and enjoy the fruit of his labor.
*The good ground bears fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.
*Further study: Mark 4:13-20
 
What does the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer have in common?
Purpose! ... and a driving will to fulfill it.
 
This is that…
which the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer receive.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize?
Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
 
“Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
 
Jesus said:
“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations…”  (Revelation 2:26
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 7.19.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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Writer's Voice! - June 18, 2019

6/18/2019

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War!

You and I as intercessors are in a spiritual war…which is heating up! Should we bury our head in the sand like an ostrich? Is that what soldiers do? No!

“The Kingdom of God suffers violence but the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)

Take it!
 
Take what? The enforcement of God’s Kingdom on earth! We stand in the gap as born again citizens from Heaven with an assignment to use our God-given authority to bind evil forces and to loose God’s power and goodness on this earth, which He made to be good, not evil. Because of Adam’s transgression satan became “the god of this world.” (John 12:31)
 
Two kingdoms are in direct opposition to one another:
“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)  
 
Boots on the Ground
I recently saw a documentary on World War II, Korea, and the Viet Nam War. They interviewed one Air Force pilot who was sent to take pictures over a particular harbor in north Viet Nam. He flew over several large ships that were docked and saw that the enemy was unloading weapons and supplies coming in from Russia.

When he radioed back to home base and asked if he should bomb them he was told “No, photo’s only.” This pilot nearly wept as he recounted this, knowing, of course, that many American soldiers would die as a result of this decision from the executive branch of our government.

Is this any way to win a war?
 
When I think of the tremendous price Jesus Christ made to redeem man and give him back the dominion and authority Adam lost through sin, I shudder to think of the multitudes of Christians who attend church every Sunday, knowing nothing of their assignment and the power of the Holy Spirit that is lying dormant in them. The executive branch of many churches are playing “patty cake” with their congregations instead of training them to take the land for God’s Kingdom!

Is this any way to win a war?
 
Hear the marching orders given to every Believer, every intercessor, to fulfill the Master's mandate just prior to His return to Heaven:

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel…”
 
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)
 
 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17-18)
 
“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Mark 16:20)
 
2019: Someone is Missing
We cannot accomplish what the End Days Church has been commissioned to do without the might of the Holy Spirit. Imagine if Jesus had not been baptized with Him. You could remove every miracle, sign and wonder from the gospels!
 
Yet, in many churches the Holy Spirit is forbidden to move in His ways. It’s like the executive branch or leadership in that church has locked Him up in the baby room during services, afraid He might disrupt their rigid order.

Is this any way to win a war?
 
Holy Spirit’s Assignment:
He (Jesus) shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. (Matthew 3:11)
Jesus said, “…you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5)
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
 
Holy Spirit has an assignment to fulfill in every Believer on earth. His weapons are mighty to win every conflict that would try and hinder God’s plan for revival.
 
In fact, this is how we win the war!
 
Holy Spirit — Intercession —Tongues = the Anointing!
Prayers that release power and dominion for personal issues and for our government leaders and the unsaved require supernatural provision that comes from praying in the spirit…tongues. There’s tremendous power available as we engage in intercession with tongues…it’s how mountains are removed. “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” (James 5:16 AMPC)
 
Be Smart
Of course, the daily discipline to connect with Father and Bible Study is necessary. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)
 
Pray often for Church Leaders in your state. Holy Spirit must be released to pour out God’s will upon all!
 
This is that…which Jesus desires for His Glorious Church!
“… how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38)

Recommended Video Teaching:
Why Speak in Tongues: Kenneth Hagin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAfkCh2U2Gs
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 6.18.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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Writer's Voice! - May 20, 2019

5/21/2019

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Entering the Rest of God

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
 
Are you too busy? Have too much going on? Are things piling up…not being able to keep up? Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed out…pressured? Feel like you’re on a racetrack and the weeks are flying by?
 
2019 – THE GLORIOUS CHURCH
THE END DAYS GENERATION
Daniel prophesied:
“At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.
 
"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.”
 
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:1-4)
 
Many shall run to and fro… Knowledge shall increase…
So, here we are dear Saints, sent by God to live in this last generation before The Church is removed and the Great Tribulation begins. Each of us has an important assignment to proclaim: the message of salvation and the Kingdom of God!
 
Just think, thousands of years ago the Holy Prophets foretold of our generation. What a privilege to be called to live at this time in earth’s history!
(See 1 Peter 2:9-10)
 
The Days are flying by…
I believe time is accelerating and will continue to be shortened until Jesus’ return. I take what Jesus said in Matthew 24:22 literally; “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”
 
Living Waters of Quietness
Live your life out of your spirit man. The “unrenewed” soul, (mind, will, and emotions) struggles under stress and pressure. This can lead to the carnal nature taking over with anger, impatience, and complaining.
 
To flow in the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, longsuffering, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, you will have to make important decisions for quiet time.

Spend time in scripture and prayer and stay connected to His Presence throughout your day. This is how you live from your spirit, where Holy Spirit resides. Practice the Presence of Jesus ... even in a crazy world!
 
All who labor and are heavy laden…
Come to Jesus. He is The Word, and you will receive rest (relief and refreshing) for your soul as you study.
Take My yoke and learn from Me. Submit to Jesus and let Him carry the burdens. You will find peace and rest and quietness of soul. “Cast all your cares upon Him…” (1 Peter 5:7)
My yoke is easy, (good, kind, and profitable) and My burden is light. His burden is the commandment of love. “And His commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:3)
 
This is that…which brings rest.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you, But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”
(Micah 6:8)
 
Confess this often:
I refuse pressure and stress.
I choose instead to enter His rest.
(See Hebrews 3:18-19)
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 5.20.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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Writer's Voice! - April 24, 2019

5/4/2019

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The Enemy of Righteousness:
The Carnal Nature ... Part Two

What is Righteousness?
It is our right standing in God given in the New Birth.
What is the Carnal Nature?
It is the sinful nature inherited at conception because of Adam’s sin in the garden. The carnal nature desires to be its own god and is highly influenced by satan.

Our Redemption
What the last Adam, Jesus Christ, accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection is far, far greater than the curse that came upon man. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

Let’s go deeper in our contrast between our Righteousness and the Carnal Nature. Why? Because carnality must be dominated by your spirit man. "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."
 
Paul’s first letter to The Church in Corinth gives us insight into the problems and struggles of born again Christians living in a pagan society. It is similar to the push toward lawlessness we are dealing with in our nation and is spreading into The Church today. When was the last time you heard a Pastor say that fornication is sin?  
 
THE CARNAL NATURE
Says The Cross is foolishness, and opposes it
Seeks earthly, sensual, worldly wisdom originating from demons
Is envious, self seeking, and covetous
Is boastful, spiteful, and lies against the truth
Is confused, lives amongst wars, fights, and lust
Desires friendship with the world
Will not submit to God
Makes all its own decisions
Speaks evil of and judges other Christians
Knows to do good but will not
Is prideful, full of hypocrisy, and self righteous
Always seeking but never attaining peace
Cannot receive the things of God
Has an unrenewed mind
Is not subject to the law of God
Is not submissive to governing authorities
Things of God are foolish to him
Lives for himself
If death comes without Christ they will spend eternity in hell
 
THE RIGHTEOUS
Knows the cross IS the power of God
Has a personal relationship with God and His Son
Seeks the wisdom of God through His Word
Willing to yield, willing to submit to God
Is dependent upon God for everything, every day
Has a renewed mind according to scripture
Is pure, peaceable, and gentle
Is merciful and without hypocrisy
Does not speaks evil of a brother
Submits and prays for government leaders
Is full of the Holy Spirit, the one who reveals wisdom and truth
Knows the things freely given by God
Has the ability to discern things spiritually
Has not received nor follows after the spirit of the world
Has faith in the power of God
Understands the wisdom of God
Has the mind of Christ
Is spiritually minded, full of life and peace
Is mature
Is humble
Walks in the fruit of the Spirit
Is a hearer of the Word
Is a doer of the Word
Is skilled in the “word of righteousness”
His senses discern both good and evil
Is not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine
Through patience inherits the promises of God
Knows the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Knows who he is in Christ
Has eternal life
Is looking for the return of Jesus
 
This is that…
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
 
Scripture references:
1 Corinthians Chapters 1 and 2
James Chapter 1, and 3 & 4
Galatians Chapter 3 & 5
Romans Chapter 8
Hebrews Chapter 5 & 6
1 Thessalonians Chapters 4 & 5
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 4.24.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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Writer's Voice! - April 1, 2019

4/1/2019

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The Enemy of Righteousness

The Enemy of Righteousness: The Carnal Nature
 
What is Righteousness?
It is our right standing in God given in the New Birth.
 
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
 
Therefore Beloved, “do NOT walk according to the flesh but live according to the Spirit.” This is how the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled: Jesus condemned sin in the flesh. Why? Jesus condemned sin in the flesh so that those in Christ would walk according to the Spirit who resides in them, and NOT live according to the “old” sinful nature. (See Romans 8:3-4)
 
But, the choice still remains with us…each and every day.
 
THE CARNAL NATURE
Desires to be its own God.
Is prideful and selfish.
Will not submit to God.
Sets its mind on living and satisfying only physical needs.
Is controlled by unholy desires.
Makes all decisions based on the senses (feelings) and natural reasoning.
Is hostile to God, His Kingdom, His purpose.
Caters to all appetites and impulses of the flesh.
Cannot please God and is His enemy.
The sinful mind (thought life) is against obedience to God.
The mind of the carnal nature is death.
There is condemnation to those who walk according to the flesh.
 
THE RIGHTEOUS
Yield to God, putting Him and what His Word says first place.
Submissive to His ways and His leading.
They desire to be “led” by the inner Holy Spirit.
They spend quiet time with the LORD every day.
They know they are a New Creation in Christ.
They live in agreement with the Holy Spirit.
They set their mind (thought life) to be obedient and live in peace.
They please God.
They are not controlled by the carnal nature; they rule over it.
They demonstrate the quality of holiness in Him.
There is NO condemnation to those who walk according to the Spirit.
They walk free from the law of sin and death.
They walk in the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus!
 
“And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Read Romans 8: 1-10 often.
 
THE UNSAVED
The lost can never become the righteousness of God because they were born with a sin nature as a result of Adam’s sin.

Righteousness is an attribute of God’s very nature.
Only through the New Birth can this be transferred.
 
And so the ungodly often find themselves making up their own religion and doing good works to establish their value and identity.
 
Peter’s letter to the Believers:
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 1:1)
 
THIS IS THAT…which righteousness will produce:
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
(Colossians 1:27-28)
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 3.30.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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Writer's Voice! - February 26,2019

2/27/2019

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Taking the Kingdom

PRESSING THROUGH THE VEIL…
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)
 
You are a spirit.
You have a soul…(mind-will-emotions)
You live in a body. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
 
“You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.”
(1 Peter 1:23 AMPC)
 
Therefore, since you (spirit man) are born of an imperishable seed which is immortal, which is the Word of God, know that your second birth is NOT like being born from your parent’s seed, a body which will grow older.

The second birth, which is unseen, is from an incorruptible seed, the living and abiding WORD which is eternal!
 
Well, since God does nothing without speaking it first, when and where did God speak about this new birth?
 
Of course, we remember John 3:3:
“…I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 AMPC)
 
Since whatever Jesus did and said was based on what His Father says, was the new birth revealed in the Old Testament?
 
Yes!
 
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”(Ezekiel 36:25-27)
 
Man could not be born again until Jesus became the sacrificial lamb and was raised up from the dead. (See our opening scripture.) We could say that your new birth had to have Jesus in it.
 
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:12-14)

One thing that I want to emphasize here is that God does nothing apart from His Word. Whatever He desires to come to pass, He first speaks it.
 
“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:12-13AMPC)
 
It was spoken that it might be written.
It was written that it might be spoken.
 
PERILOUS TIMES ... 2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5
You and I were called to run our race, or fulfill our assignment right in the middle of perilous times. Since God knows the end at the beginning, He knew He made an excellent choice when He chose you to be His, and to have you born in a generation that will usher in the return of Jesus Christ in the air and then His physical return seven years later at the end of the Great Tribulation.
 
HOW TO PRESS THROUGH THE VEIL (OPPOSITION) AND OVERCOME
GUARD YOUR HEART! The cares of this world will choke the Word of God. (Mark 4:19)

Therefore, stay in close fellowship with the LORD throughout your day. Study, pray, worship Him with anointed songs. Walk in love. Limit your time with the news and cast your cares onto the LORD. Your spirit is to dominate your soul (mind). Walk in the Spirit. You can jump over quickly by praying in tongues and listening to the shofar…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJwfsYxDgJ4
 
Love God…with all your heart.
Look for Jesus’ return.
 
This is that…for the end days.
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”
(1 Peter 4:7 NASB)
Cory, Contributing editor
​Originally published as "This is that - 2.26.19
https://www.prayerwithpurpose.org/this-is-that
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    Writer's Voice!

    This is the blog of the  Christian Writers Guild of Santa Barbara. We hope you enjoy these timely articles about Christian writing and writers. Please let us know how these articles have helped you in your life as a writer for Christ.

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