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  WRITINGS OF ASA A ALLEN
  by Asa A. Allen
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A collection of theological writings, sermons, and essays by Asa A. Allen,
compiled for study and devotional reading.

  Chapters: 30

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  TABLE OF CONTENTS
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    1. 1. The Price Of God's Miracle Working Power
    2. 1.01.     The Price Of God's Miracle Working Power
    3. 1.02.     The Servant Is Not Above His Lord
    4. 1.03.     The Disciple Is Not Above His Master
    5. 1.04.     Be Ye Therefore Perfect Even As Your Father
    6. 1.05.     Christ Our Example
    7. 1.06.     Self Denial
    8. 1.07.     The Cross
    9. 1.08.     I Must Decrease
   10. 1.09.     He Must Increase
   11. 1.10.     Idle Words And Foolish Talking
   12. 1.11.     Present Your Body
   13. 1.12.     A Partaker Of His Divine Nature
   14. 1.13.     Personal Things
   15. 2. God's Guarantee to Heal You
   16. 2.01.     Introduction
   17. 2.02.     Instructions to the Sick
   18. 2.03.     Is It God's Will To Heal You?
   19. 2.04.     Causes of Sickness
   20. 2.05.     The Absolute Necessity of Faith
   21. 2.06.     Have the Faith That God Gives
   22. 2.07.     Hindrences to Faith
   23. 2.08.     Misconceptions in Regard to Healing
   24. 2.09.     Why Many Do Not Receive Healing
   25. 2.10.     How to Receive Your Healing
   26. 2.11.     Who Has the Power to Heal
   27. 2.12.     Special Miracles by Handkerchiefs and Aprons
   28. 2.13.     Keeping Your Healing
   29. 2.14.     The Importance of Your Testimony
   30. S. HOW TO HAVE POWER OVER THE DEVIL

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  CHAPTER 1: 1. THE PRICE OF GOD'S MIRACLE WORKING POWER
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The Price Of God’s Miracle Working Power by

A. A. Allen

A. A. Allen (March 27, 1911 - June 11, 1970) was born Asa A. Allen at Sulphur
Rock, Arkansas. Allen’s early life was filled with poverty, but in 1934 he was
converted during a Methodist revival meeting, and began ministering with the
Assemblies of God (AG or AofG) in 1936. While attending an Oral Roberts Tent
revival in 1949, Allen felt a burden to reach the lost with the miracle-working
power of God and he soon hit the revival trail. Allen would be part of the
"Golden Era of Tent Evangelism," that flourished between the end of World War
Two and the mid-1960s. Allen’s life and methods were not without controversy and
as with many of the other tent evangelists, he was the recipient of much
criticism and personal scrutiny. Allen died in June of 1970 in San Francisco,
and was buried at his evangelistic headquarters, at Miracle Valley, Arizona.
Wikipedia


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  CHAPTER 2: 1.01.     THE PRICE OF GOD'S MIRACLE WORKING POWER
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How long had I been here in this closet? Days or just hours? Surely it seemed days since at my own request I had heard my wife lock that closet door from the outside! What would she think about me shutting myself away for so long? Had it really been days or just hours? Was I really getting anywhere with God? Would God answer? Would God satisfy that hunger of my soul or would I have to admit defeat again as so often I had done? No! I’d stay right here on my knees until God answered, or I would die in the attempt! Hadn’t God’s word said, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up-up-UP-with wings-with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall ---." Had my wife opened the door? No, it was still closed! But the light, where was the light coming from? It was then that I began to realize that the light that was filling my prayer closet was God’s glory! It wasn’t the closet door that had opened, but rather the door of heaven instead! The presence of God was so real and powerful that I felt I would die right there on my knees. It seemed that if God came any closer, I could not stand it! Yet I wanted it and was determined to have it. Little wonder that Paul under like circumstance, "fell to the earth". Acts 9:4. No wonder John, "fell at his feet as dead". Revelation 1:17. Was this the answer? Was God going to speak to me? Would God at last, after these many years, satisfy my longing heart? I seemed to lose consciousness of everything but the mighty presence of God. I trembled, I tried to see Him and then was afraid that I would, for suddenly I realized that should I see Him, I would die. Just His glorious presence was enough!

Then like a whirlwind, I heard His voice. It was God! He was speaking to me!
This was the glorious answer that I had sought so diligently and for which I had
waited so long. Yes, this was what I had been waiting for since my conversion at
the age of twenty-three. Yes, this was what my longing soul had cried for ever
since God called me to the ministry. That call to the ministry had come with
such force and was so definite that nothing could ever make me doubt it. From
the time of my conversion God had made it so real to me even though my past life
had not been spent in such a way as to provide any preparation for this work.
From the time of my conversion, I realized my need of much study if ever I were
to fulfill the call of God upon my life. Therefore, I spent many hours reading
the Bible, and seeking to understand its message and meaning. To my simple
untaught soul, God seemed to mean exactly what he said -- and seemed to say it
directly to me through His Word -- "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of
heaven is at hand. HEAL THE SICK, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out
devils: freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:7. All this seemed
included in a call to the ministry, yet I DID NOT SEE IT BEING DONE! I was
myself powerless to carry out these commands of Christ. Yet I knew that it COULD
BE DONE, for Christ would not give a command which could not be carried out!

Before my conversion, I knew so little about God and his word, that I could not
even quote John 3:16, nor name the four gospels. In the Methodist church where I
was converted and of which I became a member, I was not taught to expect to be
baptized with the Holy Ghost as the first disciples were on the day of
Pentecost, nor to expect the signs mentioned in Mark 16:17-18 to follow me as a
believer in the Lord. I was taught to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for
salvation, and was gloriously saved, and set free from condemnation for sin.
Then as I searched the Scriptures, asking God to lead me to those readings from
which I would receive the greatest benefit, the Lord began to reveal to me the
truths of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the signs following, the gifts of the
spirit, and the supernatural things of God.

It was not long until God led me into a Pentecostal church, where I began to see
in a small measure the blessings of God, and a few of the manifestations of the
Spirit. It was in these meetings that I became convinced that I needed the
Baptism with the Spirit, and there I began to pray and earnestly seek God for
that experience.

Thirty days after my conversion, I was gloriously filled with the Holy Ghost, in
an Assembly of God camp meeting in Miami, Oklahoma, speaking in other tongues as
the Spirit gave utterance.

I had read, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you."
Acts 1:8. I fully expected that with the infilling of the Holy Ghost, I would
immediately have power to heal the sick, and to perform miracles. It did not
take me long to realize that more was required than the baptism with the Holy
Ghost, in order to consistently see these results. The baptism with the Spirit
provides access to this power, but the gifts of the Spirit provide the channels
through which this power operates. I began immediately to pray and seek the
gifts of the Spirit. I felt I must have power to heal the sick, for I knew that
God never called anyone to preach the Gospel without commissioning him also to
heal the sick. The power of the Holy Ghost may be readily likened to the power
of electricity. When one is filled with the Spirit, it is as though he has had
his house wired, and established connection with the "power house". Many people
use electricity for years just to provide light! They never take advantage of
the great possibilities that are available through using the appliances which
electricity will operate. The gifts of the Spirit may be likened to the
appliances. As new gifts are added more work can be done, with greater ease. The
power has not changed, but it is made more effective. God never intended to STOP
when he had filled his people with the Spirit. This is just the beginning.
"Covet earnestly the best gifts." 1 Corinthians 12:31. This, I found, is the
path to greater accomplishment for God.

Two years after my conversion, I was happily married, and began my ministry. For
more than a year, my wife and I continued preaching this glorious gospel of
salvation, the baptism with the Spirit, the second coming of Christ, and DIVINE
HEALING. In every revival meeting, I always planned at least two nights in each
week to be set aside for preaching divine healing, and prayer for the sick.
During this time, we saw a large number of miraculous healings, for God honored
the preaching of His word. But I knew that God’s plan included greater things
for me, and I believed that there would be a time in the future when they would
be a reality in my life.

Many times, my wife and I would search the scriptures together, becoming more
convinced as we did so that God’s promises concerning the signs following, the
gifts of the Spirit, healings, and miracles were meant for us, today. It was
also plain to see that we did not possess that power in the fullness that God
had promised. We knew there must be a scriptural reason why we were so lacking
in power. Since God cannot lie, the fault had to be WITHIN OURSELVES!

It was while pastoring my first church, an Assembly of God church in Colorado,
that I definitely made up my mind that I MUST hear from heaven, and know the
reason that my ministry was not confirmed by signs and wonders.

I felt sure that if I would fast and pray, God would in some way speak to me,
and reveal to me what stood between me and the miracle-working power of God in
my ministry. I was so hungry for the power of God in my own life that I felt I
could not stand in my pulpit, nor even preach again, until I had heard from God,
and told my wife that this was my plan.

It was then that I had the greatest battle of my life. Satan was determined that
I should NOT fast and pray until God answered. Many times he whipped me or
tricked me out of that prayer closet. Satan knew that if I ever actually
contacted God, there would be much damage to his kingdom, and he meant to do all
in his power to hinder me from making that contact.

Day after day, I went into the prayer closet, determined to stay until God had
spoke to me. Again and again, I came out without the answer.

Again and again my wife would say to me, "I thought you said this was the time
you were going to stay until you got the answer." Then she would smile in her
own sweet way, remembering that "the spirit indeed is willing, BUT THE FLESH IS
WEAK!"

Again and again I answered her, "Honey, I really meant to pray it through this
time, but -- !" It seemed there was always a reason why I couldn’t stay in that
closet until the answer came. I always justified myself by saying I would pray
it through tomorrow. Things would be more favorable then. The Lord encouraged my
heard by calling to my attention how Daniel held on in fasting and prayer, and
wrested the answer from the hands of satan, although it took three weeks to do
so. (See Daniel 10:1 and Daniel 10:12) The next day found me on my knees in the
closet again. I had told my wife I would never come out until I heard from God.
I REALLY THOUGHT I MEANT IT. But a few hours later, when I began to smell the
odor of food that my wife was preparing for herself and our small son, I was
soon out of the closet and in the kitchen, inquiring, "What smells so delicious,
dear?" A few moments later, while I was at the table, God spoke to my heart. I
had only taken one bite of food, and I stopped. God had spoken to me. I knew
that until I wanted to hear from God MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD, more
than food, more than the gratification of the flesh, GOD WOULD NEVER GIVE ME THE
ANSWER TO THE QUESTION THAT WAS IN MY HEART!

I arose quickly from the table, and said to my wife, "Honey, I mean business
with God this time! I’m going back into that closet, and I want you to lock me
inside. I am going to stay there until I hear from God."

"Oh," she replied, "you’ll be knocking for me to open the door in an hour or
so." She knew that so many times I had said THIS was the time I would stay until
I had the answer, she was beginning to wonder if I really could subdue the flesh
long enough to defeat the devil. Nevertheless, I heard her lock the door from
the outside. Before she left, she said, "I’ll let you out any time you knock."

I answered, "I’ll not knock until I have the answer that I have wanted so long."
At last I had definitely made up my mind to stay there till I heard from God, no
matter what the cost!

Hour after hour, I battled with the devil and the flesh in that closet! Many
were the times I almost gave up. It seemed to me that days were slipping by, and
my progress was so slow! Many times I was tempted to give it all up, and try to
be satisfied without the answer -- to go on just as I had been doing. But deep
in my soul I knew I could never be satisfied to do that. I had tried it, and
found that it was not enough.

No! I would stay right here on my knees until God answered, or I would die in
the attempt!

Then the glory of God began to fill the closet. I thought for a moment that my
wife had opened the door, as the closet door began to grow light. But my wife
had not opened the door of the closet -- JESUS HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF HEAVEN,
and the closet was flooded with light, the light of the glory of God!

I do not know how long I had stayed in the closet before this happened, but it
doesn’t matter. I do not care to know. I only know I prayed UNTIL! The presence
of God was so real, so wonderful, and so powerful that I felt I would die right
there on my knees. It seemed that if God came any closer, I could not stand it!
Yet I wanted it, and was determined to have it. Was this my answer? Was God
going to speak to me? Would God, at last, after these many years, satisfy my
longing heart? How long had I been here? I didn’t know! I seemed to lose
consciousness of everything but the mighty presence of God. I tried to see Him,
and then was afraid that I would, for suddenly I realized that should I seem
Him, I would die. (Exodus 33:20) Just His glorious presence was enough!

If only He would speak to me now! If He would just answer my one question,
"Lord, why can’t I heal the sick? Why can’t I work miracles in Your name? Why do
signs not follow my ministry as they did that of Peter, John and Paul?"

Then like a whirlwind, I heard His voice! It was God! He was speaking to me!
This was the glorious answer for which I had waited so long! In His presence I
felt like one of the small pebbles at the foot of the towering Rockies. I felt I
was unworthy even to hear His voice. But He wasn’t speaking to me because I was
worthy. He was speaking to me because I was needy. Centuries ago, He had
promised to supply that need. This was the fulfilment of that promise.

It seemed that faster than any human could possibly speak faster than I could
follow mentally, God was talking to me. My heart cried out, "Speak a little more
slowly. I want to remember it all!"

It seemed God was speaking to me so fast, and of so many things I could never
remember it all. Yet I knew I could never forget! God was giving me a list of
the things which stood between me and the power of God. After each new
requirement was added to the list in my mind, there followed a brief
explanation, or sermonette, explaining that requirement and its importance.

Some of the things God spoke to me sounded like scriptures. I knew some of them
were, but those first three -- could they be from the Bible?

If I had known there were so many things to remember, I would have brought a
pencil and paper! I hadn’t expected that God would speak in such a definite way,
and give me such a long list. I had never dreamed that I was falling so far
short of the glory of God. I hadn’t realized there were so many things in my
life that generated doubt and hindered my faith.

While God continued to speak to me, I began to feel in my pockets for a pencil.
At last I located a short one, but the lead was broken. Quickly I sharpened it
with my teeth. I searched for a piece of paper. I couldn’t find any. Suddenly I
remembered the cardboard box filled with winter clothes which I was using for an
altar. I would write on the box.

Now I was ready!

I asked the Lord to please start all over again at the beginning, and let me
write the things down one at a time -- to speak slowly enough so that I could
get it all on paper.

Once more God started at the first, and spoke to me one after another the many
things He had already mentioned. As God spoke to me, I wrote them down. When the
last requirement was written down on the list, God spoke once again, and said,
"This is the answer. When you have placed on the altar of consecration and
obedience the last thing on your list, YE SHALL NOT ONLY HEAL THE SICK, BUT IN
MY NAME SHALL YE CAST OUT DEVILS. YE SHALL SEE MIGHTY MIRACLES AS IN MY NAME YE
PREACH THE WORD, FOR BEHOLD, I GIVE YOU POWER OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY."

God revealed to me at the same time that the things that were hindrances to my
ministry, and had prevented God from working with me, confirming the Word with
signs following, were the very same things which were hindering so many
thousands of others.

Now it began to grow darker in the closet. I felt His mighty power begin to
lift. For a few more moments, His presence lingered, and then I was alone.

Alone, yet not alone.

I trembled under the mighty lingering presence of God. I fumbled at the bottom
of the cardboard box on which I had been writing. In the dark, I tore the part
on which I had written from the box. In my hand I held the list. At last, here
was the price I must pay for the power of God in my life and ministry. THE PRICE
TAG FOR THE MIRACLE-WORKING POWER OF GOD!

Frantically, I pounded on the locked door. Again and again I pounded. At last, I
heard my wife coming. She opened the door. The moment she saw me, she knew I had
beem with God. Her first words were, "You’ve got the answer!"

"Yes, honey. God has paid me a visit from heaven, and here is the answer." In my
hand was the old brown piece of cardboard, with the answer that had cost so many
hours of fasting and prayer and waiting, and -- yes -- believing! My wife and I
sat down at the table with the list before us, and as I told her the story, we
both wept, as together we went down the list.

There were thirteen items on the list when I came out of the closet, but I
erased the last two before showing the list to my wife, because those two were
so personal that even my wife shall never know what they were. She has never
asked, for she realizes that these things MUST remain between me and God. The
remaining eleven things make up the contents of this book. There is one entire
chapter devoted to each of these eleven requirements. If you, too, have longed
for the manifestation of the mighty power of God in your own life and ministry,
I trust that these thoughts shall inspire you, and that God may speak to you, as
he did me, and lead you on to new victory and greater usefulness because of this
book.

Since God spoke to me that day in the closet, many pages have been torn from the
calendar. In fact, many calendars have been replaced by new ones. As the time
has passed, one by one, I have marked the requirements from my list. The list
grew smaller and smaller, as I shouted the victory over satan, and marked off
one after another!

Finally, I was down to the last two. Satan said to me, "You’ve marked off eleven
items, but here are two you’ll never mark off. I’ve got you whipped." But by the
grace of God, I told the devil he was a liar. If God said I could mark them all
off, He would help me to do it!

Yet, it seemed I would never be able to mark off the last two.

Never will I forget the day I looked over my list, and found, praise God, there
was only one thing left! If I could mark that off, I could claim the promise
that God had made to me.

I had to claim that promise! Millions were sick and afflicted, beyond the help
of medical science. Some one MUST bring deliverance to them. God had called me
to take deliverance to the people. GOD HAS CALLED EVERY MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
TO DO THE SAME! (Ezekiel 34:1-4.)

Many have been the times when God has poured out His Spirit in my meetings in a
measure, as I have traveled across the states. However, I knew that when I
marked the last item from my list, I would see such miracles as I had never seen
before. In the meantime, I would patiently strive toward victory, trusting God
to help me until victory came. Trusting that when that victory was mine, God
would be glorified, and others, too, would be encouraged to seek God for his
power. At this writing, I am conducting a "BACK TO GOD HEALING REVIVAL" at
Calvary Temple in Oakland, California. Many say it is the greatest REVIVAL in
the history of Oakland. Hundreds say that they have never witnessed such a
dynamic moving of the power of God. The meeting is now in its fifth great week.
From the growing interest and increasing attendance the meeting could, no doubt,
continue indefinitely.

Night after night, the waves of Divine Glory so sweep over the congregation that
many testify of being healed while sitting in their seats. Again and again as we
have felt the mighty power of God settling over the meeting, people have risen
to their feet to testify of instant healings, some of which are visibly
miraculous, such as outward tumors disappearing, the crippled made whole.

I have felt goiters disappear at the touch of my hand in Jesus’ name! The shouts
of victory are many as the blind see. One woman testified, "It was like coming
out of the dark into the sunlight."

We prayed for a woman with throat trouble. After a few moments, she was seen
hurrying to the ladies rest room. After returning to the auditorium, she
testified that after prayer, something came loose out of her throat and came up
into her mouth. she had hurried to the rest room to dispose of it. It was some
kind of foreign growth (doubtless cancer) -- whitish orange in color.

Ruptures as large as a person’s fist have disappeared overnight. Cancer,
deafness, tumors, goiters, sugar diabetes, every known disease and many unknown,
disappear, as in the name of Jesus, we lay hands upon the sick. Genuine healings
are proven in many cases by doctors’ statements and x-rays.

We stand in holy awe, and marvel at the miracle working power of God, as it has
moved night after night from the very beginning of this meeting. Hundreds have
been delivered from the power of the enemy -- saved, healed, or filled with the
Spirit. In this meeting, it has been impossible to have what is generally termed
a "healing line". At least ninety percent of those upon whom we have laid hands
are prostrated under the mighty power of God immediately. Some dance a few
steps, or weave drunkenly under the power of the Spirit before falling. (See
Jeremiah 23:9). Under these circumstances, it is impossible to have people march
on after prayer. This is the mighty power of God moving upon the people. It is
the same power that caused John to "fall at his feet as dead". (Revelation 1:17)

Many say that the most outstanding thing about this meeting is that such a large
percentage of the sick are receiving such miraculous deliverance. It would be a
conservative estimate to say that at least ninety percent, or even more of those
prayed for have been marvelously healed.

Tonight’s service was designated "Holy Ghost Night." Calvary Temple was packed
to the doors, with people sitting on the altar benches. (This is being written
at 2:00 am after a great Holy Ghost service.) Eternity alone will reveal the
number of people who were filled or refilled with the Spirit. We had announced
that in this service, hands would be laid upon seekers for the infilling of the
Spirit, according to Acts 8:17. After the sermon, all who had not already been
filled during the service came down the outside aisle in a line. With only a few
exceptions, everyone we touched in the name of Jesus fell prostrate. What an
unusual sight to stand on the platform afterwards, and look upon the many "slain
of the Lord" in every available altar space, and even down the aisles! Sweeter
yet, the sound of the heavenly music of voices raised in united praise to God,
as the Spirit filled obedient believers, and they began to speak in new tongues
and magnify God. (Mark 16:17; Acts 10:46)

I do not claim to possess a single gift of the Spirit, nor to have power to
impart any gift to others, yet all the gifts of the Spirit are in operation,
night after night.

Many are exercising the gifts of the Spirit WITHOUT IMPOSITION OF HANDS OR
PROPHETIC UTTERANCE!

God is confirming His Word WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING!

Why have I seen such a change in the results of my ministry? You ask WHY? Have
you not guessed? THE LAST ITEM OF THE LIST GOD GAVE TO ME in the closet of
prayer HAS BEEN MARKED OFF THE LIST AT LAST! Hallelujah! Many times, I almost
gave up hope of ever being able to mark that last one off, but at last it is
gone! By God’s grace, GONE FOREVER! With the marking off of the last requirement
on my list, has come the fulfillment of God’s promise. THE SICK ARE HEALED.
DEVILS ARE CAST OUT. MIGHTY MIRACLES ARE SEEN IN THE NAME OF JESUS, AS HIS WORD
IS PREACHED! The chapters which follow give the requirements which God gave to
me, and are dedicated to all those who are hungry for the MIRACLE WORKING POWER
OF GOD.


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  CHAPTER 3: 1.02.     THE SERVANT IS NOT ABOVE HIS LORD
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What strange words! Why should God speak thus to me?

Somehow, I knew that I had read those words somewhere, but where? (I later
discovered that this was quoted from the Bible -- Matthew 10:24) But this was
the voice of God, speaking directly to ME. This was the same voice which had
spoken to Phillip (Acts 8:30), saying, "Go near, and join thyself to this
chariot." It was the voice which Peter had heard (Acts 10:15), saying, "What God
hath cleansed that call not thou common." The voice which God’s Word tells us
may still be heard today. "As the Holy Ghost saith, today if ye will hear his
voice harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in
the wilderness." Hebrews 3:7-8. Now I was hearing the voice of God. All others
who might share in the message of these words were for the moment blotted out of
my thinking. I had asked God for a solution to my problem, and God was giving
the answer.

First of all, I must know that NEVER could there be any possibility of being
above my Master, Jesus.

You say, "What is so strange about that? Surely no one would expect to be above
HIM! But wait! You may find that you too, just as I had, have been seeking and
expecting that very thing. I had read His promise, "He that believeth on me, the
works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do;
because I go unto my Father." John 14:12. Although it seemed hardly reasonable
that anyone could really do a greater miracle than those done by Jesus, yet this
seemed to be what the scripture said. Many times I had wondered about the
meaning of this scripture. The thought that the disciple could do a greater
miracle than his Lord seemed to be a direct contradiction of the spirit of the
scripture. Now I could see that this promise, like all God’s promises, is true
when rightly understood. "Greater works shall he do," in the sense that Jesus
was only one, limited by time and transportation difficulties to a small area
and a few people. Those who believe on Him are many. They are scattered over the
face of the entire earth. Many of His modern disciples have circled the globe,
preaching to thousands at one time by means of electrical amplification systems,
and to vast unseen audiences through radio and television, bringing deliverance
to greater multitudes than did Jesus. Where Jesus reached hundreds, His
followers are reaching thousands. The works of power which are done today are
THE SAME WORKS which He did -- greater in quantity, but not in quality. EVERY
BELIEVER has promised to him the same power which Jesus used -- miracles after
the same pattern which they saw their Master do, first in the flesh and later
through the written record found in the four gospels. What mighty things would
have been accomplished had all the followers of Jesus made use of this power!
The words quoted at the beginning of this chapter were part of the message of
Christ to twelve believers who were sent out to do the very things which I knew
God had called me to do -- "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,
cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8. With these
wonderful promises of power were included warnings of persecution -- "Ye shall
be brought before governors and kings for my sake." Matthew 10:18. "Brother
shall deliver up brother to death, and the father the child: and the children
shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death." Matthew
10:21. No deliverance from this persecution was promised to the followers of
Christ, although they were to have power to do the things which He did. CHRIST
HIMSELF WAS PERSECUTED. If His disciples could do the works He did, and in
addition be delivered from persecution, then indeed would the disciple be above
his master.

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

Persecution is one of the universal results of manifested power.

Jesus was not persecuted while He remained in the carpenter shop at Nazareth,
but the moment He started to do mighty things, He was called "Prince of devils,"
and attempts began to be made to destroy his life. (See Luke 4:29) Persecutions
continued for three and one-half years, until at last He was crucified, for no
other reason than because He had power which the powerless religious leaders of
his day feared. Peter was a "good fellow" so long as he was a mere fisherman,
but when he healed the lame man, they threw him in jail. Acts 3:7; Acts 4:3. So
long as Stephen was just a "member" in the First Church at Jerusalem he got
along nicely, but the moment he "did great wonders and miracles among the
people" (Acts 6:8), he was called into judgment and stoned. Paul never had to
flee at night for his life, because of his religion, until after he had met God
in a supernatural way.

Even so, you will not meet with much opposition and persecution so long as you
are just, as the world would say, a "normal Christian," but when you begin to
accept God’s promises for your life, and to do the UNUSUAL, persecution will
come!

Personally, I met with very little opposition until I made up my mind to have
all God had promised me as a minister. This opposition may appear to come from
people, but it is really directed by satan, the commanding general of the
opposing army, and using all the methods of warfare from direct frontal attack
to "fifth column activities" among our own people.

Again and again, Jesus pointed out to His disciples the price of following in
His steps, recommending that they count the cost, and offering them the
opportunity of turning back if the price seemed too great, in proportion to the
value of the blessing to be received. Our master "for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2.

If we suffer we shall also reign with him." 2 Timothy 2:12. To the disciple who
seeks to share in His power and glory, it must FIRST OF ALL be pointed out that
he, being not greater than his master, must follow the same path of suffering,
faithfulness and consecration which his Master followed, if he is to reach the
goal, if he would know the abundant life -- the powerful life -- in this world,
and share in heaven’s glory.

If the Son of God must suffer rejection, persecution, cruel scourgings, and
crucifixion, at the hands of those to whom He came to minister, His disciple is
not above suffering in order that he may carry the gospel of deliverance to
those in bondage.

If Christ Himself must reject all earthly ambitions -- even refusing the
opportunity to rule the world, when that opportunity was presented aside from
the principals of godliness (see Matthew 4:8-10) -- then surely His disciple, if
he is to know real power, must have an eye single to the purpose of God,
rejecting all offers but His, no matter how attractive they may be. His cry must
be, like his Master, "Lo I come to do thy will, O God." Hebrews 10:7. Like Paul,
he must be able to say, "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ." Php 3:8.

If the Son of God must spend long hours of the night, when the rest of the world
was sleeping, alone on the mountain top with His Father, in order that He might
be able to cast out even those demons of whom He said, "This kind goeth not out
but by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21), surely His disciple also must spend
hours in fasting and prayer, waiting upon God -- learning to think and act in
unison with God -- before he can expect to cast out such demons.

"Men ought always to pray and not to faint," Luke 18:1. Persistent, habitual
prayer was one of the outstanding characteristics of the life of Christ. When
Judas desired to find Jesus in order to betray Him to the priests, he knew that
he would find Him in the garden of prayer. Prayer to our Lord was more important
than teaching and healing, for He refused to allow Himself to be swept off His
feet by the multitudes who "came together to hear, and to be healed by Him"
(Luke 5:15-16), but withdrew Himself from the crowd which demanded His attention
into the wilderness, and prayed. Prayer was more important to Him than the
working of miracles, for miracles do not generate themselves. Prayer is the
cause -- miracles the result. Prayer to Jesus was more important than rest and
sleep, for we find that "in the morning rising up a great while before day, he
went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Mark 1:35. And
again, "He went out into a mountain to pray and he continued all night in prayer
to God." Luke 6:12.

If the disciple could attain the same results which Jesus did WITHOUT PAYING THE
SAME PRICE WHICH JESUS PAID, then it would have to be confessed that the
disciple had become greater than his master. The "student" would have learned a
better, more efficient method than that taught to him by his "teacher." In the
world, this often happens. Many a musician has advanced beyond the one who gave
him his training. Many an artist has far excelled the one who taught him to draw
and paint. And many a scientist has learned for himself things which his science
teachers never knew. But the student of Jesus Christ CANNOT become greater than
his teacher. He cannot learn anything which Jesus did not know. He cannot find a
short cut to power with God. If he should try it, he will only meet with
disappointment and sorrow. His life will be shipwrecked and his ministry
useless. For the disciple (student) of Christ, "It is enough for the disciple
that he be as his master (teacher)." Matthew 10:25.

Before I could fully comprehend all which God has spoken to me, suddenly He was
speaking to me again, the words which form the second step of the revelation
which God gave to me as I waited before Him in fasting and prayer.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 4: 1.03.     THE DISCIPLE IS NOT ABOVE HIS MASTER
========================================================================

My spirit which had been humbled and almost crushed by the words of the first
message was suddenly lifted up in a blaze of glory, as I realized that although
I could never be above my Master, God had said I should be AS MY MASTER! (This I
also found to be a quotation from scripture -- Luke 6:40) This is not a promise
(as some have thought) which awaits the coming of Christ for its fulfillment. It
is meant for the followers of Christ HERE AND NOW! This promise was spoken to me
directly, for my own instruction and edification, but since it is a direct
quotation of scripture, it does not apply to me alone, but to EVERY ONE WHO WILL
BELIEVE IT! It is to YOU! You can heal the sick! You can see miracles! You can
exercise the gifts of the Spirit! (1 Corinthians 12:8-11) YOU CAN DO THE WORKS
HE DID! God has said that you could, and HE CANNOT LIE!

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should
repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he
not make it good? Numbers 23:19.

"My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips."
Psalms 89:34.

Then, "Every one that is PERFECT" (that will meet the requirements, I COULD BE
AS MY MASTER! But some will say, "That is impossible, for He was God, as well as
human. And we are only human."

These are unmindful of the plain statements of scripture, "Verily he took not on
him the nature of angels: but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore IN
ALL THINGS it behooved him to be made LIKE UNTO HIS BRETHREN." Hebrews 2:16-17.

"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the FORM OF A SERVANT, and
was made in the LIKENESS OF MEN: And being found IN FASHION AS A MAN, he humbled
himself." Php 2:7-8.

"The MAN Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5.

One night, when Jesus and his disciples were in a small boat, there came a great
storm at sea, which caused the disciples to be very fearful for their lives.
Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, and immediately there was a great calm. The
men who were with him in the boat marvelled, saying, "What manner of MAN is
this?" Matthew 8:27. Their question is still the cry of many today, when they
observe some of His disciples, who by faith are claiming His promises, and going
forth healing the sick, raising the dead, and ministering the word (as Jesus
himself said they should -- Mark 16:17-18) with the supernatural confirmation of
signs following. Many seem to think that these are some peculiar and different
species, or manner, of men. They are not. They are simply common, ordinary men,
full of the Holy Ghost, and yielded to God for his work -- men who have
discovered that they can be AS THEIR MASTER, and have dedicated their lives to
reaching that goal. When the people at Lystra saw that Paul’s command could
bring healing to a man lame from his mother’s womb, they said, "The gods are
come down to us in the likeness of men." Being untaught heathen they of course
did not know that men could have such power. But many Christian people seem to
be just as unaware of the power which God has made available for his people.
When these poor heathen people would have offered sacrifices unto Paul and
Barnabas as Gods, they refused to permit this, saying. "We also are men of like
passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn -- unto the living
God." See Acts 14:8-15.

Jesus truly was God, as well as man. Yet it was not in His nature of deity that
He walked upon earth and performed miracles. The often neglected question is not
"What manner of God is this?" We as His disciples, need to ask as did those
disciples of old, "What manner of MAN is this?"

Jesus, by His own statement, was a member of the eternal triune Godhead,
composed of the Father (Jehovah), the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost. He
existed before the world was made, and shared in the work of creation. (John
1:1-3) He was not only WITH God and LIKE God, HE WAS GOD! All the attributes of
deity were His. With the Father, He was omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and
eternal. All these are His today, as He is glorified on the right hand of God in
heaven. At the close of His earthly ministry of healing the sick and working
miracles, when He was ready to be offered as a sacrifice for our sins, he
prayed, "I have glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the work which thou
gavest me to do. And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self WITH THE
GLORY WHICH I HAD WITH THEE BEFORE THE WORLD WAS." John 17:4-5. The glory which
was His before the world was! The glory which is His today! But the glory which
was LAID ASIDE when he took on human flesh. Coming as a helpless babe, born of a
woman, circumcized like any other Jewish boy, increasing in wisdom and stature
during childhood and growth (Luke 2:52), weeping, hungering, thirsting, weary,
sleeping and waking -- partaking in every weakness and limitation of human flesh
and blood. (Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he
also HIMSELF LIKEWISE TOOK PART OF THE SAME. Hebrews 2:14) He was "IN ALL POINTS
tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15.

He was "in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without him
was not anything made that was made." John 1:2-3. Yet for all this, Jesus USED
NO POWER when He was here on earth in the flesh WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE TODAY to
every believer! Such a statement would be blasphemy HAD NOT JESUS HIMSELF made
it plain, again and again, that this was His plan.

"Everyone that is perfect SHALL BE AS HIS MASTER." Luke 6:40.

"As thou hast send me into the world, EVEN SO have I also sent them into the
world." John 17:18.

"The works that I do SHALL HE DO ALSO." John 14:12.

Although He was Omnipotent God, yet in His earthly life and ministry He declared
"The son can do nothing of himself." "I can of mine own self do nothing." John
5:19, John 5:30. "The words that I speak unto you I speak NOT OF MYSELF: But the
Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." John 14:10. The answer to the
disciples’ question, "What manner of MAN is this?" is found not in the powers of
deity which He used before He "was made flesh and dwelt amont us," nor in the
power which is His today in the heavenlies today. The answer can be found only
in His earthly (human) life. He lived that life AS AN EXAMPLE to those whom He
left in the world to finish the work which he had started while He was here.
"Leaving us an EXAMPLE, that YE should follow his steps." 1 Peter 2:21. He was
our teacher (master) and we, His disciples (every one that is perfect), SHALL BE
AS our master! Had He used power which was not available to us, it would be
impossible for us to follow His example. But He left to us the promise that we
would receive THE SAME POWER and from the SAME SOURCE, that was His!

"Behold I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem, until ye be endued with POWER FROM ON HIGH." Luke 24:49.

"Ye shall receive POWER after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." Acts 1:8.

These signs shall follow them that believe: IN MY NAME they shall cast out
devils; they shall speak with new tongues -- they shall lay hands on the sick
and they shall recover." Mark 16:17-18.

"Behold, I give unto you POWER -- over all the power of the enemy." Luke 10:19.

"He that believeth on me, THE WORKS THAT I DO SHALL HE DO ALSO." John 14:12.

"Though he was rich (in heavenly glory and divine power) yet for your sakes he
became poor, THAT YE THROUGH HIS POVERTY MIGHT BE RICH." 2 Corinthians 8:9 He
folded it all away as a garment, and laid aside His great wealth of power, and
came into the world as a babe, in the form of a servant, of no reputation, lived
among men as one of them. (Php 2:7) Tradition has invented miracles in his
childhood, but the Word of God plainly declares that "This BEGINNING of miracles
did Jesus in Cana of Galilee," (where He turned water into wine). John 2:11. He
DID NO MIRACLE nor manifested any superhuman power, BEFORE THE HOLY SPIRIT
DESCENDED UPON HIM! (Matthew 3:16-17; John 1:33) It was when "God anointed Jesus
of Nazareth with the HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER" that he "went about doing good,
and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; FOR GOD WAS WITH HIM." Acts
10:38. This is the secret of His success AS A MAN.

What manner of man? A man ANOINTED WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH POWER. And God
was WITH HIM!

Yet -- don’t forget this -- a man who was EVERY INCH A MAN! A man who faced --
and conquered -- EVERY TEMPTATION known to humanity! A man who (though as God,
He had been omnipresent) could only be in one place at a time. Although as God
He had neither slumbered nor slept (Psalms 121:4), as man, He suffered weariness
(John 4:6) and required sleep (Matthew 8:24). He must go from place to place
upon hot, weary, dusty feet -- His rate of travel limited to the speed of
walking, His feet which had trod the immaculate golden streets of heaven soiled
and bruised by the dust and stones of the unpaved and filthy Oriental streets
and paths of Palestine. How He welcomed the cleansing coolness of the customary
foot bath before meals -- when some unselfish person thought to minister to Him
in this way! He suffered hunger and thirst, loneliness, weariness, and pain. He
of whom it had been said, "Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle
upon a thousand hills. The world is mine and the fullness thereof" (Psalms
50:10, Psalms 50:12), claimed no part of it for Himself AS A MAN, but became
even more poor than the foxes and birds, for He had not so much as a place to
lay His head. (Luke 9:58).

All this He did WILLINGLY for us, that we might share the riches of His glory.
When satan tempted Him in the wilderness (Matthew 4:3-4), the first temptation
was that He should act in the creative power of the ETERNAL SON OF GOD, in order
that His human hunger might be satisfied. Had He done this, He would have failed
in being "in all points like unto his brethren." It was important to the plan of
satan that this point should, if possible, be spoiled. But Jesus did not fall
into this temptation. In His reply is no assumption of deity. He answered firmly
AS A MAN! "MAN shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God."

He loved to refer to Himself as the "SON OF MAN."

Since it is so apparent by the scripture that Jesus took upon Himself our own
nature and limitations, in order that He might be made a proper example for us,
it behooves us to study that example carefully, considering the question, "What
manner of persons OUGHT YE TO BE in all holy conversation and godliness." 2
Peter 3:11.

He was a man of power. He spoke as one having authority (Mark 1:22). The people
were astonished at this, for the religious leaders of their day knew nothing of
this power, but taught traditions and theories and theological explanations.
Jesus cut across all the lines drawn by their fine points of doctrine, and DROVE
OUT BY HIS WORDS OF AUTHORITY demons, sickness and infirmity. When he spoke
THINGS HAPPENED! He spoke as one having authority BECAUSE HE HAD AUTHORITY! The
traditional religious leaders did not speak as He spoke because they had never
been given authority over the power of the enemy. How many "religious" leaders
today speak as the scribes and Pharasees! Those who are LIKE their master speak
with authority -- the authority which was Christ’s while He was here to use it,
because He had received it from the Father (John 5:27). He came in the Father’s
name (John 5:43), and His legal AGENT, to work the works of His Father. ("I must
work the works of him that sent me." John 9:4.) While He was on earth He chose
disciples (first twelve, Luke 9:1, then seventy others, Luke 10:1, Luke 10:19)
which He appointed as "deputies," giving them the same power of attorney which
He used. ("Lord, even the devils are subject unto us THROUGH THY NAME." Luke
10:17) Thus were they trained under His direct supervision to be ready to carry
forward "all that Jesus BEGAN both to do and to teach" (Acts 1:1), when the time
should come for Him to return to the Father.

Having now returned to the Father, and being on the right hand of God exalted,
He has not planned that the work which He began through such suffering and
sacrifice should cease to be carried forward. Before He went away, He left
command and authority for the continuation of His work. Those who believe on Him
are made His agents, and are commanded to do IN HIS NAME (by His authority, as
by the power of attorney) all the things which He Himself would do if He were
present in the body! "IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues; they shall take up serpents (not as tempting God, but should
it so happen by accident, as it did to Paul, Acts 28:3-5) and if they drink any
deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they
shall recover." Mark 16:17-18. "And whatsoever ye shall ask IN MY NAME, that
will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:13. The gifts
which He placed in the church, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of
the ministry, for the edifying (upbuilding) of the body of Christ (His church),
Ephesians 4:8-12, cover all the great and mighty things which Jesus did when He
was here in the flesh (see 1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

Never once did He teach, either by inference or by direct statement, that this
power would be gone from the world when He went away. Rather, in his last
commission to those He left behind, He declared, "All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. GO YE THEREFORE (because this power is HIS, and through Him
OURS, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8) and teach ALL NATIONS -- teaching them to OBSERVE
(obey -- Webster’s definition) ALL THINGS (Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,
raise the dead, cast out devils, freely ye have received, freely give. Matthew
10:8) whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:18-20.

These disciples, anointed with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4), "went forth and
preached everywhere, the Lord was working WITH THEM, and confirming the word
with SIGNS FOLLOWING." Mark 16:20. So long as men are anointed with the Holy
Ghost, and God is with them, as it was with Jesus (Acts 10:38) and the early
disciples (Mark 16:20) and as Jesus said it should be "even unto the end of the
world" (Matthew 28:20), the works Jesus did will continue to be done! The
disciple should not be above his master, but he SHALL BE AS HIS MASTER! But if
we are to be like Him in POWER, we must also be like Him in holiness, in
consecration, in meekness, in compassion. We must be like Him in prayer and in
fellowship with the Father. We must be like Him in faith. We must be like Him in
fasting and self denial. If it were possible for the servant to be like Him in
power without paying the price He paid, then the servant would be above his
Lord.

There is a price to be paid for all that God offers to mankind. In a sense, it
is all free, but there is a price of obedience and preparedness. Even our free
salvation is ours only when we have heeded the admonition of God to repent and
believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. The "gift of the Holy Ghost" is ours only
when we obey Him. Acts 5:32. Power with God LIKE JESUS HAD is for those -- ALL
THOSE -- who meet the condition, "every one that is PERFECT shall be as his
master." Luke 6:40.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 5: 1.04.     BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT EVEN AS YOUR FATHER
========================================================================

These words seemed even more startling than the ones which God had already
spoken. Surely this was too much! Could any mortal ever hope to be perfect? Yet
surely God would not ask me to do something which He knew I could not do! And
without doubt, this was the voice of God. I had asked bread of my heavenly
Father, and I knew that He would not give me a stone. How thrilling to my soul
when I learned that this, too, was a quotation from scripture! I found it in
Matthew 5:48. It was Christ’s own command, not only to me but to all who would
be the "children of your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:45). Perfection
is the GOAL set by Christ for every Christian. Not every Christian has reached
that goal. No Christian has a right to boast that he has attained it. Even the
great Apostle Paul declared, "Not as though I had already attained, either were
already perfect, but I follow after" (Php 3:12). No Christian worthy of the name
will be satisfied to be less than perfect. No Christian should make excuse for
his own imperfections, but should recognize them as failure to keep the command
of Christ, and strive earnestly to overcome them. PERFECTION IS THE GOAL! For
the benefit of those who may have been taught that no person except Christ was
ever perfect, let us note that GOD HIMSELF ascribes perfection to a number of
men. They did not claim perfection for themselves, but God declared that they
were perfect.

First of all, Job, the hero of the oldest written book of the Bible was a
perfect man. His friends didn’t think he was perfect; they accused him of
hypocracy (see Job 8:6, Job 8:13) Satan did not think he was perfect; he accused
him of serving God only because of the material blessings which God had given
him. Job himself was willing to admit that he was imperfect, for he declared, "I
abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes," Job 42:6. But when satan accused
him before the Lord, God himself declared, "Hast thou considered my servant Job,
that there is none like him in the earth, a PERFECT AND AN UPRIGHT MAN?" Job
1:8. And then for the benefit of all who might read this scripture, God added
his definition of human perfection -- "one that feareth God and escheweth
(shunneth, avoideth) evil."

Many object to the teaching of possible perfection on the grounds that they have
never seen a perfect man. In Job’s day, God declared that there was only one.
Again, in Noah’s day there was only one. Yet God declares that Noah was PERFECT!
"Noah was a just man and PERFECT in his generations, and Noah walked with God."
Genesis 6:9.

Some declare that if one should become perfect, he would immediately be
translated, as was Enoch, carelessly disregarding the fact that the scripture
declares that Enoch ’walked with God" for at least three hundred years before he
"was not", Genesis 5:22, and that "BEFORE his translation he had this testimony,
that he pleased God." Hebrews 11:5.

All these Old Testament saints were perfect, before even the law was given. No
divinity, nor superhuman perfection is attributed to any one of them. They were
MEN, subject to like passions as we are, but they knew and feared God, kept his
commands, and carefully avoided the overflowing evils of the idolitrous people
among whom they lived, in some of the most outstandingly evil ages in history.
Was perfection possible under the law?

Moses, speaking God’s message to the entire congregation of Israel, declared
"Thou shalt be PERFECT with the Lord thy God." Deuteronomy 18:13.

Man is sometimes more critical than God. When Mirian and Aaron complained
against Moses, God took his part, speaking to them out of the pillar of cloud
and saying, "My servant Moses -- is FAITHFUL in all mine house!" Numbers 12:7.
While this does not use the word "perfect", surely it meets the definition given
in Job 1:8.

David was not persuaded that perfection was impossible, for he declared, in one
of his inspired Psalms, "I will behave myself wisely IN A PERFECT WAY. I will
walk within my house with a PERFECT HEART." Psalms 101:2.

All these, and no doubt many others (such as Daniel, Joseph, Abraham, Elijah,
and Elisha, etc.) lived lives of holiness (perfection) in the days before many
of our advantages were given. It was to his New Testament church that God gave
the complete scriptures. "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable -- that the man of God may be PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

It was not until our own dispensation that Christ was preached, "Whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present
every man PERFECT in Christ Jesus." Colossians 1:28.

It was to his New Testament Church that Christ gave apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors and teachers "FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, for the
work of the ministry, for the EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST." Ephesians
4:11-12.

Unto them, the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, our constantly abiding
Comforter, teacher and guide, (John 14:26) had not been given. But to us he is
given -- to every one who will obey God (Acts 5:32).

How much easier it should be for us, with all these advantages, to be perfect
than for those who lived before these things were given!

God says to us, "Ye are the temple of the living God: as God hath said, I will
dwell in them and walk in them . . . . Wherefore come ye out from among them,
and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will
receive you, and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
PERFECTING HOLINESS in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 - 2 Corinthians
7:1.

These promises are ours! We CAN cleanse ourselves from ALL FILTHINESS! We can
PERFECT HOLINESS in the fear of God! Like Job, we can fear God and shun evil,
and be perfect in the sight of God. This is not a "new thing". The doctrine of
entire sanctification has been taught by many outstanding servants of Christ
throughout the church age, and is accepted as sound doctrine by a number of
major denominations. Since this is only a small book, space prevents quoting
from the statements of fundamental truths of many groups. I will quote here from
only one, that found in the Constitution of the General Council of the
Assemblies of God. (Minutes and Constitution, with Bylaws, Revised (1949
edition), Page 38, Section 9.) Entire Sanctification (br) The Scriptures teach a
life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the
Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command, "Be ye holy, for I am Holy." Entire
sanctification is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly
pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word. Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1
Thessalonians 5:23-24; 1 John 2:6."

Call it what you will -- perfection, holiness, entire sanctification -- it is
not only possible, it is not only our priviledge, it is God’s COMMAND.

"Be ye holy in ALL MANNER OF CONVERSATION." 1 Peter 1:15.

"Be ye therefore perfect." Matthew 5:48.

You say, "I know a lot of Christians, even preachers, who say you can’t be
perfect, and there is no use to try."

We know them, too. They are not healing the sick nor casting out demons! Sin is
the devil’s bridgehead in your life. Let him hold the bridgehead, if you will.
But it will rob you of power!

Jesus did not allow the devil to maintain a bridgehead in his life, for he
declared just before he was crucified, "The prince of this world (satan) cometh,
and hath NOTHING in me." John 14:30. He had power to accomplish the work he came
into the world to do because satan had NOTHING -- not even one little bridgehead
of pet sin or self-indulgence -- in Him.

We, his followers, are admonished to keep the coasts of our lives free of
"bridgeheads" too. "Neither give PLACE to the devil." Ephesians 4:27. It is his
business to make you think that you can’t expect to keep your life entirely free
of his hideouts and landing strips. If he can get you to leave him a place to
work from, he can sabotage every effort you make for God, and rob you of the
power you have longed for. The work God has given you to do will go undone. The
sick will not be healed, the captives not set free. Should you attempt to cast
out demons, they will laugh in your face, saying, "You let us remain in your own
life, and then would cast us out of others!" Demons know the power of Christ,
and they know and fear the power of a Christ filled Christian. But they have no
fear of one who is not holy.

Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew and chief of the priests, decided that they could
say the same words which Paul used, adjuring the demons in Jesus name to come
out of those who were possesed, without being careful to have the background of
holiness and consecration which Paul had. (See Acts 19:13-15). The evil spirit
answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but WHO ARE YE?! Then the man
in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them, and overcame them, so that they
fled naked and wounded. They didn’t think holiness was necessary, but they found
to their sorrow that it CAN NOT BE OVERLOOKED, if one is to exercise the miracle
working power of God! The reaction is not so immediate and violent in every
case, for these "vagabond Jews" had tried it before, and only once did this
happen. But never once did they succeed in casting out a demon. Demons flee only
before the power of Christ, or of a Christ-filled life. There is no way to have
power with God without holiness -- for Jesus himself said, "Every one that is
PERFECT shall be AS HIS MASTER." Luke 6:40.

There is much that could be said about perfection. An entire book could easily
be written in defense of the possibility of obeying the command of God, "Be ye
holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16. However, enough has been said to open the
eyes of the person who is hungry for truth, and eager to have the power which
Jesus promised to his followers, THE MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF GOD. But it will
take more than knowing that holiness is possible. You want to know how you can
attain it. Not every Christian has reached the goal. Not every follower of
Christ has the power which he promised. The twelve chosen disciples, even after
having healed many that were sick and cast out many demons in Jesus’ name, met a
demon one day who refused to go at their command. Matthew 17:15. When Jesus had
cast out the demon, the disciples asked him why they could not do it. He gave as
the reason their UNBELIEF, and lack of fasting and prayer. These twelve chosen
men were at times found to lack in the manifestation of the fruits of the
Spirit, and to show evidence of such works of the flesh as pride (Mark 10:37),
jealousy (Mark 10:41), anger (Matthew 26:51). They slept when they should have
prayed (Matthew 26:40), and deserted him in times of trial (Matthew 26:56). They
failed to discern the plan of God, and rebuked Jesus because he told them that
he would be killed, so that Jesus said to one of them, "Get thee behind me,
satan: -- Thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of
men." Matthew 16:23. These men had not reached perfection, but they earnestly
desired to be perfect, and worked diligently to attain the promises of God, and
God honoured them, and was not ashamed to be called their God. Do not be
discouraged because you have not attained unto perfection. There is an ultimate
perfection which will only be reached when we see Jesus face to face at his
coming. There is a growth in grace, growing toward perfection, which must
continue so long as we remain in the flesh. Our perfection may be likened to the
fruit on a tree. From the time the bud appears, the apple on the inside, though
very tiny, can be perfect. It has not taken on the size, color, nor flavor which
it will eventually have, but nevertheless in its present state it is perfect. As
it is nourished, and fed, and protected from frost and disease -- as the sun and
the rain touch it, and the heat and the cold, it grows into a perfect little
green apple, and finally the large, beautiful, rich, full-ripe fruit.

It was this "unripe fruit" perfection which Paul referred to in Php 3:15 -- "Let
US (including himself) therefore, as many as be PERFECT be thus minded." Three
verses before, he had said, "Not as though I had already attained, either were
ALREADY PERFECT." (Php 3:12) Here he was speaking of the ultimate perfection of
the full ripe fruit, the perfection which will only be complete with the
resurrection of the dead. Paul was not unmindful of the perfection which had
already been attained, but with the true Christian spirit, he was not satisfied
to remain in that state, but, though he didn’t claim to be perfect, declared, "I
follow after." "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forward to those things which are before, I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK."
(Php 3:12-14)

There is no stopping place short of ultimate perfection. Although the immature
Christian may be perfect in God’s sight, HE WILL CEASE TO BE PERFECT WHEN HE IS
WILLING TO STOP GROWING! When the little green apple stops growing, it will soon
wither and fall from the tree. Perfection must be attained, and constantly
striven for.

Growth must be maintained through FOOD "Desire the sincere milk of the word (the
Bible) that ye may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:2. A good appetite for the word of
God is very necessary if we are to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Savior." 2 Peter 2:2. A real love for the Word of God is a part of our
perfection NOW, and means much toward our ultimate perfection when Jesus comes.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of
God MAY BE PERFECT." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Many have plenty of time to read comic strips, magazine, novels -- everything
else but the Word of God. But they are just too busy to study their Bibles! No
wonder they do not grow! No wonder they have no power to heal the sick and cast
out demons. No wonder they are not perfect, and do not expect to be. They are
not feeding their souls the right food. "Grow in grace and in the KNOWLEDGE of
our Lord and Savior." 2 Peter 2:3. This knowledge comes through study of God’s
word. Read it a great deal. And read it as God’s revelation to you. Believe it
as you read it. It is the word of Him who cannot lie. He means EXACTLY WHAT HE
SAYS!

Ample protection is provided for those who abide in Christ. Whatever our
temptations may be, we need not sin for "God is faithful, who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able, but with temptation also make a way of
escape that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.

"He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus
Christ." Php 1:6. The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you and KEEP YOU FROM
EVIL." 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you FAULTLESS
before the presence of his glory." Jude 1:24.

Hallelujah! It is possible to be kept by God, and to live on a higher plane than
sin.

We are not ignorant of the devices of satan. He can quote scripture, too. How
quickly he comes to comfort the imperfect Christian, by quoting the last half of
Matthew 26:41 -- "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." This
portion should never be quoted without the first part of the verse -- "Watch and
pray, that ye ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION!" Thus may we overcome the weakness of
the flesh.

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians
5:16. (You may be sure satan will not add this passage to his quotation.) "Now
the works of the flesh are manifest -- of the which I tell you -- that they
which do such things SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD." Galatians 5:19-21.

"For to be CARNALLY (fleshly) MINDED is death." Romans 8:6.

Hide behind the weakness of the flesh if you like, but do not overlook what God
says will be the result! Do not accept satan’s suggestion, even when he quotes
scripture. "RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU!" James 4:7.

You can be perfect! God says you can. Only satan says you cannot.

God has provided food for you in his word, protection for you through his
spirit, and a mighty agency for your perfecting in his Church. In order that the
church might serve to this end, "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets: and
some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the PERFECTING of the
saints --." Ephesians 4:11-12. Do not think that you shall attain the perfection
which God desires for you if you fail to heed his warning, "Not forsaking the
assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is." Hebrews 10:25.
Find a good church home, where God’s word is taught and BELIEVED, where the
power of God is present and welcome, where God is confirming his word with signs
following, and where God’s people "Speak the things which become SOUND
DOCTRINE." Titus 2:1. Then make it a practice to be present whenever God and his
people meet. Only thus can you be perfected by the ministry gifts which God has
placed in the church. Every service in your Spirit filled church is planned of
God to contribute something to your perfection.

Patience also has a part. "Let patience have her perfect work that ye may be
PERFECT AND ENTIRE wanting nothing." James 1:4. The tongue also plays an
important part, for "If any man offend not in word, the same is a PERFECT man
and able also to bridle the whole body." James 3:2.

"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
Colossians 3:14.

Christ is sufficiently interested in pointing out the way, that if you desire to find the way of perfectness, he will place his finger on your pet sins, and show you what is keeping you from the goal. A young man once fell at the feet of Jesus and asked the question, "What must I do?" Although this young man was inquiring the way of salvation, Jesus pointed out to him the way to perfection. "If thou wilt be PERFECT, go ----." Matthew 19:21. He laid his finger upon the young man’s pet sin. Like so many others the young man felt that this was too much. Yet it would have been a small price to pay for perfection here, and eternal life in the world to come. Jesus is just the same today. When you come inquiring how you can be perfect, he will not send you away without an answer.

Perfection and more perfection is always the Christian goal. "I press toward the
mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore,
AS MANY AS BE PERFECT, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise
minded, GOD SHALL REVEAL EVEN THIS UNTO YOU." Php 3:14-15. As you read this
book, satan will probably whisper to you many times, as Pharaoh said unto Moses
(Exodus 8:25) "Sacrifice in the land." In other words, it isn’t necessary to go
so far, to separate yourself from the things of the world in order to have power
with God. If you insist, he will say, "All right then, only don’t go too far."
He infers there is danger in going too far.

You can’t go too far with God. You may go too far in sin. You may go too far in
self righteousness. But if you are walking with Jesus, in the Spirit, you need
not fear going too far. No believer has gone as far as God wants him to go until
the signs follow his ministry. We have not gone as far as we should go until we
can lay hands on the sick and see them recover! No church has gone as far as the
Lord meant it should go until all nine gifts of the spirit are in operation in
its services. DON’T LET PHARAOH (SATAN) KEEP YOU BACK! Go on! Go all the way.
God’s grace is sufficient for you. Don’t let anything keep you from
appropriating the promises of God in your own life, whether you be lay member or
minister.

"Let us go on unto PERFECTION!" Hebrews 6:1.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 6: 1.05.     CHRIST OUR EXAMPLE
========================================================================

"For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, LEAVING
US AN EXAMPLE, that ye should FOLLOW HIS STEPS; who did no sin, neither was
guile found in his mouth; who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he
suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously." 1 Peter 2:21-23. This scripture makes it very plain to any honest
hearted child of God that Christ is OUR EXAMPLE in WORD and in DEED! We can,
then, WALK AS CHRIST WALKED, and we can TALK AS HE TALKED. This is not a
condition of one’s feet or lips, but of the HEART! "For from within, out of the
heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts,
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride,
foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile a man." Mark
7:21-23. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7.

Before one can walk as Christ walked, and talk as he talked, he must first begin
to THINK AS CHRIST THOUGHT! This is possible only as we "Bring into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5. This doesn’t just
happen. It is an act of determined consecration, requiring purpose and continual
application, for the mind loves to wander. It also requires a willing exchange,
giving up the former ways of thinking, and accepting as our own the MIND OF
CHRIST. "LET this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Php 2:5.

God draws the line on some thinking. It is possible to lead a victorious thought
life. Not that satan can no longer come with evil suggestions. Nowhere in God’s
word has He declared that man would not be tempted. Even Christ was tempted. But
one can refuse to allow his thought to dwell upon evil things. A sane mind is a
controlled mind. Evil thoughts can be driven out, by filling the mind with right
thoughts. We are instructed as to what these thoughts are. "Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
THINK ON THESE THINGS." Php 4:8.

Jesus thought right thoughts. That was the reason that he could walk and talk
right, and be a right example for us to follow.

"Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps,
WHO DID NO SIN." 1 Peter 2:21-22. Christ did not live in habitual sin. He did
not make excuses for sin. He resisted the devil, and temptation, although he was
"Tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15. He is our
example. And He stands ready to help us to walk as He walked -- in his steps!

"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not." 1 John 3:6. This is contrary to much of
the religious teaching today. I am aware of this. I am also aware that
multitudes of religious people today, even many who believe in divine healing,
find themselves powerless when faced with those who need deliverance from
sickness, or demon possession. If you really want power with God, surely this
matter is worthy of serious, prayerful thought, regardless of former opinions or
religious teaching. There is a reason why some have power and some do not. And
it is not because God is a respecter of persons. Power is a direct result of
faith, and faith comes by obedience.

"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence (faith) toward
God, and whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments,
and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." 1 John 3:21-22.

Hope is available to people without holiness, BUT FAITH IS NOT!

If faith were available to people without holiness, then people who can never
see God could have power to ask and receive ANYTHING THEY DESIRE from God, for
God’s unqualified promise to those who have faith is, "Whatsoever ye shall ask
in prayer, BELIEVING YE SHALL RECEIVE." Matthew 21:22. And God has also said,
"Follow peace . . . and holiness, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD."
Hebrews 12:14.

Although many religious teachers declare that everyone sins all the time; that
it is impossible to live above sin; that as long as one is in this world he must
partake of a certain number of sins of this life; that one must sin every day,
and repent every night;--God’s word still calmly, simply states the command of
God, "BE YE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 1 Peter 1:16.

Paul writing to the Corinthians, declared, "Awake to righteousness and SIN NOT,
for some have not the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame." 1
Corinthians 15:34.

People who are finding excuse for their habitual sin, according to this verse,
have not the knowledge of God. This is a SHAME! It is evidence that many
professed Christians are spiritually ASLEEP! They are not led by the spirit of
God nor by the word of God, for the work of the spirit is to reprove the world
of sin and of righteousness, (John 16:8), and the word hidden in the heart will
prevent sinning against God. (Psalms 119:11)

You can’t have power when you are asleep. WAKE UP! Quit making excuses for sin.
Walk in the steps of him who DID NO SIN!

"Neither was guile found in his mouth." 1 Peter 2:22.

Jesus healed by HIS WORD. (See Matthew 8:16.) "His word was with power." Luke
4:32. The follower of Christ is assured that his words may also be words of
power. (Matthew 21:21) But if our words are to be words of power, we must talk
as he talked. Guile (cunning craftiness, deceit) must not be found in our
mouths.

Jesus WALKED IN THE SPIRIT. We who are his followers are also exhorted to walk
in the spirit. (Galatians 5:16) In verses 19 to 21 are listed the works of the
flesh, which are not present in the lives of those who walk in the Spirit. There
are some who harbor some of these works of the flesh in their lives, making very
little if any effort to overcome, who yet feel that God should honor their word
and their prayer, and give them miracle working power. Yet Galatians 5:21 tells
us that they which do such things shall not only fail to have power, but "SHALL
NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD." How could one who is not even fit for the
kingdom of God expect to have power to work the works of Christ? By studying
this list of "works of the flesh" with a dictionary, you will find that God has
listed uncleanness, lustfulness, immoderate desire, covetousness, hatred,
discord, quarreling, contention, jealousy, violent anger, rage, riotous
feasting, "and such like".

Those who do such things are NOT walking in his steps who DID NO SIN, NEITHER
WAS GUILE FOUND IN HIS MOUTH.

Paul exhorts us to "Put off the old man (or, works of the flesh -- see context)
with his deeds," and "put on the NEW MAN, which is renewed in knowledge after
the image of him that created him." Colossians 3:9-10.

Listed below are some of the characteristics of the person who is carnal, and is
not walking in the spirit. This list, though incomplete, may open up new
channels of thought for many.

PRIDE; important, independent spirit, stiffness, or precisiveness.

LOVE OF PRAISE; love to be noticed; love of supremacy; drawing attention to
one’s self, as in conversation.

ARGUING; talkative spirit; stubborn, unteachable spirit; selfwill; unyielding;
headstrong disposition; driving, commanding spirit; criticizing spirit;
peevishness; fretfulness; love to be coaxed and humored.

Speaking of faults and failures of others rather than of virtues of those more
talented and appreciated than yourself.

Lustful stirrings, unholy actions, undue affection and familiarity toward the
opposite sex. Wandering eyes.

Dishonest, deceitful disposition; evading or covering the truth; leaving a
better impression of yourself than is true; exaggeration, or straining the
truth. >p>Selfishness; love for money; love for ease; laziness.

Formality; spiritual deadness; lack of concern for souls; dryness and
indifference.

LACK OF POWER WITH GOD!

Get on your knees before God, and let him talk to you about these things, and
give you a list of your own. You may find that there will be many other things
which are now present in your life, which God will show you MUST BE CHANGED. A
good check up on the things which we do, say, and think is to ask yourself the
question, "Would Jesus do this?" If He would you are following his steps. If He
would not, you are missing the mark. You cannot have power with God. You may
even fail to reach heaven.

Such a life of holiness is not impossible. God has commanded it, and "He that
hath begun a good work in you will perform it --" Php 1:6.

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Genesis 18:14. God said to Paul, "My grace
is sufficient for thee". His grace is sufficient for you as well.

IF YOU REALLY WANT HOLINESS it is not beyond your reach. And without it you will
never share in GOD’S MIRACLE WORKING POWER!


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 7: 1.06.     SELF DENIAL
========================================================================

"If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross
daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23. The path that Jesus walked is a way of self
denial.

You are reading this book because you desire to "come after him." Then DENY
YOURSELF!

Someone once said, "No man spake as this man!" Few have learned to deny self.

While we read in the scripture of Jesus, "Rising up A GREAT WHILE BEFORE DAY, he
went out, and departed into a solitary place and there prayed". (Mark 1:35) How
many of those who would do the works he did, find little or no time for prayer.
How few of them can bear solitude. Yes, often they pray beautifully in a crowd,
or when others may be listening. But the lonely hours of the night spent in
solitary prayer bring no glory to SELF. Self would rather turn a little, to find
a more comfortable spot on his comfortable bed, and drift softly back to sleep.
Self says, "I must have my rest." Self will raise his hand smilingly, when asked
who will pray an hour during the night or early morning. Self will rejoice that
he has been seen taking this sacrificial hour, and how well his neighbors will
think of him. But self will turn off the alarm when it sounds, and go back to
sleep. Self says, "It does no good to pray anyway, when you don’t feel like it."
Jesus said, "Let him DENY HIMSELF." This is sacrifice -- real sacrifice to God.
And God honors sacrifice. In one of my early meetings, in southern Missouri,
good crowds had been attending for a week, but not one soul had responded to the
altar call. My wife and I decided that this MUST be changed, and agreed between
ourselves that we would pray all night for souls to be saved in that meeting.
Already we were weary in body, for the hour was late, and the service had been a
hard one. Soon weariness began to creep down upon us, and even to stay awake
seemed almost impossible. Again and again one must waken the other. There was no
shouting, no excitement -- nothing to keep us awake but the knowledge that in
this little community which God had given to us as our responsibility, souls
were lost, and we must see them saved. And we had promised God to pray it
through. As the sun crept over the eastern horizon, we knew that we had kept our
vow, and that something was going to happen that night. We could hardly wait for
the time of the service. And that night, victory came. One after another
responded to the call, until nineteen souls had found salvation, and were
shouting the praises of God in a little country schoolhouse, under the ministry
of a preacher who had only been preaching three weeks. As we went home rejoicing
from that service, we knew that God had taught us a lesson -- it pays to DENY
SELF the rest he may think is rightly his. It pays to pray it through, whether
self is stimulated by any good feelings, or urge to pray, or not.

SELF says, "Pray if you feel like it." SELF DENIAL says, "PRAY ANYWAY."

There are times when prayer is a delight -- when it is a time of refreshing to
the weary soul. But there are times when prayer is meeting the enemy face to
face upon the battleground of the world, to drag by force from his grasp the
things which by God’s promise are rightly ours, but which satan will keep us
from having, if he can possibly do so. There are times when we must wrestle in
prayer, as did Jacob, when he cried, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless
me." Genesis 32:26. There are times when the answer is slow in coming, and we
must hold on patiently as did Daniel, for three full weeks (Daniel 10:2). There
are times when this wrestling may leave the body weary, and the nerves
overwrought, as in the case of Elijah when he had prayed down the fire and the
rain (See 1 Kings 18, and 1 Kings 19:4). At times like that, prayer requires
self denial. But it pays. Only the person who BELIEVES in the power of prayer
will deny himself the rest which his body demands, in order to pray. And God’s
promise is "Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, BELIEVING, ye shall receive."
Matthew 21:22.

Real prayer -- determined, prevailing prayer -- is the greatest outlet of power
on earth. The early church prayed ten days and then -- the miracle of Pentecost.

Moses spent forty days in the mountain talking with God, and his face shone so
that he wore a veil.

Muller prayed, and secured one million dollars, making possible the care of
2,000 orphans.

Jesus went upon the mountain to pray, and returned to cast out demons which go
forth only by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:29) He did not say to the sorrowing
father, "This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Wait while I go away
to fast and pray." He had already fasted and prayed! Self denial, fasting and
prayer, was a part of his daily life. It was his habit of life. He prayed first,
and when the need arose, he was already "prayed through", and ready to meet the
need.

How many think they are denying self, when their self denial is only for selfish
ends, to make their voice to be heard on high. (See Isaiah 58:3-7)

Fasting is an important part of self denial. The desire for food -- the richest,
the tastiest, and the best -- is one of the strongest desires of self. It was
for food that Esau sold his birthright. It was to physical hunger -- the desire
for food -- that satan directed the first of the series of temptations to Christ
when he was in the wilderness. Paul, that great apostle of power, declared that
he was "in fastings often". (2 Corinthians 11:27)

Food itself is not sinful. But if it is given undue importance, it becomes a
god, and when it becomes a god, it becomes a SIN.

Paul warned his church at Philippi of some whom they might be tempted to follow,
"they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose
GOD IS THEIR BELLY, and whose glory is their shame, WHO MIND EARTHLY THINGS."
Php 3:18-19.

Many who desire the miracle working power of God in their lives today are
hindered by the fact that they still would rather miss God’s best for them than
to miss a good meal.

How hard it was for me to remain on my knees in my closet of prayer when the
good smell of food cooking began to filter in through the cracks around the
door! And it was not until I resolutely turned my back upon the delicious stew,
and went back to my closet without my dinner, that I heard the voice of God. It
was only then that I proved to God that he meant more to me than food -- that my
belly was not my God.

Fasting itself has no power to accomplish miracles, unless it is done rightly.
The Israelites of Isaiah’s time cried out, "Wherefore have we fasted, and thou
seest not?" (Isaiah 58:3). God’s reply, through his prophet, was, "Behold, in
the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold ye
fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall
not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high." (Isaiah
58:3-4) If our fasting is to help any about making our voice to be heard on
high, it must be accompanied by a real heart searching, and seeking after God.
It must include an enlarged vision of our responsibility to be our brother’s
keeper. Fasting must be done unselfishly, if it is to be done effectively. "Is
not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo
the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every
yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor
that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked that thou cover him;
and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:6-7). When
fasting is done God’s way, he has given the promise, "Then shall thy light break
forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy
righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.
THEN SHALT THOU CALL, AND THE LORD SHALL ANSWER: thou shalt cry and he shall
say, Here I am." Isaiah 58:8-9.

Jesus fasted, and expected that those who followed him would fast, but pointed
out to his followers that not every fast was acceptable with God (See Matthew
6:16-18). Those who fasted boastfully were branded by him as HYPOCRITES. He
declared that they received ALL of their reward in the admiration of those
around them, who looked only upon the outward appearance. The fasting which he
recommended was to be done privately -- a secret transaction between the
individual and God. If possible, even the immediate family were not to be
informed that a fast was in progress. When fasting is done this way, God will
hear from heaven, and will reward you openly, by answering your prayer.

How much better to have people say, "That man has power with God. The sick are
healed, the lame walk, the dumb speak, and the blind see when he prays," than to
have them say, "That man is sure a pius man. He fasts three days of the week. He
has completed a twenty one day fast, and is even now in the tenth day of a forty
day fast."

Some fine people have been misled into wasted time and sacrifice, which brought
no good to anyone because they became puffed up and did their fasting with a
spirit of boastfulness. It is satan’s business to spoil all that we try to do
for God. Let us be watchful in this matter, or else he will make useless one of
our most effective weapons, the weapon of self denial through fasting.

True fasting is a matter of giving God first place over all the demands of the
self life. It goes deep into the personal life. Paul recommended that while
husband and wife are each to consider his or her body the personal property of
the other, and to be subject one to the other, seeking to please each other in
every way possible, that it is wise that the christian husband and wife set
aside by agreement times when personal gratification is to be ruled out, in
order that God may be FIRST, that he may occupy all their thoughts, that one or
the other, or both together, may give themselves to fasting and prayer. God does
not condemn marriage, nor the rightful relationship of husband and wife. But
even this, which is rightfully yours, may, like our food, be set aside for a
time of seeking God, with great profit. The closer we walk to God, the greater
will be the power in our lives. This closeness can be achieved in one way --
"Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you." James 4:8.

Self denial will many times take you out of the company which you would find
most enjoyable. No doubt, the company you keep is good company. But if you are
to have power with God, you must have fellowship with God. Fellowship with god’s
people is wonderful, and is needed by every Christian, especially those who are
young in the Lord. But there is another fellowship which is even more necessary.
"Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" 1 John
1:3.

Those who have power with God, and are bringing deliverance to the sick and
suffering, and winning souls to Christ, are spending much time alone with God
before they spend time with the people.

These things cannot be done in a moment. Power is the result of WAITING UPON THE
LORD. Self says hurry. But self must be denied again. Pentecost followed ten
days of waiting upon the lord. Daniel’s vision of the last days followed 23 days
of waiting. Because Moses had not learned to wait upon the Lord to know His
method as well as His will, he had to wait forty years in exile before he was
ready to do the work of deliverance which God had given him to do.

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him." Psalms 37:7.

Waiting is almost a lost art. Everything is done in a hurry. So many things
require only the pushing of a button, but there is no button to push -- no magic
formula -- no "royal road" -- to power with God. The man who has waited upon God
commands the demon to depart, and the tormented one is free. The man who hasn’t
time to "waste" in waiting speaks the same words, seems to do the same things,
but nothing happens. Waiting upon God is not wasted time, although it many times
may seem to you as well as to others that you are doing nothing. Waiting on God
includes fasting, prayer, and just plain waiting. When we pray, we talk to God.
but when you have prayed until there seems to be nothing more to say, then you
need to wait for an answer. Let God speak to you.

Self is restless and impatient, always clamoring for action or for attention, or
for gratification. Self is mindful of the things that are of this world, the
things of the flesh. But "If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF."
Luke 9:23. Will you come after Him? Will you do the works He did? Then wait in
His presence and let Him speak to your soul about the things of self which have
not yet been denied. Let His life of self denial be your pattern, and you are
well on the way to sharing in His MIRACLE-WORKING POWER.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 8: 1.07.     THE CROSS
========================================================================

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS
DAILY and Follow me." Luke 9:23.

There will be very little gained by self denial unless you also take up your
cross, and follow Jesus. By the cross I mean that load, or burden, of pain or
sorrow or sacrifice which could, if we choose, be laid aside, but which is
willingly carried or endured for the sake of others. It is that which in the
natural we WOULD lay aside, but spurred on by the realization that there is no
other way to bring salvation, deliverance or healing to the lost, the sick and
the suffering, we willingly endure OUR CROSS.

"Looking unto Jesus -- who FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM, ENDURED THE
CROSS, despising the shame." Hebrews 12:2. Jesus didn’t have to endure the
cross. Even on the night when He was taken, He declared that He could yet, at
that late hour pray to the Father, and He would send more than twelve legions of
angels, to rescue Jesus from such a fate. (See Matthew 26:53-54) He went to the
cross because he had purposed in His heart to fulfill the scriptures, and to
deliver the race of lost and sinful men from the double curse of sin and
sickness, by bearing the stripes upon His back, and by being sacrificed, a lamb
without spot or blemish, upon THE CROSS.

Moses partook of this spirit, when he turned away from the throne of Egypt to
identify himself with his brethren, a race of slaves, that he might through
suffering and sacrifice bring deliverance to them all. (See Hebrews 11:24,
Hebrews 11:26)

Paul demonstrated the same determination, when he left his place in the
Sanhedrin to join the despised and persecuted sect of Christians, that he might
not be disobedient to the heavenly vision, and that he might bring deliverance
to the Gentiles. He was following Jesus, BEARING HIS CROSS, when he declared, "I
go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall
me there: SAVE THAT THE HOLY GHOST WITNESSETH in every city, saying that BONDS
AND AFFLICTIONS ABIDE ME. But none of these things MOVE ME, neither COUNT I MY
LIFE DEAR unto myself, so that I might -- testify the gospel of the grace of
God." Acts 20:22-24. When Charles G. Finney left a promising law practice to
enter the ministry -- an untried field for which he had no special training --
he took up his cross. But taking up the cross is not enough. It must be taken up
DAILY! It must be taken up willingly, and carried faithfully, without fretting.
It is easy to make a consecration -- to take up the cross -- during the heat of
an inspiring consecration call, but many fail to take it up again the next
morning, or the next.

Christ never took a vacation from His cross. The cross even went with Him on His
vacation! Although He stepped aside many times to rest, even then the burden was
heavy upon Him. when He sat down by the well in Samaria, weary and hungry, to
rest while His disciples went into the city to buy food, He had time and
strength to lead a soul to salvation, and to start a movement which later
brought about the great revival, which swept most of Samaria into the Kingdom of
God. (Acts 8) When He was confronted with one of the greatest griefs which came
into His life as a man in the flesh, the sudden and violent death of His cousin
and dear friend, John the Baptist, He thought to slip away alone for a little
time. (See Matthew 14:13-14) But the people observed His going, and followed Him
even then. When He looked upon them, He was filled with compassion, His own
grief was forgotten, and He took up His cross and went forth to heal their sick,
and to minister to their needs. The cross was not an accident which came to Him
at the end of life. He was born, and lived and died under the shadow of the
cross. He knew it was there all the time, but never once did He shun the cross.
Never once did He fail to take up His cross DAILY. There was never a day that He
could say, "This day is my own. I will go about my Father’s business again
tomorrow." Never an experience came into His life which He could say, "This is
mine to enjoy. The people must wait until this is over. Then I will meet them
and minister to their needs again." Even in His times of sorrow, He could not
say, "My own grief is so great. It is no more than right that NOW I should be
comforted. Let them minister unto me, now."

It was the night in which He was betrayed, when He knew that the time had come,
and that the false disciple who would betray Him sat among those to whom He
ministered, that He rose from the table to wash the feet of His disciples,
demonstrating the thing which He had said before, "The Son of man came not to be
ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Mark
10:45. To the eyes of the world it would seem that it was only on that dark day
of Calvary that "he bearing his cross went forth." John 19:16. But He had been
bearing His cross as he went forth among the people, poor, despised, lonely,
misunderstood -- willingly, that He might bring with Him many sons unto glory --
going about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. The
world may not see nor understand your cross and mine. But each of us has his own
cross, God appointed, which he can bear or not as he sees fit. This is not
sickness which we are helpless to lay aside. It is not those unpleasant
circumstances of life which would be ours whether we serve God or not. It is
that which we accept willingly, at personal sacrifice to ourselves, in order
that we may be obedient to God and a blessing to others. Have you been
complimenting yourself on your cross bearing, and is it just a matter of feeling
sorry for yourself about the circumstances of your life? Have you willingly
taken upon yourself the burdens and griefs and sorrows of others, that you might
lift them, and be a blessing -- that you might bring salvation and deliverance
to those in need?

You say you want God’s miracle working power. Are you willing to pay the price?
Are you willing to take up YOUR cross, DAILY, and follow Jesus all the way?

If you follow Christ fully, it will mean following Him to the place where he was
filled with the Spirit, then on to the wilderness -- to the hours of fasting and
prayer, to the hours of unappreciated service, through the misunderstandings and
persecutions, the nights of watching alone in prayer. It will mean following Him
into the garden -- bearing the burden of a lost world -- thinking someone nearby
is sharing the load, only to find that all the rest have gone to sleep. Then
away to the judgement hall -- false accusations, and unjust decisions. Now away
to the whipping post, and the cat-o-nine tails -- the vinegar and the gall. It
will allow no drawing back, even from the pain and suffering of the cross.

You may say, "That sounds like losing my life altogether."

Indeed it is. But Jesus said, "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but
whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save
it." Mark 8:35. This is life more abudant -- the life of POWER! The life of real
satisfaction. The life of knowing that your living has not been in vain! Surely
it is worth every sacrifice to know that we have followed in the steps of the
son of God.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 9: 1.08.     I MUST DECREASE
========================================================================

Under this heading, God began to deal with me about my pride. I had never felt
that I was proud. If such a thought were suggested to my mind, either through
preaching or by direct accusation, or even by the faithful dealing of the
spirit, I, like so many others, excused myself by calling this thing "self
respect," "poise," "good breeding," or "high-mindedness." But God called it
"SIN." Proverbs 21:4 "An high look, and a proud heart . . . is sin." Proverbs
21:4. In the searchlight of His presence, there was no use to try to make
explanations. Like John of old, I was made to realize my utter dependence upon
God, and how little my own efforts were worth. I was made to realize, as I had
never realized before, that even the best of my efforts were so futile, that
truly God must take full control of my life, and that, before that could happen,
I (my own personality, talents, knowlege, or natural ability) MUST DECREASE in
importance in my own opinion.

I have since discovered that the power and success of any man’s ministry depends
upon the amount, or greatness, of God in his life. The New Testament disciples
depended entirely upon "The Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with
signs following." Mark 16:20. They claimed no power nor holiness for themselves,
although at their work of command, a man lame for forty years -- having to be
carried by his friends to a place where he might beg for his living -- was
instantly healed, so that he not only walked, but leaped and ran. (See Acts
3:2-8 and Acts 3:12, Acts 3:16). These were the same men who had once rejoiced,
saying, "Lord, even the devils are subject unto US through thy name." Luke
10:17. Now they have decreased in their own sight, and are ready for an
increased ministry. Hear them say, "Why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by
our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? . . . His name through
faith in his name hath made this man strong." Acts 3:12, Acts 3:16.

It is only as God increases in the life of one of His followers that power can
increase, and this can never happen until SELF is decreased.

Oh that God’s ministers -- yes, and laity as well -- could realize that it is
"Not by MIGHT nor by POWER, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6. The might and power here spoken of refer to man’s might and power
-- not to God’s. To the natural and not to the supernatural. There are two
sources of power. Many great church organizations today boast of their "power,"
"influence," or "popularity" in their community. Their power and influence are
derived from the magnificance of their great church plants, their immense bank
accounts, the efficiency of their organization, their numerical strength, and
their connection with the "right" people -- those with wealth and influence in
this world (though many of them do not so much as pretend ever to have been born
again by the power of God, but only have joined the church as they would a
social club.) Their fine talent, and soothing (spiritual sleep producing)
worship services, their beautiful forms, all help to make them popular -- to
give them power in a world of "religious," "respectable" sinners. It is from
such as these that Paul has warned us (speaking as he was inspired by the Holy
Ghost) that we must separate ourselves. "Having a form of Godliness, buy DENYING
THE POWER THEREOF, from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:5. These people would be
greatly displeased if God should interupt the controlled orderliness of one of
their services by speaking out as He so often did in days gone by through one of
His prophets, rebuking sin and calling them to lives of holiness and power. They
make no plans, nor leave any room in their services, for the supernatural
manifestation of the power of God.

True, there is a certain feeling of security and power, when we have achieved
the building of a fine church edifice, have succeeded in bringing our
organization to a state of good operating efficiency, have ceased to live in
constant fear of not being able to meet our financial obligations, and are
reaching the multitudes with the gospel. None of these things are wrong. We can
gratefully thank God for them when they come our way. But all these things are
nothing -- they are only a lifeless shell -- if the SUPERNATURAL POWER OF THE
SPIRIT OF GOD is not there. They are a mere tower of Babel, reaching up toward a
sky that is too far away, and doomed to failure and confusion, even though they
appear to be enjoying success.

How blessed to have talent, consecrated and used for the glory of God. How good
to have knowledge. What a comfort to have proper accomodations. But the one
thing that is needful is the POWER OF GOD.

How many fine churches in our cities are finding their auditoriums hard to fill,
while men and woman stand in the rain outside some great gospel tent, pitched on
the edge of town, trying to find some space to get inside, in order that they
may see what God is doing through His ministers who have placed the power of God
first in their lives -- who have been willing to decrease that God might
increase.

"Might," as Zechariah speaks of it, refers to the might of man, as physical
effort, natural ability, talents, forms, ceremonies, rituals, ordinances and
programs. When the supernatural is gone, man will substitute the natural. He
will substitute songs about the power of God for the reality, laying more and
more stress upon the harmony and musical flourishes, as the real power of God
decreases. Thank God for good music, but in itself it IS NOT THE POWER OF GOD!
The might and the power of natural man will never fulfil the great comission,
and bring deliverance to the multitudes. Although God may use them to some
extent, with the anointing of the Spirit upon them, they cannot be used as a
SUBSTITUTE FOR THE SPIRIT!

Even beautifully outlined sermons, eloquently preached by men of strong
personality and charm, will never get the job done alone. After all, even
preaching is not our objective. It is merely a means to an end. If good
sermonizing and beautiful preaching could get the job done, it would have been
done long ago.

Oh that men would decrease!

Oh that they would realize that without God they are NOTHING!

If preachers could only realize that it is not the beauty and forcefulness of
their preaching, altogether, which brings results, but the ANOINTING OF THE
SPIRIT upon the sermon, and God in POWER in the man who does the preaching.
People need more than to hear a sermon. They need to FEEL SOMETHING while that
sermon is being preached. It is the SPIRIT that causes people to FEEL the
preaching.

Paul was not, like some of the other disciples, an ignorant and unlearned man.
His was the best education available in his time. His speech to the men of
Athens, on Mars Hill, is still recognized as one of the best classics of
persuasive debate, and of homoletical and literary arrangement. (See Acts
17:22-31.) His background, education, and reputation among his fellows was such
that he could declare, "I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other
man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more." Php 3:4.
But Paul turned it all aside. He was willing to decrease. "But what things were
gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." Php 3:7. Although, as we have
already seen, Paul was capable of eloquent speech, he wrote to the Corinthians,
"My speech and my preaching was NOT with enticing words of man’s wisdom, BUT IN
DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER." 1 Corinthians 2:4. In the next verse
he tells us why he had laid aside his natural talents to depend upon the power
of God and that alone. "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,
but in the power of God."

If the power of God were given its rightful place today, more people’s faith
would stand in the power of God. Not so many would be trusting in their CHURCH
(instead of the lord) for salvation, and not so many would be carried away by
some preacher’s personality, so that they are of no use to God nor man unless
they can work under His leadership.

Paul recognized the importance of the spirit upon his preaching. "Not that we
are sufficient of our selves to THINK ANYTHING as of our selves; but our
sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the New
Testament; NOT OF THE LETTER, BUT OF THE SPIRIT: FOR THE LETTER KILLETH, BUT THE
SPIRIT GIVETH LIFE." 2 Corinthians 3:5-6.

People today need LIFE (life cannot come without the Spirit). God will make us
able ministers -- able to bring life and deliverance -- of the New Testament as
we decrease to the extent that we place man with all his natural ability, all
that calls attention to and glorifies man, in the background.

Although Paul was a man of more than usual knowledge, due to his fine education
and his richly varied experience, he was willing to cast it all aside, and to
declare that he was "DETERMINED not to know ANYTHING among you save CHRIST." 1
Corinthians 2:2.

Knowledge "puffeth up." 1 Corinthians 1:8. Some people are of little use to God
because they "know" too much. Paul speaks of some who are puffed up at the
church at Corinth. (See 1 Corinthians 4:18) By this he meant they were
"oversize," or needed to decrease, or be deflated. These seemed to be fine
speakers, but Paul declared the test of what they were should be, not their
speech, but POWER. "For the Kingdom of God is not in word, BUT IN POWER." 1
Corinthians 4:20.

How easy it is to see that this is true! And how foolish we make ourselves
appear many times, by trying to appear to be what we are not, because of pride!

Pride takes five forms. Pride of FACE. (How much better we DO look than those
around about us!) Pride of PLACE. (Don’t ask THAT of one in my POSITION!) Pride
of RACE. (We come of an excellent family, you know, and must uphold the family
honor at any cost.) Pride of PACE. (Everyone should be able to see that we are
the most capable and efficient person available. No one else could keep up with
us!) And then that last and WORST of all the forms of pride -- pride of GRACE!
Proud of our spiritual accomplishments; proud of the length of our fasts; proud
of visions and dreams and revelations; proud of the gifts we think we possess;
feeling that we must be a special favorite with God; yes, even proud of our
humility! Whatever form our pride may have taken, puffing us up like a toy
balloon, the first thing that must be done, before we can have real power with
God, is "I MUST DECREASE."

"Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; but he that humbleth himself shall
be exalted." Luke 14:11.

"God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6.

How, then, can you hope for God to work with you, confirming the Word with signs
following, when God has said He is RESISTING YOU!

Yes, I must decrease. Only the gold must remain. All the dross must be taken
away, and all the tin, before God can work with it as he desires to work. And
how little there is left, when the dross is gone!


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 10: 1.09.     HE MUST INCREASE
========================================================================

Did you ever drive across the prairie, and note in the distance a mountain? At
first sight the mountain seems very small. But as you drive on, and come closer
to the mountain, you are astonished to see how rapidly it seems to grow. Really,
the mountain isn’t growing. It is still the same size as when you first observed
it. The difference is that you have drawn closer to the mountain. This is
exactly what takes place when God "increases." He is the same God to all men.
But to some people, He seems to be a little, shriveled up, impotent God, who can
scarcely be expected to do anything that really matters. The reason for this is
that these people are living TOO FAR AWAY FROM HIM! This is why we are
instructed, "Draw nigh to God." James 4:8.

God is far away from many people because they have allowed so many things to
come in between. Some even draw nigh to God with their mouth, while their heart
is far from Him. (Matthew 15:8) Of these He says, "In vain do they worship me."
The only way that it is possible to draw near to God, is to begin earnestly,
with all your heart to search out those things which come between, and GET RID
OF THEM!

Pride certainly will keep God at a distance. "The proud he knoweth AFAR OFF."
Psalms 138:6. God cannot work WITH you when He is FAR FROM you. You must come to
Him humbly.

Some have excused the lack of power in their lives, by saying, "The day of
miracles is past. The church is established now, and it doesn’t need miracles
any more." Nowhere does the scripture confirm any such thought. "Jesus Christ
(is) the SAME, yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13:8.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear
heavy, that it cannot hear: BUT YOUR INIQUITIES HAVE SEPARATED BETWEEN YOU AND
YOUR GOD." Isaiah 59:1-2. Don’t blame God for your lack of power. Put the blame
squarely where it belongs. YOU are too far from God, because there are too many
iniquities (sins) in between.

Friends and loved ones may come between. Jesus said, "He that loveth father or
mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more
than me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:37. The cares of life may come between,
as weeds choking out a crop, making it unfruitful. Some give all their thought
to the things of this life, as though they would live here forever. God cannot
work with such as these. To be near to the heart of God, and to feel the pulse
beat of His compassion for the lost, and the suffering, one must have a constant
realization of the shortness of life, and the inevitability of eternity.

Some are kept at a distance from God by lack of appreciation. Praise is lacking
in their lives. Real appreciation for what God IS and what He has done, will
bring forth praise. Praise brings us into the very presence of God. "Enter into
his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise." Psalms 100:4.

Some who read this book, may not know that God desires to be so near to his
people, as to send his HOLY SPIRIT to take up his abode not simply near, but
WITHIN the child of God. When you have opened your heart and allowed the Spirit
of God to fill you, baptize you, taking possession of every part of your body,
you will find him much nearer than ever before. He will be a much greater God to
you, than you have ever known. Then as he is allowed to continue to dwell in you
richly, teaching and guiding you day by day, into a closer relationship with the
father, and into a more pure life of holiness, the greatness of God will become
more and more apparent. He will increase in your life. The more you come to know
Him, by walking by his side day by day, and the more you feed upon his word, the
more he will increase in your sight. All that we know of God, we know by faith.
"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17. Feed
upon the Word of God. It is strange, but some even hope to have power with God
who pay very little heed to the word of God. He will not honor with his presence
those who dishonor his word.

It is the Word of God which will help us to cleanse from our lives the SINS
which stand between. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking
heed thereto according to thy word." Psalms 119:9. In dealing with me about this
matter, God made it very plain to me that if these things were allowed to
persist in my life, if sin were tolerated and allowed to remain, God would
continue to be at a distance from me. He would be so far away, that he would be
to me only the little, meaningless God whom so many others profess to serve. The
only way that God could increase in my life to the point where he would be
working through me in power, was for me to keep everything out from between me
and God. The only way he could remain the great "I AM" in my own experience, was
for me to continually walk in the light of his word, by the power of his spirit,
DECREASING day by day, becoming more and more absorbed in Him who must INCREASE.

He MUST increase! Not could increase. Not might increase. He MUST increase. He
must increase in glory, and majesty and power. He must increase in control of my
life.

"I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH
IN ME." Galatians 2:20.

"Fill me with thy spirit, till all the world may see, Not me, but Jesus only,
shining out through me."


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 11: 1.10.     IDLE WORDS AND FOOLISH TALKING
========================================================================

"Every idle (unprofitable) word that men shall speak, they shall give account
thereof in the day of judgment." Matthew 12:36.

Nothing more quickly and thoroughly reveals the lack of real spirituality than
does foolish talking, jesting, and IDLE WORDS. There is nothing that will more
surely label the shallow Christian as one who has no concern for others, nor any
burden for the lost and suffering than his perpetual flow of foolish talking,
and nonsensical joking. Although in the eyes of many, this seems to be a small
matter, there are few spiritual diseases more devastating, nor more contagious.

God classes foolish talking along with some very unattractive companions, --
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named
among you, as becometh saints: neither filthiness, nor FOOLISH TALKING, nor
JESTING, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." Ephesians
5:3-4.

Jesus himself declared, "--Evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye,
blasphemy, pride, FOOLISHNESS: all these EVIL THINGS come from within, and
DEFILE the man." Mark 7:21-23. Foolishness, then will defile a man, the same as
fornication! There are many who would never kill nor steal, but will even enter
the pulpit, and publicly and unashamed, reveal through their words that they are
defiled within. I have never yet found a man whom the Lord is using mightily for
the deliverance of the sick and sinful whose mouth is filled with foolishness.
They may entertain the people, and get a few hearty laughs in response to their
jokes and nonsense, but when it comes to really being able to bring deliverance,
or to bring a help and blessing when a real need arises, THEY HAVEN’T GOT THE
GOODS! They may even try at times to put off the usual character of lightness
for a little while, and to preach or teach about deep things, but to those who
hear them there is no ring of sincerity, no real persuasion that they speak as
the oracles of God. They are like sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

I do not wish to infer that God’s people should go around with a long face all
the time, having no joy. God’s people are the happiest people in the world. God
has commanded, "Rejoice evermore." 1 Thessalonians 5:16. God’s people are
expected to be so happy that they will shout, sing, clap their hands, dance,
laugh, and even leap for joy. A few scriptures which show these things are the
following:

"Make a JOYFUL NOISE unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with GLADNESS:
come before his presence with SINGING." Psalms 100:1-2.

"O CLAP YOUR HANDS, all ye people: SHOUT unto God with the voice of triumph."
Psalms 47:1.

"Let them praise his name in the DANCE: let them SING praises unto him with the
TIMBREL and HARP." Psalms 149:3.

"David DANCED before the Lord with all his might." 2 Samuel 6:14.

"Then was our mouth filled with LAUGHTER, and our tongue with SINGING: then said
they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are
GLAD." Psalms 126:2-3.

"Rejoice in that day, and LEAP FOR JOY." Luke 6:23. For the Joy of the Lord is
thy strength." Nehemiah 8:10. The Christian who doesn’t have JOY is a weak
christian, a poor representative of the faith he claims, and will probably soon
be completely backslidden, and seeking his joy somewhere else. This joy which
brings strength is rejoicing in the Lord. It is not rejoicing in the power of
our own strength, nor of our own wit. "But now rejoice ye in your boastings: all
such rejoicing is evil." James 4:16.

Many who are guilty of the sin of foolish, excessive, and unprofitable talking
will at first be tempted to brand me a fanatic, and to rise to the defense of
their pet sin. They will declare that it is a mistake to take things too
seriously. For this, they can find no scriptural defense. The rescuing of the
lost, and deliverance of the suffering, is a serious matter, requiring the whole
heart and mind of the one who is consecrated to the task. Many have reserved the
right to talk as much, and in whatever manner, they choose. They would rather
have their jokes, foolish jesting and nonsense than to have the power of God in
their lives. If this is your case, God will have to go on without YOU.

God has chosen to work through the spoken word of representatives in the world.
When Jesus was here, he said to his disciples, "The WORDS that I speak unto you,
THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE." John 6:63. What are your words?

James compares the speech coming out of our mouths to water coming from a
fountain. (James 3:10-11) He insists that a fountain should give forth the same
kind of water all the time -- not sweet water part of the time, and bitter water
part of the time. Then he adds, "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge
among you? Let him show out of a good CONVERSATION his works with meekness of
wisdom." James 3:13.

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, BUT THAT WHICH IS GOOD
TO THE USE OF EDIFYING." Ephesians 4:29.

Words which are not good to the use of edifying are IDLE (vain, empty, or
unprofitable) words. They are WASTED words. God has given to the believer’s WORD
an authority and power which makes it precious. Precious things should not be
wasted.

Jesus said, "Whosoever (that means you!) shall SAY unto this mountain, be thou
removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but
shall believe that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass, he shall have
WHATSOEVER HE SAITH." Mark 11:23. This gives to US the power to speak with
authority, even to the extent of controlling inanimate things. This is the same
power which Jesus used when he spoke to the wind and the sea, and the storm was
gone. (Mark 4:39.) It is the same power which Moses used when he spoke to the
rock in the desert, and water gushed forth. (Numbers 20:8.) Joshua used the same
power when he commanded the sun and the moon to stand still. (Joshua 10:12-13)
Jesus demonstrated the use of this power when he spoke to the fig tree, saying,
"No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever." (Mark 11:14) He told the tree to
die, AND it died! It was on this occasion that he expressly delegated this same
power and authority to ANY who BELIEVE.

It is to men and women whose words can be with such power -- whose spoken words
can bring deliverance from every oppression of satan -- salvation for the soul
and healing for the body -- that Jesus warned that IDLE, WASTED, WORDS should be
brought into judgement. Words which should have been life and deliverance! Words
which should have been bread to starving souls! But words which were nothing but
chaff! In the face of a world of dying, starving souls and suffering humanity,
witholding the one source of life and deliverance, and offering stones for
bread! Sending forth from the fountain which should give forth the PURE WATER OF
LIFE a stream of froth and foolishness, which is, if not poisonous, utterly
unattractive and unprofitable! What will you say to the judge in that day, when
our deeds and WORDS are judged by the standard of the word of God, in which we
are exhorted, "If any man SPEAK, let him SPEAK AS THE ORACLES (utterance or
speech) OF GOD." 1 Peter 4:11.

Those who insist upon having their foolishness at any cost, are so like the
group of young ladies seen in a vision by a consecrated saint of God, who were
too busy making daisy chains to warn the people who were hurrying by that their
steps were leading to an awful precipice, where they would quickly fall over,
and be dashed to death upon the rocks below. This is far from the spirit of
Christ, who HAD COMPASSION UPON THE MULTITUDES.

I do not intent to infer that there is no place for humor in the conversation of
the Christian, or even in the preaching of the Word. Many times, our speech or
preaching can be humorous, and yet sanctified. Often, a bit of humor, especially
when used to illustrate a point, can be very profitable, in arousing the
attention and interest of the hearers, and in driving home the message of the
gospel, so that souls are aroused and turned to God. So used, it is NOT idle,
nor unprofitable. The reason so many Christians speak so many idle words, is
that they speak SO MANY WORDS! They talk so much that they have no time to
think, and no time to listen to the voice of God. Foolish words come so easily.
We do not even have to think of them. We can listen to any conversation,
anywhere, and come away with a large supply of them which can be produced by
repetition. The spirit of the age is an ever increasing spirit of levity, which
makes serious thinking difficult for both sinner and saint. It is typified by
the oft repeated saying, "Don’t take life too seriously. After all you’ll never
get out of it alive." In such an age it takes real effort and consecration to
"Study to be quiet", and to wait before God long enough to have words to speak
which are the words of God, and which can have power. But the wise man will do
it. "He that hath knowlege, spareth his words." Proverbs 17:27. "But the mouth
of fools FEEDETH ON FOOLISHNESS." Proverbs 15:14.

"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin." Proverbs 10:19. A fool’s
voice is known BY MULTITUDE OF WORDS." Ecclesiastes 5:3.

Holiness is necessary for power, as has already been shown in previous chapters
of this book. And holiness is not complete until it has also taken posession of
the tongue. "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy IN ALL
MANNER OF CONVERSATION." 1 Peter 1:15.

I beseech you, brethren, for the sake of the lost and suffering who will never
find deliverance UNLESS YOU MAKE YOURSELF READY TO TAKE IT TO THEM, give this
matter your prayerful consideration. Consecrate yourself to God afresh. Present
to him YOUR BODY, a living sacrifice, AND DO NOT FORGET NOR NEGLECT TO INCLUDE
YOUR TONGUE, YOUR LIPS, YOUR VOICE!

"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt." Colossians 4:6.

"Keep that which is committed to thy trust (the power to speak in God’s stead,
and bring deliverance), avoiding profane (not holy) and vain (empty, worthless)
babblings." 1 Timothy 6:20.

It is my prayer that all who read this book will put all on the altar, and get
in a place where they can carry a burden for the lost and suffering: that they
will cast aside ALL those things which hinder the power of God in their lives.
God can go on without you. But if YOU go on with God, you must go His way. Put
foolishness aside NOW! Get out of the eddy and into the stream of God’s power.
The PROMISES are for you, if you will only believe them, meet God’s conditions,
and PAY THE PRICE.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 12: 1.11.     PRESENT YOUR BODY
========================================================================

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service." Romans 12:1.

God has never made it a habit to use things THAT DO NOT BELONG TO HIM. He uses
those things which are yielded to him. Things that are CONSECRATED. THINGS THAT
ARE SANCTIFIED -- SET APART FOR HIS USE. Do you want God to USE YOU? Then you
must PRESENT YOUR BODY. It must be completely yielded and surrendered to God. A
body that is not completely yielded and surrendered to God is still more or less
domineered by satan, or by self.

Many no doubt have, at special times, after a fashion, presented their bodies to
the Lord for his use in stretching forth the borders of his Kingdom. But it is
obvious from the fact that they are not being used, that many of those who have
presented themselves have NOT BEEN ACCEPTED.

God has not refused them because laborers are not needed. Christ himself gave us
the command to pray that more laborers would be sent forth because "THE HARVEST
TRULY IS PLENTEOUS, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW." Matthew 9:37.

God has not refused them because of their handicaps, for he has often used those
who seemed to have little natural qualification. Peter and John, men greatly
used of God, were "unlearned and ignorant men" Acts 4:13. Moses was "slow of
speech." "Not many wise men after the flesh, not many noble, are called; BUT GOD
HATH CHOSEN the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath
chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and
the base things of the world and things which are despised --." 1 Corinthians
1:27-28. You think you are handicapped? All are handicapped in some way. A young
man was saved, and desired to give his testimony in a street meeting that others
might know the matchless grace of God, but he could not give his testimony
because of his stammering. Yet his love for God, and his desire to work for God
drove him to his knees, and out again before the people. God heard his cry and
helped him. He became a great preacher of the gospel and for many years was
annually the chief speaker at a large camp meeting in New York. To be an
acceptable sacrifice, your body need not be strong nor beautiful. David
Brainard, great missionary to the American Indians in the early days, was
declared to be dying of tuberculosis. He was warned that the only chance for him
to live more than a few weeks was complete rest. But he brought what he had and
made an acceptable sacrifice. He fell on his face before God, crying, "Give me
souls or take my soul!" Then he rose up and went out to many years of fruitful
ministry among the people God had laid upon his heart, and won thousands of them
to Christ. The only reason God has refused some is that THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE!

God makes just two requirements for an "acceptable sacrifice".

It must be HOLY. And it must be HIS. That which is not holy is an abomination to
God. A sacrifice brought in and offered to God for his service, which is defiled
by the habits and sins of the world is no more acceptable to him than the pig
offered upon the sacred altar of the temple at Jerusalem by Antiochuc Epiphanes.
IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. That which is HIS must be his not only on Sunday and on
prayer meeting night, but seven days and nights EVERY WEEK. It must be presented
with NO STRINGS ATTACHED. It must be given with the heart cry, "I renounce all
authority over this gift, now and forever. It is yours to use, to set aside, or
to destroy. Whatever you choose to do with it, it is yours. If it is only a
hidden ministry of prayer and personal testimony -- YES, LORD. If it is in my
own home town, that is all right. If it takes me far across the sea, to strange
lands and unfriendly peoples -- if it is to die for my faith, at the hands of
persecutors, or to live under conditions that are worse than death -- still this
body is yours. Do with it as you please. Feed it or starve it. Chill it in the
far North, or let it suffer with the heat of Africa. Exalt it or humiliate it.
It is all yours."

Acceptable consecration is like handing God a blank paper, with your name signed
at the bottom, and saying, "Fill it in any way you want. That shall be my
contract for the use of my entire life." This sacrifice is not complete with
merely saying yes or no to certain callings or requests of the spirit of God
AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN. It is the whole hearted determination to do the will
of God ALL MY LIFE, no matter what it may be, nor what it may cost. It is the
realization that "Ye are not your own."

You may find a small measure of power, and a small measure of blessing, when you
have made a small measure of sacrifice. But if you would really experience the
free flow of GOD’S MIRACLE WORKING POWER, you MUST present your body, a living
sacrifice, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 13: 1.12.     A PARTAKER OF HIS DIVINE NATURE
========================================================================

"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these
you might be PARTAKERS OF DIVINE NATURE." 2 Peter 1:4.

God IS power. There is no power for good in this world except that power come
from God. Christ himself, when he came into this world in the flesh, declared
that he derived his power from God. "I do NOTHING of myself." John 8:28. "The
Son CAN do nothing of himself." John 5:19. "I am in the father, and the Father
in me. The Words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself: but the FATHER
THAT DWELLETH IN ME, HE DOETH THE WORKS." John 14:10.

After making the emphatic statement of John 14:10, Christ turned to his
disciples with a promise -- "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth
on me, THE WORKS THAT I DO SHALL HE DO ALSO; and greater works than these shall
he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12. But, even as his own work and
fruitfulness was conditioned upon his abiding in the Father, our work and
fruitfulness was conditioned upon our abiding in him. "Abide in me, and I in
you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no
more can ye, except ye abide in me." John 15:4. "Without ME YE can do nothing."
John 15:5. The branch is PARTAKER of the nature of the vine. The same sap flows
through it. The texture of the wood is the same. The leaves are the same. The
fruit is the same. The bark is the same. IT IS PART OF THE VINE! So long as it
remains in the vine, it can do whatever the vine can do. But whenever it is
separated -- cut off -- from the vine, it can no longer do what the vine can do.
The life giving sap ceases to flow through the branch, and it is no longer
partaker of the nature of the vine. For it is the nature of the vine to BRING
FORTH FRUIT, and that the severed branch can never do.

Branches can be "cut off", and they can be grafted.

We, as sinners saved by grace, are compared in God’s word to the branches of a
wild olive tree, grafted in. Having been grafted in, we become PARTAKERS of the
"root and fatness" of the olive tree. (Romans 11:17.) If a graft is WELL MADE,
so that nothing comes between and interferes with the flow of the sap into the
new limb, it very soon comes to LOOK AND ACT like the other parts of the tree.

What a privilege to be made a partaker of the divine nature of God -- to LOOK in
such a way that those who see us will realize that we have been with Jesus, and
to ACT so much like him that the works he did WE DO ALSO!

We can only be partakers of this divine nature by his PROMISES, through faith in
his promises. We partake of the divine nature in its effectiveness as we
exercise the gifts of the spirit, and in its essence as we show forth the fruits
of the spirit. It is in the exercising of the gifts of the Spirit that God shows
forth through us his MIRACLE WORKING POWER. "Having then gifts differing --
whether prophecy, let us prophecy ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION OF FAITH." Romans
12:6. This is the secret of whatever work we are able to do for God. It is done
ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION OF FAITH. We are partakers of the divine nature
ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION OF FAITH. Little faith, the branch is barely alive,
the sap barely getting through, a few green leaves making promise that fruit
might come. More faith, more of the divine nature, fruitfulness. Much faith,
ABUNDANT LIFE, the life giving sap flowing freely to every part of the branch,
the weight of the fruit bowing it almost to the ground!

He who is a partaker of the divine nature of Christ will be a partaker of his
nature of meekness and humility. The love and compassion of the nature of Christ
will be apparent in all the activities and contacts of his daily life. The
gentleness and kindness, the goodness, the longsuffering, and peace. The joy in
service, the self denial (temperance) -- all these will be a part of the life of
the person who is a partaker of the divine nature. These may not have been part
of your nature before Christ came to dwell in you, but when you have become a
partaker of his nature, these things will replace the former things, which were
your OWN CARNAL NATURE.

Then when you are a partaker of his divine nature, there will be a wisdom which
comes from following the leading of the Spirit. Not the wisdom which is purely
natural, nor a wisdom gained merely from observtion, but a spirit led wisdom
which is incomprehensible to those who do not understand the leading of the
spirit. There will be knowledge which comes to your mind out of the knowledge
stored in the mind of God. Things which you need to know, but have no other way
of knowing, God himself can and will reveal them unto you. There will be POWER,
for God IS power! Miracles and Signs will follow. The sick will be healed, the
lame will walk, cancers will vanish at your command. The blind will see, the
deaf hear. Secrets of people’s hearts will, when necessary, be made manifest.
Souls will be stirred from the sleep of spiritual death, and brought as new
creatures into the kingdom. Yea, even some whose physical lives are gone, may be
brought again from the dead, in the will of God.

God plays no favorites. The same price of power stands to all. And the same
power is available to ALL WHO WILL PAY THE PRICE! To every one who, by faith,
will take his "exceeding great and precious promises" for himself, believing
with all his heart that GOD MEANT EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID, thus becoming a PARTAKER
OF HIS DIVINE NATURE, the door is open to new adventures of faith, beyond your
wildest dreams!


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 14: 1.13.     PERSONAL THINGS
========================================================================

These are the eleven POINTS. I trust that God has made them live to you, and
used them, as I have told them to you, to bring you closer to himself and into a
position to have THE MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF GOD in your own life. No doubt you
have wondered many times, what were those two things which were so personal.
This chapter will deal with this matter of "Personal Things". I cannot tell you
what they were, for deep in my heart, I feel the Lord would not have me to do
so. But as you read this book, read the Bible, and wait before the Lord in
prayer, I am sure that you, too, will find some "Personal Things".

I pray that you may have been inspired to PRESS TOWARD THE MARK for the prize of
the high calling of God in Jesus Christ." Php 3:14. To keep on pressing, until
God is working in your life in Miracle Working Power. To strive earnestly for
perfection in the sight of God, and to be in his perfect will.

"Let us therefore, as many as be perfect be thus minded; and if in anything ye
be otherwise minded, GOD SHALL REVEAL EVEN THIS UNTO YOU." Php 3:15. This is his
promise. You need never know what were those things which God pointed out to me
as being my OWN, PERSONAL, pet sins, which had to be pointed out by name. But
you do need to recognize your own pet sins, which keep you from having the power
God wants you to have!

I have found in my travels as an evangelist, as well as in experiences gained in
pastorates, that most people have a pet sin which they have pampered and petted,
and developed, for years. Paul terms it, "The sin which doth so easily beset
us." (Hebrews 12:1), your "besetting sin". He also says it must be LAID ASIDE if
we are to gain the prize at the end of the race. "Let us lay aside every weight
and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)

Many good people, who COULD HAVE BEEN effective Christian workers have become so
discouraged by the excess weights which they have failed to lay aside, that they
have long ago dropped out of the race, and have become skeptics, even
questioning the words of Jesus, concerning "signs following", and the power
which God promised to the believer, that he should do the works which Christ
did. Many over the land today are even now on the verge of giving up all hope of
ever knowing God in the fullness of His power. DO NOT GIVE UP. Get alone with
God. Seek him earnestly, whatever the cost may be, until he has revealed to you
YOUR PET SIN. Until he has shown you what in your life needs cleansing before
you can experience the power of God. A rich young ruler once came to Jesus,
anxious to know what was wrong with his religious experience. He was so anxious
that he literally came RUNNING, and FELL DOWN at the master’s feet. When he
inquired, ’What must I do --?" Jesus replied, "one thing thou lackest --."
Christ then put his finger upon the young man’s pet sin, and instructed him how
to get rid of it. (See Mark 10:21) As you seek the Lord, remember that he is
always faithful to put his finger on your pet sin, as he did for the rich young
ruler. Failure to place that sin upon the altar will cause you, too, to go away
GRIEVED, just as he did. When God speaks to you, no matter how small the voice,
OBEY! Get rid of that PET SIN and go on with God! Your pet sin is the sin that
you do not want the preacher to preach about.

It is the sin for which you are always ready to make an excuse.

It is the sin which, although you would not admit that it is sin, you prefer to
do it when you think no one is going to find out.

It is the sin which leads you captive most easily.

It is the sin which you are always ready to defend.

It is the sin which causes the clouds of doubt and remorse to cross your
spiritual sky, whenever you really feel the need to contact God.

It is the sin which you are most unwilling to give up.

It is the sin which you think is so small that God should scarcely be able to
see it, yet so large that you are sure you could never live without it.

Yet it is the sin which must be FLUNG (Weymouth) aside or else you must drop out
of the race.

And, last, it is the sin you are continually trying to make yourself believe is
an infirmity. Be honest with yourself, and call it SIN! Do not call jealousy,
watchfulness. If you are covetous, don’t call yourself economical. If you are
guilty of the sin of pride, don’t dress it up as self respect. If you are one of
those who constantly exaggerates (stretches the truth), you may as well admit
that that which is not the truth is a LIE! Are you bound by a perverse
(stubbornly wrong) demon? Be careful, or you will pride yourself in being very
firm. If your besetting sin is lust, don’t excuse yourself that you are just
oversexed by nature. Don’t call criticizing, the gift of discernment, nor claim
to be a good judge of human nature. Are you fretful, and complaining? Satan will
tell you that you are nervous, and in your condition, this fretfulness can’t be
helped.

Come on, friend. Be honest with yourself and God. Call it exactly what it is. If
it is sin, call it sin, and get down before God and ask him to set you free and
make you an overcomer. No doubt many excuse themselves for their many "little"
sins by pointing out, "Why everyone does that! Remember, you can’t pattern your
life after other people’s mistakes. How do you know that God has not spoken to
them many times about this very thing? Don’t be as guilty of disobedience as
they. And what if he didn’t speak to them about it? Remember the exhortation of
Jesus to Peter when he enquired what would be required of another disciple.
"What is that to thee? FOLLOW THOU ME." John 21:22.

Consecration has much to do with personal things. It is the putting off, out of
our lives, the hundred and one little things that in themselves may not be sin,
but which if they are allowed to remain, take the place that Christ should take.
As an example, many professing Christians admit that they do not read their
Bible as much as they should. They declare that they are so busy, they just
don’t have time to read it. Yet these same people have time to read all the
daily and Sunday comic strips, many magazines and stories. There is but one
conclusion. These comics, magazines, and stories are more important to them than
the word of God. They have crowded out Christ from his rightful place in these
people’s lives. Some of this reading might be of such a nature as to be actually
sinful in itself, but much of it is rather harmless, except for the fact that it
HAS CROWDED OUT CHRIST. Thousands of those who profess to be believers in the
Lord Jesus Christ today would have more power in their lives if the time they
spend in listening to the ball games and "soap operas", and "perpetual emotion
dramas" were spent listening to the voice of God, alone in the closet of prayer.
These are some of the "little foxes tht spoil the vines", destroying the tender
grapes and robbing God’s people of fruitfulness.

How much more powerful would be the lives of many, if the time they spend in
front of their television sets (of course, they wouldn’t go to a theater!)
watching the wrestling matches were spent down upon their knees wrestling
against satan -- against the principalities and powers and the rulers of
darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places.
(Ephesians 6:12).

It isn’t always the harsh, gross sins that stand between man and God. In fact,
the sins which seem to keep most people from the best that God has for them, are
the things that "everybody does". I’d go a little slow in saying "everybody".
Those who are carrying a burden for this lost, sin sick, Christ-rejecting,
hell-bound world, those who are doing the works which Christ promised them they
should do, who have the signs following their ministry, and who are bringing
deliverance to the needy, have long ago laid those things aside. You may be
right in saying, "NEARLY everyone in my church does it." But don’t forget that
while they are doing these things, they, too, are wondering why they do not have
the MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF GOD, and do not exercise the gifts of the spirit.
Many of the same crowd wonder if they are ready for the rapture! Many times I
have made altar calls after preaching on the coming of the Lord, for those who
do not know that they are ready for the coming of Christ. At such times I have
been surprised at the great number of people who raised their hands WHO
PROFESSED TO BE SAVED, AND EVEN SPIRIT FILLED, PEOPLE! It is evident that many
so called saints today are not even living a sufficiently victorious life to
know they are ready for the rapture. These CANNOT HAVE CONSISTENT MIRACLE
WORKING POWER! They may have a prayer answered now and then, but the times in
which we live, and the condition of the world about us demand more than that.
YOU CANNOT PATTERN YOUR LIFE AFTER THIS CROWD. There is one whose life is worthy
to be a pattern for ours. That one is JESUS.

Some may be unwilling to accept the teachings of holiness found in this book. I
have no apology to make, if you do not. I quote Jesus all the way through the
book. If you disagree with him, it is time you had better take stock of
yourself, and begin to agree with God. "Can two walk together except they be
agreed?" Amos 3:3. If you expect to walk with God, and to have power in your
life to work the works of God, IT IS TIME TO AGREE WITH GOD. When you fully
agree with God, this will put you in disagreement with some others. It is better
to agree with God, even if in doing so one must disagree with others whose
opinions he formerly honored and valued. Too many today are living to please
others, and self, rather than the Lord.

There comes a time in the life of every person when he is at the fork in the
road. Men of God and of Power throughout the ages have come to this fork in the
road, and have chosen the way that seemed hard and that brought persecution,
suffering and POWER because of God’s approval. Others have come to the fork in
the road, and have chosen the way that seemed more attractive, and have found
that it led to prosperity, popularity, and destruction. Picture Lot of old, as
he pondered the best course to take. There was the watered valley, with the
prosperous city of Sodom at its center. Surely this was an easier way than to
turn to the lonely rough hills. He felt sure he could go among those people in
the valley, mind his own affairs, and not partake of their sins. And even at the
end, God still accounted him as a "righteous man", but he had no power for God.
Not even so much as to be able to rescue his own married daughters from the
destruction of Sodom, for he seemed to them as one that mocked. (Genesis 19:14).
This way is still open to those who choose it. But thank God for the better way.
It is open too. It is marked by the feet of such men as Moses, who "By faith --
when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter;
choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the
pleasures of sin for a season." Hebrews 11:24-25. And of Joseph, who when he
came to this same fork in the road, chose to keep himself pure, although it
meant spending years in an Oriental dungeon, with no assurance (except in his
soul) that he would ever be released. And of Daniel, who as a slave boy,
declined to drink the king’s wine, and who later kept his appointment with God,
although it meant a trip to the lion’s den.

These men said no to satan that they might say yes to God. Moses weighed the
pleasures and treasures of Egypt against the call of God, and decided in favor
of the call of God. He knew that the pleasures of sin could only last for a
season. He esteemed the reproach of Christ GREATER RICHES! He had a true sense
of values. How many today do not. They seem to think the greater riches are
those of Egypt -- Hollywood, Broadway, or Wall Street. It is impossible to say
yes to God until we have first said no to the things of the world.

Those whose minds are set upon worldly things would quickly have advised Moses
that he was making a very unwise choice, giving up so much for so little. But
Moses received his reward. He became a FRIEND OF GOD -- one who talked with God
face to face. His face shone so with the brightness of the glory of God, that
the people could not even bear to look upon his face. And working hand in hand
with God, he led three million people out of bondage into liberty, and saw them
miraculously delivered time after time, and kept by the hand of God so that
"There was not one feeble person in all their tribes." Psalms 105:37; Truly this
is the reward which we seek today -- that we might be enabled to bring salvation
and deliverance to the people. And God is giving that reward to many today who
have heard his voice and obeyed his call! Who have said no to the world and yes
to God!

God, in days gone by, "Sought for a man, that should make up the hedge and stand
in the gap before (him) for the land that (He) might not destroy it." Ezekiel
22:30-31. God is looking for such men today. God’s holiness demands that he send
judgement upon a wicked world. Only the presence of the righteous in the world
holds back the floods of judgement. Moses stood in the gap for the children of
Israel, and their lives were spared. (See Exodus 32:10-11) Abraham stood in the
gap for Lot and his family, when they were in Sodom. And Lot, had he gathered
around him a group of righteous people, saved from their sinfulness through his
testimony and influence, could have stood in the gap for the entire city of
Sodom. (Genesis 18:23, Genesis 19:15) The generation in which we live is a
wicked generation, similar to those among whom Lot lived. It is a sick sin,
judgement bound generation. The wrath of God is already pronounced against ALL
who partake of the wickedness of the world in such an age as this. But God does
not take pleasure in pouring out judgment. Now as in days gone by, he looks for
A MAN -- any man, or a woman will do -- who can and will love the people enough
to make the sacrifices necessary to stand in the gap -- to hold back the storm
of judgment -- to stand with the storm beating upon his back while he raises his
voice long and loud, pleading with the people to flee from the wrath to come.
The world is setting the stage for the last great scene of the great story, "The
History of Man upon the Earth." Soon the curtain will rise upon that last scene,
the terrible tribulation period, when the wrath of God will be poured out
without measure upon a wicked world from which the last righteous person has
been hastily snatched away. The clouds are gathering, the lightening is
flashing, the thunder rolls -- gusts of the wind which precede the storm can be
felt with ever increasing frequency and force.

"Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to
harvest." John 4:35. As never before, it is URGENT that the servants of God
should place the work of the harvest ahead of everything else -- that they
should "WORK, for the night COMETH WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK!" (John 9:4) It is a
time when ALL THE POWER OF GOD PROVIDED needs to be brought into use to save as
much as possible of the precious harvest before the storm breaks. This is a time
when YOU AND I need to find the gap in which God would have us stand, and STAND
THERE, faithful.

How sad it was when God looked, hopefully, for a man to stand in the gap and he
had to continue his statement, "I found NONE. Therefore have I poured out mine
indignation upon them. I have consumed them ith the fire of My wrath." (Ezekiel
22:30-31)

God is still looking for MEN TO STAND IN THE GAP! He is still looking for
laborers for the harvest. He offers the same wages -- the same rewards -- for
those who will come at this last hour, as for those who have borne the heat of
the battle. All he asks is a quick response to his call, and faithfulness in
carrying it out. Will you say "YES" to this call of God? Will you give him your
ALL? Will you accept his BEST -- the MIRACLE WORKING, SOUL SAVING POWER OF GOD,
for the deliverance of the lost, the sick and the suffering?

Much has been done for the deliverance of humanity by holy men and women of God,
from the time of righteous Abel until now, but, as I look into God’s word, and
behold the mighty promises of God, and see the miracles which have been wrought
on occasions when someone DARED TO BELIEVE, I am persuaded that it REMAINS TO BE
SEEN WHAT GOD COULD DO WITH A MAN OR WOMAN WHO WOULD GO ALL THE WAY WITH HIM,
and never doubt in their heart! And what immense power would be turned loose
against the destroying enemy of mankind -- satan -- if A GREAT ARMY OF MEN AND
WOMEN should all together determine to stand upon God’s promises, and believe
God for HIS MIRACLE WORKING POWER!

You can be that ONE, or ONE OF THAT GREAT ARMY! When God looks for a MAN, will
you volunteer? WILL YOU BE THAT MAN?


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 15: 2. GOD'S GUARANTEE TO HEAL YOU
========================================================================

God’s Guarantee to Heal You By Asa. A. Allen

FOREWORD

"It has been my great privilege to work with A. A. Allen, not only as his wife
but as laborers together for God and from the beginning of his ministry."

"Throughout the years, I have found him remarkably a man of faith. I have
witnessed miracles accomplished by the power of God working through His
believing servant, not only on behalf of others who have come under his
ministry, but in his own life and mine, as well as in the lives of our children,
all of whom have been committed to God’s care for body and soul from birth."

"Early in our married life, God began to impress upon my mind the fact that the
outstanding ministers of church history, those who brought deliverance to the
people of the time in which they lived - Moody, Finey, Spurgeon, Wesley, Luther,
Saint Paul, and the apostles, difered from other men, not so much in their
mental ability, education, personality, talents or human advantages, as in their
simple trust in God. They did not go about to found churches, to build for
themselves a great name, they simply read God’s Word, and believed that He meant
what He said. They laid aside the elders traditions, which so frequently set at
naught the Word of God, and thought, taught, and acted upon the fact that God is
true, and that every man who disagrees with God is a liar. God guarantees in His
Word to reward that kind of faith."

"A. A. Allen has from the time of his conversion, taken this attitude toward the
Word of God. As a result, his ministry has grown constantly. He believes that
faith in God means believing God’s commands as well as His promises, and the
remarkable manifestations of power which have been seen in his meetings, are in
direct proportion to his appropriating the power of God for holy living. He does
not claim to have a special gift, not to be a special favorite with God, but he
BELIEVES, and God is still true to His promise. "Mark 16:17-18 "These signs
shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils...they
shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."

"Such faith as his inspires faith in all those who hear him. My own faith has
been inspired and encouraged through my relationship with him. It is my earnest
prayer, that through the medium of this book, many may be strengthened, and
helped the have real faith in God."

"It has also been my privilege to collaborate in the writing of this book. I can
say that everything in this book is scriptural. The scriptural basis of every
statement has been carefully examined, and the promises quoted in this book have
been tested by faith in the laboratory of our own lives and ministry. We feel no
hesitation in bringing to you the good news that Jesus absolutely guarantees to
heal you and keep you healed, if, and only if, you follow His instructions.

LEXIE E. ALLEN, Wife and Co-worker of the Author.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 16: 2.01.     INTRODUCTION
========================================================================

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION James 5:15 "The prayer of faith shall save the sick and
the Lord shall raise him up."

Mark 16:17-18 "These signs shall follow them that believe... they shall lay
hands on the sick and they shall recover."

Exodus 15:26 "I AM the Lord that healeth thee"

Gods Word should never be doubted, because God cannot lie. Whatever God has
spoken He is able to make good. Not only is God able to make it good, but Gods
Word declares that He SHALL make it good.

Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man,
that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken,
and shall he not make it good?"

God will turn this old world upside down and inside out before He will allow one
of His promises to fail.

Any person deserves to be trusted until he has proven himself untrustworthy.
Surely no one could be more worthy of trust than God, who always keeps every
promise. This all-powerful, unchanging God has promised to heal ALL thy
diseases. This is not hope-so, or think-so, or maybe-so. It is a definite
promise. It is the plain emphatic word of God.

Psalms 103:2-3 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who
forgiveth ALL thine iniquities, who healeth ALL thy diseases."

Whatever your sickness may be, it is one which God has promised to heal. God
heals all manner of diseases. If God has promised to forgive your sins, He has
promised to heal your diseases, and GOD CANNOT LIE.

Psalms 34:19 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth
him out of them ALL." This is another glorious promise that comes from the lips
of Him that sits in the heavens. Can God break a covenant, or alter the thing
that has gone out of Hips lips? NO! A million times NO!

Psalms 89:34 "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that has gone
out of my lips."

God will never alter these promises to read, "Who healeth out of a FEW of his
AFFLICTIONS."

God will do exactly what His promise has said. He will deliver out of ALL
afflictions. He will heal from EVERY sickness.

God has not changed. Yesterday, the Lord declared, Exodus 15:26 "I am the Lord
that healeth thee."

If the Lord healed His people yesterday, then He heals His people today.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

Christ has never changed. We know what He will do tomorrow, by the things that
He did yesterday. The Christ that healed yesterday is the Christ that heals
today. When Jesus said, "These signs shall follow them that believe," did He
mean what He said?

Absolutely! Positively! He meant EXACTLY what He said! His promise was, Mark
16:17-18 "In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new
tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it
shall not hurt them; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY SHALL RECOVER."

God has promised that when the BELIEVER lays hands upon you, you shall recover.
Recover from ALL your sickness, ALL your diseases! God means exactly what he
says. Your shall RECOVER. It shall be done! IT SHALL BE DONE! Can God lie?

No!

Then, believe it. Receive it.

IT SHALL BE DONE.

Stand upon Gods promise. Memorize it. Quote it. Repeat it again and again to
yourself, until it LIVES to you - until your actually believe it. And when you
believe it, you will RECEIVE it.

God says, "I will hasten my word to perform it." Jeremiah 1:12. God stand behind
His Word with all the power in heaven and earth. The God who spoke this world
into existence, hung it upon nothing, says that He will hasten to perform His
Word. He will stand behind His promises with all His mighty power. Nothing can
prevent God keeping His promises, or standing behind the word that He has
spoken. This is literally a GUARANTEE from the lips of God! It is a guarantee to
heal YOUR of ALL YOUR DISEASES, all your sickness, all your afflictions. No
guarantee was ever backed by more power nor greater faithfulness. The promises
are broad and free. They are for YOU if you will believe them, if you will
accept them, if you will act upon them. But no guarantee can be enforced unless
the terms of the guarantee have been met. Nothing is ever guaranteed unless it
is used according to directions - unless it is "taken as directed."

Again and again we have been thrilled by the sight of people being healed of all
manner of diseases, as they claimed these promises for their own. As we have
humbly claimed Gods promise to the believer, laying our hands upon the sick,
painful and terrifying diseases, many of them of long standing, have either
disappeared instantly or began to amend from that hour. We have seen the same
results in the ministry of many others who have dared to believe that God meant
what he said. But some have gone away sorrowful. They came hoping to receive
what others were receiving but nothing happened. Why? Because they failed to
realize the importance of meeting ALL Gods conditions. Either they failed to
take the trouble to find out what was expected of them in order to receive
healing, or they just did not think it really mattered so very much whether they
followed instructions or not.

Many people go to a doctor with their troubles. When the doctor give them two or
three bottles of pills with complicated instructions, as to how many pink ones
every two hours, and how many white ones three times a day, and how many gray
ones at bed time - exact diet, and a bottle of something else to rub on - how
carefully they follow instructions! Perhaps all this will give at least a little
relief, but if it does not, they will try something else! But when God himself
has guaranteed that you WILL completely recover if you will follow instructions,
surely it is worth taking time to find out what these instructions are. Follow
them as careful as a doctors prescription, and your healing CANNOT FAIL! In the
following chapters are presented, for your assistance, the instructions which
God has given in His Word for those who are in need of healing. You want to be
healed? God wants it, even more. If these instructions are carefully followed,
GOD HIMSELF GUARANTEES your healing. Read them carefully, prayerfully. Obey them
sincerely, faithfully. Accept Gods promises simply, as you accept the promises
of a trusted friend. If you will do this, you can start rejoicing NOW, for your
healing is assured.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 17: 2.02.     INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SICK
========================================================================

CHAPTER 2 INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SICK Proverbs 4:13 "Take fast hold of instruction;
let her not go; keep her; for SHE IS THY LIFE." Your healing, yes, even your
very life, may depend entirely upon the way you take hold of the instruction in
this and the following chapters. No doubt countless thousands who are now in
their graves would be enjoying perfect health if they could have received proper
instruction about divine healing. There are perhaps millions this very moment
whose lives are wasting away with disease that will never be healed unless they
receive proper instruction.

Lack of instruction can result in lack of faith. At Nazareth, even Christ
Himself "could do no mighty work." Mark 6:5. All that He was able to do was to
lay His hands upon a FEW sick folk and heal them. He MARVELLED because of their
unbelief. No doubt the reason for their unbelief was their need of proper
instruction. Christ saw their need. The sixth verse declares that "He went round
about the villages, teaching."

Although one of the ministry gifts that God has placed in the church is
"teachers" (1 Corinthians 12:28) few people are interested in instruction, or
teaching. Many people who travel for miles to attend a divine healing campaign
become indignant when they are told they must attend an afternoon or morning
meeting in order to receive instruction before they can receive a card so that
they can get into the healing line. Under these circumstances, many do attend
the instruction meetings, but not so much for instruction which they really need
and should receive, but only because they are determined to get one of the
cards. The instruction is given, but their hearts are closed to it. It can
readily be seen that these people do not realize the value of instruction before
they enter the healing line. It has been my experience in dealing with those who
have little faith that they have not received the proper instruction, either
because it has not been given or because they had failed to heed the instruction
when it was given. On the other hand, almost without exception, the ones in the
healing line who exercise real faith and actually believe Gods promise and
receive healing, are the ones who have TAKEN TIME for the INSTRUCTION.

Proverbs 8:33 "Hear instruction, and be wise and, refuse it not."

I have dealt personally with numbers of people in the healing line who have been
afflicted for years and have had many outstanding men of God lay hands upon them
and pray for their healing, yet they report they have not as yet received
healing. These people seem to have the idea that all they need is to get into
the healing line and have someone else lay hands upon them, and perhaps this
might be their lucky day. Healing is not a matter of luck. It is a matter of
faith. Faith in the unchanging and unchangeable Word of God.

Romans 10:17 "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Without question, what these people really need is instruction. "All scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for.. instruction..." 2
Timothy 3:16. Those who desire healing should attend every instruction service
possible. Not just as a means of receiving a card to get them into the line, but
in order to build up their faith to the point where they can receive of God the
things which He said should be theirs. Without faith it is impossible to please
God. When the tide of your faith has risen and remains unwavering, then it is
time to enter the healing line, for then, and then only, can you receive
healing.

You will find a chapter in this book entitled, "Hindrances to Faith." Read and
re-read this chapter carefully and prayerfully, until every hindrance has been
removed. Search the Word of God. God will speak to the sincere, honest,
open-hearted individual through His Word. As new light is shed upon your
pathway, God expects you to walk in that light, for with new light comes new
responsibility. One must be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only, deceiving
himself. Search your heart and see if there be any wicked way in you. If God
reveals to you that there is sin in your life, that sin must be repented of
immediately. Turn loose of it! Drop is as though it were hot iron! Do not be
satisfied merely to prune off the big ones. Prune off every little sin along
with the big ones.

Prayer and fasting should have an important part in your preparations for
healing. Through both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible we find that the
great men of God, in whose lives Gods power was manifested, who worked miracles
and healed the sick, were men of prayer and men who fasted.

Christ Himself taught not only prayer, but fasting as well. When the disciples
failed to heal a boy who was possessed with a demon, Jesus said to them, Mark
9:29 "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."

Yet fasting is not a "charm" by which healing can be purchased. Do not boast of
the length of your fast, for Jesus was careful to give instruction in this
matter.

Matthew 6:16-18 "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad
countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to
fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou
fasteth, anoint thy head, and wash they face; that thou appear not unto men to
fast, but unto thy Father, which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in
secret, shall reward thee openly."

If a persons fasting is directed to God, he will not go around boasting that
this is a certain day of his fast, or that he still has a certain number of days
before his fast will be completed. People who make such boasts will receive
little or nothing from their sacrifice!

God has chosen a fast. It is described in Isaiah 58:6.

Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the fact that I have chosen? To loose the bands of
wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and
that ye break every yoke?" The reward of this fast is seen in verse eight of the
same chapter.

Isaiah 58:8 "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine HEALTH
shall spring forth speedily."

Since "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17),
it would be well for many people seeking healing to read, and even memorize, as
many as possible of the promises of God concerning healing. Read the chapters in
the Bible that will build your faith. The book of Acts, the Gospel of Mark.
Study each of the mighty miracles of healing related in these books, and note
how your faith rises.

If you have not yet been filled with the Holy Spirit, begin now to seek God for
the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There is a possibility that the thing that has
prevented you from being filled with the Holy Ghost might also be preventing you
form receiving healing. It is evident that those who are filled with the Spirit
touch God more quickly than those who have not been filled.

If your are unable to attend one of these great healing campaigns, don’t be
discouraged. God has made proper provision for those who are bed-ridden, or can
not get into the healing line.

Acts 19:11-12 "God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul, so that from
his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases
departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them."

If you should be one of these unfortunate ones who cannot personally be in one
of these great campaigns conducted near you, the author will be happy to send
you a handkerchief over which he has prayed. In making request for this bit of
cloth, please send a self-addressed envelope and plainly state your disease or
sickness. I will pray over the bit of cloth personally, and will send it to you
with full assurance that when it comes in contact with your body the disease
will depart, and every evil spirit shall go. Be sure and read chapter 13 in this
book, "Special Miracles by Handkerchiefs or Aprons."

Follow instructions carefully.

Mark 11:25 "When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that
your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." An
unforgiving spirit, a rebellious heart, refusing to walk in the light of Gods
Word, is the murderer of faith, which John calls "confidence". It is extremely
important which John calls "confidence." It is extremely important that people
desiring real confidence toward God, or living faith in His promises, walk in
the full light of God’s Word and in obedience to Gods Word, which alone can
bring real confidence. To have confidence in God, one must have real fellowship
with God. One cannot have real fellowship with God unless he walks in the light
of Gods Word. The person who walks in darkness cannot have fellowship with God.
In fact, he cannot even be sure that the blood of Christ cleanseth him form sin.

1 John 1:5-7 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare
unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we
have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth; but
if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

We can only have real fellowship with Christ as we are doers of the word and not
hearers only.

You will readily agree that the person who has the greatest fellowship with God
is the person who has the greatest faith. Those who have the least fellowship
with Him are those who have little or no faith. Our faith, perhaps without
exception, is in exact proportion to the fellowship which we have with God. No
little wonder that many today are low in faith. They have very little fellowship
with the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, many have NO FELLOWSHIP with Him because of a
rebellious spirit, or self-will. They refuse to walk in the light of Gods Word
as it is shield upon their pathway, either through reading and studying Gods
Word for themselves, or through hearing it preached by full gospel ministers who
believe and teach the Word in its entirety.

Without real fellowship with God there can be no real faith in Him. Then, one
can readily see from these verses of Scripture, that continuing on in darkness
after the light of Gods Word has shown upon our pathway will break that
fellowship and, according to verse seven, the blood of Jesus Christ no longer
even continues to cleanse us from sin. Then rebellion or self-will can close the
door of your heart to real faith, at the same time opening the door to doubt and
unbelief.

Christ himself, speaking of the very day in which we live, asked the question,
Luke 18:8 "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

He knew that faith could not live in the atmosphere of Modernism, unbelief,
doubt, coldness, indifference and skepticism that prevails today. Is it
necessary to ask the question, "Why do we not see more people healed today?"
Instead of faith in the hearts of men, we find "Mens hearts failing them for
fear." Paul, speaking of these last days and the condition of the apostate
church, said 2 Timothy 3:5 "Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power
thereof: FROM SUCH TURN AWAY."

2 Timothy 4:3-4 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine, but after their own lusts shall thy heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears; and they shall turn away from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables." Would you expect to find faith in such an atmosphere?
Never!

Thousands today are attending churches whose pulpits are filled by modernist
preachers who declare that the day of miracles is past, that Christ does not
heal today - who no longer believe in the supernatural, the signs following, the
miraculous gifts of the Spirit for the church today. They preach beautiful
sermons that have an appeal to the intellect but never touch the heart. They
tell the people that if Christ heals today, He heals through medical science.
Ask one of these modernist preachers if he believe the Bible, and he will say,
"Yes, part of it." He will explain that the part he does not believe is the part
that borders on the supernatural. They believe all that corresponds with reason,
but refuse to believe that which they cannot reason out. They reject anything
super-natural. They refuse the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues,
super-natural gifts of healing and miracles. Modernists they are to the core.
Many of them deny the deity of Christ, the inherent wickedness of man, the blood
atonement, and the inspiration of the Bible. Instead of preaching a direct
creation, they teach that man is a product of evolution.

They do not preach the fall of man, nor that mans heart is depraved.

Instead, they insist that man is getting better and better. When they should be
preaching salvation by the blood of Christ, they talk of works and character.
Instead of preaching the Bible as the inspired Word of God, they teach the
theories of science.

These modern preachers make a mere teacher of our Savior. They do not believe
nor do they preach supernatural regeneration. They teach, rather, "natural
development." When they should preach divine sanctification, they talk about
"education." Instead of supernatural grace, they lecture on natural "morality."
Could a person exposed to this kind of doctrine week after week have much faith
in the supernatural doctrine of healing? Positively not! If a person is to
receive healing, it will be because he has faith in the supernatural power of
God - not because he doubts it. God’s advice under these circumstances is, "FROM
SUCH TURN AWAY!" 2 Timothy 3:5. If you want real faith, attend where faith is
taught and exercised! If you want healing, turn away from those who oppose it
and identify yourself with people who believe it. Go to church where people are
encouraged to believe all the promises of God and NOT where they are told, "It
is not for today."

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 "For to one is given by the Spirit - the gifts of healing
-; to another the working of miracles."

It is well for those seeking healing to understand that there is a difference
between the gifts of healing and the gift of miracles. Ordinarily, the gifts of
healing remove the cause of the disease that is injuring the body, with the
result that the person regains his health. In some cases relief will be complete
and instant, but many times a state of convalescence begins. This is not a
theory, but is thoroughly scriptural, as many of the healings of Christ were
accomplished in just this way. As an example, not the healing of the noblemans
son, in John 4:46-52. The gifts of healing do not ordinarily replace a missing
organ that has been removed by surgery or lost in an accident. Healing will
restore sight to a blind eye, but if the eye ball is missing, then only a
miracle could bring sight again. An eye ball would have to be created. Only a
miracle could bring about such a new creation. The gift of healing will restore
hearing to deaf ears, but in the case where there are no ear drums, only a
miracle would recreate new ear drums. A miracle is setting aside of the ordinary
laws of God governing a specific case, such as the sun being made to stand still
at the command of Joshua. Healing is Gods promised provision for ALL the sick
among His people. A miracle covers only a specific case. God, who created a
universe by His Word, CAN and sometimes does, recreate missing organs, where
there is sufficient faith. God can do anything. All things are possible with
God, yet one must understand that the gifts of healing were not intended to take
the place of the gift of miracles in the church. If this were so, the gift of
miracles would be unnecessary. The gifts of healing were not intended to make an
old person young again. As a person gets older, his body shows age. The face
becomes wrinkled, hair turns gray or may fall out, energy is diminished, and the
bodily processes become slower. More rest is needed, as well as more care in
selecting the proper diet, in order to maintain health. This does not mean that
the aged must suffer from disease. God’s promises to His people are good to the
end of life. The gifts of healing do not eliminate death. Until Hebrews 9:27
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."... 1 Corinthians 15:26.
However, death need not be accompanied by horrible suffering from disease which
God has promised to heal.

Healing was not intended to take the place of the natural processes of life,
such as development of mind or stature. Some time ago, a young man twenty-four
years of age came into the healing line. He was not over four feet tall, had the
voice of a child, and there was no sign of whiskers on his face. Very
apparently, his condition was abnormal, as both his parents were above the
average height and build. Healing would not grow this man a beard in a moment,
nor would healing make him a six-footer in the twinkle of an eye. However,
healing would strike at the root of the trouble, and after a while that fellow
would have to buy himself a razor and some larger clothes.

Healing will not cause the person who has been deaf and dumb from birth to
immediately understand and speak a language which he has never heard, but rather
he must learn to speak very much as he would have learned to speak as a child.
The process may be more rapid due to more mature mental development, though he
may never speak the language as perfectly as he would had he learned to speak at
the normal time in life. Do not be discouraged, or accuse God of failure, or
refusal to heal you simply because your healing is not immediately manifested in
completion or as a miracle.

Take God at His word. Accept your healing as an accomplished fact. Accomplished
not today, nor last week, but at the whipping post in Jerusalem, on the day that
He atoned for your sins. Not accomplished today BUT ACCEPTED TODAY, and
effective in your life, you follow the instructions of the Word of God for your
deliverance. Working now, and continuing to work in your life until you are in
perfect health, fully delivered from sickness as well as from sin by the atoning
work of Christ!


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  CHAPTER 18: 2.03.     IS IT GOD'S WILL TO HEAL YOU?
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CHAPTER 3 IS IT GOD’S WILL TO HEAL YOU?

Millions who are sick or afflicted today could be enjoying perfect health!
Perfect health is in Gods plan for them. He laid the plan carefully, and
purchased healing for them, at great cost to Himself, and made it available to
His people for the asking.

Yet many of these sick people are people who pray a great deal. Many of them
have prayed for healing again and again. Many of them have passed through again
and again. Many of them have passed through healing lines in some of the
greatest healing meetings and under some of the most effective healing
ministries of our time, and yet remain sick. They pray much, but receive little.

Prayer on the part of the person needing healing is not sufficient for
deliverance. According to the Scriptures, one must not only ask, but must James
1:6-7 "Ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of
the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he
shall receive any thing of the Lord" The person who prays for healing, and then
adds the words "-if it be thy will," is openly confessing to the Lord that he is
not at all sure of receiving healing. The "if" in your petition denotes doubt.
This type of prayer cannot possibly be classified as asking "in faith, nothing
wavering." Time spent in praying this way is time wasted, so far as obtaining
your healing is concerned, for God has said very plainly, "Let not that man
think that he shall receive anything of the Lord!"

There is but one way to take the "wavering" out of your asking. That is to take
the "if" out of your petition. You must be convinced that IS THE WILL OF GOD TO
HEAL YOU!

Until your are fully convinced that it is the will of God to heal you, there
will always be a doubt as to whether or not you will be healed. Real, unwavering
faith cannot exist.

You cannot even be assured that God has HEARD your prayer until you are sure
that you have prayed according to His will.

1 John 5:14 "This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask
anything according to his will, he heareth us."

How can we ask without wavering when we are not even sure that God is listening?
Surely, you dont expect God to answer prayers which He has NEVER EVEN HEARD! Not
until we are SURE that God has heard our prayer, and that our petition has met
with His approval - that it is according to His will - can we ask IN FAITH,
NOTHING WAVERING.

Without this faith, James 1:7 "Let not that man think that he shall receive
ANYTHING of the Lord." With it, Matthew 17:20 "If you have faith...nothing shall
be impossible to you!"

Until you ask in faith, unwavering, you cannot receive! When you do ask in
faith, HEAVEN ITSELF GUARANTEES THE ANSWER!

Therefore, there is but one thing to do. Let us open Gods Word and learn from
Him, whether or not it is His will to heal you. If it is not Gods will to heal
you, don’t ask Him to do it at all! Dont waste time saying meaningless prayers
that are never even heard in Heaven. But if it is Gods will to heal you, then
leave the "if" out of your petition. Come to God with UNWAVERING FAITH.

Come in perfect CONFIDENCE. Come and receive your healing!

1 John 5:14-15 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask
anything according to his will, he heareth us; and if we know that he hear us,
WHATSOEVER WE ASK, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

LISTEN TO THE WORD OF THE LORD!

3 John 1:2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and BE IN
HEALTH, even as thy soul prospereth."

It is quite plain by this verse that it is the will of God for those whom He
loves to be in health.

Since it is his will for us to be in health, it cannot at the same time be his
will for us to be sick!

IT IS GODS WILL TO HEAL YOU! The leper of Mark 1:40 must have been somewhat
doubtful concerning the will of the Lord about his case for he besought him,
saying, "If thou wild, thou canst make me clean." But it didnt take him long to
find the will of the Lord. Jesus promptly answered, "I WILL; be thou clean."

God WILLS to heal the sick! If He wills to heal one, then He wills to heal
EVERYONE. He wills to heal ANYONE. HE WILLS TO HEAL YOU!

Romans 2:11 "For there is no respect of persons with God." In James 5:14; God
asks us, "Is ANY sick among you?" To whom is He referring? ANY ONE that is sick!
This is the same word He used when He said that He is 2 Peter 3:9 "not willing
that ANY should perish but that ALL should come to repentance."

If salvation is for all who will repent, then healing is for all who will
believe and act upon Gods promise, in James 5:14 and James 5:15.

James 5:14-15 "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church;
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And
the prayer of faith SHALL save the sick, and the Lord SHALL raise him up!"

Psalms 103:2-3 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who
forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth ALL THY DISEASE."

Benefits of both SOUL and BODY! SALVATION and HEALING! Christ forgives ALL sins,
He heals ALL diseases! Remember not only some of His benefits, but ALL of them.
HEALING IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOU! In the beginning God said, Genesis 1:26-27
"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...So God created man in his
own image, in the image of God Created he him; male and female created he them."

Gods creation, then, was strong, powerful, and some, clean pure and HEALTHY! It
was Gods will that they REMAIN healthy, clean and pure as He had made them.

Satan, being jealous of Gods pure and healthy creation, was never satisfied
until he had made his way into the garden. Two unclean spirits followed him
there. They were SIN and SICKNESS.

Mankind never lost his health, becoming sick, until after he had first lost his
purity and become sinful. Sin and sickness are the results of mans disobedience.
A double curse had come upon man - SIN and SICKNESS. Was man ever redeemed from
sin? You say, yes! The majority of professing Christians today, of all faiths,
will tell you that Christ died upon the cross to redeem mankind from his sins.

However, many of these same people have never recognized the fact that on the
same day in which He was crucified, He also took upon Himself our sicknesses,
supplying redemption for the body of man as well as for his soul. A DOUBLE CURE
FOR A DOUBLE CURSE! As Christ stepped from His heavenly throne in glory to
redeem the world from the double curse of sin and sickness, two angels of light
and hope followed Him. They were SALVATION and HEALING. A double cure!

1 John 3:8 "The son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the
devil." The works of the devil are SIN and SICKNESS. Then, the Lord came to
destroy not just one, but both. He came to save and HEAL you! In Isaiah 53:4-5,
we have a picture of Calvary. There, "Surely he hath borne our griefs and
carried our sorrows." Matthew quotes the prophecy of Isaiah 53:1-12 thus:
"Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses." Matthew 8:17. 1 Peter
2:24; also quoting from this prophecy, declares, "Who his own self bare our sins
in his own body on the tree... by whose stripes ye were healed." Thus, it is
plain that Christ bore both sin and sickness for us. If He bore them, then we
need not bear then. If we must bear them (remain sick), then the sufferings of
Jesus were in vain. To clinch the matter, we go back to Isaiah 53:5; and read,
Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE
ARE HEALED." This was written before Calvary. Peter, looking back to Calvary,
says 1 Peter 2:24 "By whose stripes ye WERE healed."

Accept this redemption and the works of the devil will be destroyed. Every sin
will be blotted out. Every pain, sickness and disease will vanish! Satan cannot
legally afflict you with that which Christ has ALREADY borne for you. Tell the
devil so. Believe God for deliverance NOW!

Sickness and disease under the law, was recognized as a curse for disobedience.
Moses quotes God as saying, Exodus 15:26 "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the
voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and
wilt give ear to his commandments and wilt keep all his statutes, I will put
none of these diseases upon thee which I brought upon the Egyptians; for I AM
THE LORD THAT HEALETH THEE." In Deuteronomy 28:22Deuteronomy 28:27-28, and
Deuteronomy 28:61 he goes farther and lists "every sickness and every plague"
which God said should come upon the people under the law, because of
disobedience.

"Consumption, fever, inflammation, extreme burning, botch, emerods, scab, itch,
madness (insanity), blindness, astonishment of heart (known today as "nervous
breakdown"). And then that none may be overlooked, "every sickness and every
plague which is not written in the book of the law, them will the Lord bring
upon thee until thou be destroyed." THIS IS THE CURSE OF THE LAW. But you have
been redeemed from the curse of the law!

Galatians 3:13 "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a
curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every on that hangeth on a tree."

YOU ARE REDEEMED!

Accept it NOW!

It is the will of Satan, not the will of God, for people to be sick. This is a
proven fact, for when Satan is banished from the earth, there will be no more
sickness, nor pain, nor tears.

God wants us to live, not die!

2 Peter 1:3 "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that
pertain to LIFE." It is the will of God for us to be partakers of His divine
nature, which is health and strength, and holiness.

2 Peter 1:4 "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises;
that by these (the promises you have been reading, and many, many more) ye might
be partakers of the divine nature."

Nevertheless, before you can receive any benefit from these precious promises
you must make them your own. They must be claimed by YOU. You must believe them,
and stand firmly upon them, refusing to believe any argument which Satan may
bring against them, for he is an enemy who gives no ground until it is made very
plain to him that he can hold that ground no longer.

Near 1500 B. C, God promised, "If thou wild diligently hearken to the voice of
the lord they God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight...I will put
none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I
AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH THEE."

Nearly three million people enjoyed perfect healthy, by obedience and faith in
this promise, for we read, "There was not one feeble person among their tribes."
Psalms 105:37.

Much religious teaching today would make God merely the once-great "I was," but
we are told in Hebrews 13:8 that, "Jesus Christ (is) the same yesterday, and
today and forever." And in Malachi 3:6, "I am the Lord. I change not." So then,
if He has never changed, He is still the great "I AM". By believing Gods
promises, Gods people can still be as healthy and as strong today as His people
were in 1500 B. C, for we are still serving the same God, but under a "BETTER
COVENANT, which was established upon BETTER PROMISES." Hebrews 8:6. The three
million who came out of Egypt ALL believed God’s promise. Not ONE feeble! They
were all strong and well! They believed that if the promise was for one, then it
was for all. If it wasnt for all, then it wasn’t for any one. The reason so many
millions remain sick today is because they REFUSE TO BELIEVE GODS PROMISES!

Matthew 8:16 "And he cast out the spirits with his word and healed ALL that were
sick."

Matthew 9:35 "And Jesus went about all the cities - healing EVERY sickness and
EVERY disease among the people."

Matthew 12:15 "And great multitudes followed him and he healed them all."

Acts 10:38 "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power;
who went about doing good and healing ALL that were oppressed of the devil; for
God was with him."

Healing was Gods will for His people before Jesus came to earth. It was His will
for them during the time of Christs earthly ministry. And it is Gods provision
for His people TODAY!

Often, the writer has asked people as they came in the healing line, asking
prayer for their bodies, "Is God going to heal you?" and received the answer, "I
know he is able, IF IT IS HIS

WILL." Many of these precious people believe (though they cannot back up their
belief with scripture), that they are being allowed to suffer to work out
patience of long-suffering in their lives. Many believe that the sicknesses may
be keeping them in the will of God, or that is may be for the glory of God. Some
feel that their sickness is an evidence of Gods love toward them, or that God is
chastening them through sickness. Yet they will insist that they do not know for
what they are begin chastened, and it seems never to have occurred to them that
they might be able to free themselves from the chastening, by correcting a fault
in their own lives. Will a wise and loving father punish his child over a long
period of time, refusing to let the child know the reason for the punishment?
And will not a wise, loving and obedient son turn immediately from his sin, that
he may again be pleasing to the father, and avoid further punishment from the
same fault? If sin has separated between you and your God, so that He cannot
hear your prayer, repent, now, and God will hear your prayer. If not, believe
God now for your healing.

Others say, "I want to be healed, but if this isnt Gods time, then Ill just have
to suffer until it is Gods own good time to heal me."

If it is right for the suffering to wait patiently and endure their sicknesses
until some other time in Gods perfect will, then it would also be proper to tell
the sinner that he cannot be saved today, but must be patient and wait in his
sins until it is Gods time to save him. Nonsense!

2 Corinthians 6:2 "Behold, NOW (today) is the day of salvation."

TODAY is the day God wills to set you free, whether it be from sin or sickness.

Believe it! Receive it!

If salvation is for all, then healing is for all. It is for YOU! NOW!

Before you turn to the next chapter in this book. I want you to settle it here
and now, that it IS Gods will to heal you.

It is Gods Word! It is Gods will! God WANTS to heal you NOW!

Dont ever again be guilty of praying, "Heal me, if it be thy will."

Raise a hand to Heaven NOW and say to Jesus, "Thank you Jesus, I am so glad it
is your will to heal me now."

Ask in faith, nothing wavering, and deliverance is yours!


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  CHAPTER 19: 2.04.     CAUSES OF SICKNESS
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CHAPTER 4 CAUSES OF SICKNESS 1 Corinthians 11:30 "For this cause many are weak
and sickly among you."

It is a well know fact that when a good physician sets to work on a case, the
first step is to find out if possible the cause of this sickness, and then to
eliminate that cause. Even so, when we come to God for healing, we find that He
deals, not so much with symptoms, as with causes. It is important to know the
causes of sickness. The pain of an attack of acute appendicitis may be eased by
administering narcotics, but the appendices may burst, even while the person is
unaware of pain, and death may result. Carelessness in finding the cause of the
suffering has resulted in great damage being done, and even lives lost. Many
have lost confidence in Gods promises to heal, because of failure to remove
causes of sickness, failure to meet Gods conditions for healing, failure even to
understand that God has made any conditions to be met.

God has pointed out in His Word some very specific reasons for sickness. This is
done in order that the person desiring to be healed may remove the cause of the
causes of sickness, failure to meet Gods conditions for healing, failure even to
understand that God has made any conditions to be met.

God has pointed out in His Word some very specific reasons for sickness. This is
done in order that the person desiring to be healed may remove the cause of
sickness.

It may be said without fear of contradiction, that in a very real sense, SIN is
the cause of the existence of SICKNESS in the world. There was no sickness in
the garden of Eden, and none of us expect to find either sin or infirmity in
Heaven. Until the day that Eve yielded to the suggestion of Satan and took of
the fruit which God had forbidden her to eat, the human race was free from both
sin and sickness. Then Romans 5:12 "Sin entered into the world, and DEATH by
sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." In this sense
ALL sickness is the result of sin. In some cases, a specific disease is directly
traceable to a specific sin. Perhaps the best example of this is the so-called
"social diseases" which haunt those whose lives are immoral. In many other
cases, the connection is not so readily apparent, especially to those who cannot
discern the things of the Spirit of God. But God has said, Deuteronomy 28:58 "If
though wilt NOT observe to do all the words of this law... then the Lord will
make thy plagues...great plagues and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses
and of long continuance...Moreover, he will bring upon thee all the diseases of
Egypt, which thou wast afraid of... Also every sickness and every plague, which
is not written in the book of this law, them will the Lord bring upon thee."

Sin and sickness are closely associated in New Testament thought, as in the old,
for Jesus Himself, said, in dealing with sickness, "Son, they SINS be forgiven
thee," John 5:14.

James admonished the sick.

James 5:16-15 "Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another THAT
YE MAY BE HEALED," "If he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him." The
testimony of David, speaking by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Psalms 107:17-20
"Fools because of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, are
afflicted. Their soul abhoreth all manner of meat; and they drew near unto the
gates of death. Then the cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them
out of their distresses. HE SENT HIS WORD AND HEALED THEM." This should be
sufficient evidence that with sin comes sickness. But there is yet more. In
Numbers 12:1-16, is a story which brings Gods people a very solemn warning.
Miriam, Moses’ sister, a prophetess and one who had been greatly blessed of the
Lord, became lifted up with pride, and "was not afraid to speak against (Gods)
servant, Moses" (verse 8). God heard her evil speaking, and "The anger of the
Lord was kindled" against Miriam and against Aaron, her brother, who had entered
with her into the criticism against Moses, and Miriam became leprous, white as
snow, and would have remained so had not Moses prayed for her deliverance. How
marvelous that God heard the cry of Moses and healed Miriam! But not that Miriam
would never have needed healing if she had not sinned. CRITICISM IS SIN!

Sin breaks down the hedge that God builds around your, thus permitting Satan to
afflict you.

God, who has pronounced just judgments upon the disobedient, has also given in
His Word many precious promises of physical well being to those who will
DILIGENTLY HEARKEN to His Voice, and do that which is right in His sight. There
is, in the Ten Commandments, a special promise of long life to those who honor
their parents.

Ephesians 6:2 "Honor thy father and thy mother; which is the first commandment
with promise; that it may be will with thee and thou mayest live long on the
earth."

Dear reader, if it is not all well with thee (physically) your sickness could be
the result of breaking this commandment.

Exodus 15:26 "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God,
and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his
commandments, and keep all his statutes. I will put NONE of these diseases upon
thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH
THEE." Can you believe that God meant what He said? Obedience means healing!
Disobedience means disease and sickness. The unsaved and the disobedient must
prepare for healing by GETTING RIGHT WITH GOD!

Paul deals very specifically with the subject of sickness among Christian
people, in 1 Corinthians 11:1-34, he tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:30, "For this
cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" (die prematurely).
This being a very clear statement that there is a definite cause for Christians’
sicknesses, should receive careful consideration, that we may know what "this
cause" is. The entire chapter deals with one of the most important and perpetual
ordinances of the church, the Lords Supper. Instituted by the Lord, the same
night in which He was betrayed, this ordinance became to the followers of Jesus
the visible symbol of all He has purchased for us, salvation through the
shedding of His blood, and healing through His sufferings at the whipping post.
So essential to the believers life is it to become a partaker of these
sacrifices, that Jesus Himself said, John 6:53 "Except ye eat the flesh of the
son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you."

Over against this solemn warning is another, found in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
"Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily,
shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine
himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."

Many professing Christians have refused to take the Lords Supper, because of
this warning.

However, this was not the Lords intention. If you are unworthy to partake of the
SYMBOLS of His blood and body, surely you cannot be a partaker of His blood and
body in reality. In that case, Jesus says, "Ye have no life in you." If you are
unworthy to partake of the communion, you may also be unready for the rapture.

Worthiness does not imply that one is sure he has fully attained to the goal of
sinless perfection, for Christ Himself served the first communion to twelve men
who very quickly demonstrated that they were still subject to human weaknesses,
and short of perfection.

You say then, "What does it imply?" This word worthiness has a three fold
implication.2 Corinthians 11:29 First and most simple, is the attitude of the
believer at the time of partaking of the symbols.

Surely there should never be any frivolity or irreverence at such a solemn time.
Never should it be approached lightly, nor treated as a mere formal ceremony. In
partaking of these emblems, we "do shew forth the Lords death till he comes." 1
Corinthians 11:26. This worthy attitude is by no means a proud spirit, feeling,
worthy, or superior to other men, but rather a realization of inherent
sinfulness, and of the deep need of a redeemer. The other two are both embodied
in the latter part of 1 Corinthians 11:29, which is an explanation of the word
"unworthily" - "Not discerning the Lord’s body." The blood of the Lord was shed
for the remission of sins, but it was His body that bore the stripes whereby we
are healed. Many drink the wine with happy realization and praise to God for the
glorious deliverance from sins through the shedding of blood, but eat the bread
without any realization that this also typifies a definite price paid at
definite time for a definite blessing, which is ours if we will but accept it.
This blessing is HEALING!

Only as we believe and accept the blood of Christ for salvation do we find
salvation. Drinking the wine of the communion, alone, will not wash away our
sins. A young man who had been brought up in a home where Gods Word was not
read, and kept busy with other things than church matters, went to church with a
friend on communion Sunday. For the first time in his life he saw people taking
communion. Very little explanation was made, and when the elements of communion
were passed and his friend took a portion, he joined in, just as he would join
in the treats at a party. He had no realization of the meaning of either the
wine or the bread. There was no change in his life as a result of taking
communion. There must first be an inward understanding of the cleansing of the
blood, before the outward form can have any meaning.

Many fine Christian people receive no more benefit from partaking of the bread
than this boy did in taking of the wine, and for the same reason. They have
never learned that when "Christ our Passover (was) sacrificed for us," that the
blood was sufficient to deliver from death, and that the BODY was provided for
healing and physical strength. Because they do not expect healing, they do not
receive it. When the death angel passed over the houses of Israel, he was not
concerned with what was on the table, or the pantry shelf, but God has said,
"When I see the BLOOD, I will pass over you." Thus the condemnation to death was
set aside by the blood. But the command of God was not completed with the
applying of the blood to the door posts, for God has also commanded that they
should eat the flesh on that night, and thereby to receive strength for the
journey which lay ahead.

Even so, the blood of Christ shed upon Calvary is fully sufficient to make
atonement for our sins. This being true, His sufferings at the whipping post,
and in Pilates judgment hall, were sufferings all in vain, unless we accept
healing. But those sufferings were not in vain!

1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 2:24 "Christ-suffered for us: Who his own self bare our
sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live unto
righteousness: BY WHOSE STRIPES YE WERE HEALED." As we discern by faith the
power of the blood of Christ we are set free from the guilt and bondage of sin.
And as we discern the body of the Lord, there need not be any weak and sickly
among us. The people of Israel accepted both the body and blood to their
Passover lamb, and when God brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, Psalms
105:37 "There was not one feeble person among their tribes."

Many churches today, if they were consistent, would use only the wine for
communion, since they believe in the blood for salvation, but reject the body
broken for our healing. No wonder so many are sick, for they have refused the
only remedy that is guaranteed to cure every disease - if used according to
directions! But perhaps the reason the minds of many have been unable to grasp
this glorious truth will be found in the third phase of unworthiness, which is
failure to discern the body of the Lord which is living and active in the world
today. "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." Because of
failure to recognize this fact, many have been guilty of causing division in the
body, This is sin. SIN KILLS FAITH. Therefore, in taking communion, let us as
Christians examine ourselves in the light of our relationship to the other
members of the body, as set forth in I Corinthians, chapter 12, not belitthng
any person or any gift placed by the Spirit of Christ in His body. Both
spiritual and physical welfare depend largely upon this right relationship in
the body of Christ. If you have been guilty of causing division in the body of
Christ, either by tale bearing, which separates others from each other, or by
pride and self-righteousness which separates YOU from the body, confess this as
sin and turn form it so that faith may grow. Take your proper place in the body,
whether it be small or great, and help others to do the same.

Accept the blood of Christ of the cleansing of your sins, and then accept BY
FAITH, the body of Christ for the healing of your body, This is yours. Jesus
bought it for you the day that He bought your salvation upon the cross. Discern
NOW the body of the Lord, and you too shall enjoy the blessing of healing for
your body. Satan cannot legally afflict you with that for which Christ has
already suffered in your place.

There are many whoresick today who have once experienced marvelous healings,
some even complaining of the same sickness from which they had once been so
gloriously delivered. Jesus indicated, when He was here on earth, that this
would be the case. This does not mean that it is not Gods will for these people
to be well, nor that they cannot be permanently healed. The one whom Christ had
healed, He warned, John 5:14 "Sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee."

God does not heal any one to give him more strength to continue in sin.

Sickness has returned to many because of their own carelessness and disobedience
to God. This matter will be dealt with more fully in chapter 13 of this book,
"Keeping Your Healing." If you have been one of those who have been healed, and
have not stayed healed, be sure to read this chapter, for there you will see
that you need not be discouraged, but that YOU, TOO, may have deliverance.

Much sickness is caused by improper care of the body. The laws of nature are
Gods laws for physical health, and cannot be broken without punishment, in
health, and cannot be broken without punishment, in the form of sickness or
infirmity. Divine healing was never intended to take the place of proper care of
the body, as rest, exercise, right eating and avoidance of weakening habits.

God commanded His people to rest one day of each seven, while we are no longer
under legal bondage to keep the Sabbath, which was a shadow of a better rest to
come (see Hebrews 4:9), Jesus himself declared that Mark 2:27 "The Sabbath was
made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."

One days rest in seven has been proved a necessity for healthy. Those who cannot
find time to rest, who keep themselves too busy with the cares of life to attend
worship in the house of God make themselves liable for the inroads of disease.
Neither can they gain faith to receive healing, for Romans 10:17 "Faith cometh
by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Healing is available to all Gods people, but ONLY THROUGH FAITH, and faith
cannot come in any other way, but by hearing and obeying the Word of God. Many
desire prayer for their bodies, but insist that they cannot attend any daytime
services to hear instruction about healing from the Word of God. They work every
day, even Sunday. Many of these people suffer from nervous disorders. The
increasing number of nervous disorders and mental and physical breakdowns, due
to fatigue, can be traced directly to an increasing lack of concern for the
command of God.

Exodus 2:9-10 "Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh
day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work."

Many diseases are called by the medical profession "deficiency diseases,"
meaning that they are caused by lack of essential elements in the diet. It is
well for the Christian in choosing his diet to consider the value of various
foods, which God has placed in the world, and choose from among them, the foods
that will keep his body strong and well, if it is at all possible for him to do
so. This is not a matter of the souls salvation, but is vitally concerned with
the bodys health.

Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone." The eternal values of the
kingdom of God are far grater that n the present enjoyment of pleasant food and
drink. We are advised that 1 Corinthians 9:25 "Every one that striveth for the
master to be temperate in all things."

Overeating is the direct cause of some sicknesses, and a contributing factor in
many others. The work of all the organs of the body, such as liver, stomach and
heart, is so increased by overeating as to make it impossible for them to carry
on their normal duties, and sicknesses ranging from gout to stomach and heart
troubles result. Even the deficiency disease are frequently prevalent among
those who overeat, because they choose their foods on the basis of taste appeal
rather that the bodys needs. Too many rich sweet foods, too much meat, or too
many starch foods, can make the body fat, overburden the heart and digestive
system, at the same time failing to provide the food elements needed for health.
Many of the people who come requesting prayer for their bodies would never have
needed to come had they taken a little care to choose the proper foods.

Many who come under these conditions would be benefited very little if they were
instantly, miraculously healed, for they would immediately begin the process of
again tearing down their health through the same disobedience to the laws of
nature which originally caused their sickness.

Then there are those who injure their bodies through weakening habits. Too many
readers, it may seem unnecessary to speak of such things are the use of liquor,
narcotics and tobacco, but no doubt there will be many among the readers of this
book who are still in bondage to one or all of these habits. It is a well known
fact, substantiated by the best medical authorities, as well as athletes,
coaches and others interested in building strong bodies, that all these habits
are injurious to the body. Many diseases, especially of the heart and liver, are
directly traceable to the use of these drugs. It seems almost inconceivable that
in the light of the plain declaration of God’s word 1 Corinthians 3:17 "If any
may defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is
holy, which temple ye are" that any should expect healing from God, while still
continuing to defile their bodies with these recognized poisons. If you are
among those who are still in bondage to any of these habits, make this the time
when your body shall be set free from such bondage. No doubt, when you attempt
to lay them aside, you will soon realize how real was the bondage. Any wholesome
food can easily be replaced by another of the same food value, but nothing else
can take the place of tobacco, or liqueur, or dope to the one who has been
living under bondage to them. But God has said, John 8:36 "If the Son therefore
shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

If you will recognize this filthy habit as a bondage, and look to God for grace,
THE LORD WILL SET YOU FREE!

Then when you have been delivered through the power of God from the disease
which has been troubling you, the cause of the disease will also be gone, and
you can STAY well.

God has chosen in this generation to take up His abode in human bodies, as is
evident by many Scriptures, including 1 Corinthians 3:16; quoted above.

1 Corinthians 6:19 "What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy
Ghost?"

Thus each of us who are His, are made caretakers of His temples. This is a
sacred trust and responsibility. God is not glorified by our abuse of our
bodies.

Carelessly exposing the body to extremes of temperature, or to the germs of
contagious diseases, comes under the heading of "tempting God", and may readily
bring about sickness. If these things are necessary, we may claim God’s
protection, and need not be in bondage to fear, so long as we walk by faith. No
discussion of the causes of sickness could be complete without speaking of demon
possession and oppression.

There are many diseases and sicknesses that are easily identified and in many
instances it is not difficult to determine their cause. In the case of Job, Job
2:7 "Satan went forth - and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot
to his crown."

Boils are caused by a germ. Thus, it becomes apparent that Satan is responsible
for the germ-caused diseases, of which there are many.

It may be more difficult to determine the exact nature and cause of other
infirmities, but in order to do so, a person need not search further than the
Bible. Contrary to general opinion, but according to the Bible, much sickness is
due to afflicting spirits, or demons. The Bible teaches that there are many
different kinds of evil spirits. Each has power to afflict the body in a
different way. Many people are deaf, dumb, or both, because of the presence of
deaf or dumb spirits.

There are spirits that cause blindness. Malignant growth, such as cancer, tumor,
cataract, have their being as the result of the presence of demon power. The
Scripture speaks of foul spirits, unclean spirits, spirits of infirmity, and
many others.

It may safely be said that perhaps most disease, and no doubt ALL malignant
growths, such as cancer and tumor, are caused by an inhabiting demon. The life
in a cancer or tumor certainly has a diabolical nature. When the demon is cast
out, the cancer or tumor dies, and the tumor disappears. In all cases, sickness
is caused either directly or indirectly by the devil or his agencies (demons).
The causes of disease mentioned in this chapter, as sin and disobedience, really
just open the door through which Satan has entrance to afflict the body. A most
extreme case of demon possession is found in Mark 5:1-43. Here a legion of
demons have taken possession of one man. From a study of this case, the maniac
was in need of mental rather than physical healing. He was strong physically, so
strong that chains could not hold him. No man could tame him. He tore off his
clothing and dwelt among the tombs. In bringing deliverance to this mental case,
Christ cast out the unclean spirits (Mark 5:13). These entered into two thousand
swine. The swine ran quickly down a steep place as the demons were gone, he was
normal again. The people from the city observed that he was "clothed and in his
right mind." Mark 5:15. No doubt many such cases are filling our psychopathic
hospitals and insane asylums today, who could find real deliverance. God has
provided that deliverance through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Another case of possession is described in Mark 9:14-29. In this scene, a father
has brought a son who "foameth, and gnasheth with the teeth and pineth away."
Matthew adds, "He is a lunatic and falleth into the fire, and oft into the
water." Matthew 17:15. This is a description of thousands of sufferers today,
young and old. It is the opinion of the author that these will never be cured by
medical science. There is but one cure.

Matthew 17:18 "And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him; and the
child was cure that very hour."

Many people suffering from this type of demon possession today have been treated
by many physicians, but to no avail. Faith takes more that mere medicine or
drugs to drive out the devil. It can only be done in the mighty name of Jesus!

"In my name shall they cast out devils," Mark 16:17.

Insanity is by no means the only type of demon possession.

Matthew 9:32 "Behold, they brought unto him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake."

Many who are in this same condition today will never speak until the devil is
cast out in Jesus name. It has been our privilege to see many who had been
afflicted in this way, IMMEDIATELY begin to speak.

Let us next examine a man who is not only dumb, but also blind. Let us see
according to God, the cause of his condition.

Matthew 12:22 "Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and
dumb; and he healed him insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw." So
we see that demons cause blindness.

There are deaf and dumb spirits. In Mark 9:25 Christ said, "Thou dumb and deaf
spirit, I charge thee, come out of him."

Luke 13:11 "And behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity
eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no way lift up herself."

Suppose this woman should go to one of the modern clinics. Her case would
probably be diagnosed as "incurable," although some treatments might be
recommended. However, she would receive no relief. This woman was bound by the
devil. (See verse 16). Jesus loosed her and immediately she was made straight
(Verse 13). This woman was not in need of pills. Pills, no matter what color or
shape or size, could never have driven out the devil of an afflicting spirit. No
amount of drugs taken from a bottle, even though the prescription was given by
your family physician or your favorite specialist, would bring deliverance in
this case. Surgery, no matter how skillful, would never have brought relief to
this woman, because a mere knife under the most skilled hand could not remove
the spirit which caused this womans condition. While surgery brings relief and
in many instances effects, with the help of another, a cure, it must be
recognized that many people have operation after operation, and their conditions
continues the same or even grows worse.

We have no quarrel with the medical profession. Rather, we thank God for trained
men who are relieving the suffering of many who do not have faith to trust God.
Yet they cannot help in every case, and do not claim to. Although many people in
the world today have received help from physicians, many others are like the
woman in the eighth chapter of Luke, of whom it is said, she "had spent all her
living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any." Luke 8:43. This woman,
who, from the medical point of view, was a hopeless case, received instant and
perfect deliverance when she came to Jesus. If you too, are in this condition,
why not follow her example? Press through the multitude of doubts, fears, false
teachings, and discouragements, touch the hem of His garment, by faith. Only
believe, for all things are possible to him that believeth. Jesus Christ will
gladly become your "family physician," for His name is JEHOVAH-RAPHA - the Lord
THY Healer! Jesus, the Great Physician, is the only one who can absolutely
GUARANTEE to heal you, if you will commit yourself fully into His hands, and
follow His instructions.


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  CHAPTER 20: 2.05.     THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF FAITH
========================================================================

CHAPTER 5 THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF FAITH Mark 5:34 "Thy faith hath made thee
whole."

Matthew 9:29 "According to YOUR FAITH so be it unto you."

Matthew 8:13 "AS THOU HAST BELIEVED so be it unto thee."

James 1:6-7 "He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and
tossed. Let not that man think that he shall receive ANYTHING of the Lord." A
certain woman (Mark 5:24-34) had an issue of blood twelve years. This woman had
suffered many things of many physicians, had spent all she had, but instead of
getting better, she rather grew worse. Finally, hearing of Jesus, she touched
His garment and as made whole. What made this woman whole? Many will say,
"Christ." In a sense, that is right, for without touching him, she could never
have been healed. But after she was healed, Christ Himself said, "Daughter, THY
FAITH hath made thee whole" Mark 5:34. Then, according to Jesus’ own words, it
was HER FAITH that made her whole. She would never have overcome the
difficulties in her path which seemingly made it impossible for her to touch
Him, had she not had FAITH! At another time (Matthew 9:27), two blind men came
to Jesus for healing. He touched their eyes, and they were opened. What was it
that opened the blind eyes? After Jesus touched them, He declared, "According to
YOUR FAITH so be it unto you." Then, in reality, it was their faith, in
cooperation with the power of God through Jesus Christ, which brought about
their healing.

Jesus said to the centurion, "AS THOU HAST BELIEVED so be it done unto thee."
Matthew 8:13. In reading the New Testament accounts of healing in the ministry
of Jesus and his early followers, we find many such statements as these.

All the promises of God are conditioned upon faith. There is no other way to
receive anything from God. James states this fact in the plainest possible
language.

James 1:6-7 "Let him ASK IN FAITH NOTHING WAVERING. For he that wavereth is like
a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. LET NOT THAT MAN THINK HE
SHALL RECEIVE ANYTHING OF THE LORD."

Faith is an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY before one can receive ANYTHING from God.

Many have a mistaken idea today, that since many are exercising the gifts of
healing and miracles, all that is need is to get into one of these meetings
where the gifts are being exercised, and that they will be healed, without
necessity of faith on their part. They think that the gift of healing will take
the place of their own faith in God. This is unscriptural! The gift of healing
WILL NOT take the place of your own faith in God.

There is no doubt that Christ exercised ALL the gifts of the Spirit, including
healings and miracles. Yet, when He went to Nazareth, Mark 6:5 "He could there
do NO MIGHTY WORK, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick fold, and healed
them."

Matthew 13:58 "And he did not many mighty works there, because of their
unbelief." The gifts of healing possessed by the Lord Himself, did not bring
healing, independent of their faith. Neither will the gift of healing exercised
by men of God today bring healing to you unless you have faith.

Paul met a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet. Paul said to the man
with a loud voice, "Stand upright on thy feet." Acts 14:10. The man was healed
immediately, and leaped and walked! Notice that according to Acts 14:9 that
before Paul commanded him to stand upon his feet, he PERCEIVED THAT HE HAD FAITH
TO BE HEALED. Although Paul exercised the gifts of healing and miracles, he
recognized that they were insufficient in themselves, without faith on the part
of the person in need of healing, to bring about the desired result. When Christ
healed the woman of Mark 5:25; He did not say, "Daughter, my gift hath made thee
whole," but rather "THY FAITH hath made thee whole." To the blind, He did not
say, "According to my gift," but "According to YOUR FAITH so be it unto you." To
the impotent man, Paul didnt say, "Alright, fellow, get a card and get in line.
Ive got the gift of healing."

Rather, Paul looked the situation over first and discerned that the man had
faith to be health!

How marvelous a privilege today to be able to attend meetings where Gods
anointed men are bringing deliverance in that name of Jesus! But this in itself
is not enough. If Christ Himself were conducting the meetings and laying His
hands upon the sick today. He would no doubt say to them as in the days of old,
"THY FAITH HAS MADE THEE WHOLE!"

Many confess that they do not have much faith and wonder if it isnt impossible
for them to be healed through some other persons faith. I have had many to say
to me, "I do not have any faith, but can’t I be healed through your faint?" The
Scripture states that, James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
But GODS GUARANTEE is to those who themselves have faith! If a person received
healing without himself having faith, it would certainly be the exception, and
not the rule laid down in Gods Word.

You might be healed through anothers faith, but how would you keep that healing?
Faith is necessary, not only to receive healing, but to retain it, for Satan is
not easily defeated. Almost without exception when a person has been healed, he
will immediately be attacked by Satan, in an attempt to snatch from him the gift
which God has given. Thus it can be readily seen that if your healing depended
upon anothers faith, Satan would only have to wait until the other person was
not present to find you utterly defenseless, and take your healing from you.
This is the reason many are suffering today from diseased from which they had
once been healed. Do not be discouraged if your faith is low. The next chapter
is written with YOU in mind. It will build your faith, if you follow its
instructions. Read it prayerfully and obediently, and not that as you do the
flame of your faith will burn brighter and brighter.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 21: 2.06.     HAVE THE FAITH THAT GOD GIVES
========================================================================

CHAPTER 6 HAVE THE FAITH THAT GOD GIVES In the preceding chapter we found that
faith is an absolute requirement for healing. There are thousands of promises in
God’s Word. Every one is conditioned upon faith. Faith that you can have! Faith
that God gives! Christ, on His way to Bethany one day, cursed a fig tree because
it produced no fruit (Mark 11:12). He declared that no man would eat fruit of
that tree there after. A mighty miracle had been performed, although it was not
immediately apparent. Faith had been exercised. The following morning, the
disciples again saw the fig tree, but it was dried up at the roots. Peter spoke
out his amazement at finding that the tree was withered away. Jesus answered
him, Mark 11:22-23 "HAVE FAITH IN GOD. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever
shall say unto this mountain be thou removed, and be cast thou into the sea, AND
SHALL NOT DOUBT IN HIS HEART, he shall have whatsoever he saith."

It is plain here to see that Christ meant that the same faith He exercised could
be had by others.

Really, He is telling them that they can have the FAITH OF GOD, literally, the
faith that God gives! God does give faith. God gives faith to every person who
wants it badly enough to pay the price required. That price is obedience,
godliness, holiness, following in the footsteps of Jesus, living free from
condemnation, and walking in the full light of the Scriptures. The Apostle John
declares, "If our heart condemn us not then (and then only), have we confidence
toward God." 1 John 3:21. Faith and confidence are the same thing. Webster
defines faith as "complete confidence in a person." Surely, no one can merit our
complete confidence more fully than God!

Faith is not a mysterious feeling thrilling up and down ones spine. Faith is a
common every day thing which is evidenced in all the activities of daily life.
You write a letter, go to the post office, buy a ting stamp for three cents.
place it on the corner of the envelope, drop the letter into the slot - having
complete confidence that the person to whom you addressed the letter will have
it within a few days. You do not have a sudden overwhelming feeling that your
friend will receive the letter. It just doesnt enter your mind to doubt that he
will receive the letter.

Some people have more faith in Uncle Sam than in Jesus.

Yet there is no reason to doubt the promises of God, if we have carried out our
part.

If the letter wasnt placed in the post office, or if the stamp was left off,
there might be reason to doubt that our friend will receive the letter.

If we refuse or neglect to do our part in getting our petitions up to God, there
is no reason to expect an answer from Him. But if we do our part, God ABSOLUTELY
GUARANTEES to His part. The healing is ours!

Now that we know what we are trying to obtain, let us consider the Scriptural
methods of obtaining it. No matter how trustworthy an acquaintance my be, we can
never feel entirely sure that he merits complete confidence until we are
thoroughly acquainted with him. This is the reason many people fail to trust
God. We become acquainted with God, through walking with Him day by day, and
through reading His Word, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God." Romans 10:17.

Read Gods Word. Read it as you would a letter from a trusted friend. Consider it
the FINAL AUTHORITY. Turn resolutely away from those books and conversations
which question the truth of Gods Word.

Jesus accused a religious group in His day of "Making the word of God of none
effect through your traditions." Mark 7:13; and of "teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men." Mark 7:7. Many preachers (not to say ministers of the
Gospel) today set at naught the promises of God, basing their teachings upon the
things that they observed around them, rather than upon the Word of God. Faith
can only be built upon the power and success of the Word of God, never upon our
own or another’s weaknesses and failures.

Then faith having been planted in the heart through the Word must be watered and
nourished through a genuine love for God. "Perfect love casteth out fear." 1
John 4:18. Fear is the direct opposite of faith. It is the murderer of faith.
There is no fear in love. You cannot have faith if you do not love God. You can
hope He will heal. You may say, "I know He is able." But you cannot have faith.

If you love God you will keep His commandments. John 14:15, John 14:21, John
14:23. This is the reason many fail to have faith. "Faith worketh by love."
Galatians 5:6. Love is manifested by obedience.

Disobedience to the known will of God is poison to faith. Lack of desire to
learn the will of God will bring the same results, for if I love Him, I will be
concerned to know His will.

It is the belief of the writer that the greatest hindrance to faith today is
disobedience. John says 1 John 2:21-22 "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not,
then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him,
because we keep his commandments, and those things that are pleasing in his
sight."

Real living, vital faith is impossible to people who are living in disobedience
to God’s commandments, and are out of harmony with the personality and the
Spirit of God.

Many people today who profess to be Christians are living constantly under
condemnation for sin and disobedience to the known will and Word of God. Such a
person can never have real faith, the faith that God gives, until first he has
repented of his sins and turned his back upon them. For then and then only will
that conscience toward God, which brings perfect confidence, or faith. The
confidence of some may be destroyed because of living in the condemnation that
light (the light of the Scriptures concerning the Baptism of the Holy Ghost) is
come into the world, and they have not walked into that light. They know that
they should have this glorious experience, but have not met the conditions to
receive it.

"Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" Acts 19:2. surely this
cannot be termed an unfair question to Christians. Paul asked this question of a
group of twelve believers at Ephesus.

It is an experience that every Christian should have. Not only because God
commanded it, although that should be reason enough, but because the Christian
NEEDS it, that he may be ready to receive power to work and witness for his
LORD. In the New Testament Church every member was filled with the Holy Ghost.
All Christian individuals and groups spoken of through the New Testament were
baptized with the Holy Ghost, as a separate, different experience from
conversion, and coming after conversion. The disciples of Jesus were all saved,
inasmuch as Christ had commissioned them to preach the Gospel and to heal the
sick, and had given them power and authority over devils. Luke 9:1-2. Their
names were written in Heaven (Luke 10:20), an evident sign that they were saved.
Yet Jesus Acts 1:4 "Commanded them that they should not depart form Jerusalem,
but wait for the promise of the Father, which, sayeth, ye have heard of me, for
John truly baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not
many days hence."

Luke 24:49 "And behold, I send the promise of the Father upon you; but TARRY YE
in the city of Jerusalem UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH." This is
not only a commandment to these few people in days gone by but for Christians
everywhere today, for after Peter had been filled with the Holy Spirit,
preaching his first Holy Ghost sermon, he said, Acts 2:38-39 "Repent and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you,
and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our
God shall call."

Many consider the Baptism of the Holy Ghost a mere privilege, instead of a
direct command.

However, it is a command, for Paul said, Ephesians 5:18 "Be not drunk with wine
wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit."

Since this is a command, one must be obedient to Gods command. Those who have
come into the light of Gods truth are expected to walk in that light; failure to
do so brings condemnations.

John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and
men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

Many people today are living more or less under condemnation because they have
not made a consecration of full obedience, that they might receive this glorious
experience, the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

It is plain, from Acts 5:32; that those who have been obedient HAVE received THE
HOLY GHOST. "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy
Ghost, whom God HATH GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM." Then, my friends, if you have
not been filled with the Holy Ghost, it is evident, from this verse, that you
have not yet been fully obedient.

Then you could have done only one other thing - disobeyed. Disobedience is sin.
Sin brings condemnation. Condemnation destroys faith.

John 15:7 "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye
WILL, and it shall be done unto you."

One must ABIDE IN CHRIST before he is in a position to exercise real faith,
before he can receive the faith that God gives. God does not give faith to
people who do not abide in Him. If He did, anyone - even the drunkard, the
harlot, the thief, the murderer, the enemies of the kingdom of God could be able
to have and exercise faith and receive from God, ANYTHING they would ask. But
since the blessings of God are for those who serve God and put Him first in
their lives, one must abide in Christ before faith can actually be exercised.

Now let us look into Gods Word for the definition of abiding in Christ.

1 John 2:6 "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even
as he walked." In this verse, it is quite plain that if we profess to abide in
Christ, we should be walking as He walked. Then, friend, if you are not walking
as Christ walked, you are not abiding in Him. No wonder you have no faith! Your
sin and disobedience has destroyed your faith. You can never be on real faith
ground until you begin to abide in Christ, and walk as Christ walked. This is
not only possible, but is Gods command.

1 Peter 2:21-22 "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we
should FOLLOW HIS STEPS, who did NO sin."

Christ did not live in habitual sin. He did not make excuses for sin. He
resisted the devil, and temptation, although He was Hebrews 4:15 "Tempted in all
points like as we are, yet without sin."

He is our example. And He stands ready to help us to walk as He walked - in His
steps.

1 John 3:6 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not." The author is aware that this
teaching is contrary to much religious teaching today. He is also aware that
multitudes of people, claiming to believe in divine healing, and to be children
of God, have been prayed for again and again, without being able to exercise
faith for healing. This matter is of sufficient importance to make it worth
while to face facts, regardless of opinions.

There is a reason why these people continue on in their sickness, pains and
diseases, and cannot receive healing for their sick bodies. And it is not
because God is a respecter of persons. Often it is because the person who needed
healing has not paid the price of faith, which is obedience holiness.

Hope is available to people without holiness, BUT FAITH IS NOT!

If people without holiness could have faith, then people who can never see God,
could have anything they desire from God, for God guarantees to those who have
faith, Matthew 21:22 "Whatsoever ye he shall ask in prayer, BELIEVING ye SHALL
RECEIVE." And God has also said.

Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace and holiness, with out which no man shall see the
Lord."

It is a general teaching today that everyone sins all the time; that it is
impossible to live above sin; that as long as one is in this world he must
partake of a certain number of sins of this life.

Teachers of this doctrine quote numerous Scriptures that pertain only to the
unregenerate man, who has never had an experience of salvation. But God says 1
Peter 1:16 "Be ye holy, for I am holy."

Paul says 1 Corinthians 15:34 "Awake to righteousness and SIN NOT, for some have
not the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame." The people who are
finding excuse for heir habitual sin, according to this verse, do not have the
knowledge of God. This is a SHAME! It is evident that such professed Christian
do not read their Bibles.

After Jesus had healed a man, He found him in the temple, and said to him, John
5:14 "Behold thou art made whole, SIN NO MORE lest a worse thing come upon
thee." To the woman of Samaria, Christ Himself said, "Go and SIN NO MORE." John
8:11.

1 John 2:1 "My little children, these things write I unto you that YOU SIN NOT."

Paul settled the sin question, when he said, (Romans 6:1-2). "What shall we say
then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? GOD FORBID!" When people
again share that attitude of Christ concerning the same question, and begin to
abide in God, multitudes will again be healed, and books like this will be
unnecessary. But until people are enlightened and learn the truth, books like
this must be written. Numberless people today are asking the question, "Why
wasnt I healed?" The answer is simple: no faith, or insufficient faith. There is
more than one reason for lack of faith, but the main reason is lack of holiness.
Another outstanding reason is the common neglect of Bible study. No wonder faith
is so low in the hearts of so many. The price of faith has been established. It
has been set by God Himself. Love God. Read His Word. Obey His commands. Believe
His promises. To some, this may seem to be an impossible price, but God has
enabled man to pay it. The same Christ who saves from sin will keep those who
desire to be kept by His mighty power.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 "The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you
from evil."

Jude 1:24 "Now unto him that is able to keep your from falling and to present
your faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."

God has not only commanded that we abide in Him, but has made it possible by
giving His children power to resist the devil in temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye
are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be
able to bear it." The author has found that those who have a real desire to
please God, those who read their Bibles and pray, are attaining holiness. It is
these same people who are shouting the victory over sickness and disease and the
power of the enemy. God has given them faith.

Faith is listed as one of the nine gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:9. Time
and space will not permit us to dwell at length upon faith as one of the nine
gifts. Suffice it to say that the faith mentioned here is a gift of the Spirit,
GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT. The church is admonished in verse 31 to covet earnestly the
best gifts.

All Christians have a certain amount of faith. It is impossible even to be save
without faith. At the moment of salvation faith begins to grow, as a fruit, for
faith is a fruit of the Spirit, as well as a spiritual gift. Galatians 5:22. As
some trees in an orchard produce very little fruit, or fruit of power quality,
so some Christians seem to produce very little of the fruit of the Spirit. Fruit
must first bud, then grow and develop. For proper development of the fruit of
faith, it must be nourished, even as the fruit in the orchard. Since faith
cometh by hearing the Word of God, the Christian should read the Word of God
often. Memorize many of the promises of God that pertain to healing. Stand upon
them. Quote them again and again. In this way, faith will grow.

Faith must be built upon the Word of God, and ONLY upon the Word of God.
Experiences and the testimonies of others merely bring hope, not faith. Faith
cannot be built merely upon the experiences of others. It cannot be built upon
ones feelings, nor upon that which has been seen. The things one sees take place
as the mighty power of God works to heal those who have come in the healing
lines will cause hope to spring up in the heart, but this is not faith. It is
helpful to faith, but cannot take the place of faith, "FAITH COMETH BY HEARING,
AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD." Romans 10:17. Base your faith upon the Word of
God EXCLUSIVELY. Dont talk in terms of what you may or may not feel. People who
gauge their healing by their feeling never credit anything to Gods Word. The
person who accepts Gods Word as true IN HIS OWN CASE whether the results are
visible and feel-able or not, will soon see and feel the results, for this is
the faith that God gives. Real faith is simply, TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD. The more
of Gods Word you have hidden in your heart, the easier it is to believe, or
exercise faith in that Word.

There are many hindrances to faith. This subject will be dealt with in the next
chapter. Read it carefully and prayerfully, and follow the instructions therein
and the God who never fails will surely reward your obedience with a real,
vital, living faith. THE FAITH THAT GOD GIVES! The faith that can claim God’s
guarantee of healing which cannot fail.


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  CHAPTER 22: 2.07.     HINDRENCES TO FAITH
========================================================================

CHAPTER 7 HINDRANCES TO FAITH 1 Peter 3:7 "That your prayers be not hindered."

Faith is taking God at His Word. It is easy to see that sin would prevent one
having faith to accept healing, since Gods own Word DOES NOT PROMISE healing to
the sinner.

John 9:31 "We know that God heareth not sinners." The only promises Gods Word
that apply to sinners, are promises to forgive sins repented of, and promises of
judgment for sins not repented of. The promises of healing and of answers to
prayer are for obedient children of God.

John 15:7 "IF YE ABIDE IN ME AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, ye shall ask what ye
will and it shall be done unto you."

Abiding in Christ guarantees to you the answer to your prayer. Failure to abide
in Him may well be placed first in any list of hindrances to faith, for it
nullifies Gods guarantee.

Abiding in Christ is not church membership. It is not being kind to your
neighbors. It is not even singing in the choir, teaching a Sunday School class,
preaching or praying. It is living in the Word of God, by the Word of God, and
in joyful fellowship with God.

Romans 8:1 "There is... No condemnation to them which are IN Christ Jesus."

Some ask God, and receive. Others ask in the same words, and receive nothing.
This is not a matter of words, and receive nothing. This is not a matter of
chance, nor of respect of persons, but of faith.

James 4:3 "Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it
upon your lusts." This kind of asking can never be done in faith. There may be a
desire to be well, and even a hope that "it may work." But there cannot be
faith, for there is not promise upon which faith can be based. There are those
who desire healing in order to be better able to carry on their sinful pursuits.
A dancer who became paralyzed through an accident desired healing so that she
might go back to her dancing. A society lady wanted healing for her drawn and
crippled hands in order to be able to deal the cards more gracefully. Simon the
sorcerer (Acts 8:1-40) desired to be able to impart the Holy Ghost by the laying
on of hands, so that he might turn this gift to his own financial profit. god
does not give faith to such people. Used indiscriminately, by those who were
governed by their own lust, it could even be dangerous. For this reason, it is
given only to those who abide in Christ, and in whom His Words abide. Only these
can be trusted to use such a mighty power.

Those who abide in Christ are not condemned.

1 John 3:21-22 "If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God;
and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do
those things which are pleasing in is sight." This is Gods formula for faith.
Until you have met this condition, you cannot have faith. You may be persuaded
that God is able to heal you, but you can only hope that He will, for He has not
promised to do it while you live in sin, under condemnation.

I may know a millionaire, who could easily give me a thousand dollars. I know he
could do it.

He may even have given one of my friends a thousand dollars. I may even have
seen the check. I may need it very badly, and hope fervently that he will
somehow decide to give me a thousand dollars, but I have no real reason to
believe that he will unless he says that he will.

Gods power is sufficient to heal, as well as to save EVERYBODY. But His promise
is to heal those who keep His commandments and walk in His statutes, and those
who believe Him, that all His Words are truth.

Condemnation is no doubt the greatest hindrance to faith. A few of the things
which bring condemnation to Christians, hindering faith, will be mentioned here.
Let the reader be reminded that anything which is of a disobedient, ungodly,
unholy nature is a hindrance to faith.

Peter exhorts husbands and wives in regard to their relationship:

1 Peter 3:1, 1 Peter 3:7 "Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your husbands,
that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the
conversation of the wives. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to
knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being
heirs together of the grace of life; THAT YOUR PRAYERS BE NOT HINDERED." The
faith many is hindered because scriptural relationship in the home. But
unscriptural attitudes toward our fellow men outside the home can also be a
great hindrance to faith.

Mark 11:24-25 "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye
receive them and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive if ye
have ought against any." An unforgiving spirit hinders faith.

Many professed Christians live under constant condemnation because they refuse
to give God the tithe which He declares to be His.

Leviticus 27:30 "The tithe is the Lords"

They are aware of the fact the Bible teaches consistent tithing, that a tenth of
their increase should be given to God for the support of the ministry. yet great
numbers of church people refuse to walk in the light of Gods Word. Many of these
so-called "saints" help to make up the healing lines. God calls them thieves.
Malachi 3:8. If you have been robbing God, do not expect Him to heal you until
you have first asked His pardon and become a tither. True, the law required
tithing, but the tithe is older than the law. And Gods promises are still true.

Malachi 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be
meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the lord of hosts, if I
will not open you windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there
shall not be room enough to receive it."

Another hindrance to faith is found in James 5:16.

James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye
may be healed."

Many people are quick to see the faults of others, but seemingly are blind to
any faults of their own. With this spirit, one could hardly expect to have faith
to trust God for healing.

Few people claim to be perfect, yet when confronted with the idea that
confessing of faults may be necessary for their healing, there is usually not
one fault which they are willing to confess.

While many receive immediate healing as they come in the healing line, it is a
well known fact that there are people all over that land today, who have passed
through many healing lines and yet are not healed. These are the people who need
to call in help - according to James 5:14; the elders of the church and with
much heart-searching and prayer trace out in their lives the reason the healing
has been withheld. Then when the light of God has revealed to his honest,
seeking heart the cause of his failure to be healed, he should confess that
fault to those who are praying with him, asking their prayers that the fault may
be overcome. Then, in answer to the united prayers of the sick person and the
elders who have been called in to help him, Satan can be driven from the field,
a double victory won. The bondage of both sin and sickness will be broken.

Those who hear such confession MUST remember that in the cause of Christian
brotherhood they are under obligation to speak to no one but to God of the
faults which have been so confessed.

Unwillingness to confess faults usually indicates an unwillingness to forsake
them, or else a lack of confidence in the power of God to deliver from them.
This is one of the greatest hindrances to faith We are warned in Gods Word that
in the last days there shall be those in the world 2 Timothy 3:5 "Having a form
of godliness, but denying the power thereof."

Surely this does not apply to those who make no profession of godliness, but to
churches and ministers who make loud professions of godliness, but deny that
there is any supernatural power in operation in the world today. They advise
instead of conversion by means of a new birth, good resolutions, church
membership, or baptism. None of these things can change a heart.

Jesus said to one such religious man who had come to recognize the futility of
his own doctrine and sincerely sought Gods way, John 3:7 "Ye must be born
again."

Some who call themselves "Fundamentalists" accept this much of the
miracle-working over of God, but no more. They agree with Mark 16:16 "He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved." But they deny the power of Mark
16:17.

Mark 16:17 "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they
cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents;
and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands
on the sick, and they shall recover."

They gather together in churches and sing their hymns, preach their sermons,
pray their beautiful prayers, some even baptize with water, and take the Lords
Supper. They have all the outward form of godliness. They are recognized by the
world and by the government as "the church", but they absolutely DENY THE POWER
JESUS PROMISED TO LEAVE WITH THE GODLY. In the same verse with the warning
quoted as the beginning of this thought, God has told us clearly what to do if
we are associated with such a group of people. "FROM SUCH TURN AWAY." 2 Timothy
3:5.

Many fail to receive healing because they have not heeded this warning. The
spark of faith has begun to glow in their hearts, but instead of assembling
themselves together with others of like precious faith, greater faith, they
insist upon remaining in the company of those who not only do not believe in the
miracle-working power of God, but openly deny that there is any such power. Your
personal faith has as good a chance of surviving in such circumstances as a coal
of fire has in a tub of ice water. God has not called you to remain in such an
environment. It is very well to tell them of what you have found in Gods word.
If they also believe, you have won a friend in Christ. But if they will not
believe, then the Word of God is plain. Turn away from them, for they have
turned away their ears from the truth, and will turn you away from the truth
also, if you continue in their company.

Search the Scriptures. Build your faith upon the word of God, and then get into
a church which has done the same. Many, many people are hindered from receiving
healing faith because they have failed to heed this important warning of Gods
Word.

God has guaranteed to heal those who ask in faith, without wavering. The only
way that Satan can prevent you from receiving the healing God has promised you,
is to keep you from asking in faith. This he accomplishes through tricking you
into allowing some one or more of these hindrances to remain in your life.
Examine your heart and life today. Get rid of the hindrances. Then you can come
to God UNCONDEMNED.

1 John 3:21-22 "If your heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward
God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him."

One of the most common hindrances to faith is found in the common misconceptions
regarding the teachings of Gods Word which will be discussed in the next
chapter. These are largely due to erroneous teaching, by those who do not
themselves possess the power of God in their lives, and make excuse for
themselves by adjusting the teaching of Scripture to their own thinking. Of
these, Peter tells us that these people, though they may be very learned in the
things of this world, from Gods standpoint they are unlearned and unstable, and
wrest the Scriptures, unto their own destruction.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 23: 2.08.     MISCONCEPTIONS IN REGARD TO HEALING
========================================================================

CHAPTER 8 MISCONCEPTIONS IN REGARD TO HEALING

Many born again Christians, who are living sincerely and whole-heartedly for
God, are sick, and even remain sick after having been prayed for healing. This
may be due to some misconception in regard to the teachings of God’s Word. They
have not been able to understand that God promises healing to ALL who ask in
faith. They do not realize the extent of God’s great guarantee of healing.
Because of this misconception, they have asked wavering.

God says, James 1:6-7 "Let him ask in faith, NOTHING WAVERING. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not
that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord."

Often these come for prayer with their minds made up that they DO believe, and
that they will not waver in faith. But when they face the situation, they find
their faith wavers. They say, "I really thought I was going to be healed this
time, but I just cant seem to have enough faith."

These people really have faith, but their faith is made to waver by the entrance
into their minds of misconceptions regarding the Word of God, which have
commonly been taught for doctrines, but which really cannot be proven by the
word of God. These are traditions of men which "Make the word of God of none
effect" (Mark 7:13) to the person who heeds them.

Jesus said of those who taught in this way, Mark 7:7; Matthew 15:9.

"In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

God has guaranteed healing to His people, but those who profess to be His
ministers have told the people that He didnt mean what He said!

Most prominent among these misconceptions, is the idea that some cannot be
healed because they are sick for the glory of God. This teaching is based upon
two misinterpreted incidents in the ministry of Christ. When Jesus was told that
Lazarus was sick, he replied, John 11:3 "This sickness is not unto death, but
for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." When
Jesus finally came to Bethany, and was met by the sisters of Lazarus, He
certainly was not met with praise, nor were they glorifying God nor His Son. The
Son of God was glorified WHEN LAZARUS CAME FORTH FROM THE TOMB. John 11:44. In
the other case, some of Jesus disciples questioned Him concerning a man born
blind, whether the man had sinned of his parents. (Note: This is an example of
the attitude of that time regarding the relation between sin and sickness.)
Jesus answered, John 9:3 "Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents: but that
the works of God should be made manifest in him." This does not infer that
neither this man nor his parents had ever committed a sin, for we are told,
Romans 3:23 "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

Rather, this blindness, which was unusual, was not a direct punishment of
unusual sin. But if this man was blind for Gods glory, then Jesus was working
against the glory of God, for He gave sight that day to the man who was born
blind. This mans blindness was not in itself a glory to God. Rather his
blindness was an occasion for the works of God to be made manifest in him. God
was glorified when those who had known him to have been born blind, saw that
suddenly he was able to see.

If you are sick for Gods glory, then let God be glorified NOW, by accepting
healing from Him, and witnessing to all about you of the mighty power of God,
who delivers all those who trust in Him! Not once in all His earthly ministry
did Jesus ever command any person to be sick, although He commanded many to be
well, and healed them with Is word. Not once did a sick person come to Him
asking to be healed and receive the answer, "It is Gods will for you to remain
sick for His glory."

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Then it is inconceivable that while He was here on earth He glorified the Father
by healing Matthew 4:23 "all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among
the people". but now having gone back to the Father, He is glorified by the
people remaining patient in affliction, declaring to all whom they meet that
this sickness is an evidence of the love of God toward them. No wonder those who
are not Christians, are not interested in sharing in such love!

Nowhere in the Word of God is sickness declared to be an evidence of Gods favor.
Rather it is the penalty for sin. (See Deuteronomy 28:22-28; and Deuteronomy
28:61). The reward of obedience is health and healing. (Exodus 15:1-27; Exodus
15:26). A glaring inconsistency in those who hold the view that sickness may be
the will of god for some, is that, while they do not come to God for healing,
they seem to feel no qualms of conscience in doing all that human power can do
to ease pain and restore health. If sickness it truly Gods will for them, should
they try to escape it? Suppose I should say to you, "I am laboring in this city
for the glory of God. It is Gods will for me to labor here. But I will only stay
until I can somehow find a way to get away from here. I am leaving just as soon
as I can earn, beg or borrow the price of a bus ticket to take me away. I know
it is Gods will for me to be here, but He can only keep me here by making it
impossible for me to leave!" These good people would be horrified, and would
doubtless accuse me of being rebellious against God. nevertheless, they say they
are sick for gods glory, yet it is very apparent that they will remain that way
only so long as it is impossible for them to make themselves well. its not his
inconsistent?

Sickness is NOT the will of God for His people. It is the work of the devil. It
is the will of god that His people "prosper and be in health." 1 John 2:1-29.
Therefore let us come to God without wavering, in full assurance that we are
asking in His will." And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we
ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear
us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of
him".

1 John 5:14-15.

Those who insist that some are sick because it sis the will of God, strengthen
their position by quoting as examples a few cases in Scripture which they feel
are circumstantial evidence that God has chosen some of the best of his servants
to be sick. At best, this is only circumstantial evidence which has to be
accepted "with reservations" in any court of law. Then, under careful
examination, these cases break down, even as circumstantial evidence.

Let us consider first the matter of Jobs boils. According to the testimony of
God Himself, Job was a perfect and upright man, in that he feared God and
shunned evil." Job 1:8. No divinity or superhuman perfection is attributed to
Job.

Any Christian can and should be at least as perfect as was Job, for our
opportunities and privileges and power are far ahead of his. And Jesus Himself
left us the commandment to be "perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is
perfect." Matthew 5:48. The Scriptures, which Job never had the privilege of
reading, because he lived before they were written, were given that the man of
God may be perfect." 2 Timothy 3:17. No Christian is in the will of God, nor in
a position to seek healing, who is satisfied with being anything less than
perfect. Though we may need to say with Paul, "Not as though I had already
attained, either were already perfect, but I follow after" (Php 3:12), let us
keep this goal constantly before us and earnestly "press toward the mark" at all
times.

Never make excuse for imperfections. PERFECTION IS THE GOAL.

God accounted job as perfect, because he sincerely feared God, and eschewed
(shunned, found no pleasure in doing) evil. However, a careful study of the book
of Job will reveal to the thoughtful reader that there were reasons enough in
Job himself for his trouble being allowed to come upon him. God does not submit
His faithful and beloved followers to the tortures of Satan for no better reason
than merely to prove a point to the devil. True enough, Hobs faithfulness WAS
proved, and Satans boast proved empty, but a far greater issue than that was
involved in the trial of Job. This book indicates that even a perfect man can be
made better.

First, let us note that while Job was commended for his fear of God (Job 1:8),
that this was not Jobs only fear. When he found that he was bereft of family and
possessions, suffering in body, scorned by his wife, misunderstood and accused
by his friends, he cried out, "The thing which I GREATLY FEARED is come upon
me." Job 3:25.

Fear is not faith. Faith is our protection against sin and sickness, and our
defense when these enemies lay hold upon us. Satan saw it as a hedge round about
Job, through which he could not penetrate. But fear, being opposed to faint,
makes an opening in the hedge through which Satan may enter. Job is not to be
condemned for his attitude, for he had not the Scriptures as we have today. His
knowledge of God and His dealings came only from oral tradition, and an
incomplete direct personal revelation of God. (Note: Job is generally recognized
as the first written book of the Bible.) Since faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the Word of God, it is little wonder that Job should have failed to
have fight sufficient to protect him from Satans attack. But having Gods
glorious promises so easily accessible, let us grasp them by faith and step
forth into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, rather than remain grubbing
in Jobs ash heap for an excuse to remain in bondage to sickness and oppression
of Satan.

God did not afflict Job (Job 2:7): "Satan smote Job with sores boils" Even this
he could not do without Gods permission. In his desperation, Job examined his
attitude toward God, and through the struggles of his soul, found a new
relationship with God. True, he had feared God, and had striven to do right and
to avoid evil, but now, when his wife urged him to curse God and die (Job 2:9),
and his friends accused him of every kind of sin, calling them by name, job
discovered that only one thing remained a firm anchor in his fast changing
world. In his anguish he cried, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him." Job
13:15. God could not disregard such faith as that. Immediately God began to work
toward Jobs deliverance. he revealed Himself to Job in such a glorious flash of
splendor as has seldom been equaled in His dealings with any one ma. In the
light of this revelation, Job had a fine opportunity to compare his own
righteousness with that of his maker, and found himself sadly lacking. He
approached God then, not in a spirit of self righteousness, but in true humility
and repentance (Job 42:6) mixed with faith. He was even willing to pray for the
deliverance of his accusers, and "the Lord turned again the captivity of Job
when he prayed for his friends" Job 42:10. But the most beautiful part of the
whole story is found in the concluding verses of the book of Job. After Job had
repented of his self righteousness and lack of trust, and has proven his
humility and forgiveness by praying for his friends, and God had set him free
from the CAPTIVITY of Satan, we see Job restored to all his former glory, and
even more than he had at the beginning. He lived another one hundred and forty
years, and there is no record that he ever had another boil to annoy him in all
that time!

If you have been following Jobs example, sitting in the ash heap bemoaning your
fate, and blaming it upon God, better take another look at your example. Place
your trust in God, as Job did, though it may seem to lead only to death. Start
searching the Scriptures, reading prayerfully, and as though you had never heard
those explanations men have added by their traditions. Look to God HIMSELF to
find the caus of your sicknes, and when you ahve found the casue GET RID OF IT.
Like Job, you will be set free from bondage. God is just the same today! The
enemies of the gospel of healing have attempted to point out that if an example
can be found of one who was a true child of God, whom God could not or would not
heal, no guarantee can be given that God will heal all who meet the conditions.
Seeing beforehand this attempt to discredit His work, the Lord has carefully
shown us in His Word the REASONS for those sicknesses which did persist for a
time in the presence of the mighty miracle-working powers of Christ "worked...
confirming the word with sins following." Mark 16:20. In this regard we will
deal briefly with the cases often mentioned, having to do with the ministry of
Paul, by whose hands God wrought special miracles (Acts 19:11-12) so that not
only those whom he touched were healed, but even men and women who were hindered
from contacting him personally were healed of diseases and delivered from evil
spirits, when handkerchiefs of aprons were brought to them from Pauls body.

We are told that his fellow soldier and companion in labor, Epaphroditus, became
sick while in the company of Paul that he was nigh unto death. In fact, these
are Pauls own words (Php 2:27). However, Paul does not stop here, but in the
same verse declares that "God had mercy on him," so that now he is able to make
the long journey from Rome to Philippi, despite the difficulty of such a journey
in those times, showing the Philippians by his presence, the greatness of the
power and love of God in his behalf. Not only this, but in verse 30, Paul
explains the reason for the sickness. "Because of the work of Christ he was nigh
unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."
The gifts of healing do not guarantee an unlimited supply of strength and energy
to the human body. It is possible even in so worthy a work as carrying the
Gospel and praying for the sick, to tax the body beyond what God has made it
able to endure, with sickness as a result. But even here God shows Himself
merciful, and, while a period of absolute rest, or convalescence, may be
required, there is no need to be permanently defeated because of a nervous
breakdown or other illness caused by overwork.

Then we are told that even Paul had his private physician - Luke = who traveled
with him to watch after his health. It is true that Luke had been trained as a
physician (Colossians 4:14). However, there is as much reason to declare that
Jesus took Matthew with Him as His private tax collector, as to assert that Luke
was chosen to go with Paul because of his skill as a physician. There is no
record in the Scripture that Luke ever treated either Paul or any sick person in
any place that they visited, in the capacity of a physician. Only once is his
being a physician mentioned. As author of the books of Luke and Acts, he records
many miraculous healings. It is noteworthy that every one of them is recorded as
one hundred percent miraculous. Never once is it recorded that either Luke or
any other physician applied any medical aid as supplemental to the
miracle-working power of God. No doubt, Luke, being a physician, was especially
impressed with the ease with which Christ and his Spirit-filled disciples
relieved diseases which the physicians had spent much time and effort trying in
vain to heal. In fact, it is Luke who records that "A woman having an issue of
blood twelve years, WHCIH HAD SPENT ALL HERL LIVING UPON PHYSICIANS, NEITHER
COULD BE HEALED OF ANY, came behind him and touched the border of his garment:
and immediately her issue of blood was staunched." Luke 8:43-44. No doubt is it
true that faithful physicians have relieved much human suffering, but there are
plenty of people in the world today who have never learned of the healing power
of God, to keep all the physicians busy, and to fully justify their existence in
the world. Let us know the Great Physician, wait at His feet instead of in the
overcrowded waiting room of the earthly physician, to find relief, full and
free, with out money and without price, and may we add, with out medicine or
surgery, that our bodies may be well and strong for his glory. Surely He is
worthy of every testimonial to His skill and faithfulness that His loving
followers can give.

If many who have been long sick would spend half the time waiting upon God that
they have spent waiting to be treated by some of the famous physicians of out
time if only they would be as diligent to heed His directions and carry out His
commands as they are in having prescriptions filled and carrying out the orders
given by earthy physicians - there would be no need for the question, considered
in the next chapter, "WHY MANY DO NOT RECEIVE HEALING." They would be healed.

Start today to examine yourself according to the Word of God. Find what he says
to do and DO

IT. These treatments are not in the experimental stage. They are tried and
proven unconditionally guaranteed to be one hundredpercenteffective when used
according to instructions. As a final proof that God denies healing to some,
they quote, "Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought
the lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for ghee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I
take pleasure in my infirmities." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

Whatever Pauls thorn may have been, Gods grace was purely sufficient for him,
for the list of his achievements and sufferings given in Chapter 11 would
certainly be a sufficient test of grace. But to say that Pauls thorn was a
physical defect would certainly require some backing beyond what is found in
this passage of scripture, for sickness is not mentioned. The strongest
advocates of the idea what the thorn was a physical weakness dare not go further
that to say, "It has been conjectured that Pauls thorn in the flesh was chronic
ophtalmia." (Scholfield Bible, page 1239.) Surely in the face of the glorious
promises of healing given boldly in the Word of God, something stronger than a
mere conjecture that Paul was sick, should be required to cancel such strong
promises. The term, "thorn in the flesh," has been so commonly connected in our
thinking with sickness that it has come to have that meaning to many readers of
Scripture. But let us examine its use in other scriptures, to see if that was
the thought of the writer. In Numbers 33:55; the Israelites were warned, "If ye
will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, hen it shall
come to pass, that those which ye let remain shall be pricks in your eyes and
THORNS IN YOUR SIDES." This warning is repeated in Joshua 23:13 and in Judges
2:3. Thus the thorn refers, not to something within the body, but to annoyance
from without, causes by people. Paul speaks of his particular thorn as being "a
messenger of Satan to me." The word "buffet" means to strike as with the hand;
to contend with. In the list of infirmities in which Paul chooses to glory (2
Corinthians 11:23-33), there is no sickness nor blindness mentioned, but rather
persecutions. He does mention weariness and painfulness, but would not beatings,
stoning, hunger and cold be sufficient cause for weariness and painfulness?

After reviewing the list of Pauls sufferings and accomplishments, would it not
require more faith in the miraculous to believe that he was carried through all
these things while suffering from physical illness, than to believe that he was
kept in health by the power of God?

God is not a respecter of persons (Col. 13:25). His promises are YOURS! Let no
man beguile you.

Believe the word of God, and not the traditions which have been built up around
about it. As the flame of your faith is made to burn brightly, no longer
wavering, you may ask God WHATSOEVER HE HAS PROMISED! It shall be done unto you!


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  CHAPTER 24: 2.09.     WHY MANY DO NOT RECEIVE HEALING
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CHAPTER 9 WHY MANY DO NOT RECEIVE HEALING "If God still heals the sick today,
why are so many good Christian people sick?"

Thousands of sick and suffering people in the world today would love to believe
in the teaching of divine healing. It would mean deliverance for them from much
suffering and sorrow But they dare not rest their case in the hands of God, and
trust Him for deliverance, until this question is answered.

Thousands more, who already believe in the doctrine of divine healing, are
asking almost the same question. "others are healed. I know that God does heal
today." Why do I not receive healing? Is God a respecter of persons?"

These questions cannot be ignored. God certainly has not ignored them, for we
have the answer in the Bible.

"There is no respect of person with God." Romans 2:11.

If Gods promises of healing apply to ANY ONE they apply to EVERY ONE.

"Is ANY sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church: and let them
pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the lord: and the prayer of
faith SHALL RAISE HIM UP; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven
him." James 5:14-16.

It has been explained earlier in this book, that divine healing is not provided
nor promised for the enemies of Christ, nor for those who persist in living in
sin. It is our purpose here to deal with the reasons that CHRISTIAN PEOPLE fail
to receive healing. If you desire to be healed, and are not a Christian, you
must first find healing for your soul. Repent of your sins and seek God with
your whole heart. When you have repented of your sins, and believe in your heart
the lord Jesus (not just some things about him, but believe HIM, trust him,
believe what he says in his word) and have confessed him with your mouth, then
you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10.) Then you will be born again by the spirit
of God, born into the family of God, and eligible to ask in faith for any of his
promised benefits.

If you are a Christian and still have not receive healing, examine your life and
your attitudes in the light of Gods word. God has not shown respect of persons
in your case, for that is contrary to his divine nature. If you are still sick,
there is a reason. God word will reveal it to you, if you will diligently seek
his face. When you find the trouble, correct it, and Gods healing touch is
yours. His is Gods guarantee, and do cannot lie. The one reason that stands out
above all others is lack of faith.

You may say, "But I have faith. I know God is able to heal me. Then why does he not do it?" Do you believe he will heal you, NOW? You say, "I hope he will. I know God does heal today. Ive been to Bro. -----s big meeting, and seen hundreds healed. But when he laid his hands on me I didnt gent healed."

What you have IS NOT FAIHT. You have hope. you hope to be healed. You have
KNOWLEDGE. You know God is able to heal, and that He does heal. You believe what
you have seen. But you do not have FAITH. Faith is believing what you have not
seen, simply because God said it is so. (Hebrews 11:1) If you had faith, you
would already y have been healed. A dear sister came to us with a deaf ear,
which had been deaf fro many years. She said, "I dont see why I dont get healed.
I have as much faith as anyone. I have all the faith in the world.

We carefully explained to her that if she had real living faith to that extent,
it would be impossible for her to remain deaf, for real faith works. "Faith
without works (faith that doesnt work) is dead. James 2:20. Real faith is
guaranteed to bring results for God is faithful that promised. When she
recognized the fact that she was lacking in faith, and humbly asked God to
forgive her for doubting him and to help her unbelief, immediately her ear was
unstopped. This is a thoroughly scriptural approach to God in such a case.

Jesus once said to a man whose faith was weak, "If thou can believe, all things
are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23. The man replied, with tears,
"Lord, I believe; help tho mine unbelief."

Immediately, Jesus first eloped his unbelief. His faith sprang up. He received
the faith that God gives. And the thing he desired became not only a
possibility, but a reality. His son was delivered from Satans power. An honest
confession of doubt, coupled with a sincere desire to learn better how to
believe, is far better than a loud profession of faith that does not work. It is
hard to deceive yourself in this matter, and IMPOSSIBLE to deceive God.

Real faith is not hoping that God will heal you, nor knowing that he is able to
heal you. It is joyful assurance that the work is as good as done because God
WHO CANNOT LIE has promised - yes, even guaranteed - to heal YOU!

Many fail to receive healing because, due to erroneous teaching, they have been
made to believe that sickness and physical suffering is Gods way of bringing out
the best in them, or of developing the fruits of the spirit in their lives. They
believe that they must be patient in affliction, an wait until it is Gods time
to heal them. That perhaps God is working out patience and long suffering in
them. Or perhaps God is chastening them for some unknown sin.

It is true that sin opens the door for sickness to enter, but all God asks is
that the sin be confessed and forsaken. The scripture in James 5:14-17 applies
particularly to this case. God does not say, "Is any sick among you? Let him
patiently wait until God has finished chastening him." Rather, Confess your
faults one to another (Now, TODAY!), and pray one for another that ye may be
healed." The promise is, "The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord
shall raise him up. And if he have committed sins they shall be FORGIVEN HIM."

God is not glorified by the Christian continuing either in sickness or in the
sin that caused it, but rather by giving deliverance from both.

Patience and long-suffering are "fruits of the SPIRIT" (Galatians 5:22-23), not
"fruits of sickness and suffering." They result directly from yieldedness to the
indwelling spirit of God. If in some individuals they may seem to result from
sickness, it is rather because the sickness had driven that individual to give
more attention to his relationship with the spirit of God that he did when he
was well. Any person who has observed sick people will readily agree that in
other circumstances the result of sickness is frequently less, rather than more,
patience.

If God (who never changes) uses this method of teaching patience and
log-suffering, surely at some time in the earthly ministry of Christ, He would
have said to someone who cried out to Him for deliverance "Go thy way,.] Remain
sick until you have learned patience. Then you may seek me again, and perhaps I
will heal you." But never once did He give such an answer. Not once did He
command any person who was well to become sick, not any who was sick to remain
so.

Both sin and sickness are the works of the devil.

God certainly has not ordained that the fruits of the spirit should be developed
by the works of the devil. This is the work of the Spirit! Christ was manifested
to destroy the works of the devil.

Some may say, "This may not be Gods time to heal me. I will be faithful in my
sickness, and God in his own good time will heal me, should it be his will to do
so."

It would be just as well for the sinner to say, "This may not be Gods time to
save me. I will be faithful in my sin and disobedience, and if I am one whom God
wills to save, surely he will save me in his own good time."

We know that it is the will of God to save everybody, for he is "not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Nevertheless, none will escape except they repent, for Jesus himself said,
"Except ye repent, ye shall ALL likewise perish." The moment the sinner repents,
salvation is his. He need not wait and wonder if God will save him, for God has
said, "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. This is recognized as
sound doctrine among all who call themselves fundamental believers. Yet many of
them fail to recognize the fact that the same Bible tells them, "I wish above
all things that thou mayest prosper and BE IN HEALTH, even as thy soul
prospereth." 3 John 1:2.

Health is Gods will for his people, conditioned upon the well-being of the soul.

All Gods promises are conditional. Salvation is conditioned upon repentance.
Healing is conditioned upon faith and spiritual health. But when Gods conditions
are known and met, HEAVEN GUARANTEES THE ANSWER.

"For ALL the promises of god in him are yea, and in him amen unto the glory of
God." 2 Corinthians 1:20.

"For he is faithful that promised." Hebrews 10:23.

Many fail to receive healing because they do not ask definitely for the thing
which they desire from God. "Ye have not because ye ask not." James 4:2.

Two blind men were sitting by the wayside, and hearing that Jesus passed by,
began to cry out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David." truly,
they were addressing their plea to the right person, but when their prayer is
analyzed, they really had not asked him for ANYTHING! Jesus asked them. "What
will ye that I shall do unto you?" Matthew 20:32. "Lord that our eyes may be
opened."

Thus their prayer was made definite, and "Immediately their eyes received
sight." Verse 34. When you come to God for healing, state your need definitely.
Gods promise is, "Whatsoever ye shall ASK in my name, THAT will I do. John
14:13. A man came in the healing line who was deaf in one ear, blind in one eye,
and had rheumatism in his knees. As he came, he asked for deliverance for his
ear, which had been totally deaf for a number of years. As prayer was offered
and Satans power was broken he immediately received his hearing. this so
inspired his faith that he had courage to ask healing for his eye. when this
prayer also was answered, his faith was strengthened yet further, so that he
asked and received deliverance for his crippled knees. There was no real new
need in the man, nor any new willingness to heal on Gods part. But as each need
was presented definitely, God was true to his word, and DID EXACTLY WHAT WAS
ASKED IN JESUS NAME.

Often failure to make a definite request is due to a lack of faith. The beggar
who comes to your back door may say, "Lady, please give me something to eat. He
is not sure he will get anything.

If he should get something, he doesnt know what it will be. So he makes his
request indefinite. But when you go into the store with money in your purse, to
buy something to eat, your dont say, "Give me something to eat. You say, "Give
me a loaf of bread, and a pound of butter." You give the grocer a very definite
list of just the things you want, and the quantity of each. You have no doubt
that you will receive the things you ask for.

Just so, the person who comes to God believing that whatsoever he asks he shall
receive, will normally ask definitely for the things he desires.

Many times, if we can persuade the person seeking healing to determine in his
mind exactly what healing he truly needs and expects to get, and to ask
definitely FOR THAT HEALING, the barrier to healing is immediately removed.

Many people believe that it is a sign of meekness of humility to say, after they
have prayed, "If it be thy will." This may be a trick of the enemy to keep you
from having real faith to be healed. So long as you are not sure it is Gods will
to heal you, you cannot ask in faith, for never in the history of answered
prayer has anyone persuaded God to do anything contrary to his will! The central
secret of answered prayer is praying IN HIS WILL.

Those who feel they should say, "If it be thy will" quote as an example the
prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane, when he cried out in agony of soul, "If thou be
willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will but thine be done."
Luke 22:42. Note that he was not praying for something which God had promised.
He was not praying with a desire to change the circumstances. And although this
prayer was prayed by the Son of God hims 3lf. IT DID NOT

BRING ABOUT THE CHANGE suggested in the prayer! This was never intended to be a
prayer to change things. It was simply the agonizing cry of a struggling soul.

How different was the triumphant prayer at the tomb of Lazarus. "Father, I thank
thee that thou hast hear me. And I knew that thou hearest me always...Lazarus,
come forth!" John 11:41-43. When we pray for healing, we are praying for that
which God has already revealed to be His will. (See chapter 3, "Is it gods will
to heal you?") Why, then, should we say, "If it be thy will?

It is right that we should be concerned to know the will of God, and that when
we pray, we should pray in accordance with His will.

We read in James 4:13, "Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:...For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that." In this case, God has not promised, nor revealed His will in the matter. But God has promised and revealed his will in regard to the healing of His people Therefore, we need not say, " --- If it be thy will." Rather, let us say, "I thank you, Father, that you have revealed Your will concerning this matter in Your word, and that I know I am asking in your will."

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything
according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever
we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" 1 John
5:1-21. The "if" in many prayers not only denotes doubt. It is used as a
loophole through which may hope to escape any possible charge of unbelief of
unconfessed sin. If healing fails to come, the person who prays thus can always
excuse himself by saying, "It just was not Gods will to heal me. He heals
others, but although I am blameless, God has shown respect of persons, and
chooses not to heal me. In the light of Gods own plain statement that he is not
a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11), such a statement might well be classed as
a slander against God, or "charging God foolishly." A lack of understanding of
the dealings of God in regard to healing is the cause of many remaining sick.
The person who has already set a pattern in his mind which he feels is the only
way that God can or will work is in danger of losing confidence or of feeling
that his prayer has not been heard or will not be answered, when the answer does
not come according to his mental pattern. since healing can only come by faith,
it is easy to see the importance of understanding Gods methods of dealing, in
order that faith may not be shaken.

Many people have been heard to remark that if God does the healing, it will be
instantly complete. The fact that this is merely mans theory, and not Gods
constant pattern, can be readily seen from the fact that Christ himself did not
always heal in this way. Often, He did heal instantly, and many healings are
instant and complete today. But other patterns apparent today were also apparent
in the ministry of Christ. A certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum,
met Jesus and said to Him, "Come down ere my child dies" Jesus said unto him,
"Go thy way. Thy son liveth." John 4:50. According to the words of Jesus, the
boy was healed. The work was done. The case was closed, so far as Jesus was
concerned. the noblemans servants met him along the road before he reached home,
bringing him the glad news, "Thy son liveth." When the father inquired of them
the hour when he began to amend, the servant replied, Yesterday at the seventh
hour the fever left him." Verse 52. Then the father remembered that it was the
same hour that Jesus had said, "Thy son liveth."

Note that the boy "began to amend." It would appear that although this boy was
truly HEALED, It was not an instant, full restoration to his former health and
vigor. Rather, the fever left, and he was on the road to recovery.

Even so today, in many cases, the cause of the disease is driven out, yet some
time is required before normal processes of growth or convalescence bring about
a state of full and normal well being.

Two dangers are involved in failure to understand this truth.

First, the person may lose confidence in the healing power of God, due to
disappointment in failing to be made perfectly whole as he had expected. The
loss of confidence opens the door for Satan to return and take possession again
of that which had been taken from him (see Matthew 12:43-45), and even that
which was at one time to having received a "partial healing," and then in a
little while are as bad or worse than they were before. (This is discussed at
greater length in Matthew 13:1-58, "How to Keep Your Healing.") Then there is
the danger of accepting the partial deliverance as being all that God can or
will do in your case, and therefore failing to continue to stand against the
devil by faith until the healing is complete. If Satan cannot prevent your
healing altogether, he will back up one step, and try to hinder you from
receiving ALL that God intended for you to have. Gods plan for healing is
COMPLETE HEALING, whether it be instant healing or convalescent type or
deliverance If you do not receive instant healing, do not be discouraged, but
keep praising God by faith for that which has already been done on your behalf.
Not only for the improvement in your condition which you may be able to feel,
but especially for the stripes which He bore at the whipping post in Jerusalem
to pay the price for YOUR deliverance! And keep right on looking to Jesus until
the manifestation of your deliverance is complete. As Jesus entered into a
certain village, ten men who were lepers stood afar off and "lifted up their
voices, and said, Jesus, Master have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said
unto them.

God shew your selves unto the priest." Luke 17:13-14.

Jesus did not, there on the spot, tell them they were healed. But He did tell
them go to show themselves to the priest, which they knew they had no right to
do unless they were healed. As they started to the priest in obedience by faith,
doing the thing they could not do unless they were healed, although as yet there
was not outward manifestation of their healing. "It came to pass that as they
went they were cleansed." (verse 14.) This was not an immediate visible healing,
but was a genuine healing by the power of God.

These men took God at His word, and His word did not fail. They acted their
faith, while it was yet not seen. As a result, in a very short time they SAW
what they had had faith to believe.

If you will do BY FAITH, that which you could not do before, God will meet you.
Jesus frequently asked the bedfast to "Take up thy bed and walk." When they did
it, they were healed.

Peter said to the man at the beautiful gate of the temple, who had been impotent
in his feet from birth, "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and
walk." Then he took him by the hand and helped him up onto his feet. Immediately
his feet and ankle bones received strength, and he not only stood and walked,
but ran and leaped. Acts 3:6-7. Many today are receiving deliverances in exactly
this same manner. A young lady came in the healing line who had walked only on
crutches for four years. As she came, the glow of faith was upon her face.
Before the minister could say one word to her she beamingly handed him her
crutches. She was fully persuaded by faith that she would need them no longer.
Of course, she went away walking without the crutches. God never fails to reward
real living faith. Another had come to the same healing line in her wheel chair.
After prayer she was commanded to raise and walk, without making one move in an
effort to arise, she looked up at the minister and replied, "you know I cant do
that." And she couldnt, because she did not believe, However, two night later,
as she had been more fully instructed in the promises of God, she did arise fro
the chair, walked, ran, and climbed the steps to the platform. This type of
healing seems to have been one of the most prominent in the healing ministry of
Jesus, and is still in effect today.

Faith in God is more that faith in His promises. It is also faith in His
commands. His command need not always be a simple test of faith, as in the
preceding cases. It may be a test of obedience as well. In John 9:1; Jesus met a
man who was blind from his birth. Jesus met a man who was blind from his birth.
Jesus made clay and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. Then He
gave him a command: "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam." The blind man did exactly
as he was told.

"He went his way, therefore, and washed, and CAME SEEING." The blind mans eyes
were opened! When? When the man obeyed the command of Jesus, and did what He
told him to do Thus, we learn that healing may be down the road of obedience
Jesus can heal you in the same way today. It is important to recognize that this
is scriptural. The author has known of many cases where God dealt with certain
individuals concerning obedience, these same persons being miraculously healed
as soon as they had obeyed Gods voice. It is doubtful if any who stubbornly
refuse to do Gods bidding can have faith to receive healing. In James 5:16; we
find a command which God has given to many of those who have sought, but failed
to receive healing for their bodies. "Confess your faults one to another, and
pray one for another that ye may be healed." Certainly there is a strong
inference her that if one is unwilling to confess his faults, these secret sins
may destroy his faith, and hinder that person from being healed. It has bee the
experience of the author, both as pastor and evangelist, that some who are
prayed for, do not receive healing until they have first confessed their faults.

Many have wronged others and have been unwilling to confess that they have been
wrong. it is little wonder that with such a rebellious spirit, they cannot have
real faith for deliverance. But God promises that if these faults are confessed,
both the sin and the sickness shall be taken away.

One day, Jesus cursed a fig tree because it produced not fruit. Mark 11:13.
Apparently there was no change in the appearance of the tree at the moment. but
the next day when He and his disciples passed again that way, Peter was amazed,
and said to Jesus, "master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst ins
withered away." (Mark 11:21) In this short time it had "dried up at the roots,:
and was withered away. Many diseases are healed in the same way. The "root" of
the disease is cursed in the name of Jesus. should it be cancer, tumor, goiter,
or some other growth, it must either pass from the body or disintegrate into the
blood stream, and be carried away. It is easy to understand that the person
could be truly healed, and yet continue to suffer some discomfort during the
time this process is taking place. The suffering may even be more acute, for a
short period of time, than it was before, as this dead foreign tissue is being
separated and carried away. At this point, many fail to recognize what is
happening, and cast away their confidence. They give open testimony to the fact
that they are not healed, and are even worse, and fear they will die. All this
fear, loss of faith, and acceptance of Satans suggestions in regard to the case,
opens the door for Satan to replace in your body the very thing which had been
cast out by the power of God. And so the healing is lost before any of its
benefits are recognized.

Although many cases of cancer are healed in this way, the author has also known
many instances of cancer disappearing instantly.

God has set no pattern whereby He heals. Those who need healing must accept it
Gods way. God usually heals in the way that would bring most glory to His name.
Accept it just as God gives it.

If it is instantaneous, shout the praises of God and go on you way rejoicing. If
it is gradual, thank God for your healing just the same, and look forward
joyfully to the time when you will be fully restored to health. If God has
cursed the root of your disease, as He did the fig tree, dont let your faith
waver. Hold steady knowing that it is our faith that maketh you whole. But if
God has commanded you to go, to do, or to speak, do not think that time alone
will mend matters. Be obedient to God, and victory will come.

Perhaps you have had prayer for your healing once, or even many times, but
failed to believe God for your healing. You think that perhaps it would denote
unbelief to come back for prayer again for the same disease. We refer you to
Mark 8:23. Here Jesus took a blind man by the hand and led him out of the town.
When He had spit on his eyes, and put His hands upon him, He asked him if he saw
aught. The man looked up and said, "I see men as trees walking." It was only
after Jesus had laid His hands upon him the second time that his sight was fully
restored. Then he saw "every man clearly." If you have had prayer and have not
received healing, do not be discouraged. Rather, start over. Start reading the
New Testament as though it were a new book.

Read and study this book, just as though you knew nothing at all about divine
healing. You have missed a point somewhere along the line. Just go back and
start at the beginning, and be very careful to follow Gods instructions in every
point, and for you too, Heaven GUARANTEES THE

ANSWER. The Bible teaches that we shall prosper and be in health, even as our
souls prosper. yet we have no promise in the Word of God that divine healing
will give unlimited physical life to any person in this present age. It is still
true that "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after that the judgment."
Hebrews 9:27.

Some earnest teachers, preachers, and Christian people, in their great zeal for
upholding the doctrine of healing, have left the strong inference that if one
should exercise sufficient faith, he might never die physically. The Word of God
makes it plain that death remains an unconquered enemy. "The last enemy that
SHALL BE destroyed is death." 1 Corinthians 15:26. A careful study of this
scripture and its context will show that while death will eventually be
destroyed, that destruction awaits a future time. The sting of death is sin. To
the person who is saved from sin, death has lost its sting But death itself is
yet unconquered. Until Jesus returns and puts all things under him, death
remains the normal end of all mankind.

Some quote Romans 5:12-14, as proof that physical health can be ours
indefinitely to the extent that there should be no physical death. However, Paul
was not here referring to physical death, but rather to spiritual death.
spiritual separation from God. One can be alive physically, but dead
spiritually. "but she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." 1
Timothy 5:6. A careful study of Romans 5:1-21, especially Romans 5:17-19, will
reveal that Paul was speaking of this spiritual death, and not of physical
death, for he says (Romans 5:19), "For as by one mans disobedience many were
made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." If the
death spoken of in Romans 5:12 and Romans 5:14 is physical death, then Romans
5:19 should read, "So by the obedience of one shall many be made immune from
physical death."

It is true that physical health during our appointed life time has been provided
in the atonement. But the Word does not teach that any person can have such
outstanding faith as never to die physically, except in the case of those whose
normal life span shall reach to the time when Jesus shall come and those who are
alive and remain shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.

"The days of your years are threescore and ten: and if by reason of strength thy
be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut
off, and we fly away." Psalms 90:10.

After having given this general rule in regard to the normal length of life, God
gives us this pattern prayer. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdom."

Psalms 90:12. According to this verse, even the most consecrated Christian
should expect to come at last to the end of his days. This will explain why some
in advanced age fail to be raised from their beds. Gods time may have come for
them to go.

However, even if it should be the end of days for an individual, Gods word still
does not indicate that it is His plan for that person to die in agony and
disease, but rather that His servant should depart in peace. Luke 2:29. Disease
is not necessary to bring about death. Gods pattern for death is found in Psalms
104:29. "Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust."

Even when the time has come for one to die, there is scriptural example for the
belief that in the case of unusual faint, a limited amount of time may be added.
Hezekiah was informed that God had commanded him to set his house in order, for
he should die and not live. yet in answer to his pleading, Hezekiah was granted
an extension of life for fifteen years. 2 Kings 20:1-5.

Nevertheless, although Hezekiah was healed an his life extended, when the
fifteen years were over, he still had to die. Divine healing does not set aside
the law of death. Real faith can only be based upon the word of One who is
faithful. We can have faith for healing because God has promised healing. But
God has not promised that this physical life shall continue indefinitely.

Build your faint upon the Word of God. Search the Word to find the reason you
have not been healed. Bet rid of the reason. Then accept your healing joy fully
in whatever way God may see fit to give it.

God may choose to heal you instantly. He may choose to let the healing be
gradual. He may choose to give a sudden manifestation of your healing, but at a
time a little later. Or, in the case of one whose time has come to go, he may
deliver from pain and suffering, and yet take the person to his eternal rest.

Lay aside our own ideas of how God is going to heal you, and accept the healing
Gods way.

Believe God. Take Him at His word. God says healing is for you. God, who CANNOT
LIE, has said, "Believe that ye receive it and ye SHALL HAVE IT." Do not cast
away your confidence if recovery does not come immediately. Hold fast your faint
in the word of God. Stand upon the promise, and GOD GUARANTEES THAT YOUR HEALING
SHALL COME!


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 25: 2.10.     HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR HEALING
========================================================================

CHAPTER 10 HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR HEALING On the Jericho road sat a blind man. His
nave was Bartimaeus. He was a beggar. Bartimaeus had heard how Jesus had healed
the sick, opened the blind eyes, and caused the dumb tongues to praise the Lord,
but this was his first opportunity to meet Christ. When Bartimaeus learned that
it was Jesus passing by, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. Mark
10:47. Bartimaeus had met with no opposition as day by day he had sat by the
road, cup in hand. People never meet with opposition so long as they suffer and
are patient with their afflictions. But when one begins to cry out to Christ for
help begins to press his way through to victory - all Satan [s forces are turned
upon him in opposition. However, greater is he that is in you than he that is in
the world.

Jesus said, "I give you power over all the power of the enemy." Do not be
defeated. The Christ within you is greater than the power of the enemy in the
world. Do not give up. Be persistent. The moment Bartimaeus cried out to the
lord for help, many charged him that he should "hold his peace." They were
trying their best to discourage Bartimaeus from receiving healing.

Notice in verse 48, the faith of Bartimaeus. He would not be discouraged. He was
determined to have his eyes opened. He knew that Jesus was the only one who
could help. The more the people tried to discourage him, the louder he cried,
"Thou son of David, have mercy on me." When Jesus saw that Bartimaeus would not
be discouraged, He sopped, and commanded him to be called. When they brought him
to Jesus, He said to him, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?"

Bartimaeus replied, "Lord, that I might receive my sight."

It was then Jesus said unto him, "Go thy way. Thy faith hath made thee whole."
And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. Had
Bartimaeus listened to the people he would have been turned away, and never
would have been healed.

God is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. One must not be
discouraged. A real determination to persist until victory comes is very
important.

If a person has prayed through to real victory before he enters the prayer line,
nothing will discourage him. He will press right on until he receives healing.
As the next step, REMEMBER CALVARY.

David said, "Bless the Lord O my soul, and FORGET NOT all his benefits." Psalms
103:2-3. That is, "REMEMBER all his benefits." To be reminded of all Gods
benefits, we must go back to Calvary. The benefits mentioned by David include
forgiveness of ALL sins, and healing of ALL diseases. Not part of ours sins, nor
part of our diseases, but ALL! Every sin, and every disease! This is the benefit
of Calvary.

Seven hundred years before Calvary, Isaiah looked forward to the cross. Upon
that cross he saw a man dying for the sins of the World. Not only dying -
shedding his blood - for the sins of the world, but dying with His back bruised
and bleeding from the stripes which He bore that we might be set free from
sickness, as well as from sin. Speaking as he was moved by the Holy Ghost,
Isaiah cried out in prophetic utterance "He is despised and rejected of men; a
man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from
him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our grief,
and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and
afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes WE
ARE HEALED." Isaiah 53:3-5. So then, at Calvary we are healed by His stripes.

Sixty years after Calvary, the apostle Peter declares, "Who his own self bare
our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sin should live
unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye WERE HEALED. 1 Peter 2:24.

What difference does it make whether it be sixty years after Calvary, or
nineteen hundred years after Calvary? Time cannot change Gods eternal Word. The
fact remains, that at Calvary YE WERE HEALED! The work was finished there. All
God asks us to do is to believe it, then receive it.

Only as a sinner believes in Calvary for the atonement of his soul can he
receive salvation from sin. And only as you, dear sick suffering friend, believe
in the stripes can you receive healing for your body.

Jesus Christ shed His blood to atone for ALL sins. The sufferings of his body
were not for that.

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as
silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from you
fathers, but with the precious BLOOD of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot." 1 Peter 1:18-19.

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, and forgiveness of sins according
to his riches of grace." Ephesians 1:7.

"For the life to the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the
altar to make an atonement for your soul. For it is the blood (Not the flesh)
that makes an atonement for the soul."

Leviticus 17:11.

Christ did not suffer in His body for our sins. He shed His blood for that. The
stripes were for our healing! David says so. Isaiah says so. Peter says so.
Christ himself says that it is so. That should b sufficient.

Thank be to God for Calvary! At Calvary we find atonement for the soul, but w
cannot stop there. That is merely half of the benefits of Calvary. The other
half is healing for the physical body.

Many today have forgotten His benefits. Many remember part of his benefits, but
have forgotten that part which provides deliverance for our physical bodies. So
far as they are concerned, they make the sufferings of Christ to be in all. Paul
refers to this very thing when he tells us why Christians are sick. "For this
cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" (die prematurely). 1
Corinthians 11:30. The cause is found in 1 Corinthians 11:29. Failure to discern
the lords body. That is, not understanding, or failing to remember for what His
body was bruised and broken. In this scripture Paul is referring to the
sacrament. Going back to the teaching of Christ on this same subject, we find
that Jesus took bread and blessed is and brake it, and gave it to the disciples.
He said, "Take eat. This is my body." Matthew 26:26. In Matthew 26:27, He took
the cup, and gave thanks and gave it unto them saying, "Drink ye all of it, for
this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for the remission of sins."
HereChrist shows a distinction between the body and the blood. This distinction
is the reason that both the bread and the wine are included in the symbolism of
the sacrament. The wine symbolizing the blood shed four our sins; the bread
symbolizing the body broken for the healing of our sicknesses. Failing to
discern the lords body (1 Corinthians 11:29) means forgetting half of Calvary.
Failing to remember that it was by His stripes ye are healed. No wonder so many
were weak and sickly in the church at Corinth, when they had neglected the
provision God had made for their healing. And it is for this same reason so many
Christian people are weak and sick today. They have forgotten the benefits of
Calvary.

Jesus last words on the cross, before He gave up the ghost, were, "It is
finished." John 19:30.

What did He mean? He meant just this: He had borne the sins of the world, and
carried its sorrows. "Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses."
Matthew 8:17.

Since Christ bore your sicknesses, you no longer have to be sick. You can be
released from sin and sickness by remembering that Christ finished your
redemption ONCE FOR ALL at Calvary.

Now we are ready for the healing line. Ready to come believing that the moment
hands are laid upon you in Jesus name, and according to his word, your shall
recover, for Jesus said, "These signs shall follow them that believe...They
shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."

Mark 16:18. Also remember that James said, "The prayer of faith shall save the
sick and the lord shall raise him up." The next step is to recover. The moment
that hands are laid upon you, go back to Calvary claim every one of its
benefits. Begin by faith to act healed. Do the thing your affliction kept your
from doing.

It is important for the person who is seeking healing to recognize the fact that
the one who is laying hands upon him is doing so under divine authority.
Remember that this believer has been authorized by Christ to loose you from you
infirmities. Christ had given him power and authority over your affliction. He
is acting under DIVINE COMMISSION. Christ Himself said, "Behold I give you
power...over all the power of the enemy." Luke 10:17.

"He...gave them power and AUTHORITY over ALL devils, and to cure diseases." Luke
9:38. The man of God who is to bring deliverance to you has full faith in
Calvarys victory over Satan.

He believes in the power of the blood to cleanse for sin and in the power of the
broken body of Christ to set you free from sickness. He BELIEVES, and God who
cannot lie has said, "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name
shall they cast out devils they shall speak with new tongues... THEY SHALL LAY
HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY SAHLL RECOVER!"

Mark 16:17-18. He knows that in the name of Jesus, Satan must retreat. By faith,
he can bind, rebuke, and command Satan to remove the affliction, IN THEIR NAME
OF JESUS, and Satan must respect that name! The victory at Calvary is applied in
your case. And then what do you do? Just BELIEVE. Just simply believe! Believing
is faith. Faith is not knowing that God is able. Faith is believing that God
DOES. Believing it, simply because God said he would do it, and you know that
God CANNOT LIE.

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1. Faith is reaching out into the unseen, getting hold of that which
is not, and holding on until it becomes that which is. Faith is believing that
ye possesses that which we cannot see, that which we cannot feel. Though it is
unseen and unfelt as yet, we believe it is already done. This kind of faint
BRINGS DELIVERANCE!

Believe, even though you are in pain. Believe even though you have tried to walk
and could not!

Keep on believing, and keep on trying to act upon your faith. It is the
believing that drives out the pain, that brings your forth from your bed. The
unbeliever says, "Let me feel and I will believe.

God says, "Believe, and I will let you feel." Real faith is believing without
being able to feel.

We are healed according to our faith, not according to our feeling. Feeling
comes after faith has been exercised. Do not look for feeling, look for HEALING!

Faith for healing is believing absolutely that we are healed in spite of such
things as weakness or pain. It is simply believing that we already have the
thing for which we prayed BEFORE WE SEE IT OR FEEL IT. This is exactly what john
meant when he said. "This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask
anything according to his will he hearth us, and if we know that he hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we HAVE THE PETITIONS THAT WE DESIRED OF HIM. 1
John 5:14-15.

Then without waiting to see of feel, we believe that we have the thing for which
e prayed.

"Faith without works is dead." James 2:20. In other words, faith that DOESNT
WORK is dead.

Since real faith is ALIVE, it is ACTIVE FATIH. It works. It acts.

You absolutely believe that by His stripes you were healed. Since you absolutely
believe it, you begin to act on Gods word. Joy comes into your heart, as the
realization of what God has done for our sweeps over your soul. Faith always
brings rejoicing. Then as you rejoice in your victory, stand upon your feet!
Rise up in Jesus name and walk! DO THE THING THAT YOU COULD NOT DO. Leave your
wheel chair. Throw away your crutches. Walk and run and leap for joy!

Speak Hear! See out of obscurity and out of darkness. Do it in Jesus name.
Because you believe, you are healed. You can and will do the thins you could not
do.

ACT YOUR FAITH. Step out on the promise of God. Quit talking about your faith,
and begin to act your faith. If you have real faith you wont have to tell people
about it. They can SEE your faith. Four men brought a palsied friend to Jesus to
be healed. They had faith that could be seen.

"And when he SAW their faith, he said unto him. Man thy sins are forgiven thee."
Luke 5:20.

People who have real fait act instead of brag and talk. do not declare that your
have "all the faith in the world," when your are still sick and afflicted. If
you have that much faith, YOU OUGHT TO BE BRINGING DELIVERANCE to the multitudes
of sick and suffering! Do not say "If I can only believe." Leave the "if" out.
Quit "trying to believe." Simply believe, and ACT on the Word of God. "Be ye
DOERS of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James
1:22-25.

Talk about your healing. Talk about the goodness of God. Talk about Gods
promises. Quote every scripture promise of healing that you now. Do not talk of
failure. Do not speak of defeat. Quit talking about your doubts. Quit talking
about your pains Throw away your medicines. Speak of your faith in Gods
promises.

Quit telling people what a wonderful job the devil has done of binding you with
sickness. Quit glorifying the devil, and testifying to his power.

Tell people what a wonderful work the lord Jesus has done, in making you whole,
and driving away the power of Satan. Let your testimony glorify God. We overcome
the devil by the word of our testimony. Revelation 12:11. At this point someone
might say, "But Brother Allen, I have pain." The pain declares that the sickness
is not healed. We care not what your pain declares, or what your feelings say.
GODS WORD SAYS, "BY HIS STRIPES YE WERE HEALED!" Which are you going to believe?

Gods word or your pain!

Gods word declares one thing. your pain declares another. What do YOU declare?
What is your testimony? Here is what it should be: "BY HIS STRIPES I AM HEALED!"

Some might think this to be a lie, but it is not. Gods word cannot lie.

Many a time, after a person has gone through the healing line, the devil has
some friend or loved one standing close by, who unaware of the fact that they
are helping the devil, will ask the person, "how do you FEEL? Do you really feel
any better? Can you hear out of that ear now?"

Dont let the devil make you talk in terms of what you feel, unless your feelings
agree with what God says. Feelings are good, if they agree with the Word of God.
But Gods word is greater than your feelings. If your feelings have not yet been
made to agree with the Word of God, ignore them. Refuse to quote them. Quote
Gods word. stand upon it by faith. Tell those who ask, "By His stripes I am
healed.

You do not have to lie about your pains. This is wrong. It is wrong to lie. Do
not say, "The pain is gone," when the pain is still there. Do not say, "I can
hear everything clearly," when you cannot. If you feel bad, it is a lie to say,
"I feel good." IF YOU STILL HAVE PAIN, DONT LIE

ABOUT IT! Just refuse to discuss aches and pains. Quote Gods word. His word is
truth. Real faith must be based upon the word of God EXCLUSIVELY. you are not to
believe you are healed because the pain is gone, not to refuse to believe you
are healed because you still feel the pain. That pain has nothing to do with
your faith. Feeling is not faint, and faith is not feeling.

Faith is believing that you are healed BECAUSE GOD SAYS THAT YOU ARE HEALED.

If a person should say, "I believe I got healed because the pain is gone," that
person would immediately lose faith should any sign of that pain return. Surely
he would say, "I thought I was healed, but I was not. The pain is back again."

Faith is never afraid to take a stand with the word of God. "Let God be true and
every man a liar." Romans 3:4. If my own feelings do not agree with what God
says, then my feelings lie. A person who walks by faith ignores the testimony of
his senses, unless it agrees with the word of God.

Make this your testimony. "God say it is done. I believe it...it is done! It is
finished. I AM HEALED, BECAUSE GOD, WHO CANNOT LIE, DECLARES THAT I AM HEALED!"
This is the way to receive healing. Not by feeling, but by faith. If you do
this, God GUARANTEES TO HEAL YOU!


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 26: 2.11.     WHO HAS THE POWER TO HEAL
========================================================================

CHAPTER 11 WHO HAS POWER TO HEAL?

During His earthly ministry, Jesus healed "All manner of sickness and all manner
of disease among the people." Matthew 4:23. The glorious ministry of deliverance
which was begun by Jesus was to continue through His disciples, Hs followers,
and believers.

Jesus called unto Him His twelve disciples (Matthew 10:1) and "gave them power
against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness
and all manner of disease."

Then He sent them forth "to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."
Luke 9:2.

"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them̘ into
every city and place." Luke 10:1. He commanded these seventy to preach the
gospel, but that was not all He commanded the m to do. he said, "And heal the
sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto
you." Luke 10:9. At the close of this journey, the seventy returned to Jesus
with joy, saying, "Even the devils are subject unto us through thy name Luke
10:17.

Before Jesus went back to heaven, He left with His followers the mighty promise,
"Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do
shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my
Father." John 14:12.

Many preachers who deny the miracle working power of Jesus Christ in His church
today admit that Christ healed the sick, but declared that the day of miracles
is past, and that the sick cannot be healed by the power of God today because
Jesus is gone. But He plainly stated that His going DID NOT mean the end of
miracles, but rather an increase in miracles. His last commission to those whom
He left behind to carry on His work (found in Mark 16:15-16) was, "Go ye into
all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these
signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils;...
they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. " Matthew adds,
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I
am with you always, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD." Matthew 28:20.

According to Mark, as soon as he had spoken these words, Jesus was "received up
into heaven, and sat on the right hand of god. And they (the disciples to whom
He gave this commission) went forth, and preached everywhere, the lord WORKING
WITH THEM, and confirming the word with signs following." Mark 16:19-20. This
was in fulfillment of His promise in Matthew 28:20. Although it is indeed true
that He is in heaven, it is certainly scriptural to say that He is still WITH
THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND

PREACH HIS GOSPEL, for He said He would be, even unto the end of the world! He
is with them, confirming his word with the same signs following, that are listed
in Mark 16:17-18.

After Christ ascended into heaven, the church was born on the day of Pentecost.
(Acts 2:1-47). That church, filled with the power of the Spirit, continued the
same ministry which Christ had begun.

We find in Acts 3:2, "A certain man lame from his mothers womb was carried, whom
they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful. When Peter
and john came by, they said, "Look on us." Peter continued, "Silver and gold
have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth rise up and walk."

Acts 3:6. Peter took him by the hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet
and ankle bones received strength. "And he leaping up stood, and walked, and
entered with them unto the temple, walking and leaping, and praising God." Verse
8. here we find the spirit-filled followers of Jesus continuing the same
glorious ministry of deliverance, even after Jesus had returned to heaven. The
people were filled with wonder and amazement at this mighty miracle which thy
had witnessed. They had thought, even as do many church members today, that
since Christ Himself was gone from earth, they would see no more miracles. Many
of them began to ascribe divinity to those through whose hands the miracle had
been wrought. Peter, with rare but commendable humility stopped them
immediately, answering them, "Ye men or Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why
look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made
this man to walk...His (Jesus) name, THROUH FAITH IN HIS NAME hath made this man
strong, whom ye see and know; yea the faith which is by him hath given him this
perfect soundness in the presence of you all." Verse 16. No man has this power
IN HIMSELF. But it is available to EVERY BELIEVER. Christ Himself used no power
which He did not make available to His followers. The things he sis while in the
body were don as a pattern to those whom He left in the world to complete the
work which He had begun. (See 1 Peter 2:21-24). The gifts of the Spirit, listed
in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, and the commandments of Christ to His followers, cover
ALL THE MIRACLES THAT CHRIST EVER PERFORMED. He used no power which He did not
make available to His followers even unto the end of the world.

Stephen was a deacon in the first church. But he was "full of faith, and power
(and) did great wonder’s and miracles among the people." Acts 6:8.

Philip, another of the first deacons, went down to Samaria and preached Christ
there. "And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which he did.
For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice came out of many that were possessed
with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed." Acts
8:6-7.

Twenty-nine years after the ascension of Christ, Paul was still healing the
sick. (Acts 28:8-9).

Although Paul was not among those who heard the commission and promises of Jesus
on the mount of Olives before He ascended, "God wrought special miracles by the
hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or
aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of
them." Acts 19:11-12.

Here, may we introduce a word of warning. The miracles of Paul became so
outstanding, that even some whose lives had not been purified by faith came to
believe that miracles could surely be done in the name of Jesus. (Acts
19:13-18). These had not made contact with Jesus themselves, but knew him only
as "Jesus, whom Paul preacheth." When they attempted to cast out demons in that
name, they were recognized by the demons as having no authority. They believed
what they had seen - the miracles which they had seen Paul perform. But they DID
NOT have faith in God. They did not believe that God would work miracles by
their hands because of his direct word to them. They did not prove their faith
in God by believing commands as well as His promises, and by living lives of
consecration and holiness. Many sincere people today have met with
disappointment and discouragement because they have tried to appropriate Gods
promises without being careful to fulfill His commands. The name of Jesus is not
a charm. It possesses no magic. But it does possess power when used by those to
whom He has given His "power of attorney," the right to do business for him in
his name. This includes all those who truly believe and act upon ALL Gods word.
The early church was a powerful church, because the members of that church
believed God.

They believed in holy living, because God said, "Be ye holy." They feared sin,
because they had seen sin revealed through the gift of discernment, and liars
struck dead for their sin (Acts 5:1-42.) They believed that they could do
miracles in the name of Jesus because he had said, "The works that I do shall ye
do also." And because they believed God, God worked with them, confirming the
word with sings and wonders. God has not changed. Any church today can have the
same power, if they will meet the same conditions.

Twenty-six years after the ascension of Christ, the apostle Paul wrote to the
church at Corinth, saying, "For God hath set some in the church, first apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that MIRACLES, then GIFTS OF
HEALINGS." 1 Corinthians 12:28. That same church is still at work in the world
today and will be until the trumpet sounds and the first resurrection takes
place, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is fulfilled. then the work of the church on
this earth will have been completed, and that church will rise to meet the lord
in the air. As long as that church, its pastors and members believe the word of
God it shall continue, in the mighty name of Jesus, to heal the sick and to
perform miracles. Jesus declared, "These sings shall follow them that
believe...they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."

Mark 16:17. then, gifts of the spirit, or the performing of miracles, or he
healing of the sick, has not been confined alone to a few chosen people in the
early church, nor to a few preachers today, but as long as there is a believer
on the earth, miracles can be performed in the name of Jesus.

Nowhere in the scripture is the ministry of healing limited to any particular
time, nor to outstanding individuals. Even in the Old Testament, it was Gods
plan that all those whom he had set as shepherds over His people should heal the
sick. "Woe be to the shepherds of Israel...The diseased have ye not
strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound
up that which was broken." Ezekiel 34:1-4.

There was more power In Elishas dead bones (2 Kings 13:1-25; 2 Kings 21:1-26)
than there is in some preachers who are very much alive today. Although only one
man was healed by coming in contact with Elishas bones, still that is more than
can be said for the entire life time of many today who call themselves the
shepherds of Gods flock.

If God was so displeased with the shepherds of Israel who did not heal the sick,
what must be His attitude toward the shepherds of His New Testament church, who
having His commission to do the works that He did, not only refuse to heal the
sick, but criticize and persecute those who do!

There was more power in Peters shadow than in the bodies of many of those who
claim to be his successors, in ministering to the church of Jesus Christ. (Acts
5:1-42).

There was more power in handkerchiefs and aprons which had come in contact with
the body of Paul than in many great "fundamental" religious bodies today. (Acts
19:11-12). Has God changed? No! The church Jesus purchased with His blood is
still performing miracles and healing the sick. Those who dare to believe Gods
promises and stand on His word can still IN THE NA E OF JESUS heal the sick. God
has given those who believe AUTHORITY over all devils and to cure diseases.
(Luke 9:1).

Many will declare that only God has authority over devils and to cure diseases.
In one sense, this is true. But it is also true that god chooses to delegate
that authority to His Son. Accepting that authority form the Father, Jesus,
during His earthly ministry COMMANDED demons, unclean spirits, and diseases to
depart. they recognized His authority and were obedient to Him. just before He
returned to heaven, Jesus delegated that same authority to those who believe in
his name. This gives the true believer the right to use the name of Jesus in
making requests to god, and in giving commands to demons and diseases. (See John
14:10-14). The purpose of Jesus in making this arrangement was to provide for
his work to be continued in His absence. When the believer accepts this
authority, and uses the name of Jesus reverently in this way, the effect is the
same although Jesus Himself has spoken, for God has chosen to honor such prayers
and commands. The believer has no power of his own, and can do nothing in his
own name, but all things are subject to the name of Jesus.

Those who attempt to use this name WITHOUT BEING QUALIFIED TO USE IT, by
believing an being obedient to Jesus, not only will find that no results come,
but may be penalized for "forgery," as were the seven sons of Sceva (Acts
19:14-16).

There are very few scriptures which refer to praying for the sick. In most cases
a few words of command, spoken by the one having authority, was all that was
needed. Jesus did not pray for the sick. He HEALED the sick, and COMMANDED THE
DEMONS TO DEPART. Peter and John did not pray for the man at the beautiful gate
of the temple. They COMMANDED him, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to
rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6) Paul first prayed, then laid his hands upon Publius
father and HEALED him. (Acts 28:8). Demons and diseases are still subject to the
commands in JESUS NAME of them that believe. Since the day that we recognized
this truth in Gods Word, we have seen multitudes delivered from demons and set
free from all manner of diseases at our command. These cases include cancers,
goiters, tumors, sinus trouble, tuberculosis, asthma, heart disease, and many
others. We do not claim that this is evidence of a special gift, not of special
favor with God. It is done IN JESUS NAME, and by the authority which God has
promised to them that believe.

Although, in the majority of cases, the word of command in Jesus name is all
that is necessary to bring deliverance there are also scriptures, which prove
the necessity of prayer in some cases. If, after you have gone through the
healing line, hands being laid upon you and our disease commanded to depart, you
still do not receive deliverance, do not hesitate to take advantage of the
provision in James 5:14-16. Your failure to be delivered may be the result of
unconfessed sin.

If such be the case, confess your faults, ask these trusted elder to pray for
you that you may be delivered from both sickness and sin. When Miriam was
stricken with leprosy as a result of her sin against Moses, she and her brother
Aaron begged Moses to pray for her. He cried unto God, "Heal her now, O God, I
beseech thee." The true believer in the lord Jesus Christ is aware that God will
not heal an unrepentant sinner, nor and enemy of the Cross. He will not
knowingly use his authority to do anything which Jesus Himself would not do, if
He were present in the body. Those who are still in bondage to sin do well to
first seek help in prayer that they might be set free from sin. When they have
done this, gods promise is definite. "the prayer of faith shall save the sick,
and the lord shall raise him up, and if he have committed sins they shall be
forgiven him." James 5:15.

Much sickness is a direct result of demon oppression. (Acts 10:38). Jesus did
not say, "pray for the demon oppressed and demon possessed." He said, "Cast out
demons." Prayer alone will not drive out demons. Fasting and prayer, seeking the
face of God, and repentance from all known sin is in some cases necessary to
prepare the hearts of both those who need deliverance and those who come in the
name of the lord to bring deliverance, that they may be ready to enter the
battle with Satan and claim victory over him. but until those demons hear the
word of command, given by faith, in Jesus name, and by one who has authority to
use that name, THEY WILL NOT MOVE. They do not have to go, and they know it.

Jesus disciples once attempted to cast a demon out of a boy, while Jesus was on
the mountain fasting and praying. They knew the power of Jesus name. They had
cast out demons before.

They were sure this one would go. But this stubborn demon refused to go. They
were much distressed by the apparent failure of the authority which they
understood to be theirs. But they were not content to say, "The time when we
could work miracles is past." When Jesus had cast out the demon, they inquired
of Him, why they had failed. Jesus replied, "Because of your unbelief: for
verily I say unto you. If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed... nothing
shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and
fasting." Matthew 17:20-21. These men had been given authority over demons SO
LONG AS THEY HAD FAITH. When faith was allowed to become dormant because of a
lack of communion with God, they became powerless. Faith must be fed by frequent
times of being shut away with God, with all the demands of the flesh set aside -
times of fasting and prayer - in order that it may be strong to overcome the
power of Satan and deliver those who are oppressed or possessed of the devil.

Satan was defeated at Calvary. But he refuses to acknowledge defeat. He yields
only when and what he must. The ground must be taken step by step. To be able to
do this, the spirit-filled minister today must have explicit faith in Calvarys
victory over Satan, must live a life out of touch with sin, must not be
concerned with any personal gain, but stand only for Gods right against Satan.
There must be no un-crucified flesh in his life. Then and then only will Satan
admit his defeat.

It is surprising that some good people today desire to be able to exercise this
power, yet reject the source of that power, THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST. Jesus
Himself did no miracle, cast out no demons, until first God had anointed Him
with the Holy Ghost and with power. (Acts 10:38; John 2:11). His promise to the
disciples was, "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come
upon you". Acts 1:8.

If Jesus Himself would not attempt this work alone, and encouraged His disciples
to wait until the Spirit had come to endue them with power from on high before
attempting this work, surely those who would claim power and authority over
demons and disease today should first be filled with the Spirit. The early
church was a powerful church because it was a spirit filled, God centered, God
fearing church. The phenomenal growth of that church from 120 (Acts 1:15) to 3,
000 (Acts 2:41) to 5, 000 (Acts 4:4) to "multitudes" (Acts 5:1-42) can only be
attributed to one thing. The SUPERNATURAL POWER OF GOD WAS WORKING. The gifts of
the spirit were in operation. The church loved God, feared sin, and was FULL OF
THE HOLY GHOST.

Only when God can find a group of people who answer this description today, will
revival come to this sin-blinded, human-controlled, self sufficient, Christ
rejecting, pleasure mad, movie minded, cigarette smoking, beer guzzling, drink
and dope crazed, judgment bound world. When the church again lifts its voice in
one accord to God, as did the early church, when they cried out, "And now lord,
behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness
they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that sings
and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus." Acts 4:29-30, then
will God hear from heaven, revival will sweep our land as in the days gone by.
Multitudes again will be saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, and healed by the
power of God.

God has not withdrawn the delegation of His authority over demons and disease
from those who believe Him, both His commands and His promises, and act upon
their faith.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 27: 2.12.     SPECIAL MIRACLES BY HANDKERCHIEFS AND APRONS
========================================================================

CHAPTER 12 SPECIAL MIRACLES BY HANDKERCHIEFS AND APRONS

"And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul so that from his body
were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons and the diseases departed
from them and the evil spirits went out of them." Acts 19:11-12 Countless
thousands are being healed today by the ministry of blessed cloths. God has made
this provision of the sake of the many that cannot get to us for help, that
although we cannot reach them and lay hands upon them personally, we can send
them a cloth that our hands have touched. This is Gods scriptural method of
contacting them that are sick and bound and afflicted, and cannot get into
direct contact with those whose faith is strong, and whom the lord is using in
this ministry. As the ministry of blessed cloths brought deliverance to
thousands in Pauls day, it is still bringing miraculous deliverance now.
Thousands of miracles are taking place today through this simple ministry. Gods
method of deliverance for those who are sick is still the same today. This
method of sending forth cloths form the bodies of Gods anointed ministers is
still effective.

God has no respect of persons. Those who are sick should receive these cloths in
faith. They should follow the same instructions as those standing in the healing
line. When this cloth is laid upon the body of the afflicted person, that person
should exercise the same faith that he would if he were in the healing line, and
hands actually were laid upon his body. If he will do this, the same results
will follow in every case.

These cloths that are received in faith, bear the same virtue and power that the
hands of the evangelist bear. This is the scriptural provision that God has made
for the countless thousands that cannot attend the divine healing services that
are being conducted over the country today.

If the blessed cloth is for yourself, do not place it upon your body until you
have followed carefully the instruction in this book. Then, and then only, place
it upon your body in faith, believing God for a miraculous delivery the moment
it touches your body. If you are sending the clothe to a loved one or a friend
who is afflicted, you should take the responsibility yourself of either
instructing him perfectly in the way of faith or sending him this book, that
through reading it he may acquired the necessary faith for deliverance. In
writing the author for blessed clothes, state the kind of disease or sickness
from which you desire to be delivered. For convenience, please enclose
self-addressed, stamped envelope. I shall lay hands upon and pray over the
clothe at a time when I feel impressed of the lord to do so. Your problem or
case will receive the same individual attention that you would receive should
you be standing in the healing line before the evangelist personally. You may
write for these cloths, addressing your requests to the dress in the front of
this book.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THESE BLESSED CLOTHS. However, all offerings are
gratefully accepted, and help to carry forward this treat work for God, as there
are many expenses involved in this work.

We would suggest that before you request one of these cloths for some one who is
sick, first be sure that he has the faith that God gives. It requires the same
faith, whether it be the cloth laid upon him or the hands of the evangelist. If
you are mailing the cloth to your sick friend, it would be well to enclose this
book and your personal letter along with the cloth. I do not suggest your
sending this book with the cloth as a means for the sale of this book, but we do
believe that your friend needs the same instruction that you have received from
this book. We are as anxious to see him healed as you are. Please co-operate
with us in very way that you can. Remember that it is faith on the part of the
sick person that brings deliverance as well as faith of the one who has laid
hands upon the cloth. Only by fait can anything be received from God. Where
there is faith in Gods faithfulness, GOD GUARANTEES TO HEAL YOU!


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 28: 2.13.     KEEPING YOUR HEALING
========================================================================

CHAPTER 13 KEEPING YOUR HEALING

God has not only guaranteed to heal you. He has also guaranteed to keep you
healed. But like the rest of God promises, this promise is conditional. God has
told us in His Word, not only how to BE healed, but how to STAY healed. Some
have failed to realize that there was anything more to do after they have
received healing, and although God had really healed them, soon they found that
they were not better off than if they had never been healed.

First let us remember that, while not all sickness can be attributed to demon
possession nor even to demon oppression, God is not the author of sickness.
Satan is responsible in one way or another for sickness. Satan is an active,
crafty, intelligent enemy. He gives o ground except what is actively taken form
him by faith. And having given up ground, he is constantly on the watch for an
opportunity to take it back again. Jesus gave not only promises and commands,
but warnings as well. One of these is found in Matthew 12:43-45. "When the
unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking
rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from when I
came out; and when he is come, he findeth it EMPTY, swept and garnished. Then
goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself,
and they enter in and dwell here: and the last state of that man is worse that
the first." When you have been released fro the power of Satan, whether it be
from sin, from sickness, demon oppression, or demon possession, it is important
that the house which is your body shall be not only clean, but occupied. When
Satan moves out, the spirit of God must move in. Never let the demon find your
house empty. If you have not yet been filled with the holy Ghost, set out
immediately to be filled, and then STAY FILLED. Let the Spirit of God dwell in
your richly, keeping you, directing you, possessing you, and using you for the
glory of God. Then Satan cannot return.

"Neither give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:27. The devil cannot move in
unless we give him a place. Those who abide in Christ are safe from Satans
power. Be so filled with righteousness that there is no room for doubt. So
filled with the Spirit of God there is no room for any other spirit to dwell
there.

Sin and careless living on the part of one who has been healed is an open
invitation for the unclean spirit to move back into the house from which he was
driven out. Jesus warned one whom He had healed, instantly and miraculously, in
these words: "Behold, thou art made whole, sin no more, lest a worse thin come
unto thee." John 5:14.

Since the danger is not simply a matter of being no better, but even of being
worse, when the first demon returns, brining others with him. It is easy to see
the importance of abiding in faith, feeding upon Gods Word, keeping in communion
with God through prayer, and of resisting the devil.

"Resist the devil and he will flee from you." The Christian need no be in
subjection to sin. "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Romans 6:14. By
faith, the Christian has power to refuse the temptations of Satan, and his
suggestions to sin. There is something more commendable than daily repentance
from sin, and that is daily victory over sin.

It is also possible, by faith, to refuse sickness as place. There is something
better than being healed "many times," especially of the same affliction. That
is to get healed and stay healed.

If you ever receive healing for your body it will be by faith. you will also
stay healed by faith.

Faith is joyful. The sick person who lacks faith is sorrowful because of his
pain and sickness. The sick person who has faith is joyful, because of the
victory which he realized is already bought, paid for, promised, and on the way.
He will be rejoicing and praising God from his heart, regardless of what he can
see or feel. This kind of faith cannot fail to bring healing. Satan is aware of
the fact that faith is his enemy, and constantly goes about to destroy faith.
Whenever you feel any pain which remotely resembles the pain of your previous
disease, Satan will immediately suggest to your mind that you either were never
healed, or that you were not completely healed or that your healing didnt last.

If you havent heard from God for some time, and His promises are dim in your
mind, you may find it easier to believe Satan than it is to believe God. If you
do, you may even agree with Satan, and say in your heart, "I just thought I was
healed. I am no better." Your heart will be heavy, and your faith shattered.
Fear will come into your heart, and the door is open for Satan to afflict you
again. But if the promises of God are bright and clear in your mind, and you
still believe that God meant just what He said, you will answer Satan as did our
lord when He was tempted, "It is written." (Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:7, Matthew
4:10). "By his stripes ye were healed." 1 Peter 2:24. As your review by faith
the mighty promises of God, your heart will rejoice, even as it did when you
claimed His promise and received healing, and there will be a praise in your
heart to god for His mighty deliverance. Stand upon a promise in Gods Word, and
praise God in the devils face. This is resisting the devil. He never has and
never will be able to stay in the presence of this kind of faith.

Stay in an atmosphere of faith. After you are healed it is a mistake to go back
into a "church where the pastor and teachers do not believe in the miracle
working power of God. God describes these people and gives a warning concerning
them in 2 Timothy 3:5, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away."

There are a number of good churches, where the full gospel is preached, and
where the power of God is recognized and works for the healing of sick bodies as
well as sin sick souls. Identify yourself with one of these groups, where you
can find food for your faith, and where you can freely give your testimony for
the encouragement of others who may also need deliverance. Your testimony is
important. Not only will it be a blessing and encouragement to others, but it
will help you to overcome the devil. Revelation 12:11. As you give testimony
with your lips to the truth and reality of Gods promises, your faith will
increase, Satan will be driven farther back, and his chance of again overcoming
you will be lessened.

Resist the devil, keep full of God, feed on Gods Word, believe Gods promises,
seek an atmosphere of BE healed, but you will stay healed by the power of God.
God has promised this, and God cannot lie.


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 29: 2.14.     THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR TESTIMONY
========================================================================

CHAPTER 14 THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR TESTIMONY As Christ entered a certain village,
there met Him ten men who were lepers. They lifted up their voices and said,
"Jesus, master, Have mercy on us." When Christ saw them He said, "Go shew
yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were
cleansed." Luke 17:13-14.

However, only one of the ten ever returned to give God thanks and glory for his
deliverance.

"And one of them when he saw that he was healed, turned back and with a loud
voice glorified God and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks."
Christ asked the one who returned, "Were there not ten cleansed, BUT WHERE ARE
THE NINE?

There should have been ten returning and giving God glory, in-as-much as there
were ten who were miraculously healed. Only one out of ten came to give glory to
Jesus for his healing. What were the other nine doing? The scripture does not
tell us. But this Lesson does teach us what the other nine should have done!
They should have returned and glorified Christ!

Many people will attend service night after night until they can go through a
healing line and receive healing for their body and then never return to testify
to the miracle, that Christ may be glorified. There may be times when it is
impossible for some people to return and give their testimony. Should this be
the case, then the person who has been healed, should write his testimony and
return to those under whose ministry he has been healed. How ungrateful and
unthankful many people are today. Many, by failing to write and send their
testimony have classed themselves among the unthankful and ungrateful.

Remember, we "overcome him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of our
testimony".

Revelation 12:11. Testify to your healing in every public meeting possible.

Remember that when Christ healed the man at Gadarenes, Jesus said to him, "Go
home to thy friends and tell them how great thing the Lord Hath done for thee
and hat had compassion on thee." Mark 5:19.

If you have been healed while attending one of our campaigns or through reading
this book, write your testimony and mail it to us at the address in the front
cover of this book, giving the following information in the testimony.

Explain your past sickness.

Tell how long you had suffered.

If you had received medical aid; what was your doctors opinion of the case? Give
all information possible to prove your healing, such as doctors statements,
photographs, x-rays, etc. Were you healed instantly by a miracle? Or was your
healing gradual? If so, how long was it before you were perfectly whole? This
testimony is important. Not only will it be the means of strengthening your own
faith, helping you overcome Satan, and stay healed; it may be the means of
bringing deliverance to others whom your testimony may encourage to also trust
God.

* * * * * * * * * * * *


========================================================================
  CHAPTER 30: S. HOW TO HAVE POWER OVER THE DEVIL
========================================================================

HOW TO HAVE POWER OVER THE DEVIL By A. A. Allen

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all
the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you,” Luke 10:19.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will
with the temptation, also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it,”
1 Corinthians 10:13.

“But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil,” 2
Thessalonians 3:3.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you
faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” Jude 1:24.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth
in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son
of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” Galatians 2:20.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to
preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken
hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to
them that are bound;

“To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our
God; to comfort all that mourn;

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that
he might be glorified,” Isaiah 61:3.

Here is good news--the news that Jesus Christ came to bring to a darkened world!
The same good news that he preached, and that he sent his disciples and apostles
to preach, is the news that I bring to you tonight—the good news of the gospel!
The good news is that Christ came to proclaim liberty to the captive and the
opening of the prisons to them that are bound; the news that you can desert your
ash heap of discouragement and find beauty—the beauty of holiness—as you look to
the promises of God.

Quit mourning, my friend! Christ has promised you the oil of joy! This very
moment, you can trade that horrible spirit of heaviness for the garments of
praise! If you will accept the good news of the gospel that I bring to you now,
all these things and more are yours. This is the gospel of GOOD TIDINGS! The
word Gospel means “good news.” But even good news, in order to bring blessing to
your heart, must be accepted and believed.

Believing what I give to you now, the glorious gospel of GOOD NEWS, will give
you POWER OVER THE DEVIL! It will give you power over every temptation of this
present world, and make you victorious over all the power of the enemy.

Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.” Certainly, this is contrary to many testimonies I have heard
in

Church. Some people testify of what a hard job it is to serve the Lord, and of
how filled with thorns is the pathway. They declare it is hard way, this serving
the Lord. My friend, this is contrary to the teaching of God’s word. The
scripture says that the way of the transgressor is hard! The yoke of the Lord
Jesus Christ is easy! If it is your opinion that serving the Lord is a “hard old
way,” what you need to do is take on you the yoke of Jesus. If your yoke is
hard, possibly you are yoked to the wrong person--perhaps even Satan! For the
yoke of Christ is easy. He has declared that it is so. Are there burdens,
serving the Lord? Certainly, but they are light, for Jesus said they were!

Paul said, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31. Of course,
Satan will be against you. But the power with which Satan attacks you is in the
minority compared to the power that God gives you to overcome the devil. The
scriptures declare that Christ “came to destroy the works of the devil.” He
defeated Satan at the cross of Calvary. My friends, no matter who you are, or
where you are, you too can defeat the Devil, with Christ in you heart. My
friend, if you want power over the devil, then put on Christ. You can put on
Christ, if you will. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have
put on Christ,” Galatians 3:27. Let Christ abide within your heart.

“Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” And surely, with
Conversion--with an old fashioned, born again experience--Christ is within us!

“I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth
in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith of the son of
God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” Galatians 2:20.

So, the Christ who won the victory at the cross of Calvary, over Satan and all
the powers of hell and darkness, and even the grave, is in us and is still
victorious over Satan and those powers of sin and darkness. If that Christ is IN
YOU, you have his power. Jesus declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven
and in earth,” Matthew 28:18 But that power was not limited to Christ alone, for
he said to his followers, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents
and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any
means hurt you,” Luke 10:19. So in Christ, and in the Christian experience, is
power over the devil, victory over temptation, a victorious walk with Christ
down the highway of righteousness that leads to eternal life in heaven!

Don’t be discouraged, my friend, if you have tried and failed, and have found
that you have many weaknesses. Remember, His strength is made perfect in
weakness! It will never be your own power or your own strength that gives you
the victory, but his strength perfected in you. But you must yield to the Lord,
and believe God’s promises if this power is ever to become yours, and is to work
and operate through you and in your life. In Christ, we are bigger and more
powerful than sin and the devil. “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for
ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we
are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid,” Romans 6:14-15.

God has ordained that the Christian, with Christ in his life, shall have
dominion over sin, which is dominion over the devil.

“How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that
so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was
raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk
in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his
death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this that
our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now
if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing
that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more
dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he
liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed
unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord,” Romans 6:2-11.

Here in Romans 6:11 is the secret of victorious Christian living. We are to
RECKON OURSELVES TO BE DEAD UNTO SIN, BUT ALIVE UNTO GOD!

Along with multitudes of other Christian people who are living a victorious
life, I have found that we are dead to sin only as long as we reckon ourselves
to be dead unto sin. We are alive unto God through Christ Jesus only as long as
we reckon ourselves to be alive. The old man is the person who once sinned and
yielded to every temptation. He is dead only as long as you reckon him dead. The
moment you fail to reckon the old man dead, he is very much alive. Remember that
you are only victorious over the devil and over sin, as long as you reckon
yourself alive to God, and are yielding to the Lord, and believing and standing
on his promises.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it,” 1
Corinthians 10:13.

Friend, when God has given such marvelous promises as these, there is no excuse
for living in the beggarly elements of this world. There is no reason why a
person cannot and should not be living a victorious Christian life. When God
says he will, with every temptation, make a way of escape, he means exactly
that. With EVERY TEMPTATION he has made a way of escape if you desire to find
it!

Remember, God is faithful. He is faithful to provide in EVERY temptation a way
of escape! No temptation that has taken you is any greater that the temptations
suffered by other people. The scripture says they are “common to man.” Men
before you have overcome! And men even after you will find the way of escape if
they will stand upon the promises of God, and look for the way of escape! The
Lord in this verse has promised. And “the promises of God are in him yea and in
him amen, unto all that believe.” So instead of sitting there with a long face,
talking about the devil’s power, why not as the scripture says, “Count it all
joy when you fall into divers temptations,” knowing that through Christ you are
more than conqueror over every one of them?

There is nothing to be downhearted about. There is nothing in the world to frown
about. There is nothing to be heavy hearted about, when such marvelous promises
of God are yours if you will only believe them and stand on them. But to claim
these promises, you must do more than join a church, or be baptized in water, or
have water sprinkled on your head, or be religious. You must be born again. That
old heart of yours is exceedingly sinful above all things. Paul, in Romans 6,
speaks of the old man, which was “conceived in sin and shapen in iniquity.”
(Psalms 51:5) Man comes into this world with a heart that is exceedingly sinful.
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications,
thefts, false witness, blasphemies; these are the things that defile a man,”
Matthew 15:19-20. This is the reason a man must do more than sign a card, be
baptized in water, or be “religious.” This is why he must be born again and have
a change of heart. And this is the very thing that God has promised to do; “A
new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I
will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart
of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my
statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them,” Ezekiel 36:26-27.

Referring to this very thing, Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of
the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the
flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that
I say unto thee, Ye must be born again,” John 3:5-7. The man who is born of the
flesh comes into the world with the old Adamic nature - shapen in sin and
conceived in iniquity - with a heart from which proceeds every evil work. But
when a man is born again, he is born of the spirit, born from above. Immediately
there is a change of heart. A new spirit is placed within him, which is the
spirit of Christ. From that very moment, Christ is within that man. Christ is
there in power and in glory. And without maintaining this experience, no man can
have power over the devil!

Hear me tonight, friends! You can be victorious over the devil, even as Christ
was victorious over the devil. “For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps,
who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who when he was reviled,
reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to
him that judgeth righteously,” 1 Peter 2:21-23. Our example to follow is Christ,
and when we take him as our example and stand upon his promises and appropriate
them, immediately we become overcomers.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory
that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world,
but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5.

It is believing in our hearts our Lord and His wonderful promises that makes us
greater than the devil.

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he
that is in you, than he that is in the world,” 1 John 4:4. In this place, there
are many who, because of a lack of knowing God’s word, live in continual sin. In
fact, they say of themselves, “I sin every day, and repent every night.”

It is wonderful that God has given us the precious promise, “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. But there are many who misuse this blessed
scripture.

They would use it to defend their continual sinning. They feel that certainly
their point is made as they go on to quote the next verse also. “If we say that
we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us,” 1 John 1:10.

It is true no man can truthfully say, “I have not sinned.” I cannot say of
myself that I have never sinned. According to the scripture, “All we like sheep
have gone astray,” Isaiah 53:6. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of
God.” Romans 3:23.

These scriptures describe the human race in its unregenerate state. They tell us
why man needs to be born again, and to have a new heart.

John did not give us the words of 1 John 1:9-10 to encourage us to continue in
sin, for he himself goes on in the next verse to declare, “My little children,
these things write I unto you, THAT YE SIN NOT.” Many people never quote this
part of 1 John 2:1. They skip right over this and quote the remainder of the
verse: “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous.”

Thank God we do have an advocate IF we sin! But the advocate was not provided
because everybody has to sin all the time. The advocate was provided ONLY
because there are some who do not know and claim the promises of God. The
provision was made for those who, through lack of prayer and the reading of
God’s word or because of careless, negligent, or perverted teachings, fail to
realize the possibility of living a victorious life and are overtaken with a
fault, and they stumble and fall. It is far better if one falls to rise again,
and keep trying than to give up and stay down. But this provision for sin in the
lives of Christians is not God’s best. It is merely his second best. God’s best
is that we overcome the wicked one, leave sin alone, and as 1 John 2:1 says, SIN
NOT! So lift up your heads, my people, and rejoice. There is victory in Jesus.

Persecutions will come. Surely you will suffer ridicule. But don’t forget,
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the
kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you,
and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and
be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven,” Matthew 5:10-12.
“Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in
heaven: for in like manner did their fathers unto the prophets,” Luke 6:23.

“Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor
any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 8:37-39.

“The Lord is faithful who shall establish you and keep you from evil.” 2
Thessalonians 3:3.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present your
faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” Jude 1:24.

Take your stand for God, my friend. Believe these promises today, and the power
of God is yours. Indeed, power is yours over all the power of the enemy.

YOU can tread upon scorpions and upon serpents, and YOU can shout the victory
over all the power of the enemy. For Christ in YOU is greater than the devil
that is in the world.

It is yours tonight!

(Additional scriptures for your reference include: Luke 10:19, 2 Thessalonians
3:3, Jude 1:24, Galatians 2:20 and Isaiah 61:3.)


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Source: https://sermonindex.net/books/writings-of-asa-a-allen/
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