Living in Abundance

by Creflo A. Dollar Jr.

Now more than ever, the Body of Christ is learning that it pays to serve the Lord. For example, when you look for employment, do you take a job solely on how much it pays? Of course not! Not only do you look for good pay and fair treatment, but you also keep in mind the quality of the benefits offered to you. It's the total package that often determines where you decide to work. The same is true in the spirit realm. Psalm 103:2 says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." You see, God's benefit package includes a blood-bought right to wealth and riches, divine health, wisdom and preferential treatment (Ps. 112:3; Is. 53:5; Prov. 3:4).These benefits began as an everlasting covenant with Abraham, and extends to his seed, meaning you and me (Ps. 105:8-10; Gal.3:29). Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we would forever be eligible to walk in these heavenly benefits daily. In fact, when you received Jesus Christ, the Anointed One and His Anointing,as your Lord and Savior, you became the seed of Abraham. You now have a covenant right to the blessings that God promised him in Genesis 12:3 and Deuteronomy 28.Get Understanding Due to a lack of clear understanding about our covenant and covenant rights, many Christians have notreceived the benefits that are theirs as children of God. To understand simply means "to piece together, tocomprehend, or to grasp." When you have understanding, it enables the Word to take root in your heart. Inother words it becomes "rhema," or real to you. Therefore, when you fully understand that you are the seedof Abraham, you can stand on that Word and expect your inheritance to manifest itself in your life.Think of it this way: When your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents die, as a family member, youare an heir to their estate. You have the right to receive their possessions as your own. Their houses, land,jewelry, money and everything else they may own will be passed on to you. Likewise, as the seed ofAbraham, you have a right to inherit the blessings that were bestowed on him.Birthright alone, however, does not qualify you to receive your inheritance. God also requires yourobedience. In Deuteronomy 28:1-14, the Word describes the blessings that come from obedience. In fact,God promised to set you above all nations of the earth. You will be blessed when you come in and blessedwhen you go out. Everything you do will prosper.Some people might say, "That's all in the Old Testament. We live by the new covenant now." Child of God,when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you became an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ(Rom. 8:14-17). And since Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), it's safe to saythe Old Testament blessings still apply.You see, we were adopted into the family of God (Ephesians 1:4-5). And since we are His children, we havea right to all of the promises in the Bible. We have a right to have all of our needs met, be free from worry,and live an abundant life (Phil. 4:6, 19; John 10:10). That's what Jesus came to earth for - to set us free fromthe bondage of sin and death and usher us into the land of more than enough.You're Supposed to Be WealthyWe also have a right to the wealth of God. Psalm 112:3 says, "Wealth and riches shall be in his house: andhis righteousness endureth forever." And The Amplified Bible tells us, "Prosperity and welfare are in hishouse." As a born-again Christian, you have inherited houses, riches, and eternal life (Is. 65:21; Ps. 112:1-3;John 3:15). In addition, you have inherited a right to God's omnipotent power, His anointing (Eph. 1:19).Everything you could ever want or need has been provided for you; however, you must receive yourinheritance. Proverbs 5:10 says, "Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labors be in the house of astranger." In other words, if you don't receive, or walk in your inheritance, someone else will try to cash in onit. That someone is the Devil. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that "Satan comes only to steal, kill and destroy."Don't let him have what is yours! You are a child of God (1 Pet. 2:9). Don't let someone who is a stranger tothe covenant take what belongs in the family! For example, if an attorney called a meeting for the reading ofyour relative's will, everyone in your family would probably show up because they'd want to know what theyhad inherited. However, if a stranger - someone who has no relationship with the family - showed up,everyone would ask, "Who are you? What are you doing here? What makes you think you have a right toanything?" You wouldn't sit by and let someone take what belongs to you. You'd run them out of there! So,put the thief on notice once and for all! Say, "Devil, in the name of Jesus, God's Word says you must restoreeverything you've stolen from me. I want my stuff now!"The Good LifeNow keep in mind that before you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you were a stranger to thecovenant. That means you weren't entitled to anything but death and poverty. Ephesians 2:12-13 says: "Atthat time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from thecovenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye whosometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."But thank God for the blood of Jesus! Now that you are a member of His body, you can partake of Hiscovenant blessings. You see, God has always purposed for you to live the good life.It's hard to understand why people have a problem with Christians enjoying the fruit of their labor. Theyseem to take offense when you live well. But the Word says wealthy living is good. In fact, it's part of yourdivine inheritance. God gave you the riches, wealth and power to enjoy. It's all part of His covenant with you.Child of God, there is much more to your salvation than just eternal life. The Greek word for salvation istranslated "soteria," which includes deliverance, victory, health, wholeness and prosperity. Yes, eternal life isa big part of it, but it's not the sum total of the experience. There is nothing wrong with being prosperous. Asa child of the King, you're supposed to live abundantly. In fact, the Old Testament makes clear that peoplewho were in covenant relationship with God were recognized by their wealth. Now, however, people tend tothink and say all kinds of evil things about you when you enjoy the blessings of God.Well, they're going to have to change their thinking, because God is raising up millionaires to show the worldthat it pays to serve Him. God rewards the obedience of His people with bountiful blessings! You see, youcan't bless anyone when you're broke or just barely getting by. And you can't show someone what it's like tobe in covenant with God when you're in debt or in poverty. But by living in abundance, we prove thegoodness and faithfulness of God. You may think, "I don't need to be a millionaire. I don't require that much."Well, Child of God, it will take all of that and more, because He has called you to be a blessing to others.God wants you to experience all of the wonderful benefits that come from His covenant relationship withyou. You will be able to supply the needs of those around you, promote the gospel, and bring others into anintimate covenant relationship with Him.

Thank you brother Charles Peters for sharing this.

By His Stripes, you were Healed!

We should collectively pray and stand in agreement for strength and healing. This is a message I recieved from my Brother in Christ, Jack Wienzeirl. Here are some scripture and confessions for those healed where sickness is coming upon.

By His stripes, you were healed.

I declare today that death and life are in the power of my tongue and I use my tongue to produce the life of God in my body. (Proverbs 18:21)

My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and I glorify God in it by walking in divine healing and divine health. (I Corinthians 6:19)

According to Romans 8:11, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me and gives life to my mortal body. I realize that I will be given an immortal body when the Lord returns, but in the meantime I receive the Life of God in my mortal body!

Jesus Himself was pierced for my transgressions, crushed for my iniquities, the chastening for my well-being fell upon Him and with His stripes I am healed! (Isaiah 53:5)

Through the cross of Jesus, the Lord has removed all sickness from me; He will not allow any of the harmful diseases of Egypt to be upon me, according to Deuteronomy 7:15 ;; and according to Exodus 15:26 He is My Healer.

No curse of sickness and disease can dwell in my body or in my life, because according to Galatians 3:13 and 14, Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law, having become a curse for me. For cursed is one who hangs on a tree; therefore, the blessing of Abraham comes to me now in Jesus' name!

And according to Proverbs 26:2, a curse without cause cannot alight. There is no cause for a curse to light in my life, since Christ redeemed me and became that curse for me; therefore, I have divine healing and divine health in my body.

The Lord has sent His word and healed me and delivered me from destruction. (Psalm 107:20)
I am free from every sickness, disease, and calamity that would try to affect my body and my health.

I bless the Lord with all that is in me and I forget none of His benefits. He pardons all my iniquities and heals all my diseases. (Psalm 103:1-3)

In fact, they are not my diseases any more! I am healed by the stripes of Jesus. (Isaiah 53:5)

I will not take into my body a deadly or debilitating disease. For no evil can come near my dwelling place, nor can any plague come near my tent. (Psalm 91:10)

Sickness and disease are evil and, therefore, they cannot come near my dwelling place.
My body is my dwelling place. It is an instrument that I present to God as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1)

My spirit dwells in my body and the Holy Spirit dwells in my body. I have the life of God in me. I speak to my body now in the name of Jesus, and I command it to come in line and stay in line with the Word of God.

I declare that I have divine health from the top of my head to the soles of my feet and I refuse to accept so much as a cold in my body. Every germ, bacteria and virus of sickness must die right now in the name of Jesus.

When sickness even gets near my body, it flees. The wicked flee when no one is pursuing and sickness is wicked. (Proverbs 28:1) It flees from my body. I submit to God, resist the devil and he (and all that he authored) must flee.

Now, I declare that Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. He healed every manner of sickness and every manner of disease. (Acts 10:38 )

According to Matthew 4:23 and 24, Jesus went about teaching, preaching, and healing. And the news about Him went out into all Syria , and they brought to Him all who were ill, taken with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics, and He healed them.

According to Matthew 8:16, when evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a Word, and healed all who were ill; in order that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "He Himself took away our infirmities and carried away our diseases!"

Now, if Jesus did all those things in Matthew then He still does them today, because He is the same yesterday, today and forever, according to Hebrews 13:8. He is no respecter of persons. If He healed them all yesterday, He has to heal them all today!

In fact, according to John 14:13, Matthew 18:19 and John 15:7 , He said if I ask anything in His name, He will do it, that if two agreed about anything they ask, the Father will do it, and that if I abide in Him and His Words abide in me, I can ask anything I wish and it will be done.
Therefore, I ask for supernatural healing and health to come upon me and overtake my very physical and emotional life in every way in the name of Jesus.

I thank God that I have received His supernatural health in my body. It is a fact that I am healed by the stripes of Jesus through the covenant blood of Jesus, and I refuse to doubt for one second that I am what God says I am--healed. (Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24)

According to Mark 11:23-24, I can say to the mountain to be removed and it must obey me; therefore, I speak to every symptom of sickness and pain in my body and I command it to be removed and cast into the sea. I do not doubt, but I believe that those things which I say are granted to me in the name of Jesus!

According to Mark 16:15 these signs follow them that believe, I cast out demons in the name of Jesus, I speak in new tongues, if I drink any deadly poison or am attacked by a serpent, it shall not harm me. And I can lay hands on the sick and they shall fully recover.

I declare full recovery over my body and I exercise the authority that Jesus gave me in Luke 10:19 when He said, "Behold I give you authority to trample upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy (which includes sickness, disease, and infirmity) and nothing shall by any means injure you." Therefore, nothing shall my any means injure, harm or defeat me.

I give attention to the Word of God. I incline my ear to His sayings. I do not let them depart from my sight. I keep them in the midst of my heart. For they are life to me and health and healing to all my whole body! (Proverbs 4:20-22)

Now, I declare that my immune system is strong; that faith in the Word of God is my shield and no sickness or disease can live in my blood-bought, faith-fought, body in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

And He healed them All! (Matthew 8:16; Matthew 12:15; Luke 6:19)

In Service to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Burn the Boats!

This is a powerful post from Andy Andrews.

Commitment is the foundation of success. Not a single football game has ever been won without it. Commitment has been involved in every skyscraper that has ever grown beyond the first floor. Businesses, marriages, and schoolwork all depend on the quality of commitment for their success. By focusing on that one important component, commitment, we can plan our future.
Deciding just how much we really want to achieve our goals is obviously the first critical step.
It has been proven time and time again by our own experiences that we get out of something only what we put into it. We can accomplish extraordinary things only when we have planned to accomplish extraordinary things. And we alone can determine how hard we will work, how much we will invest, how late we will stay up, how many miles we will drive, and how much we are willing to endure to realize those extraordinary things.

Our goals, our dreams, are a reality already awaiting our arrival. It is only when we claim a successful future that it begins to move toward us. But first let's examine the past, because by studying yesterday's challenges, we can more ably ensure tomorrow's success.

In February 1519, Hernando Cortez set sail on the final leg of a voyage that was to take him from Cuba, a stopover, to the shores of the Yucatan. He commanded 11 ships, with more than 500 soldiers, 100 sailors, and 16 horses, bound for Mexico to take the world's richest treasure. The precious jewels, gold, silver, and sculptures sheltered on this limestone peninsula had been hoarded by the same army for 600 years.

The quest for these riches began several years before in Spain. Cortez, already a wealthy man, had heard about the treasure. For centuries people had tried to take it, to no avail. But ambitious Cortez knew that he could take it if he had the right kind of help. He decided to get more people involved. He wanted to build an army that could accomplish something that one man could not. So Cortez began to travel around Spain to talk to people and build a dream in them. Since he was already rich and successful in their eyes, as he told them of the bountiful treasure that was theirs for the taking, they believed him.

Oh, other people had tried, he told them. Columbus, Vasquez, DeSoto, Vespucci –all had gone to Mexico seeking the fortune. And all were ordinary people, just like those Cortez was trying to persuade.

"They are just like us," he said to his listeners.

"If they can do it, we can! And we will succeed!"

This got them excited. "Let's do it!" they agreed after Cortez's persuasive speech.
Of course, a few said, "I don't really believe there's treasure there," or "I don't think it'll work. But the majority of the people enthusiastically embraced the idea, and before long, Cortez's ships were in place. The soldiers were in position, the sailors were prepared, and the horses were aboard. And together they set sail for Mexico and the richest treasure in the world. But once out on the ocean, it didn't take long for Cortez to realize he had a problem. Some who were excited before the journey, had now turned into whiners.

There are always whiners. Cries of "I shouldn't have come," "This isn't what I thought it was," and "I didn't know we were going to have to work this hard," began to circulate among the people. Yet Cortez persisted, in spite of them, and made it to Cuba, where he took on water, food, and supplies. After resting his men and letting the quitters get off the ship, he began the final leg of the journey, formulating an idea that had never been used before. He created a system to motivate and train his soldiers and sailors that was unheard of in the history of the military. When they landed on the shores of the Yucatan, Cortez began training, coaching, stoking them, even. He would hold "seminars" in the afternoon and "pep-rallies" at night. They were reminded constantly of all that they were about to accomplish. Cortez painted a panoramic picture of the magnificent treasure that would soon be theirs. And as they marched up and down the beach, honing their skills of warfare, they were told, "This is just one of the beautiful beaches we'll be able to walk along when we get that treasure!"

Oh, but they were fired up! They were eager, animated, energized, and as they waited, trained, and prepared for victory, their conviction grew. But there was one more level of commitment that Cortez wanted to take them to, and they arrived at that place on that last, historic day, as they lined up to march inland. Before they would be allowed to seize the treasure that no army had taken for 600 years, Cortez would speak to them.

They were probably expecting something like, "OK, guys, we're gonna get out there and win today, and when we do, we are going to par-TAAAY! . . . Oh, and if it gets too tough, we'll just meet at the oak tree and come back to the ship." But that's not what they heard.
As they listened, Cortez leaned in and said three simple words that changed everything: "Burn the boats."

"Excuse me?" they must have said.

"Burn the boats," he repeated, "because if we are going home, we are going home in their boats." And he torched them. He burned his own boats, and by doing so, he raised their commitment level to new and astounding heights!

And an amazing thing took place: they fought well! For the first time in six centuries, the wealth changed hands.

Cortez's band took that treasure. And why did they win? The answer is very simple. They had no choice! It was "take it or die" no options. Their boats were burned.

Theirs is the attitude you must embrace in your heart and mind: you must burn your boats. What are the boats in your life that are keeping you from accomplishing what you really want? What vessels in your mind are keeping afloat the fear and doubt and frustration that hold you captive?

Whatever prevents you from achieving your goals and dreams is a boat that must be burned.
Unfortunately, when the bullets start flying, we make for the boats. It's just human nature. Doing anything else really requires a decision on our part. It's attitude more than anything. A willingness to work without the net, to burn the bridge or boat. What boat do you need to burn? It can only happen one way: by embracing a level of commitment that sees sacrifice as a positive thing.

So many people think of sacrifice as something that is taken away, and it's gone forever. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sacrifices of time, money, and effort are what we give to the game. How badly do you want that final result?

Are you willing to sacrifice more than anyone else? If so, then your triumphs will be consistently greater than anyone else's. Greatness your greatness will always be measured by the sacrifices that you are willing to make!

So strike a match to the anchors of your past and introduce yourself to the victories of your future.

Burn the boats!

Faithful One Psalm 37:28

I, Tim Darnell, am the leader of a Christian men’s organization that meets on Saturday mornings at 7:00 AM. We read and discuss scripture together and spend 15 – 20 minutes of that time on our knees in prayer. It is a wonderful time of fellowship and Christ-centered sharing. The discussions are deep, lively and fun all at the same time. We’ve been known to kid each other to the delight of all present and then turn around and pray to God for that same man’s personal concerns and needs.

There are 56 men on the rolls of that organization. We average 7-8 men in attendance each Saturday morning: 12% - 14% active.

Professionally, I own a marketing company where routinely only a small percentage of people do anything at all. Complaining? No, just reporting the facts - the way it always is and the way it always has been for me in business. I share these facts (exact numbers and percentages) with other CEO’s and they’ll inevitably tell me they run almost exactly the same numbers. I had one leader of a well-known international business say that he was jealous of my “high” percentage of active representatives – a sad commentary. But the percentages of “active” participants are predictable and the same for virtually all organizations, churches and businesses.

Moses was convinced by the people to send out 12 spies. Only two came back with the correct report. Let’s see – twelve divided by two = 14%.

Jesus healed ten lepers and only one of the healed men had sense and gratitude enough to thank Jesus for the gift of healing his horrific, debilitating disease. One in ten – 10%.

I’ve heard the 80/20 principle bantered about in business all my life. Twenty percent of the people account for 80 percent of the results. I believe that is a liberal number, if not incorrectly over-optimistic.

In churches, only a small percentage gives the majority of the donations. The numbers that don’t give, or that do give in a token manner is frankly appalling and embarrassing.

The fact is: the majority of people contribute very little to making things happen. I’ve heard this phenomenon explained as the “fear of engagement”. That sounds fancy and scientific at the same time. It is an on-target assessment that most people do fear commitment and sacrifice. In terms of time, service, contribution and production, engaging is indeed the opposite of avoidance. Unfortunately, those who truly engage are in the minority, while those who avoid are in the majority.

Others simply blame the majority’s avoidance of production and commitment – actually doing something in life - on laziness and greed. “I’m not going to give of my time or my money, and by the way, don’t ask me about doing either. Leave me alone. I don’t want to hear it, and I don’t want to talk about it.” Those are the same people who can be counted on to grumble about their situation, complain about what they don’t have, and criticize those who are stepping up to the plate. What an attitude! Can you see why God must be constantly miffed at the children (us) He created and loves with all His heart? On many occasions scripture tells us that, “the Lord’s anger burned against them”, this usually being the result of their wailing and complaining.

I want to encourage you today to take on a new commitment to faithfulness to God and to the ministry/serving that He has called you to undertake. Rather than negotiating with yourself, debating whether you’re going to show up or not at the next meeting, make a steadfast commitment to solid, regular attendance – attendance that others can rely on. When you are faithful, others will become more faithful by your example. Your ministry or church will be greatly strengthened by your reliability – your faithfulness.

Big Mistake

If we place personal comfort or “self” ahead of God, then we are making a major mistake. There should not be any of this “I’m tired”, or “I need to spend time with my family” excuses battling our commitment to serve God. If we put our comfort, television, or recreation ahead of God, we are making a major mistake with our priorities.

Common Mistake

Most people, even Christians in a church setting when asked, “what do you value the most”, will answer, “family”. That is a common, rational, and instinctual reply according to the world, but it is a mistaken priority. If we place our family, our parents, or our children ahead of God, then we are making a major mistake. (see Luke 9:61-62; Genesis 22; Mark 6:33-34; Matthew 19:29) God comes first, even above family and children. Some of you won’t understand this and may be shaking your head, but with time and study, you’ll come to understand this profound and exciting truth. Placing God as our first priority in life is the very best thing we can do for our children.

If we want our family and children to be blessed, then the best thing we can do for these precious people in our life is to place them in proper priority – God first and family second. You will find that maintaining the proper order of priorities in your life will reap tremendous rewards for not only yourself, but the very ones you love the most. We outsmart our self and may be risking much by placing family over God.

God rewards faithfulness, but be clear that scripture shows time after time that He does not reward non-faithfulness. Yes, He is merciful and good. He is love, Praise God. At the same time, beware non-faithfulness. Non-faithfulness not only hurts us, it can hurt our children. In Numbers 14:33, God says, “Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert.” God doesn’t want our grumbling and complaining – our unfaithfulness. No, He demands our faithfulness to Him as first priority. Get your priorities right and you’ll find that other aspects of your life will flourish as well.

As regards money, it’s time to quit debating whether or not you are going to tithe your income back to God. What tithing means is steadfastly taking 10 percent of your income and reliably and faithfully giving it back to God via donating to your church and/or the ministry of your choice. Quit debating about whether you can tithe or not. Simply do it. And God will reward your faithfulness. Failure to do this is outthinking God and withholding what is His – a serious mistake.

As regards service, if you are not volunteering and taking on responsibilities at your church, then it’s time you start giving of your time and talents to God. Anybody can sleep in – and most people do. Anybody can come up with excuses to not serve and to not give. There’s a pile of excuses you and I could easily list that anybody can make. But excuses are the meat and potatoes served at the table of the unfaithful. Don’t fall victim to thinking your way out of serving God and serving others.

Statistically, those who are faithful fall into the 14% category. If you are not already, I encourage you to determine to become a member of this elite minority – those who dedicate their life to faithfulness. Be the one who engages, who steps up to the plate and takes on the responsibilities that others shy away from. Don’t fall victim to your own excuses, but rather determine to be the biggest giver and the greatest server. Be the Faithful One, and you will be blessed beyond any dreams you can imagine.

“For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.” Psalm 37:28
If you would like to commit your life to Jesus Christ, you can do so, and thereby experience the most important gift ever offered to mankind! You don’t have to be perfect – I’m certainly not and I know you aren’t either. In fact, we all sin and fall far short of perfection. Won’t you make the greatest decision you can ever make? I pray that you will do so today.

Pray for divine guidance and understanding each time prior to reading scripture. Remember, you are reading God's Words written to and for you! This is extremely powerful, so get ready to be empowered!
Be sure to underline and/or highlight passages that stand out to you. You can even circle a verse or sections that really speak to you!
Reading the Bible is like developing a new muscle. The more you work out with it, the more you'll "get it". Don't get discouraged - be encouraged! Some books are easier to read than others. Every book contains incredible material - and soon it will start coming together into profound new understanding and revelation for you.

You can do this, no question about it. God bless you immensely!