Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

God's Word Works In Our Heart As Faith Because It's Absolute Truth For All Time And Eternity

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

This scripture is recorded three times setting it as a firm foundation for us to live by, Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31 and Luke 21:33. God's Word is absolute truth. When we speak His words in faith or belief, because they are spiritual truth they reach into heaven as a spiritual form of exchange, which gets His attention. Since we have the right to receive every promise in God's Word through our covenant of salvation, through Christ, God listens to our prayers and prepares an answer for us.

2 Peter 1:21...prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

God had His Words written down for us in the Bible so we could follow them carefully in order to please Him and receive the rewards and promises he has planned for each individual person. Then because He knew the weakness of our sinful nature He sent the Holy Spirit (the third person in the God-Head) to give us revelation and teaching about His word so we could learn it's purity, without contamination of man's input. When the Word says something, it absolutely can be exactly as God had it written.

Therefore, we gather all the scriptures about who we are in Christ, learn as much as we can about the promises and what belongs to us. Then we learn obedience through practicing what we know. As we continually work at this lifestyle we receive the scriptures into our heart as working faith, and it pleases God. Then when trouble arises we're ready. Our faith is active ready to turn wrong into right. It doesn't matter where a person is in their faith walk, we all move at our own individual rate. God enjoys watching our faith grow and can do a lot with a small amount when it's pure (without doubt or fear) and embedded deep in our hearts. God's faith is so full of truth that what you see or feel may be an earthly fact, but the truth of God will change it. Even if your case is terminal or permanently decreed by a court, God has deliverance and freedom for you.

Younger Christians often times receive miracles so easily but they are not seasoned children of God as we are. They lack in faith as well as experience, so God encourages them in their growth. Mature Christians, however, are to live every moment of their day by faith, ready and prepared by the Word of God for every situation.

How Do We Receive Faith, This Miraculous Heavenly Currency?

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Some people listen to Christian music and believe that is enough. Emotionally it will help a person but in the tough times it will not equip a person to win real spiritual battles. Music does not build faith it only softens the heart for the Word to drop in. It will give the Word time to lodge there long enough for a person to make a better choice in whether to keep it or not.

It's the Word of God that builds faith and produces strength and power. So step up your spiritual walk by playing Bible CDs and good preaching as much as you can. If you don't have the Bible on CD you can get them by clicking on the link on our site. Everyone needs tools to help them grow. They are the most valuable investment you can buy. You will receive faith and godly wisdom by meditating on the knowledge that you have received from God's Word. Then you will have faith to carry every trial to the end with total victory.

Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, (the Spirit of the Word) and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (God's Holy Bible)

The message is God's way of doing and being right. It's His knowledge, direct from Him through His Word, that we accept as truth and incorporate into our lives. Faith lives in our soul ready to come forth as the truth that changes our situations. It's the kind of faith that moves God and brings us deliverance.

Unless we studying God's Word how will we know His message? We have to spend time learning. People go to school twelve years and some even more to learn man's knowledge but many won't give God an hour a day to receive something that is so much more important to maintaining our lives here on earth as well as for eternity.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew (show) thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Through seeking God's truth, that's found in His Word, along with time spent in worship and prayer, the Holy Spirit moves in close to teach us, giving us the spiritual meaning of the Word as God intended. This is what gives us wisdom and power over the situations that arise daily. The more time we spend with God the more faith we receive; the more faith we have brings us better benefits in our life.

2Corinthians 5:6-7 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by (God's spiritual, scriptural) faith, not by sight.

Sight is emotions or feelings, any earthly fact that is contrary to the Word of God, such as disease, lack of any type, bondage such as habits, anger, fear, or restrictions placed on us by another. We are to think, speak and act according to the Word not according to what's going on in our environment.

We are to think, talk and act according to how the scriptures instruct us, this puts God's power to work in our lives. We're not to speak or act according to how we feel or what we see; neither by what others say or do. Allowing those things to affect us eliminates God's power and we end up fighting spiritual battles with the limited human resources that we have. Then we wonder why God didn't move for us. God is moved by the faith we use. Jesus said many time it was a person's faith that healed them. The more we know about God and what's in His Holy Word the more faith we have available to use in receiving heavenly responses to our problems.

Luke 12:48 But the one who does not know (have much faith from the word) and does things deserving punishment (out of line with God's Word) will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

That's a good thing, even though at first it sounds like it isn't. Young Christians who lack faith and experience are at the mercy of God to maintain them through their trials. Because they must grow they aren't aware of the miracle power that's available to them. If they refuse to grow then God responds less and less to their needs. Mature Christians, who have grown in faith, experience more supernatural power to handle their needs, even though the problems (punishment, trials) are bigger. As they learn all the different ways the power of God works, which causes them grow even faster in gaining faith.

Tempting or testing us is a cycle that Satan continually works at. He wants to overtake us and separate us from our relationship with our Lord. He has been defeated ever since Jesus paid the price to redeem us from Satan's curse, and he hates us because as long as we are in Christ he is defeated in our lives.

Hebrews 12:7-11 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been "trained" by it.

God's knowledge and wisdom produces a shield around us just as it did for the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration and when God protected the Israelites for forty years in the desert.

Mark 9-7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them,

Exodus 13:21-22 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Proverbs 2: 1-15

My son, if you accept my words (what God has written down for us in the Bible) and

store up my commands within you, (obeying, expressing in thoughts, speech and actions)

turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, (looking for places in your life as well as your environment to use what you have learned) and

if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, (these are acts of desperation for God's grace to deliver you continually from evil influences that try to take control over areas in our lives.)

These are all acts of seeking God's knowledge and wisdom; they are acts of faith because they express that we believe God's knowledge and His ways are better than ours. The more we learn and act according to this scripture the more we get in return from God. Now look at the great promises we receive for our dedication to study and obedience.

then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair, every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

When we use God's word against Satan in those trials we have the privilege to experience marvelous displays of God's miracle power, even though sometimes it tough to go through. There is a battle going on between God's spiritual world and Satan's and we are the object of the battle. So don't ever feel bad in a battle, with God we always win. It not only gives us great victories but it's a process that makes us mature and useful for reaching other for the Kingdom of God.

Self examination (evaluating what we know to do) and making adjustments in our obedience, keeps us from being punished for not growing into the maturity of God.

James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

Wisdom From the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:6-13 (6-10a)

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of "God's secret wisdom", a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him", but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

Faith is revelation of God's Word that is dropped into our soul because we choose to believe his Word. God has secret wisdom for every situation that rises up to defeat us. He is the General and we are his army. This secret wisdom, or revelation, is given to us through the power of the Holy Spirit as we study His Word. Although, it's knowledge and wisdom for the body of Christ as a whole, it's also tailored for our own personal needs and desires, as well as our battles against Satan.

Remember faith is heavenly currency and just as we all have individual that we use money for, God is aware that our spiritual needs are unique to each one of us, also. Many people can use their faith at one time to receive answers to a prayer, but we as an individual may be experiencing something alone, that nobody knows about. It could be a battle or simply lack of knowledge or understanding. The Holy Spirit will teach us through the Word, He will encourage us building us up in godly faith that will bring us victory. Spiritual or secret wisdom is for gaining control over Satan and his attacks, it for meeting our needs and desires and making life better in every way. The closer we move into God the more wisdom and power we receive.

(1 Corinthians 2 Continued 10b-11a)

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The Holy Spirit is the only one who knows the truth about what's in the heart and mind of a person. He knows every thought, desire and motive we have. He knows the extent of our love and every thing that we dislike or hate. He measures us by God's very on Word, the Holy Bible; and He sees what's hidden in the deepest part of our soul.

(1 Corinthians 2 Continued 11b)

In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit searches people looking for ways to deliver them from bondage or to reach them for the Kingdom of God. He knows what's in every heart and mind and because He has the very thoughts of God He knows exactly what to do in order to help that person. We must be continually yielded to the Holy Spirit, listening for His instructions because He will never intrude into a person's life disrupting what they're doing. We must seek him, He is waiting for us to choose to listen to Him.

(1 Corinthians 2 Continued 12-13)

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

The Holy Spirit that lives inside us will speak to our heart and mind the truths that mirror or reflect the Word of God. Those truths are full of power and wisdom and are designed to bring us into the maturity of the Lord. When we listen carefully and are obedient to His leadership we can take control of our own lives and help those we love. God wants us strong, His strength only comes through His Spirit, that's why it is so important for a "born again Christian" to ask for and seek God's most powerful gift to the people of his church, the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

God never intended for any of his children to go through life without His power to overcome Satan and all the destructive forces he has to use against us. God loves us so much and knows all of Satan's abilities. After all, He saw Satan convince one third of the angels in heaven to follow him. Those angels were created by God; they were used to being blessed by God, enjoying all the beauty and freedom of heaven. They had hung around the throne for centuries watching the excitement of all that God was doing and in creating new things. Yet Satan, then called Lucifer, had the ability to separate them from the one who loved them the most. How could earthly beings ever win over Satan without God's power? We must learn our God given rights, which are only found in the Bible. Enforcing those rights is our only source of freedom because God stands behind each one. They are our covenant with God against Satan.

Jesus Is The Power Behind Our Faith

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who 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.

Romans 3:21-26 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished, he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

1Timothy 1:4-5 God's work, which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Jesus used God's faith when he delivered people from all their trials and bondage. We can never do God's work in our own strength or human efforts. God's work is done by His Holy Spirit through us. The Holy Spirit is the only one who has the knowledge of what God wants done and can do it to His satisfaction because He knows what's in the mind and heart of every person. He knows just how to deal with each one of us to reach us for the Kingdom of God and how to help us to grow in our own individual way to increase in God's family.

Proverbs 20:27 The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man ; it searches out his inmost being.

We are to be educated in His ways with His wisdom in operation in our lives. We are to keep ourselves in a place at all times where the Holy Spirit can use us as a vessel to pour out God's goodness and deliverance when and where He chooses. If our ministry is not based on this kind of faith then our ministry will be just that, "our ministry", not God's.

Romans 1:16-17 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

This means that we are to think, speak and act according to God's words. Our feelings and emotions are physically attached to this body of dust and easily react to the rules of the world, Satan's system. We as children of God, alive in His Spiritual Family, must train our feeling and emotions to respond to situations as God does. He weighs every situation and watches, with great love, for places that he can reach people for his kingdom. When we are in trouble we have a tendency to dwell on the problem instead of looking at the future as God sees it.

When we let Satan control our thoughts with his works, such as anger, hurt, frustration, sadness, etc., it gives place to the work of Satan. Those thoughts or acts keeps a person bound to the bad situation instead of rising above it, where God's knowledge and wisdom for deliverance awaits. When Satan fills our emotions with his works he hinders us from fighting against him with God's Word. It's what we do with the Word of God that keeps Satan under control and out of our lives. The Word has the power to totally defeat him and he knows it. He experienced it when God threw him out of heaven. If people could only learn this they would have the freedom that God intends for them to have. If we allow satanic influence to place words of fear and doubt in our mind, to act upon, then we are making a choice not to allow faith, which is God's words, to carry us through the situation to victory. We can not mix things that come from satanic influence with faith and expect God to deliver us. You will want to read: What Should We Think About?

Romans 4:16-17 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring, not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

God made promises and blessed Abraham because he had such great faith. Those same blessings are for us. By learning to use God's faith, just as Jesus did, we will be a blessing to others.

John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Faith Must Be Accompanied By Actions

James 2:14-26 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,"; but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."; Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that, and shudder.You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

We must express our faith to God along with actions (deeds), it's the proof that we believe in his ability to deliver us.

We know that we should spend time daily reading, praying and worshiping our Lord, but when we have a specific need we must press in closer allowing ourselves to become even more sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Ask for direction and do everything that the scriptures instruct you to do. God's word gives us instructions on how to think, speak and act; making those changes when we first learn them saves us from trouble in the future. Changes we make today can even eliminate many of the battles from satanic influences that bring sorrow into our lives and those around us. Be submissive to the Word of God, resisting any form of rebellion. Show total humility before God with an eagerness to learn. If you don't understand something ask. God doesn't want us ignorant; the Holy Spirit delights in teaching us.

1 James 1:2-6 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Confessing Aloud Is The Key To Working Faith

Our initial confession that we make when receiving salvation is the one that gets God's attention because we are using faith to believe in his Son. Because we have entered His family we now have access to all His covenant promises. He is excited to grant us each one as we learn our rights, which are found in the scriptures, and obey the rules that are attached to them.

Romans 10:9 -10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

After we receive salvation we are to use faith (believing the truths in God's Bible), obedience (thinking, speaking and doing things God's way) along with confessing (taking hold of) our promises making His ways our way of life. These are the rules God has set for us in receiving what we need and desire from Him. Confessing or speaking aloud his words about our life, from the Bible, is what makes them become part of us. Speaking His truths allow them to drop into our soul. Your soul is made up of your "mind" (thoughts), "emotions" (feelings and expressions, good and bad) and your "will" ( heart, not the heart that pumps blood to keep you alive but the place in you mind that controls your desires).

To the extent that we spend time in His presence is the extent we will receive His best. That's why some Christians seem to have more miracle power working in their lives. God honors those who honor Him. Even a sinner receives from God good things when they follow spiritual laws which have been set in motion by God, such as marriage vows, giving to the poor etc. However, they don't have the promises of the covenant that we receive when we take Jesus as our lord and savior.

When we need miraculous help, we must continually speak the biblical truths about our situation and what God says it will be. When we do we are using the same power and faith that God used when he created the earth and all that is in it. He has made His faith available to us to change things and bring increase to our lives by our words.

Everyone Has Faith With The Freedom To Use It However They Choose

Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

God gives everyone a measure of faith, it's our choice in how we use it. Faith is believing in something, setting standards and establishing foundations in our lives. Faith works both ways, we can believe God and it will deliver us from sin and trouble, bringing good into our lives; or we can use it to believe earthly human strategies or even satanic wisdom and produce doom, depression and destruction for those beliefs. We have freedom of choice to plan our own life and eternity.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

You will get what you say, good or bad. Many Christians don't even recognize when they are talking defeat. Words are seeds and produce a harvest. If we talk, death, sickness, old age, pain, poverty etc., we give Satan power through our own mouth to perform what we say. He takes that seed and brings it to pass so that what he does to us is our own fault. Then we plead with God to deliver us. If you have done this then repent of those words and God will remove them, stopping Satan from being able to use them against you. Speaking the faith words of God resists and stops the efforts that Satan uses to rob us of the good things God has in store for us.

Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

People continually speak from their heart what they believe to be true. We can believe something to the point that we would give our life for it, but that doesn't make it true unless it lines up with God's truth. There isn't any in Hell that didn't think he or she was right in the choices they made. God has the final judgment in our lives and will judge us according to what's in our heart, soul and the words we have spoken. The only entry into heaven is by using enough of the faith God gave us to make Jesus Lord over our life. We have free choice to live, act and speak however we want until our earthly body can no longer contain us. When it dies our soul (mind, will and emotions) moves into eternity, Heaven for those who pleased God and Hell for those who didn't. Why would God desire to spend eternity with a someone who wasted the faith He gave them on evil desires, when it takes so little to say, Jesus be Lord over my life.

Study "The Parable of the Rich Fool" who used his faith in the worlds system instead of God's system.

Luke 12:15-21 Then he (Jesus) said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them this parable:

The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, "What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops." Then he said, "This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." But God said to him, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

Speaking God's words, full of truth and faith, establishes His power in our soul (our mind, will and emotions). His words will change our earthly nature to be like His. He gave us power through our own words to make changes in everything concerning our life, including our environment. Faith words used daily is good preventive medicine for the problems of life.

Godly Faith Changes Earthly Facts

Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Notice the Word gives us the instruction to "say", verbally express, what we want. When we speak aloud godly faith (words that line up with God's way of thinking and doing) it improves whatever situation we are in. It's simple, godly faith changes earthly facts.

There is nothing godly about earthly facts that bring hurt, pain or disaster into our lives. Those facts are from satanic influences. They are from the curse that Satan was put under when God threw him out of heaven. They can't stand in the presence of godly faith, therefore, they can never change spiritual truth. God set his standards for using faith; it was established as his law for all time. We can depend on it; He is faithful to do everything He says. If we do what the Bible says, then the promise for that obedience is ours.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

God's kind of faith is consistent in working the way He designed it to work. Using faith is God's security system for every area our lives.

Since faith is the substance used as the exchange for miraculous changes in our lives, then it's faith that we must use if we want godly results. That's why the things of God can't be bought with money. Money that we give as tithes and seed offering are to further the preaching of the Gospel here on earth simply because we live in a money system. Although God has established a system of benefits and blessings for giving money into his kingdom, it's faith that makes those blessing manifest as something material in our lives. God honors faith and obedience; they are what makes Him Lord over our lives.

Facts may be what we see or feel with our flesh, but we live in God's family; if we use the faith of God we will get the same results as Jesus did when he walked on earth, healing the sick and delivering people from demonic power. His faith is stable and true. Those faith words from our lips let's God know that we need him and are depending on his promises; it gives him pleasure, which in turn causes Him to respond with miraculous power.

Jeremiah 1:12 Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.

When we speak in faith it isn't any different than when God spoke the earth into existence. It's His words we're speaking, it's His faith we're using and he honors it with the promised results because we belong to him through salvation in his Son. He made His faith available to us through His Word so we would put it inside our heart to bring us into His way of thinking. We start our Christian walk with just enough faith to believe we can be free from our past sins. So we ask forgiveness and ask Jesus to come into our heart. God honors that small step of faith and we receive a great reward, freedom, a new beginning, some people have even experienced an empty or light feeling. Faith doesn't have to be big to experience great results, small is fine because it's something that grows. What's necessary, for it to work and produce good results, is to examine what faith we have, then establish it firmly in our heart. How do you know when faith is firmly established? When you know for sure that whatever happens that's contrary to your belief, it doesn't change your thoughts or emotions, you're stable and can't be shaken. You don't budge, waiver, compromise or diminish that belief. When we become strong in God's ways and his words we can enjoy our victory even before we see it.

Doubt Stops Faith And Cancels What We Have Already Received

Matthew 21:21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, (doubt includes stop, give up, compromise, waiver etc) not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can "say" to this mountain, (trial, problem) 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.

Speaking faith, in accordance to the scriptures, (believing in God's ability to do what He says) is the key to receiving his promises. He wants us to live victorious in all areas, but we have to conform to His ways in order to receive his best. Speaking his word gets us the results we need in the quickest and most miraculous way, and it always gives honor to God and Jesus Christ.

God's word is spiritual truth. If your results seem to be slow at coming, check yourself. We must always make adjustments to aline our lives with the Word. Pray and let the Spirit of the Lord lead you through the scriptures for those adjustments. Faith never works if we adjust the Bible to fit our ways that are outside God's guidelines. God is always right and we must watch our lives carefully to stay in line and receive His blessings.

When we confess what's in the Word about our situation we are putting our trust in God, other-wards we are trusting in ourselves or the world systems to deliver us in our time of need. Jesus gives us God's law about faith so completely that the responsibility to receive God's promises lives in us! Let's examine closer how faith work in Mark's writings:

Mark 11:22-25

"Have faith in God,"

Having faith in God is the same as having and using the faith of God. It's his faith that is going to accomplish the task. Remember His faith is spiritual currency.

Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth,

Jesus never lied. So, as his disciples, we have to believe the rest of this scripture.

if anyone "says" to this mountain,

Saying what God says about any subject is the key to active faith. A mountain is anything that is contrary to the Word of God, that's why it's so important to know what God wrote. It's his book of instructions, his love letter to us designed to better our lives and give us a glorious eternity.

Mark 11 Continued:

'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart

Let's take a moment to explore how to control doubt. If you experience doubt repent that you allowed it into your mind!

Romans 14:23b everything that does not come from faith is sin.)

Doubt is fear. Satan's biggest tool is fear. He tries to instill of all types of it into a person's mind. It can be as simple as a thought like "I think I'm getting a headache, to a complete take over of the mind on a subject that hinders your life. He takes as much of a person's thought, in a negative way, as they will give him. Fear is his control device, designed to defeat us and draw us away from God's promises. He is the chief con-artist because he really has no control over a Christian unless we accept what he's giving us. He is still effectively using the same tricks today that he used on Eve.

Genesis 3:1b He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

He effectively caused Eve to doubt God's Word, she accepted the curse he offered her and she sinned. She should have put him in his place and resisted everything he said.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Doubt is dispelled by faith. Satan can't speak into a mind that is full of faith. There are faith words to put him to flight on every subject but we have to know them and be strong enough to use them. So start feeding yourself scriptures that removes doubt. Start with doubting Thomas when he met the resurrected Christ. (John 20:26) also how other people in the Bible used faith over fear. (Hebrews 11:1-40).

Also imitate David as in Psalm 42 and 43, when he spoke to his soul, commanding it what to do; bringing it to a place of faith in God's ability to deliver him.

Psalm 42:5-6 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God...

David also knew how to comfort his soul, giving it orders to rest in peace and trust in God.

Psalm 62:5-8 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.)

Doubt limits our use of faith so learn to recognize it and use God's word to increase spiritual benefits in your soul. Those spiritual benefits will overflow causing prosperity in every area of your life, such as health, finances, social benefits, family blessings, even material things we need.

3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that "all" may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Mark 11 Continued:

but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

God wants us to receive all kinds of good things but we have use faith to get them, otherwise Satan's counterfeit, which is greed or covetousness, would have the freedom to over take us.

Mark 11 Continued:

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Faith is active and full of anticipation. By using active faith, the results that God gives us is so much better than we can ever imagine. Start using the imagination that God gave you for good. Never use it to envision the distress and destructive results that Satan produces. God doesn't have anything to work with when you mind is on the bad things. Focus is very important when your going through a trial.

Now we've read what to do and the promise that goes with it; here is the restriction. Make sure you are clear in this area so your faith will work and the promise will be yours.

Mark 11 Continued:

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Ephesians 3:12 ... and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

How To Use Faith

When we pray in faith believing, according to God's Word, He stands behind us with His power.

Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; (keys are tools for use to win over situations here on earth) whatever "you" bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever "you" loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Also see: Matthew 18:18)

Binding is stopping something or someone, like when they are tied up and can't move. It what Jesus instructed us to do when satanic influences rise up. We aren't to way until they have control. There are no scripture that say we can pray and God will remove Satan from tormenting us. The Apostle Paul asked and was told:

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

We, who are weak in nature, as an earth vessel for God are to use His power, knowledge and wisdom to defeat Satan. Jesus bled, died and was raised to life again, so we could gain access to His power through the Holy Spirit. Receiving the fulness of God's Spirit is a major factor in effectively conquering over Satan and all his schemes.

Luke 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

Jesus was talking to people who had repented and were water baptized, born again converts to God's family. They were to wait in submission to receive the in-filling or fullness of the Holy Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit is our teacher, faith increases tremendously when we study the Word, after receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you...

When we are full of His power we are also full of His authority to conquer Satan, through the name of Jesus. If we don't use that authority the Satan will run over us. Here are some examples on how to use faith to win battles by taking control over Satan.

Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

The ability to have Satan under our feet is from the love of the Father when we use His faith. It's the same faith that He used when He threw Satan out of Heaven, centuries ago. We excite God when we speak His Word and use the imagination He gave us for our own victory. Start telling Satan where God has put him and with your imagination see yourself with your foot over Satan's mouth, it's a spiritual act that brings earthly results. Then forbid him to say or do anything, just as Jesus did. Our precious Lord set so many examples for us to use; so use them daily.

Mark 1:34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Demons knew who Jesus was, he also knows that you no longer belong to him, that's why his attacks are so strong. It's time to enforce who you are "in Christ"on him. You start giving the orders and take control. God knew we would have to war against Satan's attacks, that's why He designed a spiritual suit of armor for us to use in the spiritual realm. The Armor of God It makes good sense to increase that armor daily when we are continually under demonic attack in our own lives, as well as in the lives of our loved ones.

Once you speak the words, "I bind you Satan (you can add what he's doing) in the name of Jesus" he is bound. Don't let him bully you in your mind, he's bound. He can't stand against your authority when you give it in the name of Jesus. Don't give him anymore attention, he is under your authority and it's time to hit him with the confessions that strengthen your stand against him such as:

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given (me)us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 Peter 4:7-8 The end of all things is near. Therefore (I am) be clear minded and self-controlled so that (I) you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Psalm 103:5 (God) who satisfies (my) your desires with good things so that (my) your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

After binding the works of Satan, go to God in humble prayer. Ask for the things you need and believe you are receiving. God loves you, you handled things like Jesus said to do, of course you will receive. This method has to be away of life just like our devotions, going to church, worship etc. If we don't keep Satan bound it's harder to walk the way God wants us to.

Because we are using God's words, he gives us power to enforce them. Therefore, Satan has to obey us and he can't continue his attack at that time. Use this method in different ways for different circumstances and continually keep him out of your life. Remember the three time Satan tempted Jesus and He used the Word on him (The Temptation Of Christ). It works the same way for us. You have the authority to bind whatever Satan is doing and loose his grip for every situation he tries to bring into your life, even in the lives of family and friends.

God has his angels waiting for us to say or do something that will put them to work. God gives his people more control, under his guidelines, than people realize. As we mature in the things of God we are to use the tools He gives us along with the knowledge and wisdom of God to do His work, which is controlling Satan's evil works. God is always waiting for us to do something good that he can help with, to further His kingdom.

Jeremiah 1:12 Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it. (Amplified Version)

Speaking God's Word is the best way I know to get the results that I believe I should have. God, however, usually provides better results than I ever can imagine. I guess I think more earthly ways than He does.

Here are some scriptures concerning God's rules when asking for the things we need or want.

Being in Christ, who is in the Father, gives us the privilege of asking for miracles and receiving them when we need help.

John 14:9-14 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

When we do things God's way and believe all that Jesus taught and did, then we have the privilege of approaching God with expectation of receiving everything we need to be happy in life.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The confidence we have comes from knowing God's Word, and researching what he has said about our situation already. Then when we are in total agreement with Him through our knowledge and obedience He pours out a blessing that is overwhelming.

Approaching God is one of our "rights" as born again Christians. The blood of Jesus (the sacrificial price that God requires for sin) now covers us and God, in all his purity, can receive us into his presence, that why it's in our covenant. He fully expects us to use all of our rights or He wouldn't have put them in the Bible. When we enter into God's presence, knowing in our heart we have done all we know to do, then he can freely bless us. If we come up lacking, through our humility before him, He will show us were we failed and guide us into the truth so we can receive that blessing. Here are some scriptures how using their faith worked for others.

Matthew 9:29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"

Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Our Faith Works When We Show Love

Faith works by the love that we show toward others. We can't treat people any way we fell like and expect God to answer our prayers. If you haven't been getting your prayers answered, check the level of love you show to others. It could be holding you back from being in the perfect will of God, which is where we receive His best.

Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

All the teaching in the Old and New Testament is based on increasing God's family through love. Everything that's connected with God, since Jesus gave his life to redeem us from our sins, is wrapped up in God's love for us; our instructions, obedience, blessings etc. He has such a desire to help us to overcome the stress of life and wants the best for all people. He draws us close by the power of his love. He sent his Son to teach us His ways and how to use His love to help others. Then He allowed Him to die for our sins that we could be set free of earthly and sinful ways, so that the light of God's love could begin to shine in us. When Jesus went to sit at the Father's side, on the throne in heaven, it was the ultimate act of love. Now mankind could receive the power to live holy through the presence of the Holy Spirit living inside us. By yielding our will to do His will, the Fruit of God's Spirit would now grow strong in the world and produce godly love toward others; increasing His Kingdom. God's desire is that we become perfect in love toward everyone to fulfill His purpose.

Matthew 5: 43-48 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

1John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

If we think, speak and act toward others in a way that is based on Satan's curse, anger, hatred, jealously, vengeful, etc., any way that isn't in accordance with God's love, then we can't expect Him to treat us with miraculous blessings when we ask for help in our own lives. Love in it's self is a miraculous emotion. It changes the heart and mind of people when they experience real godly love.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

To know the difference between godly love and human love read: Love That Builds Great Relationships

Love, which is the first The Fruit Of The Spirit must be continually growing and active in our lives.

John 15: 9-17 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

You can never get too much of God's love working through you. When Enoch did God got excited. He had to do something so much better for Enoch because of his love in doing things right; something special that this world couldn't give him. So God allowed him to escape the process of pain and death in his earthly body. He took his spirit and soul and moved it directly into eternal life.

Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God; (meaning he ran his life according to what God desired) then he was no more, because God took him away.

When a person leaves their earthly body they just change residences, Heaven for those that are saved and Hell for those that never took Jesus as lord over their lives. We have free choice for our own destiny. Enoch's escape is the same way it will be when the rapture takes place.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

God's kind of love has no boundaries for doing good for those who love and serve Him. We should strive to give more and more love as society develops deeper in the despair from living in the curse that Satan has caused.

1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If we aren't operating in love towards others then our faith doesn't have the authority of God to make it produce what we ask for. Since faith is God's medium of exchange then we have to use it His way; and His way is by unconditional love for others. Once more, we are to love others without expecting anything in return.

1 John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Walking by faith requires us to walk in love at all times, no matter what the circumstances are. That doesn't mean to let someone abuse us. It means to love, pray for and treat other well no matter how they act, even if they do something against us. Our responsibility and actions are to have their foundation rooted in God's Word, not our feelings and emotions.

Matthew 5:39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Luke 6:29 ...If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.

Luke 6:37-38 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This scripture is so important because it will work in every area of your life. Treat all people as Jesus did with compassion and kindness; with an eagerness to bring them into a better place in life. Jesus never looked down on anyone, not even the demon possessed. Instead He lifted up everyone who would allow him. He worked with people to bring them into a higher place with God as long as they would stay and accept it. Many left but He never turned anyone away. When you treat people with God's love, either they will respond in a good way and grow in learning about the Lord or they will choose to stay in their worldly condition. They will be the one who turns angry and leaves, giving you a clear conscience with God because you held fast to His loving way until the end of the relationship.

Romans 12: 9-21 Love must be sincere. (God has placed within the heart of each person the ability to make ourselves sincere. When we see in the Bible how we should think, feel or act, then we should speak those things and practice them until they work automatically in our soul (our mind, will and emotions). For example:) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Taking God's Word as being the truth we desire to follow is the first sign of sincerity. Finding places in our daily lives to practice those actions of truth establishes them into our heart. Thus we become sincere in righteousness and truth, which leads to sincere love. Many people have put false teaching into their heart, teaching that are from another source and not the leadership of the Holy Spirit, which comes through humility and prayer. Although it is not the truth as God wanted us to understand, they are sincere about what they believe. It's easy to spot because a person lives in a world of what they believe instead of what the Word says. That type of sincerity will not work when in the presence of God at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Matthew 7: 21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

When we allow our emotions to rule what we say and do, instead of acting in love according to God's will, then we don't get the results that we desire or have prayed for. God is Love! He doesn't just have love. He is love and righteousness deep into His very core. He does everything out of love and righteousness. He can't help but love everyone, after all He created each person to be so special.

Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

God's greatest desire is to have us love Him in return by loving all the other people that he created. That also includes sinners who have never repented of their sins or made Jesus their Lord. He loves them, he's just not in covenant with them because of their choice. Therefore, the promises and benefits found in the Bible, along with life in His glorious heaven, don't belong to them. But through godly love many of those can be won for the glory of God. It's Satan that stirs people's hearts to fight and hate. We are to overcome his influences and use God's tool of "love".

As children of His faith, we are to take on his godly nature with the same kind of love, for each and every person, that Jesus used here on earth. He proved that love and faith worked together as He reached people for the Kingdom of God and we must do the same. When we chose God, through Jesus it was a binding contract. By entering into that contract, which give us all the benefits that heaven allows, God expects us to change our attitude and remember the love he has showed us in the past and express it to others. We must put aside our own feelings and selfish desires. We must be strong minded in doing what the Word says and be tender hearted with compassion for those who lack in the wisdom of God. If we are careful to minister God's love to everyone in all situations then people will see a power that the world can't provide and give God praise.

1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

How To Act Toward Someone Who Sins Against Us?

We are to remain un-moved, standing strong in what the Word says. Each person is accountable to God for what they say or do. Remember that the act that person has committed against you is instigated by Satan. Take authority over "him" through the power of the Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit but continue to love the person. That way God will deal with the individual, who's causing trouble, in their heart and if they refuse then they will be repaid. Many people don't receive deliverance from someone who sins against them, or does them wrong, because they don't act according to the scriptures. Here are some scriptures that will help you to stand God's way.

Proverbs 24:12 ...does not he (God) who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

Romans 2:6 God "will give to each person according to what he has done."

Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

James 5:20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. (rebellion against the Holy Spirit Luke 12: 8-10) I am not saying that he should pray about that.

Lamentations 3:30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.

1 Corinthians 6:7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

Jude 1:23 Snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear, hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

If a Christian acts in the same way as a sinner how will they ever reach that person for God? How will they reach anyone who sees such a situation? A person has to see Jesus living through us to want to change. You can't encourage a person to give up a sinful lifestyle unless you show them there's something better. Satan rules their flesh and they are driven by satisfying their need to feel good; like boasting, venting anger, revenge, as well as other sinful desires. Unless they see something more attractive and satisfying in us they will desire to stay with what they have and will miss out on earthly blessings as well as an eternal heaven. Everyone who comes into our path is an opportunity for us to win for the Lord. Our strongest weapon is the sword of the Spirit.

Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Our sword is in learning, and applying the scriptures to our lives. There are scriptures that produce "working faith" for every subject known to man. We just have to find them and learn how to use them. Our best defense against someone doing us wrong is to teach them and lead them to the Lord. Then they leave the lifestyle that we objected to and become God's children, learning and growing like us. Did you notice earlier when you read about the Armor of God that there was no armor designed for our back-side. We are not to run from Satan but stand firm against him, winning souls out of his grasp.

Ephesians 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

This is not a passive scripture, but an aggressive, fighting one. We are to be bold, offensive and go after Satan with all our strength in the power of the Lord. If we keep Satan continually on the defensive because of our confessions of strength, with the scriptures, then he doesn't have time to affect us. There is nothing more embarrassing to him than to shoot a dart at us that bounces off, because of the spiritual barrier God has surrounded us with when we use his armor daily.

1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

God's armor gives us the ability to win great spiritual battles yet enjoy and promote God's love, joy and peace.

Rules To Follow For Faith To Work

Another way that keeps us from receiving God's best is recognizing a wrong or sinful act in our own lives, but continuing to do it.

Hebrews 10:26-31 If we deliberately (Done consciously and intentionally) keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

We should always be examining ourselves, especially our motives in what we want, say or do. Our motives should be the same as God's if we want his best results.

James 4:1-3 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

God is not against us having things. Many of his blessings are material. He wants us to seek him daily and depend on him completely. Then the things that He gives us are not only better than what we could have gotten on our own; but as we are thankful and praise him for each thing He continually gets glory and honor.

Even though Jesus is our only mediator with God, being in Christ allows us to ask the Father directly in the name of Jesus and we will receive. It's the same kind of relationship that Adam had only better because we know God's Son personally.

John 16:22-28 ...Now is your time of grief, but I (Jesus) will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

Corporate prayer increases power to receive.

Matthew 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

James 5:13-16 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need (knowledge, wisdom, finances etc.), you will abound in every good work.

Finally it's praise and thanksgiving that keeps God continually working on our situation. We are never to give up; it's our strength and perseverance that keeps the evil one from over-taking us.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, (not for the circumstance) for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

When we make this our lifestyle we continually have the assurance that God's mighty hand is on our lives. That's why the Bible teaches us in so many scriptures to be self-controlled, not only for how to act and what to say but even to the point of what to think. It makes us strong in the Lord and brings great victories over the worst of circumstances.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

God Is Watching To See If We Have His Faith

Luke 18:8...when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

God is watching our faith. He wants every person to excel in His way of thinking and receive their rewards. Remember faith is "heavenly currency" everything in the Bible accomplishes what it says it will do. We just have to line up with it.

Isaiah 55:11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: (What's written in the Bible) It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I (God) desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

An example of this is when we received salvation. We lined up our thinking with what the Word said, either by reading it for ourselves or someone taught us. Then we fulfill the requirements of repentance and asking Jesus into our heart. We believed and we were saved. This is the same method that works for anything we need or want from God. We first hear or read what He has to say, then we believe, then we receive. To the extent that we believe is the same extent that we receive. Some people, who have believed and received salvation, won't believe in miracles or healing. I learned about healing, believed and have received many. Those who won't believe won't be bothered by God trying to heal them because He never crosses the line of our freedom of choice.

If we are sincere in what we ask God, to the point of making changes to please Him, then God will make a way for us to receive, even if he has to teach us before He gives us our blessing. One of the Holy Spirit's jobs is to help us to grow in faith. Through our willingness to learn He guides our lives and prepares us for future victories. As we grow in the Word and have God's faith working inside us, it enables us to see faith in others just as Jesus did.

Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

Jesus saw faith, that's what God is looking for in us. Faith pulls down heavenly power to change earthly circumstances.

Mark 5:34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

Working faith creates peace in our lives.

Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

It only took a small amount of faith, in Jesus, to repent and believe that He would save us from all of our past sins. When we received his glorious salvation we were also saved from Hell, a life of destruction from the curse, every sickness, disease, fear, poverty and any situation that brings disorder or lack into our lives. Peter looked back to the cross declaring that was the exact time when we received healing for the total person, mind, body, socially, materially as well as spiritually.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his (Jesus) own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Jesus paid the price for us to live in his Father's presence once again as Adam did. However, we must have the knowledge of our rights, along with faith to manifest them in our life, in order to effectively enforce those rights over Satan. His desire is to steal everything God has given us or creating doubt that we can even receive our promises. Faith gives us peace now and for our future. Faith in God's ability to take care of us eliminates fear, worry, frustration, pain etc. Faith STOPS every tool that Satan wants to use against us. Everything we need to live victoriously is in God's Bible but we must use faith to bring His promises to their fullness.

Ephesians 6:16 ...take up the shield of faith, with which "you" can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

How To Fight A Good Fight Of Faith And Win Every Time

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold (to gain possession by force) of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Running includes learning God's Word and how to use it, thinking, speaking and action in accordance to His righteousness. Then it means using your God given authority to defeat Satan with what you have learned. Many spiritual battles take place in the earthly realm in the lives of earthly beings. Because earthly power is weaker than spiritual power we must fight those battles with heavenly, godly power in order to win. Faith in what God says is heavenly power.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Fighting evil influences is not passive but very much active. Fighting is to be used only against Satan and his works, not against people. Being biblically aggressive, rebuking, resisting and taking control of Satan and everything he pushes on us is the only way to win over him. Christians are supposed to be sweet, nice, merciful, gracious etc., absolutely toward people of all kinds, even those that have rejected Jesus at this time of their lives! But because we are under the grace of God and not the Law, love is to be expressed to everyone in the hope that they will see the light of Jesus Christ and follow.

1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

However, when it comes to the works of Satan. We are to fiercely oppose everything he stands for and overtake him by binding all of his works. Many Christians never learn how to do battle and therefore, never have the victory that God intends for His children to have. Learning how to look at people and separate out the evil that makes that person think, talk and act in an evil way is important. Then you can aggressively rebuke and release that person from the bondage they are in while you show that person great love and care. Looking at a person as God sees them helps. He created them through generations of people starting with Adam. He has a plan for them that is perfect, prosperous, one that will give Him glory and honor. But that was all interrupted because through their weakened earthly nature, which we are all born with, they yielded to satanic influences. Without Jesus Christ in our lives we are all like Adam, giving our power and authority over to Satan, as when him and Eve chose to do evil and ate the forbidden fruit.

1 Peter 5:8-11 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever.

The more self-controlled we are in our thinking, speaking, acting and even in our emotions, in accordance with the scriptures, the less Satan has the ability to attack us. It's when we do things in ways that aren't in line with the power and righteousness of God that we, just like Adam and Eve, give Satan permission to take charge over areas of our lives. That's why it's so important to know the Word and how to use it as faith to over-ride all of Satan's attempts to devour us and our families. There are so many areas of life that satanic forces try to influence us to do wrong that he may capture us.

As Just One Example: Look At Anger

When we show "anger" toward another person, either in words or actions and either in or outside of their presence, we are defeated within ourselves. Satan has accomplished what he set out to do. Those actions stops the Holy Spirit from working along side us. Anger robs us of having good and prosperous hours and even days because we missed out on the Holy Spirit's direction. He "can not" work in a mind that is full of anger, bitterness and lack of self-control. There's no way around it because those things are from Satan and we have chosen them to be there. It affects our prayer life and delays answers that we so desperately need from the Thrown of God.

1 Peter 4: 7-8 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Our anger is to be directed only at Satan. As we study how and why he's using that person, or that situation, to bring confusion or make us angry we receive God's wisdom. Wisdom is given us for each particular situation, by the Holy Spirit, through knowing God's knowledge of the Word. It's God's power, working through us, for changing the circumstances of the situation, and it's done simply by prayer because we have learned faith through His Word. Uncontrolled anger robs us of power, allowing Satan to rule, but controlling our anger, within God's framework of righteousness, gives us authority over Satan's ability to produce a destructive situation. It allows the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us for that period of time to bring glory to God. Here are more scriptures on how to handle anger.

James 1: 19-20 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

Ephesians 4:26 "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Colossians 3:8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Notice that anger is categorized in the same lists as other sins because it can be a destructive emotion. Therefore, we must handle anger in a constructive manor by turning it back on Satan and his influences, which will bring about God's plan, instead of what Satan desired for it to do.

1 Timothy 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

If we handle situations in God's way then we can expect God to watch over us and arrange our life to be full of peace and joy. One of my favorite sayings is: "Sometimes God stills the storm around us and other time He stills it inside us, giving us peace."

Either way when we show love toward other people and use our anger on Satan and what he's doing, we are providing "active faith" for the scriptures that gives us God's authority over all satanic influence. It pulls the Holy Spirit close into that situation as a supernatural helper. I hope you can see why it's so vitally important to learn when and where Satan is working. To express God's love to others properly, you must be like Jesus was, having the knowledge and wisdom of God, to separate Satan's evil personality from the person he's working through.

2 Peter 1: 5-9 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Other Important Faith Scriptures For Understanding Faith

Hebrews 11:2-40 This is what the ancients were commended for.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.  For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. heart.