

### Be Still and Know That I Am God

Making and Maintaining a Connection with our Source

By Gary S. Hall

All scripture references are from KJV unless otherwise noted.

Copyright 2013 Gary Hall

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

### Acknowledgements

For it is through every experience that we all have had, be it good or bad, that we will cause an elevation of consciousness if we will allow it to.

I want to say a special thank you to everyone for making this writing possible.

### Table of Contents

Introduction/Dedication

Chapter One - Initial Contact

Chapter Two - Love

Chapter Three - Giving

Chapter Four - Fear & Doubt

Chapter Five - Healing

Chapter Six - Real Magic

Chapter Seven - Faith

Chapter Eight - Arm of Flesh

Chapter Nine - Yet Not I

Chapter Ten - Be Still and Know That I Am God

Chapter Eleven - Take No Thought

About the Author

Connect with Gary Hall

### Introduction/Dedication

This book is solely dedicated to you, whomever you may be, to assist you with your connection to our Creator, our Source: God.

I know that all disease, disharmony, discord and anything of the like can be totally wiped out and nullified by taking Spirit to it. The reason for these situations is a separation from our Source. There is no disease in God, there is no disharmony in God, and for that matter there is no dis-anything in God.

I have heard people say that God gave the world AIDS because of the homosexual population. No, God did not. There is no disease in God, so how and why would He send such a thing to our planet? I have also heard people say that God has caused other illnesses and wars and rumors of wars due to us humans not doing or living as we should or as He would see fit.

This is absurd! We are God's finest creation. God created us and saw that it was good. God gave us dominion over the entire world and everything in it. God is forever creating and forever blessing us. God is forever with us and we just do not recognize and acknowledge the fact that God is doing these things. We have become separated from God. We have allowed our carnal mind, the ego, to take over, and we have left God totally out of the picture. What we must do is connect or re-connect to our Source.

The dis- you are having right now—whatever it may be—can be nullified and wiped out. This dis- could be anything from cancer to not being able to pay your electric bill. Whatever the dis- may be for you, connect or re-connect to your Source and I guarantee you it will vanish.

Paul wrote in Romans 8:6, "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." All we need to do is choose to be spiritually minded, therefore having life and peace. It is really that simple. It is as simple as making a choice. We make a choice in every second of every day. We make a choice to be happy or sad. We make a choice to love or hate. Why not choose to be spiritually minded and have life and peace?

The reason, I believe, that most do not choose to be spiritually minded is that most have lost touch and have separated themselves from God. They do not recognize the fact that God is forever with them and forever blessing them. Right now, this very moment, as you are reading this, God is creating and blessing.

Stop reading for just a moment and think on God and the things of God. These thoughts could be thoughts of love, joy, and peace, just to name a few. Think about all of the times that things have just happened in your life, the things that most people would call coincidence. These things are not coincidence at all; this is God working on your behalf. Romans 8:28 says, "And, we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." This is what I'm talking about. God is forever creating and forever blessing everything just for you.

Stop and reflect for just a moment, as it says in Psalms 46:10:

"Be still, and know that I am God"

If you actually stopped reading and started thinking or meditating about God and the things of God, guess what? You have just elevated your level of consciousness. You have just raised your level of awareness and the level at which you experience life.

As we continue through this book, there will probably be things said that go against anything and everything that you have ever believed in your life. I only ask that as you read let the Spirit commune with your spirit. As Saint Paul wrote, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit." Acknowledge the presence of the Spirit as you read this book, but most importantly, come to know God if you do not already; reconnect to God if you have allowed yourself to become disconnected and choose to be spiritually minded and have life and peace.

The Spirit, God, created you. God is all around you, God is in everything around you and, as a matter of fact, God is you. We are spirit. In the book of Genesis, God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." What is this likeness? Well, it is not flesh and bone. It is spirit.

Later in that passage, it also tells us that God gave us dominion over everything on the earth. I believe this means everything; however, first and foremost, we must exercise dominion over our own mind and body. We must come to the realization that we are not this mind or this body. Our minds and our bodies are just tools for us to use while on this earth, but they are not who we are. We are spirit.

We must stay in a state of consciousness where we are recognizing and acknowledging God's presence constantly. As it says in I Thessalonians 5:17, "We must, pray without ceasing." This does not mean that we must physically stay on our knees in prayer constantly; however, there does need to be a piece of our being that is constantly aware of God's presence, by acknowledging it and communing with the Spirit. This is when we will see the tangible evidence, manifestation, and expression of God in our lives and in the lives of others.

This book is not like most books that you read and then place on a shelf. It is a book that has to be experienced, personally, by you, the reader. As you read a chapter, ponder it and meditate upon what you have read. Afterward, live the exercises at the end of each chapter; practice these exercises one chapter at a time to begin with, for a minimum of one week (you can practice them longer if you would like, but I recommend starting with at least one week). Then proceed on to the next chapter's practice. After three or four chapters of practice you will begin to notice that you will use a specific exercise for a specific situation. Also, if there is a specific challenge you are facing and you would like to change your focus to an exercise from a different chapter, simply make the change and continue to experience God in all aspects of your life.

After several weeks of using these exercises and actually applying Truth to your life and life's situations, they will no longer be exercises, but an automatic Word becoming flesh. Eventually, as soon as something confronts you, regardless of the situation or circumstance, you will see it for what it is and apply the Truth to it.

Experience the word of God for yourself and see what the Word has in store for you today. You are going to be absolutely amazed!

### Be Still, and Know That I Am God

Chapter One

Initial Contact

I wanted to begin this book with the most important thing that an individual can do in his or her own lifetime; that being, our initial contact with our Creator. Some may call it salvation, some being born again, some enlightenment. In this book we will call it initial contact. This initial contact is your first personal experience with God, not what your mother or father have experienced, or your brother, sister, or even a close friend, but an experience that is unique to you. This experience can be different for everyone, but the end result is the same: God speaking peace to your soul. You must have a time and a place where the Spirit fills your being and you are consciously aware of the change.

It is imperative that you get this. Regardless of what disease, disharmony, or discord you may have, this initial contact is the beginning of an entirely new life.

Now, wait before you stop reading. I am not preaching a religion; I am talking about the Spirit, our Creator, God. It has nothing to do with religion, however, what you do with your life after your initial contact is between you and God.

My initial contact was at nine years of age. My experience was this: I was at church (you do not have to be at a church, though. God will save you anywhere). We were having our annual revival meeting. The preacher was preaching the word of God, and in my heart I realized that I had sinned. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:26, _"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."_ I then made a choice to repent, that is, to ask God to forgive me of my sin, and ask God to save my soul—and He did.

Let me explain: The realization I had in my heart was the drawing power of the Spirit, as Jesus said in John 6:44, _"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him."_ It is God's Spirit that does the drawing, and upon repentance it is God who places the Holy Spirit in our heart. All we must do is believe, and God does the work, as we see in Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

It is by God's grace through our believing in His Son, Jesus, that we are saved.

Jesus is our pathway to this Spirit. Jesus says in John 14:6, _"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."_ Also in the third chapter of John, we find what is possibly the most well-known scripture in the Bible, verse 16 & 17:

" _For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."_

Here is how we make initial contact with the Spirit; if there were a step-by-step guide to attaining this Spirit, it would look like this:

1.You hear the word of God.

This hearing could be someone talking to you, a book you are reading, a TV broadcast, a radio show—any way that God's word is brought to you accompanied by the Spirit. This Spirit speaks to your heart and lets you know that you need God to come into your life.

Let's look at the conversion of Paul (Saul of Tarsus) for just a moment.

Saul had just watched and consented to the stoning of Stephen (Stephen was a Christian preaching the word of God, and was killed for it). Afterward, Saul requested and received letters from the Sanhedrin to persecute more Christians. Saul was on the road to Damascus to persecute these Christians when God spoke to him. We find this event in Acts 9:3. "And as he (Saul) journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"

Here we see Saul heard the Word (He had heard the preaching of Stephen and then Jesus Himself), which leads to step number two.

2.You realize your condition and conclude that you need God.

In verse 5 of this story we see the spirit dealing with Saul's heart: "And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."

The "kicking against the pricks" is the Spirit dealing with Saul's heart (Paul later referred to this "kicking against the pricks" as Godly sorrow in II Corinthians 7:10, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death").

This leads to step number three.

3.You repent to God.

Verse 6 continues the story: "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

We see here that Saul was afraid (he was trembling and astonished); his repentance indicated that he was willing to do anything that God would have him do.

This is how we all must be. We must be willing. One can repent silently, or say out loud, "Lord forgive me." But if it is not sincere from the heart, He will not hear us. On the other hand, when we repent with the heart that Saul displays in this passage, salvation is instant.

The next step is not really a step. Once step three takes place, God does the rest.

All we must do is believe!

4.God saves your soul.

The story continues in the rest of the verse: "And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." I believe it was here, when Christ said "Arise", that Saul was saved.

Now for Paul, salvation seemed to be instant; he repented and God spoke peace to him. Do not be discouraged if it does not work that easily for you. I have known and heard of people who try to repent time and time again with no success. Like I said, in step three we must be willing and have faith (faith means having no doubt) that God will send His Spirit into our heart. When these conditions are met, the very instant they are met, the ever-calming peace of the spirit will come into our heart. We must come to the end of ourselves and there we will find God.

After you have made your initial contact, don't be afraid of losing it. Once we have made our initial contact we cannot lose it because we do not actually hold it. It is God who maintains this connection. We know this because Paul tells us in the book of Romans 8:35-39:

" _Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."_

Granted there will be times in your life when you may feel like you have lost your salvation, and sometimes you may even think that you never had it to begin with. It is at these times that we must find a quiet place and be still and know that I am God.

We find that even King David asked God in Psalms 51:12, _"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."_

Throughout our lifetime there are going to be times when we seem to lose focus or just get so busy with life that we forget what true living is all about. As this happens, it is not God who leaves the scene—it is us. It is our carnal mind or ego that has pulled away from God.

Here's how it works. Once initial contact is made or a reconnection to the Spirit takes place, true living begins. You start to see things in a whole new way. You may start to pray and meditate on the things of God every day. You begin to look forward to seeing what the Spirit has in store for you that day. You will actually start looking for things to happen, and they will. These things could be anything from getting the job you have always wanted, to meeting your soul mate, to getting that first parking spot in front of the grocery store. When they happen, you will know that all things work together for good to those who love God.

You will actually start to see a change in your entire life, and then it happens. You begin to think that you are in total control and that you do not need to rely on the Spirit for guidance or direction. The ego (Edge God Out) kicks in and tells you that it is okay if you don't pray today because you are all prayed up. The ego also tells you that it is okay if you don't meditate today, because God has nothing to say to you. You wind up disconnected from God and back where you started. However, all you have to do is plug back into God, and it is as if nothing ever happened.

We must know that, regardless of the situation, God is always there, on the scene, loving us through it all.

We must stay in a state of consciousness where we recognize God's presence constantly, acknowledging it and communing with the Spirit.

We must recognize and acknowledge, however, that this is only the first step. It is an extremely important step, but still just the first. We must then be a demonstration of what we have recognized and acknowledged. This is when we actually become a transparency of God and a true God-consciousness begins.

In the book of James 1:22, it says, _"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only."_ It is one thing to recognize and acknowledge God's presence, but it is crucial that you demonstrate it. I personally believe if you fully recognize and acknowledge, then the demonstration will come naturally and with zero effort on your part. And, what is this demonstration? It is love.

It may be bit awkward at first to rest in the Spirit and allow it to lead, guide, and direct your, but as time passes and you see the results of this leadership, it will get easier.

### This Chapter's Practice

Exercise #1: Today and until you know beyond a shadow of a doubt...

1.Have you made initial contact with your Creator? Are you connected to your Source? Where do you stand with God?

2.This is the most important thing that will ever happen in your life: Know that you know and that you know you are saved.

Exercise #2: Be sure that the first exercise is completed!

This may sound like an easy exercise, and indeed it can be; however, do not let the ego make you rush over this and move on to the next chapter. Be one hundred percent sure on this topic before you move on. God bless you in this journey!

Chapter Two

Love

I John 4:7-8

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

I wanted to start this chapter with these verses from I John, and I also want you to know that not only is God love, but He loved us first. Regardless of when you made your connection or reconnection to God, He has always loved you. To those of you who have not made your initial contact with the Creator, guess what? He loves you, too.

God is no respecter of persons. He does not look at appearances. He looks at the inner man. Unlike our ego or carnal mind, God does not care how much money you have or what kind of car you drive. God does not care where you live or where you work.

I say these things because everywhere I go, when begin to talk to people about the healing power of the Spirit and how the Spirit can and is working in their lives, their eyes brighten up. They get excited to hear these things, and they always want to learn more.

Everyone is looking for something. I believe that something is peace: the peace that you can only get from love—God's love. However, people will search for this peace high and low and in every place imaginable (and in some places unimaginable). They will search for this peace in the job they have. They will look for it in a nice automobile. They may think they will find it in a drug they are about to use. They may also try to find this peace in a spouse or a person who makes them feel, as I have heard some say, complete. There is nothing wrong with this saying, or with having a good job or a nice car, but if these things provide peace, why are there so many divorces? Why are our jails and prisons so overcrowded? If all of these things were peace, why is there so much sickness and disease?

Why?

It is not people, places or things that will complete you.

It is God!

God's grace, grace being unmerited love, is all we need. And not only is it all we need, it is all there is. As I have said before, God is forever creating, forever blessing. This creating and blessing is God's grace being. We could stop right there and just say that God's grace or God is being, and that would be the truth and that would be enough, but let's go one step further. God's grace is being bestowed on everything constantly. Without it we would not and could not exist.

We have no control over the sun rising and setting. We have no control over the tides. We have no control over the principles of a flower blooming or a tree growing. We just take for granted that these things happen. This is God's grace being.

The very breath that you are taking is God's grace being, and the next, and the next. It is by and through God's grace that we live, move, and have our being. As Jesus told Paul in II Corinthians 12:9, _"My grace is sufficient for thee..."_

You may not acknowledge that God's grace is your sufficiency, but just like Paul, it is. It is all there is. God's grace is sufficient for anything that has ever existed and anything that will ever exist.

Are you struggling with some sort of lack, like a lack of money, job, or companionship? Are you suffering from some sort of illness, injury, or disease? If so, are you connected? Are you connected to your Source? Are you connected to God? God's grace is our sufficiency.

Those of us who are on a spiritual path, those searching to experience God, those who have made their initial contact, who recognize and acknowledge the presence of God, must be a demonstration of God's love. We must be a demonstration of God's grace. The Bible says so in Ephesians 8:10: _"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."_

This means that every day, and to everyone with whom we come in contact, we should have an outward expression of joy, peace, and contentment... Love.

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It is no doubt the inspired word of God. From cover to cover, it tells of God's love for us, His finest creation. However, without the demonstration of those of us on this spiritual path, it is only ink on paper.

To someone who has not made their initial contact with God, who does not know God, the printed word is all they have. Take the printed Holy Bible from them and they have lost their word. This is because they do not know God, meaning, they have not experienced Him personally. Remember, as I stated in the Introduction, the Word has to be experienced for it to be real to your own consciousness.

On the other hand, those of us who have made our initial contact, who study and search the word for its meaning in their life. And, those of us who pray and meditate daily and commune with the Spirit; you can take the printed word from us and all you have taken is a book. Why? Because the Word has become flesh. You could take my Bible and burn it. But that would not change the fact that I know my God goes before me to make the crooked places straight. And also, if I ascend up into heaven, God is there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, He is there as well. I know this because of my personal experience with God and His presence.

John 1:14 says, _"and the word became flesh and dwelt among us."_ In this case, the word means Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the Word and He lived a life of example. By Him living the Word of God, the Word of God became Christ's flesh. Also, I am sure you have heard the Word of God or the Bible being described as the Living word of God. This is also true. However, it is true only in proportion to an individual's recognition and acknowledgement of it. The Word of God becomes alive through our actions. Just as the Word became flesh through Jesus Christ, the Word becomes alive through you and I. This is what we all must do. We must first experience the Word (make initial contact) and then live the Word.

By experiencing the Word, I am not implying to just read the Bible and remember some verses that you can recite at a later date. The experiencing I am talking about is where you pray and meditate on a verse of scripture—a specific passage regarding a problem or circumstance that you need assistance with—until the Spirit shows you the way or reveals a specific meaning to you and gives you the direction you have been looking for. Once again, I am not talking about someone's commentary, a study reference, or even things written in this book; I am speaking of the Spirit revealing to you personally the answers you have been looking for.

There are mornings during my prayer and meditation time when I will ask God to reveal Himself to me, which is the case almost all of the time. Take, for example, Isaiah 45:2, where God says, "I will go before thee and make the crooked places straight." If you do not know God you are not living by and through the Spirit, to you these are only words on paper. However, those who have experienced God and the Holy Spirit actually know that wherever they go and whatever they do, God has gone ahead of them to work out all of the details. He is with us throughout the journey and He also stays behind us as a benediction to our passing that way.

When we are living spiritually our demonstration our outward expression will be the Word becoming flesh. When we stay in a state of consciousness knowing the presence of God is on the scene, the demonstration will come naturally. Also, this demonstration should take place in every aspect of our lives, from being with family members at home, to interactions with co-workers, to how we treat everyone we meet. And again, what is this demonstration? Love.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Once we have made our initial contact with God, we can know this perfect love—the love that comes only from God. Everyone can know a fleshly love or carnal love, but true love can only come from God, for God is love.

This mind and this body that we have been given by our Creator are tools that we are to use for His honor and glory. The way that we honor and glorify God is to demonstrate His love. If there is something hindering you, like a sickness, disease, or lack, connect or reconnect to the Source and be done with it. Reclaim dominion over your mind and body, and glorify God. All of the dis- in your life will vanish.

We have said that God is no respecter of persons. God's love is impersonal, yet personal. He thinks as much of the sinner as He does of the saint. It is how we view God's love towards us that makes the difference. Think about someone you have heard of or you have known that is most Christ-like or exhibits the same attributes of the Christ consciousness. Now, picture a serial killer locked up on death row that does not know God. Which one of these does God love more? He loves them both the same. The difference is the Godly or Christ-like person knows that God is love and that God loves them. This person has come to realize that the only thing that separates us from God is us. It is our carnal mind that thinks we are separated from God. When really we are not, God is still there; we have just failed to recognize his presence. All the serial killer would have to do is repent. He would have to change his heart and mind's view of God, but at the very moment that this took place, God is on the scene and this person has made their initial contact with Him.

This would not change the fact that this person would have to pay their debt to society, however, spiritually speaking, this person would be a new creature in Christ, as we read in II Corinthians 5:17, _"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."_

Great is God's love for us! Recognize and acknowledge God's presence constantly. Be a demonstration of God's grace to all who may pass your way. Wouldn't it be incredible for a stranger walking down the street to pass you and just feel the presence of God exuding from you? Maybe this stranger doesn't know God or know what it was that he felt, but he knew that there was something different about you in passing.

I have had people that I have never seen before come up to me and introduce themselves and say, "Excuse me, there is just something about you, who are you?" Once this happens, they're in trouble; I begin telling them things of God (Romans 8:28 is usually a pretty good start).

We should have the love of God emanating from our consciousness so that whoever passes by it is blessed. Not because it is anything of us, but because it is God's love made manifest through us.

Paul writes in the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians: _"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth_ (verses 1-8, ASV). _But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love_ (verse 13, ASV).

In the book of Matthew, the Master is being asked which is the greatest commandment: _Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself._ Matthew 22: 37-39

Throughout the New Testament, Christ gives us example after example of how to be a demonstration of God's love.

My Lord, my Father, thank you for this day, for the many blessings that you are continually bestowing on us all. May we present ourselves as you would see fit. May we be a Demonstration of your love, your understanding, your grace to everyone that we will come in contact with this day. May we be an instrument through which you, my Lord, may live and move here in this place. May all those we come in contact with see a glimpse of you in us, not that there is anything of us to brag or boast, but may we be a reflection of you and your love. Amen

### This Chapter's Practice

Exercise #1: Upon waking and before getting out bed do the following:

1.Tell God how much you love him. As Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." Continue throughout the day in a mindset of seeing God in all things and thanking God for everything that has been made manifest in your life. Love God all day!

2.And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Think of all the people that you will come in contact with today, either physically or mentally. In passing, bless each one. Maybe it's a kind word, a simple gesture of friendliness, or it's even silently in your own consciousness. Think of these people with love and compassion knowing that they, too, are blessed!

Exercise #2: As you are in bed preparing to go to sleep:

After you have turned the TV or radio off, or after you have finished reading for the evening and you are now relaxed and ready to close your eyes in sleep, release any and all thoughts of the day and focus on love. You have just read that God is love. This means that you are love as well. Tell yourself that you are love and let this be your inner mantra for the next few minutes as you are drifting off to sleep. If other thoughts enter your mind, it's okay, simply release them and turn back to thoughts of love. Let love be the last thing in your mind as you fall asleep. Sleep well!

Staying in a mindset of love will bring amazing things into your life. During the week, make notes of things that happen to you and those around you. As you live a life of love, you will have a huge impact on the lives of others and everything around you. God Bless!

Chapter Three

Giving

Giving is a demonstration of God's love. However, we give according to our realization of God's presence, meaning God expressing Himself through our individual being. This is the case with everything in our life. We live a demonstration of God in proportion to our conscious realization of God; my Father and I are one. It is not "I" that lives my life, or it shouldn't be. It is I, meaning God, that lives my life and "I," personally, am just witness to it. This is also the case with all of life. Everything that is or has been is the creative principal of God.

God is creative principal. Nothing exists that is not of God.

" _For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in_

earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or

powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Colossians 1:16-17

There are those who may not agree with this, and that is okay. They just haven't come to a point in their life where they consciously realize that God is all in all. However, the time will come when all will realize this is the truth.

" _For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10._

These good works are our giving to others. This may be accomplished in multiple ways. Some may be compelled to give material things, such as clothing, furniture, food, or money. For others, it may be silently by prayer or meditation, maybe words of kindness or compassion. Comforting those who are grieving is a form of giving. Mere kindness or offering to help a child or someone elderly is an act of giving. Any giving of these is fine as long as they are from the heart. Paul tells us in II Corinthians 9:6-7:

" _But this I say, "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."_

This means we should give cheerfully from the heart. As we sow also so shall we reap; this is the law of giving. When we give cheerfully from the heart, these things that we give will just naturally return to us to give again.

Deuteronomy 15:10-11, _"Thou shalt surely give him_ (anyone in need), _and thine heart shall_

not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land."

It is a continual cycle. It starts by our demonstration and never ends as long as we give. God will bless you in your every endeavor.

We are told throughout scripture to give or tithe ten percent to God. This may be difficult, especially if you feel times are tough and you are having trouble making ends meet. With the state of economics in our country and throughout the world, I can see why some if not most of you would say, "You have got to be out of your mind." So try this, start small, if you will. Start by tithing one or two percent and see where it leads. This giving or tithing can be to your church, charity, or anything that you feel is in need of the blessing. Once again, I will say, the giving should never be done expecting something in return.

We should be demonstrating God's grace being. God does not expect anything in return from us. He doesn't expect anything for the very next breath He is giving you. He does not expect anything for the very health that you have at this moment. He just wants you to recognize that He is all of these things. He is your next breath and He is the very health that you are experiencing at this moment. He is all and all. And He gives without expecting anything in return.

Also, give in secret when possible. Others do not need to know what you are giving; even the recipient doesn't need to know who is giving to him. If you are giving for appearances, you might as well not give; there will be no return. You may receive kind words or a pat on the back from those witnessing the giving, but that will be your only reward. Christ said in Matthew 6:3-4, _"But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."_

Start small with your giving, and as you see the law of giving fulfill itself, give more and more. As a matter of fact, once you have personally experienced the law of giving for yourself, you will look for and find new ways to give to others. You will look for new opportunities to give. You will also find as Paul said in Acts 20:35, _"It is more blessed to give than to receive."_

Stop and think about some of the most fulfilling experiences in your life: What have they been? Did you see someone on the side of the road, stop, and offer assistance? Maybe they had a flat tire or ran out of gas; you gave them the help they needed and upon leaving, how did you feel? You felt good for doing this deed. This is giving. Maybe you were called upon to remember someone in prayer. It could be a prayer for health, healing of a disease, or a financial difficulty. After fervent prayer (without doubt), how did you feel? Well, good, if during prayer you were one with the Father, knowing that there was really no dis- to begin with. This is giving as well. So you can see that giving doesn't always have to be monetary or material in nature.

In the book of Proverbs 19:17, _"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." As you give to those in need, you are actually doing these things to the Father. We are all of one spirit, God's spirit; so as you give, you are giving to God and He will return these things to you for you to give again._

Regarding the Law of Giving, Deepak Chopra wrote in The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, "The universe operates through dynamic exchange... giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe. And in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives."

There have been countless scientific studies conducted on giving, and the results are simply amazing. Here are a few of the benefits posted by Dr. Stephen Post and Jill Neimark as written in Six Ways Giving Makes You Healthy:

It's the Thought that counts

Simply contemplating generosity boosts your immunity. When Harvard students watched a film about Mother Teresa tending to orphans, the number of protective antibodies in their saliva surged; when the students were asked to focus on times when they'd been loved by or loving to others, their antibody levels stayed elevated for an hour. In another study, the brain's pleasure centers lit up when people made check marks next to a list of organizations to which they wanted to donate.

Lend an Ear, Help Your Heart

Being generous with your attention can reduce your risk of heart attack. Cardiac arrest is highly correlated with the amount of self-reference ("I," "me," "my") in a person's speech. The best advice? Listen to and connect with others—social ties lower your risk of dying from heart disease.

Lend a Hand, Lower Your Pain

People suffering from chronic pain report decreased intensity, and less disability and depression, when they reach out to others in similar pain. In one study, pain was reduced by 13 percent. Scientists believe the release of endorphins explains the phenomenon.

Other studies have found that even people that witness someone giving to others have the same positive benefits as you have just read.

There is one last item to discuss to complete the cycle of giving. That is to be open and receptive to the blessings being offered to you. We have read that Deepak Chopra said that the universe operates in dynamic exchange; giving and receiving...the law of giving is not completed until it is returned. It is imperative to be receptive to the giving that is being offered to you.

Most of us have no trouble with giving; if we see or hear of someone in need, we are most assuredly ready to give. However; what about being receptive to the things that are being offered to us?

I will speak for myself; there have been times when I have done something for someone else without knowing that someone other than the recipient has noticed. The witness to the giving has later come to me and offered a thank you and a blessing for the gesture. First, so you know, I, like a lot of people, don't take gratitude very well; however, I'm working on it. As this happened, I remembered that I must be receptive to this blessing for this was the return of my gift. If I had dismissed this gratitude, I would have been refusing to accept the law of giving and the blessing that was intended for me.

Then, as this person completed a cycle of giving, they started one as well. For you see, the giving of a blessing they offered me started the cycle of the law of giving all over again. This is the case with all giving, and as a matter of fact, with all of life. We are all involved in this cycle of giving. However, where are you in the cycle?

In this book, we have already stated several times that all things are working together for our good (you'll read this many more times before finishing)—even in what we think are bad situations or circumstances. However, all of these things are blessings or gifts waiting on us to see them as such. It may just take the bad situation or circumstance that causes an elevation in consciousness; a turning from the self to God. What a blessing this event had turned out to be.

Live a life of demonstrating God's grace by giving to others. The Master said, "I come not to be ministered to but to minister and to give my life a ransom for many." What an example of giving!

### This Chapter's Exercise

Exercise: Today and every day for the rest of your life:

1.Practice the law of giving. To everyone that passes your way offer a blessing, either verbally or silently to yourself. Offer a prayer for someone knowing that, as you, they are one with the Father as well.

2.If the opportunity presents itself, and it will, give to someone less fortunate. Give a dollar or two; give the change that is floating around in your car or purse. Give the clothes you haven't worn in five years to Goodwill. Look for opportunities to give of yourself. You will not regret it.

3.Also, be open and receptive to blessings offered to you. Accept these gifts, of whatever kind, with gratitude, thanksgiving, and the grace of God.

" _Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Luke 6:38_

Bless you.

Chapter Four

Fear & Doubt

Franklin D. Roosevelt, during his Inaugural address on March 4, 1933, stated, "The only thing we have to fear is, fear itself." This is absolutely the truth. Fear has no place in our lives. What is there to fear except fear itself? Do you fear the past? Do you fear the future?

Typically it is the unknown that most people are afraid of. So why fear the past? Anything that has happened is already known and gone. There is nothing there to hurt, hinder, or bother.

The past is just exactly that, it is past. Meaning, it has already been done and is in its rightful place, behind you.

We all must learn from our past. We have all made mistakes. We are all going to continue to make mistakes from time to time however; it is how we learn from our past mistakes that makes all of the difference. Elbert Hubbard stated, "The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one."

So, you see if we learn from our past mistakes and grow from each one of them, then what is there to fear? These so-called mistakes are actually life lessons that we all must learn. At some point in each of our lives we are going to go through mistakes and learn from them. This is just the nature of things. When these mistakes happen, don't beat yourself up over them. Thank God for them because without them you might have missed an opportunity to grow and to be blessed or to bless. So why fear the past? Be thankful for the past and use it as stepping stones to live and move in a more Christ-like manner. Look for and see the good in all things. Even past mistakes or what some would call trials and tribulations are actually blessings waiting to be discovered as such.

I have told many people that one of the greatest blessings in my life was Epstein-Barr virus. No doctor or even specialists could tell me how it was contracted or even how long it would last. All they would say was that there was nothing they could do—I would just have to deal with it, and it would have to run its course.

At first I was full of fear and this fear lasted for months. It wasn't until I reconnected with my Source that the fear was gone. Not only was the fear gone, but the Epstein-Barr was gone as well. I have had many people ask me since being healed, "How are you feeling?" "Do you think Epstein-Barr will come back?" My answer is always the same, Romans 8:28. This Epstein-Barr was one of the greatest blessings of my life, and a stepping-stone that has brought me closer to God.

Even in sickness, disease, poverty, lack, or whatever your Epstein-Barr may be, do not be scared of it; do not fear it; it could be the stumbling block that elevates your consciousness to the next level. It might just be the most wonderful blessing of your life.

The Epstein-Barr I had was only an arm of flesh and nothingness to God. God does not look on things of the flesh He looks on things of the spirit. Remember as Jesus said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth (gives life); the flesh profiteth (counts) nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

So in other words, do not fear the things of the flesh. Recognize and acknowledge God; live, move, and have your being in the Spirit.

Times of being afraid or fearful will lead us to doubt. Franklin D. Roosevelt also said, "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith."

When doubt happens, we must stop this process consciously and reconnect to the Spirit. I have heard some people say that during times of personal trouble (maybe they have lost their job or some manner of illness or disease has come to their doorstep), that "these things are a test from God" or that "God is doing this to me because of something I have done" (meaning maybe a sin of omission or commission). Then another person, trying to be comforting, will say, "It's going to be okay, God will not put on us more than we can bear."

We are told that the sun rises on both the evil and the good, and the rain falls on both the just and the unjust. Things happen to all of us, especially if we are not living a spiritually minded life. When we are living after the carnal mind, or living worldly, all manner of things can come into our consciousness; therefore, they come into our existence—our lives. The moment that we change our thought process and turn back to God, our circumstances will change. However, they will change only in proportion to your faith. Doubt must vanish. Stay strong in the Spirit. God does not bring this rain that falls on the just and the unjust. It is our turning away from God that makes us believe that He brings this rain. We read in the book of James 1:13-14, _"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."_

This means that when we are living a carnally minded life, there is the greatest opportunity for us to be tempted. If you will take a moment and think about the times in your life when trials and tribulations have seemed to set in, what has your mindset been? If you are like me and will answer honestly, I would say during these times you are being carnally minded.

Do not doubt God. Don't think that God is doing something bad to you and something good for somebody else. This is not how God functions. God is forever creating and forever blessing. We are told He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is not holding something back from you so that He can give it to someone else. He is giving to all equally. This is God's grace; it is just a matter of your recognition and acknowledgement of His grace that will make the difference.

Some may say that person is blessed more than this person or vice versa, but this is not the case at all. Some people recognize and acknowledge the presence of God; therefore they are receptive to the blessing. Meanwhile, others are being blessed, but do not recognize it, and therefore do not receive it. If you doubt this, stop for just a moment and think of God and things of God and be blessed.

God is omnipresent, meaning he is everywhere at all times. He is where I am and He is where you are, right now. The only difference may be that I realize that He is here with me and you may not. However, let me assure you He is there. He is front of you, beside you, and behind you, and as a matter of fact, He is you. And He wants to express Himself through you. Recognize and acknowledge the presence of God and be blessed. Right now; take a moment and feel the Spirit dwelling inside you.

Jesus tells us in Luke 12:32, _"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."_

Why have fear?

God is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, He is everywhere and He knows and understands what all of our needs are before we do, He and is supplying those needs constantly. Consider this passage from Psalms 139: 1-10:

O Jehovah, You have searched me and have known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. You search my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Jehovah, You know it altogether. You have closed me in behind and in front, and laid Your hand on me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot go up to it. Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I go up into Heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the furthest parts of the sea; even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me."

These verses are self-explanatory; however, they do need to be totally understood and consciously realized. I think that most people have either never read them, or they do not understand what they say, or they understand these verses, but they have not become flesh in their life. These are extremely strong and powerful truths that we all must come to know.

They are telling us that there is no place we can go that our God is not right there with us actually carrying us along the way. He knows our every thought and action before we do, and he is working with us to bring these thoughts into our existence (this will be discussed in detail in the "Take No Thought" chapter). God is our supply.

Even during times of economic downturn, recession, or depression, God is our supply. And, you know what? There is no lack in God. God is infinite supply. God is in me and God is in you. If we have faith or knowing, we would realize that God constitutes everything. Therefore, how could there be recession? How could there be depression? There is neither of these in God. These things occur when we are drawn away from God and enticed by our own lust.

A lot of times, nowadays, this is due to too much media. All you see on the news is how bad things are; every channel you turn to is full of violence, depression, and negativity. These things draw you away from God.

God and his grace are being (your being and mine). Knowing this, I ask, how could there be depression or recession? God constitutes all being. God wants to and is trying to express Himself through all of creation. God is in you and God is in me, so this must mean that God is the employee as well as the employer. He constitutes the buyer and the seller. We are all just one experience away from recognizing and acknowledging this truth. As you begin to realize this truth that God is in fact omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient, you will see things in a whole new light. You will begin to see the good and realize that it has always been good; you just have not recognized it as such.

God is forever creating and forever blessing. This creating and blessing is God's grace being. This is our supply. Whatever the supply might need to be at any given moment, this is God's grace, and it is sufficient for all. It is all we need.

I am sure you have all heard or read about, "the secret." It is basically the law of attraction. I want you all to know that, "the secret" is only a secret until you have made your initial contact with God. Once the Word becomes flesh in your life, you will see what I am talking about. When we relax our mind and allow it to elevate to a God consciousness, and we begin to live in a more Christ-like manner, we begin to see that everything is and has been working for our best interest. This is the way that God created the universe and everything in it. He created everything for our benefit.

" _And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28_

" _I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight." Isaiah 45:2_

" _Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Deuteronomy 31:6_

" _Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Proverbs 119:105_

" _He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalms 91:1_

So, you see, the secret is no secret at all. It has always been there and it has always been God. That's right—the secret is God. God is always being for your best interest.

Make your initial contact, live, and move in a more Christ-like manner. Elevate your consciousness to that of Christ. Lose the doubt, worry, and fear, and have a life more abundant. And remember it is His good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Whatever it may be: good health, a better job, companionship—anything. It is already yours.

It has been my experience that doubt, fear, and worry are the direct opposites of God. At these times of extreme fear and doubt, it seems as though God has left you and He is nowhere to be found. However, it is not God that has left; He is omnipresent and cannot leave. It is our carnal mind that has totally looked away from God and the things of God.

" _In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6_

### This Chapter's Practice

Exercise: This chapter's exercise could be quite challenging. However, regardless of what happens, see God in everything and you will be amazed at the outcome!

1. If a problem confronts you today, have no fear and do not doubt; before reacting negatively, think about it and take a step back. Try to remove yourself from the situation and look at the whole picture to see how this may fit into the grand scheme of your life. Above all, know that everything is working together for your good—everything! *

*Note: These problems could be anything from a flat tire, running out of gas, missing a turn that you were going to make, or anything that doesn't work out exactly like you planned. All of these things could be steppingstones that lead you to more and more abundance; the opportunity that you have been looking for or any and all of the blessings you have been waiting for.

2. Be open to everything! Blessings are all around you! Recognize and acknowledge them continually. Have an awesome day!

Chapter Five

Healing

Spirit is Truth

" _It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."_ Mark 6:63

All of the writing that you have read in this book is the truth. All of the scripture references, as we have stated, are the inspired word of God. All of these scriptures are truth. I know them to be true because they have been made flesh in my life through the Spirit.

All of these scriptures have become truth to my consciousness. At this moment, they may not be truth to you, because they have not been made truth in your consciousness. However, in time, they will. You personally might say, "these truths will never become my consciousness," or "I am not interested in the word becoming flesh in my life." This may be the case at this moment, but some point in your existence it will. We are told in Romans 14:11. _"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."_

I know of preachers and other men who share the word of God with others through sermon, conversation, or writings. Individuals that I know have made their initial contact with our creator, for I can feel their spirit bearing witness with my spirit. However, some of these individuals have told me that they do not believe that healing can still take place, and that the ability to heal stopped with the apostles. "Why do they think this way," you ask? The healing power of Spirit has not been made truth in their consciousness. This truth has not been made flesh in their life.

Let me say now and for the record that healing happens. There is healing taking place all around you and all over the world. Healing did not stop with the apostles, because it was not the apostles who performed the healing—it was God and God's grace being. And as a matter of fact, God is not healing. Remember what we said in a previous chapter: God does not look on things of the flesh. He looks at things of the spirit. So in the case of a disease like cancer, a bad cold, or a lack of employment, these things do not concern God because they are not of God. Healing takes place when we realize our oneness with God, and that we are not separate beings apart from God. We are all made up of one spirit. Regardless of what race, color, creed, or religion we are as individuals, we are all one.

Take Spirit to It

I would like to look back at some writing from my first book, A Wake Up Call, A Coming To Know God. The writing of this was inspired by a spiritual healing I had of Epstein-Barr virus, or what I have referred to as taking Spirit to the disease.

Let's look at this for just a moment: I had contracted Epstein-Barr in February of 2007, but was not diagnosed until April. After the diagnosis I searched high and low for a cure. I had tried a multitude of doctors, vitamins, minerals and all kinds of different juices and concoctions.

Then, on December 5, 2007, around 6:00 a.m., while I was driving to my office: I began to listen to the CD, The Secrets of Your Own Healing Power. I hadn't been listening very long and as a matter of fact it was nine minutes and thirty nine seconds into the second track when Dr. Wayne Dyer said something that really touched the deepest most inner part of my being.

He was relating a story about when he and his wife were visiting a small village in Bali, and they came across a man gazing up at the clouds. Dr. Dyer asked their guide what this gentleman was doing and the guide replied that this man was a cloud mover, when there was a drought and they needed rain this man would move clouds or make clouds causing it to rain. Dr. Dyer then says he wanted to embrace the idea or the notion that someone had that power or ability to alter natural forces but there was that conditioned doubt that would prevent such a thing. It wasn't until he shifted his thinking to a more spiritual realm that he realized (and here was my wakeup call) that the same energy that moves a thought across my mind moves a cloud across the sky, there's only one. The same energy that opens a flower every morning beats my heart every day and the same energy that moves the planets throughout the galaxies can take a tiny seed and turn it into a human being. There's only one energy, and if there is only one energy in the world, one universal force that is in everything and is everywhere and there is no place that it is not, then it's not outside the realm of logic to assume that if it's in me and it's in the clouds. If I could somehow banish my doubt regarding my ability to be able to use this same energy that's in the clouds, that's in me, to bring about precipitation, if I had that capacity. You must banish doubt.

It was at that moment that I remembered I was one with this energy he was speaking of and also at that moment I said, out loud, I will not be sick anymore, and then a calm, peaceful feeling came over me and I gently said I will not do this Epstein-Barr one minute longer, I am done with it. And just that quick it was over. What had been destroying my life since February was finally over and not only was I over Epstein-Barr, but most importantly, I was back in contact with my Creator. I had taken Spirit to the disease and the Spirit won. (A Wake Up Call, A Coming To Know God)

What I want to do here is try to explain where I said, I had taken Spirit to the disease and the Spirit had won.

I of my own self had done nothing. As Jesus said, "The Son can do nothing of himself." It was the Spirit that had done this; it was nothing of me, except this: Knowing the truth. We must know the Truth and that the truth shall make us free. That truth is that God is good. God is forever creating, forever blessing. This Epstein-Barr virus I had was not of God. It was of me, Gary Hall, in the flesh. But, at the moment when I said I had taken Spirit to this Epstein-Barr virus, what I had actually done, communing with the Spirit, was remember that I was not really flesh at all. I had to reflect and remember that, as Jesus said, "I and my Father are one." Also, we are told that God is a spirit, and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

What happened was this: I had to become consciously aware that, I and my Father are one, so this also meant that if my Father, being God, is a Spirit, then I must really be Spirit as well. That Spirit is forever creating, forever blessing, and this creating and blessing is good—not sickness or disease.

It was at that moment when I had reconnected with my Source that Epstein-Barr was gone. In that second, that brief spec of time, there was no Gary Hall and there was no Epstein-Barr virus; there was only God. It was as if Epstein Barr had never existed.

"How could that be?" you ask. Because it only existed in my carnal mind.

Remember what Paul said about being carnally minded? It is death. But, to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

The Epstein-Barr virus I had existed only because I gave it power to exist. It had no power over me except that which I had given it. There is only one power and that power is God. This is how spiritual healing takes place.

Spiritual healing takes place when you come to the realization that God is the only power. Not only is God the only power, He is all there is. In the case of my healing and any healing for that matter, God is not healing a disease or a circumstance. He is not doing something to somebody or something. God is being. I had begged God to heal me of this Epstein-Barr that I had but that made no difference to God. He is forever creating and forever blessing. The healing was already there. It had always been there. I just wasn't receptive to it. I had limited God, as so many of us do. I wanted to be healed but I wanted it on my terms, or should I say, the way that I thought that it should happen: that is, that we have to beg and plead for God to take notice of our situation or that we have to be a certain way or act a certain way. When I was healed of this Epstein-Barr I had to forget Gary Hall and I had to forget Epstein-Barr. I had to reconnect to God.

It has been over six years and I still sometimes find myself trying to find the right words to describe the healing power of God. We have to come to the realization, as Christ did, that we of our own selves can do nothing and that I and my Father are one.

Once we have made our initial contact we are one with all that our Father has. As we are told in story of the prodigal son, all that I have is thine. God is telling us that there is nothing that we have need of or nothing that we could want that He has not already prepared for us and that He is giving us right now at this moment.

What I am about to say some may find offensive or others might say that I am a lunatic. However, God looks at us as he does Jesus. Once we have made our initial contact we are a child of God, a child of the King. As a matter of fact we are told this in multiple scriptures; in Romans 8:13-17, _"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ."_

So you see we are one with God. It is only our carnal mind that thinks we are separate and apart from God's love and all that that entails.

Nothing can separate us from God's love. So, what is that love? It is healing. It is employment. It is companionship. It is joy, peace and contentment. It is whatever you need it to be at any given moment. It is comfort in times of mourning. It is relief in times of stress. It is that feeling you get, that feels like cold chills, when you take time to meditate on the things of God. God is always present. There is not a single place or void where God is not on the scene.

The only thing that separates you from God is your belief that you are separate from God. However, you are not separated even at these times. When we have these moments, sometimes they last minutes, days or even years for some, all we have to do is turn back to God and the re-connection is instant. For you see, God has never left the scene, He has always been there. During these times of disconnect we have just failed to recognize His presence. But, the moment that you realize that I of my own self can do nothing and that I and my Father are one you are instantly reconnected with all that the Father has to offer.

All that God has is already yours. You are already connected to it. Don't think for a second that you can lose what God has in store for you. You cannot, because nothing can separate you from God and the things of God.

Stop the belief process

As far as most people think or should I say that we have been taught to believe. We are all susceptible to all manner of illness and dis-ease. No matter what it is: a cold, flu or something that seems to run in the family like cancer or some other problem such as smoking or drinking. None of us are immune. We could all just at any time contract some kind of illness or dis-ease and die. Not that this is the truth because it is not. It absolutely is not. However, it is how a lot of people think, and not only do they think this way they live this way. Not that most people can help it due to all of the negative media. Every other commercial on TV is for some kind of pill; blood pressure pills, hormones pills, mood swings, depression, help going to sleep, help waking up, need more energy, take a pill for that. However, do you listen to side effects? The news media: all you see on the news is negativity. They report of wars, murders, beatings, robberies, sickness, dis-ease and troubles all over the world. People get pulled into this hypnotic state of thinking that this is true living and, as soon as you believe this way you make yourself susceptible to all of these things.

During times of illness in my own life I have thought this way. During times of non-illness I lived that way by thinking what ailment would I have next?

We must stop the belief process. The Epstein-Barr I had only existed because I gave it power to exist. It wasn't until I had recognized and acknowledged God as the only power that it was gone from my life. I had tried everything, but the moment I had reconnected to my Source I was healed.

It is our oneness with God that must become truth to our consciousness. Not that we deserve it or not due to our actions. It is God's pleasure to give you the kingdom.

We must come to a place in our life where we realize that God is all that there is. There is nothing else that exists but God. Anything else is a figment of our own imagination or carnal mind.

When we are connected to our Creator we are at peace. We are happy, healthy, and content. We are whole.

To heal we must know that we are connected to our Father and to all that He has. We are told in Luke 15:31: _"Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."_ In this case, "all that I have" means whatever you may need it to be at any given moment. It is health to the sick. It is employment for the unemployed. It is companionship for the lonely. It is everything!

### This Chapter's Practice

Exercise #1: Upon Waking and before getting out of bed: Realize your oneness with God. Remember that we are joint-heirs with Christ. Tell yourself this prior to getting out of bed and actually feel God's presence. Also, throughout the day remind yourself of this and try to keep it as an inner mantra; I AM an heir of the God.

" _Neither pray I for these alone, but for them (you and I) also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." John 17:20-22_ (This is Jesus praying for us.)

Exercise #2: After going to bed just before falling asleep:

1. Realize and feel your oneness with God. Remember that we are joint-heirs with Christ.

2. Thank God for the many blessings of the day and relax in love.

Practice this exercise daily for the rest of your life. Never stop living a life of oneness. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. We are one with the Father and all that He has.

Chapter Six

Real Magic

It was a Saturday morning in January 2008, and I was working on my first book, A Wake Up Call, A Coming to Know God. I had woken up early as usual, around 4:00 a.m. I will normally get up, work out, pray, and mediate, then write, read, or study. On this particular morning I had woken up with writing on my mind, so I went directly into my study and got right to work.

I had been writing and studying for some time—I guess around two to two and half hours, it must have been around 6:30 a.m.—and my writing had hit a wall. I wanted to interject a statement made by Buddha, but I couldn't find it. I knew it, but I wanted it to be exact.

I searched high and low. It seemed that I looked in every book I had, but I still could not find it. I researched a couple of different sources on the internet and couldn't find it there either. I had definitely hit a wall, and a big block wall at that.

Like I said, it was about 6:30 a.m. By this time, and typically on most Saturday mornings, I will get coffee ready and retrieve the morning paper and mail in preparation for Jami, my wonderful wife, to get out of bed and make her way to the couch for a second cup of coffee and paper reading.

By the time she had made it to the couch, coffee and paper waiting, I was opening the mail and explaining to her the wall I had hit and that I had decided to take a break and prepare for the morning. I was going through the mail, and it was typical stuff, like bills and junk mail, and then I came to this newsletter from a writer's group I am a member of. I opened the envelope and something about the size of a business card fell out. I didn't pay any attention to the card at first; I looked at the newsletter and it was regarding things to look for in a publisher, as well as self-publishing. Then I reached down and picked up the card that had fallen out and I had the most peaceful calm come over me and got quiet. Jami asked, "What's going on in there." I then said, "All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become." Buddha. This is what I had been looking for, this was the statement made by Buddha that had been so elusive. The exact saying I was looking for. The wall I hit had been destroyed.

I returned to my study to insert this where it was meant to be, which was at the end of the first chapter, As You Think So Shall You Be.

Several times I have mentioned Paul's writing in Romans, and we know that all things work together for good for those who love God. Also in Isaiah it tells us that He goes before us to make the crooked places straight.

We must rest in this assurance that God goes before us and works out all of the details. As you pray and meditate on the things that you would like to be made manifest in your life and the lives of others, you must have this knowing that the Spirit has long since been on the scene making the crooked places straight. All we must do is follow the leadership and guidance that the Spirit brings to us. I had been looking for the Buddha statement for only a few hours, but Spirit knew that I needed it days prior and had put it in the mail to be delivered when I needed it.

On another occasion I had to visit a university in Kentucky in order to look at a project our company was preparing to price. We had some questions regarding the electrical system at the facility and it required a site visit. I was extremely busy with other work and didn't really have the time to go, but there was no other option. I was the only one remotely available to go.

That morning, during my prayer and meditation session, as I was communing with the Spirit, I felt this knowing that something was going to happen. There was something that I needed to do. I know what I had said and thought about being too busy to make this visit, but as I was talking and listening to the Spirit, I knew there were other reasons for my going. I didn't know what it was at that moment, but I was going to find out. All I did know was that I was going to try and let the Spirit use me for whatever purpose it saw fit.

It was about a three-and-a-half hour drive to the university, and the entire way I was wondering what was going to happen. Would it be someone with car trouble on the side of the road that needed help? Or, would it be someone I would meet along the way who just needed some words of encouragement.

The weather that day was horrible, raining cats and dogs. I was on roads I had never been on before, and the traffic was not accommodating either. I had left Nashville in plenty of time to make it to my meeting (if it had only taken three-and-a-half hours), but due to the conditions—and bad directions from a colleague—this three-and-a-half hour drive had turned into an almost five-hour fiasco.

By the time I arrived at the university, the gentleman I was supposed to have met had to leave. However, he had informed the other staff to give me keys and allow me access to whatever I needed to look at.

I had to look in several buildings, but could not get in. The keys I had been given would only give me access to the electrical rooms and not entrance to any buildings. After 30 minutes of wandering around, I finally found someone with the maintenance staff and he was extremely accommodating, showing me everything I needed to see.

We had been walking the grounds for probably 30 minutes, inspecting different aspects of the school's electrical system, when he made a comment in regards to gas prices. Somehow this led into me talking to him about God and how the Spirit can work in and through us if we allow it. We continued on with our inspection, but the entire time I was trying to explain to him how all things work together for good to those who love God.

I don't know how long we had been talking, maybe 20 minutes, when he stopped me, looked me straight in the eyes with a serious look, and said, "Did you know that you were sent here today for me? I have been praying for you to come for two weeks. I have been praying for someone with some kind of words of encouragement or just someone that would listen and care." He said, "Do know that? Do you believe that?"

My response was this: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." I said, "This is what I have been talking about, and yes, I did know that there was something I was going to have to do, I just did not know who, what, when or where."

Everything had been working together for me to meet this gentleman. Everything from the weather, to not knowing the roads, to the bad directions I had received from my co-worker, which had caused me to be late, and therefore the gentleman I was supposed to have met left.

Some may want to call these occasions coincidence; however, I would like to suggest that it is something other than coincidence, something way other than just chance. It is the Spirit at work. This is what I call real magic.

Here is an experience written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:

I was driving home from a meeting this evening around 5:00, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die. I barely managed to coast into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. The engine wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the quickie mart building. It looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with three kids in the back (one of whom was in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying, "I don't want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, "And you were praying?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person. I said, "He heard you, and He sent me."

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely. While it was fueling, I walked to the McDonald's next door and bought two big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City. Her boyfriend left two months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent on January 1. Finally, in desperation, she called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about five years. They lived in California and they said that she could come to live with them and try to get on her feet out there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car and she told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug, and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So, are you like an angel or something?"

This definitely made me cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people."

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings.

" _Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalms 55:22_

I had a similar experience myself. One morning as I was driving to the office, I was listening to the Bible on CD. I was listening to the second chapter of Galatians, where the apostles are giving Paul and Barnabus the right hand of fellowship to go to the Gentiles. As they did this, they told Paul and Barnabus to remember the poor and Paul said that he was eager to do so. At that moment I had a knowing that I needed to do something. There was something or someone who needed my assistance immediately in some way. I hadn't driven a mile when I saw a vehicle broken down on the side of the road. I drove a little farther to see a young woman pushing a stroller down the side of the interstate. I kept driving. However, the further I got from her, the feeling I had worsened. I immediately turned around to find that the broken down vehicle belonged to this young lady. She ran out of gas and was having a difficult time trying to get the gas into her car using a piece of rolled up paper for a funnel. I stopped and asked if she needed assistance. She immediately began to cry, stating, "No one would stop, no one would stop, I have a baby and no one would stop." I began to cry myself, went to her, put an arm around her, and said, "Jesus sent me." We began to talk and I tried to comfort her. We had to go back to the gas station to get more gas before we could get the car started. Once it started, I returned with her to the gas station and finished filling up the car with gas. I told her never to doubt God, and that He had gone before her to make this crooked place straight.

Once you are connected with the Spirit, you will begin to see things in a different light. You will begin to see that everything is working together for your benefit. Now, keep in mind, I am not saying that the Spirit only starts creating and blessing when you make contact. I am not saying that at all. But, what I am saying is that it takes your initial contact for you to begin to recognize and acknowledge the Spirit's presence and its work on your behalf.

Jesus said through Matthew's writing, _"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."_

Recognize and acknowledge the real magic that is taking place in your life at this very moment. Every second of every day there is real magic taking place—do you recognize it? Or, is it just passing you by and you're not even aware of it? Slow down and be still; recognize and acknowledge God's presence in all things and in every situation see God in it.

Live a life of magic...Live a life with God!

### This Chapter's Practice

Exercise #1: Upon waking and before getting out of bed do the following:

1. As it says in Psalms 118:24, _"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."_ Thank God for this day and affirm to yourself and God that you will do your best to be glad all day and spread this gladness to all those you come in contact with physically or mentally. Regardless of what struggles or difficulties you are going through, at the moment, rejoice in the Lord knowing that He is with you and that He has created this day for your benefit!

2.In the fifteenth chapter of Luke we read the story of the prodigal son. In the 31st verse we hear the Father say, _"Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine."_ Have this knowing throughout the day (and throughout your life for that matter) that you and God are connected all of the time and whatever the need may be in your life, it is already yours. God is always with you and all He has is yours.

Note: Not only tell yourself this upon waking before getting out of bed, but also, periodically throughout the course of your day, maybe, mid-morning, at lunch, or whenever you may feel tested. Tell yourself that this is the Lord's day, you will rejoice and be glad in it, and that it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom! Have a great day!

Exercise #2: As you are preparing for sleep, thank God for this incredible day! Think of the highlights of the day and say a special thank you for them. These things will continue to be made manifest in your life!

Chapter Seven

Faith

" _Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."_ Hebrews 11:1

I like to refer to faith or believing as knowing. A lot of people say that they have faith in this or faith in that. But, do the things that they have faith in produce fruits? Is there ever any evidence produced from what they say they have faith in? If not, I would be questioning where my faith lies, or if there is something wrong with my own faith.

This is a question that we must ask and answer for ourselves. Christ said to His disciples after causing a fig tree to wither:

" _If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." Matthew 21:21_

Now we see that there is something else that must happen for us to have the type of faith that can move mountains. We must not doubt. Where there is true faith, there is an absence of doubt. Doubt cannot exist where there is true faith; doubt will not exist where there is true faith. When we banish the doubt from our lives, then and only then are we beginning to move into true faith, or knowing, as I like to call it. Not that knowing is any different from faith, because it's not—it's the same, but it seems that as time has passed, the word faith has lost something. Maybe people are so far removed from the Spirit that they don't get it.

I talk to many people, and when I ask them about their faith they will say, "Oh yes, I have faith; I believe in God and I know that He'll take care of me." But where are the fruits? Why are they suffering from so much lack? Then push a little deeper and the same person will say, "Well, I think God will do something, maybe He'll send a blessing." This is not faith at all. This is why I describe faith as knowing.

To know something is like how you know your own name. My name is Gary; it was given to me at birth from my parents. I know this. At the moment, while I am writing this, it's raining outside; I look outside and see the rain, and I know that it is raining. This is the same way that God wants us to think about Him. First, He wants us to know that we are saved, and then He wants us to know that He is with us wherever we may be. He wants us to recognize His presence in all things. He also wants us to acknowledge His presence at all times. Our God is with us during every step we take, be it at home, at work, or at play, and He wants us to know that He is there.

If you have made your initial contact with God, you know what true faith is. Granted, this contact can take place in the blink of eye, but at one time, even if for only a moment, you had to have had perfect faith.

We have said that doubt is a problem with true faith, but there is also another difficulty we have with true faith—our ego. To have made your initial contact, you had to have a time and a place where doubt and ego have been totally absent. We must come to the end of ourselves to find God.

Now then, being saved and having made your initial contact, why not continue therein? Why not continue to bask in the glow and glory of God? Why not continue with this perfect knowing in every aspect of your life? You know, it's not just for church. It's not just for one or maybe even two days a week. The Spirit is with us constantly and when consciously realized, we have the most benefit of our contact with God. It's not that God is ever not doing something for your best interest, but when you recognize and acknowledge Him, you are aware of this taking place and you receive the greatest benefit and blessing from His grace.

Let's look at it another way. I have heard of God's Presence explained this way: I could take a million dollars and go and open a checking account in the name of a good friend of mine, John Smith. John has just become a millionaire, and instantly he is worth a million dollars. However, what if John is never told this? What if he never recognizes and acknowledges the fact that he has all of this money? He doesn't receive the benefit, does he? However, the moment that John recognizes the million dollars in his account and acknowledges this newfound wealth, he can buy a new car, a new house, pay off debt, make sound investments, the options are limitless. This is the same way it is with God. He is continually blessing each and every one of us. However, there is no account with each of our names on it, for He is blessing us all equally and as one. And unlike the unknown or the known, a checking account can run out of money, but God's grace will never run out, for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

" _The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ."_ Romans 8:16-17

I have asked you throughout this book to stop reading and meditate for a moment. Here again, I would like to ask you to stop reading for just a moment or up to 20 minutes to meditate on the scripture above and see for yourself what the Spirit has to say to you.

Now, back to reading.

I hope that you not only see the power in these verses, but also that you will come to know and live these verses. Once saved, God looks at us as though we are His children. It says that we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. This may be hard for some to take in and digest. However, through prayer and meditation you will begin to know that this is the case.

It is extremely important that you get this. Once these verses start to sink in, you will realize that you are in perfect health because there is only perfect health in God. You will find perfect peace because there is only perfect peace in God. You will find no disharmony, no discord, no disease, and no lack of any kind—for there are none of these things in the kingdom of God. And where is God's kingdom? Let's look at what the Master says in Luke 17:21, _"Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."_

We are continually looking outside of ourselves for something external to take control when the total power and grace of God is within our very own being. We should constantly be of the mindset that the ground whereon we stand is Holy ground.

We read in Hebrews 11:6, _"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."_

This is exactly what we have been talking about. Without knowing, it is impossible to please Him. First we must know Him and know that He is God (this is our salvation, enlightenment, and initial contact). Then we must know that He rewards us. Not that God is going to give you some kind of grand prize for seeking Him, that's not the case at all. But through praying without ceasing, meditation, and our constant conscious contact, the reward is knowing that His grace is with us in every aspect of our lives, going before us to make the crooked places straight.

In II Corinthians, we read of Paul's infirmity of the flesh and that he was asking God for relief from this ailment. Let's read what Christ said and Paul's reaction to it:

" _And he_ (Jesus) _said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."_ II Corinthians 12:9

Paul writes these things because the only time most people want to look to God or think on the things of God is during times of hardship. It is only during times of having to deal with a sickness or disease, during times of unemployment, and times of experiencing some kind of lack in their lives do they want to acknowledge God. At these times people are more than willing to go to God begging and pleading for whatever the answer to their problem may be.

So Paul is saying here that if it takes some kind of thorn in the flesh to keep him close to God, some kind of ailment, weakness, or anything of the like, it is more than worth it to keep him close to God. As I have written (time and time again), God just wants us to acknowledge His presence. Just because you are going through some type of struggle at the moment doesn't mean that God isn't there with you right now. He is and His grace is your sufficiency. Paul goes on to say in the tenth verse, _"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."_ Paul does not mean here that one must always be weak or in a state of sickness to be strong. He is meaning that when we stay in a humble state of mind, living spiritually minded and not ego-driven by worldly things, then we are strong. Then we have the power to move mountains. But it's not our power; it's by God's grace that these mountains will be moved.

What mountains do you need to move? Is it a mountain of sickness or disease? Is it a mountain of unemployment? Is it a mountain of uncertainty, worry, doubt, or fear?

Our power to move mountains, whatever they may be, comes through a calm, peaceful, knowing that God is with us right now! A knowing that we are one with the Father and all that He has. A knowing that He will never leave you or forsake you.

Christ said in John 14:12, _"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do."_

You have to know that these works are possible, whatever the works may need to be in your life. You cannot just want a disease to be healed; you cannot just hope to be blessed. These things have to take place within your own being through faith, or knowing that these things have already been accomplished. Whatever the blessing needs to be in your life, see it as if it has already been taken care of by the Master. He knows of your needs before you do.

Now, let's go out on a limb for a moment...let's look at the faith or the knowing of the Centurion soldier in Matthew 8: 5-13, _"And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour."_

This centurion had incredible faith didn't he? What did Christ say? "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." The centurion knew that all the Master would have to do is speak the word and his servant would be healed. This is the type of knowing that we all must have.

Typically when we hear or read about a healing or some type of miracle, the faith or knowing has come through the person who needs assistance. However, this was not the case at all with the centurion. He wanted nothing for himself.

His knowing was for his servant. And what happened? His servant was healed that very hour. We are told nothing of the servant's faith. We do not even know if the servant believed in God. As you can see, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that the centurion had the knowing that could move mountains.

It takes this kind of faith to know that when God says He will go before you and make the crooked places straight that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are no crooked places. Whatever the crooked places may be in your life, God has already been there to work out all of the details.

Remember, as Christ told His disciples, "If ye have faith and doubt not." The centurion had the knowing regarding his servant's health, and most importantly, as Paul said, "for when I am weak, then am I strong." Paul knew and wrote in Philippians 4:13, _"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."_ Know with no doubting and there is nothing that cannot be accomplished through the Spirit!

### This Chapter's Practice

Exercise #1: Upon waking and before getting out bed do the following:

1. As Christ told His disciples, "if ye have faith and doubt not." Tell yourself, today I will have no doubt. Is there something specific happening in your life right now that needs attention? Are you, a friend, or a loved one suffering from some sort of illness or lack? Or are you just feeling separated from God and need reconnecting? Whatever the case may be, during this practice period, know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is okay. Know that God has already worked out all of the details and doubt not.

2.As Christ told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee." Know today and every day that God's grace is sufficient. Whatever the knowing may need to be, know that you need nothing other than God's grace. For it is only by and through God's grace that you are reading this at this moment. It is only by and through God's grace that you are taking your next breath. It is only by and through God's grace that the planets are revolving around the sun. All that exists is God's grace and it is sufficient for you today!

Note: Not only have this knowing prior to getting out of bed, but also throughout the day. Continue with this thought (and heart) process throughout the course of the day and in every situation you find yourself in. Know without a doubt that God's grace is your sufficiency.

Exercise #2: As you are preparing for sleep, dismiss the negative thoughts of the day and reflect on the positive. Know that God is forever with you and that you are a blessing to everyone you meet. Go to sleep with this knowing!

Chapter Eight

Arm of Flesh

" _Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is Jehovah our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah." II Chronicle 32:7-8_

King Hezekiah looked upon the multitude of the Assyrian Army and saw it as nothing. The king knew that it is the Spirit that gives life and the flesh counts for nothing. He told his people, "We have God to help us and fight our battles." Hezekiah knew, with no doubt, that God would actually take care of this situation and that Judah would not have to fight this battle.

Even today this is still the case. We all have battles. What "arm of flesh" are you battling at the moment? Probably not an army that is ready to attack and kill your entire family or city, but there are countless things that you encounter during the course of every day that are just as serious to you as the Assyrian army was to Judah. However, whatever it may be, it is only an arm of flesh.

Many times as different trials and tribulations are upon us, it's hard for us to take a deep breath, remove ourselves from the situation, and look at the big picture. We get so caught up in our own self and the difficulty of the moment that we actually forget God. Or we might try to persuade God into doing something for us. In the twentieth verse of this same chapter we are told, "And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to Heaven."

"For this cause" was speaking of the probable battle at hand. However, I don't think that Hezekiah and Isaiah, during prayer, were begging and pleading for God to do something. It does say that they cried to Heaven, but I believe they were just seeking God's presence fervently, knowing that in the presence of God there are no battles to fight and there is no arm of flesh. There is only peace.

Christ tells us in the fifth chapter of Matthew to, "resist not evil." Do not struggle with evil. As a matter of fact, evil only exists as a state of your own consciousness. Give no room to evil just as king Hezekiah gave no room to evil.

We can look at this story again in the nineteenth chapter of II Kings and we find that King Hezekiah and Judah had no battle to fight after all. We are told in the thirty fifth verse, "And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses."

This had merely been an encounter with "arm of flesh" and nothing more.

King Hezekiah has given us a great example of how we should look at and respond to evil situations that occur in our lives. As Christ said, "resist not evil." Do not give it a second thought. As these present themselves to your consciousness, simply say, "Get thee behind me, Satan," and think nothing else of it.

" _He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."_ Psalms 91:1

When we keep our mind focused on God and the things of God, we are dwelling in this secret place of the most High, and we are abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. We are living by and through His grace! There is no comparison; however, I'll try to explain. It is like one of those science fiction space movies where a spaceship or planet has a force field and they can energize it at will. When the force field is energized, nothing can penetrate it to cause harm, damage, or death to the inhabitants. Isn't it amazing that if we are dwelling in this secret place of the most High that is exactly what our God is to us? We have to do nothing to energize it except recognize and acknowledge His presence.

Here is a story from Matt and Lora Higgens while doing missionary work in Kenya:

During the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya in 1960, missionaries Matt and Lora Higgens were returning one night to Nairobi through the heart of Mau Mau territory, where Kenyans and missionaries alike had been killed and dismembered. Seventeen miles outside of Nairobi their Land Rover stopped. Higgens tried to repair the car in the dark, but could not restart it. They spent the night in the car, but claimed Psalm 4:8: "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." In the morning they were able to repair the car.

A few weeks later the Higgenses returned to America on furlough. They reported that the night before they left Nairobi, a local pastor had visited them. He told how a member of the Mau Mau had confessed that he and three others had crept up to the car to kill the Higgenses, but when they saw the sixteen men surrounding the car, the Mau Mau left in fear.

"Sixteen men?" Higgens responded. "I don't know what you mean!"

While they were on furlough, a friend, Clay Brent, asked the Higgenses if they have been in any danger recently. Higgens asked, "Why?"

Then Clay said that on March 23, God had placed a heavy prayer burden on his heart. He called the men of the church, and sixteen of them met together and prayed until the burden lifted. Did God send sixteen angels to represent those men and enforce their prayers?

_I believe so! "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."_ Psalm 91:11

Let's look at verses two through seven of the ninety first Psalm: _"I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee."_

His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. The word is truth and truth is to be used in every situation. If it is not of the spirit, it is not of God; therefore, it is only arm of flesh and nothingness.

Not only is God our protector, He is a navigator as well. He will guide your every step. This truth we are speaking of will lead, guide, and direct if you will allow it to. _"Thy word is lamp unto my feet and light unto my path."_ Psalms 119:105

All scripture is Truth; however, it only becomes a living truth as it is consciously realized. And then these truths are actually made manifest and expressed through our own lives. Every day, and all day, live with the truth. In every situation, regardless of what it is, apply truth to it. See the Spirit in everything. Even during times like Judah was facing, eminent battle, apply truth to the situation and see what happens. You will be delivered out of every situation.

In the beginning, you may think that this is too hard and you can't do it; however, I know that you can. At first, you will be confronted with a situation and you will have to think of a specific truth that applies to that situation. Example: You find yourself unemployed and your first thought is, "What in the world am I going to do? The economy is awful and the unemployment rate is at an all-time high. How will I make it?" Now you stop and realize that God is in all things and it is by Him that all things consist.

So, this being the case, the Spirit is everywhere working out the details of your life. You can now know that you are an application away from the most fruitful position you have ever held. Or you may not even have to apply for the position. Once these truths are realized, you may receive a phone call from someone who has the opportunity and wants you to fill it. Unemployment is only arm of flesh; it is nothing to God.

Next, you are confronted by a problem with one of your children or a loved one. Maybe it appears to be a problem of illness, lack of attention, poor grades, or maybe even issues with drugs, alcohol, or something worse. Then after days, weeks, or maybe even months of dealing with this situation, you remember that God told you, "I will never leave you or forsake you, All that I have is thine and it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." These issues, situations, and confrontations will vanish as you take these things for what they really are—arm of flesh, nothing.

It will take some time of living spiritually and applying truths to specific situations, but eventually it will take no thought at all. You will just notice all things working together for your good. Not that all things have ever not been working together for your good, but now you are recognizing and acknowledging God in all things.

You will see that there are no bad situations; there are only opportunities for God to be consciously realized. However, the moment that you need a specific truth, it will be closer than your next breath; to be spiritually minded is life and peace. You will truly understand what Paul meant when he said to "pray without ceasing." Your every waking moment will be a prayer. You will keep your mind on God and the things of God, "and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Throughout the Bible, we are told of countless arm of flesh situations that have easily been overcome by the Spirit. Or, we should say, they have not been overcome—they have been realized as what they really are, nothing. To overcome something must mean that there is something to get over or around. We must come to the point where these arm of flesh moments are not even recognized. As stated previously, they are nothing to God, and they should be nothing to us as well.

We read in the twenty eighth chapter of Acts that Paul had been shipwrecked and landed on the Island Malta. The weather was cold and rainy so the people of the island were starting a fire to warm the shipwrecked passengers. After Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a snake came out of the sticks (due to the heat) and bit him on the hand. The bite was so severe that the snake was hanging on to Paul's hand. Now this was a poisonous snake and should have killed Paul. The people of the island, looking on and being superstitious, thought to themselves that Paul must have been a murderer; after escaping death at sea, he was now going to get what he deserved and die by the snake bite. Paul shook off the snake into the fire and had no reaction to the bite. The islanders continued to watch Paul, because he should have swollen up and died suddenly, but after they had watched for a long time, they saw that Paul had no ill affect from the snake bite. Nothing was wrong with him. Then they changed their minds about Paul and thought that he must be some kind of god.

Now this was a venomous snake; was there just all of a sudden no poison in the venom? Did the poison enter Paul's bloodstream and have no ill effect? Paul knew that "I and my Father are one." Paul was so spiritually minded that this snake was merely arm of flesh. There is no mention made by the writer or Paul as to what happened. There was and is no need for an explanation, you see; it was and is nothingness.

After Paul's initial contact on the road to Damascus, he lived so in tune with the Spirit and truth that these moments or encounters with an arm of flesh didn't even require a thought. It was as if God himself lived Paul's life.

This is the same mind that should be in each and every one of us. Those who have made their initial contact have this same mind. Paul told the Corinthians, "But we have the mind of Christ."

So let's go deeper: If we have the same mind of Christ, is there room for my mind, your mind, and the mind of Christ? Is there a mind separate and apart from the mind of God?

There is only one mind, God's mind. This was the mind that Christ displayed while on earth as an example for us to live by.

While he was preaching in Capernaum, a man was brought to Christ while in his bed, sick of the palsy. Seeing this, Christ told the paralytic, "Rise, take up thy bed and walk." The man was healed immediately, picked up his bed, and left. Let's look a little closer. Christ didn't ask this man how long he had been ill or what type of symptoms he had been having. Christ said, "Rise, take up thy bed and walk." Also, Christ didn't say to the man, "You are healed from this disease" or "You're okay for now; hopefully it will not come back." Christ did not even recognize the palsy; it was only arm of flesh and nothing more.

I was gloriously saved at the age of nine; however, it wasn't until some thirty years later that it became real to my own consciousness. I had been battling Epstein-Barr virus for months before I realized I didn't have to battle it. There was nothing to battle; it was nothingness.

We were created in the image of our Creator, God. Rest in the knowledge that He loves you and will never forsake you. Have no worry, doubt, or fear—for you see, there is nothing to worry about and there is nothing to fear as long as you have no doubt.

### This Chapter's Practice

Exercise: Today's exercise is more like I Thessalonians 5:17, _"Pray without ceasing."_ This is going to be an all-day experiment. From the moment you wake up until you close your eyes in sleep, begin seeing God in all things. Today, actually, begin looking for the Spirit in everything around you, like the places you go, other people, events, everything. See God in it!

We are told in Psalms 139:7-8: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there."

God is indeed everywhere and there is no place that He is not. Recognize and acknowledge His presence and be truly blessed. He is orchestrating everything for your good! Begin to see and apply truth to everything, and see what affect the Word has in your life.

Chapter Nine

Yet Not I

" _I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20_

We see in the verse above that Paul had risen above the self; he no longer lived from the ego or carnal mind. Paul knew that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. It would appear that Paul had moved on from his ego, his past and his doubt.

Paul wrote in the seventh chapter of Romans verses fifteen through twenty three:

" _For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."_

Paul is speaking of what I have been writing about this entire book; the battle between the ego or carnal mind and the spiritual mind. Even during the time that I have been writing this book and this chapter, as a matter of fact, I have had these exact same bouts with carnal mind that Paul was talking about. As I have been writing, my spiritual mind would say one thing and sometimes before I can even get it to paper the carnal mind is saying, "Oh, don't say that people will say you're crazy! They won't believe it! And you're going to look like an idiot!" However, through prayer, meditation, and knowing, we must move on to things of the Spirit and put our ego behind us. It is imperative to stay in constant conscious contact with the Spirit. This is a reason Paul wrote, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

I'm sure that Paul started his day, and probably on most days, continued in prayer and meditation all day. Praying without ceasing, staying focused on things of God.

I realize that in this day and time, most of us have jobs; we have to support our families. We also have other activities that occupy our mind and time. However, as we perform these activities, we can still have and exercise this same mind as Paul and pray without ceasing. We must constantly see God in all things. Regardless of the situation, God is there. Wherever you are right now, God is there. I guarantee it!

Paul realized this and took it a step farther; not only was God on the scene with Paul, it was as if God was living his life for him. Also, at times, Paul probably felt like a spectator or someone outside of himself watching a scene of a play as his life unfolded in front of him. Paul recognized and acknowledged the presence of God in all things and at all times.

We see again in I Corinthians 15:10 that Paul gives all credit, honor, and glory to God. _"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."_

Paul realized, as should we, that it is only by and through the grace of God that we live, move, and have our being.

The life of an individual living by and through the word of God is not always a blissful experience. Many think that once you have made your initial contact, life will be a cakewalk. This is not the case at all. During the course of this existence, we will all face troublesome times, for we are told that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. However, this does not mean that we will have the same outcome of these experiences as the individual living by bread alone.

The individual living by bread alone has not learned to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God; the word has not become flesh. This person is constantly striving, meaning struggling to make a living, struggling to pay his bills, struggling for this or for that. Life is a constant struggle that seems to go from one bad experience to another. This person is attempting to live a life that is totally carnally based with no conception of God, thinking, that he is living, breathing, and making his way on his own.

I think we all have had moments in our lives when we think of nothing but the self. Our ego is such a driving force that we don't even recognize it and we definitely do not acknowledge that it has taken over our life. And for some, the ego is all they have (they think); they have never arrived at a point in their lives where a recognition and acknowledgement of God has even taken place.

However, in just the blink of an eye, if we will think of God and the things of God, problems of the day start to clear. James 4:8 says, _"Draw nigh unto God, and He will draw nigh unto you."_

As I think of Paul and "yet not I," I'm reminded of the poem "Footprints in the Sand" by Mary Stevenson. During a dream, Mary says that scenes from her life passed before her eyes and there were two sets of footprints in the sand. However, during the hard times, there appeared to be only one set. The Lord replied, "The times you seen only one set of footprints is when I carried you."

It is during these hard times that we think God has left the scene. However, I beg to differ, because He cannot leave the scene. For God not to be there where you are right now, would mean that He has changed His manner of existence and that He is not the same yesterday, today, and forever. When He said, "I will never leave you or forsake you," He meant it! He never has or never will leave you. During the times you feel alone, that everyone has abandoned you, and that the one set of footprints in the sand is your own, these are the times that you have pulled away from God and think that He is not present. Your carnal mind has taken control and left the spiritual mind lacking.

Don't panic. Bring your heart and mind back to the things of God, and it will be as though you had never left. The two sets of footprints will return and all calamities will calm. On the other hand, what if we lived a life of oneness with the Father? A life of "yet not I," so surrendered in the Father that there wouldn't be the Father and me, or the Father and you—there would only be One, The Father, I Am. So, could there actually be two sets of footprints in the sand to begin with? I hope that the only footprints that are seen after my passing are the footprints of the One who sent me, I Am.

Paul, describing the never ending perils that he faced during his ministry, said "I die daily." However, I also think that this "I die daily" had a dual meaning for Paul. He not only faced dangerous and deadly situations every day—everything from battling wild beasts, to facing beatings from Roman soldiers. Paul died daily to the self, the carnal mind, to allow the room necessary for the spiritual mind to take control. This is what we all must do daily—be transformed by the renewing of our mind. As a matter of fact, it is probably more like, every minute be transformed. As we lose the self, the spiritual mind, or the higher self can take over and commune with the Spirit.

The Master, Jesus Christ, lived an exemplary life of "yet not I." Christ said in the fifth chapter of John, _"The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."_ Later in the same chapter He says, _"I can of mine own self do nothing..."_ and, _"If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true."_

When we bear witness to our own selves, we are acknowledging this flesh, the carnal man, and what did Christ say? "I of mine own self can do nothing." This means that without the Spirit, without the Father, of ourselves and on our own we can do nothing.

" _For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, a servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them." John 13:15-17_

### This Chapter's Practice

Exercise: Upon waking and before getting out of bed, do the following:

1.As Jesus said in John 10:30, "I and my Father are one." This may be difficult, but remember, once you have made your initial contact, the Holy Spirit of God is dwelling in you. Therefore, you and the Father are one. This is definitely a mystical way of thinking and you may want to keep this practice to yourself. As Christ said these words, some of the people listening wanted to stone him. This will probably not be the case for us, but believe me, as you start to shift your thinking to a more spiritual mindset and begin to speak of these things, people will say and think all manner of things against you. This leads to:

2. _"I can of mine own self do nothing."_ John 5:30

Christ goes on to say, _"As I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."_ This should be our mindset throughout the day, to remember that we can do nothing without the Grace of God. As Paul said, "But by the grace of God I am what I am." Be open to the Spirit all day and listen; be open to the will of the Father in your life and begin to see what true miracles He has in store for you.

3.As you are in bed just before falling asleep, have this same knowing that "I and my father are one" and actually feel the love of God fill you totally.

Sleep well and God Bless!

Chapter Ten

Be Still And Know That I Am God

" _This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8_

I have asked several times throughout this book for you to stop reading and meditate on the things of God. This is why. When we keep the Word consciously realized, we will be prosperous and successful at whatever it is we are doing.

Often times during the course of a day, week, month, or maybe even years for some, we get so busy and caught up in things of the world that we make no time for what matters the most, our connection to our Source. If you'll think about when you are connected to God, you are happier, healthier, and more content, and have you noticed that things just seem to go your way? It seems as though everything is working together for your best interest.

However, to be still and know that I am God is more than a function of the brain or a "head" knowledge. A "head" knowledge is something that you have studied and you know mentally, like a mathematical equation. To be still and know that I am God is also more than a function of the heart. For sometimes, the heart can be misled by emotions. Even though something may be wrong or bad for you, your emotions can cause you to do it anyway.

To be still and know that I am God takes a total surrender of the mind, body, and spirit. When we can come to the end of our self in this carnal form is where we will find God. It's not that He is not always on the scene, because He most definitely is. It's that our carnal mind sometimes gets so caught up with our own self and things of the self that we forget to consciously realize God's presence. It is in this recognition of God's presence that we find the peace which passeth all understanding. It is in this be still and know that I am God that we will find healing, knowledge, and comfort, or whatever the need may be at any given moment.

Once we have made our initial contact, it is through our meditating on the word that will

make the Word become flesh in our lives. However, this will take practice. Most of us want to do things on our own. We think, "Oh, I got this. I don't need any outside influence. I don't need God to handle this for me." Our ego or carnal mind thinks directly opposite of the spiritual mind. This is why it is so important to meditate daily. As I have stated before, it is imperative to stay spiritually minded.

I am sure that everyone has heard of meditation. Some, if not most, may think that it is something that is done in China, Japan, or Tibet. However, we all meditate. You may not think so, but I guarantee you that you do. And you probably have little to no control over it.

This is how Miriam-Webster's defines meditating:

•to engage in contemplation or reflection

•to engage in mental exercise (as in concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness

•to focus one's thoughts on, reflect on, or ponder over

Let me ask this question: Who worries? Do you ever have times in your life when you worry? Worry over paying your bills. Worry over a situation or circumstance in your life. Worry over anything.

If you answered yes, guess what? You have meditated. What did Webster's say? "To engage in contemplation, to focus one's thoughts on." Worried about something, anything; sounds like meditation to me.

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina stated: "Through the study of books one seeks God; by meditation one finds him." Saint Pio recommended the performance of meditation and self-examination twice daily: once in the morning, as preparation to face the day, and once again in the evening, as retrospection. His advice on the practical application of theology he often summed up in his now famous quote, "Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry." He would also direct those he taught to recognize God in all things and to desire above all things to do the will of God.

How can we know what God's will is for our lives without listening to what he saying to us? I am not saying that God will speak to you with an audible voice. However, God does speak to each and every one of us through the Spirit. It is by and through the drawing power of the Spirit that we live and move and have our being. Christ said, "No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw him." This drawing is God communicating with you by and through the Spirit.

I had someone close to me, several years ago, tell me, "When we pray is when we talk to God, and when we meditate is when we listen to what God is saying to us." This person then asked me, "How often do you listen to what God is saying to you?" I replied, "You know, not nearly enough."

This is where meditation comes in. Throughout the Bible there are multiple scriptures that instruct us to meditate. As we opened this chapter, Joshua 1:8 says, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Again, did you notice, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success? Also, in Psalms 1: 2, "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

The word meditate is used fourteen times throughout the Bible. The above definition tells us the word means to contemplate or ponder. During these times of contemplation or pondering, the Spirit bears witness with us that He is on the scene and then works with our dominion to create our next outward manifestation. Allow me to explain through a description of my own meditation practice.

I try to start my day with prayer and meditation. The prayer seems to prepare me for the stillness needed for meditation. And, may I say that my prayer is not begging or pleading. I want to acknowledge God's presence and give Him honor and gratitude for all the things that are being made manifest in my life. I then sit in the chair behind my desk. (You don't have to sit in a chair; the key is to be as comfortable as possible.)

First I close my eyes and take several slow, deep breaths, and tell myself it is time to relax my entire body (if you would like, you may want to listen to relaxing music or sounds that are peaceful). I may have to repeat to myself "Okay body, it's time to relax." Also during this period, if there is something I need assistance with, such as knowledge of a scripture, direction with a specific situation or circumstance, or just basic guidance, I will focus on these things. Typically, I just focus on one item or issue at a time. Once I feel my body is completely relaxed, I tell myself it is time to relax my mind. I will picture tranquil scenery or being in one of my favorite quiet places, like on the beach at our condo in Destin, Florida. Then I will hone in on the one topic of thought, situation, or circumstance in which I may be looking for direction. During the course of my writing, whatever the chapter title or topic is, I will focus on these things.

Once the complete relaxation comes of my body and mind, I will repeat a mantra of some type. At the moment my mantra is repeating, "I AM That I AM." I will replace the word "that" with abundance, perfect health, love, and kindness. You can insert any positive or uplifting word or statement you would like (I like to insert the words that most remind me of God). This is explained in detail on the CD "I AM - Wishes Fulfilled Meditation" by Dr. Wayne Dyer and James Twyman.

Then as I begin to lose myself (the carnal self) and my Spiritual mind takes over, I let go of everything and empty my mind of all thought. This can be quite difficult for some; however, the more you practice the easier it will become. That is when it happens—when all carnal thought is out of the way, the spiritual mind takes over and gives place to the Spirit. You may ask, "How will I know when this happens?" Believe me, you'll know. I experience a feeling all over my body; it's a feeling like cold chills or what some may call goose bumps. In Sanskrit, it's referred to as a "kundalini" or the feeling of a warm shower. It comes when we come to the end of ourselves—the instruction, the guidance, the answers, the divine inspiration from God, that still, small voice. Oneness with Father and all that He has.

It was during a morning meditation in 2007, like the one I just described, that the habit of smoking cigarettes was taken from me. I had smoked cigarettes for sixteen years, and I had tried and tried to quit. I had tried everything from the nicotine gum to hypnosis, and nothing seemed to work. However, the difference was, this time when I decided to quit, "I" didn't decide to quit. Every time I had tried to quit before it was "I" myself trying to do it. I thought I could personally do this with no outside assistance; however, it should have been extremely apparent that it wasn't working. I had tried countless times to quit. I actually started telling people when I was going to start a quit smoking program that it was actually a stop smoking program. The word stop implied that I could start back at any time I wanted. However, this wording was actually programming that was working against me before I even started. We'll discuss this more in the next chapter.

I had no conscious thought of my Father. I had no conscious thought of my Source and all of the power that comes with being one with that Source. I began the meditation just as I described above. My circumstance or situation that I was going to take to the Spirit during this meditation was smoking. Once the complete relaxation came and I had come to the end of myself, oneness took place and there was not I and the Father, there was only One! And in this One there are no bad habits such as smoking cigarettes. When I came out of this morning meditation it was as if I had never smoked a cigarette. I had no withdrawal symptoms and no cravings. It has been over five years now, and I am a non-smoker.

This can be your experience as well. This will work for anyone who will take the time to be still and know that I am God.

There are many types of meditation and I have experimented with several. When I began meditating, I practiced several different guided meditations from Sylva Ultra Mind. I enjoyed these a great deal and still use them occasionally. I have practiced Joppa, a Hindu meditation, which I learned about through Dr. Wayne Dyer's book Getting in the Gap. This is a morning and evening mantra meditation. As stated previously, currently I am practicing the "I Am that I Am" meditation. However, during my meditation times I don't actually worry about adhering strictly to the exact practice as described by any author or style; the objective is to reach a place of oneness with our Source.

Again, there are many types: mindful meditation, focused meditation, movement meditation, mantra meditation, and the list goes on. The key for you is to find the methods that work best for you personally—nothing else matters. Making conscious contact and practicing oneness with the Father is most important!

We will practice many things in life. From childhood we are told if you want to be good at something it will take a lot of practice, and I agree. In my case the practice was baseball and football for my sporting activities. Then practiced hours every day to prepare for guitar lessons. I was in a band for many years, and at times we practiced every day for hours. I don't know what your practice is—maybe it's the same or maybe it's more. The point is, during the course of our lifetime, we all do a lot of things that require practice.

It appears that to be good at something, you must practice. Especially when it involves coming to the end of one's self! So, if we will spend so much time in the practice of sports, music lessons, academics, and other interests, why wouldn't we make time to practice our connection to our Source? We are told, "Seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness and all things will be added unto you." So it only makes sense to make time every day for this connection to take place.

Please take time out of every day, as little as 10 to 20 minutes one to three times a day, and slow down your mind. Think on things of the Spirit, and remember that to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Every time you do this, you will elevate your level of consciousness. You will actually elevate the level at which you experience life.

However, please don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself and you will be overwhelmed at the things that will take place in your life. You will see and think of everything in a whole new way.

In Psalms 46: 10, 11, God says, _"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."_

### This Chapter's Practice

Exercise #1: Take a few minutes before beginning the day's activities and meditate on things of God. You can use the meditation I explained or find a practice that is comfortable to you. The key is to take a few minutes each morning to recognize and acknowledge the presence of God. Feel the presence of God and share with our Creator the things that you would like to be made manifest in your life and the lives of others. This could take five minutes or sometimes it may take twenty minutes or more. It all depends on the carnal mind letting go and allowing the spiritual mind to take over. Be patient and remember what they say, "practice makes perfect."

Exercise #2: During the course of your day, remember your morning meditation and the things that you shared with your Creator. Take five minutes at lunch to be still and ponder these things or maybe ponder the other exercises you are working with from other chapters. However, the key here is again to feel our Creator's presence.

Exercise #3: Prior to going to sleep, take a few minutes and think of the things that have been made manifest in your life today. Regardless of the day's events, situations, or circumstances, thank God for everything that has taken place. For, you see, everything is working together for your good!

Chapter Eleven

Take No Thought

" _No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:24-34_

This "take no thought" action is hard for us to do in this present day and time. We feel that we must make our living by the sweat of our brow. We strive every day to be better than we were the day before, or in some cases, better than our neighbor was the day before. We strive and strive, working as hard as we can to do our best at whatever we are doing. We think that if we personally don't do the task at hand, it will not be completed properly, on time, or at all in some cases.

In most cases, we have been raised this way. We have been raised with the mindset that everything we do will take physical effort on our part to accomplish whatever the task or goal may be. Our carnal mind or ego tells us that if we want something done, we better do it our self. It also tells you what you can and cannot do, in some instances, without you consciously thinking about whether it is the truth or something that you are just imagining.

It seems as though we all feel like we have to work at everything. We have to work to make a living to put clothes on our backs and food on our tables. We have to work to be happy and fulfilled. We have to work to be healthy-I think you get the picture. We feel like we personally have to strive and work for any kind of positive outcome when we are told, "Seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness; and all of these things shall be added unto you."

Behold the fowls of the air how they "take no thought" to how they are going to be fed. And, as a matter of fact, they take no thought as to how they will find shelter, a mate, warmth when needed, water, or anything else for that matter. Squirrels are not taught that they need to find nuts or even that winter is coming and they need to store them up for a period of time. Both species just know that these things are there for their need and use.

When God created these fowls of the air and all animals, He instilled in them an instinct or a sense to assist in these matters. When it becomes cold outside in the North, birds will fly south to a warmer climate and bears will hibernate. Then as seasons change, the birds will fly back north to their native habitat and bears will magically awake to spring. These animals take no thought for they know that all of their needs are provided for and that it is just a natural thing for these things to take place. They do not worry about what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, or next month, for they know that their needs—all of their needs—are going to be met without question or by any thought on their part.

Saint Francis de Sales wrote in Treatise on the Love of God:

"Oh how happy are they who keep their hearts open to holy inspirations! For these are never wanting to any, in so far as they are necessary for living well and devoutly, according to each one's condition of life, or for fulfilling holily the duties of his profession. For as God, by the ministry of nature, furnishes every animal with the instincts which are necessary for its preservation and the exercise of its natural powers, so if we resist not God's grace, he bestows on every one of us the inspirations necessary to live, to work, and to preserve our spiritual life."

We are told that when we were created, God breathed into our nostrils the breath of life and we, man, became a living soul. This soul is what separates us from the fowls of the air and other animals. As God would finish a day of creation, we are told that He would say it was good. This was until the sixth day when He created us in His own image and He said that it was very good.

By God's grace we have been given dominion. When we were created, God gave us dominion over everything. As I have stated previously, we must first exercise this dominion over our own mind and body. We must bring every thought under subjection. It is through our dominion that we can have a peace of mind that supersedes any knowing or senses that the fowls of the air or any other creature can have.

It is extremely important for us to recognize our creation and that we were created to have this dominion. God created all of us to do great things. We were created to have abundance, joy, peace, and contentment. We are told in Revelation that we were created for God's pleasure. God does not get pleasure out of your troubles and heartaches. He doesn't get pleasure out of your sickness or lack. God gets pleasure from us when we are in one accord with Him; when we are living spiritually minded. This is why we were given dominion. We were not created to have to work, strive, worry and take thought of every little detail in our lives. We read above, "which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to your stature." The Master was meaning, who, by worry, can add any length of time to your own life: no one.

This dominion, soul, or our soul faculties—this thing that separates us from other creatures—is always at work. It never sleeps, takes a break, goes on vacation, or ever stops working with the Spirit on your behalf to bring you what you are creating. I want you to know right now that you have the ability to have one hundred percent total control over it. As a matter of fact, you are controlling it right now and probably aren't even aware of it. How is our dominion kept under control? By every conscious thought.

We must control our thinking. Every thought is of utmost importance. Solomon said, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Buddha stated something similar, "All that we are is the result of what we have thought, the mind is everything, what we think we become."

This dominion that we have been given is constantly working with the Spirit to create our next outward or visible manifestation and experience. Sounds crazy, huh? However, I have no doubt that this is the case. Romans 8:28 states, _"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."_ Who are those called according to His purpose? You and me. And what is "all things?" Everything!

All people and all events all over the world, every circumstance and situation in your life and the lives of those around you, everything—all things are working together for your good. We are all of one spirit, so you see, all things are working together for everyone's good constantly.

Our dominion is controlled by our subconscious mind. Our subconscious mind is controlled by our conscious mind or the way that we consciously think. As you think, so shall you be. And, one thing to keep in mind is that our subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between real things and imagined things.

Dr. Maxwell Maltz wrote in Psycho-Cybernetics, "Creative imagination is not something reserved for the poets, the philosophers, the inventors. It enters into our every act. For imagination sets the goal 'picture' which our automatic mechanism (our dominion) works on. We act, or fail to act, not because of 'will,' as is so commonly believed, but because of imagination."

If you are constantly telling yourself how sick you are even when you are perfectly healthy, eventually your subconscious mind will believe that you are sick and you will definitely, in time, become ill. Then you will be wondering, "Why I am so sick?" You will be praying to God for healing, and when you're not healed immediately, you will say that God is not listening or maybe even that there is no God. When, in fact, He has heard every word and granted you your every wish and prayer.

You see, we are not only God's finest creation; our God-given dominion makes us a creator as well. That's right; you create or co-create through your dominion or soul faculties everything that comes into to your own experience. Your internal thoughts and imagination become your external experience and manifestation. The visible is created by the invisible. This is where your faith or knowing comes in. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Turn this around and it becomes more clear; things not seen (your thoughts and your dominion working with Spirit) become your next manifestation or experience (the substance is the evidence of your dominion) through your knowing that they will happen. Think about your life up to this point: Your substance has been derived from the things that are constantly going through your mind, be it good or bad. This is your dominion at work.

In my earlier life, I was ill quite frequently and the doctors could never quite figure out what the problem was. I also suffered a multitude of injuries, surgeries, broken bones, sprains, pulled muscles, and the like. It wasn't until I was forty years old that I realized what the problem was. I was continually wondering what was going to happen next. Now, I wasn't voicing this out loud or talking to other people about it. I never spoke to my parents about it or even to my best of friends. It definitely wasn't something that I was praying for. It was an internal dialogue that I had with myself. However, I might as well have been shouting it from the rooftops. These private conversations that I had with myself and by myself were all programming my subconscious mind—my dominion. Then in turn the Spirit was bringing to me everything I had created for myself in my subconscious, answering every prayer, so to speak.

We have all heard and read about the trials and tribulations that Job experienced. At the beginning of the book of Job, God asks Satan, "Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil"

Over the next few verses, Job loses all that he has: children, servants, livestock, everything. It says in the first verse that Job "was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." However, how was his dominion? What was going on in his conscious and subconscious mind? Let's look at Job 3:25, _"For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me."_ When Job says, "What I had greatly feared," is he not referring to what he had thought about intensely? What had consumed his every thought? What he had greatly feared had come upon him. And now look what he says: "That which I was afraid of is come unto me." There is no doubt that Job had been thinking, if not dwelling upon, having his cattle stolen, losing his children, and having his servants killed. Or it could have been just a feeling that he had like, "I'm going to lose everything that I have." This was Job's imagination on overload.

It is imperative that we control our thinking. We must keep our thinking positive and uplifting constantly. Even during times of difficulty and hardship, we must look through the immediate situation and see the final outcome as being positive; Christ said, judge not by appearance; judge righteous judgment. In Job's case he maintained his faith in God knowing the outcome would be positive. In Job 42:2, Job says, _"I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee."_ No thought can be withheld because it is this thought process or imagination that works with our dominion and Spirit to bring to us whatever we are creating. See things from the end as I'm sure that Job did. We read later in the same chapter of Job that the Lord had given Job twice as much as he had before. He had a change of heart and mind, didn't he?

Christ said in Matthew 5:38-39, _"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."_ Even during hard times and bad situations (such as Job experienced) when man typically wants to strike back, the Master was teaching to let it go. Look through appearances and the thought that you have to strike back. By striking back, you would place yourself in the same position and mindset as the other person when this is absolutely not necessary. Turn to him the other cheek, meaning let him strike there as well, and nothing can interfere with your peace of mind. Resist not evil, do not give it a second thought and as a matter of fact do not give it the first thought. For this could possibly start the negative programming that would eventually become your next outward or physical experience.

Have you ever been driving to work in the morning and some other driver cuts you off? Have you had someone blowing their horn at you and you have done nothing? How did this make you feel? Did you blow your horn back maybe even start shaking your fist or pointing a finger or worse?

We all have probably been in this situation (I know that I have and this is probably one of my worst carnal issues that I have to deal with on a daily basis). How did this affect your morning? Not in a positive way, I'm sure. This situation, as with many other situations, are turn the other cheek moments, and we should take no thought for they are nothing. Keep your mind focused on God and the things of God, and these things are always positive.

We must pray positive. I have heard it said before that every thought is a prayer and that every prayer is answered. When praying about a particular situation or circumstance, thank God for the blessing of the answered prayer. See things, all things, from the end and not the beginning. See, think, pray, and live as if the prayer, situation, or circumstance had already been answered or resolved. As Paul writes in Romans 4:17, _"Before God, whom he believed, who makes the dead live, and calls the things which do not exist as though they do exist."_

If you are in need of employment, thank God for the most wonderful position you have ever had in your life as if you already have it. If you are sick, thank God for being in perfect health right now at this moment. Christ said in the book of Mark 11:24, _"Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."_ Take special notice of the words desire and believe; this feeling of desire and knowing make all the difference and, Christ is saying believe or know that it is already yours. This is definitely seeing things from the end. We must know that the Spirit is working with our dominion and all of creation to bring us what we are creating.

First you must rid yourself of the harmful habits of bad thinking and bad imagination. You must stop telling yourself how bad of a person you are, how sick you are, how poor you are, how weak you are, and the list goes on. Also, if you're thinking this way, you are living this way as well. You probably do have times of a bad attitude, sickness, weakness, and other ailments, and you are probably wondering, "Why are these happening to me?" You are creating these things internally through your dominion and your dominion is working the Spirit to bring these things into fruition constantly.

Albert Einstein stated, "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." On another occasion he said, "I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." He was absolutely correct. Practice and take conscious thought of your imagination every day. If you are suffering from some sort of illness or disease, imagine yourself to be the picture of health. If you are unemployed and desire a job, imagine yourself with the most fulfilling position you have ever had. Insert whatever position you would like that to be here. Be very detailed with this. Don't just say or think of a general fulfilling position, see and feel yourself being fulfilled as a doctor, a lawyer, a speaker, a writer, maybe even an electrician—whatever profession that would fulfill you!

Notice above that I said see and feel yourself being fulfilled. The feeling is a must; it is imperative that this feeling and knowing goes hand in hand with the thought and imagination. Neville Goddard wrote in Feeling is the Secret:

"The subconscious accepts as true that which you feel to be true, and because creation is the result of subconscious impressions, you, by your feeling, determine creation. You are already that which you want to be, and your refusal to believe this is the only reason you do not see it. To seek on the outside for that which you do not feel you are is to seek in vain, for we never find that which we want; we find only that which we are. In short, you express and have only that which you are conscious of being or possessing."

If you would like, refer back to the chapter titled Faith, and review what knowing means. It is in the knowing working with your imagination that assists in the programming of your dominion.

The Master, Jesus Christ, said this in Luke 8:17-18, _"For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad_ (come to light). _Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have."_

This "nothing is secret" is your imagination or the way you think (the silent conversations you have with yourself and by yourself) and Christ tells us that it shall be made manifest, or it shall actually become your reality. So, to him who has or to him who is creating abundance and living a life of abundance, this is what he will have—abundance. And, to him that is living a life of doubt, fear, and lack, this is what he will have—doubt, fear, and lack. And he will be constantly in fear of losing the things that he does have, and eventually he will lose them. In each case, the Spirit is bringing to each one what they are creating for their self through their own dominion.

Negative thoughts and bad imagination—don't get discouraged. From time to time, we all have our moments. These could be moments of doubt, fear, and impatience, negative thoughts about anything, or just times when our imagination is on overload. As these thoughts or ideas enter your consciousness simply, make a decision to stop this thought process and enter a pleasant and positive thought in its place. You have thousands and thousands of thoughts that cross your mind each day and you select which ones will get your attention and which ones will not. Pay no attention to the negative in order to make room for the positive. Use your imagination to plant positive seeds into your consciousness.

Here's an example of someone with no job at the moment: You are currently unemployed and all you think about is your unemployment—stop this thought and see yourself as gainfully employed now! If your fulfilling profession or position is being a dentist, see yourself with a thriving practice and innumerable smiling faces coming in and out of your office. Imagine the multitude of people you are helping through dental care. Maybe it is fixing a toothache, filling a cavity, or repairing a smile. You are doing incredible things for everyone around you! Now, continue with this mental process continually knowing that it is the truth about who you are right now at this moment.

As I stated earlier, your dominion never sleeps. It is continually working with the Spirit to bring to you what you are creating. However, it is during sleep that the subconscious mind is receiving instruction, programming, and being programmed for you to have a meaningful and fulfilling life, or whatever it is that you are bringing to yourself. Neville wrote, again from Feeling is the Secret: "The unconsciousness of sleep is the normal state of the subconscious."

As I stated earlier, the subconscious doesn't know the difference between real things versus imagined things. It takes whatever your conscious mind tells it to be the truth and then acts on it. As you lay in bed prior to going to sleep, if you are reviewing the day and telling yourself how bad it was and hoping that these things do not happen again to you tomorrow, guess what? They probably will because your subconscious believes that this is what you want. Remember, it can't tell the difference; it is just working with your conscious mind and the Spirit to bring you what you are creating.

So, as you are getting ready to drop off to sleep, think about the things that you would like to be made manifest in your life. Whatever they may be: the perfect job, perfect health, the perfect mate, a nice house, a nice car, and so on. And as you're having these thoughts, feel them and know that they are already yours. As the Father said, "All that I have is thine."

As you sleep, your subconscious mind is bringing to form all that the conscious mind has programmed into it. Therefore, just before falling asleep, begin programming your next experience. Begin programming the abundance you have always wanted, but have told yourself silently that you couldn't have. Begin programming the perfect health that you know you have right now. Make the last thoughts that you have before dropping off to sleep positive and uplifting, for this will be your next experience.

If by chance you have had a bad day and the thoughts of the day will not go away, get out of bed and read a book, pray, or meditate. Do something positive and uplifting to change the thought process. Remember that you have thousands of thoughts every day and you choose which ones will get your time and attention. Saint Paul wrote, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Work out the issues of the day before going to sleep. Once you have cleared your mind, go back to bed and begin the programming process again before falling asleep.

Job 33:15-16 says, _"In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction."_

To wind up this chapter, please know that you are already all that you want to be. It is all within your very own being at this moment. Remember what Neville said, "You are already that which you want to be, and your refusal to believe this is the only reason you do not see it." The Master said that it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom, and where is that kingdom? It is literally inside you. You are the creator of your own universe. Begin now to create a life of abundance, love, joy, and peace. And never look back.

Throughout this book, you have read about things like making initial contact with our creator, our creator's love for us, and that He loved us first. You have read multiple times to be spiritually minded, therefore having life and peace. You have read over and over again to recognize and acknowledge the presence of God, and that all things are working together for your good. You have also read about the arm of flesh and to have no fear and doubt. And let's not forget about knowing! There has been a reason for this, and after reading this chapter, I hope that it is apparent, all of these things are programming your next experience, so why not program an experience of love, peace, joy, and contentment, an experience of creating your own future beyond your wildest dreams. Be blessed! Be very, very blessed!

### This Chapter's Practice

Exercise #1:Morning

1. Begin your day with prayer and meditation, knowing that everything you could possibly imagine is already yours. You are abundance; you are perfect health; you are love; and you are actually God's grace being!

2. Stay positive minded. As a negative thought or some type of bad imagination begins to occupy your mind, simply replace this with pleasant thoughts or ideas. If you need, find a quiet place to pray or meditate. Leave carnal thought and be spiritually minded, therefore having life and peace.

Exercise #2: Evening

As you lie in bed before dropping off to sleep, remember to watch your thoughts. At this time, begin programming what will become your next experience. Share with your subconscious mind the things that you want to be your next reality, and with feeling. Also, as in the first exercise, know that these things are already yours. All that you want to be you already are and all things you want to be made manifest in your life are already yours.

###

Dear Reader, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your time to read this book. I would also like to encourage you to put into practice the message and exercises described herein and really connect and/or reconnect with your Creator...He loves you!

Sincerely,

Gary Hall

### About the Author

G ary S. Hall, CPC wrote his first book, A Wake Up Call, A Coming To Know God (Tate Publishing, 2009), following a long struggle with Epstein-Barr Virus. During this time, he came to realize that the path to a healthy, happy life is found through the healing power of the Spirit, which is located within our very own being. This awareness led Hall to become an advocate for personal and spiritual growth.

As Director of Operations for Stones River Electric, an international electrical service firm, Hall has the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life. This specialization in professional discipline has resulted in a lifelong commitment to counsel individuals who are searching for their life purpose. During his 30-year career, he has aided thousands of colleagues through coaching and mentoring.

Hall is currently writing his third book, Mystical Truths for Every Day. He spends much of his time writing, teaching, and lecturing individuals and groups across the country. His books and motivational keynotes deliver a high-energy message designed to create awareness of our dominion, maintain higher levels of consciousness, and manifest desired outcomes.

Natives of Nashville, Tennessee, Hall and his wife, Jami, live on Old Hickory Lake just north of the city. They enjoy the wildlife in this lakeside environment, which provides them with a way to greatly appreciate the many blessings and beauty of God's grace.

### Connect with Gary Hall:

Follow me on Twitter: <https://twitter.com/Hall4U>

### Friend me on Facebook: <https://www.facebook.com/gary.hall.5811>

### Website: <http://gary-hall.com/>
