 
# VICTORY OVER ADVERSITY

Jack and Judy Hartman

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 Jack and Judy Hartman

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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# Read what people are saying about publications from Lamplight Ministries

Jack and Judy Hartman have written over twenty books that have been sold or distributed around the world. You are invited to take a look at the impact Lamplight Ministries has had and continues to have on people who have read the books. Visit lamplight.net to read these incredible testimonies.

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We each began studying the Bible in the King James Version. If we could write this entire book with the King James Version, we would. However, we want to present the reader with the best possible explanation of each verse of Scripture.

We have reviewed each verse of Scripture in this book to prayerfully select the Bible version that we believe will help you to best understand what God is saying to you. In some cases we have used _The New International Version_ (NIV) when we believe the language in this particular passage of Scripture will give you more comprehension. In other cases we have used _The Amplified Bible_ (AMP) when we believe the amplification will explain more to you.

The _King James Version_ (KJV) of the Bible received its name from King James who was the king of England from 1603 to 1625. King James is considered to have been one of the most intellectual and learned kings in the history of Great Britain. He is primarily remembered for authorizing the production of the King James Version of the Bible. This English translation from Greek and Hebrew is the most printed book in the history of the world with more than one billion copies in print.

_The New International Version_ (NIV) is the result of the study of a group of approximately one hundred Hebrew and Greek scholars representing more than twenty denominations. This team of scholars devoted ten years to complete the NIV translation. The goal of this committee was to faithfully translate the original Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic biblical text into clearly understandable English. The NIV is the most widely purchased contemporary Bible today.

_The Amplified Bible_ is the result of the study of a group of Bible scholars who spent a total of more than twenty thousand hours amplifying the Bible. They believe that traditional word-by-word translation often fails to reveal the shades of meaning that are part of the original Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic biblical texts.

Any amplification of the original text uses brackets for words that clarify the meaning and parentheses for words that contain additional phrases included in the original language. Through this amplification the reader will gain a better understanding of what Hebrew and Greek listeners instinctively understood.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the _King James Version_ of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from _The Holy Bible, New International Version_ , copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from _The Amplified Bible, Old Testament_ , copyright 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids Michigan, or _The Amplified Bible, New Testament_ , copyright 1954, 1958, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation, LaHabra, California. Used by permission.

# Dedication

We dedicate this book to our precious Christian friend, Nancy Eichelberger, who went to be with the Lord just before this book was finished. We have been close friends with Don and Nancy Eichelberger for the past twenty years. Don has served on the Board of Directors of Lamplight Ministries since its inception.

Nancy was a remarkable woman. Her deep and unshakable faith in God carried her through a lot of adversity over the years. Nancy never complained. She always persevered in faith.

Nancy's primary mission on earth was to minister to the members of her loving family. Don and Nancy were married for forty-six years. Each of their four children and eight grandchildren has received Jesus Christ as Savior. Every member of this family received Nancy's love, knew that she was always there for them and looks forward to living eternally with her in heaven.

During the final months of her life when she suffered greatly, many people came to encourage Nancy. Without exception, each of these people told Don that Nancy was the one who did the encouraging.

We treasured our relationship with Nancy. We thank God for the godly example she set for us. Thank You, Father, for blessing us by bringing Nancy Eichelberger into our lives.

# TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

1. What Does the Bible Say about the Last Days?

2. World Conditions That Give Cause for Concern

3. Turn Away from the World

4. God Can Solve Every Problem

5. God's Awesome Power Is More Than Sufficient

6. Jesus Christ Has Given You a Total, Complete and Absolute Victory

7. The Supernatural Power of the Word of God

8. You Should Revere the Word of God

9. Learn to Think the Way That God Thinks

10. Success, Wisdom and Prosperity through Scripture Meditation

11. How to Meditate on the Word of God

12. Examples of Scripture Meditation

13. God's Word is Your Spiritual Food and a Spiritual Seed

14. Receive Increased Understanding From Consistent Scripture Meditation

15. Increase Your Faith in God through Scripture Meditation

16. Immerse Yourself in the Word of God

17. Fill Your Eyes and Your Ears with the Word of God

18. Speak God's Word and Obey God's Instructions

19. Seek God in the Morning and Pray Continually

20. Know God Intimately and Trust Him Completely

21. Revere God and Keep Him in First Place

22. God is Always with You

23. The Holy Spirit Will Guide You through Adversity

24. Rely Completely on God's Love for You

25. God Has Commanded You Not to Be Afraid

26. God Will Give You Supernatural Strength When You Need It

27. You Must Not Block the Mighty Power of God

28. Steadily Increase Your Faith in God

29. Your Faith in God Determines Your Destiny

30. Enter into God's Rest

31. Learn How to Be Quiet and Calm in the Face of Adversity

32. Refuse to Give Up Your Joy

33. Praise God and Thank Him Whenever You Face Adversity

34. You Can Come into the Presence of the Lord

35. God Will Protect You

36. Jesus Christ Has Given You Hope

37. God Promises to Meet All of Your Needs

38. Focus Continually on the Lord

39. Absolutely Refuse to Give Up

Conclusion

Appendix

Study Guide

About Lamplight Ministries

Books by Jack and Judy Hartman

# Introduction

As we begin this book, we want to emphasize that most of this Introduction and all of the first two chapters are _negative_ in nature. We believe that very difficult times are coming on the world and on the United States in particular. However, we want to explain now that this book is a book of _victory_ that will _encourage_ you. This book is _not_ a book of gloom and doom.

You will learn facts from the holy Scriptures that will assure you that Jesus Christ has won a total, complete and absolute victory over the evil in the world. Believers must learn how to live in a world where evil is rampant and sometimes celebrated. You will learn from God's Word _exactly_ what your Father has instructed you to do to walk in the victory that Jesus has won for you.

We want to put this positive explanation at the beginning of this book so that you can keep this in mind as you read all of the negative information in the remainder of this Introduction and the first two chapters. We must define the problem so that you can decide for yourself whether you also believe that difficult times will be coming upon us, if they are not already here by the time you read this book.

We believe that a problem well defined is half solved. You must know what problems you face before you can solve these problems. We hope that you will read the first two chapters thoughtfully and carefully to decide for yourself whether you agree that difficult times are coming.

We believe that we live in the last days before Jesus Christ returns. In the first chapter we will comment on several passages of Scripture that warn you to prepare for the end times. In the second chapter we will present many facts pertaining to the world today to help you decide whether you should be preparing now to face severe adversity in the future.

The Bible is God's love letter to His children. We want to emphasize that you _cannot_ understand the scriptural principles in this book if you have not received Jesus Christ as your Savior. If Jesus Christ is not your Savior, we recommend that you turn _now_ to the Appendix at the end of this book.

In this Appendix you will see many facts from the Bible that will tell you exactly why you need to receive eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. You also will read many verses of Scripture that explain why you _will_ be able to understand the scriptural contents of this book after receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior when you could _not_ understand these scriptural principles before receiving Jesus.

Coping with adversity during your life on earth is important, but anything you will face on earth pales into insignificance in comparison with the importance of where you will go when you die. Many people focus primarily on the seventy, eighty or ninety years that they expect to live on earth and pay little or no attention to where they will live throughout eternity. _Every_ person on earth will live throughout eternity in the splendor of heaven or the horror of hell. _You decide_ where you will live eternally.

We pray that you will understand your vital need to receive eternal salvation through Jesus Christ and that you will receive Him as your Savior based on the scriptural facts in the Appendix. We pray that you will use your newly found ability to understand the Bible to carefully study and meditate on the scriptural facts in this book that explain the victory Jesus Christ has won for you.

We pray that you will learn and obey the specific instructions God has given to you that will enable you to cope with adversity. We pray that your faith in God will increase steadily so that you will be absolutely certain that your Father will do exactly what He promises to do in the numerous scriptural promises that are contained in this book.

We want to emphasize now that we _purposely_ have used a great deal of repetition in this book. God is our example in every area of life. God uses massive repetition throughout the Bible. God uses repetition for the purpose of emphasis. We have used repetition for the same purpose.

We choose to provide many verses of Scripture that explain the same truth. Our desire is to connect you with your Father, God, through His Word, the Bible. We will present to you hundreds of specific instructions and promises from your Father that will show you exactly what you should do to cope with adversity.

We recommend that you read this book with a highlighter or a pen. Highlight or underline scriptural facts that are meaningful to you. Write notes in the margins and at the top and bottom of pages pertaining to information that you want to retain.

You will see the phrase "please highlight or underline" used _many_ times throughout this book. We use this phrase to recommend key words from whatever passage of Scripture we are studying.

When you decide to highlight or underline the words that we recommend (and to write notes in the margins), you will be prepared for Scripture meditation. God has instructed you to _study_ the Bible daily (see II Corinthians 4:6 and Ephesians 4:22-24). God also has instructed you to _meditate_ day and night on His Word (see Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2-3).

You will study Scripture as you read this book and highlight or underline the words from many passages of Scripture. You then will be prepared to meditate on these passages of Scripture by utilizing the highlighting and underlining or any notes that you write.

By highlighting or underlining and making notes as you read, you will tailor-make this book for yourself. You will be able to focus on exactly what _you_ must focus on to prepare to cope with any adversity that you will ever face based upon specific instructions from the Bible.

# Chapter 1  
What Does the Bible Say about the Last Days?

Many Christians believe that we live in the last days before Jesus Christ returns to earth. If you agree that our generation does live in the final days before the return of Jesus Christ, you should give careful thought to the following verse of Scripture. "...in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]." (II Timothy 3:1 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "perilous times of great stress and trouble" in this verse of Scripture. The generation that lives in the last days before Jesus Christ returns _will_ experience tremendous stress and great trouble. The amplification in this verse of Scripture says that these difficult times will be "hard to deal with and hard to bear."

Many people will be overwhelmed by the severity of the problems that will occur during the last days before Jesus returns. Jesus said, "...upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity [without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn]..." (Luke 21:25 amp)

Jesus said that people will be bewildered and perplexed in the last days before He returns. They will not know how to cope with the tremendous changes that will take place in the world. Please highlight or underline the amplification in this verse of Scripture that speaks of people being "without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn."

If this amplification is accurate, many people will be financially destitute. They will not know what to do or which way to turn when worldly sources of security that they had trusted in are no longer available.

We believe that many people will be devastated by the changes that will take place in the world. They will have no frame of reference to deal with anything of this magnitude. When Jesus explained what will happen during the last days before His return, He spoke of "...men swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the things that are coming on the world..." (Luke 21:26 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "swooning away or expiring" in this verse of Scripture. These words mean that some people will faint and that some people actually will die because of their extreme "fear, dread and apprehension" about what is happening in the world and what they are afraid will happen in the future.

You have just read some very sobering words from the holy Scriptures. When Jesus was asked by His disciples what the world would be like during the last days before His return, He said, "When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away. Then he said to them: 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven." (Luke 21:9-11 niv)

Jesus spoke of the increase in war that will take place during the end times. World War II was fought between 1941-1946. The Korean Conflict took place from 1950 to 1953. American involvement in the war in Vietnam took place from 1963 to 1975.

Our generation was _relatively_ free from war between the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 to the terrorist attacks that took place September 11, 2001. For almost thirty years, our generation did not experience war of any significance.

Isolated terrorist attacks in the 1990s gave an indication of what was coming. However, many Americans who were basking in prosperity virtually ignored the increase in terrorist attacks that mostly occurred in other countries.

The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 caused great concern for all Americans. Church attendance increased tremendously for approximately three months after these attacks. However, by early 2002 church attendance had _declined_ to approximately the _same_ level where it was before September 11.

In 1998 US President Clinton ordered missile strikes against targets in Afghanistan in an effort to hit Osama bin Laden. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 apparently were in retaliation against the United States for those attacks.

In 2001 the United States invaded Afghanistan. The stated purpose of the invasion of Afghanistan was to capture Osama bin Ladin, to destroy Al-Qaeda and to remove the Taliban regime. This war in Afghanistan has since expanded to Iraq. At the time this book is written, there are almost 250,000 American military personnel serving in the Middle East.

After many years that were relatively free of war, the United States has been engaged in warfare against terrorists for approximately ten years as this book is written. Many other parts of the world are experiencing increased warfare. Israel, Bosnia and other countries are experiencing civil war. The increase in war that Jesus spoke of is occurring.

Jesus also spoke about the powerful earthquakes that will occur during the final years before His return. The 2004 tsunami earthquake in Indonesia killed more than 230,000 people. Almost 70,000 people were killed by an earthquake in China in 2008. There is no question that the severity of earthquakes in recent years has been quite high.

Because the United States has not experienced a major earthquake for many years, many US citizens are relatively complacent because they have not had first hand experience with earthquakes. If an earthquake of the magnitude of the 2004 tsunami disaster or the 2008 earthquake in China occurred in the United States, the reaction would be overwhelming. The United States certainly could experience a severe earthquake on the California fault line or in other places that are prone to earthquakes.

With several large earthquakes occurring in the last decade, the earthquakes that Jesus spoke of seem to be taking place. Also, massive hurricanes have occurred in the United States in recent years. Hurricane Katrina caused enormous damage in New Orleans, Louisiana and surrounding areas in 2005. Several hurricanes since then have caused significant property damage and some loss of life.

Jesus also spoke of famine occurring in various places during the final years before His return. Famine is incomprehensible to many well-fed Americans. However, the fact is that more than 500 million people now are living in absolute poverty in Asian, African and Latin American countries.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Committee recently stated that 1 in 12 people worldwide is malnourished. Even though most Americans have no experience with famine, there is no question that famine is being experienced in the world today.

Even homeless people and people on welfare in the United States are fed much better than the more than 800 million people in the world today who go to bed hungry every night. Most Americans cannot comprehend how quickly famine could increase in many countries if successive droughts occur or if very cold winters or other weather-related conditions have a widespread effect on crops.

Please give careful thought to the following words that were written more than _nineteen hundred_ _years ago_ explaining exactly what people would be like during the last days before Jesus Christ returns. "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." (II Timothy 3:2-4 niv)

We believe that these anointed words that were written long ago by the apostle Paul give an accurate description of many people today. Our generation has been referred to as the "Me generation" since the 1980s. There is no question that people on the whole are much more selfish and money-oriented than they were when your parents and grandparents were your age.

Paul spoke of people in the end times generation loving pleasure more than they love God. We live in a hedonistic society where the pursuit of pleasure is the primary goal of many people. Our generation gives tremendous honor to professional athletes, movie stars and other entertainers. The enormous financial income that these people receive is a clear indication of the distorted value system of our culture.

Many people in our generation are contemptuous of the teachings of the Bible. They are completely ignorant of the forthcoming return of Jesus Christ. When they hear someone say that we live in the last days before Jesus returns, they react with disdain. "...you must know and understand this, that scoffers (mockers) will come in the last days with scoffing, [people who] walk after their own fleshly desires." (II Peter 3:3 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "people who walk after their own fleshly desires" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. All over the word today people are consumed with their selfish desires. These people have no concept whatsoever of what is taking place in the spiritual realm.

Many people who hear talk of our generation living in the last days before Jesus Christ returns take this talk lightly. They think that everything will continue just as it has been. They have blind faith in this respect. Their faith is in worldly systems, not in God.

The moral climate in our generation is similar to the moral climate that existed in Sodom, Gomorrah and other cities that God destroyed because of their wickedness. Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities located on the Dead Sea. God rained fire and brimstone from heaven on Sodom and Gomorrah as He destroyed these cities.

The following description of Sodom is similar to what II Timothy 3:24 says about the world in general and the United States in particular today. "Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, overabundance of food, prosperous ease, and idleness were hers and her daughters'; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abominable offenses before Me; therefore I removed them when I saw it and I saw fit." (Ezekiel 16:49-50 amp)

God also reached the end of His patience with the world during the time when Noah lived. The moral climate in our generation is similar to the moral climate that existed before God destroyed mankind leaving only Noah, his family and a large number of animals to start over again. Jesus said, "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew 24:37-39 niv)

Many people today are primarily interested in eating, drinking and partying. They live very superficial lives that are primarily devoted to the pursuit of worldly pleasures. They have no concept whatsoever of what is coming upon the world.

We must understand that God's judgment _will_ come against the world. We do _not_ know _when_ God's judgment will take place. The following words that God spoke through the angel Gabriel to the high priest Zechariah apply to us today. _Only God knows_ when the full manifestation of the prophetic words concerning the last days will take place. "...my words are of a kind which will be fulfilled in the appointed and proper time." (Luke 1:20 amp)

Out of all of the generations of people who have lived since the Bible was written, there is one generation that will be alive during the last days before Jesus Christ returns. We believe that our generation is this generation. Jesus said, "...I say to you, this generation (the whole multitude of people living at that one time) positively will not perish or pass away before all these things take place." (Mark 13:30 amp)

Everything that you have been reading about will occur before Jesus returns. Your Father has given you specific instructions pertaining to the last days before the return of Jesus Christ. The holy Scriptures "...were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period)." (I Corinthians 10:11 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "we in whose days the ages have reached their climax" in this verse of Scripture. These words refer to the generation that will live on earth during the last days before Jesus returns.

Your Father has provided "good instruction" for you during these last days. God will raise up many anointed preachers and teachers to guide our generation to the spiritual maturity that will be absolutely essential during these difficult times. God said, "...I will give you [spiritual] shepherds after My own heart [in the final time], who will feed you with knowledge and understanding and judgment." (Jeremiah 3:15 amp)

At the same time that God will provide scriptural instruction, Satan will attempt to deceive many people in the world. "...the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (I Timothy 4:1 kjv)

We believe that the time is near when many people will pay a severe price if they have ignored the specific instructions God has provided. The Holy Spirit Who lives in the heart of each person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior can and will guide all Christians during the difficult times that are coming. "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people..." (Acts 2:17 niv)

_You should not be discouraged_ by all of the negative facts we have explained at the beginning of this book. These facts have been provided to alert you to prepare for the difficult times that are coming or may already be here when you read this book. "When you are in tribulation and all these things come upon you, in the latter days you will turn to the Lord your God and be obedient to His voice. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not fail you or destroy you or forget the covenant of your fathers, which He swore to them." (Deuteronomy 4:30-31 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "turn to the Lord your God and be obedient to His voice" in this passage of Scripture. If there ever was a time when people need to draw closer to God, the time is now.

You must learn and obey the specific instructions that God has given to you. You must learn and believe wholeheartedly in God's promises. You must grow in your relationship with God. There is _no_ other way to survive the difficult times that are coming.

Your Father _is merciful_. Please highlight or underline the words "He will _not_ fail you or destroy you" in this verse of Scripture. Trust God completely to be with you throughout every minute of every hour of every day (see Genesis 28:15, Isaiah 43:2-3, Joshua 1:9 and Matthew 28:20). _Know_ that God will help you when you face adversity (see Isaiah 41:13, Hebrews 4:16 and Hebrews 13:6).

# Chapter 2  
World Conditions That Give Cause for Concern

We would like to look again at a verse of Scripture that we used at the beginning of Chapter 1. This time we will focus even more on this verse from the perspective of exactly what is taking place in the world as this book is written. Jesus said, "...upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity [without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn]..." (Luke 21:25 amp)

Although other versions of the Bible do not specifically emphasize in this verse of Scripture that economic problems will be a concern in the last days before Jesus Christ returns, we once again suggest that you highlight or underline the words in the amplification of this verse of Scripture that say "without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn."

These words were included by a group of scholars that spent more than twenty thousand hours writing _The Amplified Bible._ The words "without resources" and "left wanting" indicate that these scholars believe that economic concerns will be part of the problems people will face during the last days before Jesus Christ returns.

We are _not_ trained economists. However, we will list several financial concerns that are occurring as this book is written. There is no question that the world, and particularly the United States, faces severe economic challenges at this time.

As we briefly explain the possible reasons for economic concerns, we want to point out that many of our comments apply to the United States where we live. Parts of this chapter will apply to the entire world. Some parts will apply only to the United States.

The economy of the United States has been fueled by borrowed money for many years. This practice does not conform to the instructions of God Who said, "...keep out of debt." (Romans 13:8 amp)

The United States has been living far beyond its means. This country has the largest national debt in the history of the world. The United States also operates at an enormous annual deficit. Our country is far from having a balanced budget as this book is written. If individuals or businesses operated in this way, they would be headed for disaster.

As this book is written, the economy in the United States is in a recession. This recession originally was fueled by falling home prices and a massive number of mortgage foreclosures. Many of these foreclosures were caused by people borrowing money to buy real estate that they could not afford.

Many mortgage lenders lent money to people who should not have qualified for the loans they were given. The result of these loans has been that many mortgage payments were in default, many properties were foreclosed and many people owed much more on their homes than the property was worth.

In addition, many people have made home equity loans against their homes. Home equity loans have skyrocketed in recent years. Many people have refinanced their mortgages.

Selling real estate in the United States is very difficult at the time this book is written. Mortgage lenders have written off billions of dollars in uncollected loans. Loss of expected income from these mortgages has crippled many of these firms.

The United States government has taken unprecedented action to infuse money into the economy. Our government has spent hundreds of billions of dollars in an effort to bail out large financial firms that were on the brink of bankruptcy and to stimulate the economy.

Several large investment and lending firms have declared bankruptcy or been purchased at rock bottom prices by their competitors. Many major corporations are burdened with tremendous debt. Some banks have failed and many other banks are in poor financial condition.

The Dow Jones Average has dropped by almost 40% in one year as this book is written. More than eight trillion dollars of assets have been wiped out. Some people have lost 50% or more of their assets. Many of these people are in a state of panic.

Unemployment has risen by almost one million jobs in the last year. General Motors has announced plans to cut a large number of jobs and to stop production at several assembly plants. The major automobile dealers in the United States have received billions of dollars of bail-out money from the federal government. As this book is written, the incoming presidential administration and Congress reportedly are planning an enormous public stimulus package of up to one trillion dollars to get the economy moving again.

Will our economy turn around? We hope and pray that it will. The long term history of the stock market in the United States _is_ a cause for optimism. Cycles in the stock market have occurred for many years. Periods of declining value in stocks _always_ have been followed by periods of growth.

The average increase in the Standard & Poor 500 Index was over 11% during the last twenty years. During this period of time, the S&P Index dropped by at least 15% eighteen times. In every case the value of the market was increased within one year. Stock market optimists point out that the history of the stock market indicates that investors should not allow short term fluctuations to cause panic.

Once again, we want to emphasize that that we are students of the Bible, _not_ trained economists. We do _not_ know if our economy is about to fail or if it will turn around. We do know that economic conditions in the world today definitely are a potential problem. God could use economic problems as part of His judgment on the world.

In Chapter 1 we shared several passages of Scripture pertaining to God's judgment on the world during the last days before Jesus Christ returns. In addition to the economy, there are other areas that could precipitate God's judgment.

Many Christians believe that the moral decay in the United States will bring the judgment of God upon our country. _The Amplified Bible_ version of II Timothy 3:3 says that people will be "loose in morals" during the last days before Jesus Christ returns. The moral decay that exists in the United States today would have been almost incomprehensible to our parents and grandparents.

One of the major factors that many mature Christians believe ultimately will bring God's judgment on the United States is legalized abortion. The United States government has legalized the murder of more than forty-eight million babies since abortion was legalized. An average of 4,000 babies are killed every day even though the Bible says, "You shall not commit murder." (Exodus 20:13 amp)

The United States of America was founded on biblical principles. We believe that God has granted favor to this country for many years because this country was founded as a godly country based upon scriptural principles.

In recent years our nation has turned more and more away from God and His Word. The United States has not been a Christian nation for many years. Our generation is primarily a generation of unbelievers. This country has steadily pushed God out of our schools and out of our courts.

The judicial branch of the US government has usurped tremendous power in recent years since the Roe v Wade decision in the Supreme Court in 1973. Our judicial system has repeatedly made decisions that are in direct opposition to specific instructions in the Bible.

In addition to the massive number of abortions, many other areas of moral decay exist in the United States and throughout the world today. The sexual relationship between a man and a woman is a gift from God that is meant to be enjoyed between a husband and a wife. People who violate God's instructions in this area commit adultery if they are married or fornication if they are not married. These sexual sins specifically disobey one of the Ten Commandments that says "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14 kjv)

Recent reports from the US Census Bureau indicate that there are more than five million unmarried partner homes in the United States. The number of unmarried couples living together has almost doubled during the last ten years.

The Gay Rights Movement that has swept throughout the United States and the world in recent years is referred to in the Bible as "...vile affections and degrading passions. For their women exchanged their natural function for an unnatural and abnormal one, and the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another--men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution." (Romans 1:26-27 amp)

The Bible describes homosexual relationships as "vile," "degrading" and "abnormal." The holy Scriptures refer to these relationships as "shameful acts." God's Word speaks of "the inevitable consequences" and "fitting retribution" for homosexuality. We will not make any other comments on this subject. The Word of God says everything we need to know.

Many sexual sins have their root in pornography. In 1973 Americans spent approximately ten million dollars a year on pornography. This figure has risen to more than eight billion dollars today. The multibillion dollar pornography industry has become increasingly graphic.

Pornography that previously was perceived as shocking and gross now has become common and acceptable to many people. The widespread sexual degradation that we see in the world today is fed by many of our movies, books, television programs, videotapes and DVDs.

The moral standards of television and movies that would have seemed shocking a few short years ago are treated casually by many people today. Surveys have indicated that more than two-thirds of all programs on American television contain sexual content. The violence in our movies, television programs, videotapes and DVDs is a primary cause of the tremendous increase of violence in the United States in recent years.

Our bookstores and libraries are filled with books that describe sex in terms that would have been unthinkable just a few short years ago. Movies that are rated R, PG, and PG13 are filled with sex, profanity and violence.

Sexually oriented businesses such as strip clubs and massage parlors are flourishing. Sexual abuse of children has increased tremendously. Recent surveys estimate that one out of every four girls and one out of every six boys in the United States will be sexually molested before their eighteenth birthday.

We believe that God's judgment _will_ fall on the United States. We believe that the question is _when_ , not if. God has been incredibly merciful to the United States for many years. When will He decide that enough is enough?

The facts in these first two chapters clearly indicate that difficult times are coming upon the world. Are these problems that are described in the holy Scriptures imminent? Are they a few years away?... five or ten or more years away? We do not know. However, the facts in these two chapters give you clear warning that you _should_ learn exactly what the Bible instructs you to do when you face adversity.

The future is uncertain. If there ever has been a time to draw closer to God, this is that time. "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." (I Peter 4:7 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "clear minded and self-controlled" in this prophetic verse of Scripture. Your mind and your heart should be filled to overflowing with God's Word so that your thoughts, words and actions will not be governed by the panic that will sweep the world in the not too distant future.

Our goal is to help you to grow in your relationship with God. We want to help you to place your hand in His. We want to help you to know God so that you will be secure in Him regardless of the circumstances you face.

The remainder of this book is filled with hundreds of passages of Scripture that tell you exactly what your Father instructs you to do when you face adversity. Even if the scriptural facts that are explained in these two chapters do not occur immediately, shouldn't you know exactly what God's Word tells you to do to cope with adversity that you could experience individually even if world conditions are relatively stable? We pray that the facts from God's supernatural living Word in the remainder of this book will bless you, strengthen you and comfort you.

# Chapter 3  
Turn Away from the World

Many people today, particularly in the United States, are relatively complacent because their lives have been good for a number of years. These people are doing exactly what Satan wants them to do. Satan wants people to be complacent. "...they walk on in the darkness [of complacent satisfaction]..." (Psalm 82:5 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "the darkness [of complacent satisfaction]" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. The word "darkness" in the Bible often refers to Satan and the word "light" refers to God. Satan and his demons do everything they can to influence as many people as possible to be complacent. They do not want you to spend the time and effort to study, learn and obey God's specific instructions that tell you exactly what to do when you face adversity.

God knows that many people will not turn to Him unless they face severe adversity. The Bible gives us an excellent example of this principle when it explains what happens with a mother eagle and her baby eaglets. "As an eagle that stirs up her nest, that flutters over her young, He spread abroad His wings and He took them, He bore them on His pinions." (Deuteronomy 32:11 amp)

Baby eaglets want to stay in the nest where they are warm and comfortable and food is provided for them. The mother knows when the time has come for the baby to leave. When this time comes, the mother shakes the nest until the baby eaglet falls out. When the eaglet is falling through the air, instinctively flapping its little wings, the mother eagle watches closely.

When the eaglet cannot fly any more, the mother eagle flies underneath and catches the baby on her powerful wings. After awhile she lets the baby go again and allows him to fly a little more before she catches him again. Eaglets learn to fly as this process continues. We believe that this process is similar to what God will allow to happen to cause many people to grow and mature during the difficult times that are coming.

The difficult problems that will come upon the world could turn out to be one of the greatest blessings that many people have ever experienced. This adversity will be a great blessing in your life if these problems motivate you to learn, obey and believe in the Word of God. You will be like the psalmist who said, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now Your word do I keep [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]." (Psalm 119:67 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "went astray" in this verse of Scripture. These words describe the attitude of all unbelievers in the world today. These people do not walk with God. Many others who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior and will live eternally in heaven are not obeying their Father's specific instructions to consistently study and meditate on His Word.

Please highlight or underline the words "hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants you to _love_ His Word. He wants you to hear His Word and to receive it continually. He wants you to be strongly motivated to learn and obey the specific instructions He has given to you.

You should be like the psalmist who said, "...I delight in your law. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold." (Psalm 119:70-72 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "it was good for me to be afflicted" in this passage of Scripture. _Why_ was it _good_ for the psalmist to go through a season of affliction? This adversity was good because it motivated him to learn from God's Word.

He eventually came to the point where he _delighted_ in God's Word. When you delight in something, you receive great joy from whatever you delight in. _Are_ _you_ receiving _great joy_ from your daily Bible study and Scripture meditation?

Your Father does not want you to make the mistake that many people are making today. These people work diligently to earn excessive money over and above the needs of their families so that they can afford to buy luxuries. The Bible does instruct you to work hard. "...if a man will not work, he shall not eat." (II Thessalonians 3:10 niv)

Much of your discretionary time after providing for your needs and the needs of your family should be focused on continually drawing closer to God instead of striving to earn additional income to purchase luxuries. Your Father knows what the future holds. He knows what problems you will face and when you will face them. He knows exactly what you need to do now to prepare for the future.

God has done His part. He has given you a Book of Instructions that is filled with thousands of specific instructions and promises. You must do your part. You should consistently fill your mind and your heart with the supernatural Word of God so that you _will_ be able to walk in victory whenever you face adversity whether this adversity is worldwide or individual problems that you will face.

You have seen that a widespread spirit of fear will increase steadily during the last days before Jesus Christ returns (see Luke 21:26). Unbelievers have no alternative except to turn to worldly sources for help. All of their security comes from the world.

There is only one absolute source of security – God Himself. This book is filled with specific instructions from your Father telling you exactly what to do to continually draw closer to Him so that you will trust _Him_ completely to provide the security you must have. "He who walks uprightly walks securely..." (Proverbs 10:9 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "walks uprightly" in this verse of Scripture. When you walk uprightly, you live a righteous life. You live your life to the very best of your ability in complete obedience to God's instructions.

Check your life for holiness. Are there any areas where you allow Satan to control? Have you accepted habits that dishonor God? You often will be unable to hear God speak to you if you have any blockages that will hinder you from hearing His voice.

When sin has a foothold in your life in any way, you distance yourself from God. You must ask God for the desire and strength to silence every bondage in your life. Your very life could depend upon it.

Unbelievers and Christians who do not have a close and intimate relationship with God will panic if the worldly security they have trusted in for so long erodes. There is no reason to panic. If your security is in God and you trust Him completely, you will react with calm and quiet confidence in Him when you face adversity (see Isaiah 30:15). You will not give in to the doubt, discouragement and despair that will sweep across the world during the difficult times that are coming.

You must not place your trust in worldly sources of security. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, this world is _not_ your home. "...we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven..." (Philippians 3:20 amp)

If your true home is in heaven, you should turn to God for security instead of turning to worldly sources of security. Your life should not be centered around the things of this world. Unbelievers have no choice except to center their lives around the world. Unfortunately, many Christians also center most of their lives around the world.

The truth is that you are turning _away_ from God to the exact degree that you love the world. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (I John 2:15-16 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" in this passage of Scripture. You must not love anyone or anything in the world more than you love God. God should be in first place in every aspect of your life (see Matthew 6:33).

You must understand the necessity of turning _away_ from the world to turn more and more toward God. The world has become increasingly superficial in recent years. Your thoughts, words and actions should be centered on God, not on the superficial ways of the world. "...Turn away from the irreverent babble and godless chatter, with the vain and empty and worldly phrases, and the subtleties and the contradictions in what is falsely called knowledge and spiritual illumination." (I Timothy 6:20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "turn away" in this verse of Scripture. You will not be able to walk in victory during adversity unless you consistently turn away from the world and turn _toward_ God. "If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world's crude and elemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world?..." (Colossians 2:20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "died with Christ to material ways of looking at things" in this verse of Scripture. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you should die from focusing on the ways of the world just as Jesus died for you. You should focus constantly on heavenly principles instead of focusing on the ways of the world.

Some Christians live moral lives and attend church regularly, but their lives still are focused primarily on the world. You must not make this mistake. "...Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God." (James 4:4 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "God's enemy" and "an enemy of God" in this verse of Scripture. No Christian wants to be God's enemy, but the truth is that you _are_ God's enemy if your life is centered around the things of the world instead of constantly being centered around God.

Your Father consistently instructs you to turn away from the world and to turn toward Him. "...He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature." (II Peter 1:4 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "His precious and exceedingly great promises" in this verse of Scripture. When something is in excess of being great, it is absolutely awesome. God's Word is _so great_ that you actually can partake of His divine nature.

This promise from God is mind-boggling. You, with all of your faults, shortcomings and imperfections, have been given the ability to partake of the supernatural nature of God.

As you come to know more and more about God's Word, the Bible, you will learn how to turn away from the "moral decay" that is in the world. As more and more of the evil ways of the world are stripped away by your obedience to the Bible, you will become more like God. The nature of God will develop in you.

In this chapter you have learned many facts from the holy Scriptures. You can see that God sometimes will allow adversity to come into your life to influence you to turn away from the ways of the world to draw closer to Him.

You must understand the vital importance of this scriptural truth. If you sincerely desire to learn how to walk in victory over adversity, you will obey your Father's instructions to constantly turn away from the things of the world to develop a closer and more intimate relationship with Him.

# Chapter 4  
God Can Solve Every Problem

You will not be able to cope with severe adversity unless you learn how to receive wisdom from God. "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him." (James 1:5 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "it will be given to him" in this verse of Scripture. When you lack wisdom, God _will_ give His supernatural wisdom to you according to your faith in Him.

People who turn to worldly sources for wisdom when they face adversity will be disappointed. "...where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living." (Job 28:12-13 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "cannot be found" in this passage of Scripture. The world does _not_ have the answers for the difficult problems you will face during the last days before Jesus Christ returns. "...this world's wisdom is foolishness (absurdity and stupidity) with God..." (I Corinthians 3:19 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "foolishness, absurdity and stupidity" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. You must not make the mistake of seeking wisdom from a source that your Father says is foolish. Many people will be frustrated during the difficult times that are coming when they find that the wisdom of the world is completely inadequate. "...The Lord knows the thoughts and reasonings of the [humanly] wise and recognizes how futile they are." (I Corinthians 3:20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "futile" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants you to know that human wisdom will not be sufficient to solve the difficult problems that are coming upon the world. "...in much [human] wisdom is much vexation..." (Ecclesiastes 1:18 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "much vexation" in this verse of Scripture. The word "vexation" means distress. The more that people turn to worldly sources for wisdom during difficult times, the more frustrated they will become. You must learn to look at the world, the ways of the world and the wisdom of the world from God's perspective.

The truth is that many people in the United States have _more_ faith in the government of this country and in the economy than they do in God. People in the world will panic when difficult times come upon the world and they see their worldly sources of security falling apart. The _only_ solution to the severe problems the world will face is God Himself.

As times grow increasingly worse, many people will have to change their attitude toward God. Instead of ignoring God or nominally acknowledging Him, God must become the _center_ of _every_ day of your life.

How can people live without God? How can anyone go day after day without a continual consciousness of God's indwelling presence and a heart that is filled with God's supernatural Word?

This is exactly what many people do. They place all of their hopes on the fragile things of the world. They expect the political leaders in their country to solve serious problems. "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." (Psalm 118:8-9 kjv)

This passage of Scripture warns you against trusting primarily in human beings. When God's Word speaks of putting confidence in "princes," it refers to putting confidence in government leaders instead of trusting in God. You must understand that it is _much better_ to place your trust in the Lord than to trust in any human beings, no matter how well-intentioned and proficient they may be.

You must not make the mistake of placing your trust in anyone or anything except God and His Word. Jesus said, "...You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor God's power." (Matthew 22:29 amp)

These words that Jesus spoke to a group of Sadducees who questioned Him also apply to you today. You will not be able to cope with severe adversity unless you are continually studying and meditating on the holy Scriptures to learn exactly what your Father instructs you to do to partake of His mighty supernatural power. You must learn and obey God's instructions. You must learn and have absolute faith in your Father's promises.

When you face circumstances that seem to have no possible solution, you must turn to God Who knows _exactly_ what to do to solve problems that seem to be impossible to solve from a worldly perspective. Jesus said, "...The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." (Luke 18:27 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "the things which are impossible with men" in this verse of Scripture. You must _not_ allow seemingly unsolvable problems to pull you down. _Know_ that God can and will solve these problems according to your faith in Him (see Matthew 9:29).

God _will_ help you if you do your part by doing exactly what He instructs you to do. Your Father wants you to trust Him completely instead of depending on worldly sources to provide what you need. Jesus said, "...with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "all things" in this verse of Scripture. These words include _every_ problem you will ever face at any time. Now is the time for you to learn and obey the specific instructions your Father has given you to teach you how to cope with adversity. This book is filled with these instructions.

# Chapter 5  
God's Awesome Power is More Than Sufficient

You have seen that very difficult times will be coming on the world. You have learned why many people will be completely unprepared. We have looked into the Word of God to see that the world does not have any answer for the problems that are coming.

Where do you turn? You turn to the _only_ place where there is an answer to these seemingly unsolvable problems. You turn to God and place _all_ of your trust in Him.

The problems that seem so overwhelming to you are _not_ overwhelming to God. God is omnipotent. The word "omni" means "all." The word "potent" means powerful and mighty. God has _all_ power. Nothing that is taking place on the earth, no matter how difficult it may seem, is a challenge to God's mighty power. "...the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." (Revelation 19:6 kjv)

God always is in complete control, whether it seems that way or not. When you face problems that seem to have no solution, you should turn to the One Who can solve every problem, no matter how difficult it seems.

God is so great that your limited human understanding cannot even begin to comprehend the magnitude of His majesty and power. "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all." (I Chronicles 29:11-12 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "head over all" in this passage of Scripture. The word "all" includes whatever problems you will face at any time. God "reigns over _all_." His mighty power is more than sufficient. He can and will "give strength to _all_."

Once again, the word "all" includes you. Your Father _will_ give you the strength to do what you cannot possibly do with your limited human abilities (see Psalm 29:11, Isaiah 40:28-31, II Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 2:10 and Philippians 4:13). Focus continually on these passages of Scripture and the scriptural facts in this chapter pertaining to God's incredible power, might and majesty.

God is not sitting on His throne in heaven wringing His hands wondering how He can solve the seemingly difficult problems that you face. "Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite." (Psalm 147:5 kjv)

God knows exactly what to do when you do not know what to do. Please highlight or underline the words "his understanding is infinite" in this verse of Scripture. The word "infinite" means without limits. There is _no limit_ to the power and understanding of God. "...what He wants to do, that He does." (Job 23:13 amp)

Nothing can stop God from doing what He wants to do. Your Father instructs you to constantly turn to Him with deep, strong and unwavering faith. He wants you to turn to His Word with absolute faith, knowing that He will do exactly what He says He will do. "...with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment." (Luke 1:37 amp)

The same God Whose mighty power created everyone and everything in heaven and on earth is never overwhelmed by anything that takes place on the earth that He created. "Alas, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! There is nothing too hard or too wonderful for You" (Jeremiah 32:17 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "nothing" in this verse of Scripture. Absolutely nothing is too difficult for God. Refuse to focus on the seemingly unsolvable problems you face. Focus continually on God Who can solve problems that seem to have no solution. "...The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. (Nahum 1:3 amp)

The storms in your life are not difficult for God to solve. He "has His way" at all times. Refuse to allow the problems you face to seem like big, big problems and to allow God to seem like little, little God. Just the opposite is true! "...O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations." (Psalm 65:5-7 niv)

Your Father is so mighty and so powerful that He is able to "still the roaring of the seas." Do you face problems that seem to be overwhelming? Focus continually on these scriptural facts pertaining to God's great power. You must _not_ allow the storms that you face to seem more powerful than Almighty God. "O Lord, God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven? And do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? In Your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand You." (II Chronicles 20:6 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "none is able to withstand You" in this verse of Scripture. God rules over _everything_ on earth. Nothing on earth is able to withstand His awesome might and power.

The world will be very chaotic during the final days before Jesus Christ returns for His church. Circumstances will become _so_ difficult that the President of the United States and other government leaders throughout the world will _not_ have any solution to the difficult problems that will pervade the earth. These men may be in positions of power in the natural realm, but they still are mere human beings.

You must turn with complete faith to the God Who gave these people the authority to rule their nations. _Only God_ will be able to solve the problems the world will face during the end times. "By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth." (Proverbs 8:15-16 kjv)

When this passage of Scripture speaks of kings and princes, it refers to all government leaders. God gave these leaders the limited worldly authority that they have. He knows exactly what to do when government leaders do not know what to do.

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you have the supernatural strength and power of God _within yourself_ (see Zephaniah 3:17, Luke 17:21, John 4:10, I Corinthians 3:16, II Corinthians 13:5, Ephesians 3:17 and Colossians 2:10) _._ The Bible speaks of "...the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places]" (Ephesians 1:19-20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power" in this passage of Scripture. Meditate on these awesome words. God's power is _so great_ that human beings cannot begin to measure it.

Please highlight or underline the words "in and for us who believe" in this passage of Scripture. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you can be absolutely certain that the awesome power of God is _in you_ and that God's mighty power _will_ work for you _if_ you truly believe it will.

God is so mighty and powerful that He was able to raise Jesus Christ from the dead and sit Jesus next to Him in heaven. If God was able to do this, He certainly can solve whatever problems you face.

Your Father wants you to trust Him completely. He wants to help you. However, you must do your part. You must _know_ exactly what His Word says He will do. The Bible says that _God's people_ are _destroyed_ for lack of knowledge (see Hosea 4:6).

You must _know_ what God has said He will do to help you. You must _obey_ His specific instructions. You must know the promises that God has given to you. You must have _absolute faith_ in Him. You _cannot_ please your Father without faith (see Hebrews 11:6). "...the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him." (II Chronicles 16:9 amp)

During the difficult times that will prevail during the last days before Jesus Christ returns, God will search the earth to find which of His children have paid the price to learn exactly what they should do during these difficult times. He will search for His children who have deep, strong and unwavering faith in Him.

He will find these children by the purity and humility of their lives. They will be totally devoted to Him. They will trust Him completely because of their close and intimate relationship with Him.

When you face difficult problems that seem to have no solution, you must have absolute faith that your Father knows exactly what to do to solve these problems. Refuse to give up. God says, "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." (Isaiah 42:16 niv)

When you cannot see any way out of the problems you face, your Father _can_ see the way out. He _will_ guide you out of these seemingly impossible problems if you trust Him completely. He will lead you down paths that you know nothing of. He will turn darkness into light. He will never forsake you or leave you.

Go back over the Scripture references in this chapter. Meditate on these facts pertaining to God's mighty power. Refuse to allow any problems you face to seem greater than God. _Nothing_ is greater than Almighty God. Place _all_ of your trust in Him.

# Chapter 6  
Jesus Christ Has Given You a Total, Complete and Absolute Victory

You have seen that very difficult times will be coming upon the world. You have seen that most people will be completely unprepared. There are no answers to be found in the world. The only answer is the mighty power of God.

In this chapter you will learn facts from the holy Scriptures about the magnificent victory that Jesus Christ has won for _you_. Jesus won a tremendous victory over death (see Isaiah 25:8, I Corinthians 15:54-54, II Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 2:14-15 and Revelation 1:17-18). He also won an enormous victory in regard to every aspect of your life on earth.

God loves you so much that He sent His beloved Son to earth to die an agonizing death on the cross at Calvary to pay the full price for all of your sins. Jesus shed His precious blood to pay in full the debt that you owe to God for your sins.

You will live eternally in the glory of heaven if you genuinely repent of your sins and trust completely in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation. "...God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 kjv)

Jesus rose from the dead after He died on the cross at Calvary (see Matthew 28:1-17). Because Jesus rose from the dead, He has given every person who receives Him as Savior a total, complete and absolute victory over death and the problems this person will face on earth. Just before He left the earth to ascend into heaven, Jesus said, "...All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." (Matthew 28:18 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "all" in this verse of Scripture. Jesus Christ has absolute authority over everything in heaven and everything that takes place on earth.

The verse of Scripture on the cover of this book is filled with facts about the tremendous victory that Jesus won for _you._ Jesus said, "...In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" (John 16:33 amp)

The first part of this verse of Scripture includes whatever problems you will face during the last days before Jesus returns. The world definitely will experience severe "tribulation and trials and distress and frustration" at that time.

Jesus did not stop there. Please highlight or underline the words "be of good cheer" in this verse of Scripture. Jesus does not want you to be discouraged by the trials and tribulations that will pervade the earth during the final days before He returns. He wants you to be cheerful, positive and optimistic.

Please highlight or underline the words in the amplification of this verse of Scripture that tell you to "take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted." You are instructed to "take courage" from God instead of allowing yourself to become discouraged. Jesus wants you to have complete confidence in Him. He wants you to be certain that He will help you.

Why should you be so optimistic in the face of trials and tribulations? Please highlight or underline the words "I have overcome the world" in this verse of Scripture. Jesus has _overcome_ every problem you will face throughout your life on earth.

Please highlight or underline the amplification at the end of this verse of Scripture where Jesus said that He has "deprived the world of power to harm you and have conquered it for you." You must not allow the difficult circumstances you face to pull you down. Focus continually on the reality of the victory that Jesus won for you instead of focusing on the seeming severity of the problems you face.

Jesus has made it possible for you to experience His supernatural peace whenever you face adversity (see Psalm 119:165, Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 48:18, John 14:27, Galatians 5:22 and Philippians 4:6-7). Jesus wants you to have absolute confidence in the victory He has won for you. We will "...reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." (Romans 5:17 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "in life" in this verse of Scripture. This verse of Scripture does not say that you will reign in heaven. It says that you will reign during your life on earth. "...thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory]..." (II Corinthians 2:14 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "always" in this verse of Scripture. Jesus Christ has given you victory over _every_ problem you will ever face. There is no question that you have been given a magnificent victory. The only question is how deep your faith in God is and how much faith you have in these scriptural _facts_ pertaining to the victory that Jesus Christ has won for you.

These are not just nice sounding words. Do you know God and His Word _so well_ that you have absolute faith in God? Every person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior automatically will live in the victory of Jesus Christ in heaven. Victory on earth is _not_ automatic. If you want to walk in the victory that Jesus won for you during your life here on earth, you must do your part.

You must learn exactly what God's Word says about the victory you have been given. You must persevere with deep, strong and unwavering faith in God for as long as your Father requires you to persevere until this victory is manifested in your life. "...everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (I John 5:4-5 niv)

Have you been born again spiritually? Is Jesus Christ your Savior? If Jesus is your Savior, please highlight or underline the words " _everyone_ born of God overcomes the world" in this verse of Scripture. Please note the emphasis that is placed on _your faith_ in the last portion of this passage of Scripture. You must be absolutely certain deep down in your heart that Jesus Christ has won a victory that will overcome the world.

You will face very difficult problems during the last days before Jesus returns. If you are _absolutely certain_ that Jesus has given you a total, complete and absolute victory, you will not be afraid. "...neither shall you be afraid of destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh..." (Job 5:21-22 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "laugh" in this passage of Scripture. Laughing is the last thing that most people feel like doing when they face potential destruction and famine. Laughing at such a severe time does not make any sense whatsoever from a worldly perspective. God's perspective is completely different from the perspective of the world (see Isaiah 55:9).

If you know the Lord Jesus Christ intimately, you will be empowered, strengthened and filled with joy as you face difficulties. You are a member of the army of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Spend time with God every day. Grow in your understanding of the Bible. Understand what God has done, is doing and will do. Enjoy your heavenly Father.

# Chapter 7  
The Supernatural Power of the Word of God

You have just read many facts from the Bible about the victory that Jesus Christ won. If Jesus is your Savior, this magnificent victory has been won for you. What exactly should you do to walk in this victory when you face difficult problems?

The first step to walking in victory is to know, to understand and to learn how to apply the supernatural power of the Word of God, the Bible. You should approach the holy Scriptures each day with absolute certainty that every word in the Bible comes from God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (II Timothy 3:16 kjv)

God has emphasized that the words in the Bible were _not_ written through the limited understanding of the approximately forty human authors of the Bible. The apostle Paul said, "...the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ" in this passage of Scripture. Paul explained that every word he wrote did not come from any human source. The words that Paul wrote were revealed to him by Jesus Christ.

Paul placed additional emphasis on the supernatural origin of the Bible when he said, "...when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it]." (I Thessalonians 2:13 amp)

God often emphasizes through repetition. Once again you are told that the Word of God was _not_ written from the limited understanding of the human authors of the Bible. Please highlight or underline the words "exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture.

The Word of God is filled with God's "superhuman power." God's great power will be released in your life _if_ you learn and obey His instructions and if you trust completely in Him and His promises. Obedience to God and deep, strong and unwavering faith in God and His Word are the keys to walking in the victory that Jesus Christ won for you.

The prophet Jeremiah also emphasized that the words he wrote came from the Lord. "This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you." (Jeremiah 30:1-2 niv)

You have just read four passages of Scripture telling you that the words in the Bible come from the Lord. Every aspect of your life should revolve around your absolute certainty that God Himself has given you instructions and promises in the Bible that will enable you to walk in the victory that Jesus Christ won for you.

We would like to give you some specific facts from the Bible that will clearly indicate the divine origin of the holy Scriptures. The following verse of Scripture gives you a very simple comparison between what the world believes and what God says is true.

For many years everyone believed that the world was flat. These people could have looked in the Bible long before scientists discovered that the world was round to find out that "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth..." (Isaiah 40:22 niv)

Please highlight or underline the word "circle" in this verse of Scripture. If the people of that time knew that the Bible was inspired by God, they would have studied and meditated on it constantly. They would have understood that the world was round, regardless of what worldly scientists believed.

Another way to be certain that the Bible truly is inspired by God is to study the accurate prophecies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the New Testament. One example is the statement that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. "...the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us]." (Isaiah 7:14 amp)

Joseph and Mary never had a physical relationship before Jesus was born. Mary became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. "...the birth of Jesus Christ took place under these circumstances: When His mother Mary had been promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be pregnant [through the power] of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:18 amp)

A virgin birth is impossible based upon human logic and reasoning. However, you have just seen that the virgin Mary became pregnant not from Joseph, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The New Testament confirms the accuracy of the remarkable prophecy in Isaiah 7:14. "Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel--which, when translated, means, God with us." (Matthew 1:23 amp)

Human logic says that a man and a woman create a child. God's ways are vastly different from the ways of the world (see Isaiah 55:8-9). The Messiah _had_ to be born of a virgin. If He was not, He would be a descendant of Adam and he would have inherited Adam's sin nature. The great wisdom of God is shown in the virgin birth of the Messiah.

Not only was this birth prophesied in the Old Testament, but also the place of the birth of Jesus Christ was prophesied. How could anyone predict _more than seven hundred years_ before His birth that Jesus would be born in the small town of Bethlehem? This is exactly what the prophet Micah did. "...you, Bethlehem Ephratah, you are little to be among the clans of Judah; [yet] out of you shall One come forth for Me Who is to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from ancient days (eternity)." (Micah 5:2 amp)

This prophecy is amazing. Bethlehem is a small town located approximately five miles south of Jerusalem. The New Testament confirms the accuracy of this prophecy when it says that "...Jesus was born in Bethlehem..." (Matthew 2:1 kjv) How can any thinking person deny that the Bible truly is inspired by God Himself when they read these accurate prophecies?

We would like to give you one more prophecy to give further credibility that the Bible truly is inspired by God. Long before the birth and death of Jesus Christ, a prophecy was given that the soldiers who witnessed His death would gamble for His clothing. In fact, one specific article of clothing was described in detail. "They part my clothing among them and cast lots for my raiment (a long, shirtlike garment, a seamless undertunic)." (Psalm 22:18 amp)

The psalmist David prophesied that the soldiers would gamble for a garment that is described as "a seamless undertunic" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. _How_ could this specific prophecy be given so many years in advance of Jesus' crucifixion unless these words actually came from God Himself?

The New Testament explains the accuracy of David's prophecy. "Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, one share for each soldier, and also the tunic (the long shirtlike undergarment). But the tunic was seamless, woven [in one piece] from the top throughout. So they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots to decide whose it shall be. This was to fulfill the Scripture, They parted My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. So the soldiers did these things." (John 19:23-24 amp)

The _same_ words "seamless" and "tunic" are used in the account of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ that was used in the prophecy by David many years before. We have established from the holy Scriptures that the Bible truly _is_ inspired by God. You now are ready to learn about the supernatural power of God's Word, the Bible.

The Word of God is spiritually alive and filled with the supernatural power of Almighty God. "...the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "alive and full of power" in this verse of Scripture. These words are the foundation for receiving the victory of Jesus Christ. The Bible might look like other books, but the words in the Bible are vastly different from the words in all of the books that were written by human beings. The words in the Bible are _spiritually alive_ to every person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior.

Please highlight or underline the words "active, operative, energizing and effective" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants His Word to be active throughout every day and night of your life. The word "operative" means that God can and will use His supernatural living Word to operate in the supernatural realm to provide you with peak efficiency in your life.

You are told that the Word of God is "energizing." The Bible is spiritually energized by God Himself. God's supernatural energy flows from Him to you through His Word. Your loving Father will invigorate you with His supernatural power and energy if you faithfully obey His instructions to continually study and meditate on His Word.

Next you are told that the Word of God is "effective." In this book you will learn from the holy Scriptures how to continually fill your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart and your mouth with the power of God's living Word to make your life supernaturally effective.

If the Word of God fills your heart, you will be able to do things that you could not possibly do with your limited human abilities. You will experience supernatural results in your life that are beyond the limits of your human comprehension.

Next you are told that the Word of God is "sharper than any two-edged sword." When this passage of Scripture was written, the swords that soldiers used in battle were razor sharp. The Word of God is _much_ sharper in the spiritual realm than these swords were in the natural realm. The Word of God is so sharp spiritually that it is able to "penetrate" deep down inside of you to both your soul and your spirit.

The Word of God has so much supernatural power that it is able to "expose, sift, analyze and judge the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." The amplification in this verse of Scripture tells you that God's Word is able to penetrate into "the deepest parts of your nature."

The Word of God is so powerful that it is able to expose and show you what you really are like. You will be able to understand the motives, goals and priorities in your life that you cannot understand and explain with your limited human understanding.

You then are told that God's Word is able to "sift" the thoughts and purposes of your heart. The word "sift" explains what happens when something passes through a sieve. A sieve can separate waste material from good material.

This is exactly what the Word of God can do in your life. God's supernatural Word is able to separate everything in your life that does not have eternal significance. The Word of God enables you to remove thoughts, words and actions in your life that are nonproductive from an eternal perspective. "...You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!"(Psalm 138:2 amp)

God exalts two things above everything else – His name and His Word. This verse of Scripture explains that God has magnified His Word above His name. Does the Word of God have the _same_ priority in _your_ life?

Instead of being discouraged by the problems you face, you should be encouraged as a result of constantly immersing yourself in the supernatural power of the living Word of God. "Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?" (Jeremiah 23:29 amp)

God compares the power of His Word with the power of a raging fire. God's Word is much more powerful than white-hot heat in the center of the hottest fire that has ever burned on earth. God compares the supernatural power of His Word with a hammer that is so powerful that it can break any rock into pieces.

God's Word is so powerful that it can "break in pieces" the problems you face. If you can begin to comprehend the supernatural power of the Bible, you will be like the psalmist who said, "Your testimonies are wonderful [far exceeding anything conceived by man]; therefore my [penitent] self keeps them [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. (Psalm 119:129 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "far exceeding anything conceived by man" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. You _must_ understand that the Bible is much greater and much more powerful than anything else in the world.

Please highlight or underline the words "hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Your ears should constantly hear your mouth speaking the Word of God as you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word (see Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2-3).

You should continually receive spiritual power from God's Word. You should love the Word of God so much that you cannot get enough of it. You should be determined to learn and obey every instruction your Father has given to you.

You can be certain that God Himself inspired each of the approximately forty human authors of the sixty-six books of the Bible. You must understand that the human authors of the Bible lived in many different countries and wrote the words in the Bible hundreds of years apart. There was a tremendous difference in the education and background of these men. How can any book written by so many people in so many places over such a long period of time fit together so perfectly unless it truly is inspired by God Himself just as II Timothy 3:16 says it is?

The holy Bible has survived for many years. It is the best selling book in the history of the world. There are more than _one billion_ copies of the King James version of the Bible in print. Many millions of additional copies from other translations have been printed.

You should approach your Bible each day with absolute certainty that you are reading a _personal_ _message from God to you._ You must understand that the words that were written by anointed men so many years ago actually are words that God Himself is speaking to _you_ today.

The holy Bible is the only thing on earth that comes from heaven that you can make contact with through your senses. Nothing else from heaven can be touched with your hands, seen with your eyes and heard with your ears. The holy Bible is a tangible bridge between the natural realm of the world and the supernatural realm of God.

The supernatural power of God's Word is able to lift you out of the natural realm into the supernatural realm. "...we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves." (II Corinthians 4:7 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "precious treasure" in this verse of Scripture. Approach your daily Bible study and Scripture meditation with awe of the tremendous treasure that your Father has given you in the Bible.

Please highlight or underline the words "the divine Light of the gospel" in the amplification in this verse of Scripture. Your Father has given you supernatural Light to overcome the darkness of this world through the treasure of His Word.

Please highlight or underline the words "the grandeur and exceeding greatness" of the power of God in this verse of Scripture. You must understand that _you_ can learn how to operate in the supernatural power of God by seeking God with all of your heart every day. Constantly study and meditate on God's supernatural living Word and ask God to reveal Himself to you.

# Chapter 8  
You Should Revere the Word of God

You must understand that the Word of God is eternal. The mighty and powerful words in the Bible _will live forever._ Jesus Christ said, "Sky and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." (Matthew 24:35 amp)

This verse of Scripture explains why you must _not_ allow the temporary problems in the world that will pass away to seem more powerful than the supernatural Word of God that "will _not_ pass away." God's Word is filled with His answers to every problem you will face throughout your life. The Bible refers to itself as "...the ever living and lasting Word of God." (I Peter 1:23 amp)

Books that are written by human beings are temporary because of their human origin. God's Word is eternal because of its divine origin. No book written by a human being _can even remotely compare_ to the Bible. God is eternal. His Word is eternal. "...the Word of the Lord (divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever...." (I Peter 1:25 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "divine instruction" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. You must understand that _God Himself_ is instructing you when you study and meditate on His Word. The Bible is God's Book of Instructions. You should be eager to learn everything you can from the holy Scriptures.

Because the Word of God is eternal, you will be able to take everything you learn from God's Word to heaven with you. You should be highly motivated to learn everything you possibly can from the magnificent Book of Instructions your Father has provided for you. "...everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]." (Psalm 119:96 amp)

Everything with a human origin is limited, no matter how excellent it may seem. God's Word is unlimited. The eternal Word of God is filled to overflowing with the supernatural power of Almighty God.

You should approach every promise in the Bible with the absolute certainty that this promise is one hundred percent true and that it can be relied upon completely at _all_ times _regardless_ of the circumstances you face. "...it is impossible for God to lie..." (Hebrews 6:18 niv)

God is the epitome of integrity. There is no way that God can make a promise to you and then fail to fulfill His promise. God will _never_ let you down if you will constantly learn His promises, meet the conditions of each promise and persevere regardless of the circumstances you face because of your absolute faith in Him. "God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on)..." (I Corinthians 1:9 amp)

You should never doubt your Father. He is completely dependable. _Will you_ pay the price to continually learn more and more of God's instructions and promises? _Will you_ obey His instructions to steadily increase your faith in Him so that you will know that He always does exactly what He says He will do? _Will you_ persevere in faith for as long as He requires you to persevere because of your absolute faith in Him?

Jesus Christ died for you at Calvary so that you can live eternally with Him in the glory of heaven. He also died to give you _absolute assurance_ that your loving Father will do exactly what He says He will do. "...as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]...." (II Corinthians 1:20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "all" in this verse of Scripture. This word applies to _every_ problem you will face in your life. Jesus Christ has assured you that your Father will fulfill every one of His promises. _Know_ that every one of God's promises will be fulfilled in your life because of the price that Jesus Christ paid for you on the cross at Calvary.

God is omniscient. He knows everything that is taking place on earth. He knows every minute detail about your life. The psalmist David said, "O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD." (Psalm 139:1-4 niv)

God knows every time you sit down. He knows when you stand up. He knows every place you go. He knows everything you think, say and do. The most intricate computer cannot begin to compare to the immensity of God's knowledge.

Your Father knows every word you will speak before you speak it. He understands the meaning of every word in every language and dialect. You must understand that God knows everything. He watches you carefully whenever you face seemingly difficult problems.

Your Father knows exactly how much of His Word you know. He knows exactly how much faith you have in Him and His magnificent supernatural Word that He has given to you. He is watching you carefully because He wants to do exactly what His Word says He will do. He said, "...I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it." (Jeremiah 1:12 amp)

God's promises are not affected in the least by the seeming severity of the circumstances in the world. Your Father wants you to approach His Word each day with absolute awe. He said, "...this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands." (Isaiah 66:2 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "humble and of a broken or wounded spirit" in this verse of Scripture. Are you humble? Can you even begin to comprehend how magnificent and awesome God is? Do you fully comprehend that your Father does not expect you to solve every problem with your limited human ability?

Please highlight or underline the words "trembles at My word and reveres My commands" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants you to be so much in awe of Him and His supernatural living Word that you will tremble each day when you approach His Word.

Your Father instructs you to revere His Word. When you revere someone, you hold that person in the highest possible regard. You have deep respect, love and admiration for this person. You should have absolute reverence for God and His Word.

God emphasizes through repetition. Immediately after saying in Isaiah 66:2 that you should tremble at His Word, God repeated this instruction when He said, "Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word..." (Isaiah 66:5 amp)

Your Father places so much emphasis on trembling before Him and His Word that He has repeated this same instruction two times in four verses of Scripture. Your Father wants you to have the same absolute awe of His Word that the psalmist had when he said, "...my heart stands in awe of Your words..." (Psalm 119:161 amp)

Your awe of God's Word will increase in direct proportion to the amount of His Word that lives in your heart. In subsequent chapters we will give you specific scriptural instructions telling you how to fill your heart with God's Word. As your heart is filled more and more with God's supernatural living Word, you will become increasingly enthusiastic about the awesomeness of the holy Scriptures.

You have seen that God elevates two things above everything else – His Word and His name. You have seen that God elevates His Word above His name (see Psalm 138:2 in _The_ _Amplified Bible_ ). Your Father wants you to give His supernatural living Word this same priority in your life. "...he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] is rewarded." (Proverbs 13:13 amp)

Your Father promises to _reward_ you _if_ you constantly approach His Word with absolute awe and respect. The Bible is God talking to you. You should approach the Word of God each day the same way you would relate to God if He came into your home.

The truth is that God actually does come into your home every day because He lives inside of you. God speaks to you daily through His Word when you approach Him and His Word with reverent awe.

How can anyone not continually fill his or her eyes, ears, mind, heart and mouth with the supernatural living Word of God if he or she fully understands the scriptural _facts_ that we are discussing in this chapter? You can and should place absolute trust in the Word of God.

Unfortunately, all unbelievers and many Christians _do not even begin to comprehend_ the awesome power of the holy Scriptures. You should be absolutely overwhelmed by the tremendous privilege you have been given to partake of the supernatural power of God's living Word throughout every day and night of your life.

All unbelievers and many Christians cannot understand how words that are printed on a piece of paper can possibly be more powerful than the very significant problems they face. Meditate on the facts in this chapter and the preceding chapter. See for yourself what God says about the mighty power of His Word.

Turn completely away from the limitations of traditional worldly thinking. Jesus said, "...for the sake of your tradition (the rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect]." (Matthew 15:6 amp)

These words that Jesus spoke to a group of scribes and Pharisees many years ago apply to you today. Please highlight or underline the words "you have set aside the Word of God depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. _You_ can make the awesomely powerful supernatural Word of God _ineffective_ _in your life_ if you think the way the world thinks and follow the tenets of traditional worldly thinking.

The truth is that words printed on a piece of paper can be and are _much_ more powerful than _any_ problem you will ever face _if_ you know, understand and believe the facts pertaining to God's Word that are contained in the last two chapters.

You must understand that the promises in the Bible are not dependent on worldly conditions. There is _no_ place in the Bible that says that God's promises are null and void if the Dow Jones Index falls below a certain level, if unemployment goes above a certain percentage, if an earthquake devastates the area near you or if any other external sources of security fail.

If you can even begin to understand the enormity of the power of God's Word, you will saturate yourself in the holy Scriptures. You will not be able to get enough of God's Word. You will be highly motivated to do everything you can to fortify yourself _now_ with the Word of God for any adversity you will face. "Receive my instruction in preference to [striving for] silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold," (Proverbs 8:10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "in preference to" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants you to put studying and meditating on His Word _ahead_ of the effort that many people make today to earn additional income to fulfill selfish desires. Christians who pursue excessive worldly wealth make a major mistake if they allow this pursuit of wealth to come _ahead of_ continually studying and meditating on God's supernatural living Word.

Throughout the remainder of this book, we will give you specific scriptural instructions that tell you exactly what to do to maximize the effectiveness of God's Word in your life. We can assure you that your life _will_ be changed completely _if_ you will consistently study, meditate and act on the scriptural instructions and promises that are contained in this book.

# Chapter 9  
Learn to Think the Way That God Thinks

You can walk in the victory that Jesus Christ won for you if you continually draw closer to God. You will activate the supernatural power of God's Word in your life _if_ you continually fill your mind and your heart with the holy Scriptures.

Your Father has instructed you to study His Word. "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth." (II Timothy 2:15 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial)" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. You will win God's approval if you study His Word each day. You will come through the adversity you face if you are a "workman" who pays the price of diligently studying God's Word on a daily basis. You will not be "ashamed" because you did not obey your Father's instructions to consistently study the Bible.

If you obey your Father's instructions in this area, you will be able to successfully pass the tests that the trials of life will bring upon you. You will be much better equipped to handle adversity if you work hard each day at studying God's Word. You will learn how to control your emotions when you face adversity. "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul..." (Psalm 19:7 kjv)

Your soul consists of your mind, your emotions and your will. God instructs you to "convert" your soul from the way that unbelievers and Christians with unrenewed minds think, decide and react. Your Father has given you the ability to infuse your thoughts and your emotions with His Word. He has given you the ability to make wise decisions. The first step in this process is to continually renew your mind in His Word.

We now will study several passages of Scripture pertaining to renewing your mind. _Webster's New World Dictionary_ says that the word "renew" means "to make as if new again; make young, fresh... give spiritual strength to... to establish and revive... to replace by a fresh supply... to replace what is old, worn, exhausted." You must understand the absolute necessity of renewing your mind in God's Word each day.

If you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to renew your mind in His Word each day, you will find that your thinking is refreshed, renovated and revived. You will see life more and more from God's perspective.

A renewed mind focuses on solutions. An unrenewed mind focuses on problems. Many people will focus on the problems in the world in the difficult times that are coming upon us.

You must not live the way that unbelievers who have never renewed their minds in God's Word live. "...you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds." (Ephesians 4:17 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "[in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. The souls of unbelievers are spiritually empty. Their thought processes are futile because they cannot even begin to think the way that God thinks. Your Father does not want you to live this way.

We live in a superficial world. Your Father does _not_ want you to conform to the superficial ways of the world. "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]." (Romans 12:2 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "Do not be conformed to this world" in this verse of Scripture. All unbelievers and Christians whose ways are primarily conformed to the ways of the world will be completely unequipped to deal with severe adversity. All unbelievers and some Christians do not even begin to think the way that God thinks. Their lives are dominated by external circumstances. Your Father wants your life to be dominated by His Word.

Please highlight or underline the word "transformed" in this verse of Scripture. The Greek word "metamorphoo" that is translated as "transformed" in this verse is the same as the English word "metamorphosis." A metamorphosis is a complete change. Your life will be changed beyond comprehension _if_ you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to consistently renew your mind in His Word.

Please highlight or underline the words "its new ideals and its new attitude" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. If you faithfully renew your mind in God's Word, your attitude will change progressively. As the weeks and months go by, renewing your mind in God's Word will enable you to look at everything more and more from God's perspective and less and less from the perspective of the world. You will be able to clearly see and understand God's will for your life because your mind is constantly being rejuvenated.

When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, a new spiritual person was born inside of you. The Bible refers to this person as "the hidden person of the heart." (I Peter 3:4 amp)

As you continually study God's Word, this new hidden person in your heart will become more and more like God. "...you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices, and have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it." (Colossians 3:9-10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. If you constantly study God's Word, you will "strip off" layer after layer of the way you used to think. You will "clothe yourself" with a "new spiritual self" that is constantly being reshaped to become more like God.

The only way that you will be able to deal with the difficult times that are coming upon the world is to look at this adversity from God's perspective. "Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; and be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24 amp)

Once again you see the word "strip" used in this passage of Scripture. If you obey your Father's to constantly renew your mind in His Word, you _will_ strip yourself more and more of the way you used to think. Your life will not be controlled by "lusts and desires that spring from delusion." You will not be deluded by the things of the world or by the influence of Satan's demons. You will see life more and more from God's eternal perspective.

Please highlight or underline the word "constantly" in this passage of Scripture. This word tells you that your loving Father does not want you to miss one day of renewing your mind in His Word. If you faithfully obey these instructions, you will "have a fresh mental and spiritual attitude."

God created you in His image (see Genesis 1:26-27). If you constantly renew your mind in God's supernatural living Word, you will turn away from the world to become what God created you to be.

Satan and his demons do everything they can to blind unbelievers and Christians who do not renew their minds in God's Word by attempting to place a spiritual veil over their minds. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, this veil has been removed. "...whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." (II Corinthians 3:16 niv)

You are given the ability to understand the Bible when you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. However, you must study and renew your mind in God's Word to activate the removal of this spiritual veil. Christians who have received Jesus as their Savior are able to have an "...unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit." (II Corinthians 3:18 amp)

Any Christian can take full advantage of the fact that the spiritual veil that once blinded them has been removed. You can do this if you consistently study and meditate on the Word of God because you are hungry to learn the great spiritual truths that God has placed in the Bible. If you renew your mind in God's Word each day, you will be able to see yourself from God's perspective as if you were looking into a mirror.

Please highlight or underline the words "constantly being transfigured into His very own image" in this verse of Scripture. Once again, you are instructed to _constantly_ renew your mind in God's Word. Your Father wants you to become more and more like He is. You are God's messenger of His plan and purpose on earth. You have an assignment from God to complete.

If you continually renew your mind in God's Word, you will experience "ever increasing splendor." You will go "from one degree of glory to another." You must not miss out on the magnificent opportunity you have been given to become more and more like God by constantly renewing your mind in His Word. "...Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day." (II Corinthians 4:16 amp)

Every person on earth is growing older physically. Please highlight or underline the words "our outer man is progressively decaying and wasting away" in this verse of Scripture. As you grow older physically, you should offset any decay that is taking place in your body by "progressively" renewing your inner self "day after day."

Once again your Father emphasizes the necessity of renewing your mind in His Word each and every day. He wants you to take full advantage of the precious opportunity He has given you to consistently program your mind to think more and more as He thinks. "Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way [of the Lord]." (Proverbs 23:19 amp)

If you are wise, you will have a burning desire to "direct your mind in the way of the Lord." You will turn away from the influence of the world. As you consistently renew your mind in God's Word, you will think the way your Father wants you to think. You will live your life the way your Father wants you to live. You will react to the conditions in the world the way your Father instructs you to react.

When you renew your mind in God's Word, you will strengthen your mind spiritually. You should strengthen your mind each and every day of your life. The Bible instructs us to "...brace up your minds (I Peter 1:13 amp)

A brace is something that strengthens something else and makes it firm by supporting its weight. As you continually strengthen yourself spiritually by renewing your mind and your heart in God's Word, the Word of God will fill your mind and your heart. "Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness..." (Colossians 3:16 amp)

You probably have a specific place in your home where you keep your Bible. This place on a desk or shelf is _not_ the real home of the Bible. The Bible should "have its home in your heart and mind." Your Father wants you to fill your mind and your heart with His supernatural living Word.

In this chapter we have discussed filling your _mind_ with God's Word by studying the holy Scriptures. We will now study God's Word extensively to explain how to fill your _heart_ with God's supernatural living Word by consistently _meditating_ on the holy Scriptures.

# Chapter 10  
Success, Wisdom and Prosperity through Scripture Meditation

You have learned that the first step in dealing with the difficult problems that will come upon the world is to constantly renew your _mind_ by studying God's Word. In the next several chapters we will explain how to fill your _heart_ with God's Word by meditating on the holy Scriptures. The Holy Spirit _will_ reveal great spiritual truth to you _if_ you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word.

We believe that the following verse of Scripture is one of the most important verses of Scripture in the Bible. "This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. **For** **then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success**." (Joshua 1:8 amp)

We have put the final sentence in bold print to emphasize what God has promised to _you._ Your Father promises that you will prosper, that you will be wise and that you will be successful. This promise does _not_ include an asterisk (*) saying that it is null and void if the Dow Jones Average is below a certain level or if other difficult problems are occurring in the world. Your Father has promised that you _will_ be prosperous, wise and successful regardless of worldly conditions.

Please stop for a moment and think about the words that are in bold print in this verse of Scripture. God always tells the truth. You can be assured that _you_ will be prosperous, wise and successful _if_ you will do exactly what your Father has instructed you to do.

The Hebrew word "tsalach" that is translated as "prosperous" in this verse of Scripture includes much more than financial prosperity. This Hebrew word means "to push forward, break out and go over." In the difficult times that are coming upon the world, you must learn how to "push forward, break out and go over." No obstacle in your path will stop you _if_ you faithfully obey the specific instructions from God that we are about to discuss.

When this verse of Scripture says that "you shall deal wisely," you can be assured that these words refer to receiving wisdom from God. You have learned that God regards the world's wisdom as foolishness (see Job 28:12-13 and I Corinthians 3:19-20). Your Father _will_ give you the wisdom that you must have according to your faith in Him during the difficult times that will come upon the world (see James 1:5-8).

The Bible contains more than 500,000 words. _Strong's Exhaustive Concordance_ contains every word in the King James Version of the Bible. If you will look in this concordance, you will see that the word "success" is used only _one time_ in the entire King James Version of the Bible.

You must understand the importance of learning _exactly_ what your Father instructs you to do to be successful from His perspective. The Hebrew word "sakal" that is translated as "success" in this verse of Scripture means "an expert – someone with great wisdom and understanding who is prosperous, skillful and able to teach others." These words will describe _you_ if you consistently obey these specific instructions your Father has given to you in this verse of Scripture.

God spoke these words to Joshua when he was replacing Moses as the leader of Israel. Joshua was approximately thirty years old at that time. He probably was overwhelmed by the immensity of the challenge he faced. These words that God gave to Joshua to encourage him apply to _you_ today.

Your Father does not play favorites (see Acts 10:34). What He promised to do for Joshua, He will do for you _if_ you faithfully obey the instructions that He gave to Joshua in this verse of Scripture.

Now that you have seen the three blessings that God promises to you, you must understand exactly what your Father has instructed you to do to receive these blessings. When this passage of Scripture refers to the "Book of the Law," it refers to the first five books of the Bible. The Bible today contains 66 books – 40 in the Old Testament and 26 in the New Testament.

Your Father tells you that His Word "shall not depart out of your mouth." Your Father wants _your mouth_ to _continually_ speak His Word. Whenever you are not speaking specific Scripture, all of the words that you speak should line up with the instructions and promises in God's Word.

The second instruction that God has given to you is to _meditate_ on His Word "day and night." We will not explain exactly how to meditate on the holy Scriptures here because the next several chapters will explain Scripture meditation in detail.

In addition to speaking God's Word continually and meditating day and night on the holy Scriptures, you also are instructed to "observe and do according to all that is written" in the Word of God. Unfortunately, some Christians know very little about what God has instructed them to do. They have not paid the price of consistently studying the holy Scriptures. _How_ can you obey your Father's instructions if you do not know _exactly_ what He has instructed you to do?

Your Father wants you to renew your mind in His Word and to meditate on His Word continually to learn _all_ that He instructs you to do. He then wants you to do your very best to obey _all_ of the instructions He has given to you.

Do you want to be prosperous, wise and successful regardless of the conditions in the world? Of course you do. Please check yourself out on your Father's specific instructions to you. _Are you_ speaking God's Word continually? _Are you_ meditating day and night on the holy Scriptures? _Are you_ constantly learning and obeying your Father's instructions?

All Christians want to receive the blessings of prosperity, wisdom and success. God does not lie. You _will_ be prosperous, wise and successful regardless of the conditions in the world _if_ you obey the three specific instructions your Father has given to you. In subsequent chapters we will explain exactly what you should do to obey these instructions from God.

We believe that meditating day and night on God's Word is vitally important for every Christian during these difficult times. Your Father has given you similar instructions in the following passage of Scripture. "...his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and **everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]**." (Psalm 1:2-3 amp)

Once again we would like to explain the last part of this passage of Scripture first. We also have placed these words in bold print for the purpose of emphasis. Your Father has promised that you _will_ prosper in _everything_ you do. The amplification of this passage of Scripture says that you will "come to maturity."

If you sincerely desire to be prosperous in every area of your life and to be spiritually mature, you must "delight" in God's Word. You must "desire" to learn and to do exactly what your Father has instructed you to learn and to do to receive these blessings.

If you delight in the Word of God, you will have a consuming passion to continually learn everything you can from God's supernatural Book of Instructions. If you delight in the Word of God, the holy Scriptures will always be at the forefront of your consciousness. If you delight in the Word of God, you _will_ meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures.

Please note that your Father gives you the same instructions to receive prosperity here that He did in Joshua 1:8 where He also instructs you to meditate day and night on His Word. Do not disregard the correlation between being prosperous and the instructions in both Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2-3 to meditate day and night on the Word of God.

If you delight in the Word of God, you will have a great hunger and thirst for God's Word. You will not be able to get enough of it. The more difficult the problems you face might seem, the more you should meditate on the Word of God. You should be like the psalmist who said, "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." (Psalm 119:15-16 kjv)

The Hebrew word "chephets" that is translated as "delight" in this passage of Scripture means to "take great pleasure from, to value and desire." Your Father does not want you to forget His Word. He wants you to meditate on His Word continually so that you will do what His Word instructs you to do.

You will be blessed abundantly if you truly do delight in the Word of God. "...Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever." (Psalm 112:1-3 niv)

Once again you can see the correlation between being prosperous and _delighting_ in the Word of God. You must have a deep hunger and thirst for God's Word. You must meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures.

The psalmist understood the importance of delighting in the Word of God. He refused to allow the problems he faced to pull him down. He said, "Trouble and anguish have found and taken hold on me, yet Your commandments are my delight." (Psalm 119:143 amp)

This verse of Scripture tells you _exactly_ what you should do when "trouble and anguish" find you. You must "delight" in the Word of God. You must not allow the problems you face to cause you to compromise your loyalty and commitment to God by looking elsewhere for a solution. You should delight in obeying God regardless of the circumstances you face.

Now that we have given you three additional passages of Scripture to emphasize the importance of _delighting_ in God's Word, we are ready to go back to Psalm 1:2-3 to study it more carefully. Psalm 1:2 instructs you to "habitually" meditate on the Word of God. When you do something habitually, you do it consistently. Your Father has instructed _you_ to meditate day and night on His supernatural living Word.

Please highlight or underline the words "bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither" in Psalm 1:3. What do these words mean? If you delight in God's Word and you habitually meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures, _you_ will be like a tree planted next to a stream. Trees that are planted next to a stream will continue to bring forth fruit in season even if there is a drought.

Please visualize an orchard consisting of several rows of trees planted next to a stream. Visualize most of the trees in this orchard being brown and not producing fruit. Visualize the one row of trees that is next to the stream as being lush and green and filled with fruit.

_Why_ is this one row of trees spared from the drought? A tree that is planted next to a stream of water does not have to depend on rain from the sky. The taproot of this tree can draw up water from the stream during a drought to continue to produce abundant fruit.

This same principle will apply to you during the difficult times that are coming upon the world _if_ you will faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word. You _will_ prosper in every area of your life. Your life will be fruitful, no matter what is happening in the world. You will have a close relationship with God because of your consistent Scripture meditation.

Meditation on the holy Scriptures is _vitally important_. You will learn in subsequent chapters why you should take Scripture meditation very seriously and exactly what you should do to receive the magnificent blessings your Father promises to _all_ of His children who consistently meditate day and night on His Word.

When people throughout the world are anguishing because of the intolerable conditions the world will face, _you_ will come safely through this drought _if_ you have faithfully obeyed God's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word. Are you determined to faithfully obey the specific instructions your Father has given to you?

In this first chapter on Scripture meditation we have explained the two fundamental passages of Scripture on Scripture meditation – Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2-3 as well as the three additional passages of Scripture that emphasize the importance of delighting in God's Word. We now are ready to move forward to learn many _facts_ from the holy Scriptures pertaining to meditating day and night on the Word of God.

# Chapter 11  
How to Meditate on the Word of God

I (Jack) first learned the value of Scripture meditation shortly after I became a Christian almost thirty-five years ago. At that time I was on the verge of bankruptcy and business failure. I was paralyzed by fear. I thought about my financial problems continually. I visualized what would happen if I had to file bankruptcy.

I worried about having to tell my wife and children that we would have to move out of the home we had lived in for twelve years. I thought how disappointed they would be if we had to move into a low-rent apartment. I also was very concerned with what my business associates and friends would think.

I was consumed with the thought of bankruptcy and business failure. I often woke up in the middle of the night with the financial problems I faced at the forefront of my consciousness. I would get up and walk the floor, pondering my problems. This process continued for several months.

By God's grace, a friend came to me and told me that I did _not_ have to file bankruptcy. He explained why I needed to receive Jesus Christ as my Savior. I surrendered my life to Christ that night. My friend then told me that _every word_ in the Bible was inspired by God (see II Timothy 3:6). He told me that the only way I would get out of the mess I was in was to _saturate_ myself in the Bible

I immediately began to spend large amounts of time studying and meditating on the Word of God. I studied the Bible primarily in the early morning hours. Each morning I wrote down passages of Scripture that were particularly meaningful to me. I put these Scripture references on 3x5 cards. I carried these cards with me at all times and meditated on them throughout the day and night.

I knew nothing of Joshua 1:8 or Psalm 1:2-3 at that time. All that I knew was that my friend told me the only way out of the trouble I was in was to saturate myself in the Word of God. I did what he said I should do.

My favorite verse of Scripture was Philippians 4:13. I meditated on this verse over and over and over again. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13 kjv)

Hour after hour I meditated on that verse of Scripture. I can remember having a large pad of paper on my desk. Every time I meditated on this verse of Scripture, I wrote down a number. I kept doing this until I had written one hundred times during one session when I had meditated on this verse of Scripture.

I can remember what I did then as if it were yesterday. Over and over again I used to say something like, "This verse of Scripture says that I can do _all things._ I obviously cannot do all things through my ability or I wouldn't be in this mess. I can do all things through the strength of Jesus Christ. This passage of Scripture says that Jesus Christ _will_ strengthen me and give me the help that I need to get through these difficult times.

"I _know_ I will come through this ordeal because I know that Jesus Christ is strengthening me. I will not give up. I will persevere for as long as Jesus requires me to persevere."

The days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months. My financial situation became worse. I continued to meditate on Philippians 4:13 and other passages of Scripture. The power of God was released in my life as a result of continual fervent prayer and Scripture meditation.

I did not file bankruptcy. Our business steadily improved. Today, almost thirty-five years later, this business is still operating profitably. I retired from heading up this firm several years ago, but I still do some work as a consultant.

I was convinced then of the importance of Scripture meditation. I have become much more convinced over the years. In this chapter I would like to share with you some of the truths I have learned about meditating on God's Word.

The best way I can explain how to meditate on Scripture is to compare Scripture meditation with worrying. Chronic worriers do _exactly_ what you should do when you meditate on the Bible. Chronic worriers think about a problem constantly. Whatever they are worrying about never leaves their consciousness. They look at the perceived problem from every angle.

They personalize the problem. They visualize what will happen whenever what they are worrying about comes into manifestation. They are consumed by their worry. Worry is a way of life for chronic worriers who always are worried about something.

Chronic worriers utilize all of the principles of Scripture meditation except that they are meditating on the _problems_ they face instead of meditating on _God's Word_. Chronic worriers believe that the things they are worried about will come into manifestation in their lives. "Your mind will meditate on the terror..." (Isaiah 33:18 amp)

Instead of meditating on the problems you face and visualizing them becoming worse, you should consistently meditate on God's supernatural living Word. Instead of meditating on what you do not want to happen, meditate continually on what your Father promises to do. Fill your consciousness with the Word of God.

Whatever you consistently think about, meditate on, believe and speak with your mouth ultimately will take place in your life. Your consistent thoughts, beliefs and words are like a magnet that reaches out into the spiritual realm to draw them into manifestation.

Absolutely refuse to meditate on whatever problem you face. Do not turn this problem over and over in your mind. You must not visualize this problem coming into manifestation in your life. Once you have identified the problem, you must _stop_ dwelling on it.

Instead of focusing on the problem, you should meditate constantly on God's _answers_ to this problem. Focus continually on God and on promises from His Word. Know that your Father is completely reliable and that He _always_ does whatever He says He will do (see I Corinthians 1:9 and Joshua 23:14) _if_ you know and meet God's conditions and if you persevere in your faith in God for as long as He requires you to persevere.

When you face a difficult problem, you should have bulldog tenacity. Do not let up. Meditate on appropriate Scripture references hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month and, if necessary, year after year.

You should be consumed with God's supernatural living Word. Refuse to waver in the slightest in your certainty that your Father will do exactly what He says He will do. Be certain to do everything you can do to remedy any errors you have made.

Other people can teach God's Word to you, but _no one else_ can meditate on the Word of God for you. When you meditate on a promise from God, you must not take this promise lightly.

We believe that you should meditate _during_ the day and night in good times. However, whenever the problems you face increase, instead of just meditating _during_ the day and night, you should meditate on the Word of God _throughout_ the day and night. Boldly speak each passage of Scripture. Do this again and again. Personalize the promises. Add your interpretation of the promises of God.

Visualize God doing exactly what He promises to do in each passage of Scripture. Consistently say that everything will work out even though the circumstances you face might seem to dictate otherwise.

God created you in such a way that your mind cannot think of two things at the same time. As the bad news in the world increases, you should offset this proliferation of bad news by increasing the amount of _good news_ from God's Word that you constantly pour into your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart and your mouth through continual Scripture meditation.

As worldly problems become worse, the news media will pour out an enormous amount of bad news. Many people will focus on this bad news. They will listen to the news on television continually. They will read every detail of the bad news in their daily newspaper. They will meditate on the _problem_ instead of meditating on the _solution._

We are not saying that you should ignore the news. You should keep abreast of what is going on in the world, but you absolutely should refuse to dwell on bad news. The worse the news in the world is, the _more_ you need to meditate on the good news of God's Word.

When you meditate on God's Word, you are programming your innermost consciousness much as a computer is programmed. As you meditate again and again on a specific promise from God, this passage of Scripture becomes a part of your innermost being. It takes up residence in your heart. You have programmed yourself with the promises of God instead of programming yourself with the bad news of the world.

The sixth chapter of this book is filled with promises pertaining to the victory that Jesus Christ won for you. If you want a good starting point for your Scripture meditation, meditate continually on these promises of victory.

Boldly speak these promises again and again. Persevere in faith. Establish these magnificent scriptural facts pertaining to the victory of Jesus Christ deep in your heart. Continual meditation will strengthen your faith in God. Your faith in Jesus Christ and the tremendous victory He won for you should be _much_ greater than any problem you will ever face.

If you _really believe_ that the words from the Scripture you are meditating on will come into manifestation, you will be encouraged. Get these promises up off the printed pages of the Bible, this book or wherever else you find Scripture to meditate on. Fill your mind and your heart with magnificent promises and instructions from God.

If you are looking for additional passages of Scripture to meditate on, we recommend our book titled _What Does God Say?._ This book contains 1,221 verses of Scripture that are categorized under 94 topics. You can go through the topical headings in this book to find Scripture pertaining to many different areas. You will find enough Scripture from this book to meditate on indefinitely.

All of our other books and our ten sets of Scripture Meditation Cards are filled with additional Scripture to help you to write God's Word on your heart. We have done the work for you. We have spent thousands of hours piecing together passages of Scripture on many topics.

If you have been a Christian for several years and you have faithfully obeyed your Father's instructions regarding Bible study and Scripture meditation, your Father will have brought you successfully through adversity many times. You should meditate continually on what God has done for you in the past. "Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering." (Hebrews 10:32 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "when you stood your ground" in this verse of Scripture. Think about the times in the past when you suffered and struggled and refused to give up. Persevere in your faith in God now as you persevered in faith then. Be assured that your Father will bring you through this time just as He has brought you through when you persevered in faith in the past. Live in victory every day.

If you have not been a Christian for a long time and you have not had the personal experience of God bringing you safely through adversity, you can meditate on facts pertaining to people in the Bible who faced severe problems. The Bible is filled with magnificent examples of God bringing people safely through seemingly impossible situations.

The story of David and Goliath is an inspiration. Carefully read chapter 17 of I Samuel. Meditate on these scriptural facts that tell you how God caused the young boy David to be victorious over the mighty giant Goliath.

The miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from a fiery furnace is a wonderful example of God's faithfulness. Carefully study the account of this blessing from God in the third chapter of Daniel.

If you are going through a difficult time, meditate on the story of Daniel in the lions' den. Believe that God will bring you through whatever problems you face just as He miraculously rescued Daniel in a gross and smelly lions' den (see the sixth chapter of Daniel).

Meditate on God's faithfulness when Moses crossed the Red Sea because God supernaturally parted the waters (see the fourteenth chapter of Exodus). _Know_ that the same God Who performed this mighty miracle will do great things in your life if you have absolute faith in Him.

The Bible is filled with stories of God moving in a mighty way in peoples' lives. You should be like the psalmist who said "On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wondrous works I will meditate." (Psalm 145:5 amp)

In this chapter we have given you several general examples pertaining to Scripture meditation. In the next chapter we have taken many promises from God's Word and shown you the way we meditate on them.

# Chapter 12  
Examples of Scripture Meditation

In this chapter we have listed fifteen passages of Scripture. Many of the Scripture references are used elsewhere in this book, but we also are including them here to give you an example of how we would meditate on each of these passages of Scripture.

Space prohibits us from doing more than a few paragraphs of meditation on each passage of Scripture. However, the following examples will explain in general terms how to meditate on the Bible. Do not limit your meditation to a few paragraphs just because we have for reasons of space.

"...In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" (John 16:33 amp)

Jesus told me to expect to experience the trials and tribulations I am experiencing right now. He also told me that I would be tempted to be distressed and frustrated. I will _not_ give in to these negative emotions. Jesus told me to _be of good cheer._

I have complete confidence in You, dear Jesus. I know You said that You have overcome the world. This victory _includes_ the problems that I now face in the world.

Jesus, You have deprived the world of the power to harm me. You have conquered the world for me. I will _not_ allow the problems I face to overwhelm me because I _know_ that You have won a total, complete and absolute victory over these problems.

Thank You, Jesus, for the price You paid to give me this victory. I will not focus on the problems I face. I will focus continually on You and the victory You won for me. I will persevere with absolute faith in You. I will live throughout each day with constant awareness of Your victory. I praise You and thank You, dear Jesus.

"I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." (Philippians 4:13 amp)

This verse of Scripture has been my (Jack's) solid rock for almost thirty-five years. Whenever I face severe problems, I meditate on Philippians 4:13.

The words " _all_ things" in this verse of Scripture include the problems I now face. Thank You, Jesus, for giving me the supernatural strength that I must have to overcome these problems. I will not give up. The amplification in this verse of Scripture says that I am ready for _anything_ and equal to _anything_.

Jesus, You rose from the dead to win a total victory over death and over all adversity I will face on earth. You live in my heart. You are with me every minute of every hour of every day of my life. I am continually conscious of Your indwelling presence.

Dear Jesus, thank You for being with me at all times. Thank You for always giving me the strength that I need when I have to have it. I trust You completely, dear Jesus.

"...he who has once entered [God's] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors..." (Hebrews 4:10 amp)

I am faced with problems that are far too difficult for me to solve with my limited human abilities. I will not struggle and strain because I think that I have to do everything myself. I rest in You, wonderful Jesus. I trust You completely to do in me and through me what I cannot possibly do myself.

Dear Jesus, thank You for providing Your supernatural rest for me. I give the problems I face to You and I leave them with You. I trust You completely. Thank You so much for helping me, Jesus.

"Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]" (John 14:27 amp)

Thank You, Jesus, for giving me Your peace. I focus on You and Your supernatural peace that lives in my heart.

I will not give in to fear. I will focus on You continually. I can do whatever must be done through You. You have won a total victory over the problems I face. You have given me Your supernatural peace.

Jesus, I receive the peace that You have given me. I thank You for it. I will not be upset by the problems I face. I will focus continually on You because I trust You completely. Your peace is so wonderful. Nothing can take it from me.

"...no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently." (I Corinthians 10:13 amp)

Dear Father, I trust You completely when You say that You will never allow me to face any trials that are beyond my ability to endure. You always do exactly what Your Word says You will do.

Thank You for telling me that You will _always_ show me a way out of the trials that I face. I will look continually for this escape that You have promised to me. I will not give up. I will persevere in faith for as long as You require me to persevere.

Thank You, dear Father, for releasing Your mighty supernatural power as a result of my continual prayers of faith. I am not praying in vain. I will keep on praying.

I know that these prayers of faith that flow out of my mouth will be answered in Your way and in Your perfect timing. Thank You for Your tremendous power being released in my life.

"...whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high. "(Proverbs 29:25 amp)

The word "whoever" in this verse of Scripture definitely applies to _me_. I lean on You for the strength that I must have, dear Lord. I trust You completely. I place all of my confidence in You.

Thank You for telling me that I am safe and set on high. Even though I do not seem to be safe from my limited human perspective, I trust You completely to do exactly what Your Word says you will do. Thank You for lifting me above these problems. Thank You for protecting me. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You, dear Lord.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3 kjv)

Thank You, Father, that _You_ keep me in perfect peace. I refuse to focus on the problems I face. You have promised that You will keep me in perfect peace _if_ I focus continually on _You_.

I will _not_ allow these problems to get into my mind and my heart. Instead of focusing on these problems, I will focus continually on You. My mind focuses on You continually _because_ I trust You totally, completely and absolutely. My focus will be entirely on You throughout every day. Thank You, dear Father.

"Be still, and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10 kjv)

I refuse to be upset by the problems I face. I am calm and quiet. I repeat these words over and over... Be still... Be still... Be still... Be still... Be still... Be still.

I will repeat these words for as long as I need to repeat them to cause me to become calm and quiet inside of myself. I will not allow myself to become agitated by these problems. You are _much_ greater and _much_ more powerful than any problem. You _will_ bring me safely through these problems _if_ I focus constantly on You and trust You completely instead of allowing these problems to upset me. Thank You, dear Lord.

"...in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength..." (Isaiah 30:15 kjv)

I will not block Your supernatural strength from being released in my life, dear Lord. I will remain calm, quiet and confident in the face of these problems. I am quiet and calm _because_ I trust You completely.

Father, I thank You for the peace and power that I find in You. I thank You that, as I rest quietly and confidently in You, Your strength and power rise up within me. Thank You, dear Father, for giving me Your strength because I remain calm and quiet as I trust You completely in the face of trials and tribulations.

"Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]." (Hebrews 4:16 amp)

I constantly draw closer to You, dear Lord. I trust You completely because I have a close and intimate relationship with You. Thank You for Your mercy in regard to my failures and shortcomings. Thank You for Your grace.

Thank You for Your promise to help me in Your perfect timing. Thank You for promising to meet _every_ need that I have exactly when I need it. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You, dear Lord.

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32 kjv)

Thank You, Father, for providing my greatest need. Thank You for sending Your beloved Son to earth to shed His blood for me on the cross to pay the full price for all of my sins so that I can live with You throughout eternity. I will never have any need that is greater than this need.

You also have promised that You _will_ meet _all_ of my other needs. If You have met my greatest need of eternal salvation, I can be absolutely assured that You will meet every other need according to my faith in You. I am absolutely certain that You will provide for every one of my needs. I will not give up. Thank You, dear Father.

"Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day..." (Psalm 68:19 amp)

Dear Father, the problems that I face today are far too heavy for me to carry myself. Thank You so much for promising to carry these burdens through Jesus Christ, Your Son.

I will not worry about tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. I will focus on _today_. I am focusing continually on You and Your promise to bear these burdens for me and to bring me safely through this day. Thank You, thank You, thank You, dear Father.

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 niv)

Dear Father, I am not worried about anything because my mind and my heart are filled with Your peace which is _so_ great and incomprehensible that it surpasses the limitations of my human understanding. I bring the problems I face to You in prayer. I thank You _now_ , dear Father, for answering these prayers of faith.

I will not wait to thank You after the prayers are answered. I thank You now because I have absolute faith and confidence in You. I bring my prayer requests to You with absolute certainty that You have answered my prayers.

I will stay close to You, Father. My heart is filled with Your Word. Thank You for answering my prayers.

"If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7 amp)

I abide in You, Jesus. Every aspect of my life revolves around the certainty of Your indwelling presence. I am continually conscious that You live in my heart. You are the source of everything I need. You are with me at all times. You will never leave me.

I meditate continually on Your supernatural living Word. My heart is filled with Your Word because I have meditated on it so much. I align my life with the instructions in Your Word.

I come to You with this prayer request with absolute faith that you will answer. You promise to answer every prayer _if_ I abide in You at all times and _if_ my heart is filled with Your Word. Thank You for answering this prayer, dear Jesus.

"...blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!" (Psalm 2:12 amp)

The word "all" in this verse of Scripture includes _me_. Thank You for blessing me, Father. I trust You completely. I turn to You for the protection I need.

Your Word has promised that You will protect me at all times. I receive Your protection by faith. Thank You, dear Father.

These examples are very brief and nowhere near as long as they would be if we meditated totally on a specific promise. You can meditate on one promise for a very long time.

I (Jack) have often meditated on one passage of Scripture for several hours. Please use these examples to encourage yourself. Whenever you find passages of Scripture that are meaningful to you, save them so that you can meditate on them throughout the day and night.

These promises from God are absolute. They are not just nice sounding words. Your Father has given you definite promises from His throne in heaven. As you meditate on these promises continually, you will receive supernatural strength from God. Your faith in God will increase constantly.

# Chapter 13  
God's Word is Your Spiritual Food and a Spiritual Seed

Now that you have learned basic scriptural facts about the victory of Jesus Christ, the power of the Word of God, renewing your mind in God's Word and meditating on Scripture, we are ready to dig more deeply into exactly what the Bible instructs you to do to walk in victory over adversity. The first topic we will study is the topic of spiritual food. The Bible is God's spiritual food for _you_.

Most people understand the importance of receiving good nourishment for their bodies so that they will be healthy. This same principle applies in the spiritual realm. The apostle Paul told Timothy that he should be "...ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good [Christian] instruction which you have closely followed." (I Timothy 4:6 amp)

You should consistently nourish yourself spiritually with the truth of the Word of God. Little babies are dependent on their parents to feed them. Some people who have been Christians for many years are almost entirely dependent on their pastors to feed them spiritually.

You should be fed by your pastor each time you go to church. You should learn from Christian teachers. However, God never intended for you to be fed entirely by someone else. As you grow and mature as a Christian, you need to learn how to feed _yourself_ spiritually just as children learn how to feed themselves as they grow up. Job understood this great spiritual truth. He said, "...I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12 kjv)

The spiritual food that you put into your eyes and your ears is more important than the food you put into your mouth, no matter how nutritious this food may be. The food that you feed your soul and your spirit is much more important than the food you feed your body. Jesus said, "...Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4 amp)

The words "by bread alone" in this verse of Scripture are extremely important. When Jesus spoke these words to the devil, He was being tempted in the wilderness. He had been forty days and forty nights without food. Referring to an Old Testament verse of Scripture (Deuteronomy 8:3), Jesus told Satan that the Word of God was more important than feeding His body even though He had been without food for forty days.

Jesus wants you to have the same priority in your determination to continually feed the spiritual food of His Word into your mind and your heart. If you do this, your joy will not be affected by the circumstances you face. "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16 kjv)

The joy of the Lord is deep, constant and unwavering. His joy is independent of circumstances. Your heart will sing with joy _if_ it is continually filled with the supernatural power of God's living Word.

You _eat_ the spiritual food of God's Word when you renew your mind by studying the holy Scriptures each day. You _digest_ this spiritual food by faithfully obeying your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word.

When you chew food with your teeth, this food is assimilated into your body. The food is digested to give you physical energy and strength. The spiritual food that you chew thoroughly by consistent Scripture meditation is digested and goes into your soul and your spirit to provide spiritual strength.

Natural food goes from your mouth to your stomach. Spiritual food goes from your eyes and your ears to your mind to your heart. _Only food that is digested_ can give you energy in the natural realm. This same principle applies in the spiritual realm. You must learn how to chew and digest your spiritual food by effectively meditating on the Word of God.

In the natural realm many people understand that they should not gulp food down. You should chew your food thoroughly to receive maximum benefits for your body. This same principle applies in the spiritual realm. You must learn how to take portions of God's Word and chew on this spiritual food carefully and thoroughly. You will be able to extract _maximum spiritual nutrition_ if you learn how to meditate effectively on the Word of God.

Chew your spiritual food slowly and thoroughly by continually meditating on God's Word. Chew each morsel of spiritual food again and again. This thorough chewing through continual Scripture meditation will enable you to assimilate the supernatural power of the spiritual food your Father has provided for you.

As you chew thoroughly on a passage of Scripture, this spiritual food is digested. This process of spiritual digestion moves the spiritual food from your mind into your heart where it produces spiritual energy and vitality that is called faith. The more spiritual food you digest, the stronger your faith in God will be.

Many of us watch our diets carefully because we want to eat wholesome food and we do not want to gain weight. You can eat as much spiritual food as you want. _You_ _cannot eat too much_ of the spiritual food that God has provided for you. You should not allow one day to go by where you do not stuff yourself with the precious supernatural food of God's living Word.

The Bible is filled with magnificent morsels of wholesome spiritual food. As you study God's Word by renewing your mind in it each day, you will feed more and more of this spiritual food into your eyes. As you meditate day and night on the Word of God, you feed this spiritual food into your ears because you speak God's Word continually while you meditate on it. You will find that continually partaking of this spiritual food will cause your heart to sing with joy.

The Bible is multifaceted. In addition to being spiritual food, the Bible also refers to itself as a spiritual seed. Jesus explained that the Word of God is a spiritual seed when He said, "...The seed is the Word of God." (Luke 8:11 amp)

Shortly after that, Jesus explained that you should plant the supernatural seed of God's Word in the spiritual soil of your heart. He said, "...as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "good soil" in this verse of Scripture. Your heart is the "good soil" for God's Word that Jesus referred to. A heart that is surrendered to God is good soil. The holy Scriptures instruct you to plant the seed of God's Word into the good soil of your heart. If you obey these instructions, you will "steadily bring forth fruit with patience."

You plant seeds in your heart as a result of consistent Scripture meditation. Obey your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word. Wait patiently for Him to give you a magnificent harvest from the seeds that you have faithfully planted every day and night over a period of months and years.

God determines the harvest. Your part is to continually plant the seeds of His Word and to patiently wait for God to give you the harvest that He promises to give you. God says, "...as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11 amp)

Once again God explains that His Word is a spiritual seed. He says that His Word "shall not return to Him void." Your Father promises you that His Word always _will_ accomplish whatever He desires it to accomplish. God says that His Word will prosper in the exact area He desires it to prosper.

Your Father has provided you with thousands of spiritual seeds in the Bible to give you whatever seeds you need to plant to produce specific results in whatever area you need results. You cannot consistently plant these seeds without producing results.

If you meditate day and night on God's Word and fill your heart with the holy Scriptures and constantly learn more and more, God will multiply many times over the seeds that you are planting in your heart. Jesus said, "...the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." (Matthew 13:23 niv)

Continual meditation on the holy Scriptures will pay enormous dividends for you. Some people in the world look at a return of ten percent on their money as being quite good. Jesus told you that, if you hear God's Word and understand what God is telling you, you will bear tremendous spiritual fruit.

The minimum return for bearing fruit from Scripture meditation is thirty-fold. This is 3,000% interest. Why would you ever waste time pursuing worldly goals when the Word of God guarantees 3,000% interest, 6,000% and as much as a 10,000% return on the time you invest faithfully studying and meditating on God's Word?

The more time you spend studying and meditating on God's Word, the more the Word of God will rise up inside of you. The problems you face will _not_ overwhelm you. You will be fortified from the inside out because God's supernatural Word permeates your innermost being. Your Father will honor your faithfulness to His instructions pertaining to Scripture meditation by providing a bountiful harvest from the supernatural spiritual seeds you plant.

If you can comprehend the enormity of this statement, _why wouldn't you_ sow as much of God's Word into your mind and your heart as you possibly can? The spiritual harvest that Jesus has promised to you is incomprehensible to the limits of human understanding.

Jesus compared the harvest you will receive to a mustard seed. He said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." (Mark 4:30-32 niv)

The mustard seed is a good example of God's laws of sowing and reaping because it is the smallest of all seeds. Jesus explained that this small seed ultimately will become so large that birds will be able to make a nest in the shade of its branches. This same principle applies when you continually plant spiritual seeds from God's Word into your mind and your heart.

These spiritual seeds that seem to some people to be only words on paper are _much more powerful_ than they appear. These spiritual seeds can grow and expand in the spiritual realm to produce a bountiful harvest that will bring you safely through adversity.

No farmer would think of reaping a harvest if he had never planted seeds. Unfortunately, many Christians make this mistake. They ask God to give them a specific result even though they have not planted specific scriptural seeds into the spiritual soil of their hearts. "...whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap." (Galatians 6:7 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "that and that only" in this verse of Scripture. _You decide_ the harvest that you will receive. You must not expect to receive a harvest from God if you do not obey His instructions to plant the spiritual seeds that He instructs you to plant during each day and night of your life.

You will be well prepared for whatever adversity you will face _if_ you have faithfully obeyed your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word. If you have not done this, do not put this off any longer. _Now_ is the time for you to begin continually planting supernatural seeds from God's Word into your mind and your heart throughout the remainder of your life.

When you face very difficult times, you should pray as the psalmist prayed when he said, "My life dissolves and weeps itself away for heaviness; raise me up and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word." (Psalm 119:28 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "dissolves and weeps itself away for heaviness" in this verse of Scripture. The psalmist had a heavy heart. The problems he faced were so severe that his heart wept. His life seemed to be falling apart. He prayed and asked God to strengthen him "according to the promises of Your word."

Whenever you are tempted to be discouraged, you should increase the frequency and intensity of the time you spend meditating on the holy Scriptures. If everything in your life seems to be falling apart and you are almost brought to tears because of the spirit of heaviness that comes upon you, you can be certain that your loving Father will lift you up and strengthen according to the promises in His Word.

Please highlight or underline the word "promises" in this verse of Scripture. This word is an important key whenever you face severe adversity. Absolutely refuse to focus on the _problems_ you face. Focus continually on God. Focus on His _promises_ as you meditate on them throughout each day and night. Talk with your Father Who is with you at all times.

You will be strengthened incrementally as you build yourself up by meditating on God's Word. The cumulative effect of meditating on the holy Scriptures consistently over a long period of time will strengthen you immensely. External circumstances will _not_ prevail in your life because God's supernatural Word on the inside of you will be much more powerful than the problems you face in the world.

Consistent Scripture meditation will cause the Word of God to come alive inside of you. Your heart will be filled more and more with the supernatural power of God. Everything in your life will revolve around your absolute certainty that God Himself lives in your heart. His presence will be activated in your life as a result of continual Scripture meditation.

When you face severe adversity, you _can_ walk in the victory that Jesus won for you if your heart is filled to overflowing with the supernatural power of the living Word of God. Jesus said, "...If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32 amp)

The Greek word "meno" that is translated as "abide" in this passage of Scripture means "to stay in a given place, to remain, stand, tarry." Jesus instructs you to get into His Word and _stay there._ The amplification of this passage of Scripture says that you will abide in the Word of God _if you hold fast to its teachings and live in accordance with them._

You should continually program yourself with God's supernatural living Word as a result of consistent Scripture meditation. If you obey your Father's instructions in this area, your thoughts, words and actions will be aligned with God's teachings.

The Word of God _will set you free_ if you continually fill your heart with its supernatural power. You will be able to turn away from the bad news that will permeate the world because you are abiding in God's Word.

# Chapter 14  
Receive Increased Understanding from Consistent Scripture Meditation

If you meditate continually on the holy Scriptures, God will give you the wisdom and understanding that you must have when you face adversity. The psalmist knew that understanding came to him as a result of meditating on God's Word. He said, "...the meditation of my heart shall be understanding." (Psalm 49:3 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "meditation," "heart" and understanding" in this verse of Scripture. You can see that _meditating_ on God's Word causes it to come alive in your _heart_ to give you magnificent spiritual _understanding_ that you cannot receive from any other source.

As you meditate more and more on God's Word, you will receive increasing revelation from the Holy Spirit. You will be like the psalmist who said, "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts." (Psalm 119:97-100 niv)

Do you love the Word of God? Do you meditate on God's Word continually? If you do, your Father will make you "wiser than your enemies" because His Word is "ever with you." If you consistently meditate on God's Word, you will understand more than many Christian teachers. You will understand more than many people who have been Christians for a long time.

If you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word, the Holy Spirit will reveal great spiritual truths to you that many Christians sadly do not understand. The psalmist was taught by many learned men of God, but he said that he had _better understanding and deeper insight_ than _all_ of his teachers because he constantly meditated on the supernatural living Word of God.

You cannot spend your time more profitably than to obey your Father's specific instructions to meditate day and night on His Word. The psalmist said, "The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple." (Psalm 119:130 amp)

As you meditate on God's Word, the Word of God will enter into your heart and "unfold" there. As this process takes place day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year, you will come more and more out of the spiritual darkness of the world into God's light.

Please highlight or underline the words "understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. Christians who constantly meditate on God's Word will be able to discern great spiritual truths whether they are unlearned or highly educated.

God's Word is written so that a very simple person can understand it. It is written so that a highly educated person can understand it as well. God's Word can only be understood by revelation from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit will enable you to understand great spiritual truths that will give you insight into the past, the present and the future. You must be aware of what God did, what God is doing and what God will do on earth before Jesus takes believers off the earth and the seven years of tribulation begin.

Unbelievers _cannot_ receive the understanding they will need during the difficult days that are coming. They can search and search, but what they are searching for can only be found and understood through revelation from the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, many Christians also will not receive this revelation and understanding because they have not obeyed their Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word.

If you meditate constantly on God's Word, Jesus will reveal Himself to you. You will see things more and more from His perspective. You will understand how to walk in the victory that He won for you because you will know Him more intimately and understand Him more completely.

If you continually meditate on God's Word, your enthusiasm will increase even though the circumstances in the world might dictate otherwise. The English word "enthusiasm" comes from two Greek words "en" and "theos." The prefix "en" means "in." The word "theos" means "God." Enthusiasm actually means "in God."

If you continually meditate on the holy Scriptures, you will become more and more one with God. As the days turn into weeks, the weeks turn into months and the months turn into years, you will draw much closer to God. As your heart fills to overflowing with God's Word, your heart will be filled with His supernatural power.

If you face an enormous problem in the world such as a powerful earthquake, a plague sweeping across the country, a major terrorist attack, financial catastrophe or anything else that is very severe, _will you_ trust completely in the power of God and His Word? _Do you_ believe that a promise printed on paper in the Bible is _much_ greater and _much_ more powerful than the very real problems you face?

You may have to answer these questions. We live in a world that is so externally oriented that most people look to external sources for security. As circumstances grow worse, you will have to trust more in God and less in anything that is external.

God's mighty power will be released in your life if you consistently study, learn and _obey_ the specific instructions He has given to you. God's supernatural power will be released to you and in you if you will consistently learn and _believe wholeheartedly_ in the promises He has given you in His Word.

If you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word, you will have so much of His supernatural power stored up inside of you that you will be able to face any problem with deep, strong and unwavering faith in God. You will be absolutely certain that the mighty power of God inside of you is much greater than any problem you face now or any problem you will face in the future.

Your Father wants you to hold tightly onto His promises. He wants you to trust Him and His promises totally, completely and absolutely. He wants you to be absolutely certain that His promises are filled with His supernatural energy and power. He wants you to know that His supernatural promises will work in you, for you and through you to the degree that you have meditated on His Word and trust Him completely as a result.

_All_ unbelievers and _many_ Christians do not even begin to comprehend the enormous supernatural power of the Word of God. Mature Christians _know_ that the Bible is filled with God's mighty power. As you grow and mature in the Lord, you will have a deep and consuming desire to meditate more and more on the holy Scriptures.

You will experience increasing exhilaration as you meditate day and night on the Word of God over a period of time. You will not be worried, discouraged or distressed if you consistently meditate on the Word of God. You will be building yourself up throughout every day and night of your life. There will be _no_ room for any negative thoughts or emotions to obtain a foothold in your mind and your heart.

As you meditate more and more on God's Word, you will be encouraged. Discouragement will not be able to overcome you. The prefix "dis" in the word "discouragement" means "lack of." The prefix "en" in the word "encouragement" means "in." Instead of being discouraged because the problems you face take courage out of you, you will constantly put courage from God into your heart as you meditate continually on His supernatural living Word.

Your Father wants you to receive constant encouragement from Him. Many years ago, He anointed the human authors of the Bible to write words that _will_ encourage you, help you and strengthen you _today_. "...whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope." (Romans 15:4 amp)

Your Father has made provision for you to endure and persevere. Please highlight or underline the words "the encouragement drawn from the Scriptures" in this verse of Scripture. If you constantly encourage yourself by meditating on the Word of God, you will not give up hope. You will persevere in faith.

Your faith in God will not waver if your heart is filled with His Word as a result of continual Scripture meditation. You will be like the psalmist David who said, "This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life." (Psalm 119:50 amp)

When you face difficult problems, you can receive great comfort from God by meditating on His Word. The Word of God will "revive" you. It will strengthen you. You will be filled with faith in God.

If you are one of the small percentage of Christians who faithfully obey God's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word, you will find that your faith in God increases steadily. You must not allow seemingly severe problems to get inside of you. Keep them outside of you because the Word of God fills your heart to overflowing. _Know_ that your Father _will_ bring you safely through the problems you face.

# Chapter 15  
Increase Your Faith in God through Scripture Meditation

You have just read about how well equipped and prepared you will be to face whatever happens both now and in the future _if_ you meditate day and night on God's Word. In this chapter we will focus entirely on how your faith in God will increase if you consistently meditate on the holy Scriptures.

Knowing God's promises in your _mind_ is a starting point, but just knowing what God says intellectually will not result in the total change in your being that will be required to face severe adversity. You also must fill your _heart_ with the Word of God. Some people know God's Word, but they do not know God.

You must consistently meditate on the holy Scriptures to fill your heart with God's Word so that you will grow closer to God. Your faith in God will increase steadily so that you will be able to walk in victory over adversity. "......without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6 niv)

Please highlight or underline the word "impossible" in this verse of Scripture. You can do your best to please God by many things you do, but all of these attempts will be ineffective if you do not trust God completely. Your Father wants you to consistently study and meditate on His Word to learn Who He is and what He promises to do.

You _cannot_ control the circumstances that take place in the world, but God has given you the ability to control _how you react to these circumstances_. Will you react with fear, worry and apprehension? Or will you react with absolute faith in God because you have filled your heart with His supernatural living Word? "...my righteous one will live by faith..." (Hebrews 10:38 niv)

The word "righteous" in this verse of Scripture applies to you if Jesus Christ is your Savior. God wants every aspect of your life to revolve around your certainty of His indwelling presence and your absolute faith in Him as your living Lord and the Master of your life.

Please highlight or underline the words "live by faith" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants every aspect of your life to revolve around your faith in Him. _You decide_ how strong your faith in God will be. You make the decision during each day and night of your life as to how much you will meditate on God's supernatural living Word.

There is no limit to how much time you can meditate on God's Word except for the time you have to devote to earning a living. Many Christians can do some Scripture meditation while they are working at their vocation. If you work eight hours a day and you sleep eight hours each night, you have a large percentage of the remaining eight hours each day and night to meditate on God's Word.

You can meditate even more on God's Word on weekends and on holidays. If you are imaginative and determined, you can create a great deal of time to get into God's Word and to get God's Word into you.

Do not limit yourself. Make a deep and strong commitment that you _will_ faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word. You _will_ receive the tremendous blessings that Joshua 1:8 promises if you will pay the price of meditating day and night on God's Word, if you speak God's Word continually and if you do your very best to conform every aspect of your life to the specific instructions your Father has given to you.

The Word of God is alive and filled with the supernatural power of God (see Hebrews 4:12). If you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word, you will think more and more like He thinks. You also will believe what He wants you to believe. You will speak and act accordingly.

Whenever you meditate on a specific promise from God's Word, you should visualize this promise actually happening in your life. Regardless of the seeming severity of the circumstances you face, you should believe that your loving Father always will do _exactly_ what He promises to do. You should trust your Father completely. You should focus on Him continually. You must not allow any adversity to pervade your consciousness.

Your faith in God is primarily determined by the amount of His Word that lives in your heart and consistently flows out of your mouth. "...The Word (God's message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith..." (Romans 10:8 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "the basis and object of faith" in the amplification in this verse of Scripture. These words explain that your faith in God is based upon how much of God's Word lives in your heart.

Your faith in God is never constant. Your faith in God is either increasing or decreasing. Your faith in God will increase steadily if you obey your Father's instructions to continually meditate on His Word. Faith in God is cumulative. There is no way that your ears can constantly hear your mouth boldly and confidently speaking God's Word without your faith in God increasing (see Romans 10:17).

Some Christians only hear the Word of God once or twice a week when they attend church. Your faith in God can increase when you hear an anointed pastor or teacher boldly speaking the Word of God. However, you cannot bring this pastor or teacher home with you to speak to you continually throughout the week.

If you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word, your ears will constantly be filled with supernatural power from God. As this process continues over a period of weeks, months and years, more and more of the supernatural power of God will rise up inside of you.

You ignite the power of God when you consistently speak the Word of God. The Hebrew word "hagah" that is translated as "meditate" in both Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2 means "to murmur, mutter, speak, talk, utter." Your ears should continually hear your mouth boldly speaking, personalizing and expanding the supernatural promises of God as you meditate day and night on His Word.

You release spiritual power _with your mouth_. Spiritual power is released in your life as you meditate on God's Word each day and night. The cumulative effect of repeatedly _speaking_ God's promises will steadily increase your faith in God. You give substance to the promises of God as you boldly speak these promises with absolute faith in God. The more you speak God's promises, the more substance they will have in your life.

As you continually meditate on God's Word, you will change "logos" which is the written Word of God into "rhema" which is the spoken Word of God. God's Word is quickened and made alive and active as you continually speak it. Logos is a spiritual seed. As you continually plant these spiritual seeds by speaking God's Word boldly, rhema will produce a harvest in your life. The worse the circumstances are, the more you need to speak God's Word boldly.

Instead of being discouraged by the seeming severity of the problems you face, you will be encouraged if you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word. "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction." (Proverbs 13:3 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the word "destruction" in this verse of Scripture. If you consistently speak words that do not line up with God's Word, you ultimately will bring destruction upon yourself. On the other hand, you will find that the words you speak in a crisis situation actually can end up saving your life. "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." (Proverbs 21:23 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "keepeth his soul from troubles" in this verse of Scripture. Your soul consists of your mind, your emotions and your will. If the words that you speak consistently line up with God's Word, your thoughts, your emotions and the decisions you make when you are under pressure will be the thoughts, emotions and decisions your Father wants you to have.

You should speak with conviction and expectancy whenever you meditate on God's Word. Studies have indicated that people can speak as many as 100,000 words in twenty-four hours. How many of the words that pour out of your mouth each day are increasing your faith in God? How many of these words are decreasing your faith in God?

The percentage of faith-filled words that you speak will increase dramatically if you faithfully obey Your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word. Whenever you face severe problems, you must understand the vital importance of saying what God says throughout each day and night of your life.

# Chapter 16  
Immerse Yourself in the Word of God

In this chapter we are ready to focus on several additional areas pertaining to Scripture meditation. God has provided a way for you to communicate with Him by consistently speaking His Word to Him. You will constantly draw closer to God when you meditate day and night on His Word.

Several informal surveys that we have run over the years indicate that less than five percent of the Christians we surveyed meditate on the Word of God on a consistent basis. Can you imagine God promising you prosperity, wisdom and success and _ignoring_ the specific instructions He has given you to be prosperous, wise and successful? We believe that this is _exactly_ what approximately ninety-five percent of the Christians in the United States do.

Most people do what their doctor, attorney or accountant instructs them to do. _Why_ do so many Christians ignore the specific instructions their Father has given them to renew their minds in His Word each day and to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures? _Why_ do so many Christians honor the instructions of people who were created by God and ignore specific instructions from God Himself?

We are writing this book to light your life with the Word of God. God's Word connects you with God Himself. Our desire is to help you to be filled to overflowing with the power and wisdom of God.

God gives every person the same twenty-four hours a day. You decide how you will spend these precious hours. _Have you_ spent a significant amount of time over a period of years renewing your mind each day in God's Word? _Have you_ faithfully obeyed your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word?

Do not disobey Your Father's instructions that His Word should not depart from your sight (see Proverbs 3:21 and 4:21). The Word of God should be in front of you constantly. You should _yearn_ to learn everything you can from the holy Scriptures. You should have a deep hunger and thirst for God's supernatural living Word. "My son, keep my words; lay up within you my commandments [for use when needed] and treasure them." (Proverbs 7:1 amp)

God's Word is a spiritual treasure. You should store up as much of this treasure as you possibly can within yourself so that you will have whatever you need from God exactly when you need it. "Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart]..." (Proverbs 10:14 amp)

If you are spiritually wise and mature, you will continually "store up" God's Word in your mind and your heart. Immerse yourself in the supernatural living Word of God each day and night of your life. Strengthen yourself from the inside out so that you _will_ be strong in Christ when you face adversity.

Surveys have indicated that most people forget approximately ninety percent of what they hear within thirty days. You cannot possibly receive everything you need from attending church once or twice a week.

Church attendance is vitally important (see Hebrews 10:25). However, you must add to what you learn in church by faithfully obeying your Father's instructions to meditate continually on His Word. You must keep the Word of God at the forefront of your consciousness at all times.

You should have such a hunger and thirst to fill your heart with God's Word that you would not even think of missing one day or night of Scripture meditation. You should be like a gigantic sponge, soaking up the supernatural power of the living Word of God. When you meditate on God's Word, you dig deeply into the Word of God to extract every bit of spiritual truth that you can.

Have you ever heard a song and found yourself humming this melody continually over a period of time? You continued to hum this song because it became lodged in your mind just below your level of consciousness. This same principle applies to meditating on the Word of God.

Your Father wants you to meditate _so much_ on His Word that it takes up residence in your mind and your heart, ready to be called upon whenever you need it. "The thoughts of the [steadily] diligent tend only to plenteousness..." (Proverbs 21:5 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "diligent" in this verse of Scripture. When you are diligent, you persevere at whatever goal you are pursuing. Repetition is extremely powerful. Seemingly powerless drops of water that drip continually on a hard rock will wear the rock away over a period of time.

This principle of repetition is very important in Scripture meditation. Several studies have indicated that you often need to listen to the same message several times to fully absorb this message. You should saturate yourself so much in God's Word that you see God as the omnipotent and supremely powerful God that He truly is (see I Chronicles 29:11-12, Jeremiah 32:17 and Luke 1:37).

Some Christians spend their entire lives without having more than a _trickle_ of God's Word coming into their minds and hearts through their eyes and ears. Your Father wants a _torrent_ of His Word to constantly pour into your eyes and your ears. He wants you to flood your consciousness with His supernatural living Word so that you _will_ be prepared for the difficult times that are coming upon the world.

Your Father has given you the ability to visualize. He wants you to use this ability positively. Instead of imagining that horrible things will happen in your life because of the bad news of the world, you should use this God-given ability to visualize positively. Your Father wants you to saturate yourself so much in His Word that you will constantly visualize that what you are meditating on actually _will_ take place in your life.

When you face a sudden crisis, you often will not have the opportunity to think things through logically. Sometimes you must react instantly. Your spontaneous reaction to a situation like this will come from whatever you deeply believe in your heart (see Proverbs 4:23 and Proverbs 23:7). You will react spontaneously to a crisis with deep, strong and unwavering faith in God _if_ you have paid the price of continually filling your mind and your heart with God's supernatural living Word.

Try to comprehend how much Scripture you will have in your heart if you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate continually on His Word. If you _only_ meditated on _one_ passage of Scripture a day, you would have 365 passages of Scripture in your heart at the end of a year. You would have more than 1,000 passages of Scripture in your heart in three years.

If you faithfully obey God's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word, your heart will be filled to overflowing with His supernatural Word. You will have programmed yourself with so much of God's Word that you will be able to reach down inside of yourself to appropriate whatever specific instructions or promises you need to deal with any problems you face.

You will build up a tremendous reservoir of Scripture in your heart if you faithfully obey your Father's instructions to meditate continually on His supernatural living Word. You should be immersed in a sea of Scripture. Scripture meditation will transform your life when the Word of God always is at the forefront of your consciousness.

# Chapter 17  
Fill Your Eyes and Your Ears with the Word of God

Scripture meditation should be a way of life for every Christian. Meditating on God's Word should be a highlight of each day of your life. Do not allow one day to go by when you do not meditate day and night on God's supernatural living Word as your Father has instructed you to do.

Some people who read these instructions may react by thinking that they are too busy to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures. Would your Father have instructed you to do something that is not possible? God is omniscient. He knows exactly how busy every person in the world is.

Satan wants you to think you're too busy. Your Father knows better. He knows you have to work to earn a living. If you take this instruction from God seriously, you _will_ meditate day and night on His Word. You can meditate on Scripture while you are dressing in the morning and while you are driving your automobile to work.

You can keep our Scripture Meditation Cards on your desk or wherever you spend most of your day (see Comments on Scripture Meditation Cards at the beginning of this book and the order form for Scripture Meditation Cards and CDs at the end of the book).

You can meditate on Scripture whenever you have a free moment during your workday. You also can meditate during your lunch hour. You can meditate on Scripture when you drive home from your work at night. You can turn off the television for awhile at night and meditate on God's Word. You can increase your Scripture meditation on weekends and holidays.

You must understand the importance of meditating on the Word of God at night. Your mind should be filled with the supernatural living Word of God when you go to sleep. You must not make the mistake of filling your mind with the bad news of the world by watching the late news before you go to bed. You must not fill your mind with violent television programming. Instead, prepare yourself for a peaceful night of sleep by filling your mind and your heart with God's supernatural Word.

Meditation on God's Word is _not_ drudgery. Once you break through any initial hesitation you might have, you will find that meditating day and night on God's Word is a delightful experience. _Why wouldn't you_ be thrilled to continually partake of the supernatural power of God? _What_ could be more exciting?

Very difficult times are coming upon us. Severe adversity may already be here by the time you read this book. You either will pay the price of continually increasing your faith in God before adversity comes upon you or you will pay a significant price for your lack of faith in God. You cannot escape paying a price one way or another.

Whenever the pressure increases and the problems mount up, you should _increase_ your time in the Word of God. Talk to your Father throughout the day and night as you meditate on His Word. Listen to what He says to you. You will need the therapeutic effect of God's supernatural living Word constantly pouring encouragement into your heart.

The more difficult the circumstances, the more seeds from God's Word you should plant in your mind and your heart. You _will_ have the fortitude to persevere with unwavering faith in God when you face severe adversity _if_ you have consistently planted supernatural seeds from God's Word into your mind and your heart.

When God created you, He gave you two eyes and two ears. Your Father gave you eyes to see what is going on in the world and ears to hear what is happening in the world. However, He did not create your eyes and ears _only_ to receive input from the world. Your Father has instructed you to consistently fill your eyes and your ears with His supernatural living Word.

When you meditate on the holy Scriptures, you are filling _both_ your eyes and your ears with God's Word. You are looking at the words you are meditating on. You also fill your ears with God's Word when your ears consistently hear your mouth meditating on the Word of God.

You must not allow economic conditions or any other problems in the world to obtain a foothold in your mind and your heart. The problems you face _cannot_ develop a foothold if God's Word never departs from your eyes because you are meditating day and night on God's Word. "...let them not escape from your sight, but keep sound and godly Wisdom and discretion, and they will be life to your inner self..." (Proverbs 3:21-22 amp)

King Solomon wrote these words to his son. God has given this same instruction to you. Please highlight or underline the words "let them _not_ escape from your sight" in this passage of Scripture. Your eyes should be studying and meditating on the holy Scriptures continually. Only then can you learn and faithfully obey what your Father has instructed you to do.

Please highlight or underline the words "life to your inner self" in this passage of Scripture. If you continually fill your eyes with God's supernatural Word, it will come alive on the inside of you. You will be encouraged, strengthened and built up. "My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart." (Proverbs 4:20-21 amp)

Once again these words that King Solomon wrote to his son apply to you today. Please highlight or underline the words "attend to my words" in this passage of Scripture. God is instructing you to pay close attention to His Word at all times. You should pay close attention to the Word of God so that you will "consent and submit to" _all_ of God's instructions.

God emphasizes through repetition. Once again you are instructed not to allow the Word of God to depart from your sight. You will not be able to persevere in faith in the face of severe problems unless you consistently fill your eyes and your ears with God's supernatural living Word. Only then will your heart be filled to overflowing with the Word of God.

We have emphasized the importance of _your_ ears hearing _your_ mouth boldly speaking God's Word as you meditate on the holy Scriptures. God created your ears to hear His Word. "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge." (Proverbs 23:12 niv)

Meditating day and night on the holy Scriptures should become a habit in your life. _Good_ habits are _just_ as difficult to break as _bad_ habits. Once you have solidly established the habit of meditating day and night on the Word of God, you will continue this positive, uplifting and encouraging habit.

Your priorities then will be the same as God's priorities. You will spend your time doing exactly what your Father has instructed you to do. "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." (Proverbs 4:13 niv)

Whenever you face difficult circumstances, you should _hold tightly_ onto the Word of God. You should "guard" against anything else taking priority over your faithful obedience to your Father's instructions regarding consistent Bible study and Scripture meditation.

God's Word is tried and true. You _can_ depend totally, completely and absolutely on the supernatural Word of God to empower you to live in the victory that Jesus Christ has won for you. Jesus has done His part. You must do your part.

If you face difficult challenges, you should meditate continually on specific passages of Scripture that apply to whatever challenges you face (see our book titled _What Does God Say?_ for 1,221 verses of Scripture on 94 topics). As you continue to meditate on God's magnificent promises, you will hold tightly onto them. You will refuse to allow the adversity you face to overcome you.

Your Father has given you freedom of choice. If you choose to disregard God's instructions, you must be willing to pay a price for your disobedience. Do not be lulled to sleep if good times have prevailed during much of your life. Difficult times are coming, if they are not already here when you read this book. Prepare _now_ for what is coming by developing the good habit of meditating day and night on God's Word.

Your Father wants you to love His Word so much that you cannot get enough of it. He wants you to yearn to continually fill your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart and your mouth with more and more of His Word. "Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble." (Psalm 119:165 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "great peace" in this verse of Scripture. You _can_ and will experience God's supernatural peace during extremely difficult times _if_ you _love_ God's Word. If you love God's Word so much that you meditate on it day and night, nothing will offend you. Nothing will be able to knock you off your feet. God's supernatural peace will prevail in your life _because_ you have consistently filled your heart with His living Word.

Unfortunately, many Christians do not even know what Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2-3 instruct them to do to be prosperous and successful. What more can God do? God has done His part. He has given you numerous specific instructions pertaining to every area of your life. He has given you many promises telling you exactly what He will do.

You must do your part. You must pay the price to consistently learn, continually speak and faithfully obey the specific instructions your Father has given you so that you will be prosperous and successful (see Joshua 1:8). You must steadily increase your faith in God until you are absolutely certain that your Father _will_ do exactly what He says He will do (see Joshua 23:14).

Refuse to give up. If nothing good seems to be happening, continue to meditate day and night on God's Word. Know that the promises you are meditating on _will_ come into manifestation in God's perfect timing (see Ecclesiastes 3:1 and Luke 1:20). Trust God's timing just as you trust Him in every other area of your life.

You may cry out to God when you face severe adversity. Unfortunately, if you have ignored your Father's instructions to consistently renew your mind in His Word and to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures, you have not prepared yourself for adversity the way your Father has instructed you to prepare.

If you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have been given the opportunity to become incredibly strong deep down inside of yourself. _Are you_ taking full advantage of this marvelous opportunity you have been given? God's Word will not automatically come upon you. You must go to it. You must constantly strengthen yourself with the Word of God by learning and obeying the scriptural instructions your loving Father has given to you.

The Bible promises that you will receive manifestation of God's promises _if_ you trust Him completely and refuse to give up. The Bible speaks of "...those who through faith (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises." (Hebrews 6:12 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. This amplification is a beautiful description of faith in God.

Your Father wants you to _lean_ on Him. He wants you to trust Him _completely_. He wants you to _know_ that He _will_ honor the promises in His Word. You must endure patiently and wait for as long as your Father instructs you to wait to receive manifestation of His promises.

You must _not_ disobey your Father's specific instructions to renew your mind in His Word each day and to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures. "...any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17 amp)

You have learned in this book exactly what God has instructed you to do in the areas of Bible study and Scripture meditation. If you know what your Father has instructed you to do and you ignore His instructions, you _sin_ against Him. Your disobedience often will block your loving Father from giving you the blessings He very much wants to give you.

If you have ignored God's instructions to continually renew your mind in His Word and to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures, go to Him and admit your mistake. Repent of your disobedience. Ask your Father to forgive you and to give you a fresh new start. You can be certain that your Father will forgive you (see I John 1:9).

You should be determined to do everything you can to make up for any time you have lost by not obeying these instructions from God. You should begin immediately to immerse yourself day and night in God's supernatural living Word. Prepare yourself _now_ for whatever adversity you will face in the future. Utilize any time that has been given to you to constantly saturate yourself in God's Word.

As this book is written, you still have time to prepare yourself spiritually for the difficult times that are coming. We do not know when you will be reading this book. Do you still have time? If you do, take full advantage of the time that is remaining. Continually fill your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart and your mouth with the supernatural living Word of God.

# Chapter 18  
Speak God's Word and Obey God's Instructions

You have learned many facts pertaining to Scripture meditation. Now we are ready to look again at a very important verse pertaining to Scripture meditation. This time we will examine two additional instructions from God in addition to the necessity of meditating on God's Word. "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 kjv)

In addition to instructing you to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures, this verse also gives you two additional instructions that you must obey to enjoy God's prosperity and success. Once again we want to emphasize that the Hebrew word "tsalach" that is translated as "prosperous" means "to push forward, break out and go over."

When you face severe adversity, you must learn what God instructs you to do to break out and overcome the challenges you face. In addition to meditating on the holy Scriptures, you are told that God's Word should _not_ depart from your mouth. You should speak God's Word whenever possible throughout the day and night. When you are not speaking God's Word specifically, all of the words that you do speak should be in agreement with God's Word.

You must understand the enormous spiritual power of the words that come out of your mouth. If your words continually line up with God's Word, the cumulative flow of words that you speak will bring you safely out on the other side of the problems you face. "...the mouth of the upright shall deliver them." (Proverbs 12:6 kjv)

There is one important truth that you must understand about the words that you speak when you face adversity. You _cannot_ control these words through sheer willpower. Mouthing God's Word like a parrot in the face of adversity will not produce results in the spiritual realm. "...no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." (James 3:8 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "no man can tame the tongue" in this verse of Scripture. God said that you cannot control the words that come out of your mouth through willpower. _How_ then can you control the words that you speak when you face difficult problems? Jesus said, "...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him." (Matthew 12:34-35 niv)

You can see how perfectly all of God's instructions fit together. If you have consistently obeyed your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word, your heart will be filled with the supernatural power of the Word of God. The words that you speak when you face adversity will flow out of your mouth from the Word of God that is stored up in your heart. "...he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully...." (Jeremiah 23:28 amp)

The words "he who has My word" refers to having God's Word in your heart. You will be able to speak words of faith in the face of adversity _if_ your heart is filled to overflowing with God's supernatural living Word. If you have absolute faith in God, the words that you speak will continually evidence this deep, strong and unwavering faith. Jesus said that whoever "...does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him." (Mark 11:23 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "does not doubt at all" in this verse of Scripture. You must _know_ what God has promised and have absolute faith that your Father _will_ do exactly what He says He will do.

The key to speaking God's Word and receiving manifestation of what you speak is to not doubt in your heart. If your heart is filled with God's Word and you have absolute faith in God, you will receive manifestation of the words you speak. "I believed (trusted in, relied on, and clung to my God), and therefore have I spoken..." (Psalm 116:10 amp)

Once again you see the relationship between the words that you speak and what you really believe in your heart. Your heart should be so full of God's Word as a result of consistent Scripture meditation that you will be like the psalmist who spoke these words.

Christians who have not faithfully meditated on God's Word will be sense-oriented. They will speak primarily of what is going on in the world. Christians who have meditated day and night on God's Word over a sustained period of time will be Word-of-God-oriented. They will say what God's Word says regardless of what is taking place in the world.

If you have faithfully meditated on God's Word for a period of years, you will have a great deal of Scripture in your heart. You will be able to bring up the appropriate passages of Scripture to fit any specific need. You should speak the Word of God continually and personalize it to fit whatever situation you face.

If you truly believe that every word in the Bible is inspired by God just as II Timothy 3:16 says it is, _why wouldn't you_ utilize every possible minute to fill your heart with God's Word? You cannot invest your time better.

You should have so much of the good news of God's Word stored up in your heart that you will not be overcome by the bad news of the world, no matter how severe the problems may seem. The good news of God's Word in your heart can and should dominate all bad news in the world.

You cannot have a greater asset during the difficult times that are coming than to have a heart that is filled to overflowing with the supernatural living Word of God. If you allow the bad news of the world to get into your heart, you will have a heavy heart. If your heart is filled with encouragement from God's Word, it will sing with joy. "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad." (Proverbs 12:25 amp)

Refuse to worry about the circumstances in the world. Do not allow your heart to become heavy because you are continually focusing on the bad news of the world. Instead of doing this, you should encourage yourself by continually meditating on the holy Scriptures.

The Word of God should be the solid foundation for your life. Every aspect of your life should be anchored on the tremendous amount of God's Word that fills your heart as a result of consistent Scripture meditation over a period of time. "All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances]." (Proverbs 15:15 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "regardless of circumstances" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. If your heart is filled with God's Word, you will have a glad heart at all times. Worry and anxiety will _not_ be able to get into your heart.

We have looked into God's Word to see the relationship between meditating day and night on the holy Scriptures, filling your heart with God's Word as a result of continual Scripture meditation and constantly speaking faith-filled words. "...Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live." (Proverbs 4:4 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "keep my commandments and live" in this verse of Scripture. These words and the preceding words about your heart being filled with God's Word line up perfectly with the final instruction in Joshua 1:8 where you are instructed to "observe to do according to all that is written therein."

Please highlight or underline the words "observe to do" in this portion of Scripture. You cannot consistently do what God's Word instructs you to do unless you have consistently studied and meditated on the holy Scriptures to learn how your Father wants you to live your life. Only then can you live your life in accordance with God's instructions.

You have seen that your Father instructs you to continually fill your _mind_ with His Word by renewing your mind each day in the holy Scriptures. You have learned that your Father wants you to fill your _heart_ with His Word by meditating day and night on the holy Scriptures. You have learned that God's Word should continually flow out of your _mouth_. The following verse of Scripture ties all of these instructions together. "...the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it." (Deuteronomy 30:14 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "so that you can do it" in this verse of Scripture. The final step in this process of Bible study, Scripture meditation and speaking God's Word is to _do_ exactly what your Father has instructed you to do.

Obedience is extremely important to God. You will prosper financially and in all other areas if you consistently learn and obey the specific instructions your Father has given to you. "...observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go" (I Kings 2:3 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "prosper in all you do and wherever you go" in this verse of Scripture. This promise is all-inclusive. It includes everything you do and wherever you are. This promise does not have an asterisk saying that is dependent on the state of the economy or any other worldly conditions.

Turn _away_ from the world throughout each day and night of your life. Immerse yourself in the holy Scriptures. Consistently program yourself to live your life the way your Father has instructed you to live. Then live every aspect of your life to the very best of your ability in obedience to His instructions.

Children show their love for their parents by obeying their parents' instructions. You show your love for God by learning and obeying His instructions. Jesus said, "...If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching..." (John 14:23 niv)

You show your appreciation for what Jesus did for you on the cross at Calvary by _doing_ what He instructs you to do. "...be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]." (James 1:22 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "not merely listeners to it" in this verse of Scripture. Most Christians hear God's Word when they attend church each week. Some Christians also study and meditate on the Word of God. You must take the final step. You must _do_ what God's Word instructs you to do.

If you do not learn God's instructions and obey them, you will be open to "deception" by Satan and his evil spirits. You will "reason contrary to the truth." Your thoughts, words and actions will be based upon a worldly perspective instead of being based upon the truth of God's Word.

You should consistently learn God's instructions. You should always do your best to obey these instructions. "...the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:25 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "looks intently into" in this verse of Scripture. The word "intent" has the same root as the word "intense." When you do something intently, you are very serious about what you are doing.

Your daily Bible study and Scripture meditation should be intense. You should not allow anything to deter you from your determination to consistently fill your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart and your mouth with the supernatural living Word of God. If you continue to do this, you will not forget God's instructions. You will do what your Father instructs you to do. You will be blessed for your obedience.

If you consistently study and meditate on God's Word and live in accordance with your Father's instructions, you will build a solid spiritual foundation that will sustain you when you face adversity. Jesus said, "...everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matthew 7:24-27 niv)

Please highlight or underline the two times the word "everyone" is used in this passage of Scripture. This word includes _you._ You can see that you will build a spiritual foundation of solid _rock_ if you _do_ what God's Word instructs you to do. When difficult problems come upon you, you will not be overcome. However, Christians who hear God's Word and do _not_ do what they are instructed to do will have a spiritual foundation of _sand._ When difficult times come upon these Christians, they will fall.

There is a direct relationship between obeying God's instructions, praying to God and receiving an answer to your prayers. "...we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him." (I John 3:22 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "whatever we ask" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father places _no_ limit on answering your prayers _if_ you will consistently learn and obey His instructions and live your life in a way that is pleasing to Him.

All unbelievers are ignorant of God's instructions. Unfortunately, many Christians do not know what they should know about the instructions in the holy Scriptures. The psalmist understood the enormous penalty that people will pay if they do not love the Word of God and live their lives in obedience to God's instructions. He said, "Streams of water run down my eyes, because men do not keep Your law [they hear it not, nor receive it, love it, or obey it]." (Psalm 119:136 amp)

The psalmist actually cried when he thought of people who do not love the Word of God and faithfully obey God's instructions. You very well may cry during the trials and tribulations of the last days _if_ you ignore God's instructions to renew your mind in His Word each day, to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures, to speak His Word continually and to live your life doing your very best to obey all of your Father's instructions.

# Chapter 19  
Seek God in the Morning and Pray Continually

If you truly desire to walk in the victory that Jesus Christ won for you, you should spend quiet time alone with Him each and every day of your life. _What_ appointment on your daily appointment schedule could possibly be more important than your appointment with the Lord every day?

You must turn away from the world each day to be alone with the Lord. You should seek His presence at the beginning of each day of your life and throughout every day of your life.

You should strengthen and fortify yourself each _morning_ for whatever problems you will face during the upcoming day. Your Father wants to spend intimate time with you each morning. "What is man that You should magnify him and think him important? And that You should set Your mind upon him? And that You should visit him every morning..." (Job 7:17-18 amp)

How can you turn down the privilege you have been given of spending time with God each day of your life? You should be consoled by the knowledge that God wants to spend time with _you_ each morning. If God thinks that this quiet time each morning is important, you should definitely set aside this time. Your Father wants to visit with you " _every_ morning." You must not disappoint Him.

Abraham was an early riser (see Genesis 22:3). The psalmist David was an early riser (see Psalm 57:8). Jesus was an early riser (see Mark 1:35). Follow the example of these men of God and other people in the Bible who have been portrayed as spending precious time alone with the Lord each day.

Your morning time should consist of Bible study, Scripture meditation, prayer, worship and fellowship with the Lord. Your Father will reveal Himself to you if you begin each day by fervently seeking Him. "...those who seek me early and diligently shall find me." (Proverbs 8:17 amp)

These words that King Solomon spoke to his son also are God's instructions to you. Your Father emphasizes that you should seek Him "early." He emphasizes that you should seek Him "diligently." You _will_ find God if you diligently seek Him each morning.

You have learned that your Father instructs you to meditate day and night on His Word. This Scripture meditation should begin in the early morning hours. You should be like the psalmist who said, "...I am awake before the cry of the watchman, that I may meditate on Your word." (Psalm 119:148 amp)

When this passage of Scripture was written, a watchman awakened people with a loud cry. The psalmist was awake before the watchman awakened other people so that he could begin his Scripture meditation in the early morning hours.

The time that you spend in God's Word at the beginning of each day is a magnificent investment. You should make spiritual deposits during the early morning hours that will enable you to make spiritual withdrawals throughout the upcoming day and night.

The psalmist David emphasized the importance of praying to God each morning and listening for His answer. David said, "In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart]." (Psalm 5:3 amp)

David knew that he would hear God speaking to him if he set aside time in the early morning hours. God speaks to you all day long. We have found that one of the very best times to hear His voice is in precious quiet time alone with Him during the early morning hours.

David emphasized the importance of asking the Lord to speak to him in the morning to show him exactly what to do during the upcoming day. David said, "Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You." (Psalm 143:8 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "to hear Your loving-kindness _in the morning_ " in this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants to reveal His love to you in the early morning hours. He wants you to trust Him completely. If you come close to Him early in the morning, He will guide you throughout the upcoming day.

God will teach you great spiritual truths in the early morning quiet time you spend with Him. If you come to God each morning with a humble and teachable heart, you will be taught by God. "...He wakens Me morning by morning, He wakens My ear to hear as a disciple [as one who is taught]." (Isaiah 50:4 amp)

These words refer to Jesus Christ. Isaiah was prophesying about Jesus when he spoke these words. You can see that these words refer to deity by the capital "M" in the words "Me" and "My." If God woke Jesus up every morning to teach Him, you should believe that God wants you to follow the example of His Son. Jesus is your example in every area of your life.

Your Father has specifically instructed you to come to Him in prayer whenever you face difficult circumstances. People who face overwhelming problems should come to God in prayer with absolute faith that God will answer. "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray..." (James 5:13 niv)

Some people do not pray when they are in trouble. Other people pray begging and pleading prayers. Your Father wants you to pray to Him with absolute faith that He hears your prayers and that He will bring you safely through the problems you face.

You should be like the psalmist who said, "As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me." (Psalm 55:16-18 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "evening, and morning, and at noon" in this verse of Scripture. The psalmist understood the importance of praying with faith to God throughout the morning, at noon, in the afternoon and in the evening hours. He knew that God heard his prayers. He knew that God would bring him safely through the problems he faced.

You should pray many times during each day, but you also should have a specific place that you go to for your daily prayer time. Jesus said, "...when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open." (Matthew 6:6 amp)

When you go to the special place in your home where you go to pray, you should "close the door" to this room. You then will be able to pray quietly. Your Father "will reward" your prayers of faith.

You should not have any doubts about whether God is listening when you pray. God's Word says that He listens carefully to your prayers. "...the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer..." (I Peter 3:12 amp)

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you are righteous before God. Because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for you, you are in right standing with God. You can be _certain_ that your Father _is_ listening when you pray.

You must understand that praying fervently from your heart with absolute faith in God is extremely productive. When you face difficult problems, you can receive the mighty power of God to help you if you pray fervently with absolute faith in God. "...The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]." (James 5:16 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "earnest," heartfelt" and "continued" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. Your Father wants you to pray from a heart that is filled with faith in Him. If you pray earnestly and fervently throughout each day and night, your faith-filled prayers will release "tremendous power" from God.

If you pray to God with absolute faith based upon specific promises in His Word and if you have a close and intimate relationship with Him, you can be assured that He _will_ answer your prayers. Jesus said, "If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7 amp)

Please read the last part of this verse of Scripture first. Jesus promised that _you_ can "ask _whatever_ you will, and it _shall_ be done for you." If you are in trouble, meditate again and again on these powerful words. Receive this promise from Jesus Christ as a personal promise to you.

This promise is conditional. You will receive an answer to all of your prayers _if_ you have a close and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, _if_ your heart is filled with His Word and _if_ you abide in Christ.

The second condition that Jesus explained is for His Word "to remain in you and continue to live in your heart." The holy Scriptures consistently instruct you to fill your heart with the Word of God. You must not attempt to face severe adversity with a heart that has not been filled with God's Word.

Jesus wants you to pray based upon these specific instructions. He wants this magnificent promise that He has given to you to be _the solid foundation for all of your prayers._ If His Word fills your heart, you will be able to constantly turn away from adversity to draw closer to Him. There is a direct relationship between how much you trust Jesus and how much of His Word lives in your heart.

When you pray to God, you should go to Him with prayers that are based on specific promises in His Word. You can be certain that your Father hears your prayers _and_ that He will answer these prayers _if_ you pray according to His specific instructions. "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." (I John 5:14-15 niv)

You are instructed to approach God with absolute confidence. Please highlight or underline the words "anything according to his will" in this passage of Scripture. When you pray based upon specific promises in God's Word, you are praying according to God's will. Jesus said, "...they should always pray and not give up." (Luke 18:1 niv)

Please highlight or underline the word "always" in this verse of Scripture. Pray continually. Please highlight or underline the words "not give up." You must persevere in your faith in God.

God has told you what He will do in response to your prayers, but He has _not_ told you _when_ He will do what He promises to do. You must _not_ give up if God has not answered your prayer as soon as you think He should. Jesus said, "Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8 amp)

Please highlight or underline the _six times_ that the words "keep on" or "keeps on" are used in this passage of Scripture. God always emphasizes through repetition. There is no question that your loving Father wants you to _keep on praying_ whenever you face difficult circumstances.

_Each_ time that the words "keep on" or "keeps on" are used in this passage of Scripture, these words are followed by a _favorable result_. God will answer your prayers if you keep on praying to Him with absolute faith that He will answer.

Please highlight or underline the words "everyone who keeps on asking receives" in this passage of Scripture. The word "everyone" includes you. Pray continually to God with absolute faith and perseverance whenever you face difficult problems. "Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]" (I Thessalonians 5:17 amp)

# Chapter 20  
Know God Intimately and Trust Him Completely

If you faithfully obey all of the scriptural instructions we have given you, we believe that you will know God personally and intimately. You cannot renew your mind each day in God's Word, meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures, pray continually, worship God constantly and spend precious quiet time alone with God each day without developing a close and intimate relationship with Him. "Come close to God and He will come close to you...." (James 4:8 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "and He will come close to you" in this verse of Scripture. If you do everything you can do to come close to God, you can be certain that your Father _will_ come close to you.

God knows you intimately. He knows all of your faults and shortcomings. Why would the same God Who created the sun, the moon, the stars and all of the planets desire to have a close relationship with _you_? The psalmist said, "When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?" (Psalm 8:3-4 amp)

The Bible teaches that God loves every person on earth unconditionally regardless of this person's faults and shortcomings (see Romans 8:1). Your loving Father wants you to be absolutely certain that He is with you throughout every hour of every day of your life. "Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?" (Jeremiah 23:23 kjv)

You must not make the mistake of thinking that God is far away from you. Your Father wants every aspect of your daily life to revolve around your constant awareness of His indwelling presence. "...He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being..." (Acts 17:27-28 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "each one of us" in this passage of Scripture. These words include _you._ God is _not_ far away from you. Jesus Christ left the glory of heaven to pay an enormous price so that _you_ can enjoy a close personal relationship with God. "...the Son of God has [actually] come to this world and has given us understanding and insight [progressively] to perceive (recognize) and come to know better and more clearly Him Who is true..." (I John 5:20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "progressively" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants you to continually draw closer to Him. He wants you to know Him intimately. Because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, _you_ have been brought close to God. "...you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13 niv)

All unbelievers are "far away" from God because they are separated from God by the sin of Adam and by their personal sin. Every person is born with a sin nature (see Romans 3:23). When you repent of your sins and ask God's forgiveness and trust Jesus Christ completely for eternal salvation, your sins are forgiven. You then are at peace with God. You are given the opportunity to be very close to Him throughout each day of your life.

Unfortunately, many Christians do not enjoy the close relationship with God that is available to them. They do not renew their minds in God's Word each day. They do not meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures. They do not pray continually. They do not worship God constantly. They do not set aside a substantial period of time each day to draw closer to God. "...God is great, and we know Him not!..." (Job 36:26 amp)

God is so magnificent that His greatness is beyond the limitations of our human comprehension. Your Father wants you to learn and obey the specific instructions He has given you so that you will continually draw closer to Him. You cannot trust God when you face severe adversity unless you have a close and intimate relationship with Him. Jesus said, "...These people [constantly] honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far distant from Me." (Mark 7:6 amp)

These words that Jesus spoke about the Pharisees apply to people who are religious but do not know God. Please highlight or underline the words "their hearts hold off and are far distant from Me" in this verse of Scripture. The key to the intimacy of your relationship with God is in your _heart_. "...you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "when you search for Me with all your heart" in this verse of Scripture. _Are you_ searching for God with all your heart? Is a close and intimate relationship with God the top priority in your life?

Please highlight or underline the words "vital necessity" in the amplification in this verse of Scripture. A close and intimate relationship with God is _absolutely essential_ when you face severe adversity. Your Father wants you to cling to Him because you trust Him completely.

You _must_ understand the importance of a close and intimate relationship with God. Food is a necessity. You cannot live indefinitely without food. A close relationship with God is _more_ of a necessity than the food you must have to live. God says, "...Seek Me [inquire for and of Me and require Me as you require food]..." (Amos 5:4 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "require Me as you require food" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. You are _required_ to seek God. You must not miss out on the precious privilege of a close relationship with God because you do not seek Him fervently. "...set your mind and heart to seek (inquire of and require as your vital necessity) the Lord your God...." (I Chronicles 22:19 amp)

Once again the words "vital necessity" are used in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. You must not allow yourself to become complacent when things are going well. If you have obeyed God's instructions, you will continually draw closer to Him in good times and in adversity. The psalmist said, "My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God...." (Psalm 42:2 amp)

_Do you_ hunger and thirst for a close and intimate relationship with the living God? Your Father will reward you if you have a deep inner hunger and thirst to know Him more intimately. "...He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]." (Hebrews 11:6 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "earnestly and diligently" in this verse of Scripture. When you seek God earnestly, you are very serious about a close and intimate relationship with Him. When you seek God diligently, you persevere constantly in your fervent desire to draw closer to Him. Your relationship with God should be much more important to you than _anything_ else. "...let us know (recognize, be acquainted with, and understand) Him; let us be zealous to know the Lord [to appreciate, give heed to, and cherish Him]...." (Hosea 6:3 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "let us be zealous to know the Lord" in this verse of Scripture. When you are zealous about something, you are fervent, devoted and enthusiastic. Do these words describe _your_ desire for a close and intimate relationship with the Lord? "...let the hearts of those rejoice who seek and require the Lord [as their indispensable necessity]. Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation); seek and require His face and His presence [continually] evermore." (Psalm 105:3-4 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "indispensable necessity" in the amplification of this passage of Scripture. You cannot dispense of the necessity of knowing the Lord intimately. You should "crave God and His strength" at all times. Nothing else is more important than coming into God's presence and remaining there.

Your heart will sing with joy if you have a close and intimate relationship with the Lord. His strength, His might and His power _will_ be released in your life if you come into and remain in His presence. You will be like the psalmist who said, "My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me." (Psalm 63:8 amp)

You are instructed to "follow hard after God." You should "cling" to God. You should be so close to God that you will be absolutely certain that He will hold you up, regardless of what is taking place in the world.

If you have a close and intimate relationship with God, you will not try to figure everything out with the limitations of your human understanding (see Proverbs 3:5-6). You will trust your loving Father completely just as little children trust their parents completely when they face problems that they cannot solve themselves.

Please stop and think for a moment about the people you know intimately and trust completely. Haven't you spent a great deal of time with each of these people? A close and intimate relationship with God comes from spending large amounts of quiet time with Him just as a close relationship with people comes from knowing each of these people intimately.

How well do you know God? How much quiet time have you spent with Him? You may think you have faith in God's integrity, but are you willing to stake your life on the authenticity of His promises and His total, complete and absolute reliability regardless of what is taking place in the world? You should be like the psalmist who said, "...it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge..." (Psalm 73:28 amp)

This verse of Scripture explains the relationship between drawing close to God and trusting Him completely. Christians who have a close and intimate relationship with God will _not_ be overwhelmed when severe adversity comes upon them. They will trust their loving Father completely to see them through the problems they face.

God is much greater than any problem you will ever face, no matter how difficult this adversity may seem. "...the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm..." (Daniel 11:32 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm" in this verse of Scripture. If you have a close and intimate relationship with God, you will not waver in your faith in Him when you face difficult problems. You will be strong because you trust God completely.

When everything is falling apart in the last days before Jesus returns and there does not seem to be any solution, there will be one group of people whose faith will not waver. Will you be part of this group? "...you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him]..." (I John 2:27 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "must" in this verse of Scripture. Every aspect of your life _must_ revolve around the closeness and intimacy of your relationship with the Lord.

Please highlight or underline the words "rooted in Him, knit to Him" in the amplification in this verse of Scripture. Your faith in God should be _deeply rooted_ because of the closeness and intimacy of your relationship with Him. Jesus said, "...Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." (John 15:5 amp)

You will produce abundant fruit during difficult times _if_ you have a close and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Please highlight or underline the words "vital union with Me" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Jesus explains that you can do _nothing_ if you do not have a close and intimate relationship with Him. The problems in the world will pull you down if you do not have such a close relationship with the Lord that you trust Him totally, completely and absolutely regardless of what is taking place in the world.

In addition to the scriptural instructions that are contained in this book, we also recommend several of our other publications. We believe that our Scripture Meditation Cards and our CDs that are titled _A Closer Relationship with the Lord, God is Always With You, Receive God's Blessings in Adversity_ and _Continually Increasing Faith in God_ will be a blessing to you. Our other sets of Scripture Meditation Cards and CDs can and will help you to draw closer to God and trust Him completely.

We believe that our books titled _Quiet Confidence in the Lord, What Does God Say?, Exchange Your Worries for God's Perfect Peace_ and _Never, Never Give Up_ will help you to draw closer to the Lord. Several of our other books contain scriptural facts that we believe will bless you.

We have devoted many years of our lives to writing these books and Scripture Meditation Cards and recording these CDs to help _you_ trust God completely. We pray that the work we have done will help _you_ to continually draw closer to the Lord.

# Chapter 21  
Revere God and Keep Him in First Place

We now are ready to look into what the Bible teaches about a close and intimate relationship with the Lord, fearing the Lord and keeping the Lord in first place in your life at all times. When the Bible speaks of fearing the Lord, the two words that best describe the fear of the Lord are "reverent awe."

When you fear the Lord, every aspect of your life revolves around your awe and reverence for Him. "...what does the Lord your God require of you but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being." (Deuteronomy 10:12 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "require" in this verse of Scripture. Fearing the Lord is a _requirement_ that God has for you. Your Father wants you to revere Him. He wants you to learn and obey all of His instructions. He wants you to love Him and to serve Him in every way you can.

There is a definite relationship between your faith in the Lord and your fear of Him. If you truly fear the Lord, you will _not_ fear anything or any person in the world. You _will_ have deep, strong and unwavering faith in the Lord when you face adversity _if_ every aspect of your life revolves around Him. "In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence..." (Proverbs 14:26 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "strong confidence" in this verse of Scripture. These words explain the relationship between absolute trust in the Lord and revering Him and holding Him in constant awe. If you truly fear the Lord, you will have a deep and strong desire to obey His instructions. "Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways." (Psalm 128:1 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "every one" in this verse of Scripture. You _will_ be blessed if you fear the Lord and if you do your very best at all times to learn His instructions and to live your life in obedience to these instructions. "Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble." (Proverbs 28:14 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "always fears the Lord" in this verse of Scripture. You _will_ be blessed if you always revere the Lord and center your life around Him. Unbelievers and Christians who harden their hearts and do not revere the Lord are headed for trouble. "He will fulfill the desires of those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him..." (Psalm 145:19 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "He will fulfill the desires" in this verse of Scripture. These words explain what God will do in your life, but this promise is contingent upon you doing your part which is to "reverently and worshipfully fear Him." "His mercy (His compassion and kindness toward the miserable and afflicted) is on those who fear Him with godly reverence..." (Luke 1:50 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "the miserable and afflicted" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Many people will be miserable and afflicted during the difficult times that are coming upon the world. Your Father wants you to have absolute faith in Him because you "fear Him with godly reverence."

Your Father promises to be merciful, compassionate and kind toward you if you worship Him continually, regardless of the circumstances you face. "The Lord of hosts – regard Him as holy and honor His holy name [by regarding Him as your only hope of safety], and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread [lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him]. And He shall be a sanctuary [a sacred and indestructible asylum to those who reverently fear and trust in Him]..." (Isaiah 8:13-14 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "your only hope of safety" in the amplification of this passage of Scripture. When everything in the world is disintegrating and there does not seem to be any hope, this passage of Scripture tells you what your _only hope_ is. If you truly fear the Lord, you will _not_ be afraid of any problems you face. The amplification in this passage of Scripture explains that you will offend the Lord if you are afraid of any person or anything because you do not trust Him completely.

Your Father promises to provide you with a "sanctuary" when you face difficult circumstances. The amplification in this passage of Scripture defines this sanctuary as a "sacred and indestructible asylum." You should meditate on this promise if everything seems to be falling apart. _Know_ that your loving Father will provide you with a safe place _if_ you reverently fear Him and trust Him completely. "Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield." (Psalm 115:11 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "he is their help and their shield" in this verse of Scripture. The Lord _will_ help you and He _will_ protect you _if_ you fear Him and trust Him completely. "...the Lord's eye is upon those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe], who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:18-19 amp)

When everything that can go wrong seems to be going wrong, you must understand that your loving Father promises to bring _you_ safely through these difficult times _if_ you truly fear Him. Please highlight or underline the words "deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine" in this verse of Scripture.

If you face death, famine or any other severe problem, you should fear the Lord and trust completely in "His mercy and loving-kindness." If you face extremely difficult circumstances, meditate continually on this promise from God. Have absolute faith that your loving Father _will_ do exactly what He says He will do.

You should honor God continually. You should always keep Him where He belongs – in first place in your life far ahead of anyone or anything else. Every hour of every day of your life should revolve around your absolute certainty of God's indwelling presence and your total, complete and absolute trust in Him.

_Every_ aspect of your life should revolve around the Lord Jesus Christ "...so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the chief place [stand first and be preeminent]." (Colossians 1:18 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "in everything and in every respect" in this verse of Scripture. Jesus Christ should be in absolute first place in _every_ area of your life at _all_ times. He has earned the right to be in first place in the life of every Christian. Jesus paid an enormous price so that you can live eternally in heaven with Him.

You must not allow anything in the world or any personal goals to come ahead of Jesus. Your goals should line up with God's Word and His will for your life. Your relationship with Jesus should be the first priority in your life. You should obey the following instructions from John the Baptist who said, "He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.]" (John 3:30 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "I must decrease" in this verse of Scripture. _Your_ goals, _your_ plans and _your_ desires should take _second place_ to your absolute focus on and reverence for the Lord Jesus Christ. You should be like the psalmist who said, "...I have no delight or desire on earth besides You." (Psalm 73:25 amp)

You should "delight" in the Lord much more than you delight in anyone or anything on earth. Jesus said, "...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33 niv)

Jesus told His disciples that they should put God's kingdom _first_ and live righteous lives in obedience to God's instructions. Jesus promised that _everything_ the disciples needed would be given to them. This same principle applies to you today if you will keep God and His kingdom in first place at all times in your life.

This chapter is filled with powerful facts from the Word of God. Go back and carefully study and meditate on the Scripture references in this chapter. Assure yourself that God _is_ in complete control and that He _will_ bring you safely through whatever circumstances you face _if_ you fear Him and keep Him in absolute first place in your life at all times.

# Chapter 22  
God is Always with You

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you can be certain that He is with _you_ throughout every minute of every hour of every day of your life. Jesus said, "...behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age...." (Matthew 28:20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "on every occasion" in this verse of Scripture. There is _no_ time that Jesus Christ is not with you. No matter what you are going through or how difficult the circumstances may seem, you can be absolutely assured that the victorious Jesus Christ is right there with you.

Jesus specifically referred to the last days before His return when He spoke of "the close and consummation of the age." Jesus will _not_ leave you during these difficult times. He wants you to have a constant consciousness of His indwelling presence. He wants you to place all of your trust and confidence in Him.

This book is filled with magnificent promises from God. Instead of focusing on any problem you face, no matter how difficult it may seem, you should focus instead on the indwelling presence of God Who said, "...behold, I am with you and will keep (watch over you with care, take notice of) you wherever you may go..." (Genesis 28:15 amp)

This verse of Scripture not only assures you that God is with you at all times, but the amplification assures you that He is "keeping watch over you with care." God said, "...I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him." (Psalm 91:15 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "in trouble" in this verse of Scripture. Are you in trouble now? Do you face difficult challenges? Your Father has promised that He _will be_ with you whenever you are in trouble.

God did not stop there. He also told you that He will _deliver_ you from trouble. If you face difficult problems and you cannot see any solution, persevere in faith. Trust God completely. Have absolute faith that He is with you and that He will deliver you.

God did not say _when_ He will deliver you. He wants you to persevere with absolute faith that He will do exactly what He says He will do in His way and in His good timing. God said, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour..." (Isaiah 43:2-3 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the _three times_ the word "through" is used in this verse of Scripture. When you go _through_ something, you come out on the other side. Your Father has promised that He will be with you when you face severe problems. He has promised to bring you _through_ these problems.

You should obey God's instructions and meditate day and night on these magnificent promises He has given to you. Whenever you face severe adversity, your ears should hear your voice boldly proclaiming that God _will_ bring you _through_ whatever predicament you face.

You have just read four Scripture references assuring you that God is with you at all times. Three of these Scripture references come from the Old Testament. The Old Testament often tells you that God is with you. The New Testament goes one step farther and tells you that God is _in you_ if you have repented of your sins and trust completely in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation.

Jesus Christ chose to set aside His divine power while He was on earth. He chose to live in the power of His Father to show you exactly how to live. All of the great things that Jesus did during His earthly ministry were done because His Father did these miracles _through Him_. Jesus said, "...the Father Who lives continually in Me does the (His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power)." (John 14:10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "Who lives continually in Me" in this verse of Scripture. Jesus was constantly aware of His Father's indwelling presence. Your Father wants you to be absolutely certain that He lives in you at all times.

Every aspect of Jesus' life throughout His earthly ministry was anchored upon His constant awareness that God lived in His heart. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you can be certain that God lives in _your_ heart. "One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all." (Ephesians 4:6 amp)

Please highlight or underline the _five times_ the word "all" is used in this one short verse of Scripture. Your Father is assuring you that He _is_ in complete charge of everything that goes on in the world and that He lives in your heart. _Why_ would you be afraid of anything if you are absolutely certain that Almighty God lives in your heart?

Your Father also wants you to be certain that the victorious Jesus Christ lives in your heart. As you continually draw closer to Jesus, you will be certain that He lives in your heart. "Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you...?" (II Corinthians 13:5 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "ever-increasing experience" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. As you constantly draw closer to Jesus, you will become increasingly aware of His indwelling presence. Jesus _already_ has won the victory over whatever problems you have faced in the past, whatever problems you face now and whatever problems you will face in the future (see John 16:33, II Corinthians 2:14 and I John 5:4-5).

When you face seemingly difficult problems, you should pray to God and meditate continually on these promises from God's Word about the victory that Jesus has won for you. You also should meditate on the facts in this chapter that assure you that the victorious Jesus Christ lives in _your_ heart.

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, God the Father lives in your heart. Jesus Christ lives in your heart. The Holy Spirit also lives in the heart of every person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior. "...be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]." (Ephesians 3:16 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "mighty power in the inner man" in this verse of Scripture. Meditate on this verse. Receive by faith the "mighty power" of the Holy Spirit Who lives in your heart. "...the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you..." (Romans 8:11 amp)

The Holy Spirit has _so much power_ that He was able to restore the dead body of the crucified Jesus Christ and bring Him back to life. If the Holy Spirit has the power to raise Jesus Christ from the dead, _why_ would you ever be afraid of the seeming severity of the problems you face?

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you have _enormous_ spiritual power living inside of you. You have God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit living in your heart. "...you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and reach full spiritual stature]..." (Colossians 2:10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "filled with the Godhead" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. The words "the Godhead" refer to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You must not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by any problems you face. Know that you have mighty power inside of you that is _more_ than sufficient to overcome every problem you will ever face.

Some people in the world say things like "Hang in there" and "Everything is going to be all right" to their friends who face severe adversity. People who say things like this mean well, but you need more than worldly platitudes when you face difficult problems. You must be absolutely _certain_ that God Himself lives in your heart and that He will bring you safely through whatever challenges you face if you persevere in your faith in Him.

You must have more than just intellectual knowledge that God lives inside of you. You must _know_ deep in your heart that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit live inside of you. Your thoughts, words and actions whenever you face seemingly difficult problems should be centered around the scriptural _facts_ you have read in this chapter.

Meditate continually on the Scripture in this chapter whenever you face difficult circumstances. You will be greatly encouraged. You will not allow any problem to overwhelm you if you meditate day and night on the fact that God is with you at all times because He lives in your heart.

# Chapter 23  
The Holy Spirit Will Guide You through Adversity

When you face difficult problems, you should be like the apostle Paul who said, "I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me" in this verse of Scripture. Paul knew that he should not attempt to control his life. He lived by faith, trusting completely in the victorious Jesus Christ Who lived in his heart.

You should be "crucified with Christ." You should die to the desire to be in control of your life. You should willingly yield control of your life to the victorious Jesus Christ Who lives in your heart. He will control your life to the degree that you yield to Him and trust in Him.

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you can be certain that the Holy Spirit lives in _your_ heart. Every aspect of your life should revolve around the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. "...ever be filled and stimulated with the Holy Spirit..." (Ephesians 5:8 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "ever" in this verse of Scripture. This word means that you should _always_ yield control of your life to the Holy Spirit. You can only be "filled and stimulated with the Holy Spirit" to the degree that you are _emptied_ of self. "...walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]..." (Galatians 5:16 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "habitually" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Yielding control of your life to the Holy Spirit should be a way of life to you. "...you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]..." (Romans 8:9 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "directs and controls you" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. You do not have what it takes in your human abilities to be in control of your life during extremely difficult times. You should release control of your life with absolute faith in the Holy Spirit.

Get out of the driver's seat. Willingly give up your God-given ability to control your own life. "Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "so foolish and so senseless and so silly" in this verse of Scripture. You are foolish, senseless and silly if you attempt to control your life when the Holy Spirit is ready, willing and able to control your life to the degree that you yield to Him and trust in Him.

You receive the Holy Spirit when Jesus Christ becomes your Savior (see Romans 8:9). God made the mighty power of the Holy Spirit available to you at that time. Why would you ever make the mistake of thinking that you have to depend upon yourself when the enormous power of the Holy Spirit has resided in your heart since you received Jesus as your Savior?

You will _block_ the mighty power of the Holy Spirit whenever you attempt to do what you cannot do and He can, should and will do in you and through you. You must get out of the way and trust the Holy Spirit completely. "Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;" (I Thessalonians 5:19 amp)

You must understand that _you_ , with your limited human strength and abilities, actually can block the mighty power of the Holy Spirit by failing to trust Him completely and thinking that you have to do everything yourself. You must understand your human limitations. "...'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "not by might nor by power" in this verse of Scripture. You do _not_ have the "might" and "power" to solve difficult problems. The Holy Spirit _does_ have this power, but this power will only be released in your life to the degree that you get out of the way and trust the Holy Spirit completely.

Unbelievers cannot hear the voice of God. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you _have_ been given the ability to hear God speaking to you. You should be listening to God at all times. _Expect_ to hear His voice. Jesus said, "Whoever is of God listens to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.] This is the reason that you do not listen [to those words, to Me]: because you do not belong to God and are not of God or in harmony with Him." (John 8:47 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "Those who belong to God hear the words of God" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. God speaking to you can be compared to the words that are broadcast on radio stations and television channels. Many voices are speaking in the atmosphere around you at this very moment, but you cannot hear these voices unless you know the specific frequency to tune in to listen to a specific broadcast or telecast.

We have learned that you can tune in to the voice of God through spiritual radio station WORD. If your heart is filled with the supernatural living Word of God as a result of consistent Bible study and Scripture meditation, you _will_ be able to hear God's voice.

The Word of God is your lifeline to God. The Word of God is alive and filled with the supernatural power of God. The more you program yourself with God's Word as your Father has instructed you to do, the better you will be able to hear God's voice. Jesus said, "...Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice." (John 18:37 amp)

The Bible says that the Word of God is the Truth (see John 17:17). You can hear Jesus Christ speaking to you if your mind and your heart are filled with God's Word. You will be blessed abundantly if you hear the voice of the Lord and do what He instructs you to do. "...blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 28:2 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "blessings shall come upon you and overtake you" in this verse of Scripture. Do you want God's blessings to _come to you_? Do you want God's blessings in your life to be so powerful that they actually _overtake you_? This is what will happen if you continually _hear_ God's voice and _do_ exactly what He instructs you to do.

If the Holy Spirit truly does control your life, He will help you to understand the Word of God. He will guide you to live your life in complete obedience to the instructions in the holy Scriptures. Jesus said, "...when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth)...." (John 16:13 amp)

These words that Jesus spoke to His disciples shortly before He was crucified apply to you today. The Holy Spirit Who was spoken of as coming in this verse of Scripture came after Jesus rose from the dead. This same Holy Spirit lives in _your_ heart today, if Jesus is your Savior. "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" (Isaiah 30:21 niv)

We have previously explained that the Old Testament primarily emphasizes God being _with_ you. The New Testament emphasizes God being _in_ you. When this verse of Scripture speaks of God speaking behind you, you must understand that God is speaking _in_ you. God will tell you when to turn to the right and when to turn to the left. He will guide you every step of the way if your heart is filled with His Word. "...the LORD shall guide thee continually..." (Isaiah 58:11 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the word "continually" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father has promised to guide you at _all_ times. You should turn to Him with absolute faith that He will guide you through all adversity. _Know_ that your Father has promised to guide you every step of the way. Have absolute faith that He will do exactly what He has promised to do. "...cease from your own [human] wisdom." (Proverbs 23:4 amp)

You must not depend on your own human wisdom (see I Corinthians 3:19-20). This wisdom will be completely inadequate when you face severe adversity. Ask God for His wisdom. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:5-8 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "ask God, who gives generously to all" in this passage of Scripture. The word "all" includes you. If you "lack wisdom," ask God for His wisdom. Your Father will not "find fault" with you because of your shortcomings and human inadequacy. He _wants_ to give His wisdom to you.

Your faith in God determines whether you will receive His wisdom or not. You must "believe and not doubt." Doubt will cause you to be double-minded. You will go back and forth from faith in God to doubting God.

You will "not receive anything from the Lord" if you doubt Him. Your Father wants you to know what His Word says. He wants you to be absolutely certain that He _will_ give you His supernatural wisdom. "...to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy..." (Ecclesiastes 2:26 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "to the person who pleases Him" in this verse of Scripture. You please God by holding Him and His Word in absolute reverence and awe at all times. You will receive "wisdom and knowledge and joy" _if_ you keep God in first place at all times and yield control of your life to Him. "The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom..." (Proverbs 9:10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "the beginning" in this verse of Scripture. The first step to receiving wisdom from God is to fear Him – to revere Him and hold Him in constant awe. _Do_ these words describe you? If they do, you can be assured that your loving Father will give you the wisdom and understanding that you need when you need it. "...the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything." (II Timothy 2:7 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "everything" in this verse of Scripture. This word includes _whatever_ perplexing problems you face. Your Father _will_ give you the wisdom and understanding that you must have. You can be certain that your Father always does exactly what His Word says that He will do (see Numbers 23:19, Joshua 23:14 and I Corinthians 1:9).

You will receive God's answers in direct proportion to the amount of God's Word that lives in your mind and your heart and your faith in God. You will be able to turn to God for the understanding you need just as the psalmist did when he said, "...give me understanding (discernment and comprehension) according to Your word [of assurance and promise]." (Psalm 119:169 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "give me understanding (discernment and comprehension)" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. When you do not know what to do, your loving Father will give you the understanding you need according to your faith in Him.

If you consistently immerse yourself in His supernatural living Word, your Father will give you the understanding you must have to deal with the difficult problems you will face. "Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:104-105 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" in this passage of Scripture. These words are so important to us that Lamplight Ministries is named after them. You will receive understanding from God if you consistently focus on and increase the amount of His Word that lives in your heart.

Please highlight or underline the words "I hate every false way" in this passage of Scripture. God will give you discernment if your heart is filled with His Word. Satan and his demons will not be able to deceive you. God's Word will give spiritual light showing you whatever path your Father wants you to take.

God's Word enters into your mind when you study it and unfolds in your heart when you meditate on it. When your mind and your heart are filled with God's Word, you will walk in the light of God instead of walking in the darkness of Satan and the darkness of the world. You will know what to do and how to do it because God will guide you every step of the way.

# Chapter 24  
Rely Completely on God's Love for You

If you have a close and intimate relationship with God, you will yield control of your life to Him because you trust Him completely. You will constantly be aware of His great love for you. You will place absolute trust in your Father's great love for you.

Your Father's love for you is beyond the limits of human comprehension. The more you learn about God's love, the more you will want to learn. You can place _all_ of your trust in your loving Father. Focus continually on the scriptural facts in these chapters pertaining to your Father's love for you. You will have all of the security you will ever need in your absolute certainty of God's love for _you._

Your faith in God will be in direct proportion to your awareness and understanding of His love for you. You _will_ trust your Father completely when you face adversity _if_ you love Him with all your heart and _if_ you are absolutely certain that He loves you unconditionally.

Your Father wants you to have total, complete and absolute faith in Him regardless of what is taking place in the world. You will _not_ be afraid if you stay close to God. You will be filled with peace because of your constant awareness of God's love for you. "...O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you! Be strong, yes, be strong..." (Daniel 10:19 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "greatly beloved" in this verse of Scripture. God's love for you is _so great_ that it is infinitely beyond the limits of human comprehension. The more you meditate on these passages of Scripture pertaining to God's love, the more secure you will be.

You will not be afraid. Your deep awareness of your Father's love for you will block fear from obtaining a foothold in your mind and your heart. You will live in God's peace deep within yourself. You will receive God's strength through your faith in Him (see Psalm 29:11, Isaiah 40:28-31, Ephesians 6:10 and Philippians 4:13).

Attempt to comprehend how much God loves His Son Jesus Christ. God loves _you_ just as much as He loves His Son. Jesus said, "...You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me." (John 17:23 amp)

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples. The word "them" in this verse of Scripture refers to the disciples. God loved these disciples just as much as He loves Jesus. God does not play favorites (see Acts 10:34). God loves _you_ just as much as He loves Jesus and His disciples. You also should understand that Jesus Christ loves you just as much as His Father loves Him. Jesus said, "I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me..." (John 15:9 amp)

You should be _completely secure_ in the love that your Father has for you and the love that Jesus has for you. Every aspect of your life should be solidly anchored upon your constant awareness of God's love for you. "...I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "surpasses knowledge" in this verse of Scripture. The apostle Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be able to grasp the magnitude of the love of Christ. If you will consistently meditate on these scriptural facts pertaining to the love of God, your heart will sing with joy because of your absolute certainty of the love that Jesus Christ has for you.

Your faith in Jesus must be "rooted and established" in His love for you. If you have deeply rooted faith in Jesus Christ and His love for you, you will have the spiritual power and strength to hold tightly onto His love with absolute faith and confidence in Him regardless of the circumstances you face. "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed" in this verse of Scripture. There is no question that the people on earth during the final days before Jesus Christ returns will face extremely difficult problems. The severity of these problems can be seen by the comparison to mountains being shaken and hills actually being removed. No matter how difficult the problems you face may seem, God's love for you is _more_ than sufficient. Trust your loving Father completely.

Jesus knows exactly what every person on earth is going through. He is looking for your faith in Him and your faith in His great love for you. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39 niv)

_Nothing_ should be able to separate you from the love of Christ. You have seen that Jesus won a total, complete and absolute victory over every problem you will ever face. Please highlight or underline the words "in all these things we are more than conquerors" in this passage of Scripture. The word "all" includes _every_ problem you will ever face.

You are _more_ than a conqueror over every obstacle you will face because of the supernatural love that Jesus Christ has for you. The word "more" before the words "than conquerors" explains that the victory that Jesus Christ won for you is _greater_ than any victory that ever has been won at any time in any place.

Do you have absolute faith that you are more than a conqueror over whatever problems you face, no matter how difficult they may seem to you? Do you really believe that _you_ have a victory over every problem you will face that surpasses any victory that has ever been won in the world? A vital key to walking in the victory of Jesus Christ is constant awareness of the love of God and absolute trust in your Father and His great love for you.

Everyone in heaven experiences the fullness of God's love. Your Father wants you to experience the fullness of His love while you are here on earth. If you spend precious quiet time alone with the Lord each day, the intimacy of your relationship with Him will cause you to become increasingly conscious of His great love for you.

You should be focused so much on God's great love for you that you always will react with calm and quiet confidence in Him regardless of the problems you face. "...we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." (I John 4:16 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "God is love" in this verse of Scripture. God not only has love for you, but _He is love._ The words "God" and "love" are interchangeable.

Your Father repeatedly instructs you to live in constant awareness of His love for you. Every aspect of your life should be centered around your certainty of His indwelling presence and your absolute confidence in His great love for you.

If you will continually draw closer to God, His love for you will be perfected. "In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us..." (I John 4:17 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "union and communion with Him" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. You will _not_ be afraid of anyone or anything if you have a close and intimate relationship with God. This relationship will cause God's love to be brought to completion and attain perfection in you. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (I John 4:18 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "there is _no_ fear in love" in this verse of Scripture. This verse explains that you will _not_ be afraid if you continually abide in the perfect love of God.

Please highlight or underline the words "The one who fears is not made perfect in love." If you are afraid, you are _not_ made perfect in love. Perfect love is God's love for you. The more you learn about God's love for you and the more you meditate on these scriptural facts pertaining to God's love, the less fear will be able to get at you.

You cannot do anything that is more profitable than to meditate consistently on these scriptural facts pertaining to God's love for you. If you meditate day and night on these facts from God's Word, you will have absolute faith in God and in His love for you. Your faith in God will be unshakable.

_Nothing_ will be able to overwhelm you because nothing can overwhelm God. You will hold so tightly to God that you will not waver in the slightest regardless of the problems you face because you will have absolute faith in God and His great love for you.

Little children are secure when they know their parents love them. They immediately turn to their parents for help whenever they face problems that they cannot solve with their limited abilities. This _same_ principle applies in the spiritual realm. You should have so much trust in your Father and His love for you that you will spontaneously turn to Him with absolute faith whenever you face a problem that you cannot solve with your limited human abilities.

Your Father knows exactly what you are going through whenever you face adversity. He wants you to be absolutely certain of His love and compassion for you. "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (Isaiah 49:15 niv)

Think of the compassion that a loving mother has for her newborn child. Know that God's compassion for _you_ is _greater_ than the compassion that any mother has ever had for her child. "It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning..." (Lamentations 3:22-23 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness" in this passage of Scripture. Your Father gives you a fresh supply of His love and compassion each day. The problems that you face _cannot_ overcome you if you trust completely in your Father's great love and compassion for you.

You must be certain that the God of the universe actually is _your_ loving Father. "See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are!..." (I John 3:1 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "incredible" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. God loves you so much that He has made provision through Jesus Christ for _you_ with all of your faults and shortcomings to actually become a member of His royal family. "...to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." (John 1:12-13 niv)

You must be absolutely _certain_ that _you_ are a beloved child of God. You become a member of the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ. "...ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26 kjv)

When you face difficult problems, you should always turn to your loving and sympathetic Father for comfort and encouragement. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement), Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction)..." (II Corinthians 1:3-4 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "every trouble (calamity and affliction)" in this passage of Scripture and the amplification. These words include _whatever_ problem you will ever face.

God is the source of all comfort. You must not block your loving Father from comforting you by allowing worry and fear to pervade your consciousness. Your Father repeatedly instructs you to remain calm, quiet and confident in the face of adversity because you trust completely in Him and His great love for you.

Focus on these _facts_ pertaining to your Father's love, mercy and compassion for you instead of focusing on the problems you face. Your Father has promised that He will comfort you in the face of _every_ problem. Turn to your Father and receive His love, compassion, help and comfort through your absolute faith in Him.

Refuse to allow discouragement and depression to obtain a foothold in your mind and your heart. Instead of being discouraged, receive constant encouragement from meditating on God's Word. The Bible speaks of "...God, Who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and the sinking..." (II Corinthians 7:6 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "the depressed and the sinking" in this verse of Scripture. If you are tempted to be pulled down by the seeming severity of the problems you face, turn to God for the comfort, encouragement and refreshment that you are assured He will give you.

The prefix "dis" in the word discourage means "lack of." You do not have sufficient courage when you give in to the problems you face. The prefix "en" in the word encourage means "in." You put courage from God into yourself when you faithfully obey His instructions to meditate day and night on His Word. Are you tempted to be depressed? Do you feel like you are sinking? Turn continually to God and His Word for comfort and encouragement.

This chapter is filled with facts from the holy Scriptures that will encourage you whenever you face difficult problems. Meditate on these facts from the supernatural living Word of God. In the next chapter we will study exactly what the Bible instructs you to do so that you will not give in to fear and worry regardless of the circumstances you face.

# Chapter 25  
God Has Commanded You Not to Be Afraid

The following words that God spoke to Joshua when he took over as leader of Israel many years ago apply to _you_ today. "Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "commanded" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father did not suggest or request that you should not be afraid – He has _commanded_ you not to give in to fear. Why has He commanded you not to be afraid? He has given you this command because He assures you that He is "with you wherever you go."

If you are absolutely certain that God Himself is with you at all times, _why_ would you ever be afraid of anyone or anything in the world? "Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice." (Isaiah 41:10 amp)

Once again you can see the relationship between your Father instructing you not to be afraid and your absolute certainty that He is with you at all times. Your Father promises to strengthen you. He promises to help you. He promises to hold you up. If you are tempted to be afraid, focus continually on this magnificent promise from God and the other promises in this chapter. _Refuse_ to focus on whatever you are tempted to be afraid of.

You have seen that the Holy Spirit is with you at all times if Jesus Christ is your Savior. The Holy Spirit is _so_ powerful that He was able to raise Jesus Christ from the dead (see Romans 8:11). You should trust Him completely. You will _not_ give in to fear if you are absolutely certain that the mighty and powerful Holy Spirit lives in your heart. "...My Spirit stands and abides in the midst of you; fear not." (Haggai 2:5 amp)

God always emphasizes through repetition. Your Father has told you more than three hundred times in His Word that He does not want you to be afraid. If God gives you the same message more than three hundred times, shouldn't you pay close attention to what He is telling you? You should be like the psalmist who said, "...The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1 amp)

You must not fear anything another human being attempts to do to you. Instead of being afraid of any person who was created by God, focus instead on God Who created each of these people. Praise God and thank Him like the psalmist David did when he said, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" (Psalm 56:3-4 niv)

Much of the fear that will sweep the world during the last days before Jesus Christ returns will come from the influence of Satan. Satan and his demons know that their time is short. They will do everything they can to attempt to influence people to be terrified by the events that will take place. "...God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "the spirit of fear" in this verse of Scripture. The word "spirit" indicates that fear often has a spiritual source. This word indicates that Satan and his demons will attempt to influence people to be afraid.

Jesus Christ has given you a total victory over everything Satan and his demons will try to do to you (see Luke 10:19). _Refuse to accept_ the fearful thoughts that Satan and his demons will attempt to put into your mind (see II Corinthians 10:5). _Know_ that your Father has given you the spiritual power and authority to cope with the difficult problems you face.

In the last chapter you saw that perfect love is the key to overcoming fear. You have seen that Jesus Christ said that fear would run rampant throughout the earth as the day of His return draws near (see Luke 21:26). Perfect love is the key to overcoming fear.

We have previously discussed that the words "God" and "love" are interchangeable. Your Father wants you to focus continually on His incomprehensible love for you. You saw in the last chapter that one of the ways to perfect love is a close and intimate relationship with God.

The perfect love that overcomes all fear also is developed by treating the Word of God as the great spiritual treasure that it is. If you truly treasure God's Word, you will faithfully obey your Father's instructions to renew your mind in His Word each day and to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures.

You then should do your very best to obey all of the instructions He has given to you. "...he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity)...." (I John 2:5 amp)

This verse of Scripture explains the relationship between treasuring God's Word, obeying all of God's instructions and the love of and for God being perfected in you. If you are having problems with fear, you should go back and meditate on the passages of Scripture in the last two chapters pertaining to perfect love. Your Father has told you exactly what to do to receive His perfect love which _always_ overcomes fear.

Whenever you are tempted to be afraid, _you decide_ whether or not you will allow fear to get into your heart. Jesus said, "...Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]" (John 14:27 amp)

These words that Jesus spoke to His disciples on the night before He was betrayed also apply to you today. Please note the similarity of the words "let," "allow" and "permit" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. You determine what you will allow to enter into your heart.

You must _not_ allow your heart to be "troubled and afraid." You must not allow yourself to be "agitated and disturbed" by the circumstances you face. You must not permit yourself to be "intimidated and cowardly and unsettled" by the problems you face. Jesus said, "...be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with... worldly worries and cares..." (Luke 21:34 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "be on your guard" in this verse of Scripture. You should be very careful that you do not allow the problems you face to get into your mind and your heart. The words "overburdened and depressed" tell you exactly what your Father does not want you to be.

You must not attempt to carry burdens that God never intended for you to carry. (see I Peter 5:6-7, Psalm 37:5, Psalm 55:22 and Matthew 11:28). "...the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord. His heart is established and steady, he will not be afraid..." (Psalm 112:6-8 amp)

This passage of Scripture concludes with the words "he will not be afraid." Everything up to these final words tells you exactly what you should do to overcome fear. You are instructed to be "in everlasting remembrance." You should have so much of God's supernatural Word living in your mind and your heart that you will focus continually on the Word of God within you instead of focusing on the problems you face.

You should not be afraid of bad news in the world or the thoughts that Satan and his demons will attempt to put into your heart. Your heart should be "firmly fixed, established and steady." "The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart..." (Psalm 19:8 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "rejoicing the heart" in this verse of Scripture. Your heart will sing with joy if it is filled to overflowing with God's supernatural living Word. You must not be like the people the prophet Jeremiah spoke of when he said, "...they have heard bad news; they are fainthearted and wasting away; there is trouble and anxiety [like] on a [storm-tossed] sea which cannot rest. (Jeremiah 49:23 amp)

_Acknowledge_ the problems you face, but _refuse_ to _focus_ on them. You will rest in God if you continually fill your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart and your mouth with God's Word.

Whenever you are worried and afraid, you give a foothold to Satan and his demons. In these last days before Jesus Christ returns, Satan's demons will do everything they can to attempt to fill your mind and your heart with fearful and worried thoughts. "...fret not yourself – it tends only to evildoing." (Psalm 37:8 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "evildoing" in this verse of Scripture. This word refers to actions that are influenced by Satan or his evil demons. Your Father does not want you to "fret." The Bible speaks of "...a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God." (I Peter 3:4 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "a gentle and peaceful spirit" in this verse of Scripture. These words describe exactly how your Father wants you to be deep within yourself. The words "anxious" and "wrought up" in the amplification in this verse of Scripture describe how Satan wants you to be.

_You decide_ whether you will be the way your Father instructs you to be or the way that Satan and his demons want you to be. Your Father will be very pleased if you are quiet and calm deep down within yourself regardless of the circumstances you face.

Jesus Christ has instructed you to live your life one day at a time. Close your mind to any concerns about anything that has happened in the past. Close your mind to any worries about what could happen in the future. Focus continually on God throughout _this day._ Jesus said, "...do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34 amp)

Whenever you are tempted to give up, do not allow your thinking to go past today. Persevere one day at a time. Trust the Lord to give you the strength to get through today. "...as your day, so shall your strength, your rest and security, be." (Deuteronomy 33:25 amp)

God will give you the strength, rest and security you need one day at a time, according to your faith in Him. Give every burden to Him. Believe that He _will_ carry these burdens for you just as His Word says He will. "Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day..." (Psalm 68:19 amp)

The Lord promises to bear your burdens and carry you "day by day." Trust Him completely to bring you through today, no matter what you are facing. Sometimes the problems you face will be so severe that you wonder how you will get through today. If focusing on today is too difficult, then trust the Lord _one hour at a time_. Trust Him to bring you through the next hour.

If you are living your life one day at a time, you will not be worried about the future because you will not be focusing on the future. "Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. [Dismiss your dread and your fears!]..." (Revelation 2:10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "dismiss" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Absolutely refuse to be afraid of _anything_ that could happen to you in the future.

God wants you to be single-minded at all times. He wants your mind to constantly be focused on Him. Satan and his demons want just the opposite – they want you to be double-minded. "[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]." (James 1:8 amp)

The English word "worry" comes from the Greek word "merimnous." This Greek word is a combination of two words – "merim" which means "to divide" and "nous" which means "mind." Christians who are worried and fearful have _divided_ minds.

Their minds go back and forth from faith in God to worry and fear. Satan and his demons know that they can influence double-minded Christians. One day these Christians are on fire for the Lord and their faith in God is strong. However, shortly after this, many of these same Christians are filled with doubt, worry and fear. They are hesitant and wavering because they are not single-minded and completely committed to the Lord throughout each and every day of their lives.

You cannot walk in the victory that Jesus Christ won for you if you give in to worry and fear. This chapter is filled with scriptural _facts_ about overcoming worry and fear. We now are ready to move forward to more encouraging facts from the holy Scriptures that promise you that your Father will strengthen you in your inadequacy, that He will help you and that He will never leave you.

# Chapter 26  
God Will Give You Supernatural Strength When You Need It

Your Father wants you to have absolute faith in Him at all times. No matter how difficult the circumstances you face may be, He does _not_ want you to think that you have to solve these difficult problems apart from Him. "...Cursed [with great evil] is the strong man who trusts in and relies on frail man, making weak [human] flesh his arm, and whose mind and heart turn aside from the Lord." (Jeremiah 17:5 amp)

Sometimes the worst thing a person can have is a great deal of natural ability. The words "strong man" in this verse of Scripture refer to these people. Please highlight or underline the words "frail man" and "weak [human] flesh" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. Your Father does not want you to think that you have to solve every problem yourself.

The words "cursed with great evil" in this verse of Scripture refer to giving a foothold to Satan. Satan and his demons want you to think that you have to solve every problem with your human abilities. God's Word says just the opposite. "...by strength shall no man prevail." (I Samuel 2:9 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "shall no man prevail" in this verse of Scripture. The words "no man" include _you_. No human being will be able to solve the difficult problems that will come upon the world during the last days before Jesus Christ returns with his or her human ability.

No matter how much ability you might have, you must let go and allow the Lord to do in you and through you what you cannot do yourself. "...[the determination of] the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man [even in a strong man or in a man at his best] to direct his [own] steps." (Jeremiah 10:23 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "even in a strong man or in a man at his best" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Once again the Bible emphasizes that, no matter how much human ability you have, this ability will be insufficient to solve many of the difficult problems you will face. "He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool..." (Proverbs 28:26 amp)

The words "self-confident fool" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture tell you exactly what God thinks of people whose lives revolve around themselves. Worldly teachings on self-confidence and self-reliance do _not_ line up with the Word of God. You should be like the apostle Paul who said, "...We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." (II Corinthians 1:8-9 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "far beyond our ability to endure" in this passage of Scripture. The problems that the apostle Paul and the people who were with him at this time faced were so immense that they thought they might die. Paul emphasized that the severity of these problems caused him and the people with him to rely on God and not on themselves.

God has the power to raise the dead. If God can raise the dead, He certainly can solve any problems you will face. You must not give up when you face seemingly insurmountable problems. You should be like the psalmist who said, "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." (Psalm 73:26 kjv)

When your human abilities fail, you should turn to God for His supernatural strength which is available to you through faith in Him and His Word. "Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God." (II Corinthians 3:5 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "our power and ability and sufficiency _are from God_ " in this verse of Scripture. You should immerse yourself in the supernatural living Word of God whenever you face extremely difficult problems. Your Father wants you to consistently fill your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart and your mouth with the spiritual treasure of His Word. If you do this, you will flood your life with His supernatural power.

In Chapter 21 we studied several passages of Scripture explaining that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit reside in your heart. The Holy Spirit Who lives in the heart of every person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior _will_ help you according to your faith in Him. "...the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness..." (Romans 8:26 amp)

You will face problems that seem to have no solution. Focus constantly on these promises of the supernatural strength that is available to you from God Who says, "...My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness...." (II Corinthians 12:9 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "sufficient against _any_ danger" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. No matter what problem you face, the strength of God is more than sufficient. You should "bear the trouble manfully" because you are trusting in God's strength.

God's supernatural strength and power are made available to you through His grace. You did not earn and you do not deserve to receive the supernatural strength and power of Almighty God. God's strength and power are "most effective in your weakness."

Your Father wants you to turn to Him in your human weakness with absolute faith that His supernatural strength _is_ available to you. You should be like the apostle Paul who said, "...for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength)." (II Corinthians 12:10 amp)

The strength of God is released in your life in exact proportion to your acknowledgement of your human weakness and your faith in God. The apostle Paul actually was _pleased_ when he faced difficult circumstances because he was certain that the strength of Jesus Christ would come into manifestation in his life. Trust the Lord completely to give you the strength you need. "The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people..." (Psalm 29:11 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "unyielding and impenetrable" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. These words explain the mighty strength of the Lord that is available to you according to your faith in Him. Let us look once again at a verse of Scripture we have previously studied. "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." (Philippians 4:13 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "all things" in this magnificent promise from God. These words include whatever crisis you face at this time. Jesus Christ will give you the strength you need, no matter how difficult the problems you face might seem.

Please highlight or underline the words "I am ready for anything and equal to anything" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. The word "anything" that is used twice in this amplification includes whatever problem you face at this time, no matter how difficult this problem may seem.

You should have a continual consciousness of the indwelling presence of the victorious Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ Who won the greatest victory that has ever been won is with _you_ throughout every minute of every hour of your life, if He is your Savior.

You already have all of the strength you will ever need residing in you. Jesus will "infuse" this strength into you according to your faith in Him. "...be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]." (Ephesians 6:10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "be empowered through your union with Him" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. The strength of the Lord will be released in you and through you if you are united with Him because of your close personal relationship with Him.

Your faith in the Lord and His supernatural strength will be the determining factor whenever you face severe problems. You should be like the psalmist who said, "...my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped..." (Psalm 28:7 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "I am helped" in this verse of Scripture. God _will_ help you according to your faith in Him. "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]." (Hebrews 4:16 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "help in good time for every need" in this verse of Scripture. The word "every" definitely applies to whatever problem you face. You must trust completely in God's timing. Please highlight or underline the words "appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture.

Refuse to give up. Your Father will help you in His good timing if you persevere in your faith in Him. The words "throne of grace" in this verse of Scripture clearly indicate that your Father will give you strength and power that you did not earn and do not deserve. "...we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]...." (Hebrews 13:6 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "The Lord is my Helper" in this verse of Scripture. Speak these encouraging words again and again and again. Refuse to give in to fear. _Know_ that God will help you just as He continually promises. "...I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!" (Isaiah 41:13 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "I will help you" in this verse of Scripture. When little children face difficult problems, they feel secure if they are holding tightly to the hand of their mother or father. Your Father promises to hold _your_ hand in the spiritual realm when you are going through difficult times.

He does not want you to be afraid. He wants you to trust Him completely. Your loving Father will not let you down. "...He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]" (Hebrews 13:5 amp)

Please highlight or underline the _nine times_ the words "not" and "nor" are used in this one verse of Scripture. God uses repetition for the purposes of emphasis. When your Father tells you something _nine times_ in one verse of Scripture, you can be certain that He is placing significant emphasis on what He is telling you.

Your Father wants you to be _absolutely certain_ that He will never leave you or forsake you. Meditate continually on these magnificent promises to receive the supernatural strength that you need. "It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit – depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm]." (Deuteronomy 31:8 amp)

_Know_ that the Lord is with you every step of the way. Please highlight or underline the words "He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you" in this verse of Scripture. Refuse to give up. Persevere because you have absolute faith in the Lord.

This chapter is filled with many magnificent promises from God that will encourage you whenever you face difficult problems. Go back and meditate repeatedly on these wonderful promises from God. Let your ears hear your mouth boldly speaking these promises as you personalize them and immerse yourself in God's supernatural living Word. Speak God's Word to Him as you meditate on it. Live in God's presence.

# Chapter 27  
You Must Not Block the Mighty Power of God

Now that we have carefully examined what the Bible says about the victory that Jesus Christ won for you, we are ready to take a careful look at what the Bible says about blocking God's supernatural power from being released in your life. You have seen that your Father definitely wants to help you. However, you must do your part. Many Christians do not walk in the victory of Jesus Christ because they do not know what the Bible instructs them to do to walk in this victory. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." (Hosea 4:6 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "My people" in this verse of Scripture. When God referred to "My people" here, He referred to the Israelites almost three thousand years ago. We believe that this statement from God applies to all Christians today because each person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior is one of God's people (see Romans 8:15-16 and Galatians 3:26).

God does not want members of His family to be destroyed, but this is exactly what happens to many of God's people when they face severe adversity. _Why_ are God's people destroyed? They are destroyed because they have disobeyed their Father's specific instructions to renew their minds in His Word each day and to meditate day and night on His Word. As a result, they _do not know_ what God instructs them to do when they face difficult problems. Jesus Christ said that Satan's goal is to destroy you. "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy...." (John 10:10 amp)

Notice that the word "destroyed" is used in Hosea 4:6 and that the word "destroy" is used in John 10:10. Satan and his demons have done everything they can in recent years to influence Christians _not_ to renew their minds in God's Word each day, _not_ to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures, _not_ to pray and worship God consistently and _not_ to devote the time to develop a close and intimate relationship with God.

Satan and his demons know the Bible. They know exactly what Hosea 4:6 says. They want to pull down as many people with them as they possibly can. They will do everything they can to stop people from drawing so close to God that they will trust Him completely regardless of the problems they face.

You must not give Satan and his demons a foothold in your life by not having paid the price to learn the scriptural facts about what you should do to walk in the victory that Jesus Christ won for you. Satan will _not_ be able to destroy you if you know what the Word of God says, if you obey God's specific instructions and if you believe wholeheartedly in His promises. "...the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." (I John 2:14 kjv)

When this verse of Scripture speaks of "the wicked one," it refers to Satan and his demons. How do you overcome Satan and his demons? You overcome them by filling your heart to overflowing with God's supernatural living Word.

How can you have faith that God will bring you through difficult times if you do _not even know_ what your Father has instructed you to do and what He has promised to do? This book is filled with many facts from the Word of God telling you exactly what you should do to walk in the victory that Jesus Christ won for you. "...through knowledge and superior discernment shall the righteous be delivered." (Proverbs 11:9 amp)

When this verse of Scripture speaks of "the righteous," it refers to people who are righteous before God. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you _are_ righteous before God because Jesus has paid the price for all of your sins. You _will_ "be delivered" from adversity if you know what God's Word instructs you to do, if you know what your Father promises to do, if you do what God instructs you to do and if you have absolute faith that He always does what He says He will do.

God's thoughts and God's ways are much higher and very different from the thoughts and ways of human beings. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9 kjv)

Unbelievers cannot understand what to do when they face problems that seem to have no solution. "...the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated...." (I Corinthians 2:14 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "meaningless nonsense" and "incapable of knowing" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. Unbelievers look at the teachings of the Bible as "meaningless nonsense." They are "incapable" of understanding the Word of God because Satan and his demons have blinded them from being able to understand the holy Scriptures.

If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you are no longer blinded from understanding God's Word (see II Corinthians 3:16 and II Corinthians 4:3). Your Father wants you to grow and mature to the point where you can hear His voice speaking to you and guiding you continually. As you grow and mature as a Christian, your thoughts, words and actions should be submitted to the Word of God and yielded to the Holy Spirit.

You will grow and mature to the place where the Word of God in your heart will override logical worldly thoughts in your mind. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "lean _not_ unto thine own understanding" in this passage of Scripture. Your Father instructs you to "acknowledge Him" in every area of your life. He _will_ direct you and guide you to the degree that you trust Him with simple childlike trust.

You can block God's mighty power through lack of knowledge of His supernatural living Word. You can block God's mighty power through doubt and unbelief. "[Therefore beware] brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him], leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God." (Hebrews 3:12 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "a wicked, unbelieving heart" in this verse of Scripture. You are instructed to "take care" that you do not have an unbelieving heart. The words "take care" in this verse of Scripture mean the same thing as when we tell someone in today's English language to be careful.

You must be very careful that doubt and unbelief do not obtain a foothold in your mind and your heart. When some Christians face difficult problems, they often go back and forth between faith in God and doubt and unbelief (see Chapter 25).

Even the disciples who saw Jesus perform so many miracles during His earthly ministry succumbed to unbelief. "Even though He had done so many miracles before them (right before their eyes), yet they still did not trust in Him and failed to believe in Him" (John 12:37 amp)

The battle against unbelief will be fought by many Christians during the last days before Jesus returns. If the disciples of Jesus Christ who had watched Him perform so many miracles did not have faith in Him, you can see that many human beings will block God through unbelief. "...Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar..." (I John 5:10 niv)

No Christian actually would call God a liar, but the truth is that you actually _are_ calling your Father a liar if you do not believe that He will do exactly what the Bible says He will do. God is not a liar. He wants _you_ to know what He to promised to do. He wants you to be absolutely certain that He _always_ does exactly what He says He will do (see Hebrews 6:18, Numbers 23:19 and I Corinthians 1:9).

One of the most significant examples of unbelief in the Bible took place when Jesus returned to minister to the people in His home town of Nazareth. "Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith." (Mark 6:1-6 niv)

The people in Nazareth did not believe that Jesus was the great Messiah Who had performed so many great miracles. To them He was just the carpenter who had lived in their town for many years. Please highlight or underline the words "He could not do any miracles there" in this passage of Scripture.

There is no question that doubt and unbelief can block the mighty power of God. This passage of Scripture says that Jesus _could not_ perform mighty miracles in Nazareth even though He must have had a strong desire to perform healing miracles on the people He had known for so many years.

Please highlight or underline the words "He was amazed at their lack of faith" in this passage of Scripture. Pray that Jesus will not be amazed at your lack of faith in Him during the difficult days that are coming upon the world.

# Chapter 28  
Steadily Increase Your Faith in God

Your faith is extremely important to God. He wants your faith in Him to increase steadily whenever you face a season of adversity. "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine..." (I Peter 1:6-7 niv)

God's ways are very different from the ways of the world. Please highlight or underline the words "greatly rejoice" in this passage of Scripture. You _will_ rejoice if you see problems as God sees them – as strong motivation to increase your faith in Him. "...how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed [in Whom they have no faith, on Whom they have no reliance]?..." (Romans 10:14 amp)

How can you turn to God when you face adversity if you do not have deep, strong and unwavering faith in Him? People who do not have faith in God will turn to worldly sources for security. They will panic if they no longer can find security in the worldly sources they have trusted in for so long.

Your Father wants you to have deep, strong and unwavering faith _in Him_. You must not be like the Israelites in the wilderness who failed to receive God's blessings because they did not have total, complete and absolute faith in Him. "...the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it..." (Hebrews 4:2 amp)

These words apply to our generation just as they applied to the Israelites many years ago. You undoubtedly hear the Word of God preached when you go to church. However, you must do more than just hear someone else preaching the Word of God one or two times a week. You must obey God's specific instructions to consistently increase your faith in Him.

Please highlight or underline the words "in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. These words are an excellent description of what your faith in God should be like. Will you have absolute trust in God when you face seemingly severe problems? Will you lean totally on God because you trust Him completely?

You must not make the mistake that the Israelites made many years ago. They went in a big circle in the wilderness for forty years even though this journey should have taken only eleven days. "It is [only] eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea [on Canaan's border; yet Israel took forty years to get beyond it]." (Deuteronomy 1:2 amp)

_Why_ did the Israelites take forty years to complete a journey that should have taken eleven days? The Israelites suffered tremendously for forty long years _because they did not believe God_. "...in spite of this word you did not believe (trust, rely on, and remain steadfast to) the Lord your God," (Deuteronomy 1:32 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "in spite of this word" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants you to know what His Word says. He instructs you to study His Word daily and to meditate day and night on His Word.

He wants you to have absolute faith that He will do exactly what He says He will do. The words in the Bible are much more than just nice sounding words. When you face a seemingly desperate situation, you should _immerse yourself_ in God's Word so that your faith in God will grow continually. Your faith in God should be so deep, strong and unwavering that you _will_ trust God completely regardless of the circumstances you face.

You sin against God if you do not trust Him. "...whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful]." (Romans 14:23 amp)

Your Father wants every aspect of your life to revolve around your absolute faith in Him that comes from your close and intimate relationship with Him. He does not want you to sin against Him by not knowing what He says He will do or by not believing that He will do exactly what He promises to do.

Your Father _will_ help you when you face difficult problems (see Isaiah 41:3, Hebrews 4:16 and Hebrews 13:6). However, you must do your part. You must _know_ what your Father has promised to do to help you. You must have absolute faith that He _will_ do exactly what He has promised. Jesus said, "...Be not afraid, only believe." (Mark 5:36 kjv)

Jesus does _not_ want you to be afraid. He wants you to _believe_ in Him. The words that Jesus spoke in this verse of Scripture were spoken to a man named Jairus who had just been told that his daughter was dead. The advice that Jesus gave to Jairus applies to _you_ , regardless of the seeming severity of the problems you face.

When Jesus arrived at the house of Jairus, He saw many people weeping and wailing. Jesus commanded these people to leave. He took Jairus and his wife to the place where the little girl was lying. Jesus raised this twelve year old girl from the dead.

Jesus honored the faith of Jairus. He will honor your faith when you face severe adversity if you trust Him completely regardless of the seeming severity of the problems you face.

Your Father does not want you to be overcome by the problems you face. He wants your faith in Him to be so deep and so strong that every aspect of your life revolves around your deep, strong and unwavering faith in Him. "...the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness." (Habakkuk 2:4 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father instructs you to _live by faith._ Your deep, strong and unwavering faith in God should be the rock-solid foundation of every day of your life. "We live by faith, not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "not by sight" in this verse of Scripture. You must _not_ allow the seemingly difficult problems that you face to overwhelm you. Instead of reacting to problems, you once again are instructed to "live by faith." Your Father instructs you to focus on Him consistently instead of focusing on the problems you face (see Isaiah 26:3).

Strong faith in God can be compared to a magnet. A magnetized piece of steel can lift many times its weight. If the steel is demagnetized, it cannot lift any weight. Deep faith in God works exactly the same way.

Faith magnetizes the promises of God and brings them into manifestation in your life. Fear does the same thing. Job said, "...the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid befalls me. I was not or am not at ease, nor had I or have I rest, nor was I or am I quiet, yet trouble came and still comes [upon me]." (Job 3:25-26 amp)

Before we comment on this verse of Scripture, we want to emphasize that Job lived a life of faith and perseverance in God. He went through trials and tribulations that would overwhelm most people. However, Job was a human being. He had his weak moments just like you do. Job spoke these words in a moment of weakness.

Please highlight or underline the words "the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me" in this passage of Scripture. These words show you the magnetizing power of fear. Job did not have the peace of God because he focused on the problems he faced instead of focusing on God. Job was "not at ease." He did not enter into God's rest. Job was not quiet, calm and confident in the face of adversity (see Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 30:15, II Peter 3:14 and Psalm 94:12-13).

This same principle will apply to you whenever you face adversity. You cannot afford to focus on the seeming severity of the problems you face. The more you focus on these problems, the more likely you are to bring these problems into manifestation in your life.

Do your best to associate continually with Christians who have bold faith and humble hearts. Surround yourself with people who are walking closely with God.

Immerse yourself in God's Word whenever you face adversity. Pray God's Word back to Him. Love God as you meditate on His love letter to you, the Bible. You will be energized and encouraged by this consistent Scripture meditation.

# Chapter 29  
Your Faith in God Determines Your Destiny

Your faith in God will be the determining factor when you face severe adversity. Will your faith in God pass the test? Jesus said, "...it shall be done for you as you have believed..." (Matthew 8:13 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "as you have believed" in this verse of Scripture. Jesus spoke these words to a man who asked Him to heal one of his servants who was paralyzed and in great pain. The words that Jesus spoke to this man many years ago apply to you today.

_You determine_ what will happen to you when you face severe adversity. You have just read what Jesus said about the relationship between your faith in Him and what will happen in your life. Jesus explained this principle again shortly after that when He said, "...According to your faith and trust and reliance [on the power invested in Me] be it done to you" (Matthew 9:29 amp)

These two verses of Scripture clearly explain the relationship between your faith in God and what ultimately will take place in your life. Your faith in God is vitally important whenever you face a seemingly impossible situation. Jesus said, "...Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:2-3 niv)

Please highlight or underline the word "everything" in this verse of Scripture. This word applies to every problem you will ever face. The variable is your faith in God, not the seeming severity of whatever problem you face. "...he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness." (Psalm 32:10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "compassed about" in this verse of Scripture. These words mean to be surrounded by. You will be surrounded by God's mercy, love and kindness if you trust Him completely in the face of seemingly overwhelming circumstances.

The following words that Jesus spoke to a woman named Martha regarding the death of her brother Lazarus apply to you today. "Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40 amp)

Martha believed and relied _completely_ on Jesus _even though_ her brother already was dead. Martha had faith that Jesus would raise her brother from the dead. She did not focus on her dead brother. She focused on the mighty power of Jesus Christ. Jesus did raise Lazarus from the dead. You will see His glory in your life if you place all of your trust and confidence in Him.

You can be absolutely assured that your Father will do exactly what He says He will do. "...faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]." (Hebrews 11:1 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "assurance" in this verse of Scripture. You can be absolutely assured that your Father will do what He says He will do. Trust Him completely. God instructs you to see as reality in the spirit what you do not see in the flesh. Your faith in God is "the proof" that He will do what you cannot see but are trusting completely in Him to do.

Please highlight or underline the words "faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses" in this verse of Scripture. What is more real to you – what you perceive with your eyes and ears or what God says? When you face severe adversity, your faith in God should be much more tangible to you than any circumstances you face. "... faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the word "hearing" in this verse of Scripture. Your faith in God will increase if you consistently _hear_ anointed pastors and teachers preaching and teaching from God's Word. However, we have learned that your faith in God will increase much more rapidly when _your ears_ consistently hear _your mouth_ boldly speaking God's Word.

If you faithfully meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures as your Father has instructed you to do, you _will_ be speaking His Word continually. Your ears _will_ hear your mouth speaking God's Word day and night.

Some Christians think that they do an adequate job of studying God's Word, but the truth is that their ears very seldom hear their mouths boldly speaking God's supernatural Word. You will be amazed at how God's Word will come alive inside of you if you faithfully _speak_ His Word as you consistently meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures (see our instructions on Scripture meditation in Chapters 11 and 12).

Yesterday's faith is not sufficient. This verse of Scripture does _not_ say that faith comes from _having heard_ the Word of God. Your faith in God will increase steadily if your ears consistently hear your mouth speaking God's Word with absolute faith and conviction.

God gave you enough faith to trust Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation. You should steadily increase this faith that you were given when you were saved. "Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:7 amp)

Hurricanes often rip up trees that have shallow roots. Only trees with deep roots are able to withstand a violent storm. This same principle applies to your faith in God. Shallow faith in God will not be able to bring you through severe adversity. Deeply rooted faith in God is an absolute necessity to bring you safely through difficult circumstances.

Your faith in God should be "continually built up." You should learn and obey God's specific instructions to increase your faith in Him (see our book titled _Unshakable Faith in Almighty God_ and our Scripture Meditation Cards and the accompanying CD that are titled _Continually Increasing Faith in God_ ).

Your faith in God never remains constant. If your faith in God is not increasing, it is decreasing. "Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times..." (Psalm 62:8 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "at all times" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants you to have unwavering faith in Him. He does not want you to doubt, even for a moment. "Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness),..." (Hebrews 10:22 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "let us all come forward and draw near" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father instructs every one of His children to continually stay close to Him. If you do this, you will have "unqualified assurance and absolute conviction" that God _will_ do everything that His Word says He will do. You will lean on God and trust Him completely when everything around you seems to be falling apart.

The following verse of Scripture consists of words spoken by Jesus Christ prophetically through the prophet Isaiah. Jesus said, "For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed." (Isaiah 50:7 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "I set my face like a flint" in this verse of Scripture. A flint is an extremely hard and unyielding rock. Jesus wants your faith in Him to be unyielding and unwavering because you _know_ that He has won a total victory over whatever problems you face. "...the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1 amp)

Refuse to give in to fear. Dare to step out boldly on your faith in God. Your Father knows exactly what to do to bring you through whatever problem you face. He is watching you continually to see if your words and your actions in the face of adversity clearly indicate your faith in Him. "The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him." (Nahum 1:7 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble" in this verse of Scripture. When you are in trouble, the Lord will provide the strength that you need according to your faith in Him (see Chapter 26).

You should not pray asking God to give you more faith in Him. Instead of praying to God for more faith, you should learn and obey the specific instructions He has given you that tell you exactly what to do to steadily increase your faith in Him.

Unfortunately, many Christians do not know the Bible. Many Christians have not renewed their minds in God's Word each day and meditated day and night on the holy Scriptures.

Do you _know_ many promises that your Father has given to you? Do you _really believe_ that your Father will do _exactly_ what He promises to do, regardless of the circumstances you face? Is your heart _so full_ of God's Word that your faith in God absolutely will not waver, no matter what you face?

Even though this book is filled with specific scriptural instructions telling you how to increase your faith in God, we want to emphasize that faith in God is not a formula. Unwavering faith in God requires a close personal relationship with God. This relationship should be so intimate, so deep and so strong that you _will_ trust your Father completely at all times regardless of the seeming severity of the problems you face.

# Chapter 30  
Enter into God's Rest

You can trust God completely to solve problems that seem to have no solution. He will fight for you. "...with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles..." (II Chronicles 32:8 kjv)

God wants you to have absolute faith, trust and confidence that He _is_ with you and that He _will_ fight and win the battles that must be won. "...The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." (II Chronicles 20:15 amp)

When this passage of Scripture speaks of "this great multitude," it refers to a mighty army that King Jehoshaphat and the Israelites faced. The opposing forces were _much_ more powerful than King Jehoshaphat and his followers. The Lord spoke directly to King Jehoshaphat. The Lord told him that the battle was not his to fight. This battle was to be fought by God.

You should trust God completely to fight and win every battle. "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."" (Deuteronomy 20:1-4 niv)

Once again you are instructed not to be afraid when you face obstacles that appear to be overwhelming. You should have absolute faith that God is with you every step of the way and that He will help you and fight for you. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might... (Ecclesiastes 9:10 niv)

Do your very best at all times. Trust God completely. "...humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." (I Peter 5:6-7 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation" in the amplification of this passage of Scripture. Live in humility before God. Know that your Father cares about everything that concerns you.

Please highlight or underline the words ""the whole of your care" in this passage of Scripture. Your Father instructs you to give _all_ of your problems to Him. Please highlight or underline the _four_ times the word "all" is used in the amplification in this passage of Scripture. There is no question that your Father has instructed you to give all of the problems you face to Him and to leave them with Him.

Please highlight or underline the words "cares for you watchfully" in this passage of Scripture. Your Father loves you. He is watching over you. He wants you to trust Him completely.

Some Christians give their burdens to the Lord and take them back a few days later because nothing seems to be happening. If you take the burdens back, your actions indicate that you do not trust the Lord. Give your burden to the Lord and _leave_ it with Him. "Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail)." (Psalm 55:22 amp)

When you cast your burdens on the Lord, you _throw_ these burdens to Him spiritually. Visualize a fisherman casting a line into the water. This fisherman throws the line away from himself. The sinker on the line causes the line to go far away when he casts it. Your Father wants you to _throw_ your burdens to Him.

Please highlight or underline the words "releasing the weight of it" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Your Father absolutely does not want you to hang on to the problems you face.

Refuse to give up. Your Father wants you to keep moving forward with absolute faith in Him. He will bring you safely through the problems you face according to your faith in Him. He will not allow you to fail. "Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "He will bring it to pass" in this verse of Scripture. Trust God completely. If you truly believe that He will fight for you, you will remain calm, quiet and confident whenever you face seemingly overwhelming problems. "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest." (Exodus 14:14 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "you shall hold your peace and remain at rest" in this verse of Scripture. Do not become upset by the difficult problems you face. "...he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." (Exodus 33:14 kjv)

If you are absolutely certain that God Himself is with you at all times, you _will_ rest in Him. You can only enter into God's rest to the degree that you trust Him. "...we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest..." (Hebrews 4:3 amp)

Do not struggle and strain attempting to carry heavy burdens. Give these heavy burdens to Jesus. He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]" (Matthew 11:28 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words " _all_ you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened" in this verse of Scripture. These words apply to _you_ and whatever burdens you have at this time.

You are instructed to enter into the supernatural rest that Jesus has provided for you. Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne." (Matthew 11:29-30 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me" in this passage of Scripture. When Jesus used the word "yoke" He referred to a wooden frame that fits around the necks of two oxen. These huge animals were under the control of the person who held the yoke.

Jesus wants you to allow Him to control your life. He wants you to be meek and humble just as He was meek and humble throughout His earthly ministry. You should live in constant humility because you are aware that Jesus lives in your heart. If you humble yourself before Jesus and trust completely in Him, you will enter into the rest that He has provided for you.

Please highlight or underline the words "relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet" in the amplification of this passage of Scripture. Turn quietly and calmly to Jesus, resting in Him because you have absolute faith in Him. "...he who has once entered [God's] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors..." (Hebrews 4:10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "the weariness and pain of human labors" in this verse of Scripture. _Stop_ struggling and straining. Jesus never intended for you to do everything yourself. Let go. Enter into the supernatural rest that God has provided for you.

Giving your burdens to the Lord and leaving them with Him can be compared to learning how to swim. Visualize a group of people learning to swim. Some of these students fight the water. They thrash and splash because they do not trust the water to hold them up.

Good swimmers trust the water. They know that the water is their ally. They relax and allow the water to hold them up. This same principle applies to your faith in God.

Let go. Trust completely in God to hold you up. Your Father wants you to be absolutely secure in His presence. Little children who trust their father are not afraid to jump into his arms. They have complete confidence in their father. They know that he will catch them. They are willing to let go completely as they leap toward their father.

This same principle applies to you whenever you face difficult obstacles. Trust your loving Father so much that you jump into His arms in the spiritual realm, trusting Him completely to hold you up. "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27 niv)

Please highlight or underline the word "refuge" in this verse of Scripture. Whenever you face adversity, you can be certain that your loving Father has provided a place of refuge for you. A refuge is a place of protection from danger. This word is part of the word "refugee." Refugees leave their homes to seek a safe haven in another place. Your loving Father wants you to turn away from the world to take refuge in Him.

God is with you at all times. Trust your Father so much that you jump into His arms. _Know_ that your Father's arms are there. _Know_ that your Father _will_ catch you and that He _will_ hold you up if you trust Him completely.

# Chapter 31  
Learn How to Be Quiet and Calm in the Face of Adversity

How will you react if you face a seemingly desperate situation? Will you panic and be upset? Or will you remain calm and focus continually on God because you have a close and intimate relationship with Him and trust Him completely?

Your Father wants you to be quiet and calm whenever you face adversity. He has given you specific instructions in His Word that explain how to be quiet and calm regardless of the circumstances you face. "...the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever." (Isaiah 32:17 amp)

You are righteous before God if Jesus Christ is your Savior. If Jesus is your Savior, you have been given the ability to be quiet, calm and confident regardless of the circumstances you face.

Jesus has provided a glorious eternal life in heaven for every person who receives Him as his or her Savior. He also has provided a quietness inside of you that is sufficient to transcend every problem you will face here on earth. "Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity..." (Psalm 94:12-13 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity" in this passage of Scripture. The Bible is your textbook. God is your teacher. God will teach you from His Word exactly what you should do to remain calm and quiet when you face adversity. You should be like the apostle Paul who said, "...I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am." (Philippians 4:11 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "I have learned" in this verse of Scripture. If the apostle Paul learned how to be content without being disturbed or disquieted regardless of the circumstances he faced, you can learn this same lesson. "...be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God...." (Psalm 46:10 amp)

You must identify with God instead of identifying with whatever problems you face. Open your mouth and speak the calming words, "Be still... Be still... Be still... Be still" again and again. If you will focus continually on God and constantly speak these two powerful words, you will become quiet and calm. You will _know_ that God is in complete control. You will not allow the problems you face to upset you.

You should follow the advice that the apostle Paul gave to the Thessalonians when he said, "...we beg you, brethren, not to allow your minds to be quickly unsettled or disturbed or kept excited or alarmed..." (II Thessalonians 2:1-2 amp)

We believe that these anointed words that Paul spoke many years ago apply to our generation today. You should never react negatively to the circumstances you face. Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated)...." (John 14:1 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "let" in this verse of Scripture. You decide whether you will allow the problems you face to enter into your mind and your heart. Jesus has clearly instructed you not to do this.

The following story of how Jesus reacted to a severe storm is an example to teach you how to react to the storms in your life. Jesus and His disciples were in a boat crossing a lake. "A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?' He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?' They were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!'" (Mark 4:37-41 niv)

The furious storm that almost filled the boat with water and upset the disciples instantly became calm when Jesus spoke to it. The _same_ Jesus Christ Who spoke calmness to this storm lives in _your_ heart if He is your Savior. Identify with the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ instead of identifying with the storms in your life. _Know_ that Jesus has total power and authority over every storm you will ever face (see Matthew 28:18).

You must not react with fear as the disciples did. Trust Jesus completely. You have learned that you can do _all_ things through the strength of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 4:13). The strength of God will be manifested in your life when you are quiet and calm in the face of adversity because you trust God completely. "...in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength..." (Isaiah 30:15 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "in quietness and in confidence" in this verse of Scripture. These words are the key to receiving God's strength in your life. You will _block_ the supernatural strength of God from being released to help you if you panic and become worried, fearful and upset in the face of adversity. The strength of God will be _released_ in you, to you, for you and through you when you are calm, quiet and confident in the face of adversity.

Meditate continually on this verse of Scripture whenever you face a seemingly severe problem. Be determined to be quiet and confident because you trust God completely. Receive God's strength in your life as a result of your quiet and confident trust in Him. "...the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6 niv)

If the Holy Spirit truly is in control of your life, you will not be upset by any adversity you face because the Holy Spirit never is upset by adversity. The Holy Spirit is independent of circumstances. He is always at peace. You should seek His peace in your life. "...seek, inquire for, and crave peace and pursue (go after) it!" (Psalm 34:14 amp)

This instruction from the Old Testament also is emphasized in the New Testament. "...search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]" (I Peter 3:11 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. If you search for God's peace and find it, you will not be disturbed by fear. You will not be agitated by the adversity you face.

Please highlight or underline the words "pursue, go after" in this verse of Scripture. The same words are used in Psalm 34:14. God emphasizes through repetition. Your Father does not want you to allow anyone or anything to disturb the supernatural peace He has made available to you. He wants you to _actively_ seek the peace that He has promised to give you.

If the Holy Spirit truly is in control of your life, He will produce spiritual fruit in you and through you. One fruit of the Holy Spirit is His peace that will be manifested in your life when you yield control to Him and trust Him completely. "...the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is... _peace_..." (Galatians 5:22 amp)

Receive by faith the supernatural peace of the Holy Spirit. If you get out of the driver's seat and truly allow the Holy Spirit to control your life (see Galatians 5:25 and Romans 8:9), you will experience His peace in your life.

You have seen that Jesus Christ lives in your heart. He is willing to control every aspect of your life. You will experience His supernatural peace if you allow Him to be in charge because you trust Him completely. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:15 niv)

Please highlight or underline the word "rule" in this verse of Scripture. Jesus is always at peace. You will experience His supernatural peace if He truly is in charge of your life.

Do not worry about anything. Instead of worrying, you should go to your Father in prayer, believing that He will answer your prayers. Thank Him for answering. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "do not be anxious about anything" in this passage of Scripture. The word "anything" includes whatever problem you face at this time, no matter how difficult the problem may seem. Instead of being anxious and worried, you are instructed to go to God in prayer with specific requests based upon His Word. Show your faith in God by thanking Him when you pray.

Please highlight or underline the words "the peace of God which transcends all understanding" in this passage of Scripture. God's peace which is _so_ great that you cannot understand it is available to _you_ if you will learn and obey the specific instructions He has given you in His Word. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]" (John 14:27 amp)

_Jesus Christ has given His peace to you_. Know that Jesus made this promise. Receive His supernatural peace by faith. Refuse to allow your heart to be troubled. Do not give in to fear. Please highlight or underline the words "let," "allowing" and "permit" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. _You decide_ throughout every day of your life whether you will allow the peace of Jesus Christ to be taken from you.

Jesus has given His supernatural peace to you. Receive His peace by faith. Absolutely refuse to allow worry and fear to dominate your life. You must understand the importance of learning and obeying these instructions from God pertaining to peace. "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river..." (Isaiah 48:18 niv)

The supernatural peace of God will flow through you like a river _if_ you will learn and obey God's instructions. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace" in this verse of Scripture. _God Himself_ will keep _you_ in perfect peace _if_ you refuse to dwell on the problems you face and focus instead on Him because you trust Him completely.

This chapter is filled with scriptural facts pertaining to the peace of God. You can learn how to remain calm, quiet and confident at all times. When the problems you face seem to be overwhelming, meditate day and night on selected passages of Scripture from this chapter.

Praise God and thank Him for the supernatural peace He has made available to you. (For additional instructions on God's supernatural peace, see our book titled _Exchange Your Worries for God's Perfect Peace_ and our Scripture Meditation Cards and the accompanying CD that are titled _Enjoy God's Wonderful Peace_.)

# Chapter 32  
Refuse to Give Up the Joy of the Lord

Now that you have learned what God's Word says about living in peace and resting in the Lord, we are ready to look into the Word of God to see that your faith in God and the peace of God should result in constant joy regardless of the circumstances you face. "Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always)" (I Thessalonians 5:16 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "always" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. This word includes whatever problems you may face at this time. You are instructed to be "happy in your faith" regardless of the circumstances in your life. If you truly have deep, strong and unwavering faith in God, your heart will sing with joy at all times regardless of the circumstances you face. "Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "always" in this verse of Scripture. The Lord does not want you to rejoice in Him some of the time or most of the time. He has instructed you to rejoice in Him _constantly_. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "pure joy" in this passage of Scripture. Your Father does not want you to _ever_ allow adversity to steal His supernatural joy that has been made available to you. He wants you to look at the adversity you face from His perspective, not from a worldly perspective.

Please highlight or underline the words "whenever you face trials of many kinds" in this passage of Scripture. These words include whatever problems you face at this time. Your Father wants your heart to sing with joy whenever you face adversity.

He wants you to understand that, if you react to all adversity by obeying the specific instructions He has given you in His Word, the adversity that you face will cause your perseverance to increase. Perseverance is a highly desirable quality. God does not want you to ever give up. Perseverance will enable you to keep going because of your unshakable faith in God.

Your Father wants you to grow and mature. He wants you to understand that many times you will go through difficult problems and that you _will_ be blessed as a result because of the growth and maturity that will take place in you.

Please highlight or underline the words "mature and complete, not lacking anything" in this passage of Scripture. God's goal for each of His children is total and complete maturity.

The joy of the Lord is independent of circumstances. Joy does not come as a result of the absence of problems. Joy comes because you have such a close and intimate relationship with the Lord. Trust Him completely to bring you through all adversity. "...I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds." (II Corinthians 7:4 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "I am greatly encouraged" in this verse of Scripture. Paul was not encouraged because everything was going well. He was encouraged in the face of adversity. Paul said that his joy "knows no bounds."

You also should rejoice when you are in trouble. Encourage yourself by consistently meditating on the Word of God. If you immerse yourself in God's supernatural living Word, you will constantly _encourage_ yourself instead of allowing yourself to be _discouraged_ by the seeming severity of the problems you face.

If you consistently fill your eyes and your ears with the Word of God, you will tune in to the voice of the Holy Spirit. You will allow Him to control your life. "...the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, _joy_ ( _gladness_ )..." (Galatians 5:22 amp)

We used Galatians 5:22 in the last chapter to explain the fruit of peace being produced in you if the Holy Spirit is in control of your life. You also will experience the fruit of joy in your life to the degree that you yield control of your life to the Holy Spirit because you trust Him.

If you love Jesus Christ with all your heart and if you have absolute faith in Him, your heart will sing with joy at all times. "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy," (I Peter 1:8 niv)

You do not have to be able to see Jesus with your physical eyesight to love Him and trust Him. If you have developed a close and intimate relationship with Jesus, you _will_ be filled with His supernatural joy. "...whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord – happy, blessed, and fortunate is he." (Proverbs 16:20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "whoever" in this verse of Scripture. This word includes _you_. If you lean on the Lord and trust Him completely and place all of your confidence in Him, you _will_ be "happy, blessed and fortunate" regardless of the circumstances you face. "...be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold." (Nehemiah 8:10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "be not grieved and depressed" in this verse of Scripture. Discouragement and depression weaken you. Your Father does not want you to allow depression and discouragement to pull you down. He wants you to be constantly strengthened by His joy because you do not give up this joy regardless of the circumstances you face.

If you _truly believe_ that Jesus Christ won a total, complete and absolute victory over the problems you face (see John 16:33, II Corinthians 2:14 and I John 5:4-5), why wouldn't your heart sing with joy at all times? Jesus said, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:10-11 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" in this passage of Scripture. What exactly should you do so that your joy will be complete?

You will live in the joy of the Lord if you do your very best to continually obey the instructions in His Word. If you do this, you will abide in the love of Jesus Christ. Your heart will sing with joy because you trust completely in Jesus and His great love for you. Jesus said, "...no one can take from you your joy (gladness, delight)." (John 16:22 amp)

Refuse to allow anyone or anything to steal your joy. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples shortly before He was crucified. He told these men that they should not allow His crucifixion to steal their joy. This same biblical principle applies to you today.

Once you have identified whatever problem you face, you should turn _away_ from the problem and turn toward the Lord, focusing continually on Him because you trust Him. "...let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits." (Psalm 5:11 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "all" in this verse of Scripture. This word includes you. If you have total, complete and absolute confidence in the Lord, you _will_ rejoice. You will constantly "sing and shout for joy" because you are absolutely certain that the Lord _is_ protecting you and watching over you.

# Chapter 33  
Praise God and Thank Him Whenever You Face Adversity

You have learned that your heart will be filled with peace and joy if you focus continually on what the Bible teaches about the victory that Jesus Christ has won for you. If you have absolute faith in God regardless of the circumstances you face, you will praise God continually. "This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise." (Isaiah 43:21 kjv)

Isn't it vitally important for you to do what God created you to do? You have just read that your Father created you to praise Him. If you focus continually on how great God is, you will praise Him continually. "Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; and His greatness is [so vast and deep as to be] unsearchable." (Psalm 145:3 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "His greatness is so vast and deep as to be unsearchable" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. The Lord is _so great_ that you cannot even begin to comprehend the magnitude of His greatness. Praise Him and thank Him continually.

When you praise the Lord in the face of severe adversity, you turn away from the problems you face to focus on the victory that Jesus Christ won for you. Praise takes your eyes off the problems and focuses your attention on the Problem Solver.

The Bible teaches that you can do _all_ things through the strength of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 4:13). God's Word promises that the Lord _will_ provide you with a constant shield of protection (see Psalm 115:9-11). If you know and believe these great promises from God, you will not be overwhelmed by any adversity you face.

You will trust the Lord completely because you will have absolute faith that He will help you (see Isaiah 41:13). Your heart will sing with joy in the face of adversity. Your heart should be so filled with gratitude toward God that praise will spontaneously flow out of your mouth, regardless of the circumstances you face. "...Give praise and thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good; for His mercy and kindness and steadfast love endure forever!..." (Jeremiah 33:11 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "forever" in this verse of Scripture. Praise the Lord because you are certain that He is always kind, merciful and loving. Praise Him continually just as the psalmist did when he said, "Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You." (Psalm 63:3 amp)

Focus continually on your Father's love for you and His great kindness toward you. When you are in trouble and everything that can go wrong seems to be going wrong, _this is the time_ to open your mouth and thank God for bringing you safely through the problems you face. "Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High, and call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me." (Psalm 50:14-15 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "sacrifice of thanksgiving" in this verse of Scripture. Thanking God when you face severe adversity does not make a lot of sense to many people, but this is exactly what God's Word instructs _you_ to do. You should make the sacrifice of doing what your Father instructs you to do even though you may not feel like it.

Please highlight or underline the words "call on Me in the day of trouble" in this verse of Scripture. _Know_ that your loving Father will deliver you and bring you through the problems you face. Show your faith in Him by thanking Him and praising Him continually whenever you face difficult circumstances. "He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me..." (Psalm 50:23 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "offering" in this verse of Scripture. When you praise God and thank Him in the face of adversity, you make an offering to Him just as you make an offering when you put money into the collection at your church. Honor God and glorify Him by praising Him continually regardless of the circumstances you face. "...let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13:15 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the word "sacrifice" in this verse of Scripture. You saw the same word used in Psalm 50:23. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament instruct you to make a continual sacrifice by praising God and thanking Him regardless of what is happening in your life.

Praising God and thanking Him is easy when everything is going well and all of the people in the church are singing songs of praise and thanksgiving. If you are absolutely certain that your Father will do everything His Word says He will do, _why_ wouldn't you praise Him and thank Him whenever you face adversity?

You can and should praise God instead of giving in to any temptation to be discouraged because of the problems you face. You should be like the psalmist David who said, "...I am poor, sorrowful, and in pain; let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving" (Psalm 69:29-30 amp)

David faced many difficult problems during his life. What did David do when he was "poor, sorrowful and in pain?" David did not focus on the pain and anguish he was experiencing. He praised God and thanked Him. You should follow David's example whenever you face adversity. David said, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psalm 42:5 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "cast down" and "disquieted" in this verse of Scripture. David asked himself why he allowed the problems he faced to agitate him. He knew that he should not give up hope. He praised God because he was certain that God would help him. If you praise God continually, you will experience "...beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit..." (Isaiah 61:3 amp)

Satan's demons will try to discourage you when you face difficult problems. They will whisper words into your ears that they hope will cause you to have "a heavy, burdened and failing spirit."

This verse of Scripture compares praise to a "garment." A garment is a piece of clothing that covers your body. You are instructed to cover yourself with praise in the spiritual realm at all times just as you are covered in the natural realm by the clothing you wear. If you obey these specific instructions from God, your Father will give you His beauty and His joy instead of the ashes of doubt, defeat and discouragement that Satan's demons will try to put on you.

Impurities in silver and gold are removed by severe heat. This same principle applies when you face severe adversity. If you react to adversity by praising God continually, your reaction will clearly indicate that you trust God completely. "As the refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold [bring forth all the impurities of the metal], so let a man be in his trial of praise [ridding himself of all that is base or insincere; for a man is judged by what he praises and of what he boasts]." (Proverbs 27:21 amp)

This verse of Scripture compares the refining of gold and silver by severe heat with what will take place in your life if you praise God whenever you face adversity. The impurities in gold and silver are removed by great heat. You also will be cleansed "of all that is base or insincere" if you praise God whenever you face difficult problems.

The psalmist loved the Word of God so much that he praised God's Word. He said, "In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise, in God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid..." (Psalm 56:10-11 amp)

God emphasizes through repetition. The psalmist in this verse of Scripture emphasized that he praised God's Word by making this statement two times in one passage of Scripture. The psalmist absolutely refused to give in to fear. He trusted God completely because his mind and his heart were filled to overflowing with God's Word. He said, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." (Psalm 57:7 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the _two times_ the words "my heart is fixed" are used in this verse of Scripture. Once again, God emphasizes through repetition. When more than fifty percent of one short verse of Scripture consists of the same words being repeated twice, you can be certain that your Father is emphasizing the importance of your heart being fixed.

A fixed heart is filled to overflowing with the supernatural living Word of God. Christians whose hearts are filled with God's Word will praise God continually in the face of severe adversity. These Christians will sing songs of praise to God regardless of the circumstances they face. They will thank God continually whenever they face adversity. "Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. (I Thessalonians 5:18 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "thank God in everything no matter what the circumstances may be" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. You are _not_ thanking God for the problems you face. You are thanking Him for the victory that you know Jesus has given you over these problems if you will persevere with absolute faith in Him.

You must be absolutely certain that Jesus Christ has given you a total, complete and absolute victory over whatever problems you face. Thank God continually for this marvelous victory. "...thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:57 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "making us conquerors" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. _You_ are a conqueror (see Romans 8:37). God has given _you_ victory through Jesus Christ. Meditate on this great spiritual truth. Let your ears hear your mouth proclaiming over and over that you are victorious over whatever problems you face.

Refuse to give up. Thank God and praise Him for the victory He has given to you. "Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us." (Psalm 67:5-6 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "all the people" in this passage of Scripture. Your Father instructs _everyone_ to praise Him regardless of the circumstances they face. Please highlight or underline the words " _then_ shall the earth yield her increase."

Continual praise causes positive results in the spiritual realm. If you praise God continually from a grateful heart, you will be blessed in the world and God Himself will bless you.

The Bible contains an interesting story about two men who were greatly blessed by God because they praised Him in the face of adversity. "...at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." (Acts 16:25-26 kjv)

Paul and Silas were imprisoned by Roman soldiers in a dark, damp and miserable prison cell. How did they react to these difficult circumstances? They did not feel sorry for themselves. They focused completely on God. They repeatedly prayed and sang praise to God.

God honored their faith. He "suddenly" performed a mighty miracle. A powerful earthquake unfastened the chains that bound Paul and Silas. They were set free along with everyone else in the prison.

This same spiritual principle applies to you today. Praise God whenever you face adversity. Know that your Father will do great things in your life. Absolutely refuse to allow the problems you face, no matter how difficult they may seem, to overwhelm you. Open your mouth and praise God and thank Him. Release your faith in God by constantly praising Him and thanking Him.

# Chapter 34  
You Can Come into the Presence of the Lord

The Word of God instructs you to praise the Lord throughout the day and night. God should be at the forefront of your consciousness at all times. Your heartfelt gratitude to Him and your absolute faith in Him should pour out of your mouth in the form of continual praise. "From the rising of the sun to the going down of it and from east to west, the name of the Lord is to be praised!" (Psalm 113:3 amp)

This verse of Scripture is all-inclusive. No matter where you are or what time of the day or night it is, you are instructed to praise the Lord and worship Him. You should be like the psalmist who said, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "at all times" and "continually" in this verse of Scripture. Continual praise should be a way of life for you. You should praise the Lord whether you feel like it or not. You should praise the Lord when you are on the mountaintop. You should praise Him when you are in the depth of the valleys in your life.

The Bible teaches that there is a definite relationship between praising the Lord continually and a constant awareness of God's indwelling presence. Every aspect of your life should focus around your certainty that God Himself lives in your heart.

There is no safer place in the entire universe than to be in the presence of God. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you are a child of God. You have been given the privilege of coming into the presence of Almighty God at any time.

One of the primary ways to come into the presence of God is by continually praising Him and thanking Him. This chapter is filled with scriptural facts about entering into the presence of God.

God should be in absolute first place in your life. Everyone else and everything else should be a distant second. If you put God where He belongs and keep Him there throughout every day of your life by constantly studying and meditating on His Word, by praying continually and by praising Him and thanking Him constantly, you _will_ come into His presence. "You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word]." (Psalm 27:8 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "your vital need" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Coming into God's presence is not a nice to have. Coming into God's presence is vitally important. You must understand the absolute importance of being in God's presence whenever you face adversity. "Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually!" (I Chronicles 16:11 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "yearn" and "continually" in this verse of Scripture. Would your Father have instructed you to be in His presence _continually_ if this was not possible? The more you come into God's presence, the more you will yearn to remain in His presence.

The ultimate goal for every Christian should be to be in the presence of the Lord continually. Many Christians never come into the presence of the Lord. Other Christians only come into His presence occasionally. If you faithfully obey God's instructions, you will come into God's glorious presence and remain there. You _cannot_ be in God's presence and worry about the problems you face.

What should you do to enter into God's presence? You should praise God continually. "...You are holy, O You Who dwell in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered]." (Psalm 22:3 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "dwell" in this verse of Scripture. In the Old Testament, God was in one place – the Holy of Holies. The Israelites went to the temple to praise Him. Today, _you_ are the temple where God lives. Continual praise and thanksgiving _will_ bring you into God's presence. "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving" (Psalm 95:2 kjv)

When you face extremely difficult times, you _must_ be in God's presence. Open your mouth and thank God continually. Praise Him throughout the day and night. No matter how difficult the circumstances you face may seem, praise God and thank Him again and again.

Thanking God in the face of severe adversity will not come naturally to you. The carnal part of your nature wants to grumble and complain. God's ways are very different from the ways of the world (see Isaiah 55:8-9). Praise God. Thank Him. Praise Him some more. Thank Him some more. "...You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence." (Acts 2:28 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "enrapture" in this verse of Scripture. The prefix "en" means in. The word "rapture" means to be carried away with joy. You will be carried away with joy whenever you are in God's presence.

Please highlight or underline the word "diffusing" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. When something is diffused, it is spread out. You will be filled with joy when you are in God's presence.

When you are in the presence of God, you will be absolutely assured that everything will work out just fine. You should learn everything you can about coming into God's presence. _Obey_ these specific scriptural instructions. The Bible teaches that you come into God's presence by _singing_ praise to Him. "...Come before His presence with singing!" (Psalm 100:2 amp)

When you face difficult circumstances, open your mouth and _sing_ praise to God. If you have recorded praise and worship music, play this music. Turn up the volume. Boldly sing your praise to God along with the music.

If you do not have recorded music or you are in a place where you do not have access to this music, open your mouth and sing _How Great Thou Art, Jesus Loves Me_ or other songs you have known for many years. If you don't know any songs of worship, make up your own songs. Sing passages of Scripture.

Sing your praises to God. Sing thanks to God. Let your ears hear your mouth continually singing praise to God. "Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long...." (Psalm 84:4 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "dwell in Your house" in this verse of Scripture. When you dwell in a place, you live there permanently. Each time you come into God's presence, you will have a deeper yearning to come into His presence even more. You will sing praise to God "all the day long."

We constantly play recorded worship music in our home and in our automobiles. I (Jack) do not listen to _anything_ in my automobile except for praise and worship music. I have been interested in sports for more than sixty-five years. I used to listen to sports talk shows when I drove my car. I do not listen to these programs any more even though I still follow sports on television and in newspapers and magazines.

I have almost fifty hours of selectively recorded praise and worship music in my car. When I get into the car and turn the key, praise and worship music immediately comes forth. Wherever I go and whatever I am doing in my car, my ears are _filled_ with praise and worship music. I turn up the volume. I sing along with this music. I praise God and worship Him wherever I go.

We often watch a Gaither music video at night. We have almost one hundred of these magnificent worship videos. We find that praising God and worshiping Him along with Bill Gaither and his friends is very uplifting (see www.gaither.com).

You cannot sing praise to God and be worried, anxious and afraid. Continual songs of praise will drive fear, worry and anxiety out of your mind and your heart. "...ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." (Ephesians 5:18-20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "ever be filled and stimulated with the Holy Spirit" in this passage of Scripture. Every aspect of your life should revolve around a continual consciousness of the magnificent Holy Spirit Who lives in your heart. You will be _filled with the Spirit_ if you continually sing songs of praise to the Lord. You will be energized by the Holy Spirit if you thank God and praise Him constantly and worship Him continually.

Refuse to give in to adversity. Praise God and thank Him as you "make melody with all your heart to the Lord." "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!" (Psalm 100:4 amp)

You will enter into the gates of God's courtyard if you continually thank God. You will come "into His courts" if you praise Him continually. If you truly are thankful, you should "say so" to God. You should "bless and affectionately praise His name." Have absolute faith that your loving Father will bring you safely through the problems you face as you remain in His presence, thank Him, praise Him and sing songs of praise and thanksgiving.

The more you are in God's presence, the more you will comprehend how magnificent He is. "Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]." (James 4:10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "He will lift you up and make your lives significant" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. God _will_ lift you up if you _humble_ yourself before His awesome presence. He will lift you up if you come into His presence with reverence and awe.

The last two chapters are filled with facts from the Word of God about the relationship between praising God, thanking God and coming into and remaining in God's presence. If you face difficult problems, meditate on the Scripture references in these chapters. Obey your Father's instructions to thank Him and to praise Him continually. You will come into His presence and you will be overwhelmed with joy because of the security that you will experience when you are in the presence of Almighty God.

# Chapter 35  
God Will Protect You

Whenever you are threatened by any kind of calamity, you should turn to your Father with absolute faith that He will protect you from harm. This chapter is filled with promises from God assuring that He will protect you. Your Father wants you to _know_ these promises and to have absolute faith that He _will_ do exactly what He has promised to do.

When most people are faced with an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, terrorist attack or anything else that is potentially overwhelming, they will tend to focus on the seemingly severe problem they face. Your Father does not want you to do this. His Word consistently instructs you to turn away from the problems you face to focus on Him.

Speak God's promises of protection in this chapter over and over again. Personalize them. Appropriate these promises by faith. As your ears hear your mouth boldly speaking God's promises of protection, you will have absolute faith that your Father will protect you, no matter what obstacle you face.

The 91st Psalm is God's great psalm of protection. If there is one place you should go in the Bible to meditate on when you need God's protection, the 91st Psalm is that place. We will comment here on several selected verses from this psalm. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]." (Psalm 91:1 amp)

When the Bible refers to the secret place of the Most High, these words refer to the presence of God. Psalm 31:20 speaks of "the secret place of Your presence." In the last chapter you read several specific scriptural instructions that tell you exactly what to do to enter into the presence of God. When you enter into God's presence, you enter into the secret place of the Most High.

There is no more secure place in the entire universe than to be in God's presence. When everything that can go wrong seems to be going wrong, you must know how to come into God's presence and remain there.

You must understand that the secret place of the Most High is in your heart. You have learned that God makes His home in your heart. The safest place in the entire universe is _inside of you_.

Please highlight or underline the words "shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty" in Psalm 91:1. You will be stable and steady if you remain in the secret place of the Most High.

God's power is much greater than any obstacle you will ever face, no matter how formidable this obstacle may seem. Your Father wants you to trust Him completely to protect you. You should be like the psalmist who said, "I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." (Psalm 91:2 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "my refuge and my fortress" in this verse of Scripture. The word "refuge" means a place of safety where there is protection from danger. During times of civil war or unrest, we often read of refugees who flee from their homes to seek refuge elsewhere where they are safe. When you read the word "refuge" in this verse of Scripture, you can be certain that your Father has provided a place of safety in the spiritual realm for you to flee into.

You will be continually protected when you are in God's secret place just as people in the world are protected when they are in a large and secure fortress. There is no stronger fortress in the entire universe than the secret place of the Most High.

You may look around and see many other people being overcome by the severe problems they face. You will not be overcome by these problems if you focus constantly on God and His Word. "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." (Psalm 91:7 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the word "not" in this verse of Scripture. No matter how many people are being overcome by the difficult problems that are taking place in the world, you will _not_ fall if you are in the secret place of the Most High. "Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked." (Psalm 91:8 amp)

If you are in God's secret place, you will be "only a spectator." You will be "inaccessible" to the problems that are overcoming many other people. These are not just nice sounding words. These words are absolute promises from God Himself.

When you face seemingly catastrophic circumstances, you must understand that your Father will keep you safe according to your knowledge of His promises of protection and your faith in Him and these promises. "Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, there shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent." (Psalm 91:9-10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "no" and "any" in this passage of Scripture. _If_ you remain in the secret place of the Most High, problems in the world will _not_ be able to overcome you. Calamity will _not_ come near you.

Come into the magnificent secret place of protection your Father has provided for you and stay there. You should be like the psalmist who said, "Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You; yes, in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed." (Psalm 57:1 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You" in this verse of Scripture. We have explained that the word "refuge" means a place of safety where there is protection from danger. The words "the shadow of Your wings" refer to being in God's presence. Draw close to God whenever you face severe storms in your life.

Please highlight or underline the words "be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed." Your Father wants you to take refuge in the supernatural secret place of protection He has provided for you. He instructs you to remain in His presence until whatever storms you face have passed.

Your Father tells you several times in His Word that He provides a spiritual _shield_ of protection for you (see Psalm 3:3, Psalm 28:7 and Proverbs 30:5). You can be certain that your Father is providing a great spiritual shield to protect you as you trust Him and His Word completely. "...He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." (II Samuel 22:31 niv)

Please highlight or underline the word "all" in this verse of Scripture. This word includes _you_. Take refuge in God. Receive by faith the supernatural protection your Father has provided for you. "...blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are all those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!" (Psalm 2:12 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "all those" in this verse of Scripture. You can be certain that your Father will bless _you_ and protect _you_ _if_ you seek refuge in Him and trust Him completely.

Your Father wants you to receive by faith the magnificent supernatural protection that He has provided for you. His protection will be fully available to you at a time when many other people will be paralyzed with fear because of what is going on in the world around them. The Bible speaks of Christians "...who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith..." (I Peter 1:5 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "through your faith" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. You can clearly see the relationship between your faith in God and being protected and guarded by God's mighty supernatural power. "...whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high." (Proverbs 29:25 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "whoever" and "is safe and set on high" in this verse of Scripture. The word "whoever" in this verse of Scripture applies to _you._ Your Father wants you to _lean_ on Him. He wants you to place _all_ of your trust and confidence in Him. He _will_ lift you above the problems you face if you trust Him completely.

You must understand what God's Word says about the mighty angels your Father has provided to protect you. Do _not_ underestimate the enormous power of angels. Do not look at angels as they sometimes are portrayed in pictures as little cherubs with wings. God's angels are _very_ powerful. "And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men." (Matthew 28:2-4 kjv)

This passage of Scripture speaks of an angel who was so mighty and powerful that he caused a tremendous earthquake to remove the boulder that sealed the tomb of Jesus Christ. The soldiers who guarded this tomb were terrified by the enormous power of this angel. You should have absolute faith that your loving Father can and will send mighty angels to help you when you face seemingly impossible problems.

When Daniel was placed in a lions' den, he seemed to face a problem that could not be overcome. King Darius commanded that Daniel be placed in a den filled with lions, challenging Daniel to prove that his God would deliver him.

King Darius went back to his palace for the night. He was confident that the lions would devour Daniel. "Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God." (Daniel 6:19-23 kjv)

When King Darius arose early the next morning, he fully expected to go to the lions' den to see that Daniel had been devoured by the fierce lions. Instead, the king found that Daniel was alive and well because God had sent His angel to close the mouths of the lions so they could not hurt him.

King Darius was amazed at the awesome power of God. This same power is available to you if you have deep, strong and unwavering faith that God will send mighty angels to protect you and keep you safe just as Daniel was protected and kept safe in the lions' den.

We see another example of the mighty power of angels in a story about the apostle Peter. Many people prayed fervently for Peter when he was imprisoned. "Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him." (Acts 12:5-10 kjv)

This passage of Scripture explains the power of fervent prayer. The mighty power of God was released by the people who prayed continually for Peter. God sent an angel to come into the prison. This mighty angel took the chains off Peter and led him out of the prison. The angel brought him safely out on the streets of the city and then departed from him.

God does not play favorites (see Acts 10:34). The same mighty angels who were sent by God to protect Daniel and to set Peter free are available to you. These angels will protect you as you pray and trust God.

You have learned the importance of meditating day and night on the Word of God. If your heart is filled to overflowing with God's supernatural living Word, the abundance of God's Word in your heart will pour out of your mouth (see Matthew 12:34).

Whenever you are not speaking God's Word specifically, the words that you speak should line up with God's Word. When words continually flow out of your mouth that line up with God's Word, mighty angels are dispatched to go forth and help you. The Bible speaks of "...angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word." (Psalm 103:20 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "hearkening to the voice of His word" in this verse of Scripture. This verse of Scripture refers to mighty angels obeying the directions they receive from God. We believe that God and His Word are the same. We believe that these angels also will be activated when you consistently speak God's Word with absolute faith in God.

The atmosphere around you is filled with God's angels and Satan's fallen angels. You would be surprised if you could see all of God's angels and all of Satan's demons in the atmosphere around you. These angels and fallen angels are activated by the words that come out of your mouth.

If the words that you consistently speak line up with God's Word, you dispatch God's angels to work on your behalf. If the words that you consistently speak deny God's Word, you give Satan's fallen angels an opportunity to deceive you that they could not obtain otherwise.

Please highlight or underline the word "hearkening" in this verse of Scripture. The word "hearken" means to pay careful attention. The angels who surround you at all times pay careful attention to the words that consistently flow out of your mouth. They very much want to go into action to protect you and help you. They will do this when your words line up with God's Word. "...the Lord utters His voice before His army, for His host is very great, and [they are] strong and powerful who execute [God's] word." (Joel 2:11 amp)

The word "host" in this verse of Scripture refers to God's great, strong and powerful angels. These angels will help you when you speak God's Word continually and when your words and actions show that you fear God. "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." (Psalm 34:7 kjv)

You have learned that fearing God means to revere Him and to hold Him in constant awe and reverence. If your words and actions show that you truly do fear God, you can be assured that an angel of God is nearby and that he will bring you through whatever problems you face.

Your Father has provided His angels to minister to every person who has received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior. You should expect angels to help you. "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14 niv)

You should have absolute faith that God's angels _will_ minister to you and help you. Jesus was in a very difficult position when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew the difficult ordeal that He soon would face when He would be crucified and take the sins of the entire world upon Himself. God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus in His time of need. "...there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him in spirit." (Luke 22:43 amp)

God will send angels to strengthen you and help you just as He sent an angel to help Jesus when He was in distress. "...he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." (Psalm 91:11-12 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "to guard you in all your ways" in this passage of Scripture. Have absolute faith that God's angels _are_ guarding you at all times. _Know_ that they will lift you above the problems you face as you trust God and speak His Word with deep faith.

We live in Florida where hurricanes are an annual threat. We have a large box that is filled with batteries, lamps, a portable radio and other supplies that should be available if a hurricane hits.

The most important thing we have in this box are several passages of Scripture pertaining to God's protection. When and if a hurricane is imminent, we pray God's promises of protection back to Him, praising Him and thanking Him for protecting us and our home.

When everything in the world seems to be falling apart in the last days before Jesus Christ returns, you should focus continually on the promises of God's protection in this chapter. These promises of protection do _not_ have an asterisk saying that they will be null and void during the last days before Jesus returns.

God's promises of protection are reliable at all times, regardless of what is taking place in the world. Meditate continually on these promises of God's protection. Personalize them. _Know_ in your heart that your Father _is_ protecting you whenever you face adversity.

# Chapter 36  
Jesus Christ Has Given You Hope

Many people will throw up their hands in despair as they see more and more of the difficult problems that will be coming upon the world. They will look at these seemingly severe problems and conclude that there is no hope. Unbelievers who have this attitude will be absolutely correct. They will have no hope during the difficult times that are coming on the world unless they surrender their lives to Jesus Christ and trust Him completely.

People who always have anchored their hope on the things of the world will be absolutely dismayed when the worldly sources they trusted in for so long no longer provide them with security. "...you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God." (Ephesians 2:12 amp)

This verse of Scripture applies to eternal salvation. Unbelievers who live without God do not have hope of living eternally in heaven. The _only_ way to heaven is Jesus Christ (see John 14:6). This same principle applies to our lives here on earth.

Jesus Christ is your only hope for eternal salvation and He will be your only hope during the last days before His return that we studied in Chapter One. "The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing and calamity, but the [consistently] righteous has hope and confidence even in death." (Proverbs 14:32 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "hope and confidence even in death" in this verse of Scripture. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you have hope throughout your life on earth right up until the time you die and go to be with Jesus in heaven. "...thou shalt be secure, because there is hope... (Job 11:18 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "there is hope" in this verse of Scripture. Absolutely refuse to give up hope. Persevere with absolute faith in God when worldly sources provide no security. We believe that the primary topics you should focus on when there seems to be no hope are the Scripture references pertaining to God's love for you (see Chapters 24 and 25).

Your Father loves you with incredible supernatural love that is far beyond the limits of human comprehension. He wants you to focus continually on Him and His great love for you instead of focusing on seemingly severe problems in the world. Your security should come from your loving Father just as little children receive security from their loving parents when they face a problem that they cannot solve.

Turn away from this lost and dying world that is headed toward failure and oblivion. You will make a major mistake if you focus continually on problems in the world. Acknowledge what is happening. Then turn toward your loving Father.

Trust your Father completely to bring you safely through whatever adversity you face. Have absolute faith in God and your knowledge of what His Word says about the help that He will provide for all of His children who have deep, constant and unwavering faith in Him. Our Father has given us "...strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us]." (Hebrews 6:18 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "strong encouragement" in this verse of Scripture. Unbelievers will be discouraged by the problems in the world. Your Father wants you to be encouraged. Your Father wants you to put courage into yourself by consistently meditating on His supernatural living Word. If you meditate day and night on the Word of God, you will not give in to worry, fear and discouragement. You will "grasp and hold fast" the hope that Jesus Christ has provided for you.

How can people live without God? How can people get up each morning and face the day without the knowledge that God Himself lives in their heart? How can people face severe adversity without having paid the price of continually filling their minds and their hearts with the supernatural living Word of God? How can people live without having hundreds of specific instructions and promises from God imbedded in their hearts?

If you have faithfully obeyed your Father's instructions to renew your mind in His Word each day and to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures, _you will not give up hope._ You will have programmed supernatural hope into yourself much as a computer is programmed.

People who will give up hope during the difficult times that are coming will give up because they have not done what God has instructed each of us to do. They have not consistently filled their eyes, their ears, their minds, their hearts and their mouths with encouragement from God's supernatural living Word.

Christians should _not_ feel hopeless. Your Father has promised to help you (see Isaiah 41:13 and Hebrews 13:6). Focus continually on God and His Word.

Your hope for the future should be solidly anchored upon the Lord Jesus Christ and the magnificent victory He won for you. Jesus wants you to trust Him completely. He wants you to be absolutely assured that He will bring you through the difficult circumstances you face.

Jesus wants you to have hope and confidence in Him because you have total, complete and absolute faith in Him and the glorious victory He has won. The Bible speaks of "...our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor)," (II Thessalonians 2:16 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "well-founded hope" in this verse of Scripture. Your hope during seemingly hopeless times will have a solid foundation if it is solidly anchored on God's supernatural living Word. The holy Scriptures are filled with facts about the glorious victory that Jesus Christ has won for you. The Bible speaks of "...Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27 niv)

Jesus Christ won the greatest victory of all time. If Jesus is your Savior, you can be certain that the victorious Jesus Christ lives in _your heart._ You should have a constant awareness of His indwelling presence. Every aspect of your life should revolve around your absolute certainty that Jesus Christ actually does live in _your heart._

You will not give up hope if your heart is filled to overflowing with the supernatural living Word of God. The words of hope that will pour out of your mouth when you face a seemingly hopeless situation will come out of a heart that is filled with God's Word. "Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly." (II Corinthians 3:12 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "glorious hope" and "joyful and confident expectation" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. Christians have glorious hope as they look forward to living eternally in the glory of heaven. Christians also have tremendous hope when they face adversity on earth because of the tremendous victory that Jesus won for us.

Rejoice in the face of adversity. Face the future with confident optimism because your heart is filled with scriptural facts about the magnificent victory that Jesus won for you. If your heart is filled with scriptural facts pertaining to this great victory, you will "speak very freely and openly and fearlessly" regardless of the circumstances you face. "...hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8:24-25 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "hope that is seen is no hope at all" in this passage of Scripture. People whose hope is based on external sources that they can see have only temporary hope. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, you have permanent hope. You do not have to place all of your hope on worldly sources of security. Wait patiently for Jesus to bring you safely through whatever problems you face.

You have seen that the Word of God instructs you to live by faith, not by sight (see II Corinthians 5:7). Your Father repeatedly instructs you to remain calm, quiet and confident deep down inside of yourself because your hope for the future is solidly anchored on Jesus Christ. You should be like the psalmist who refused to allow discouragement to obtain a foothold in his life. He said, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:11 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "downcast" and "disturbed" in this verse of Scripture. These words explain the attitude that unbelievers have when they face seemingly unsolvable problems that have no worldly solution.

You will not be discouraged if you "put your hope in God" because you trust Him completely. Praise God and thank Him in the face of adversity. _Know_ that your loving Father will bring you safely through whatever problems you face if you trust Him completely and persevere for as long as He requires you to persevere.

When you face seemingly hopeless situations, you should turn to the Holy Spirit within you. Yield control of your life to Him. Trust Him completely. Believe that He will bring you safely through the difficult circumstances you face if you will not give up hope. "May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope." (Romans 15:13 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "fill you with all joy and peace in believing" in this verse of Scripture. If your hope is in God, He will fill you with His supernatural joy and peace. Your faith in God should be so strong that you will not give up hope.

Please highlight or underline the words "by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. Focus continually on the mighty Holy Spirit Who lives in your heart.

The Holy Spirit never gives up hope. If you focus on His indwelling presence, your heart will overflow with hope. Hope will "bubble over" within you. "Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "rejoice and exult in hope" in this verse of Scripture. When you exult over something, you are jubilant and filled with joy. Do not allow the circumstances you face to steal your joy.

Please highlight or underline the words "be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation" in this verse of Scripture. When you are steadfast, you are steady, firm and unwavering in your faith in God. If you trust God completely, you will be patient. You will trust completely in God's timing just as you trust Him in every other area. You will persevere in faith. You will pray continually to God with absolute faith that your Father will answer your prayers.

# Chapter 37  
God Promises to Meet All of Your Needs

We have explained that God emphasizes through repetition. In this chapter you will read several promises from God's Word where your Father promises to meet all of your needs. If you have needs in your life, you should meditate constantly on these promises from God.

You can see why your loving Father promises to meet all of your needs when He explains His opinion about human parents who do not provide for their families. "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (I Timothy 5:8 niv)

God explains that any person on earth who fails to provide for the needs of his family is worse than an unbeliever who does not believe in Him, but still provides for his family. If God feels this strongly about anyone in the world who does not meet the needs of his or her family, how much importance do you think He places on _His responsibility_ to provide whatever the members of His family need? If God holds earthly parents to such a high standard, think of the standard He sets for Himself.

The greatest need that any person on earth will ever have is the need for eternal salvation. Many people in the world tend to think entirely of their lives on earth. They think in terms of seventy, eighty or ninety years. They are not primarily focused as they should be on where they will live throughout eternity after their lives on earth have ended.

God always thinks in eternal terms. If God has provided for your needs throughout eternity by providing eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, do you not believe that He will provide for your needs during the relatively short time you will live on earth? "He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?" (Romans 8:32 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "freely and graciously give us all other things" in this verse of Scripture. The words "all other things" include _every_ need that _you_ will have throughout your life on earth.

Personalize this promise from God. Put your name in this verse of Scripture where it says "us." Highlight or underline the words "all other things." Trust God completely to provide whatever you need whenever you need it. "...God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "God shall supply _all_ your need" in this verse of Scripture. God's riches are unlimited. They are yours through the blood that Jesus Christ has shed for you. Take God at His word. Trust your Father completely to meet _all_ of your needs. Your words and your actions when you have a need of any kind should demonstrate your absolute faith in God and the promises in His Word.

Many people are paralyzed by fear when they can see no possible way these needs can be met. Your Father has instructed you to walk by faith, not by sight (see II Corinthians 5:7).

Refuse to dwell upon your needs. Acknowledge whatever you need – do not ignore your need. Then focus entirely on these promises from God Who guarantees to meet every one of your needs when you know Jesus Christ and walk with Him. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (II Peter 1:3 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "everything we need" in this verse of Scripture. These words apply to _you_ and every need that you have.

Please highlight or underline the words "through our knowledge of him." These words explain the key to receiving manifestation of your Father's promises to meet every one of your needs. A close and intimate relationship with God is an absolute necessity whenever you face severe adversity. If you know God intimately, you _will_ trust Him completely to meet every one of your needs as He repeatedly promises to do.

Please note the past tense of the words "has given us" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father does not say that He will give you everything you need. He has told you that He already has provided for everything you will ever need. Jesus Christ met all of your needs on the cross and in His resurrection.

Refuse to be upset by any shortages in your life. Focus instead on God's guarantee that everything you need already has been provided. "O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear." (Psalm 34:9 amp)

You have learned that fearing the Lord means to revere Him and to hold Him in reverent awe at all times. When you fear the Lord, you worship Him continually. Every aspect of your life revolves around your intimate relationship with Him.

Please highlight or underline the words "no want" in this verse of Scripture. Once again your Father has assured you that you will not lack anything if you truly fear Him and revere Him and trust Him totally, completely and absolutely. The next verse says "...they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing." (Psalm 34:10 amp)

Do not wonder if God will meet your needs. You should be absolutely certain that your loving Father already has met every one of your needs. Please highlight or underline the words "on the authority of His Word" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. Your Father wants you to _know_ that all of your needs have been met because His Word assures you of this provision.

Please highlight or underline the words "none of them shall lack any beneficial thing" in this verse of Scripture. The words "none of them" include _you_. The words "any beneficial thing" include whatever you need at any time in your life.

God has done His part. Jesus has done His part. You must do your part. You should fill your heart continually with these promises from God by meditating day and night on your Father's repeated assurance that every one of your needs has been met. Worship God. Meditate on His Word. Purify your thoughts. "...no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "no good thing" in this verse of Scripture. These words include whatever _you_ need at any time. Your Father will not withhold anything that you need if you "walk uprightly." When you walk uprightly, you do your very best to learn everything you can about how your Father wants you to live your life. Then do your very best to obey God's instructions (see Deuteronomy 30:4 and Matthew 7:24-27).

If you have faithfully obeyed your Father's instructions to renew your mind in His Word each day and to meditate day and night on the holy Scriptures, you will be doing what He has instructed you to do to walk uprightly. You will have programmed yourself continually with your Father's instructions on how He wants you to live your life.

You should do your very best to live your life in obedience to God's instructions. You can be assured that every need will be met if you have a deep and strong desire to continually learn God's instructions and to faithfully live your life in obedience to your Father's instructions.

You saw in Chapter 21 the vital importance of keeping God first at all times. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His disciples that they should put God's kingdom _first_ and live righteous lives in obedience to God's instructions. Jesus promised that everything His disciples needed would be given to them (see Matthew 6:33). This same principle applies to _you_ today.

Keep God in absolute first place in your life at all times. God compares your trust in Him with the trust that sheep instinctively have for their shepherd. God created sheep in such a way that trusting completely in their shepherd is natural for them. Sheep keep their eyes on their shepherd.

Jesus Christ is _your_ Shepherd (see John 10:11-16). You should keep your eyes on Jesus. Constantly draw closer to Him. Every aspect of your life should revolve around your absolute certainty of His indwelling presence. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "I shall not want" in this verse of Scripture. The psalmist David knew that every one of his needs had been met because the Lord was his shepherd. Every aspect of David's life revolved around the Lord.

Every aspect of your life should revolve around the Lord Jesus Christ. You can trust completely in your loving and caring Shepherd to provide everything you need. You must not block His mighty power and provision through ignorance of God's promises (see Hosea 4:6) or through doubt and unbelief (see Mark 6:1-6).

Refuse to be overwhelmed by any need in your life, no matter how glaring it may seem. Meditate continually on the promises from God's supernatural living Word in this chapter. Personalize these promises from God. Speak them again and again.

Refuse to give doubt and unbelief a foothold in your mind and your heart. Your mind cannot think about two things at the same time. Fill your mind and your heart continually with these promises from God that tell you that every one of your needs has been met. Receive by faith the supernatural provision that your loving Father has made available to you.

# Chapter 38  
Focus Continually on the Lord

Whenever you face difficult problems, you should not ignore these problems. Acknowledge the problems you face. Refuse to dwell on them. Focus instead on God. Meditate on His Word. Let your ears hear your mouth boldly speaking the supernatural living Word of God.

If you focus on problems, you give Satan and his demons a foothold. If Satan's demons hear you continually talking about the problems you face, they know they have an opening. They will hammer away trying to put fearful, worrisome and anxious thoughts into your mind.

Problems _cannot_ prevail in your mind and your heart _if_ you faithfully obey God's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word. You should do what your Father has instructed you to do by continually filling your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart and your mouth with the supernatural power of His Word.

Your Father wants you to know what His Word says about the mighty power of Jesus Christ and the enormous victory He has won for you. Your Father wants you to learn exactly what He has instructed you to do to walk in the victory that Jesus won for you.

Press in to God. Focus continually on Him and His Word. Trust God to bring you through each day, one hour at a time as you seek His presence. "...consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting." (II Corinthians 4:18 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "consider and look not to the things that are seen" in this verse of Scripture. You must not focus on problems. Turn _away_ from the natural realm. Enter into the supernatural realm of God and stay there. "...set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth." (Colossians 3:2 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "keep them set" in this verse of Scripture. You should _keep_ your mind set on God, not on things that are on the earth. "...Do not be afraid of the enemy; [earnestly] remember the Lord and imprint Him [on your minds]..." (Nehemiah 4:14 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "imprint" in this verse of Scripture. This word in this context means to focus continually on the Lord. Instead of giving in to fear, increase your faith in God by meditating continually on His Word. The Bible gives an excellent example of this principle in a story of what happened one night when the disciples of Jesus Christ were in a boat.

The disciples looked out and saw Jesus walking on the water toward them. They were afraid at first, but Jesus told them not to be afraid. Peter was excited. He stepped out in faith. Peter actually walked on the water _because he focused continually on Jesus Christ._ However, when the wind greatly increased, Peter took his eyes _off_ Jesus and focused on the strong wind. Peter immediately sank.

You must not make this mistake in your life. "...the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14:24-31 kjv)

Please highlight or underline the words "when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid" in this passage of Scripture. Peter sank when he focused on the strong wind instead of focusing on Jesus. When Peter cried out to Jesus, He caught him and told Peter that he should not have allowed doubt to override his faith in Him. "Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you." (Proverbs 4:25 amp)

Keep looking straight ahead. Focus constantly on the Lord. You should be like the psalmist who had absolute faith in the Lord and focused continually on Him. He said, "Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net." (Psalm 25:15 kjv)

You should follow the example of King Jehoshaphat. The king knew that the army he faced was much too powerful for his army to overcome. He refused to focus on the seemingly overwhelming superiority of this army. Instead, he focused continually on the Lord. He said, "...we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (II Chronicles 20:12 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you" in this verse of Scripture. When you face difficult problems and you do not know what to do, refuse to dwell on these problems. Keep your eyes on Jesus. "...I saw the Lord constantly before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken or overthrown or cast down [from my secure and happy state]." (Acts 2:25 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "my secure and happy state" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. If you focus continually on Jesus, you will be secure and happy, regardless of the circumstances you face.

When Moses led the Israelites to the Red Sea, he refused to focus on the powerful Egyptian army that pursued them, the large and deep Red Sea that was ahead of them or the very high mountains that blocked them from turning left or right. Moses kept moving forward, focusing continually on the Lord. "[Motivated] by faith he left Egypt behind him, being unawed and undismayed by the wrath of the king; for he never flinched but held staunchly to his purpose and endured steadfastly as one who gazed on Him Who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:27 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "he never flinched" in this verse of Scripture. When you flinch, you draw back. Do not draw back. Keep moving forward just as Moses did.

Please highlight or underline the words "gazed on Him Who is invisible." Instead of focusing on the very obvious problems he faced, Moses was able to persevere because he focused on the Lord Who could not be seen with his natural eyesight.

God honored the faith of Moses. He miraculously parted the waters of the Red Sea so that the Israelites could pass safely through on dry ground. Then, when Pharaoh and the huge Egyptian army arrived, the water came back to destroy them (see Exodus 14).

Your Father wants you to have the same kind of faith in Him that Moses had. You must be especially careful about the things that you allow to come into your ears when you face adversity. Jesus said, "...Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you--and more [besides] will be given to you who hear. (Mark 4:24 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "Be careful what you are hearing" in this verse of Scripture. Jesus has warned you to be careful of what you allow to come into your ears. His Word consistently instructs you to fill your ears with His Word, not with the things of the world.

When Jesus speaks of "the measure of thought and study you give to the truth you hear," He is referring to meditating on the holy Scriptures. When you meditate on Scripture, you _speak_ what you are meditating on. Your ears hear your mouth consistently speaking the Word of God.

You will be blessed if your ears continually hear God's Word. You will bring problems into your life if you consistently allow problems in the world to fill your ears.

Radio and television will constantly blare out bad news during the difficult times that are coming upon the world. You must not allow this constant barrage of bad news to come into your ears. I (Jack) absolutely refuse to listen to news on television.

Instead, I get my news from the daily newspaper. I can scan the headlines and then read only the articles or parts of articles that I think I need to know about. I will not allow the bad news of the world to flood my ears by selectively listening to news on radio and television.

I never watch television except for Christian programming, sports and weather. I mute the commercials which often contain words that are in opposition to the Word of God. I believe that many of the problems in our generation come from the constant barrage of words that come forth from radio and television that often deny what God's Word says.

Many people have no comprehension about how much they are being programmed today by television. We do not believe it is coincidental that the steady decline of morality in our generation has coincided exactly with the rapid escalation of ungodly television programming.

Hearing the Word of God taught and preached by anointed preachers and teachers is a great experience. However, we have learned that you will be blessed even more when _your_ _ears_ hear _your_ _voice_ boldly speaking the Word of God throughout the day and night.

You should be like the psalmist who said, "I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety." (Psalm 16:8-9 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "I have set the Lord continually before me" in this passage of Scripture. When you face adversity, you should refuse to focus on anyone or anything except the Lord. The problems in the world will not be able to pull you down if you trust completely in the Lord and focus constantly on Him.

Your heart will sing with joy if your mouth is consistently speaking God's Word. You will be secure and confident because of your absolute faith in God and because you focus continually on Him instead of focusing on the problems in the world.

# Chapter 39  
Absolutely Refuse to Give Up

We have repeatedly emphasized the vital importance of focusing on the Lord at all times regardless of the circumstances you face. You should not focus on God in a general way. You should focus on passages of Scripture that apply specifically to whatever problems you face.

Boldly speak the Word of God throughout the day and night. Refuse to give up. _Know_ that your Father _will_ do exactly what He promises to do _if_ you will persevere in your faith in Him for as long as He requires you to persevere (see Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Christians who do not obey God's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word will be unable to persevere when they face severe adversity. Jesus said, "...this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away." (Matthew 13:20-21 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; yet it has no real root in him" in this passage of Scripture. Some Christians have a general knowledge of the Word of God, but God's Word must be deeply rooted in your heart for you to persevere when you face a season of adversity. Your heart should sing with joy as your ears continually hear your mouth boldly speaking God's supernatural living Word.

You must not "fall away." Do not make the mistake that the Israelites made many years ago when they wandered for forty years through the wilderness because they were discouraged by the problems they faced. "...the people became impatient (depressed, much discouraged), because [of the trials] of the way." (Numbers 21:4 amp)

Jesus Christ should be your example whenever you face adversity. Jesus was tempted to give in to discouragement when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane. "...he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death...." (Matthew 26:37-38 niv)

Jesus went through His earthly ministry as the Son of man, not as the Son of God. He set down His authority as God to face challenges as a man to show you that you also can face great challenges by trusting completely in the Word of God and in God Who lives in your heart.

Please highlight or underline the words "overwhelmed with sorrow" in this passage of Scripture. Jesus came to the point in His earthly ministry where He was very sorrowful because He knew that He was about to receive in His body all of the sins of the world that would be committed until the end of the earth.

_Jesus did not give up_ even though He faced such excruciating circumstances. You must follow His example. "...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "run with perseverance" in this verse of Scripture. _How_ do you persevere when you face adversity? You persevere by "fixing your eyes on Jesus." Focus continually on Jesus instead of focusing on the problems you face. Jesus will perfect your faith if you focus on Him and follow His example. Jesus absolutely refused to give up. You must "not grow weary and lose heart."

The prophet Habakkuk gave you one of the greatest examples of perseverance in the Bible. Habakkuk said, "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." (Habakkuk 3:17-19 niv)

Habakkuk was a farmer. All of his crops were failing. His animals had deserted him. How did he react to what appeared to be complete failure? Please highlight or underline the words "I will rejoice in the LORD; I will be joyful in God my Savior" in this passage of Scripture.

Habakkuk refused to give in to the seemingly overwhelming problems he faced. He rejoiced because of his absolute certainty that the Lord would give him the strength he needed to overcome this adversity. The apostle Paul also gave you an excellent example of determination and perseverance. He said, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." (II Corinthians 4:8-9 niv)

Like Habakkuk, Paul faced a seemingly impossible situation. Please highlight or underline the _four times_ that Paul used the word "not" in this passage of Scripture. Paul would _not_ give up. "...God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently." (I Corinthians 10:13 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place)" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. Your Father promises that He _always_ will provide an escape for you.

Focus constantly on this wonderful promise from God. Have faith that your Father will _not_ allow you to fall _if_ you persevere because you have absolute faith in Him. Keep looking for the escape that your Father promises to provide. "...a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity." (Proverbs 24:16 amp)

Many armies that have won wars lost several battles along the way. You do not have to win every battle. When you are knocked down, you must "rise again." Many unbelievers will be brought down by the difficult problems of the last days. No matter how many times you are knocked down, you should get up and keep moving forward because you trust completely in Jesus Christ and the victory He won for you.

This book is filled with many _facts_ about the supernatural victory that Jesus Christ won for _you_. If you meditate continually on these scriptural facts, you will not give up. We are instructed to "...hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ]." (Hebrews 3:6 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "hold fast and firm to the end" in this verse of Scripture. No matter how long Jesus requires you to persevere, you must have absolute faith in the totality of the victory He has won for you. "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him...." (II Timothy 2:12 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "if we endure" in this verse of Scripture. When you endure, you put up with whatever you have to face. You persevere. You do not give up. _If_ you endure, you will walk in the victory that Jesus won for you.

Jesus persevered to win the magnificent victory that He won when He rose from the dead. He wants you to follow His example. If you do, you will "also reign with Him."

Whenever you face difficult circumstances, you should persevere in your prayers of faith. Jesus said, "...Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened." (Luke 11:9-10 amp)

Please highlight or underline the _six times_ the words "keep on" or "keeps on" are used in this passage of Scripture. Jesus has instructed you to persevere in your prayers of faith. Please notice the six times that Jesus has promised an _answer_ to your prayers _if_ you keep on praying with absolute faith that He will respond. "Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer life" in this verse of Scripture. The word "unwearied" means that you will not give in to fatigue – that you will persevere in your prayers of faith. You should be "intent" when you pray. Keep moving forward as you continually pray to God with absolute faith that your prayers will be answered with manifestation of the victory that Jesus won for you.

Please highlight or underline the words "with thanksgiving" in this verse of Scripture. Thank God _when you pray_ instead of waiting to thank Him after your prayers are answered. Thanking God when you pray is clear indication of your absolute faith that God will answer your prayers (see Philippians 4:6-7).

You must not allow your faith in God to waver. Do everything you know how to do. Then stand firmly on your deep and unwavering faith in God. "...having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]." (Ephesians 6:13 amp)

This verse of Scripture applies to standing firmly against Satan and his demons. This spiritual principle applies to every area of your life. Your job is to do what you know to do. Then let go of the problem, give it to God and leave it with Him (see Psalm 55:22 and I Peter 5:6-7).

_Stand_ firmly in place because you know that God has the problem and because you trust Him completely. "The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God's word]." (Lamentations 3:25 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him" in this verse of Scripture. The Lord _will_ be _good_ to _you_ if you refuse to give up hope because you _absolutely_ _expect_ Him to do exactly what His Word says He will do. "Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord." (Psalm 27:14 amp)

Please highlight or underline the _two times_ the words "wait and hope for and expect the Lord" are used at the beginning and end of this verse of Scripture. We have explained several times that God emphasizes through repetition. When He begins and ends one short verse of Scripture with the same words, you can be certain that your Father wants you to wait for Him, to refuse to give up hope in Him and to know that He will do exactly what He promises to do. "...wait [expectantly] for your God continually!" (Hosea 12:6 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "expectantly" in the amplification of this verse of Scripture. The words "expect" and "expectantly" are used in each of the last three verses of Scripture we have studied. Wait _expecting_ God to give you the victory. You are instructed to do this "continually."

Keep on waiting. Keep on trusting. "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31 niv)

Please highlight or underline the words "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak" in this passage of Scripture. Are you weary? Receive by faith the strength that God promises to give you.

Your Father does not grow weary. He never lacks understanding about how to solve a problem, no matter how difficult this problem may seem to you. If you face a seemingly difficult problem, you can be absolutely assured that God is with you.

Even if you cannot see any way out, you must trust God completely. When you face a difficult problem that requires supernatural energy and strength, God _will_ give you the supernatural energy and strength you need. Refuse to give up hope. _Know_ that your Father will lift you safely above the problems you face and give you the energy and strength you require.

When God says that He will give you "wings like eagles," you must understand what eagles do when they face a severe storm. Eagles _fly over the top_ of a storm. Eagles are able to fly so high that they can fly beyond the range of the most powerful binoculars.

When eagles see a storm coming, they are able to set their wings so that the winds of the storm will lift them and carry them above the storm. Eagles have tremendous strength and endurance. They are able to fly for miles into a strong wind without getting tired.

If you refuse to give up because of your absolute faith in God, _you_ will be like an eagle. God will give you the supernatural strength that will enable you to fly above the storms you face. He will give you the strength that will enable you to keep going without tiring.

When you face difficult problems, you must not race ahead of God. Do everything you know how to do. Then wait calmly and patiently for God to do exactly what His Word says He will do. Your Father is looking for you to exhibit faith, patience and perseverance whenever you face difficult circumstances. He will do great things in you and through you if you wait on Him. God "...works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him." (Isaiah 64:4 amp)

The amplification of this verse of Scripture instructs you to wait for God "earnestly." When you do something earnestly, you are very serious, very sincere and very determined about what you are doing.

If you have faithfully obeyed your Father's instructions to meditate day and night on His Word over a period of months and years, your heart will be filled with God's Word. You will be absolutely certain that your loving Father will do exactly what He says He will do. You will wait patiently for Him to fulfill His promises.

You should _never_ question God's faithfulness. Your Father is completely reliable (see Numbers 23:19, Joshua 23:14, I Corinthians 1:9 and Hebrews 6:18). You _can_ be certain that God will do everything He has said He will do.

The only question is when, not if. God tells you again and again what He will do, but He _never_ tells you _when_ He will do it. "...let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint." (Galatians 6:9 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "doing right" in this verse of Scripture. Your Father instructs you to do your very best to live your life in complete obedience to His instructions. You are instructed to live with absolute faith in Him and the promises He has given to you. He will reward your faith in Him _if_ you persevere in faith and do not give up.

Please highlight or underline the words "in due time and at the appointed season" in this verse of Scripture. God's timing is very different from your timing. You must trust God's timing just as you trust Him in every other area.

This chapter is filled with facts from the holy Scriptures explaining how to persevere in your faith in God. Go back and meditate on these facts from God's supernatural living Word whenever you face difficult problems and you are tempted to give up.

# Conclusion

This book is filled with hundreds of specific _instructions_ from God telling you exactly what to do when you face adversity. This book also is filled with hundreds of _promises_ from your Father telling you exactly what He will do to help you when you face adversity.

God has done His part. Will you do your part? Will you consistently learn and obey His instructions? Will you consistently learn and have absolute faith in His promises?

The best way that you can determine how well prepared you are to face severe problems is to accurately assess your state of preparedness based on the following questions. Each of these areas has been carefully explained in this book. Answer the following questions honestly, openly and prayerfully:

  * Are you turning more and more away from worldly sources and your human abilities as your primary sources of security?

  * Are you setting aside a daily period of quiet time to be alone with the Lord?

  * Is your relationship with the Lord becoming closer and more intimate?

  * Are you renewing your mind each day in the Word of God?

  * Are you meditating day and night on the holy Scriptures?

  * Is your faith in God increasing steadily?

  * Do you revere God and hold Him in constant awe? Does every aspect of your life revolve around His indwelling presence?

  * Are you yielding control of your life more and more to the Lord?

  * Do you have absolute faith that the victory of Jesus Christ will bring you safely through whatever the future holds?

  * Does your heart constantly sing with joy because of your absolute faith that the victory of Jesus Christ will be manifested in your life?

  * Are you praising God continually and thanking Him constantly?

  * Are you praying constantly with unwavering faith in God?

This checklist will give you an accurate way to assess your preparedness for adversity. If you have answered all of these questions affirmatively and you have been doing these things for a considerable length of time, you _are_ prepared. You will have such a close and intimate relationship with the Lord that you will trust Him completely, regardless of the circumstances you face.

If your faith in God is steadily increasing, other people will want what you have. As these people watch you face severe adversity with deep, strong and unwavering faith in God, they will want to have the same kind of faith.

Share eternal salvation through Jesus Christ with these people if they are unbelievers. Give them a Bible and a copy of this book. Let them see for themselves exactly what God has instructed them to do when they face adversity.

# Appendix

This book is filled with instructions and promises from God. However, if you have not received Jesus Christ as your Savior, you _cannot understand_ the scriptural facts that are contained in this book. "...the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot." (Romans 8:7 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "cannot" in this verse of Scripture. If Jesus Christ is not your Savior, you _cannot_ understand and obey God's instructions.

People who have not received Jesus Christ as their Savior are not open to the specific instructions God has given us in the Bible. "...the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated." (I Corinthians 2:14 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God" in this verse of Scripture. Some people are strongly opposed to the Bible and what it teaches. They look at facts from the Bible as "meaningless nonsense." These people are incapable of learning great spiritual truths from God until and unless they receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.

At the close of this Appendix we will explain exactly what you should do to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. If and when you make this decision, the glorious supernatural truths of the Bible will open up to you. Jesus said, "...To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." (Matthew 13:11 amp)

Please highlight or underline the word "you" in this verse of Scripture. Jesus was speaking to _you_ when He said that _you_ can "know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven."

A spiritual veil blocks all unbelievers from understanding the things of God. "...even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing and obscured [only] to those who are spiritually dying and veiled [only] to those who are lost." (II Corinthians 4:3 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God)" in this verse of Scripture and the amplification. When and if you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, this spiritual veil will be pulled aside. "...whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away." (II Corinthians 3:16 amp)

If you obey the scriptural instructions at the end of this Appendix, Jesus Christ will become your Savior. Everything in your life will become fresh and new. "...if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!" (II Corinthians 5:17 amp)

Instead of being opposed to the teachings of the holy Bible, you will be completely open to these teachings. You will have a hunger and thirst to continually learn more truth from the supernatural living Word of God. "...I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature]." (Romans 7:22 amp)

Every person who has not received Jesus Christ as his or her Savior is a sinner who is doomed to living throughout eternity in the horror of hell. God has made it possible for _you_ to escape this enormous eternal penalty. "...God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 kjv)

God knew that everyone who lived on earth after Adam and Eve would be a sinner because of the sins of Adam and Eve (see Romans 3:10-12). He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to take upon Himself the sins of the world as He died a horrible death by crucifixion. If you believe that Jesus Christ paid the _full_ price for _your_ sins and if you trust Him _completely_ for your eternal salvation, you will live eternally in the glory of heaven.

There is only _one_ way for you to live eternally in heaven after you die – that is to receive eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6 kjv)

If you trust in anyone or anything except Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, you will not live eternally in heaven. If you are reading these facts about living eternally in heaven because of the price that Jesus Christ has paid for you, you must understand that the same God Who created you actually is _drawing you_ to come to Jesus Christ for eternal salvation. Jesus said, "No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me..." (John 6:44 amp)

Please highlight or underline the words "unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me" in this verse of Scripture. Are you interested in these facts about where you will live throughout eternity? If you are, you can be certain that the same awesome God Who created you is drawing you to Jesus Christ at this very minute.

Heaven is a glorious place. Everyone in heaven is completely healthy and totally happy. "...God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4 kjv)

_All_ of the problems of earth will disappear when you go to heaven. No one in heaven dies. No one in heaven is sad. No one in heaven cries. No one in heaven suffers from any pain.

When you die, you will live eternally in one place or another. If you do not receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will live eternally in hell. People in hell will experience continual torment throughout eternity. "...the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night..." (Revelation 14:11 kjv)

Everyone in heaven is filled with joy. Everyone in hell is miserable. When Jesus described what hell would be like, He said, "...there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth. (Matthew 13:42 amp)

Throughout eternity the inhabitants of hell will weep and wail. They will grind their teeth in anguish. Can you imagine living this way for the endless trillions of years of eternity? This is _exactly_ what will happen to _you_ if Jesus Christ is not your Savior.

_How_ do you receive eternal salvation through Jesus Christ? "...if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation." (Romans 10:9-10 amp)

You must _believe in your heart_ (not just think in your mind) that Jesus Christ paid the full price for all of your sins when He was crucified. You must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. You must open your mouth and _speak this truth_ that you believe in your heart. If you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died and rose again from the dead and that the price for your sins has been paid for and you tell others that you believe this great spiritual truth, you _have_ been saved and you _will_ live eternally in heaven.

If Jesus Christ was not your Savior when you began to read this book, we pray that He is your Savior now. Your life will change immensely. You will never be the same again. Every aspect of your life will be gloriously new.

Please contact us and let us know if you have become a child of God by receiving eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. We would like to pray for you and welcome you as our new brother or sister in Christ Jesus. We love you and bless you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We would be so pleased to hear from you. If you are already a believer, we would be pleased to hear from you as well. We invite you to visit our website at www.lamplight.net. Please let us know if this book or one or more of our other publications has made a difference in our life. Please give us your comments so that we can share these comments in our newsletters and on our website to encourage other people.

# Study Guide

What did you learn from this book? The questions in this Study Guide are carefully arranged to show you how much you have learned about the victory that Jesus Christ won for you and how to bring this victory into manifestation in your life. This Study Guide is not an academic test. The sole purpose of the following questions is to help you increase your _practical knowledge_ pertaining to the victory that Jesus Christ won for you and how to receive manifestation of this victory in your life.

1. What exactly does the Bible say about the adversity the world will face during the last days before Jesus Christ returns? (II Timothy 3:1 and Luke 21:25)

2. What did Jesus Christ say about the fear that would sweep the world during the last days before His return? (Luke 21:26)

3. What specific signs did Jesus give telling what the world would be like during the last days before His return? What examples do we now have that could indicate that these signs are taking place during our generation? (Luke 21:9-11)

4. What description did the apostle Paul give of what people on the whole would be like during the last days before Jesus Christ returns? How does this description fit the generation that lives in the world today? (II Timothy 3:2-4)

5. What did the apostle Peter say about the disdain that many people during the last days would have for biblical prophecy concerning the last days? (II Peter 3:3)

6. How does the moral climate of our generation compare to the moral climate that existed in Sodom and Gomorrah and the moral climate that existed before God destroyed mankind leaving only Noah, his family and a large number of animals to start over again? (Ezekiel 16:49-50 and Matthew 24:37-39)

7. There is no question that God's judgment will come against the world. Can we tell when God will judge the world? (Luke 1:20)

8. What does the Bible say about the last generation of people who will be alive during the last days before Jesus Christ returns? (Mark 13:30)

9. What specific information did God give about the precautions that should be taken during the final times before His Son returns? (I Corinthians 10:11 and Jeremiah 3:15)

10. How will Satan and his demons attempt to deceive people during the last days before Jesus Christ returns? (I Timothy 4:1)

11. What promise did God give us pertaining to the actions of the Holy Spirit during the last days? (Acts 2:17)

12. What exactly are you instructed to do if you face severe adversity during the last days? What does God promise to do? (Deuteronomy 4:30-31)

13. What specific instructions did God give about individuals and governments keeping out of debt? What is the relationship between this specific instruction and the economic concerns that prevail in the United States at the time this book is written? (Romans 13:8)

14. What does the Bible say that leads many Christians to believe that God will judge the United States because the United States has legalized abortion? (Exodus 20:13)

15. What does the Bible say about the moral decay that exists in the world today? (Exodus 20:14 and Romans 1:26-27)

16. What two specific instructions does the Bible give you when the end of all things is near? (I Peter 4:7)

17. At the time this book is written, many people are complacent and apathetic because their lives have been good for many years. What influence do Satan and his demons have on this complacency? (Romans 8:25)

18. God knows that many people will not turn to Him unless they face severe adversity. How do the conditions that will exist during the last days compare to what a mother eagle does to prepare her baby eaglets to come out of their nests? (Deuteronomy 32:11)

19. What did the psalmist say that explains why adversity can result in great blessings in your life? (Psalm 119:67 and Psalm 119:70-72)

20. You should work to support yourself and your family. Why is it important for you to set aside time to draw close to God instead of working additional hours to earn income to purchase luxuries? What is the only true source of security? (II Thessalonians 3:10 and Proverbs 10:9)

21. Why are Christians instructed to turn away from the ways of the world? (Philippians 3:20, I John 2:15-16, I Timothy 6:20 and Colossians 2:20)

22. If your life is focused primarily on the ways of the world, what effect will these actions have on your relationship with God? (James 4:4)

23. What has God done to enable you to turn away from the moral decay that exists in the world to continually draw closer to Him? (II Peter 1:4)

24. When you need to receive wisdom to cope with the severe problems that will exist during the last days before Jesus Christ returns, where will you find this wisdom? (James 1:5)

25. What does the Bible say about the wisdom of the world? (Job 28:12-13, I Corinthians 3:19-20 and Ecclesiastes 1:18)

25. Many people will place their hope in government leaders being able to solve severe problems during the last days before Jesus Christ returns. What does the Bible say about this? (Psalm 118:8-9 and Matthew 22:29)

27. What did Jesus say you should do if you face seemingly impossible problems during the last days before He returns? (Luke 18:27 and Mark 10:27)

28. What specific facts does the Bible give to explain the mighty power of God? How can God's power help you during the last days? (Revelation 19:6, I Chronicles 29:11-12, Psalm 147:5 and Job 23:13)

29. How can you be assured that you can trust completely in God when you face problems that seem to have no solution? (Luke 1:37, Jeremiah 32:17, Nahum 1:3, Psalm 65:5-7 and II Chronicles 20:6)

30. What does the Bible say about the relationship between God and people on earth who are the head of governments in their respective countries? (Proverbs 8:15-16)

31. What does the Bible say about the supernatural strength and power of God that lives within you if Jesus Christ is your Savior? (Ephesians 1:19-20)

32. During the last days before Jesus Christ returns, what will God be looking for from you? What will God do to help His children whose hearts are perfect toward Him? (II Chronicles 16:9 and Isaiah 42:16)

33. Jesus Christ won a total, complete and absolute victory for you. How can you be certain that He has won a victory over death so that you can live eternally with Him in heaven? How can you be certain that He won a victory over every problem you will ever face during your life on earth? (John 3:16, Matthew 28:18 and John 16:33)

34. What passages of Scripture should you meditate on that will encourage you that Jesus Christ has won a total victory over the problems you face? (Romans 5:17, II Corinthians 2:14 and I John 5:4-5)

35. God's ways are very different from the ways of the world. What does your Father instruct you to do when you face severe problems such as destruction and famine? (Job 5:21-22)

36. What four passages of Scripture assure you that every word in the Bible is inspired by God instead of being written through the limited human understanding of the human authors of the Bible? (II Timothy 3:16, Galatians 1:11-12, I Thessalonians 2:13 and Jeremiah 30:1-2)

37. What simple example does the Bible contain of facts from the holy Scriptures that were completely unknown to scientists on earth? (Isaiah 40:22)

38. What did the prophet Isaiah prophesy about the virgin birth of the Messiah? How does this prophecy prove the divine inspiration of the Bible? (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18 and Matthew 1:23)

39. Bethlehem is a small town near Jerusalem. Why does the amazing prophecy of the prophet Isaiah confirm the divine inspiration of the Bible? (Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:1)

40. What specific prophecy pertaining to the soldiers gambling for the clothing of Jesus Christ assures you of the divine inspiration of the Bible? (Psalm 22:18 and John 19:23-24)

41. What exactly does the Bible mean when it says that the Word of God is alive and full of power? How do the words in the verse of Scripture apply to your life? (Hebrews 4:12)

42. What two things does God exalt above all else? Which of these two things is exalted above the other? (Psalm 138:2)

43. How can you be certain that words that are printed on the pages of the Bible are more powerful than the problems you face? (Jeremiah 23:29)

44. Why should you be highly motivated to consistently learn and obey the instructions in the Bible? (Psalm 119:129)

45. What are you instructed to do to be filled with the supernatural power of God in your human weakness? (II Corinthians 4:7)

46. How can you be certain that the Bible will last throughout eternity? (Matthew 24:35, I Peter 1:23, I Peter 1:25 and Psalm 119:96)

47. Why can you be certain that every promise in the Bible is completely reliable? (Hebrews 6:18, I Corinthians 1:9 and II Corinthians 1:20)

48. What does the Bible say to explain that God is omniscient and that He knows every minute detail about your life? (Psalm 139:1-4)

49. What does God mean when He says that He is watching over His Word to perform it? (Jeremiah 1:12)

50. What attitude is God looking for in your approach to His Word each day? (Isaiah 66:2, Isaiah 66:5 and Psalm 119:161)

51. What does God promise if you reverently fear and respect His Word? (Proverbs 13:13)

52. How can you with your limited human abilities and intelligence actually block the supernatural power of the Word of God? (Matthew 15:6)

53. What does the Bible say about you studying and meditating on the holy Scriptures as opposed to devoting the same amount of time and energy attempting to become wealthy? (Proverbs 8:10)

54. What are you instructed to do to present yourself to God for His approval? (II Timothy 2:15)

55. When the Bible says that it will convert your soul, what does this mean? (Psalm 19:7)

56. What does the Bible say about the importance of consistently renewing your mind in God's Word? What results can you expect if you faithfully renew your mind? (Ephesians 4:17 and Romans 12:2)

57. Who is the hidden person of the heart? How does this hidden person in your heart become more like God? (I Peter 3:4 and Colossians 3:9-10)

58. What one word is used in the Bible to explain how often you are instructed to renew your mind in God's Word? (Ephesians 4:22-24)

59. Unbelievers cannot understand the Bible because Satan's demons place a veil over their minds. How is this veil removed? What will happen in your life if you consistently renew your mind in God's Word after this veil has been removed? (II Corinthians 3:16 and 3:18)

60. What does the Bible instruct you to do to offset the decay in your body as you grow older? (II Corinthians 4:16, Proverbs 23:19 and I Peter 1:13)

61. God has created a home for His Word on earth. Where is this home for the Bible? (Colossians 3:16)

62. If you sincerely desire to be prosperous, wise and successful, what three specific instructions has God given to you? (Joshua 1:8)

63. The Bible says that you will prosper and be like a tree that is planted next to a stream of water if you habitually meditate on the Word of God. What does this reference to a tree next to a stream of water mean? How does this instruction apply to your life? (Psalm 1:2-3)

64. You are repeatedly instructed to delight in the Word of God. What does the word "delight" mean in this context? If you truly do delight in the Scriptures, what blessings will you receive? (Psalm 119:15-16, Psalm 112:1-3 and Psalm 119:143)

65. What does the Bible promise that you can do through the strength of Jesus Christ? Give an example of how you can meditate on the verse of Scripture that explains this great spiritual truth. (Philippians 4:13)

66. How does Scripture meditation compare with what a chronic worrier does? What do chronic worriers meditate on? (Isaiah 33:18)

67. The Bible instructs you to meditate on the times in the past when your Father brought you successfully through adversity. What other examples of God's provision can you meditate on to encourage yourself? (Hebrews 10:32 and Psalm 145:5)

68. The Bible is your spiritual food. How often are you instructed to nourish yourself with this spiritual food? How does the importance of feeding yourself with spiritual food compare to the importance of eating wholesome food to nourish your body? (I Timothy 4:6, Job 23:12 and Matthew 4:4)

69. If you consistently feed yourself with the spiritual food of God's Word, what will happen to you? (Jeremiah 15:16)

70. In addition to being food, the Word of God also is a spiritual seed. If you consistently plant spiritual seeds from God's Word in your heart, what will happen in your life? (Luke 8:11, Luke 8:15 and Isaiah 55:10-11)

71. What percentage of return does God's Word promise you if you consistently plant the seed of His Word in your heart? (Matthew 13:23)

72. Why is planting the seed of God's Word in your heart compared to a mustard seed? Why should this statement from the holy Scriptures encourage you? (Mark 4:30-32)

73. What determines the amount of spiritual harvest you will reap? (Galatians 6:7)

74. When the psalmist had a heavy heart, what did he ask God to do to strengthen him? (Psalm 119:28)

75. What does it mean to abide in the Word of God? What did Jesus Christ say will happen in your life if you obey His instructions to abide in His Word? (John 8:31-32)

76. What did the psalmist do to receive more spiritual insight than his teachers and his elders had? (Psalm 49:3, Psalm 119:97-100 and Psalm 119:130)

77. What specifically are you instructed to do to receive the encouragement that you need when you face adversity? (Romans 15:4 and Psalm 119:50)

78. You can do your best to please God by many things that you do, but what one quality is impossible to please God without? (Hebrews 11:6 and Hebrews 10:38)

79. What two places in your body determine how much faith in God you have? (Romans 10:8)

80. What relationship exists between the words you consistently speak and what occurs in your life? (Proverbs 13:3 and Proverbs 21:23)

81. Many people store up money to help them in an emergency. What exactly does the Word of God instruct you to store up? Where should you store it up? (Proverbs 7:1 and Proverbs 10:14)

82. What does it mean to study and meditate diligently on the Word of God? How will repetition in Bible study and Scripture meditation affect your life? (Proverbs 21:5)

83. What specific advice did King Solomon give to his son regarding the frequency of studying and meditating on God's Word? What will happen in your life if you faithfully obey these instructions? (Proverbs 3:21-22, Proverbs 4:20-21, Proverbs 23:12 and Proverbs 4:13)

84. What does God's Word instruct you to do so that no problem you face will cause you to stumble? (Psalm 119:165)

85. What two qualities are required for you to inherit manifestation of God's promises in your life? (Hebrews 6:12)

86. If you know what is right to do and you do not do it, what are you doing? (James 4:17)

87. What effect will the words that consistently come out of your mouth have on your life when you face adversity? (Proverbs 12:6)

88. Can you control the words that you speak through human willpower? (James 3:8)

89. If you cannot control the words that you speak through willpower and the words that you speak are vitally important, what exactly does the Word of God instruct you to do to control the words that come out of your mouth? (Matthew 12:34-35 and Jeremiah 23:28)

90. What is the relationship between your deep faith in the words that you speak and the results you will obtain? (Mark 11:23 and Psalm 116:10)

91. What does the Bible say is the cause of a heavy heart? What causes a glad heart? (Proverbs 12:25)

92. Instead of allowing worrisome thoughts to dominate your life, you can have a glad heart regardless of the circumstances you face. What exactly are you instructed to do so that your heart will be filled with joy regardless of the circumstances you face? (Proverbs 15:15 and Proverbs 4:4)

93. What does the Word of God say is the reason why you should continually fill your mind, your heart and your mouth with the holy Scriptures? (Deuteronomy 30:14)

94. What exactly are you instructed to do so that you will prosper in every area of your life? (I Kings 2:3)

95. All Christians believe that they love Jesus Christ. What exactly are you instructed to do to show Jesus that you really do love Him? (John 14:23)

96. How do you give Satan and his demons a foothold in your life if you hear the Word of God but fail to do what the holy Scriptures instruct you to do? (James 1:22)

97. What will happen in your life if you consistently study and meditate on God's Word and live your life in obedience to God's specific instructions? (James 1:25)

98. What will happen to you if you hear God's Word and live your life in obedience to God's instructions? What will happen if you hear the Word of God but do not obey God's instructions? (Matthew 7:24-27)

99. God has told you exactly what to do to receive an answer to all of your prayers. What specifically are you instructed to do to receive whatever you ask God for? (I John 3:22)

100. What did the psalmist do as he observed people who did not love the Word of God, receive the Word of God and do what the Word of God says to do? (Psalm 119:136)

101. What part of each day does God's Word say that God wants you to set aside to visit with Him? (Job 7:17-18)

102. What will happen if you seek God diligently during the early morning hours? (Proverbs 8:17)

103. The Bible instructs you to meditate day and night on the Word of God. When did the psalmist say that he started his Scripture meditation? (Psalm 119:148)

104. What did the psalmist David say about his morning prayer time that applies to you? What did David do when he prayed to God each morning? (Psalm 5:3 and Psalm 143:8)

105. Why did God awaken Jesus Christ each morning? What did God do for Jesus in the morning hours after He awakened Him? How does this spiritual principle apply to you? (Isaiah 50:4)

106. What does God instruct you to do whenever you are in trouble? (James 5:13)

107. What did the psalmist say happened when he prayed to God during the morning, at noon and at night? (Psalm 55:16-18)

108. You should pray throughout each day, but what specifically did Jesus Christ instruct you to do during your primary prayer time each day? What will happen in your life if your obey these instructions? (Matthew 6:6)

109. Can you be certain that God is listening to you when you pray? (I Peter 3:12)

110. What does the Bible say will happen if Christians consistently pray with faith in their hearts? (James 5:16)

111. What two instructions did Jesus Christ give to you so that you can be certain that all of your prayers will be answered? (James 15:7)

112. How exactly does God instruct you to pray so that you can be certain that He hears your prayers and that He will answer these prayers? (I John 5:14-15)

113. What did Jesus tell you six times that will happen if you persevere in faith when you pray? (Luke 18:1, Matthew 7:7-8 and I Thessalonians 5:17)

114. What does God instruct you to do so that He will come close to you? (James 4:8)

115. Many religious people look at God as being far away. What does the Bible say about God's proximity to you? Does God really desire a close relationship with you even though you have many faults and shortcomings? (Psalm 8:3-4, Jeremiah 23:23 and Acts 17:27-28)

116. What did the victory that Jesus Christ won at Calvary do in regard to your ability to have a close relationship with God? (I John 5:20 and Ephesians 2:13)

117. Many Christians who have the opportunity to have a close relationship with God do not take advantage of this precious privilege. What exactly are you instructed to do to enjoy a close and intimate relationship with God? (Job 36:26, Mark 7:6 and Jeremiah 29:13)

118. How does the importance of your relationship with God compare with the necessity of eating the food that your body must have to live? (Amos 5:4 and I Chronicles 22:19)

119. What does God promise if you hunger and thirst for a close relationship with Him and seek Him diligently? (Psalm 42:2, Hebrews 11:6, Hosea 6:3, Psalm 105:3-4 and Psalm 63:8)

120. Why is it vitally important for you to have a close and intimate relationship with God? (Psalm 73:28, Daniel 11:32 and I John 2:27)

121. Jesus Christ told you exactly what to do to bear abundant fruit. He told you what will happen if you do not have a close relationship with Him. What exactly should you do to be close to Jesus Christ and to bear abundant fruit? What must you not do? (John 15:5)

122. What does it mean to fear the Lord? Why is it absolutely necessary for you to fear the Lord, to love Him, to obey Him and to serve Him? What will happen to people who do not fear the Lord because they have a hard heart? (Deuteronomy 10:12, Proverbs 14:26, Psalm 128:1, Proverbs 28:14, Psalm 145:19 and Luke 1:50)

123. What will God do to protect you if you truly do fear Him? (Isaiah 8:13-14, Psalm 115:11 and Psalm 33:18-19)

124. Why is it vitally important for Jesus Christ to be in absolute first place in your life? (Colossians 1:18, John 3:30 and Psalm 73:25)

125. What did Jesus Christ promise if you would seek Him first and keep Him first in your life at all times? (Matthew 6:33)

126. Many Christians believe that we live in the last days before Jesus Christ returns. What did Jesus say about Him being with you during the end times? (Matthew 28:20)

127. How can you be absolutely certain that God is with you whenever you are in trouble? How can you be certain that He is watching over you and that He will help you? (Genesis 28:15, Psalm 91:15 and Isaiah 43:2-3)

128. Jesus Christ performed many miracles during His earthly ministry. How exactly were these miracles performed? How does this principle apply in your life today? (John 14:10)

129. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, how can you be certain that God lives in your heart, that Jesus lives in your heart and that the Holy Spirit lives in your heart? (Ephesians 4:6, II Corinthians 13:5, Ephesians 3:16, Romans 8:11 and Colossians 2:10)

130. What did the apostle Paul mean when he said that he had been crucified with Christ? How does this principle apply in your life today? (Galatians 2:20)

131. What exactly are you instructed to do to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Why should you be filled with the Spirit at all times? (Ephesians 5:8, Galatians 5:16, Romans 8:9 and Galatians 3:3)

132. What do some people do that blocks the mighty power of the Holy Spirit from operating in their lives? (I Thessalonians 5:19 and Zechariah 4:6)

133. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, how can you be certain that God is speaking to you? What specifically is required for you to hear His voice? (John 8:47 and John 18:37)

134. What did God say will happen in your life if you hear Him speaking to you and if you do exactly what He instructs you to do? (Deuteronomy 28:2)

135. What does God's Word say about the guidance that you are able to receive from the Lord? How often will He guide you? (John 16:13, Isaiah 30:21 and Isaiah 58:11)

136. Why should you not place all of your trust in your human wisdom? What does the Bible say about the availability of God's wisdom? Why do some Christians fail to receive wisdom from God? (Proverbs 23:4 and James 1:5-8)

137. What are you specifically instructed to do to receive wisdom from God? How often will God give you wisdom? (Ecclesiastes 2:26, Proverbs 9:10 and II Timothy 2:7)

138. What are you required to do to receive understanding, discernment and comprehension from God? What will God do if you consistently seek His wisdom with absolute faith that His wisdom is available to you? (Psalm 119:169 and Psalm 119:104-105)

139. If you focus continually on scriptural facts pertaining to your Father's great love for you, how will you respond to adversity? (Daniel 10:19)

140. How does God's love for you compare with His love for Jesus Christ? How much does Jesus love you? (John 17:23 and John 15:9)

141. God's love for you surpasses the limitations of your comprehension. How important is it for you to learn everything that you can about God's love for you so that you will have deep faith in Him when you face extremely difficult problems? (Ephesians 3:17-19 and Isaiah 54:10)

142. Can anything separate you from the love of Christ? What does the Bible mean when it says that you are more than a conqueror over every problem you will ever face? (Romans 8:35-39)

143. What exactly does the Bible say about the relationship between God and the word "love?" (I John 4:16)

144. The Bible says that anyone who is afraid has not been made perfect in love. How is love perfected? (I John 4:17-18)

145. How does your Father's love for you compare with the love and compassion that a mother has for her newborn child? (Isaiah 49:15)

146. How frequently does God give you His tender compassion? (Lamentations 3:22-23)

147. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, how can you be certain that God is your loving Father and that you are His beloved child? (I John 3:1, John 1:12-13 and Galatians 3:26)

148. What is the source of all encouragement? Can you be certain that God will encourage you and comfort you whenever you are in trouble of any kind? (II Corinthians 1:3-4 and II Corinthians 7:6)

149. Why did God tell Joshua that he should not be afraid? How does this statement from God apply to you today? (Joshua 1:9 and Isaiah 41:10)

150. Why should you absolutely refuse to give in to fear? (Haggai 2:5, Psalm 27:1 and Psalm 56:3-4)

151. When the Bible refers to "the spirit of fear," what does this tell you about the source of most fear? What has God given to you to enable you to overcome the spirit of fear? (II Timothy 1:7)

152. God tells you two ways for love to be perfected. John 1:17 says that one way for love to be perfected is to have a close and intimate relationship with God. What other way has your Father provided for you so that your love of Him and for Him will be perfected? (I John 2:5)

153. You decide whether you will give in to fear. What did Jesus Christ say to you about allowing worry and fear to obtain a foothold in your life? (John 14:27 and Luke 21:34)

154. What does the Word of God instruct you to do so that you will not be afraid of evil tidings? (Psalm 112:6-8 and Psalm 19:8)

155. How do most people react when they hear bad news? How does God instruct you to react when you hear bad news? (Jeremiah 49:23, Psalm 37:8 and I Peter 3:4)

156. What has Jesus Christ instructed you to do in regard to worrying about what might happen in the future? (Matthew 6:34)

157. How frequently does God promise to give you strength? How often does God promise to carry your burdens for you? (Deuteronomy 33:24 and Psalm 68:19)

158. What has God instructed you to do to in regard to being afraid of anything that could happen in the future? (Revelation 2:10)

159. What does it mean to be double-minded? (James 1:8)

160. What does the Bible say about trusting in your human abilities instead of trusting God? (Jeremiah 17:5, I Samuel 2:9, Jeremiah 10:23, Proverbs 28:26 and II Corinthians 1:8-9)

161. What does the Bible instruct you to do when you know that your human abilities are inadequate to solve a specific problem? (Psalm 73:26 and II Corinthians 3:5)

162. What will the Holy Spirit do when you are weak and inadequate? (Romans 8:26)

163. How is God's strength and power made perfect in you? (II Corinthians 12:9-10 and Psalm 29:11)

164. What does the Bible say about the strength of Jesus Christ in your life when you face difficult problems? (Philippians 4:13)

165. What is required for you to be empowered with the supernatural strength of the Lord? (Ephesians 6:10 and Psalm 28:7)

166. What are you instructed to do to receive help for every need at exactly the time you need this help? (Hebrews 4:16)

167. Is your faith in the Lord strong enough so that you will not give in to fear because of your absolute certainty that He will help you? (Hebrews 13:6 and Isaiah 41:13)

168. Can you be absolutely certain that God will never forsake you or let you down in any way? (Hebrews 13:5 and Deuteronomy 31:8)

169. What is the reason why some of God's people will be destroyed? (Hosea 4:6)

170. What is Satan's specific goal in regard to you? (John 10:10)

171. What must you do in the spiritual realm to overcome Satan and his demons? (I John 2:14 and Proverbs 11:9)

172. What does the Bible say about the relationship between the thoughts and ways of human beings and God's thoughts and God's ways? (Isaiah 55:8-9)

173. Why are unbelievers unable to understand the Bible? (I Corinthians 2:14)

174. What does the Bible instruct you to do instead of leaning on your own understanding? (Proverbs 3:5-6)

175. Why does the Bible specifically warn you to be careful that you do not have an unbelieving heart? (Hebrews 3:12)

176. Even the disciples who saw Jesus perform many miracles succumbed to unbelief. What are you actually calling God if you doubt Him and do not believe in Him? (John 12:37 and I John 5:10)

177. How did the people in His home town of Nazareth block the mighty power of Jesus Christ so that He could not do any miracles there? How does this principle apply to Jesus acting in your life today? (Mark 6:1-6)

178. Why does the bible instruct you to rejoice whenever you face adversity? (I Peter 1:6-7)

179. Why do some people hear the Word of God and still fail to benefit? How does _The Amplified Bible_ describe faith in God? (Romans 10:14 and Hebrews 4:2)

180. Why did the Israelites wander through the wilderness for forty years on a journey that should have taken only eleven days? (Deuteronomy 1:2 and Deuteronomy 1:32)

181. If you do not have faith in God, what word does the Bible use to describe your lack of faith? (Romans 14:23)

182. What two word instruction did Jesus Christ give you to obey whenever you are tempted to be afraid? (Mark 5:36)

183. What does the Bible mean when you are instructed to live by faith and not by sight? (Habakkuk 2:4 and II Corinthians 5:7)

184. How can faith in God and also fear be compared to the power of a magnet? (Job 3:25-26)

185. How does your faith in Jesus Christ affect what will happen in your life? (Matthew 8:13, Matthew 9:29 and Mark 9:23)

186. What does the Bible mean when it refers to being "compassed about" with God's mercy, love and kindness? What are you instructed to do to experience the glory of God? (Psalm 32:10 and John 11:40)

187. What do the words "assurance" and "title deed" mean in regard to your faith in God? (Hebrews 11:1)

188. What one word does the Bible use to describe how faith comes to you? (Romans 10:17)

189. How does the Bible instruct you to do to develop deeply rooted faith in God? (Colossians 2:7)

190. Your Father does not want you to doubt Him even for a moment. What are you instructed to do to develop "unqualified assurance and absolute conviction" that God will help you? (Psalm 62:8 and Hebrews 10:22)

191. What did Jesus Christ mean when He said that He set His face like a flint? How does this statement apply to your life today? (Isaiah 50:7 and Proverbs 28:1)

192. What determines whether or not you will be strengthened by God when you are in trouble? (Nahum 1:7)

193. How can you be helped when you face problems that are too difficult for you to solve with your limited human abilities? (II Chronicles 32:8, II Chronicles 20:15 and Deuteronomy 20:1-4)

194. What does the Bible instruct you to do in your relationship with God so that you will be able to let go of all of the problems you face and give them to Him with absolute faith in Him? (Ecclesiastes 9:10, I Peter 5:6-7, Psalm 55:22 and Psalm 37:5)

195. What are you instructed to do to enter into God's rest? What did Jesus Christ mean when He instructed you to "take My yoke upon you"? (Exodus 14:14, Exodus 33:14, Hebrews 4:3 and Matthew 11:28-30)

196. How can entering into God's rest be compared to learning how to swim? (Hebrews 4:10 and Deuteronomy 33:27)

197. God wants you to be quiet, calm and confident whenever you face difficult problems. What has God promised to do to help you remain calm when you face adversity? (Isaiah 32:17 and Psalm 94:12-13)

198. What example is given to you in the Bible of a person who learned how to be confident, quiet and calm regardless of the circumstances he faced? (Philippians 4:11)

199. Why does God instruct you to be still regardless of the circumstances you face? (Psalm 46:10)

200. God repeatedly instructs you not to allow your heart to be troubled. What example did Jesus Christ give of this principle when He was in a boat crossing a lake with His disciples? (II Thessalonians 2:12, John 14:1 and Mark 4:37-41)

201. What attribute of God will be released to help you if you are consistently quiet and confident? (Isaiah 30:15)

202. Why should you be calm and confident and yield control of your life to the Holy Spirit whenever you face difficult circumstances? (Romans 8:6)

203. Instead of seeking peace passively or not at all, how does the Bible instruct you to seek peace? (Psalm 34:14 and I Peter 3:11)

204. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. What are you required to do to experience the fruit of peace in your life? (Galatians 5:22 and Colossians 3:15)

205. Instead of being anxious when you face difficult problems, what specific instructions are you given in regard to praying to God? (Philippians 4:6-7)

206. Jesus Christ has given His supernatural peace to you. What did Jesus instruct you to do so that you will be able to receive manifestation of His peace in your life? (John 14:27 and Isaiah 48:18)

207. What are you instructed to do so that God will keep you in perfect peace? (Isaiah 26:3)

208. God's ways are very different from the ways of the world. Instead of being agitated by the problems you face, how has God instructed you to react? What will happen in your life if you obey these instructions? (I Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 4:4, James 1:2-4 and II Corinthians 7:4)

209. In addition to producing the fruit of peace in your life, the Holy Spirit also will produce the fruit of joy in your life. What are you instructed to do to receive the joy of the Holy Spirit in your life? (Galatians 5:22)

210. Why should you be filled with inexpressible joy because of your relationship with Jesus Christ even though you have never seen Him? (I Peter 1:8 and Proverbs 16:20)

211. Instead of being grieved and depressed by the problems you face, how should you react so that you will receive the strength of the Lord to help you? (Nehemiah 8:10)

212. What are you instructed to do to remain in the love of God so that you will experience the supernatural joy of Jesus Christ in your life? (John 15:10-11)

213. Why should you refuse to give up your joy to anyone or any circumstance you face? (John 16:22)

214. If you trust the Lord completely to protect you at all times, you should you react to adversity? (Psalm 5:11)

215. God created you to praise Him. Why should you have a deep and strong desire to praise Him? (Isaiah 43:21, Psalm 145:3, Jeremiah 33:11 and Psalm 63:3)

216. What does the Word of God mean when you are instructed to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving to God when you are in trouble? What has God promised to do in your life if you consistently make this sacrifice? (Psalm 50:14-15, Psalm 50:23 and Hebrews 13:15)

217. How did the psalmist David react when he faced severe adversity? (Psalm 69:29-30 and Psalm 42:5)

218. Satan's demons will attempt to discourage you when you face difficult problems. Instead of having a heavy heart because you are discouraged, how are you instructed to react? (Isaiah 61:3)

219. Gold and silver are refined by severe heat. What are you instructed to do so that you will be cleansed and refined when you face adversity? (Proverbs 27:21)

220. Why should you praise the Word of God? What does the Bible mean when it speaks of a fixed heart? (Psalm 56:10-11 and Psalm 57:7)

221. Why are you instructed to thank God at all times regardless of the circumstances you face? (I Thessalonians 5:18 and I Corinthians 15:57)

222. How will God bless you if you praise Him continually regardless of the circumstances you face? (Psalm 67:5-6)

223. What happened when the apostle Paul and a man named Silas sang praises to God when they faced deplorable conditions in a prison cell? How does this spiritual principle apply in your life today? (Acts 16:25-26)

224. How often are you instructed to praise the Lord? (Psalm 113:3 and Psalm 34:1)

225. Why does God emphasize the vital importance of seeking His presence? How fervently should you seek to be in God's presence? (Psalm 27:8 and I Chronicles 16:11)

226. What does God instruct you to do to come into His presence? (Psalm 22:3, Psalm 95:2)

227. What does God promise to do in your soul whenever you are in His presence? (Acts 2:28)

228. How often are you instructed to sing praises to God? (Psalm 100:2 and Psalm 84:4)

229. What are you instructed to do to be filled with the Holy Spirit? (Ephesians 5:18-20)

230. What spiritual place do you enter into when you thank God? What spiritual place do you enter into when you praise God? (Psalm 100:4)

231. What will the Lord do in your life if you humble yourself completely before Him when you are in His presence? (James 4:10)

232. What is the secret place of the Most High? What does God promise if you dwell in this marvelous place that He has provided for you? (Psalm 91:1-2)

233. What protection does God promise to you when many people around you are falling because of the problems they face? (Psalm 91:7-10)

234. What does God promise if you enter into His refuge and stay close to Him? (Psalm 57:1, II Samuel 22:31 and Psalm 2:12)

235. What does God require so that you will be guarded by His supernatural power? (I Peter 1:5 and Proverbs 29:25)

236. God's angels are very powerful. What does the Bible say about the power of the angel of the Lord who came to the tomb of Jesus Christ? How did the soldiers who guarded the tomb react? (Matthew 28:2-4)

237. When King Darius placed Daniel in a lions' den, he was confident that Daniel would be dead when he came back the next day. What actually happened to Daniel? (Daniel 6:19-23)

238. Many people prayed for the apostle Peter when he was imprisoned by King Herod. What did angels to in response to these fervent prayers? (Acts 12:5-10)

239. What are you instructed to do to activate angels to work on your behalf? How does this same spiritual principle apply to the activity of Satan's demons who are fallen angels? (Psalm 103:20 and Joel 2:11)

240. What does it mean to fear God? If you consistently fear God, what will angels do for you? (Psalm 34:7)

241. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, why should you expect angels to minister to you and help you? (Hebrews 1:14)

242. What did the angel that God sent to Jesus in His time of need in the Garden of Gethsemane do? (Luke 22:43)

243. What will God command His angels to do if you deep, strong and unwavering faith in Him? (Psalm 91:11-12)

244. Unbelievers who are in the world without God do not have any hope for their eternal destiny or for deliverance from adversity while they are on earth. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, what security is provided for you when you die and during your life on earth? (Ephesians 2:12, Proverbs 14:32 and Job 11:18)

245. How do you receive the encouragement that is required for you to hold fast to the hope that has been provided for you? (Hebrews 6:18)

246. Why does God give you (word?) if Jesus Christ is your Savior? (II Thessalonians 2:16 and Colossians 1:27)

247. What relationship exists between your hope and God and the words that you speak? (II Corinthians 3:12)

248. What are you instructed to do when you do not see any reason for hope? (Romans 8:24-25 and Psalm 42:11)

249. How will the power of the Holy Spirit help you when you are tempted to give up hope? (Romans 15:13)

250. What does the Bible instruct you to do when you are suffering because of the problems you face? (Romans 12:12)

251. How does God look at a Christian who does not provide for the needs of his family? (I Timothy 5:8)

256. What is the greatest need you will ever have? What provision has God made for this need? What provision has He made for every other need you will have? (Romans 8:32, Philippians 4:19 and II Peter 1:3)

257. What does God promise to do regarding all your needs if you truly fear Him? (Psalm 34:9)

258. What exactly does your Father require you to do to be certain that He will meet every need you have? (Psalm 34:10)

259. What are you instructed to do so that God will not withhold anything from you? (Psalm 84:11)

260. God created sheep in such a way that trusting completely in their shepherd is natural for them. Who is your Shepherd? What promise does the Word of God make to you because He is your Shepherd? (Psalm 23:1)

261. Instead of focusing on problems that are taking place in the world, what does the Word of God instruct you to focus on? (II Corinthians 4:18 and Colossians 3:2)

262. What does the Bible mean when you are instructed to "imprint" the Lord on your mind? (Nehemiah 4:14)

263. The apostle Peter demonstrated his faith in Jesus Christ when he actually was able to join Jesus in walking on the water. What mistake did Peter make that ultimately caused him to sink into the water? How does this principle apply to you in your life? (Matthew 14:24-31, Proverbs 4:25 and Psalm 25:15)

264. What did King Jehoshaphat do when his army faced an opposing army that was far superior? How does this spiritual principle apply to you when you face problems that are too difficult to solve with your limited human abilities? (II Chronicles 20:12 and Acts 2:25)

265. What did Moses do when he was pursued by a powerful Egyptian army and surrounded by high mountains on both sides and blocked by the Red Sea ahead of him? How does the action that Moses took apply to your life? (Hebrews 11:27)

266. Why did Jesus emphasize the importance of being careful what you hear? How does meditation on the holy Scriptures apply to this instruction? (Mark 4:24)

267. What did the psalmist do that caused his heart to rejoice and his body to be protected? How does this principle apply to you today? (Psalm 16:8-9)

268. Why do some Christians hear the Word of God consistently when they attend church without having deeply rooted faith in God? (Matthew 13:20-21 and Numbers 21:4)

269. How discouraged was Jesus Christ when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane? How does His reaction to these excruciating trials apply to you today? (Matthew 26:37-38 and Hebrews 12:1-3)

270. How did the prophet Habakkuk react when all of his crops were failing and his animals had deserted him? What did the Lord do as a result? (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

271. How did the apostle Paul react when he faced problems that seemed to have no possible solution? (II Corinthians 4:8-9)

272. Has God placed a limit on the amount of adversity you will face? If you persevere in faith when you face difficult circumstances, what does the Bible say that God will do to provide you with a way of escape? (I Corinthians 10:13)

273. Unbelievers often give in to adversity because their only hope is in worldly sources of security. If Jesus Christ is your Savior, what should you do every time you are knocked down? (Proverbs 24:16)

274. Jesus Christ won a total, complete and absolute victory over every problem you will ever face. What does the Bible instruct you to do to walk in His victory in your life? (Hebrews 3:6 and II Timothy 2:12)

275. What words are emphasized six times in one passage of Scripture that apply to you and your prayer life when you face adversity? (Luke 11:9-10 and Colossians 4:2)

276. When you face difficult problems and you do everything you know how to do, what are you instructed to do after you reach the limitations of your human abilities? (Ephesians 6:13)

277. What does the Lord promise to do if you wait hopefully and expectantly for Him? (Lamentations 3:25, Psalm 27:14 and Hosea 12:6)

278. What does God promise to do when you are tired and weary and you turn to Him with absolute faith in Him? Why will you be able to persevere in faith if you respond in the same way that an eagle responds to a storm? (Isaiah 40:28-31)

279. What does God promise to do if you earnestly wait for Him? (Isaiah 64:4)

280. If you refuse to give up and persevere in your faith in God, what does your Father promise to do in His perfect timing? (Galatians 6:9)

# A Few Words About Lamplight Ministries

Lamplight Ministries, Inc. originally began in 1983 as Lamplight Publications. After ten years as a publishing firm with a goal of selling Christian books Lamplight Ministries was founded in 1993. Jack and Judy Hartman founded Lamplight Ministries with a mission of continuing to sell their publications and also to give large numbers of these publications free of charge to needy people all over the world.

Lamplight Ministries was created to allow people who have been blessed by our publications to share in financing the translation, printing and distribution of our books into other languages and also to distribute our publications free of charge to jails and prisons. Over the years many partners of Lamplight Ministries have shared Jack and Judy's vision. As the years have gone by Lamplight Ministries' giving has increased with each passing year. Thousands of people in jails and prisons and in Third World countries have received our publications free of charge.

Our books and Scripture Meditation Cards have been translated into eleven foreign languages – Armenian, Danish, Greek, Hebrew, German, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and the Tamil dialect in India. The translations in these languages are not available from Lamplight Ministries in the United States. These translations can only be obtained in the countries where they have been printed.

The pastors of many churches in Third World countries have written to say that they consistently preach sermons in their churches based on the scriptural contents of our publications. We believe that people in several churches in many different countries consistently hear sermons that are based on the scriptural contents of our publications. Praise the Lord!

Jack Hartman was the sole author of twelve Christian books. After co-authoring one book with Judy, Jack and Judy co-authored ten sets of Scripture Meditation Cards. Judy's contributions to _God's Wisdom Is Available To You, Exchange Your Worries for God's Perfect Peace, Unshakable Faith in Almighty God, Receive Healing from the Lord, What Does God Say?, Victory over Adversity_ and _God's Joy Regardless of Circumstances_ were so significant that she is the co-author of these books. Jack and Judy currently are working on other books that they believe the Lord is leading them to write as co-authors.

We invite you to request our newsletters to stay in touch with us, to learn of our latest publications and to read comments from people all over the world. Please write, fax, call or email us. You are very special to us. We love you and thank God for you. Our heart is to take the gospel to the world and for our books to be available in every known language. Hallelujah!

Lamplight Ministries, Inc.,

PO Box 1307 - Dunedin, Florida, 34697. USA

Phone: 1-800-540-1597 • Fax: 1-727-784-2980

website: lamplight.net • email: lamplight@lamplight.net

# A request to our readers

If this book has helped you, we would like to receive your comments so that we can share them with others. Your comments can encourage other people to study our publications to learn from the scriptural contents of these publications.

When we receive a letter containing comments on any of our books, cassette tapes or Scripture Meditation Cards, we prayerfully take out excerpts from these letters. These selected excerpts are included in our newsletters and occasionally in our advertising and promotional materials.

If any of our publications have been a blessing to you, please share your comments with us so that we can share them with others. Tell us in your own words what a specific publication has meant to you and why you would recommend it to others. Please give as much specific information as possible. We prefer three or four paragraphs so that we can condense this into one paragraph.

Thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to encourage other people to learn from the scripture references in our publications.

# Books written by Jack Hartman

_Trust God for Your Finances_

What Will Heaven Be Like?

Never, Never Give Up

How to Study the Bible

Quiet Confidence in the Lord

One Hundred Years from Today

Nuggets of Faith

God's Will for Your Life

# Books co-authored by Jack and Judy Hartman

Reverent Awe of God

God's Plan for Your Life

You Can Hear the Voice of God

Effective Prayer

Overcoming Fear

A Close and Intimate Relationship with God

God's Joy Regardless of Circumstances

Victory Over Adversity

What Does God Say?

Receive Healing from the Lord

Unshakable Faith in Almighty God

Exchange Your Worries for God's Perfect Peace

God's Wisdom Is Available to You

Increased Energy and Vitality

# Scripture Meditation Cards co-authored by Jack and Judy Hartman

Receive Healing from the Lord

Freedom from Worry and Fear

Enjoy God's Wonderful Peace

God Is Always with You

Continually Increasing Faith in God

Receive God's Blessings in Adversity

Financial Instructions from God

Find God's Will for Your Life

A Closer Relationship with the Lord

Our Father's Wonderful Love

Effective Prayer

We invite you to visit our website: http://www.lamplight.net. You also can see all of our other Bible-based books with the first chapter of each book free for you to read. You can sign up to receive our free monthly newsletter either by mail or by email, to receive a daily Devotional from one of our Scripture Meditation Cards or a free weekly download of a Bible teaching.

Jack and Judy Hartman

Lamplight Ministries Inc

PO Box 1307

Dunedin, Florida 34697-2921

Telephone: 1-800-540-1597

FAX: 1-727-784-2980

Website: lamplight.net

Email: lamplight@lamplight.net

