It was for the love of the truths of the great book [the Bible] that our fathers abandoned their native shores for the wilderness. Animated by its lofty principles, they toiled and suffered till the desert blossomed as a rose [Isaiah 35:1] … The Bible is the best of books and I wish it was in the hands of everyone. It is indispensable to the safety and permanence of our institutions; a free government cannot exist without religion and morals and there cannot be morals without religion, nor religion without the Bible. Especially should the Bible be placed in the hands of the young. It is the best school book in the world… I would that all of our people were brought up under the influence of that Holy Book.
Of the many influences that have shaped the United States of America into a distinctive Nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring then the Bible. The Bible and its teachings helped form the basis for the Founding Fathers’ abiding belief in the inalienable rights of the individual–rights which they found implicit in the Bible’s teachings of the inherent worth and dignity of each individual.
The teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and entwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally — I do not mean figuratively, I mean literally — impossible for us to figure ourselves what life would be if these teachings were removed. We would lose almost all standards by which we now judge both public and private morals — all the standards toward which we, with more or less resolution, strive to raise ourselves. Almost every man who has by his life-work added to the sum of human achievement of which the race is proud — of which our people are proud — almost every such man has based his life-work largely upon the teachings of the Bible.
In the formative years of the Republic, the directing influence the Bible exercised upon the fathers of the Nation is conspicuously evident… This book continues to hold its unchallenged place as the most loved, the most quoted, and the most universally read and pondered of all the volumes which our libraries contain… We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a Nation without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in shaping the advances of the Republic. I suggest a nationwide reading of the Holy Scriptures… for a renewed and strengthening contact with those eternal truths and majestic principles which have inspired such a measure of true greatness as this Nation has achieved.
Of all the gifts we receive this Christmas, the best ones come from above. Enjoy these 10 eternal gifts of Christmas!
Ask any child what his or her favorite part of Christmas is, and you’re sure to find that “gifts” top the list. And why not? We all know how special it feels when you open something wonderful from a loved one. Knowing that loved ones made an effort to make or buy something they thought you would enjoy gives you a warm feeling. No matter how old you get, it’s a beautiful part of Christmas.
Of all the gifts that we receive, the best ones come from above. Our heavenly Father has given—and continues to give—us the most wonderful gifts of all… now and throughout the year. And Christmas is the perfect time to reflect on these eternal gifts. Here are 10 eternal gifts of Christmas:
1. Salvation
First of all, there is no greater gift than the gift of salvation! This gift was given through Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
In Only One Thing, Kenneth Copeland will help you make listening to the Lord and following His ways your life’s mode of operation. Get this minibook delivered to your mailbox completel free of charge from Dec. 22-28, 2019. Request your copy here.
2. Peace That Passes All Understanding
Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (KJV). No matter how stressful the situation we are in, we can rely on a God-given peace that makes no sense to the world.
3. Provision
Other people may worry about the ups and downs of the economy, but we don’t have to because God has promised to provide for us. “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
4. Direct Line to God
Mark 11:24 tells us, “You can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” This applies to material things as well things like peace, safety and favor. We have a direct line to our heavenly Father.
5. Joy
John 15:11 says, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” These are Jesus’ words directly to us. Our joy doesn’t come from outside circumstances but from the Holy Spirit who resides within us.
Watch Kenneth and Gloria Copeland in this video and glean insight about the greatest Christmas gift you could ever receive…Jesus!
Luke 17:21 tells us, “You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.” What does this mean for us? It means that the Kingdom is available to us at all times because Jesus lives within us. We can create a Kingdom life, right here!
7. Family and Friends
God places people in our lives to be a blessing to us, so we can also bless others. Your family, friends and church family are your greatest blessing and your biggest support system. The Bible explains this in Ephesians 4:15-16, “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
8. Grace
Grace is God’s unmerited favor, His special gift to us. Romans 11:6 says, “Since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.”
9. Healing
First Peter 2:24 is used quite a bit, and it is an incredibly powerful verse. Although you have probably heard this over and over, try to read it with fresh eyes: “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds, you are healed.” Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we have access to the healing power of God.
10. Abundant life
In John 10:10, Jesus tells us that “the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (KJV). Abundance is an excess of something. If we have a life of abundance, it is a life that is overflowing—overflowing with love, peace, and grace.
As we celebrate the birth of our greatest gift of all, don’t lose sight of these 10 eternal truths of Christmas and all He has blessed us with.
There is untapped power in praise and thanksgiving that belongs to you! This Thanksgiving, serve up a hearty portion of praise and thanksgiving!
We are so blessed in the United States to have Thanksgiving as a national observance to thank God and honor Him for all He has given us. It’s a time to stop the hustle, bustle and busyness of life to be grateful for our freedoms, family, friends and abundant life. What most people don’t know is that a thankful and grateful heart isn’t just a nice experience to have or a desirable attitude—there is spiritual power in praise and thanksgiving.
As Christians, we are called to unleash the power of praise and thanksgiving every day of the year. What power? The power to defeat the devil and unlock victory! Most people think praise is what you do after you get what you’re believing or praying for, but that isn’t true.
Andrew Wommack says, “Praise isn’t like the caboose that just follows what happens, but it’s more like the engine of a train that makes things happen.”
Kenneth Copeland says, “Praise is the big gun of faith.”
The devil wants to keep you from thinking about praise and thanksgiving while you’re in the process of believing, because he knows it’s an important key to breakthrough. Remember when Paul and Silas were locked up in the bowels of a prison? Things looked pretty grim. Most people would be begging and pleading with God to get them out, or considering all the ways they’d served Him and wondering how they could possibly deserve what was happening.
Instead, Paul and Silas “were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25, NIV). The result? “All the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose” (verse 26). All the doors. Every chain. All because of praise and thanksgiving to God.
Do you need a breakthrough? A prison door opened? Chains to come loose? When you learn what can be accomplished in the spirit realm, you will want to activate the power of praise and thanksgiving in your life every day. Unleash the power of praise and thanksgiving with these truths.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” –Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Notice that Philippians 4:6 says we are to present our requests to God “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving.” Quite often, we can get so wrapped up in our needs and desires that our prayers can end up sounding like a long list of what we don’t have, what we want and what we need, without much time spent praising the One whom we are petitioning. There’s nothing wrong with asking for God’s help, but we should also be taking the time to thank God for everything He has done and is doing for us. Praise and thanksgiving balance the scale in our prayer lives and can mean the difference between receiving and going without.
Kenneth Hagin once shared a testimony that illustrates this point quite well. He told of a missionary who had contracted smallpox before there was a vaccine. In fact, at that time, it was quite often fatal. This missionary began praying to the Lord regarding her sickness, when the Lord gave her a vision of an old-fashioned balance scale. One side was labeled “Prayer” and the other “Praise.” She noticed in the vision that the “Prayer” side was stacked up high, while the “Praise” side had just a small stack, causing that side to sit way up high—the scale was out of balance.
The Lord spoke to her and said, “When your praises equal your prayers, you will be healed.” She spent two days doing nothing but praising God—she had to get caught up! And during this time, she didn’t ask God for anything—she simply praised Him. At the end of those two days, she was completely healed. That’s the power of praise and thanksgiving!
Do your praises equal your prayers? Is your scale balanced? Don’t wait to offer praise and thanksgiving to God until things are just as you like them to be—praise Him in every situation,. Praise Him for who He is and what He’s done in your life. Praise Him that you’re saved, delivered, healed and headed for heaven. Praise Him as your Creator, Restorer, Friend, Counselor, Comforter and Strong Tower. There is so much to be thankful for! Take time to thank Him each and every day. Then, watch as power is released into your circumstances in a way that scared and begging prayers can never accomplish.
Watch Kenneth and Gloria Copeland teach you how to overcome stress and anxiety with praise!
2. Praise and Thanksgiving Neutralize the Devil
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” –1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
Ever wonder why the devil tries to get you to complain and grumble? He knows it is a strength sapper, a faith drainer and a dream killer. He knows it will keep you wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years, instead of arriving in your promised land in 11 days. (No, thank you!) More importantly, he doesn’t want you to know this: Praise and thanksgiving neutralize the devil. They are like kryptonite to him.
Praise and thanksgiving are powerful spiritual weapons that come from highly developed faith, and they are often the final step before receiving from God. They are sure signs that you have faith in His Word, have eradicated all unbelief, and have fixed your mind solely on His Word. That’s a powerful place to be!
Looking for something to read at the Thanksgiving table? Find 17 Scriptures for Thanksgiving Day here.
Bill Winston says, “Praise is much more than just music; it is a powerful, spiritual warfare tool. God never meant for you to fight your battles alone—Praise will shift the battle from you to God. Praise gives you strength and stops Satan in his tracks.”
How do praise and thanksgiving give you strength? They build your faith and keep you thinking right. When you slip into wrong thinking, Satan can gain access to your life. Praise and thanksgiving are vital weapons in your warfare against Satan and his forces.
So, when you’re standing in faith and things start to look opposite of what you’re believing for, keep the praise of God on your lips. Continue to praise Him for the answer. Don’t be moved by circumstances; just keep your eyes on God’s Word; and praise and thank Him that the mountain in front of you is moved. Praise and thanksgiving will always send the devil packing!
Even physical weariness has to flee when it’s faced with real joy-filled praise. Years ago, when Gloria Copeland first began conducting Healing School, she had a real battle with fatigue. She’d minister and lay hands on the sick for so many hours at a time that by the time the meeting had ended, she was sometimes too physically weak even to close the service.
In one particular meeting, she had just finished praying for those in the prayer line, and as usual, she was exhausted. The Spirit of the Lord impressed on her that, instead of resting, what she needed was to rejoice in the Lord. So, she did. She began to praise the Lord with her whole heart, mind and body. Do you know what happened? The tiredness left. And she was energized with the presence of God!
The next time the devil tries to stifle your effectiveness, to drain you of the strength and wealth and victory that are yours in Jesus, turn him back with those powerful weapons. Lift your hands, your voice and your whole heart to God. Give Him praise and thanksgiving!
Find out how the power of worship is directly related to healing in this teaching with Kenneth Copeland.
You ought to be shouting your way to work and shouting your way back home! If there’s anything the devil can’t stand, it’s praise. If you’ve taken territory from the devil and he’s coming against you to get it back, this is not the time to sit down and whine about how things aren’t working out. It’s not the time to decide that God has taken His hand off your life.
It IS time to get into the Word and get yourself re-anchored in God’s promises. It’s time to keep those promises constantly before your eyes and in your heart. It’s time to pray the prayer of faith and take your stand on the basis of His provision. It is time to continue to do the things you know to do.
When Satan starts shaking your mountain, don’t retreat and run for cover. Speak to the mountain with the authority you have in the Name of Jesus Christ. Then, when you’re done with that, start to praise and shout the victory!
But You are holy, O You Who dwell in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered].–Psalm 22:3 (AMPC)
Do you ever feel like you really need God to show up? You’ve been fighting the good fight, but boy, are you getting tired! That’s OK—but giving up is not. God never loses a battle. And when you do things His way, you won’t either.
So, what should you do? Start praising. Praise when you don’t feel like it and keep praising because praise and thanksgiving bring God on the scene. He inhabits the praises of His people!
You can praise your way to healing, praise your way to a financial breakthrough, praise your way out of an unwarranted assault on your character. When there is trouble—praise and thanksgiving bring victory!
You can see an example of that in 2 Chronicles 20 where a multitude of forces was marching against Israel, leaving the army of Israel so outnumbered, they literally didn’t know what to do. So, they fasted and prayed until they received a word from God. “Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (verse 15, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).
Do you know what they did in response to that word? They put together a praise choir! That’s right. They appointed singers and praisers, and sent them out in front of the army! And when that choir began to sing, the Word tells us that “the Lord set ambushments against the men…who had come against Judah, and they were [self-] slaughtered” (verse 22).
When it was all over, not one Israelite had fallen—and not one of their enemies had escaped. What’s more, when they came to take the spoil, they found so many cattle, goods, garments and other precious things, it took them three whole days to haul it all home.
Now, that’s victory! And it all began with praise. Are you looking for that kind of victory today? Then stand up and shout, “Glory!” After all, you’re in the same situation those Israelites were. You have an army marching against you, but Jesus has already defeated it. He won that battle for you on Resurrection morning.
That is the kind of power you can have right now in your life. If you are not familiar with praising God, or it makes you feel uncomfortable, ask God to show you how. You can start by reading the Psalms aloud. They speak of the great and mighty works of God. They praise Him for His goodness, power and mercy. God is faithful to perfect your praises!
Praise is not something you do when things are rosy. God is always worthy of your praise. The Bible says to offer the sacrifice of praise—that means when it feels like a tough thing to give. More importantly, praise and thanksgiving are more than a pleasant song or a few uplifting words about God. They do something. They release the very presence of God Himself. And when the presence of God comes on the scene, your enemies are turned back. Sickness and disease can’t stay on your body. Poverty can’t stay in your house.
So, when you pray, “enter into his gates WITH THANKSGIVING, and into his courts WITH PRAISE: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4, KJV). Praise and thanksgiving are integral parts of prayer. They are you and God working together—your prayer and His power. You can pray amiss, but you can’t praise amiss.
Praise God. Praise Him in the morning. Praise Him at noon. Praise Him at night. If you’ve never praised God in your life, then get started right now. Praise Him for freedom. Praise Him for healing and Calvary. Praise Him for the Name of Jesus.
You’ll even find that when you have a need, if you go to God and simply praise Him, you’ll get your answers while you’re thanking Him! That’s why Philippians 4:6 tells us to mix thanksgiving in with our prayers. There are so many reasons to praise the Lord!
Now that you know how to unleash the power of praise and thanksgiving, you can take these truths and put them in remembrance as you pray and engage in spiritual warfare. Never underestimate the importance of praise. It’s one of the most powerful spiritual weapons you have!
When you allow God to infuse you with His power, you will also become a mighty force for God. The question is, will you determine to take the power and the love of God into every place He leads you to go so others can hear the Good News?
Did you know that it’s God’s will for you to increase in every area of life?
We know that we are redeemed from the curse of the law, and that we are called to be a blessing. The word blessed in Hebrew means “empowered to prosper and increase.”
Do you know the full extent of that promise? The Bible says that God sends forth His Word to accomplish His will, and it will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). God expects us to continually access His Blessing–His Spirit of Increase in everything that we do.
Psalm 115:14, KJV, says “The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.” It’s God’s will that you and your descendants increase in every area of life.
Are you experiencing Kingdom increase and fullness in every area of life? If not, here are three things that will help you get on the path to increase.
Understand That Increase is God’s Will
The Lord created mankind to expand. Genesis 1:28, KJV, says, “God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” God’s original intent for mankind was to increase and have dominion. His will has not changed.
3 John 2 says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (KJV). God wants you prosperous! God wants you healthy! God wants you wise! It is His express will that you live in a perpetual state of increase–taking dominion and living a life of success.
The word blessing means “increase and abundance,” whereas the closest definition of curse is “decrease and loss” according to the Jewish commentator Ibn Ezra. Think about that.
Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, KJV).
God’s will is for you to live a more abundant life–exceedingly abundantly above all you can ask or think, according to Ephesians 3:20, (KJV)! And Galatians 3:13-14, KJV, says that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law–that curse of decrease and loss–so that THE BLESSING of Abraham–increase and abundance–could come upon us.
That’s great news!
Believe the Word of God
That sounds so simple and obvious, but are you doing it?
Mark 4:24-25, KJV, says, “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.”
It may seem unfair to take away from those that have not and give to those who have, but listen to what the Lord is saying here. Our level of increase is directly related to the amount of faith we have in the Word of God. Jesus is basically saying that we decide how much increase we will experience. If you hear the Word and believe it–mixing it with faith–you will increase. If you hear the Word and mix it with doubt and unbelief, you will decrease.
God wants us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23), meditate on His Word (Joshua 1:8), and believe what we hear (Hebrews 11:6). When you meditate on God’s Word, giving heed to what you hear and mixing it with faith, it will result in increase. An increase of faith. An increase of blessing. An increase of wisdom.
However, you can’t look at the Word once, and walk away expecting a miracle. James 1:23-24 talks about the man who walks away after hearing the Word and forgets it. You must diligently seek the Lord and study His Word to experience great increase in your life.
Remember the parable of the sower in Matthew 13? Those that bring forth fruit–30, 60 and one hundredfold are those who hear the Word and receive it. Something more happens to these people than just hearing the Word–they mix it with faith, and it brings forth fruit!
Change your thinking from worldly unbelief and begin thinking faith thoughts. Believe that it truly is God’s will to prosper and increase you. Do not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2)–that negative and hopeless way that the world thinks. But be transformed–changed into the image of Christ–by the renewing of your mind.
That means that you should stop looking at what the world says about you and start believing what the Word says about you. That’s the way you prove what God’s will is! You get to prove that God’s Word is right! You don’t have to take somebody else’s word for it–you can prove what the Word says!
Speak Increase
God calls those things that are not as though they already exist, according to Romans 4:17–and you should too. You have been created in His image to do the same things that He does. When your finances look bleak, speak to them. When your body looks sick, speak to it. When your faith is weak and you feel afraid, speak! Speak to your mountain!
“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says” (Mark 11:23, KJV; also see Matthew 21:21, 17:20; Luke 17:6).
If you believe that the things you say will come to pass, they will! You shall have whatsoever you say! That’s an amazing promise. Speak to your body. Speak to your finances. Speak to your children’s lives. They were created to expand and carry on a legacy. Every single part of your life was meant to expand and increase. You were created in the image of God and the Word says that His kingdom is ever expanding.
So no longer be subject to your circumstances. Rise up and understand that you were created for increase!
Do you have the traits of a person God can trust with wealth? Find out the seven traits He’s looking for!
Fact: Lottery winners are more likely to declare bankruptcy within three to five years than the average American.
Fact: After only two years of retirement, 78% of NFL players are either broke or struggling financially.
Fact: Within five years of retirement, 60% of NBA players are broke.
The lesson? Financial success means a lot more than just having money. Gloria Copeland says, “One thing about wealth—it can come quickly, and it can go quickly.”
These once-rich people lost everything because they didn’t know how to handle wealth. And there’s only one right way to manage financial abundance—God’s way.
God has created a process of empowerment called THE BLESSING, and it is designed to make us prosper in all things and to make us rich. Despite what some Christians say, rich is not a curse word—it’s a BLESSING word. Poverty is under the curse, and we’ve been redeemed from the curse.
God’s will for you is prosperity in every area of your life—and that includes wealth. But knowing the great dangers of money without godly stewardship, He doesn’t give it to anyone and everyone. You have to be a candidate for increase.
Can God trust you with wealth? Here are seven traits He’s looking for.
1. You See Yourself as a Steward, Not an Owner
“Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” –Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV)
Most Christians sound something like this:
“It’s my money. I worked for it.”
They receive their paychecks and feel entitled—they earned them, after all. The problem with this way of thinking is that it doesn’t recognize the true Giver of wealth. Everything we have that enables us to gain wealth comes from God—our talents, abilities, opportunities and favor. When God blesses you with money—any amount of money—He is entrusting it to you, but it still belongs to Him.
The first step to becoming a candidate for increase—someone God can trust with wealth—is to see yourself as a steward, not an owner of the money you have. As you acknowledge that the Lord is the One who gives you the power to become rich, you keep yourself in a posture of humility and allow God to direct your decisions. It keeps you free from toiling, free from worry and free from temptations. It will keep you prospering!
The first step to becoming a candidate for increase—someone God can trust with wealth—is to see yourself as a steward, not an owner of the money you have. As you acknowledge that the Lord is the One who gives you the power to become rich, you keep yourself in a posture of humility and allow God to direct your decisions. It keeps you free from toiling, free from worry and free from temptations. It will keep you prospering!
Watch Kenneth Copeland and learn how the anointing will make you rich!
“Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value.” –Proverbs 10:2 (NIV)
Once you see yourself as a steward, you’ll need to be one who behaves in a godly way when it comes to wealth. There is a worldly way to be rich and a godly way to be rich. Do you know the difference?
Use fraudulent methods to gain wealth vs. Honest and generous
Self-focused vs. God- and others-focused
Motivated to increase for the sake of acquiring vs. Motivated to increase for the sake of distributing
Use people to get things vs. Use things to love people
The Bible is clear—whether wealth is good or bad depends on who has the money. If not handled in a godly manner, money is dangerous. But there is nothing wrong with having enough money to live debt free, live blessed, support your church, spread the gospel and minister to the poor. That’s THE BLESSING!
Above all, Gloria Copeland shares the real difference: “There is a one-word difference between the godly rich and the worldly rich—peace.”
3. You Protect Your Wealth Through Tithing
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse.” –Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
If you see yourself as a steward and behave as a godly wealthy individual, tithing is a no-brainer for you. In fact, you don’t see tithing as giving away your money, you know you protect your wealth through tithing, and wouldn’t dream of withholding it.
Tithing is chock full of spiritual blessing, but when it comes to being someone God can trust with money, it accomplishes several things:
It is an exercise that keeps your focus in the right place—on God.
It keeps you in obedience to God and protects you from the devourer (Malachi 3:11).
It keeps you from thinking too highly of yourself.
It keeps you in a spirit of expectancy with God—knowing you will receive a return.
This heart attitude is essential because, as Gloria Copeland says, “If you’re too tight to tithe, you’re too tight to let THE BLESSING in.”
Think about the aperture of a camera. Adjusted by the lens, it opens and closes to different degrees to determine how much light can reach the film or image sensor. If a photographer doesn’t open the aperture enough, the light can’t get in to take the picture. Simply put—little opening, little light, big opening, big light.
Tithing is the lens into our financial blessing. It opens the flow for blessing to come back to you. Proverbs 11:24 says it this way: “One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor” (CSB).
You may have noticed that those who hang onto money the tightest seem to be the ones who always need it the most. On the other hand, learning to give freely to the Lord is the gem of tithing and a great enlightenment of mercy. It gets you out of poverty and over into God’s system of blessing.
4. You’re Known for Your Generosity
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” –2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)
Christian financial advisor Dave Ramsey says, “The wallet is a great window into the soul.” In other words, the way we use our money is a good indicator of the condition of our hearts toward God. When you’re known for your generosity, you have a critical trait God is looking for in those He can trust with wealth.
God can trust a generous heart with wealth. He knows those who freely give can have money without money having them. But a hoarder will not receive a blessing because there is no seed to bless—no crop to reap.
If you’re not one who gives generously, it’s not too late! As the steward of God’s money, ask Him regularly, “God, what do You want me to do with Your money?” Then, let Him lead you.
Be generous with people who work for you. Be generous in your giving to your church, ministries or charities. Be a generous tipper! Christians should be the biggest tippers out there. Bless people. Don’t hold so tightly to your money. Be one whom God can trust to give more and more wealth.
David Green, founder and CEO of retail giant Hobby Lobby, tells a story in his book, Giving It All Away…And Getting It Back Again, about the power of living generously.
There’s a phrase common in some Christian circles that goes, “You can’t out-give God.” I tossed that phrase around myself more than once. Then…God seemed to say to me, “Well, you haven’t really tried, have you?”
David Green decided to increase his giving dramatically. His company significantly increased right after that. That pattern continued over and over until he reached a point that he was giving far beyond anything he could ever imagine. The more the company has grown, the more they’ve given, and then they keep increasing. “We truly cannot seem to get ahead of Him,” David says.
God can trust those who have generous hearts with great wealth. Can He trust you?
“Seek first the kingdom of God.” –Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
People with deep needs will often pursue God fervently; but oftentimes when Christians grow in wealth, their hearts grow cold and they forget God. They’ll pass the poverty test, but fail the prosperity test.
That happens when people fail to keep God’s Word first place in their lives. To be a person God can trust with wealth, you will be a person who puts God first place, even in abundance.
Watch Gloria Copeland and George Pearsons teach you how staying steady on the Word will open the door to supernatural wealth.
If you’re believing God for wealth, or already have it, Gloria Copeland has some advice for you: “When all your needs are met, remember where you got it. Remember that it was God who gave you the power to get wealth. One thing about wealth—it can come quickly, and it can go quickly.”
If you’re believing God for wealth, or already have it, Gloria Copeland has some advice for you: “When all your needs are met, remember where you got it. Remember that it was God who gave you the power to get wealth. One thing about wealth—it can come quickly, and it can go quickly.”
6. You Don’t Put Your Trust in Your Wealth
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to…put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” –1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
When you put God first, you’re also putting your trust in Him. When you’re trusting God, you don’t put your trust in your wealth. You don’t worry about how you’ll pay your bills or if you’ll have enough to pay for your child’s college tuition. You don’t feel pressure to claw your way to the top at your workplace, and you certainly don’t save twisty ties in a big jar “just in case.”
Matthew 19:24 says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (ESV). Notice this verse says it is difficult, but not impossible. In response to the disciples’ concern over this, Jesus assures them, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (verse 26, ESV).
Why is it impossible with man alone?
One reason is that it is so tempting to trust in money. It seems to have the answer to everything we need and want. Yet, some of the most unhappy people on earth are the wealthiest. True happiness, peace, joy and love come from God alone.
Abundance is the cherry on top, not the foundation of real security.
When you’re following God—obeying Him in all your ways, seeking Him with all your heart, and trusting Him with your life—money will just be an added bonus, but you’ll hold it loosely.
When you trust in riches, you’ll be up all night wondering what you’re going to do about one financial situation or another. You’ll be worried about paying bills. When you trust in God, Gloria Copeland sums it up well when she says, “Faith sleeps at night.”
Are you really making God your Source? Find out HERE.
7. You Are Not Even the Slightest Bit Prideful About Your Wealth
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant.” –1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
As much as trusting in riches is a threat to your spiritual well-being and financial security, pride is an even greater threat. And…you don’t have to be rolling in money for pride about it to set in. You can be proud of a small purchase, a house, a car or a gift you’ve given.
Pride in any area of life is a BIG DANGER to your spiritual health. It not only blocks healing and puts you in a position to experience a fall, it keeps you from being a candidate for wealth or even from keeping the wealth you have.
With wealth comes the temptation to think you are superior to others. When pride creeps in, those with wealth can use their money to control others. There have even been wealthy church congregants who have tried to control a pastor’s decision with their money! That’s pride, and it’s not God’s system.
If you are one God can trust with wealth, you are not even the slightest bit prideful about your wealth. You walk in humility—setting yourself aside to meet the needs of others.
When money comes into a person’s life, if they don’t maintain a place of humility, then that money will start to control them, and they will not be led by the Spirit.
Can God trust you with wealth? These seven traits He’s looking for will help you know. If you’re not quite there, don’t be discouraged! Not one person on the earth does not have to work continually at each of these. You can become a candidate for increase. YOU can be the one God can trust with wealth!
Can God trust you with wealth? These seven traits He’s looking for will help you know. If you’re not quite there, don’t be discouraged! Not one person on the earth does not have to work continually at each of these. You can become a candidate for increase. YOU can be the one God can trust with wealth!
Are you ready for a revolution in your life? Join the 21-Day Faith Revolution and watch your victory unfold right before your eyes!
READING TIME: 9 Minutes
Can you change your life in 21 days? Absolutely! Research shows it takes 21 days to create a new habit. The kind of faith that moves mountains isn’t built in a day—it develops over time, but in 21 days, you can develop a new way of thinking and living that can last a lifetime. Faith isn’t something that shows up only in emergencies—it’s a lifestyle.
To make a change like that, you’re going to need an overhaul in the way you think, speak and live—a faith revolution. The definition of a revolution is a dramatic, wide-reaching change in the way people think about something.
The result? A new lease on life—hope, joy, peace…breakthrough. In a word—VICTORY.
It’s time we stop settling for second best—living in the expectations of the world—and step out into our calling. That calling is FAITH. It’s guaranteed to please God, and He’s already given us the steps to get there.
It’s time to make faith a way of life, and let the revolution spread from family to family, church to church and city to city. It’s time to start a movement of believers who are willing to take their faith to the next level—to believe bigger, reach higher, resist fear stronger and live bolder than ever before.
Are you ready to join the faith revolution? Here’s what to do: For the next 21 days, create a new habit of faith by engaging in each of the daily activities. Your life will be changed so much, you’ll start spreading the revolution just by living out your faith!
Find A Prayer for a Faith Revolution in Your Life HERE.
Day 1: Move the Word of God to the Front of the Line
Does the Word of God always seem to end up at the end of your to-do list? The Word of God is what will start a faith revolution in your life. This is where it all begins, and here’s how to start:
Purchase a one-year Bible or print out a daily reading plan HERE.
Don’t just read and study the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to help you read every word through His leading. You may have read a certain verse a thousand times, but it will become fresh, new revelation under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Day 2: Carve Out a Regular Prayer Time
Life too busy to pray? It’s revolution time!
Determine to set a regular time to pray for the next 21 days. You may have to set an alarm for 15 minutes earlier than usual, but you’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in the spirit realm in a short time, and the impact it will make on your day.
Pray A Prayer for a Faith Revolution in Your Life HERE.
Day 3: Pray in the Spirit
If you’ve never prayed in the Holy Spirit (tongues), it’s time to give it a try! It can feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you practice, the better you’ll get. You can try praying in the spirit silently to yourself first, then move into a quiet whisper. Before long, you’ll be praying boldly!
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the ability to pray in the spirit. If you’re filled with the Spirit, it’s in there. You just have to put faith to it.
Need help? Learn more about receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit HERE.
Day 4: Pray With Praise and Thanksgiving
Today, focus your prayers on praise and thanksgiving. Don’t ask for anything—just worship.
Try to make this a habit each morning for at least 5 to 10 minutes, and then throughout the day. Worshipping the Lord is the key to supernatural breakthrough—but it has to be a lifestyle, not an event.
Day 5: Study Healing Scriptures
Even if you don’t need healing in your body today, healing scriptures can keep you living in divine health. They also prepare you with an arsenal for those times the enemy tries to put sickness on your body.
Find a list of Gloria Copeland’s favorite healing scriptures HERE.
Find the healing scriptures that healed Dodie Osteen of terminal cancer HERE.
Day 6: Forgive
Do you really want to see a faith revolution in your life? Forgive. The Bible tells us that faith works by love, and Jesus said when we stand praying, we must forgive. He tied that condition to receiving from God when we pray.
Today, sit down with a pen and paper (maybe a yellow pad!), and be quiet before the Lord.
Ask Him to reveal to you anyone you haven’t forgiven in your life. (This could go way back.)
Write down everyone who comes to mind. This could be individuals or even an entire group like a neighborhood, a church or a school.
There may be tiny, little “nothings” on the list, but those are important, too! It’s the small foxes that ruin the vines.
Then, ask God to help you forgive. It often takes supernatural help, doesn’t it?
From this day forward, keep your forgiveness list empty. Every time someone offends you, forgive immediately. Your faith will flow in ways you never dreamed possible!
Day 7: Give to Those in Need
What does giving have to do with faith? When we act in obedience to God’s Word, we position ourselves for victory in every area of our lives. Giving is sowing, and God says it will return to us.
Find a local food bank and donate canned items, clothing or anything else they need.
Donate time or money to a local shelter.
Know someone struggling in your church family? Bless them financially or start a meal chain for them.
Day 8: Focus on Your Words
Today, be extra mindful of your words.
Don’t speak negatively about ANYTHING.
Don’t complain, grumble or gossip.
Speak the Word of God only about anything you see or hear.
Ask yourself, “Am I speaking fear or faith? Doubt or belief? Am I tearing down or building up?”
Day 9: Focus on Your Thoughts
Yesterday, we focused on our words. Today, we will focus on our thoughts. Why? Because our words are the direct result of those thoughts. So, while you were getting a hold of your words yesterday, now you’ll be focusing on what is fueling those words.
When a negative or critical thought comes to mind, tune in. Start making a habit of recognizing those thoughts.
Remember, we don’t fight thoughts with thoughts—we fight thoughts with words. So, when a wrong thought comes, immediately speak truth.
For example, if you think something negative about another person, stop. Speak out, “I do not have a critical spirit. I have a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. I love this person with the love of God, and I do not hold any offense against him.”
Day 10: Study Scriptures About Finances
Today, we are going to study scriptures about finances. This is how we will build our faith to receive God’s best. The more you feed your spirit with the truth of God’s Word, the easier it will be to believe for and receive debt-freedom, promotion, increase and wealth.
Find 70 Scriptures That Prove God Is Your Source HERE.
For healing, try what Kenneth Copeland calls “the best book on healing ever written”: God’s Will to Heal by Keith Moore—Download this book FREE HERE.
Day 13: Watch Healing Testimonies on YouTube®
Today, we will feed our faith for divine health and healing by watching powerful healing testimonies! This is a great way to build your faith in the area of healing.
Begin with this powerful testimony from KCM Partner John Lavender who was healed of multiple sclerosis!
Today, we are going to focus on praying God’s Word. Rather than just making requests, we will make our prayers an act of speaking God’s Word to Him and expecting Him to respond. Isaiah 55:11 says His Word will not return void. Praying our own words is taking a shot at receiving an answer. Praying His Word means we hit the bullseye every time!
Purchase a journal and fill it up with categorized scriptures. On one page, you might have a list of verses about financial blessing, on another, scriptures about healing or family relationships.
As you pray, refer to the list you’ve made and pray God’s Word to Him. No begging or pleading—just pray His Word. Then, thank Him for the answer!
Day 15: Ask for Forgiveness
It may be tempting, but don’t skip this one! Is there someone you may have offended? An area where you weren’t as honest as you could’ve been? Maybe you gossiped to a co-worker and brought them into your wrong choice. Perhaps you were short with your spouse.
Whatever it is, humble yourself. Ask for forgiveness. God exalts us when we humble ourselves—the reward is worth the small discomfort!
Repent before God for those areas that need correcting. Be specific! Ask for His help in getting this area right going forward.
Receive forgiveness. This is so important to your faith. Condemnation will keep you from receiving from God.
Day 16: Go After Fear
Today, we are going after fear with a vengeance. Fear is a big hindrance to faith, so we’ve got to get serious about moving it out of our lives. If you have worry, stress, anxiety or shame—you’re living in fear. And it’s got to go. Fear and faith oppose one another and keep your faith from growing. Here’s how we’ll tackle fear and drive it out for good.
Today, and every day from now on, pay attention to any worried, stressful or fearful thoughts that come into your mind.
Avoid television programming that feeds fear (i.e., unsolved mystery news programs, violent films, horror movies, negative TV series)
Fight back fearful, stressed thoughts with your words. Have some scriptures handy that you can use to combat any fearful thoughts.
Speak out loud, “Fear, I resist you in Jesus’ Name. Now go from me!”
Day 17: Tune In to the Holy Spirit
Are you listening to the Holy Spirit every minute of every day? Sound impossible? It isn’t! But it does involve creating a new habit. (That’s what the Faith Revolution is all about!) Today, we’re focusing on tuning in to the Spirit. Here’s how to approach this:
At the beginning of the day, ask the Lord to help you tune in and hear His leading.
With every decision (what to say or do and where to go), stop for a moment and listen for His leading.
Make decisions slower than you normally would. Let people know you’ll get back to them instead of answering right away.
Give yourself enough quiet time throughout the day to really hear from God.
Listen to Keith Moore teach you how to be Spirit-led, rather than head-led, emotion-led or people-led HERE.
Day 18: Tell Someone Your Glory Story
Today, we are going to focus on sharing our glory story (or stories!) with others. This helps to build the faith of others, while reminding ourselves of all God has done for us, which builds our own faith!
Make a list of the miracles you’ve seen in your life.
When you talk to someone on the phone, sit with your spouse or visit your grandchildren, take the time to share a story of the goodness of God in your life.
Repeating the good things God has done is a powerful tool in building your faith!
Day 19: Practice Patience
Today, we are going to practice patience. If you said, “I don’t have time for that!” you’re in the right place.
Faith and patience are the power twins. That’s why faith won’t work without patience. So mastering patience is critical to your faith revolution.
Practice patience in your everyday life—on the roads, in stores, with your spouse. In doing so, you will become more proficient at using patience in your spiritual life, as well.
Have you become impatient in something you’re believing God for? Take the time to get with the Lord, and ask Him to reveal to you how to operate in patience in this area.
Study scriptures about the faith greats and how they used patience to get to the promise. Mimic their prayers and actions. Ask God to show you the areas in your life that need correcting (there is always something!) and focus on becoming obedient rather than on what you aren’t receiving.
Day 20: Participate in a Fast
Today, we are going to participate in a fast for 24 hours. (Please do not do this without checking with your doctor first, and only do so if your current medical condition permits it.)
During this time, we will not consume food: only water, herbal tea or bone broth. (You may tailor this to suit your own needs, such as including juice.)
Focus on spending time with the Lord, praying and listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Allow the Lord to bring up revelation you’ve received over the course of this faith revolution.
Questions about fasting? Find the answers you need HERE.
Day 21: Engage in a Time of Reflection
Today, we are going to reflect on what changes we’ve seen in our lives over the last 21 days.
Take the time to journal or pray about what you’ve learned and how you want to change moving forward.
In your journal, ask and answer the following questions:
How have I changed over the last 21 days?
What has God revealed to me during this time?
What breakthroughs in my finances, health or relationships have come to pass?
What can I do to make this faith revolution a way of life?
Congratulations! You completed the 21-Day Faith Revolution! Twenty-one days of stirring up mountain-moving faith. How did you do? Has anything changed in your life? Let us know in the comments below. You can choose to work through this 21-Day journey a second or third time to renew your mind and make living a life of faith one that is second nature, and more and more victorious. Whatever you do, stay the course and run your race with perseverance!
Watch Kenneth Copeland teach about the force of mountain-moving faith.
