Hello, I'm Shelly Quinn. 00:00:01.06\00:00:02.09 Please join us today on "Pressing in to His Presence" 00:00:02.12\00:00:04.76 to learn how to wheel the sword of the spirit 00:00:04.79\00:00:08.47 in your prayer time. 00:00:08.50\00:00:09.88 Welcome to "Pressing in to His Presence." 00:00:31.27\00:00:33.68 In this series we are learning 00:00:33.71\00:00:35.36 how to use the praise prayer pattern, 00:00:35.39\00:00:38.27 the P-R-A-I-S-E prayer pattern to draw near to God. 00:00:38.30\00:00:43.65 And that is simply and acronym that labels different segments 00:00:43.68\00:00:47.73 of the certain type of deeper prayer. 00:00:47.76\00:00:50.41 The "P" stands for starting our prayer by praising God. 00:00:50.44\00:00:54.71 The "R" stands for repentance 00:00:54.74\00:00:56.82 and we'd cover these concepts in previous programs. 00:00:56.85\00:01:00.08 Today we will focus on the "A" 00:01:00.11\00:01:02.52 which stands for affirmations and simply means 00:01:02.55\00:01:06.20 applying God's promises to our lives personally 00:01:06.23\00:01:10.00 and applying them during our prayer time. 00:01:10.03\00:01:13.45 If you are using the companion book 00:01:13.48\00:01:15.70 Pressing in to His Presence 00:01:15.73\00:01:17.11 we're beginning this session on page 83. 00:01:17.14\00:01:21.45 You know, God worked a radical change in my life 00:01:21.48\00:01:25.61 when He taught me to return 00:01:25.64\00:01:27.35 His promises to Him during prayer 00:01:27.38\00:01:29.92 and to confess scripture as an affirmation of faith 00:01:29.95\00:01:33.35 and His ability to perform His word. 00:01:33.38\00:01:36.36 This program will briefly introduce 00:01:36.39\00:01:39.17 the concept of the teaching 00:01:39.20\00:01:41.13 that I've shared before in my books 00:01:41.16\00:01:43.27 and also a program on 3ABN called Exalting His Word. 00:01:43.30\00:01:48.14 In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says this. 00:01:48.17\00:01:53.98 "My thoughts are not your thoughts, 00:01:54.01\00:01:56.56 nor are My ways your ways," says the Lord. 00:01:56.59\00:02:00.41 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 00:02:00.44\00:02:03.26 so are My ways higher than your ways, 00:02:03.29\00:02:05.37 and My thoughts than your thoughts." 00:02:05.40\00:02:08.19 You know, finding out minds like ours 00:02:08.22\00:02:10.64 can scarcely grasp the infinite ways them of God. 00:02:10.67\00:02:14.96 His thoughts are beyond 00:02:14.99\00:02:16.62 the natural boundaries of our imagination. 00:02:16.65\00:02:19.56 Without the Holy Spirits help, 00:02:19.59\00:02:22.04 God's ways are mind-boggling to modern man. 00:02:22.07\00:02:26.09 The man without the spirit cries out why? 00:02:26.12\00:02:29.33 He is not learn to trust God to-- 00:02:29.36\00:02:33.39 or even to interpret God's perfect love. 00:02:33.42\00:02:37.52 Jesus said in John 17:3, 00:02:37.55\00:02:41.29 that "This is eternal life that they may know you, 00:02:41.32\00:02:45.99 the only God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." 00:02:46.02\00:02:50.71 What is it mean to know God? 00:02:50.74\00:02:54.07 The verb know in this verse 00:02:54.10\00:02:56.73 is means to understand completely. 00:02:56.76\00:03:00.42 It conveys the thought 00:03:00.45\00:03:02.20 of very intimate connection or union. 00:03:02.23\00:03:06.03 God's great desire is for mankind 00:03:06.06\00:03:08.92 to know Him as Creator, righteous judge, 00:03:08.95\00:03:12.46 Redeemer, mediator, gracious benefactor 00:03:12.49\00:03:16.36 and our perfect abba Father. 00:03:16.39\00:03:19.20 To know Him as our sovereign Lord 00:03:19.23\00:03:22.29 and the lover of our souls. 00:03:22.32\00:03:24.63 God wants us to experience 00:03:24.66\00:03:27.64 His love, light, life and power. 00:03:27.67\00:03:31.36 It is life eternal to know Him this way. 00:03:31.39\00:03:34.94 Jesus proclaimed in John 14:6, 7 00:03:34.97\00:03:40.83 He said, "I'm the way the truth and the life, 00:03:40.86\00:03:44.91 no one comes to the father except through Me. 00:03:44.94\00:03:48.24 If you had knowing Me, 00:03:48.27\00:03:50.78 you would have known My father also 00:03:50.81\00:03:53.29 and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." 00:03:53.32\00:03:57.85 Jesus tells us that we can know God 00:03:57.88\00:04:02.01 through His written word the Bible. 00:04:02.04\00:04:04.86 God enfolds the Revelation of Himself 00:04:04.89\00:04:07.27 and His plans that He has for mankind. 00:04:07.30\00:04:10.11 And through His living word Jesus Christ 00:04:10.14\00:04:13.54 He revealed 00:04:13.57\00:04:15.09 the exact representation of His character. 00:04:15.12\00:04:18.71 The author-- the author of Hebrews says that, 00:04:18.74\00:04:22.54 "Jesus is the perfect imprint 00:04:22.57\00:04:25.83 the vary image of God's nature. 00:04:25.86\00:04:30.45 When we see Jesus, we see the Father 00:04:30.48\00:04:34.60 one in thought purpose in action 00:04:34.63\00:04:37.25 they hear the identical personality character 00:04:37.28\00:04:40.58 and the essence of love and motivation. 00:04:40.61\00:04:44.18 Christ is empowered to give us eternal life 00:04:44.21\00:04:47.08 by bringing us into the knowledge of God. 00:04:47.11\00:04:50.13 And our entrance to knowing Him is through the Bible. 00:04:50.16\00:04:54.12 An intimate relationship with the Lord 00:04:54.15\00:04:56.85 begins with an intimate relationship with His word. 00:04:56.88\00:05:01.50 From 1995 to 2002 00:05:01.53\00:05:04.41 the Lord led me into a deeper relationship 00:05:04.44\00:05:08.56 with Him by first revealing that His higher thoughts 00:05:08.59\00:05:11.80 and ways or not mine 00:05:11.83\00:05:14.54 and He revealed them to that I may know Him better. 00:05:14.57\00:05:17.73 First He introduced me to intimacy with His word 00:05:17.76\00:05:22.02 providing spiritual food for my growth. 00:05:22.05\00:05:24.91 Then He called me to press in to His presence 00:05:24.94\00:05:27.65 in prayer teaching me to exhale the pollution of the world 00:05:27.68\00:05:32.26 and inhale His sweet breath of life. 00:05:32.29\00:05:35.90 And next God guided me 00:05:35.93\00:05:38.08 through an intensive sanctuary study. 00:05:38.11\00:05:41.37 You know, in Psalm 77:13 the Bible says, 00:05:41.40\00:05:45.25 "Your way, O Lord, is in sanctuary, 00:05:45.28\00:05:48.92 who is so great a God, like our God." 00:05:48.95\00:05:52.64 It was that sanctuary study 00:05:52.67\00:05:54.70 which revealed to me God's ultimate way of salvation. 00:05:54.73\00:05:58.16 And finally He taught me 00:05:58.19\00:06:00.14 how to walk in the power of surrender to Him 00:06:00.17\00:06:02.90 which we will study in an up coming program. 00:06:02.93\00:06:05.95 Though I consider myself a Christian 00:06:05.98\00:06:08.80 prior to the years of 1995, 00:06:08.83\00:06:11.72 it was through these actions 00:06:11.75\00:06:13.20 that I came to know God and understand His plan. 00:06:13.23\00:06:17.02 Perhaps the most curious of all human behaviors 00:06:17.05\00:06:21.04 is that we can learn life changing lessons 00:06:21.07\00:06:23.94 from our Lord only to abandon them 00:06:23.97\00:06:28.08 to abandon the practice of them later. 00:06:28.11\00:06:31.23 I'm pretty certain that you can identify with this dilemma. 00:06:31.26\00:06:36.94 Its hard me to think otherwise because too many people 00:06:36.97\00:06:41.24 had that I have spoken to have acknowledged 00:06:41.27\00:06:44.25 this common fault that we share. 00:06:44.28\00:06:46.39 God teaches us a better a way 00:06:46.42\00:06:48.37 and we walk joyfully in its path for a while 00:06:48.40\00:06:51.27 only to awake one day 00:06:51.30\00:06:53.10 and realize we're no longer following His lesson plan. 00:06:53.13\00:06:57.15 To my point God revealed to me 00:06:57.18\00:06:59.73 the transforming power of His word 00:06:59.76\00:07:02.76 when He taught me to make affirmations from scripture. 00:07:02.79\00:07:07.13 It was a life changing experience 00:07:07.16\00:07:09.61 and for two years I walked so closely to Him 00:07:09.64\00:07:13.36 I felt like I could sense His heartbeat 00:07:13.39\00:07:16.41 but later miss placed priorities had me 00:07:16.44\00:07:19.96 slaving nonstop for start up company. 00:07:19.99\00:07:23.28 I abandoned the affirmation practice for 18 months 00:07:23.31\00:07:26.74 and found myself distanced from God. 00:07:26.77\00:07:29.87 He graciously corrected my backsliding 00:07:29.90\00:07:33.48 in September 1999 00:07:33.51\00:07:35.89 when he called me to pray an hour each morning 00:07:35.92\00:07:38.51 teaching me to press in to His presence. 00:07:38.54\00:07:43.01 And during the first 14 mornings 00:07:43.04\00:07:45.11 of this special prayer time, 00:07:45.14\00:07:46.97 I learned to praise, I learned repentance 00:07:47.00\00:07:50.16 and I assumed the role of prayer warrior. 00:07:50.19\00:07:53.39 God even opened my spiritual ears 00:07:53.42\00:07:56.10 to identify His still small voice 00:07:56.13\00:07:58.65 that I continue to lack sufficient spiritual power 00:07:58.68\00:08:02.78 to walk victoriously throughout the day with Christ. 00:08:02.81\00:08:06.67 So, on the 15th morning my problem became evident. 00:08:06.70\00:08:11.79 I had unplugged from my spiritual powers source, 00:08:11.82\00:08:17.49 affirmations from scripture 00:08:17.52\00:08:19.98 and when I added a generous portion of affirmations 00:08:20.01\00:08:23.34 to my daily prayer the dynamics 00:08:23.37\00:08:26.15 in my Christian walk were immediately changed. 00:08:26.18\00:08:30.39 In a flesh I was infused with faith 00:08:30.42\00:08:34.03 and I went from pitiful to powerful. 00:08:34.06\00:08:37.25 Once again I was the word warrior 00:08:37.28\00:08:39.15 armed with the sword of the spirit 00:08:39.18\00:08:41.16 and ready to defend myself against the enemy. 00:08:41.19\00:08:44.72 It was several months later in January 2000 00:08:44.75\00:08:48.27 that the Lord led me through the sanctuary study 00:08:48.30\00:08:51.77 and this opened my eyes 00:08:51.80\00:08:53.98 to see the surfacing of the sanctuary theme 00:08:54.01\00:08:57.89 in the praise pattern the P-R-A-I-S-E prayer pattern. 00:08:57.92\00:09:02.21 So, let's review how it has related that far. 00:09:02.24\00:09:05.09 As we began our journey to press in to His presence, 00:09:05.12\00:09:08.93 to press before His throne of grace 00:09:08.96\00:09:11.27 we started with the praise segment. 00:09:11.30\00:09:13.38 We entered His gates with thanksgiving 00:09:13.41\00:09:15.36 in into His courts with praise that was due His holy name. 00:09:15.39\00:09:21.03 And our next steps correlative actions 00:09:21.06\00:09:23.51 found in the outer court of sanctuary. 00:09:23.54\00:09:25.97 We embraced repentance confessing our sin 00:09:26.00\00:09:29.27 and pleading the blood of Jesus 00:09:29.30\00:09:30.93 over our failures equating to the symbolism 00:09:30.96\00:09:35.05 of the altar of burnt offering and what it represented. 00:09:35.08\00:09:39.18 And like the priest of all purifying themselves 00:09:39.21\00:09:42.11 with the labor we washed our spiritual hands and feet 00:09:42.14\00:09:45.40 in the act of repentance permitting us 00:09:45.43\00:09:47.88 to drawn near to our holy God. 00:09:47.91\00:09:50.35 Now had we been a Levi priest, 00:09:50.38\00:09:52.94 we would now be ready 00:09:52.97\00:09:54.90 to enter into the tent of the ancient sanctuary 00:09:54.93\00:09:59.95 which was much more beautiful on the interior 00:09:59.98\00:10:03.30 than the exterior just as God's people are. 00:10:03.33\00:10:07.02 The sanctuary was 45 feet long and 15 feet wide 00:10:07.05\00:10:12.48 and two third of the space was dedicated to the Holy place. 00:10:12.51\00:10:17.42 The first compartment which measured 00:10:17.45\00:10:19.85 30 feet by 15 feet, 00:10:19.88\00:10:22.51 the Holy place contained three items 00:10:22.54\00:10:25.31 the table of showbread, the golden altar of incense, 00:10:25.34\00:10:28.95 and the golden candle sticks. 00:10:28.98\00:10:30.96 I compare the act of making affirmations from scripture 00:10:30.99\00:10:34.58 to a symbolic entry in to the holy place 00:10:34.61\00:10:37.44 and the setting out of the showbread. 00:10:37.47\00:10:39.60 Here is how it happened in the earthly sanctuary. 00:10:39.63\00:10:42.72 First 12 loafs one for each tribe of Israel 00:10:42.75\00:10:46.52 were prepared fresh on the Sabbath of each week 00:10:46.55\00:10:49.98 and they were arranged in two stacks of six each 00:10:50.01\00:10:54.51 on the table in this holy place. 00:10:54.54\00:10:57.45 And since this was an act of worship 00:10:57.48\00:10:59.82 the labor was not considered Sabbath breaking. 00:10:59.85\00:11:02.97 The loafs were flat bread, they were baked without leaven. 00:11:03.00\00:11:07.42 Leaven was a type of fermentation 00:11:07.45\00:11:09.83 like yeast the cause bread to rise 00:11:09.86\00:11:12.28 and it was viewed as a symbol of corruption 00:11:12.31\00:11:16.28 or evil influence during Bible times. 00:11:16.31\00:11:19.64 So now on top of each of these stacks of six 00:11:19.67\00:11:23.98 there was placed a golden cup of frankincense 00:11:24.01\00:11:27.15 which was burned with fire coals 00:11:27.18\00:11:30.70 as an offering to the Lord 00:11:30.73\00:11:32.54 when the showbread was changed. 00:11:32.57\00:11:35.08 The loafs were a thank offering 00:11:35.11\00:11:37.35 and memorial of God's constant provision for nourishment 00:11:37.38\00:11:42.08 because they would set out before the Lord 00:11:42.11\00:11:45.64 the loafs were called showbread 00:11:45.67\00:11:48.24 and they were also referred to 00:11:48.27\00:11:50.32 as the bread of His presence or holy bread. 00:11:50.35\00:11:55.02 As new showbread was set out each Sabbath 00:11:55.05\00:11:58.50 the previous loafs were removed 00:11:58.53\00:12:01.21 and they were eaten by the priests. 00:12:01.24\00:12:03.94 And you know they were eaten their in the holy place. 00:12:03.97\00:12:06.77 Leviticus 24:9 says, 00:12:06.80\00:12:10.69 "They shall eat it in the holy place, 00:12:10.72\00:12:14.11 for it is most holy unto him." 00:12:14.14\00:12:18.31 Let's consider why I compare affirmations to the showbread. 00:12:18.34\00:12:23.70 First John 1:14 tells us 00:12:23.73\00:12:27.07 that Jesus is the word of God incarnate saying 00:12:27.10\00:12:30.57 "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 00:12:30.60\00:12:33.65 and we beheld his glory, the glory 00:12:33.68\00:12:36.39 as of the only begotten of the Father, 00:12:36.42\00:12:39.11 full of grace and truth." 00:12:39.14\00:12:41.48 And in John 6:35 Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. 00:12:41.51\00:12:46.36 He who comes to me shall never hunger." 00:12:46.39\00:12:50.43 And then in Matthew 4:4 He said, 00:12:50.46\00:12:52.49 "It is written man shall not live by bread alone 00:12:52.52\00:12:56.29 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." 00:12:56.32\00:13:00.55 So, we see that God's word is our spiritual bread. 00:13:00.58\00:13:04.63 It is given to us as a constant provision 00:13:04.66\00:13:08.52 for nourishment to maintain vibrant spiritual lives. 00:13:08.55\00:13:14.19 Jeremiah 15:16 Jeremiah says I love this, 00:13:14.22\00:13:18.49 "Your words were found, and I ate them, 00:13:18.52\00:13:22.43 and Your word was to me the joy 00:13:22.46\00:13:25.57 and rejoicing of my heart." 00:13:25.60\00:13:28.40 You know, as we partake of His holy bread His promises, 00:13:28.43\00:13:33.83 we ingest the bread of His presence 00:13:33.86\00:13:37.46 and we partake of His divine nature. 00:13:37.49\00:13:40.43 If there is any promise in the Bible 00:13:40.46\00:13:42.67 that I would say is the most favorite 00:13:42.70\00:13:46.30 at least I'm gonna say it today there are so many. 00:13:46.33\00:13:49.38 But it's 2 Peter 1:4 which tells us this, 00:13:49.41\00:13:54.56 it says "By which we have been given to us 00:13:54.59\00:14:00.24 exceedingly great and precious promises, 00:14:00.27\00:14:04.41 that though these" through what? 00:14:04.44\00:14:06.59 "Through these promises 00:14:06.62\00:14:09.22 you maybe partakers of the divine nature." 00:14:09.25\00:14:15.48 That is so exciting to me. 00:14:15.51\00:14:18.19 Affirmations are simply taking His promises 00:14:18.22\00:14:22.22 symbolic of that holy bread, bread without leaven 00:14:22.25\00:14:26.34 and setting the mount before God 00:14:26.37\00:14:28.44 in our own symbolic table of showbread offering. 00:14:28.47\00:14:33.78 This serves as our memorial of His constant predation 00:14:33.81\00:14:38.58 of spiritual nourishment for us. 00:14:38.61\00:14:41.63 So, how do we describe affirmations from scripture? 00:14:41.66\00:14:45.65 You know, I realize that giving 00:14:45.68\00:14:47.34 to this whole recap of a book in a whole 22 series program 00:14:47.37\00:14:52.77 in just very short time. 00:14:52.80\00:14:54.68 But let me just describe them for you. 00:14:54.71\00:14:57.46 Affirmations are more than a mere prayer request. 00:14:57.49\00:15:01.31 We are taking God's word His promises 00:15:01.34\00:15:03.98 and we are returning to Him, 00:15:04.01\00:15:06.07 His word is a thank offering as a declaration of faith 00:15:06.10\00:15:10.78 that we agree with God's testimony 00:15:10.81\00:15:13.44 and we acknowledge His word as truth. 00:15:13.47\00:15:17.02 As we pray His promises back to Him 00:15:17.05\00:15:19.55 we're confessing who we are in Christ 00:15:19.58\00:15:22.35 and it results in a personal application of God's promises. 00:15:22.38\00:15:28.18 For example, we can take 2 Corinthians 5:17 00:15:28.21\00:15:32.42 and say, thank you Lord 00:15:32.45\00:15:34.02 that I am a new creation in Christ" 00:15:34.05\00:15:37.29 or we can pray 00:15:37.32\00:15:40.46 saying, thank you Father, 00:15:40.49\00:15:42.97 that you are working in me both to will 00:15:43.00\00:15:46.42 and to do your good pleasure. 00:15:46.45\00:15:48.46 Thank you Lord, that if I cooperate with you, 00:15:48.49\00:15:51.16 you will cause me to be 00:15:51.19\00:15:52.65 all that you've called me to be. 00:15:52.68\00:15:55.28 You know, in Job 23:12 the great patriot said, 00:15:55.31\00:16:01.07 "I have not departed from the commandments of his lips. 00:16:01.10\00:16:05.86 I have treasured the words of his mouth 00:16:05.89\00:16:09.28 more than my necessary food." 00:16:09.31\00:16:11.68 You see, even God's commandments, are promises 00:16:11.71\00:16:15.82 of what He will perform in our lives. 00:16:15.85\00:16:18.45 There is transforming power in the Word of God. 00:16:18.48\00:16:23.62 In fact, God guarantees-- 00:16:23.65\00:16:26.96 we just read it in 2 Peter 1:4 00:16:26.99\00:16:29.77 that as you partake of His promises 00:16:29.80\00:16:33.83 you will partake of His divine nature. 00:16:33.86\00:16:38.44 The word becomes your testimony, 00:16:38.47\00:16:41.52 it becomes the treasure of your heart. 00:16:41.55\00:16:45.13 I know in 1995 when God first instructed me 00:16:45.16\00:16:49.53 to make affirmations from His promises 00:16:49.56\00:16:52.49 in regard to a health issue that I was suffering 00:16:52.52\00:16:55.39 I resided them with reverend devotion 00:16:55.42\00:16:59.19 night after night returning His word to Him 00:16:59.22\00:17:02.46 in the form of prayer 00:17:02.49\00:17:04.66 and actually it didn't take long 00:17:04.69\00:17:08.31 before I was struggling with self doubt. 00:17:08.34\00:17:11.11 Had the Lord really called me to do this? 00:17:11.14\00:17:14.51 Faith seem to be just beyond my grasp 00:17:14.54\00:17:18.57 and I cried out oh, Father, help my unbelief 00:17:18.60\00:17:23.23 and the Lord let me to three verses 00:17:23.26\00:17:27.46 that absolutely created 00:17:27.49\00:17:29.78 a fireworks display of faith in my heart. 00:17:29.81\00:17:33.37 The first was this Isaiah 55:11 00:17:33.40\00:17:38.89 which says, this is the Lord speaking. 00:17:38.92\00:17:42.51 "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth, 00:17:42.54\00:17:46.76 it shall not return to Me void, 00:17:46.79\00:17:49.58 but it shall accomplish what I please, 00:17:49.61\00:17:53.14 and it shall prosper in the thing 00:17:53.17\00:17:55.79 for which I sent it." 00:17:55.82\00:17:57.62 And the next verse is Jeremiah 1:12, 00:17:57.65\00:18:00.95 "Then said Lord to me, you have seen well, 00:18:00.98\00:18:05.12 for I" the Lord "I am alert and active, 00:18:05.15\00:18:08.97 watching over My word to perform it." 00:18:09.00\00:18:12.53 And then the third scripture 00:18:12.56\00:18:13.85 He led me to was Romans 4:17 that says, 00:18:13.88\00:18:19.16 "God, who gives life to the dead 00:18:19.19\00:18:22.15 and calls those things 00:18:22.18\00:18:24.22 which do not exist as though they did." 00:18:24.25\00:18:29.14 These verses just leaped 00:18:29.17\00:18:30.95 from the pages and into my heart. 00:18:30.98\00:18:33.97 I understood God's plan 00:18:34.00\00:18:36.12 of practicing affirmations from scripture. 00:18:36.15\00:18:39.62 He was directing me to return His word to Him 00:18:39.65\00:18:43.62 and His word was not without power 00:18:43.65\00:18:46.97 but would accomplish His purposes in my life. 00:18:47.00\00:18:50.17 Why? 00:18:50.20\00:18:51.32 Because He was watching over His word to perform it, 00:18:51.35\00:18:54.53 watching and waiting for me to believe His testimony 00:18:54.56\00:18:58.68 and although my testimony of word confession differed 00:18:58.71\00:19:03.27 from what I then experienced in the physical realm 00:19:03.30\00:19:06.82 I understood that faith begins where sight ends. 00:19:06.85\00:19:12.58 God's words are spoken with the power 00:19:12.61\00:19:16.71 of His promise to fulfill them. 00:19:16.74\00:19:19.29 They are a pledged to His people. 00:19:19.32\00:19:22.55 I was learning to speak like my heavenly Father 00:19:22.58\00:19:26.34 calling things that did not exist 00:19:26.37\00:19:29.86 as though they already did 00:19:29.89\00:19:32.50 and isn't that the essence of faith? 00:19:32.53\00:19:36.46 Hebrews 11:1 says in the amplified version, 00:19:36.49\00:19:41.12 "Now faith is the assurance the confirmation, 00:19:41.15\00:19:45.62 the title deed of the things we hope for, 00:19:45.65\00:19:48.61 being the proof of things we do not see 00:19:48.64\00:19:51.69 and the conviction of their reality 00:19:51.72\00:19:54.56 faith perceiving as real fact 00:19:54.59\00:19:58.67 what is not revealed to the senses." 00:19:58.70\00:20:03.62 God's word is indulged 00:20:03.65\00:20:06.89 with life giving creative power. 00:20:06.92\00:20:10.76 Just think about it how did God create the world? 00:20:10.79\00:20:14.39 He had spoken into existence 00:20:14.42\00:20:17.01 creating something from nothing. 00:20:17.04\00:20:19.35 Just read Genesis 1, 00:20:19.38\00:20:20.65 everything that God said happen. 00:20:20.68\00:20:23.28 His word has the same creative power today 00:20:23.31\00:20:27.07 as it did in the beginning 00:20:27.10\00:20:29.12 and it was doing a work within me. 00:20:29.15\00:20:32.14 Although I had yet to see the evidence 00:20:32.17\00:20:34.63 faith was being formed in my heart. 00:20:34.66\00:20:37.92 Hebrews 4:12 says, 00:20:37.95\00:20:40.16 "For the word of God is living and powerful, 00:20:40.19\00:20:43.85 and sharper than any two edge sword, 00:20:43.88\00:20:46.84 piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, 00:20:46.87\00:20:50.35 and it is a discerner of the thoughts 00:20:50.38\00:20:52.70 and intents of the heart." 00:20:52.73\00:20:55.13 You know, I studied the Greek text 00:20:55.16\00:20:57.48 reveal something remarkable about this premier verse. 00:20:57.51\00:21:01.62 In the Greek language the word two edged 00:21:01.65\00:21:05.46 talking about the two edged sword is distilment. 00:21:05.49\00:21:09.69 It literally the literal translation of it means 00:21:09.72\00:21:13.55 two mouth like a double mouth river. 00:21:13.58\00:21:17.37 I want to read you an affirmation 00:21:17.40\00:21:19.20 the Lord inspired 00:21:19.23\00:21:20.75 from five different scripture sources. 00:21:20.78\00:21:24.38 He gave this to me 00:21:24.41\00:21:25.98 and you'll probably recognize the scripture. 00:21:26.01\00:21:29.20 He has given me the authority and eternal power of His word. 00:21:29.23\00:21:34.54 His word is alive, active, immovable, unshakable. 00:21:34.57\00:21:39.31 His word is a two edge sword 00:21:39.34\00:21:42.36 the first edge struck when He spoken 00:21:42.39\00:21:45.47 the second edge strikes when I speak it. 00:21:45.50\00:21:48.82 As I speak His word I hear the voice of the Lord. 00:21:48.85\00:21:52.42 I am returning His word to Him 00:21:52.45\00:21:54.93 and His word does not return void 00:21:54.96\00:21:57.35 but accomplishes every purpose for which he sent it. 00:21:57.38\00:22:01.32 He actively watches over His word 00:22:01.35\00:22:04.93 to make certain it is fulfilled 00:22:04.96\00:22:08.12 at the perfect time which He has appointed. 00:22:08.15\00:22:12.87 Isn't that powerful? 00:22:12.90\00:22:14.70 You know, when we start speaking like this 00:22:14.73\00:22:18.24 it just changes the way we think. 00:22:18.27\00:22:22.28 What is the primary way that God speaks to us? 00:22:22.31\00:22:26.50 Right here through His word. 00:22:26.53\00:22:29.10 As we include affirmations 00:22:29.13\00:22:31.26 from scripture in our time of prayer 00:22:31.29\00:22:34.72 we are entering into a two way communication 00:22:34.75\00:22:37.01 with our Lord the Word of God 00:22:37.04\00:22:39.77 becomes two mouth as we make it 00:22:39.80\00:22:42.98 the confession over our life. 00:22:43.01\00:22:45.51 Scripture affirmations become alive and active within us 00:22:45.54\00:22:50.78 and affirmation goes beyond claiming. 00:22:50.81\00:22:53.91 It's a confession a word of faith 00:22:53.94\00:22:56.80 that declares we agree with God's wisdom. 00:22:56.83\00:23:02.46 We agree and confirming that God's word 00:23:02.49\00:23:06.30 is our life source and you know what happens, 00:23:06.33\00:23:09.80 it causes His way of thinking to become our way of thinking. 00:23:09.83\00:23:15.78 God's word has more than creative power. 00:23:15.81\00:23:20.04 It has sustaining power. 00:23:20.07\00:23:22.90 Let's look at Hebrews 1:3 00:23:22.93\00:23:25.98 and I am going to read this also 00:23:26.01\00:23:28.44 from the amplified version. 00:23:28.47\00:23:31.55 Hebrews 1:3 says this, "He is the perfect" 00:23:31.58\00:23:35.75 He being Jesus "is the perfect imprint 00:23:35.78\00:23:38.78 and very image of God's nature, 00:23:38.81\00:23:41.73 upholding and maintaining and guiding 00:23:41.76\00:23:44.82 and propelling the universe." 00:23:44.85\00:23:46.73 How? "By His mighty word of power." 00:23:46.76\00:23:52.02 Christ sustains us by His word power 00:23:52.05\00:23:55.48 we plug into our power source 00:23:55.51\00:23:58.06 when we speak affirmations from scripture. 00:23:58.09\00:24:01.36 Paul instructs us to put on the armor of God 00:24:01.39\00:24:04.21 and Ephesians 6:17 he explains 00:24:04.24\00:24:07.30 that the sword of the spirit is the Word of God. 00:24:07.33\00:24:10.68 This makes me think of the story of Eleazar 00:24:10.71\00:24:13.41 a high esteemed mighty man of King David. 00:24:13.44\00:24:16.93 And the Bible says 00:24:16.96\00:24:20.76 "He," Eleazar "arose and attacked the Philistines 00:24:20.79\00:24:24.08 until his hand was weary, 00:24:24.11\00:24:27.24 and his hand stuck to the sword. 00:24:27.27\00:24:30.82 And the Lord brought about a great victory that day." 00:24:30.85\00:24:36.45 Let us like wise cling to the sword 00:24:36.48\00:24:39.09 the sword of the spirit the Word of God. 00:24:39.12\00:24:42.71 When our flesh is too weak God will become our strength 00:24:42.74\00:24:46.47 and He will keep our hands stuck to the sword 00:24:46.50\00:24:49.38 if we will apply the double edge 00:24:49.41\00:24:52.05 two mouth principle to our lives 00:24:52.08\00:24:54.62 He would bring us victory cutting us free 00:24:54.65\00:24:57.82 from the cord of the wicked that binds us. 00:24:57.85\00:25:00.99 When a tempter tries to trip you up 00:25:01.02\00:25:04.13 and entangle your feet in his snare 00:25:04.16\00:25:06.95 pull out your sword and using the verses 00:25:06.98\00:25:10.89 from Roman 6 and 1 Corinthian say 00:25:10.92\00:25:14.57 it is written I am dead to sin but alive to God. 00:25:14.60\00:25:19.29 I am under the power of His grace 00:25:19.32\00:25:21.75 and sin shall not be my master. 00:25:21.78\00:25:24.16 I have put on Christ 00:25:24.19\00:25:25.70 and I'll make no provision for my flesh. 00:25:25.73\00:25:28.16 God has given me the victory 00:25:28.19\00:25:30.64 through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:25:30.67\00:25:34.34 When the enemy tries to cloud your mind with confusion 00:25:34.37\00:25:40.34 pull out the sword of the spirit 00:25:40.37\00:25:42.67 and using the verses from 1 Corinthian 14, 00:25:42.70\00:25:47.85 2 Timothy 1 and Psalms 129 say this, 00:25:47.88\00:25:54.24 "It is written. 00:25:54.27\00:25:56.95 God is not the author of confusion but of peace. 00:25:56.98\00:26:02.66 I have been given a spirit of power, 00:26:02.69\00:26:06.94 a spirit of love and I know that my God 00:26:06.97\00:26:13.08 is a spirit of sound mind 00:26:13.11\00:26:15.12 and I know that might God is a righteous. 00:26:15.15\00:26:19.65 He has cut me free from the cord of the wicked. 00:26:19.68\00:26:24.82 You know, as you claim these promises 00:26:24.85\00:26:29.04 wielding the sword of the spirit 00:26:29.07\00:26:31.98 Christ will sustain you with His mighty word of power. 00:26:32.01\00:26:39.53 This isn't just positive thinking 00:26:39.56\00:26:43.22 this is speaking God's word 00:26:43.25\00:26:47.00 the word that is alive and active. 00:26:47.03\00:26:49.78 It is speaking the Word of God 00:26:49.81\00:26:52.54 into our lives and like Jeremiah 00:26:52.57\00:26:56.31 as we eat God's word it becomes 00:26:56.34\00:27:01.16 the joy and rejoicing of our heart. 00:27:01.19\00:27:05.32 This is something that has been 00:27:05.35\00:27:08.34 life changing not only from me 00:27:08.37\00:27:11.53 but I have got literally hundreds upon hundreds 00:27:11.56\00:27:16.58 of testimonies that people had written in to tell me 00:27:16.61\00:27:21.06 how this learning means practice has changed their life 00:27:21.09\00:27:26.55 because there truly is 00:27:26.58\00:27:29.72 transforming power in scripture. 00:27:29.75\00:27:33.52 And I hope that you will join us again 00:27:33.55\00:27:38.45 next time as we consider 00:27:38.48\00:27:41.77 how the transforming power of affirmations 00:27:41.80\00:27:46.44 from scripture can change our life. 00:27:46.47\00:27:49.76 We thank you so much for joining us. 00:27:49.79\00:27:52.22 We hope that you are enjoying this series 00:27:52.25\00:27:55.90 and as always our prayer for you 00:27:55.93\00:27:58.89 is that the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 00:27:58.92\00:28:03.38 the love of the Father 00:28:03.41\00:28:04.97 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 00:28:05.00\00:28:07.63 will be with you today and always. 00:28:07.66\00:28:11.11