Hello, I'm Shelly Quinn. 00:00:00.96\00:00:02.06 Please join us today on "Pressing in to His Presence" 00:00:02.10\00:00:04.63 to learn how to wheel the sword of the spirit 00:00:04.67\00:00:08.37 in your prayer time. 00:00:08.40\00:00:09.84 Welcome to "Pressing in to His Presence." 00:00:31.19\00:00:33.60 In this series we are learning 00:00:33.63\00:00:35.23 how to use the praise prayer pattern, 00:00:35.26\00:00:38.17 the P-R-A-I-S-E prayer pattern to draw near to God. 00:00:38.20\00:00:43.54 And that is simply and acronym that labels different segments 00:00:43.57\00:00:47.61 of the certain type of deeper prayer. 00:00:47.64\00:00:50.31 The "P" stands for starting our prayer by praising God. 00:00:50.35\00:00:54.62 The "R" stands for repentance 00:00:54.65\00:00:56.72 and we'd cover these concepts in previous programs. 00:00:56.75\00:00:59.92 Today we will focus on the "A" 00:00:59.95\00:01:02.42 which stands for affirmations and simply means 00:01:02.46\00:01:06.09 applying God's promises to our lives personally 00:01:06.13\00:01:09.86 and applying them during our prayer time. 00:01:09.90\00:01:13.34 If you are using the companion book 00:01:13.37\00:01:15.57 Pressing in to His Presence 00:01:15.60\00:01:17.01 we're beginning this session on page 83. 00:01:17.04\00:01:21.34 You know, God worked a radical change in my life 00:01:21.38\00:01:25.51 when He taught me to return 00:01:25.55\00:01:27.25 His promises to Him during prayer 00:01:27.28\00:01:29.82 and to confess scripture as an affirmation of faith 00:01:29.85\00:01:33.25 and His ability to perform His word. 00:01:33.29\00:01:36.26 This program will briefly introduce 00:01:36.29\00:01:39.09 the concept of the teaching 00:01:39.13\00:01:41.00 that I've shared before in my books 00:01:41.03\00:01:43.16 and also a program on 3ABN called Exalting His Word. 00:01:43.20\00:01:48.04 In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says this. 00:01:48.07\00:01:53.88 "My thoughts are not your thoughts, 00:01:53.91\00:01:56.44 nor are My ways your ways," says the Lord. 00:01:56.48\00:02:00.32 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 00:02:00.35\00:02:03.15 so are My ways higher than your ways, 00:02:03.18\00:02:05.29 and My thoughts than your thoughts." 00:02:05.32\00:02:08.09 You know, finding out minds like ours 00:02:08.12\00:02:10.56 can scarcely grasp the infinite ways them of God. 00:02:10.59\00:02:14.83 His thoughts are beyond 00:02:14.86\00:02:16.50 the natural boundaries of our imagination. 00:02:16.53\00:02:19.43 Without the Holy Spirits help, 00:02:19.47\00:02:21.94 God's ways are mind-boggling to modern man. 00:02:21.97\00:02:25.97 The man without the spirit cries out why? 00:02:26.01\00:02:29.21 He is not learn to trust God to-- 00:02:29.24\00:02:33.28 or even to interpret God's perfect love. 00:02:33.31\00:02:37.42 Jesus said in John 17:3, 00:02:37.45\00:02:41.19 that "This is eternal life that they may know you, 00:02:41.22\00:02:45.89 the only God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." 00:02:45.93\00:02:50.60 What is it mean to know God? 00:02:50.63\00:02:53.97 The verb know in this verse 00:02:54.00\00:02:56.60 is means to understand completely. 00:02:56.64\00:03:00.31 It conveys the thought 00:03:00.34\00:03:02.08 of very intimate connection or union. 00:03:02.11\00:03:05.91 God's great desire is for mankind 00:03:05.95\00:03:08.82 to know Him as Creator, righteous judge, 00:03:08.85\00:03:12.35 Redeemer, mediator, gracious benefactor 00:03:12.39\00:03:16.26 and our perfect abba Father. 00:03:16.29\00:03:19.09 To know Him as our sovereign Lord 00:03:19.13\00:03:22.16 and the lover of our souls. 00:03:22.20\00:03:24.50 God wants us to experience 00:03:24.53\00:03:27.54 His love, light, life and power. 00:03:27.57\00:03:31.24 It is life eternal to know Him this way. 00:03:31.27\00:03:34.84 Jesus proclaimed in John 14:6, 7 00:03:34.88\00:03:40.72 He said, "I'm the way the truth and the life, 00:03:40.75\00:03:44.82 no one comes to the father except through Me. 00:03:44.85\00:03:48.16 If you had knowing Me, 00:03:48.19\00:03:50.69 you would have known My father also 00:03:50.73\00:03:53.19 and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." 00:03:53.23\00:03:57.73 Jesus tells us that we can know God 00:03:57.77\00:04:01.90 through His written word the Bible. 00:04:01.94\00:04:04.74 God enfolds the Revelation of Himself 00:04:04.77\00:04:07.18 and His plans that He has for mankind. 00:04:07.21\00:04:10.01 And through His living word Jesus Christ 00:04:10.05\00:04:13.45 He revealed 00:04:13.48\00:04:14.98 the exact representation of His character. 00:04:15.02\00:04:18.62 The author-- the author of Hebrews says that, 00:04:18.65\00:04:22.46 "Jesus is the perfect imprint 00:04:22.49\00:04:25.73 the vary image of God's nature. 00:04:25.76\00:04:30.33 When we see Jesus, we see the Father 00:04:30.37\00:04:34.47 one in thought purpose in action 00:04:34.50\00:04:37.14 they hear the identical personality character 00:04:37.17\00:04:40.48 and the essence of love and motivation. 00:04:40.51\00:04:44.08 Christ is empowered to give us eternal life 00:04:44.11\00:04:46.98 by bringing us into the knowledge of God. 00:04:47.02\00:04:50.02 And our entrance to knowing Him is through the Bible. 00:04:50.05\00:04:54.02 An intimate relationship with the Lord 00:04:54.06\00:04:56.76 begins with an intimate relationship with His word. 00:04:56.79\00:05:01.36 From 1995 to 2002 00:05:01.40\00:05:04.30 the Lord led me into a deeper relationship 00:05:04.33\00:05:08.44 with Him by first revealing that His higher thoughts 00:05:08.47\00:05:11.67 and ways or not mine 00:05:11.71\00:05:14.44 and He revealed them to that I may know Him better. 00:05:14.48\00:05:17.61 First He introduced me to intimacy with His word 00:05:17.65\00:05:21.92 providing spiritual food for my growth. 00:05:21.95\00:05:24.82 Then He called me to press in to His presence 00:05:24.85\00:05:27.56 in prayer teaching me to exhale the pollution of the world 00:05:27.59\00:05:32.16 and inhale His sweet breath of life. 00:05:32.19\00:05:35.76 And next God guided me 00:05:35.80\00:05:37.97 through an intensive sanctuary study. 00:05:38.00\00:05:41.27 You know, in Psalm 77:13 the Bible says, 00:05:41.30\00:05:45.14 "Your way, O Lord, is in sanctuary, 00:05:45.17\00:05:48.81 who is so great a God, like our God." 00:05:48.84\00:05:52.55 It was that sanctuary study 00:05:52.58\00:05:54.58 which revealed to me God's ultimate way of salvation. 00:05:54.62\00:05:58.05 And finally He taught me 00:05:58.09\00:06:00.06 how to walk in the power of surrender to Him 00:06:00.09\00:06:02.79 which we will study in an up coming program. 00:06:02.82\00:06:05.86 Though I consider myself a Christian 00:06:05.89\00:06:08.66 prior to the years of 1995, 00:06:08.70\00:06:11.60 it was through these actions 00:06:11.63\00:06:13.07 that I came to know God and understand His plan. 00:06:13.10\00:06:16.91 Perhaps the most curious of all human behaviors 00:06:16.94\00:06:20.94 is that we can learn life changing lessons 00:06:20.98\00:06:23.85 from our Lord only to abandon them 00:06:23.88\00:06:27.98 to abandon the practice of them later. 00:06:28.02\00:06:31.12 I'm pretty certain that you can identify with this dilemma. 00:06:31.15\00:06:36.86 Its hard me to think otherwise because too many people 00:06:36.89\00:06:41.13 had that I have spoken to have acknowledged 00:06:41.16\00:06:44.13 this common fault that we share. 00:06:44.17\00:06:46.27 God teaches us a better a way 00:06:46.30\00:06:48.27 and we walk joyfully in its path for a while 00:06:48.30\00:06:51.17 only to awake one day 00:06:51.21\00:06:52.97 and realize we're no longer following His lesson plan. 00:06:53.01\00:06:57.05 To my point God revealed to me 00:06:57.08\00:06:59.61 the transforming power of His word 00:06:59.65\00:07:02.65 when He taught me to make affirmations from scripture. 00:07:02.68\00:07:07.02 It was a life changing experience 00:07:07.06\00:07:09.52 and for two years I walked so closely to Him 00:07:09.56\00:07:13.26 I felt like I could sense His heartbeat 00:07:13.29\00:07:16.30 but later miss placed priorities had me 00:07:16.33\00:07:19.83 slaving nonstop for start up company. 00:07:19.87\00:07:23.17 I abandoned the affirmation practice for 18 months 00:07:23.20\00:07:26.64 and found myself distanced from God. 00:07:26.68\00:07:29.78 He graciously corrected my backsliding 00:07:29.81\00:07:33.38 in September 1999 00:07:33.42\00:07:35.78 when he called me to pray an hour each morning 00:07:35.82\00:07:38.42 teaching me to press in to His presence. 00:07:38.45\00:07:42.92 And during the first 14 mornings 00:07:42.96\00:07:45.03 of this special prayer time, 00:07:45.06\00:07:46.90 I learned to praise, I learned repentance 00:07:46.93\00:07:50.03 and I assumed the role of prayer warrior. 00:07:50.07\00:07:53.27 God even opened my spiritual ears 00:07:53.30\00:07:55.97 to identify His still small voice 00:07:56.00\00:07:58.54 that I continue to lack sufficient spiritual power 00:07:58.57\00:08:02.68 to walk victoriously throughout the day with Christ. 00:08:02.71\00:08:06.58 So, on the 15th morning my problem became evident. 00:08:06.61\00:08:11.69 I had unplugged from my spiritual powers source, 00:08:11.72\00:08:17.39 affirmations from scripture 00:08:17.43\00:08:19.89 and when I added a generous portion of affirmations 00:08:19.93\00:08:23.23 to my daily prayer the dynamics 00:08:23.26\00:08:26.03 in my Christian walk were immediately changed. 00:08:26.07\00:08:30.27 In a flesh I was infused with faith 00:08:30.31\00:08:33.91 and I went from pitiful to powerful. 00:08:33.94\00:08:37.15 Once again I was the word warrior 00:08:37.18\00:08:39.05 armed with the sword of the spirit 00:08:39.08\00:08:41.05 and ready to defend myself against the enemy. 00:08:41.08\00:08:44.62 It was several months later in January 2000 00:08:44.65\00:08:48.19 that the Lord led me through the sanctuary study 00:08:48.22\00:08:51.69 and this opened my eyes 00:08:51.73\00:08:53.90 to see the surfacing of the sanctuary theme 00:08:53.93\00:08:57.77 in the praise pattern the P-R-A-I-S-E prayer pattern. 00:08:57.80\00:09:02.10 So, let's review how it has related that far. 00:09:02.14\00:09:04.97 As we began our journey to press in to His presence, 00:09:05.01\00:09:08.81 to press before His throne of grace 00:09:08.84\00:09:11.18 we started with the praise segment. 00:09:11.21\00:09:13.28 We entered His gates with thanksgiving 00:09:13.31\00:09:15.25 in into His courts with praise that was due His holy name. 00:09:15.28\00:09:20.92 And our next steps correlative actions 00:09:20.96\00:09:23.43 found in the outer court of sanctuary. 00:09:23.46\00:09:25.89 We embraced repentance confessing our sin 00:09:25.93\00:09:29.16 and pleading the blood of Jesus 00:09:29.20\00:09:30.80 over our failures equating to the symbolism 00:09:30.83\00:09:34.94 of the altar of burnt offering and what it represented. 00:09:34.97\00:09:39.07 And like the priest of all purifying themselves 00:09:39.11\00:09:42.01 with the labor we washed our spiritual hands and feet 00:09:42.04\00:09:45.28 in the act of repentance permitting us 00:09:45.31\00:09:47.78 to drawn near to our holy God. 00:09:47.82\00:09:50.25 Now had we been a Levi priest, 00:09:50.29\00:09:52.85 we would now be ready 00:09:52.89\00:09:54.79 to enter into the tent of the ancient sanctuary 00:09:54.82\00:09:59.86 which was much more beautiful on the interior 00:09:59.89\00:10:03.16 than the exterior just as God's people are. 00:10:03.20\00:10:06.90 The sanctuary was 45 feet long and 15 feet wide 00:10:06.94\00:10:12.37 and two third of the space was dedicated to the Holy place. 00:10:12.41\00:10:17.31 The first compartment which measured 00:10:17.35\00:10:19.75 30 feet by 15 feet, 00:10:19.78\00:10:22.42 the Holy place contained three items 00:10:22.45\00:10:25.22 the table of showbread, the golden altar of incense, 00:10:25.25\00:10:28.86 and the golden candle sticks. 00:10:28.89\00:10:30.86 I compare the act of making affirmations from scripture 00:10:30.89\00:10:34.46 to a symbolic entry in to the holy place 00:10:34.50\00:10:37.33 and the setting out of the showbread. 00:10:37.37\00:10:39.47 Here is how it happened in the earthly sanctuary. 00:10:39.50\00:10:42.60 First 12 loafs one for each tribe of Israel 00:10:42.64\00:10:46.41 were prepared fresh on the Sabbath of each week 00:10:46.44\00:10:49.88 and they were arranged in two stacks of six each 00:10:49.91\00:10:54.42 on the table in this holy place. 00:10:54.45\00:10:57.35 And since this was an act of worship 00:10:57.39\00:10:59.72 the labor was not considered Sabbath breaking. 00:10:59.75\00:11:02.89 The loafs were flat bread, they were baked without leaven. 00:11:02.92\00:11:07.30 Leaven was a type of fermentation 00:11:07.36\00:11:09.70 like yeast the cause bread to rise 00:11:09.73\00:11:12.17 and it was viewed as a symbol of corruption 00:11:12.20\00:11:16.17 or evil influence during Bible times. 00:11:16.20\00:11:19.54 So now on top of each of these stacks of six 00:11:19.57\00:11:23.88 there was placed a golden cup of frankincense 00:11:23.91\00:11:27.05 which was burned with fire coals 00:11:27.08\00:11:30.59 as an offering to the Lord 00:11:30.62\00:11:32.45 when the showbread was changed. 00:11:32.49\00:11:34.99 The loafs were a thank offering 00:11:35.02\00:11:37.26 and memorial of God's constant provision for nourishment 00:11:37.29\00:11:41.96 because they would set out before the Lord 00:11:42.00\00:11:45.53 the loafs were called showbread 00:11:45.57\00:11:48.14 and they were also referred to 00:11:48.17\00:11:50.21 as the bread of His presence or holy bread. 00:11:50.24\00:11:54.91 As new showbread was set out each Sabbath 00:11:54.94\00:11:58.38 the previous loafs were removed 00:11:58.41\00:12:01.12 and they were eaten by the priests. 00:12:01.15\00:12:03.85 And you know they were eaten their in the holy place. 00:12:03.89\00:12:06.69 Leviticus 24:9 says, 00:12:06.72\00:12:10.59 "They shall eat it in the holy place, 00:12:10.63\00:12:14.00 for it is most holy unto him." 00:12:14.03\00:12:18.20 Let's consider why I compare affirmations to the showbread. 00:12:18.23\00:12:23.57 First John 1:14 tells us 00:12:23.61\00:12:26.98 that Jesus is the word of God incarnate saying 00:12:27.01\00:12:30.48 "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 00:12:30.51\00:12:33.55 and we beheld his glory, the glory 00:12:33.58\00:12:36.28 as of the only begotten of the Father, 00:12:36.32\00:12:39.02 full of grace and truth." 00:12:39.05\00:12:41.39 And in John 6:35 Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. 00:12:41.42\00:12:46.26 He who comes to me shall never hunger." 00:12:46.29\00:12:50.30 And then in Matthew 4:4 He said, 00:12:50.33\00:12:52.37 "It is written man shall not live by bread alone 00:12:52.40\00:12:56.17 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." 00:12:56.20\00:13:00.44 So, we see that God's word is our spiritual bread. 00:13:00.48\00:13:04.51 It is given to us as a constant provision 00:13:04.55\00:13:08.42 for nourishment to maintain vibrant spiritual lives. 00:13:08.45\00:13:14.09 Jeremiah 15:16 Jeremiah says I love this, 00:13:14.12\00:13:18.39 "Your words were found, and I ate them, 00:13:18.43\00:13:22.30 and Your word was to me the joy 00:13:22.33\00:13:25.47 and rejoicing of my heart." 00:13:25.50\00:13:28.27 You know, as we partake of His holy bread His promises, 00:13:28.30\00:13:33.71 we ingest the bread of His presence 00:13:33.74\00:13:37.35 and we partake of His divine nature. 00:13:37.38\00:13:40.32 If there is any promise in the Bible 00:13:40.35\00:13:42.58 that I would say is the most favorite 00:13:42.62\00:13:46.19 at least I'm gonna say it today there are so many. 00:13:46.22\00:13:49.29 But it's 2 Peter 1:4 which tells us this, 00:13:49.32\00:13:54.46 it says "By which we have been given to us 00:13:54.46\00:14:00.14 exceedingly great and precious promises, 00:14:00.17\00:14:04.31 that though these" through what? 00:14:04.34\00:14:06.47 "Through these promises 00:14:06.51\00:14:09.11 you maybe partakers of the divine nature." 00:14:09.14\00:14:15.38 That is so exciting to me. 00:14:15.42\00:14:18.09 Affirmations are simply taking His promises 00:14:18.12\00:14:22.12 symbolic of that holy bread, bread without leaven 00:14:22.16\00:14:26.26 and setting the mount before God 00:14:26.29\00:14:28.33 in our own symbolic table of showbread offering. 00:14:28.36\00:14:33.67 This serves as our memorial of His constant predation 00:14:33.70\00:14:38.47 of spiritual nourishment for us. 00:14:38.51\00:14:41.51 So, how do we describe affirmations from scripture? 00:14:41.54\00:14:45.55 You know, I realize that giving 00:14:45.58\00:14:47.25 to this whole recap of a book in a whole 22 series program 00:14:47.28\00:14:52.69 in just very short time. 00:14:52.72\00:14:54.59 But let me just describe them for you. 00:14:54.62\00:14:57.36 Affirmations are more than a mere prayer request. 00:14:57.39\00:15:01.20 We are taking God's word His promises 00:15:01.23\00:15:03.87 and we are returning to Him, 00:15:03.90\00:15:05.97 His word is a thank offering as a declaration of faith 00:15:06.00\00:15:10.67 that we agree with God's testimony 00:15:10.71\00:15:13.34 and we acknowledge His word as truth. 00:15:13.38\00:15:16.91 As we pray His promises back to Him 00:15:16.95\00:15:19.45 we're confessing who we are in Christ 00:15:19.48\00:15:22.25 and it results in a personal application of God's promises. 00:15:22.28\00:15:28.09 For example, we can take 2 Corinthians 5:17 00:15:28.12\00:15:32.33 and say, thank you Lord 00:15:32.36\00:15:33.93 that I am a new creation in Christ" 00:15:33.96\00:15:37.17 or we can pray 00:15:37.20\00:15:40.34 saying, thank you Father, 00:15:40.37\00:15:42.87 that you are working in me both to will 00:15:42.90\00:15:46.31 and to do your good pleasure. 00:15:46.34\00:15:48.34 Thank you Lord, that if I cooperate with you, 00:15:48.38\00:15:51.05 you will cause me to be 00:15:51.08\00:15:52.55 all that you've called me to be. 00:15:52.58\00:15:55.18 You know, in Job 23:12 the great patriot said, 00:15:55.22\00:16:00.99 "I have not departed from the commandments of his lips. 00:16:01.02\00:16:05.76 I have treasured the words of his mouth 00:16:05.79\00:16:09.16 more than my necessary food." 00:16:09.20\00:16:11.57 You see, even God's commandments, are promises 00:16:11.60\00:16:15.70 of what He will perform in our lives. 00:16:15.74\00:16:18.34 There is transforming power in the Word of God. 00:16:18.37\00:16:23.51 In fact, God guarantees-- 00:16:23.55\00:16:26.85 we just read it in 2 Peter 1:4 00:16:26.88\00:16:29.68 that as you partake of His promises 00:16:29.72\00:16:33.72 you will partake of His divine nature. 00:16:33.76\00:16:38.36 The word becomes your testimony, 00:16:38.39\00:16:41.40 it becomes the treasure of your heart. 00:16:41.43\00:16:45.00 I know in 1995 when God first instructed me 00:16:45.03\00:16:49.40 to make affirmations from His promises 00:16:49.44\00:16:52.37 in regard to a health issue that I was suffering 00:16:52.41\00:16:55.28 I resided them with reverend devotion 00:16:55.31\00:16:59.08 night after night returning His word to Him 00:16:59.11\00:17:02.35 in the form of prayer 00:17:02.38\00:17:04.55 and actually it didn't take long 00:17:04.59\00:17:08.22 before I was struggling with self doubt. 00:17:08.26\00:17:11.03 Had the Lord really called me to do this? 00:17:11.06\00:17:14.40 Faith seem to be just beyond my grasp 00:17:14.46\00:17:18.47 and I cried out oh, Father, help my unbelief 00:17:18.50\00:17:23.10 and the Lord let me to three verses 00:17:23.14\00:17:27.34 that absolutely created 00:17:27.38\00:17:29.68 a fireworks display of faith in my heart. 00:17:29.71\00:17:33.28 The first was this Isaiah 55:11 00:17:33.31\00:17:38.79 which says, this is the Lord speaking. 00:17:38.82\00:17:42.42 "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth, 00:17:42.46\00:17:46.66 it shall not return to Me void, 00:17:46.70\00:17:49.46 but it shall accomplish what I please, 00:17:49.50\00:17:53.03 and it shall prosper in the thing 00:17:53.07\00:17:55.67 for which I sent it." 00:17:55.70\00:17:57.51 And the next verse is Jeremiah 1:12, 00:17:57.54\00:18:00.84 "Then said Lord to me, you have seen well, 00:18:00.88\00:18:05.01 for I" the Lord "I am alert and active, 00:18:05.05\00:18:08.88 watching over My word to perform it." 00:18:08.92\00:18:12.42 And then the third scripture 00:18:12.45\00:18:13.76 He led me to was Romans 4:17 that says, 00:18:13.79\00:18:19.06 "God, who gives life to the dead 00:18:19.09\00:18:22.03 and calls those things 00:18:22.06\00:18:24.10 which do not exist as though they did." 00:18:24.13\00:18:29.04 These verses just leaped 00:18:29.07\00:18:30.84 from the pages and into my heart. 00:18:30.87\00:18:33.88 I understood God's plan 00:18:33.91\00:18:36.01 of practicing affirmations from scripture. 00:18:36.04\00:18:39.51 He was directing me to return His word to Him 00:18:39.55\00:18:43.52 and His word was not without power 00:18:43.55\00:18:46.89 but would accomplish His purposes in my life. 00:18:46.92\00:18:50.09 Why? 00:18:50.13\00:18:51.23 Because He was watching over His word to perform it, 00:18:51.26\00:18:54.40 watching and waiting for me to believe His testimony 00:18:54.46\00:18:58.57 and although my testimony of word confession differed 00:18:58.60\00:19:03.17 from what I then experienced in the physical realm 00:19:03.20\00:19:06.71 I understood that faith begins where sight ends. 00:19:06.74\00:19:12.48 God's words are spoken with the power 00:19:12.51\00:19:16.62 of His promise to fulfill them. 00:19:16.65\00:19:19.19 They are a pledged to His people. 00:19:19.22\00:19:22.46 I was learning to speak like my heavenly Father 00:19:22.49\00:19:26.26 calling things that did not exist 00:19:26.29\00:19:29.73 as though they already did 00:19:29.76\00:19:32.37 and isn't that the essence of faith? 00:19:32.40\00:19:36.34 Hebrews 11:1 says in the amplified version, 00:19:36.37\00:19:41.01 "Now faith is the assurance the confirmation, 00:19:41.04\00:19:45.51 the title deed of the things we hope for, 00:19:45.55\00:19:48.52 being the proof of things we do not see 00:19:48.55\00:19:51.59 and the conviction of their reality 00:19:51.62\00:19:54.46 faith perceiving as real fact 00:19:54.49\00:19:58.59 what is not revealed to the senses." 00:19:58.63\00:20:03.50 God's word is indulged 00:20:03.53\00:20:06.77 with life giving creative power. 00:20:06.80\00:20:10.64 Just think about it how did God create the world? 00:20:10.67\00:20:14.28 He had spoken into existence 00:20:14.31\00:20:16.91 creating something from nothing. 00:20:16.95\00:20:19.25 Just read Genesis 1, 00:20:19.28\00:20:20.55 everything that God said happen. 00:20:20.58\00:20:23.18 His word has the same creative power today 00:20:23.22\00:20:26.99 as it did in the beginning 00:20:27.02\00:20:29.02 and it was doing a work within me. 00:20:29.06\00:20:32.06 Although I had yet to see the evidence 00:20:32.09\00:20:34.50 faith was being formed in my heart. 00:20:34.56\00:20:37.80 Hebrews 4:12 says, 00:20:37.83\00:20:40.04 "For the word of God is living and powerful, 00:20:40.07\00:20:43.74 and sharper than any two edge sword, 00:20:43.77\00:20:46.74 piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, 00:20:46.78\00:20:50.25 and it is a discerner of the thoughts 00:20:50.28\00:20:52.58 and intents of the heart." 00:20:52.61\00:20:55.02 You know, I studied the Greek text 00:20:55.05\00:20:57.39 reveal something remarkable about this premier verse. 00:20:57.42\00:21:01.52 In the Greek language the word two edged 00:21:01.56\00:21:05.36 talking about the two edged sword is distilment. 00:21:05.39\00:21:09.56 It literally the literal translation of it means 00:21:09.60\00:21:13.44 two mouth like a double mouth river. 00:21:13.47\00:21:17.27 I want to read you an affirmation 00:21:17.31\00:21:19.07 the Lord inspired 00:21:19.11\00:21:20.64 from five different scripture sources. 00:21:20.68\00:21:24.28 He gave this to me 00:21:24.31\00:21:25.88 and you'll probably recognize the scripture. 00:21:25.91\00:21:29.08 He has given me the authority and eternal power of His word. 00:21:29.12\00:21:34.46 His word is alive, active, immovable, unshakable. 00:21:34.49\00:21:39.23 His word is a two edge sword 00:21:39.26\00:21:42.23 the first edge struck when He spoken 00:21:42.26\00:21:45.37 the second edge strikes when I speak it. 00:21:45.40\00:21:48.70 As I speak His word I hear the voice of the Lord. 00:21:48.74\00:21:52.31 I am returning His word to Him 00:21:52.34\00:21:54.81 and His word does not return void 00:21:54.84\00:21:57.25 but accomplishes every purpose for which he sent it. 00:21:57.28\00:22:01.22 He actively watches over His word 00:22:01.25\00:22:04.82 to make certain it is fulfilled 00:22:04.85\00:22:08.02 at the perfect time which He has appointed. 00:22:08.06\00:22:12.79 Isn't that powerful? 00:22:12.83\00:22:14.56 You know, when we start speaking like this 00:22:14.60\00:22:18.13 it just changes the way we think. 00:22:18.17\00:22:22.17 What is the primary way that God speaks to us? 00:22:22.20\00:22:26.37 Right here through His word. 00:22:26.41\00:22:28.98 As we include affirmations 00:22:29.01\00:22:31.15 from scripture in our time of prayer 00:22:31.18\00:22:34.62 we are entering into a two way communication 00:22:34.65\00:22:36.92 with our Lord the Word of God 00:22:36.95\00:22:39.69 becomes two mouth as we make it 00:22:39.72\00:22:42.89 the confession over our life. 00:22:42.92\00:22:45.43 Scripture affirmations become alive and active within us 00:22:45.46\00:22:50.67 and affirmation goes beyond claiming. 00:22:50.70\00:22:53.80 It's a confession a word of faith 00:22:53.84\00:22:56.67 that declares we agree with God's wisdom. 00:22:56.71\00:23:02.34 We agree and confirming that God's word 00:23:02.38\00:23:06.18 is our life source and you know what happens, 00:23:06.21\00:23:09.68 it causes His way of thinking to become our way of thinking. 00:23:09.72\00:23:15.69 God's word has more than creative power. 00:23:15.72\00:23:19.96 It has sustaining power. 00:23:20.00\00:23:22.76 Let's look at Hebrews 1:3 00:23:22.80\00:23:25.87 and I am going to read this also 00:23:25.90\00:23:28.34 from the amplified version. 00:23:28.37\00:23:31.44 Hebrews 1:3 says this, "He is the perfect" 00:23:31.47\00:23:35.64 He being Jesus "is the perfect imprint 00:23:35.68\00:23:38.68 and very image of God's nature, 00:23:38.71\00:23:41.62 upholding and maintaining and guiding 00:23:41.65\00:23:44.72 and propelling the universe." 00:23:44.75\00:23:46.62 How? "By His mighty word of power." 00:23:46.65\00:23:51.93 Christ sustains us by His word power 00:23:51.96\00:23:55.36 we plug into our power source 00:23:55.40\00:23:57.93 when we speak affirmations from scripture. 00:23:57.97\00:24:01.24 Paul instructs us to put on the armor of God 00:24:01.27\00:24:04.11 and Ephesians 6:17 he explains 00:24:04.14\00:24:07.18 that the sword of the spirit is the Word of God. 00:24:07.21\00:24:10.58 This makes me think of the story of Eleazar 00:24:10.61\00:24:13.31 a high esteemed mighty man of King David. 00:24:13.35\00:24:16.82 And the Bible says 00:24:16.85\00:24:20.66 "He," Eleazar "arose and attacked the Philistines 00:24:20.69\00:24:23.99 until his hand was weary, 00:24:24.03\00:24:27.13 and his hand stuck to the sword. 00:24:27.20\00:24:30.70 And the Lord brought about a great victory that day." 00:24:30.73\00:24:36.34 Let us like wise cling to the sword 00:24:36.37\00:24:38.97 the sword of the spirit the Word of God. 00:24:39.01\00:24:42.61 When our flesh is too weak God will become our strength 00:24:42.64\00:24:46.38 and He will keep our hands stuck to the sword 00:24:46.41\00:24:49.28 if we will apply the double edge 00:24:49.32\00:24:51.95 two mouth principle to our lives 00:24:51.99\00:24:54.52 He would bring us victory cutting us free 00:24:54.56\00:24:57.73 from the cord of the wicked that binds us. 00:24:57.76\00:25:00.90 When a tempter tries to trip you up 00:25:00.93\00:25:04.00 and entangle your feet in his snare 00:25:04.03\00:25:06.84 pull out your sword and using the verses 00:25:06.87\00:25:10.77 from Roman 6 and 1 Corinthian say 00:25:10.81\00:25:14.48 it is written I am dead to sin but alive to God. 00:25:14.51\00:25:19.18 I am under the power of His grace 00:25:19.21\00:25:21.65 and sin shall not be my master. 00:25:21.68\00:25:24.05 I have put on Christ 00:25:24.09\00:25:25.59 and I'll make no provision for my flesh. 00:25:25.62\00:25:28.06 God has given me the victory 00:25:28.09\00:25:30.56 through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:25:30.59\00:25:34.23 When the enemy tries to cloud your mind with confusion 00:25:34.30\00:25:40.24 pull out the sword of the spirit 00:25:40.27\00:25:42.57 and using the verses from 1 Corinthian 14, 00:25:42.60\00:25:47.74 2 Timothy 1 and Psalms 129 say this, 00:25:47.78\00:25:54.15 "It is written. 00:25:54.18\00:25:56.85 God is not the author of confusion but of peace. 00:25:56.89\00:26:02.56 I have been given a spirit of power, 00:26:02.59\00:26:06.86 a spirit of love and I know that my God 00:26:06.90\00:26:12.97 is a spirit of sound mind 00:26:13.00\00:26:15.00 and I know that might God is a righteous. 00:26:15.04\00:26:19.54 He has cut me free from the cord of the wicked. 00:26:19.57\00:26:24.71 You know, as you claim these promises 00:26:24.75\00:26:28.95 wielding the sword of the spirit 00:26:28.98\00:26:31.89 Christ will sustain you with His mighty word of power. 00:26:31.92\00:26:39.43 This isn't just positive thinking 00:26:39.46\00:26:43.10 this is speaking God's word 00:26:43.13\00:26:46.87 the word that is alive and active. 00:26:46.90\00:26:49.67 It is speaking the Word of God 00:26:49.70\00:26:52.44 into our lives and like Jeremiah 00:26:52.47\00:26:56.21 as we eat God's word it becomes 00:26:56.24\00:27:01.05 the joy and rejoicing of our heart. 00:27:01.08\00:27:05.22 This is something that has been 00:27:05.25\00:27:08.26 life changing not only from me 00:27:08.29\00:27:11.43 but I have got literally hundreds upon hundreds 00:27:11.46\00:27:16.46 of testimonies that people had written in to tell me 00:27:16.50\00:27:20.94 how this learning means practice has changed their life 00:27:20.97\00:27:26.44 because there truly is 00:27:26.47\00:27:29.61 transforming power in scripture. 00:27:29.64\00:27:33.42 And I hope that you will join us again 00:27:33.45\00:27:38.35 next time as we consider 00:27:38.39\00:27:41.69 how the transforming power of affirmations 00:27:41.72\00:27:46.36 from scripture can change our life. 00:27:46.39\00:27:49.63 We thank you so much for joining us. 00:27:49.66\00:27:52.10 We hope that you are enjoying this series 00:27:52.13\00:27:55.77 and as always our prayer for you 00:27:55.80\00:27:58.77 is that the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 00:27:58.81\00:28:03.28 the love of the Father 00:28:03.31\00:28:04.88 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 00:28:04.91\00:28:07.52 will be with you today and always. 00:28:07.55\00:28:11.09