Lesson 3 The Sower Sows The Seed

     As we look into the parable of the sower and see the importance of holding fast the seed of the Word, we're faced with some things to watch for.  Your heart (spirit) is the soil that Jesus spoke of in this parable.  The seed is the Word (or words that are spoken) that Jesus is sowing at the time He spoke it.
     As we go deeper into this parable that Jesus is presenting, we come to Mark 4:18-19 (Amplified) which says, "And the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word."  Verse 19 goes on, "Then the cares of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamor and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word and it becomes fruitless."
     This statement covers so many things that it's hard to determine which one is more serious.  It depends on the person, I suppose, as to which one would be what would make the Word unfruitful.
     In the world today, all the lines seem to have been blurred as to what's acceptable and what's not.  Just listening to the voice of the people will choke out the Word.  Some things that aren't always wrong can get out of hand.  Having a camp at the lake is a fun thing, but this camp can become something that takes all your thought and time.  The deceitfulness of riches is the idea that if we work two jobs and get ahead a little bit, then we can settle down in later years.  The trouble with this is that what we make extra goes as quickly as the other and we never seem to reach our goal.
     Many things we used to do in the world still have a hold on Christian people and they never seem to fully enter into the fullness of what God has for His people.  Their witness has been tainted by lifestyle and they seem to not lead others to Christ.
     These people don't seem to build their lives around Jesus, but try to fit Jesus into their busy lives.  Their Christian walk becomes one of convenience instead of a necessity of centering on Jesus.  They seldom attend church, they have very little outreach to other people, and they become self-centered instead of others centered.  They find and fellowship with others they can feel more comfortable around instead of seeking a deeper walk with the Lord.  I don't believe this has to do with their going to haven when they die as much as it has do to with their response to Jesus' Lordship here on earth.
     I see a big difference in one 's choice to make Jesus his Savior and in making Jesus Lord of your life.  I believe there's a difference between being forgiven of your sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness and in actually walking in and being led by the Spirit.  These are those who Paul referred to as "walking as mere men" in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (Amplified) which says, However, brethren, I could not talk to you as spiritual (men), but as to non-spiritual (men of flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates) as to mere infants (in the new life) in Christ (unable to talk yet)."  Verse 2 says, "I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough (to be ready for it); but even yet you are not strong enough (to be ready for it)."  Verse 3 , "for you are still unspiritual (having the nature) of the flesh (under the control of ordinary impulses).  For as long as (there are envying and jealous and wrangling and factions among you, are not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men."
     If you will notice, Paul, in verse one, calls them "brethren."  These aren't lost and unsaved people, but those who have no idea what happened to them after they were saved.
     The cares and anxieties of the world entered in and choked out the Word.  If your heart (spirit) is the soil for this seed, then you must "tend" the garden.  If you plant a garden, then you must be prepared to weed it and tend it.  If you fail to do so, then the weeds will begin to choke out the garden and what was planted will be greatly limited.  Your garden will become unfruitful and barren of produce.
     Notice how all these things entered in when you became good soil.  The Word was the seed that was sown and all the other things came in from outside.

Lesson 2 The Sower Sows The Word

     In the parable of the sower, Jesus compared a man sowing seed in the ground to a man preaching the Word of God.  Jesus makes the comparison between the soil and the heart of a man who hears the Word being preached.  In the case of the parable from Mark 4, Jesus is the One sowing the Word.  Today, the sower pertains to whosoever is preaching or sharing the Word with another person.  In both cases, the Word of God is the seed that's being referred to.
     The seed in this parable is not the problem, the soil is.  Mark 4:16-17 (Amplified) says that, "In the same way the ones sown upon stony ground are those who, when they hear the Word, at once receive and accept and welcome it with joy.  And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away."
     We have, at one time or another,seen these people who for whatever reason become displeased and fall away.  It doesn't make a difference the reason, it just happens.
      Once again we see that the reason for the persecution or trouble that comes is because of the Word.  It didn't come because of the person, but because of the Word.  This Word that is sown in the heart of a hearer is the most dangerous thing that satan can face.
     This person has no real root in themselves and are easily offended.  The enemy will use whatever offends and displeases this person against them.  They heard the Word with joy and then fell away when things didn't work out the way they planned.
     When you get born again, things change in every part of our lives.  Things we used to do are things we don't do anymore.  Things we used to say, we don't say anymore.  We sometimes think that everything will just happen, but it doesn't.  Learning to walk in the Word takes time.  We start as babies, and grow into mature men and women.  It's a process that can be sped up by good teaching and study, but it takes both.
     The main thing I want you to notice is that all the trouble was because of the Word that they heard.  This weapon of persecution and trouble is something that satan has used for hundreds of years.  We used to hear it said that if you will just receive Jesus, then everything will be alright.  We found out that, as far as the world is concerned, everything will not be alright.  It may be alright between you and Jesus, but not between you and satan.  By receiving Jesus, you just declared war on the devil and his army.
     I think that this is something that most of us didn't understand when we got saved.  The parable of the sower shows us that Jesus expected the enemy to show up and was putting forth a rally cry to be ready when it happens.  Once we could understand that this would happen, we could be prepared for when it comes.  This is an ongoing attack by satan throughout our entire walk with the Lord.  each and every time we begin to walk into a new place with Jesus, we are still under attack.
     As we grow in the Lord, we keep getting new revelations and new things in our lives.  If we don't get offended when everything doesn't work without trouble, then we'll continue growing.  When you become a mailman; dogs come.  It just goes with the job.
     1 Peter 4:12 (Amplified) says, "Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you."
      Peter talks about the trial of your faith.  Who is trying you is the thing that most Christians have a problem with.  Some have been taught that it's God Who is trying you, but according to what Jesus preached, it's satan that has come to take away the Word.  Once you come to the knowledge that it's the devil doing the troubling, it's a lot easier to walk it out.  Now, I know that if I hold fast and continue to grow, then God (by His Word) will deliver me.
     If you will stand against the enemy, then you'll be able to hold the seed of God's Word until it grows into a harvest of grace in your life.  It takes time for an acorn to become an oak tree, but it will happen if we keep the seed in the soil.

Lesson 1 The Sower Sows The Word

     We read in Mark 4:13-14 (Amplified) where the sower sows the Word.  Verse 13 says that, "The one's along the path are those who have the Word sown )in their hearts), but when they hear, satan comes at once and (by force) takes away the message which is sown in them."
     There are many things that are to be learned from this parable, but I want to start where Jesus started and go forward.  First of all, the seed that Jesus talked about are words.  Not only God's Word, but words.  The Word of God is what Jesus was speaking of in this parable.  Did you notice that when the Word of God was sown in their hearts and that satan came at once to take it away?
     God told me once that it's a lot easier to dig up an acorn than a tree?  When it's just an acorn, you can uproot it by just kicking it out of the soil by the toe of your boot.  When it begins to put down roots and it becomes a tree, it's much harder to remove.  Satan doesn't come against you because of who you are.  He comes to get this Word out of you before it takes root.
     Once the Word of God is sown in your heart, it must be removed before it gets too hard to remove.  When you get the Word in you, you become dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.  Ephesians 6:17 (Amplified)  says that the sword that the Spirit wields is the Word of God.  The Word is the only part of the armor that's offensive.  All the rest of the armor is defensive.  When Jesus responded to satan on the mountain of temptation, He responded by the Word, "It Is Written."
     When I talk to people about our responsibility in Christianity, many don't seem to want to hear me.  Responsibility is simply your ability to respond.  Your response is to use His ability and not yours.  My ability to respond should be the same response that Jesus used.  "It Is Written" is the response of a Christian in the face of the devil.
     Satan must get the Word out of you before you have a Biblical response to whatever the situation is.  Satan came at once to take the Word out of your heart, by force, the Bible says.  It's not you who is under attack, but the Word of God.
     When I first got saved and had heard the Word of Salvation preached, it seemed as though everything fell apart simultaneously.  satan couldn't keep me from being saved, but came to make me doubt that it really worked.  it got to the point where I began to think I was better off before I heard about Jesus than I was now.
     Satan came to remove the Word by force.  I lost all my old friends, I was hit by things in my livestock and my family, and it seemed like everything I did wasn't working.  Thank God I had a friend who understood some things about God.
     There were some people who tried to tell me that it was God testing me while others tried to tell me it was because of my sin.  Some people even tried telling me to just quit and go back to my old ways.  One person even told me that I was one of those people who were "predestined" not to be saved.  Thank God, my friend told me about the parable of the sower and that it was the enemy trying to discourage me in my salvation.
     When you receive a new revelation about Jesus, then here comes the devil to take away what was sown in your heart.  He has been very successful in stealing the revelation of the Baptism of the Spirit, the revelation of Jesus being a Healer and many other revelations that you learn after you're born again from many Christians.
     Some Christians still struggle over the forgiveness of their sins.  Satan will tell you that things don't work for you because of some unconfessed sin in your life.  The Word didn't say you had to confess every sin, but only that you confess you were a sinner.  No one had to tell you that you were a sinner; you already knew that.  If our salvation depended upon every sin you committed being confessed, then none of us could be saved.  But, nontheless, here comes the devil, by force, to take away the Word that was sown in your heart.
     Once you found out about all yours sins being forgiven, you held onto the seed.  Matthew 4:3-4 (Amplified) says, "And the tempter came and said to Him, 'If you are God's Son, command the stones to be made (loaves) of bread.'"  Verse 4 continues, "But He replies, 'It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"
     Did you notice that Jesus took responsibility for Himself and His ability to respond was The Word.  Did you also notice how quickly the devil got off from the bread thing?  Jesus let the seed take root and it was quite a thing for the devil to try and take it by force.  He didn't give up with one try, but was unsuccessful on all his attempts to remove the seed from Jesus' heart.
     Satan may try you time and time again, but your response-ability should be the Word of God.  If you respond out of your ability, then you will fail, the seed will be taken and you will be left frustrated by your Christianity. 

Lesson 11 The Power Of His Name

     We read in John 1:29 (Amplified) that, "The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, 'Look! There is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.'"
     I wonder sometimes if we really understand why we use the name of Jesus the way we do.  It seems as though we view the Word of God and the name of Jesus almost like a magic book or potion and the Holy Spirit like a genie that appears at the magic word...Jesus.
     Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) tells us that, "The beginning of wisdom is; get wisdom (skillful and Godly wisdom) for skillful and Godly wisdom is the principal thing.  And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension and interpretation)."
     Many of us have for years not understood what the early Church knew about covenant.  Those of us in the Western world never knew the power of covenant or the power of the blood.  Because we never knew, we never understood the power of His name.  Did you ever take note of the fact that everything we do before God or the devil is in the power of Jesus' name?  And, if so, then did you ever wonder why? 
     Under the old covenant, everything was done by sacrifice.  Never was anything done without sacrifice.  All of the singers entered by sacrifice, the priests entered by sacrifice, offerings were made by sacrifice and even when they read the Law and the Commandments, it was by sacrifice.  When the enemy would come against God's children, they made sacrifices.  Even when they observed the Passover, it was in remembrance of the blood and sacrifice.  To walk clean before God took the blood and the sacrifice.
     In 1 Corinthians 11:24-34 (Amplified) the Apostle Paul (who was very instructed under the Law) talked about the table of communion saying that "we were to examine ourselves, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup."  Verse 30 goes on, "for this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep or have died."
     Under the new covenant, we no longer make sacrifice by the offering of blood from bulls and lambs.  We no longer offer up blood by sacrifice, but we do not approach God without blood or sacrifice.  The power of Jesus' name is the power of our covenant.
     When you approach God by the name of Jesus, you bring the remembrance of the Lamb before Him.  When you speak the name of Jesus, you bring (by faith) the Blood of Jesus, our Lamb, into God's presence.  We no longer do the sacrifice by faith into action.  Even when we withstand satan in the name of Jesus, we do as the Old Testament saints did in the exodus.  they put the blood of the Passover lambs on their homes and lives and when the blood was placed in faith, the death angel had to pass over because of the blood.
     When we use the name of Jesus and by faith in the Blood of life, the enemy still has to pass over us because of the sacrifice of the covenant.  A dead spirit has no power over a living sacrifice.  Leviticus 17:11 (Amplified) says,"for the life (the animal soul) is in the blood, and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life (which it represents)."
     Even under the life in the blood of animals, the life was strong enough to turn back death.  How much more the Blood of Jesus when remembered by use of His name.  The name isn't magic; it's life.
     When we offer up the sacrifice by the fruit of our lips saying, "Praise His name," then we present our Lamb.  When we approach God's throne by the power of Jesus' name, we present our Lamb.  When we stand as the priesthood in His name on behalf of others (even the unsaved ones), we present our Lamb.  On behalf of the unsaved, we bring our Lamb when we speak His name on their behalf to The Father.  When we bring gifts of tithes and offerings, we bring the power of Jesus' name in sacrifice.  We no longer make sacrifice because Jesus made The Sacrifice and we bring His name.
     Romans 12:1 (Amplified) says, "I appeal to you therefore brethren, and beg you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted,consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship."
     We're a living sacrifice.  But, how are we a living sacrifice when we were dead in trespass and sin?  By reason of the life giving Blood of our Lamb, Jesus.
     When we use His name, it's as in the old covenant we actually were bringing this Lamb before the Father.  We cannot sacrifice the Lamb of God again, but in love, understanding, and faith we present Jesus in all that He is to the Father by His name.  In John 10:7 Jesus said, "' I am the door of the sheep.'"  His name as our sacrifice, is our entry into the doorway of the Father.  At His name, not only the door opened, but now has become the open door.  Jesus' name (Blood) is our entry to the throne room.
     All of our praise is in His name.  All of our prayer is in His name.  Everything we do is in His name and by His sacrifice.  John 14:13-14 (Amplified) says, "And I will do ( I Myself will grant) whatever you ask in My name (as representing all that I am) so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through The Son).'"  Verse 14 continues, "(Yes) I will grant (I Myself will do for you) whatever you shall ask in My name (as presenting all that I am)."

Lesson 10 The Power Of His Name

     We read in Acts 2:1-4 (Amplified), "And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place."  Verse 2 continues, "when suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting."  Verse 3 says, "And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each of them."  Verse 4 goes on, "and they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues) as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expressions (in each tongue in appropriate words)."
     Until this time, satan only had to contend with one man who was filled with the Holy Ghost.  Jesus was the only one satan had to deal with.  At every turn, Jesus had totally defeated satan and left him helpless.  Suddenly, satan had to deal with 120 more people who walked in this power and wisdom of God.  If this wasn't enough to let the devil know that defeat was total and complete, then he watched in Acts 2:4 where more than 3,000 people were now more than his equal.
     Satan had first thought that when he had crucified Jesus that he'd won the battle and had slain the only one who was victorious.  Now, he knew that he couldn't keep the word of his defeat quiet anymore.  Satan had tried to explain away the absence of Jesus' body by saying that it was stolen, but now that lie was revealed as exactly that; a lie!
     Suddenly, what was one man to deal with was 120 and then to add insult to injury, 300 more were facing him.  His job was more and more difficult now as in Verses 46-47 he saw the people being drawn together by the Holy Spirit into one accord against him.  And, the Word says that they were adding to this number "daily those who were being saved."
     As miracles and healings like those Jesus performed began to be seen by the people and the word of His resurrection began to be proclaimed, satan knew he had to stop it wuickly.  In Acts 4:3-4 (Amplified) Peter and John were still preaching Jesus at every turn.  Satan saw his chance and had them both arrested.  But, to his dismay Verse 4 says that, "many of those who heard the message believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ) and their number grew and came to about 5,000."
     In Acts 4:16 (Amplified) satan is in a complete panic and decides to stir up the people in order to stop the preaching.  Verses 16-17 says, "What are we to do with these men?  for that an extraordinary miracle has been performed by them (through them) is plain to all the residents of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.  But in order that it may not spread further among the people and the nation, let us warn them and forbid them with a stern threat to speak anymore to anyone in this name (or about this person.)"
     Satan couldn't stop what was now a complete shambles of his former control over the people.  The name of Jesus and the truth of His resurrection was being made public knowledge everywhere.  Threatening the people only made them more determined to carry on with their preaching.  Now, not only were Peter and John preaching, but those who believed were preaching Jesus.
     In Acts 4:31 (Amplified) when the people heard the threats that were placed upon Peter and John, they began to pray and when they did "the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage."
     Satan, one would think, would have realized by now that this thing was getting out of hand.  His word of defeat was being published everywhere and satan was powerless to stop it.  The harder he tried, the worse it got for him.  Satan found out the hard way that threats wouldn't work against those who believed and that he had to try something else.
     Satan has know since that day that it was all over for him, yet to this day he tries to stop the name of Jesus from being preached.  In many lands yet today, they will put you in prison or put you to death for preaching Jesus' name.  But, it isn't working.  In many places they won't let Christian preachers into their country.  Bibles are being shipped in like contraband to believers all over the world.  Even in our nation of America, we're seeing the name of Jesus being attacked by public opinion and politicians.  But, it won't work here either.  Jesus' name is above all names.

Lesson 9 The Power Of His Name

     The book of Philippians 2:9-11(Amplified) has lifted Jesus above all else.  This is of the upmost importance in the life of a new creation of God.  We have been called by and in His name and He has conferred upon us the power of attorney to the use of His name.  Every being is subject to His name and there is no name above it.
     We watched as the Holy Spirit revealed the power of His name throughout the book of Acts.  We saw people born again, we saw dead folks raised, we saw crippled people walk, we saw demon powers cry out and leave, we saw amazing prayer power released and all through the power of His name.
     The only name the world cares about is the name of Jesus.  His is the only name that satan has to worry about because he is the one who set up all the other gods and names for himself.  The name of Jesus dethrones all the other gods that satan set up for his own use.  At the name of Jesus, they can't function at all.  Once His name is spoken in faith from the lips of a new creature in Christ, there's no doubt whether they have to obey or not.  Every knee must bow at the name of Jesus.  All of the other gods (little g) were a guise of satan to get praise and power unto himself.  The only thing that can dethrone him is the power of the name of Jesus.
     All of the forces of evil that have ever reigned on the earth were dreamed up by the twisted mind of satan.  He demanded children be sacrificed to some demon god, he demanded unnatural things of the people and innocent blood was shed for his delight.  Even in this day and age, he is still demanding things of the people of the world and they're obeying the dictates of an ungodly spirit unto destruction.
     When the power of the name of Jesus is put into force against him, satan "by any other name" has to back off.  In Ephesians 6:10-18 (Amplified) the instructions that Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit were to keep and protect and protest the child of God.  Verse 12 declares that there is a battle that still rages even after the resurrection of Jesus.  This battle is one that doesn't have to be won over and over again, but it has to be maintained by the believer.  Ephesians 6:16 has given us what we are to use against an enemy that is relentless in his quest for power which is" the shield of faith that quenches all the flaming darts or missiles of the wicked one."  This shield of faith is used and quoted by Peter in Acts 3:16 when he said, 'His name, through and by faith in His name, has made this man whole.'"
     Satan has done his best to see to it that the Church not use the name of Jesus for anything but to be saved.  He can't stop a man from receiving salvation through Jesus' name, but he wants to keep them from knowing and using the power in His name for anything else in their lives.  For the most part, he has been pretty successful in his deceptions.  If he can't keep you from being saved, then he'll keep you from being dangerous to him by blinding us to the extended power in His name.
     Ephesians 6:11 (Amplified) tells us to, "Put on God's whole armor (the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies) that you may be able successfully to stand up against (all) the strategies and the deceits of the devil."  Did you notice that this armor isn't to fight against the devil's power, but against his deceptions?  The power is already yours by virtue of the name that is above every name.
     These are the strategies and the deceits of the enemy.  He will tell you that he is Jesus and he's been very successful in this deception by telling Christians that the sickness, the trial, the hard times and the terrible things happening in our lives, is God teaching us.  In this case, how do you use His name of faith in His name to bring these things to a halt if you believe that it's being done to you by His name?
     Ephesians 6:17 (Amplified) is a scripture that we'd better learn and learn fast and that is "the Word is the sword that the Spirit wields."  If you don't get the true revelation of the name of Jesus and the truth of His name, then you have no weapon of faith.  His name and faith in His name don't work if there's no faith behind it.  Acts 19:12-17 (Amplified) says that the believer must know the power in the name of Jesus.
     If satan can successfully deceive you into thinking His name doesn't work or has no power on a particular thing or purpose, then he will use your own unbelief against you and defeat you in your own ignorance.  You must understand that His name has the highest power in the universe all the time and not just some of the time.  The blood of our Passover Lamb is energized by the power of the name of our Passover Lamb...JESUS!

Lesson 8 The Power Of His Name

     Philippians 2:9 (Amplified) declares that Jesus was given a name above every name.  This isn't just for Christian people, but for the entire world.  For those who believe, it's the path of liberty and for those who don't believe, it's the bondage of sin and death that keeps the world under bondage.
     Jesus said in Luke 4:18 (Amplified) that "when He came it was to set at liberty all that were bound and to set the captives free."  Satan doesn't want you free or at liberty.  He's held the world in bondage for thousands of years and he doesn't want you free.  He will set up different gods for you to serve, but they all serve him so you're still in his bondage.  No matter what god you serve, you're still not free.  Only one name can set at liberty the captives of this world and that's the name of Jesus.
     Even in the Church today, we still hear a lot of teaching about how God's using sickness, calamity, poverty or even the death of a loved one to teach His people.  The devil may not be able to keep you from being born again, but he will still control you by the deception that Jesus is doing these things to you.  We hear all the time about God using cancer or some other disease on His people.  This is the same devil whose always wanted to be God and who will use this religious lie to keep even the liberated people (the Christians) in bondage.
     When you read in the book of Genesis about the Hebrew people in Egypt, you find them in prosperity.  Only when they tried to walk with the One true God did the false gods want them bound and enslaved.  I was always amazed when God told Moses to go into Egypt and set His people free.  I used to wonder why, if they were God's people, then why would they need to be set free anyway.
     The people of God were still serving God and that was something satan couldn't tolerate.  Public opinion was trying to dictate the rules of a heathen god to the children of our God.  It angered satan that  they continued to hold onto Almighty God and he tried to destroy this union and make the people worship him instead.  Satan has always wanted the worship or the place of being God for Himself.  The only way he could do this was through fear and bondage and holding the people in the chains of restraint.
      When Jesus came and preached deliverance to the captives, His name was enough to break every hold of the devil even before His resurrection.  Luke 10:17 (Amplified) says that, "even the demons are subject unto us in [Jesus'] name!"  His name held power even before the crucifixion that the enemy was afraid of and subject to.  After the resurrection, Jesus declared that "all power has been given to me both in heaven and in earth" in Matthew 28:18 (Amplified).
     The only thing satan can do now is to stop Jesus' name from being preached or prevent people from hearing about the power of His name.  Once you've heard about the power of His name and received salvation, satan's only recourse is deceiving you like he did in the Garden of Eden.  He'll say, "Has God really saved you?"
     Satan will ask you whether God has really healed you; whether God really declared you righteous; whether God really doesn't remember your sins anymore; whether God really said you have been given authority by the name of Jesus; whether satan really has no power over you or whether God said that you are one spirit with Him.
     The only thing that satan has going for himself now is the hope to deceive you into believing that Jesus' name really isn't above all names.  He hopes to deceive you into believing that the name (or spirit) of fear or the name (or spirit) of adultery is a name that can't be brought into subjection by the name of Jesus.
     Satan will try and say that the Church is still subject to oppression, depression, fear, torment, guilt, shame, condemnation and the same things that held you in bondage are still Lord over you now.  Satan will try to deceive the Church into believing that they must put off the power of Jesus' name until we get to heaven.  We'll never be able to stand against the forces of the enemy through the power of Jesus' name because we have bought into the lie of public opinion which has been preached in the Church for so long.  

Lesson 7 The Power Of His Name

     The Word has declared in Philippians 2:9-11 (Amplified) that Jesus is a name above all names.  The name of cancer, the name of drugs and any other name you can think of are all names that His name has been lifted above.  We sometimes forget about the power of His name when it comes to other names.  His name is above satan's name, demons names, and above the names of other gods.  No matter what name it may be, Jesus is above it.
     Maybe you haven't noticed lately, but there's been an all out push to stop the name of Jesus from being used in America.  The Bible is treated like a leper in our schools and the Word is treated like it's cursed in our government places.  Prayer is treated worse than foul words or cursing and the name of Jesus isn't allowed in many places at all.  Even when people are allowed to pray at public assemblies, they can't pray in Jesus' name. 
     In Psalms 2:1-3 (Amplified) we are in this place right now, even in America.  Our government will uphold the rights of every other god except ours.  Even our television channels that still contain Christian programs must put a disclaimer saying that the channel doesn't necessarily believe what's being said and that they're not responsible for its content.
     Psalms 2:1-3 (Amplified) says, "Why do the nations assemble with commotion (uproar and confusions of voices) and why do the people imagine (meditate upon and devise) an empty scheme?"  Verse 2 continues, "The Kings of the earth take their places; the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ)."  Verse 3 says, "Let us break their bands (of restraint) asunder and cast their cords (of control) from us."
     This Psalm could be read from today's newspapers about separation of Church and state.  We can't talk about Jesus in any of our classrooms, but we can talk about any other religion's god.  We can study other religions in our classrooms except for Christianity.  We are not allowed to voice the name of Jesus lest we hurt someone's feelings of offend someone else.
     This is nothing more than an attempt of the world to stop His name.  There is only one name and only one God that has any power and that's the name of Jesus.  All of the other gods have no power to curse, or bless, or heal, or move, or answer prayer or to do anything else.  Only the name of Jesus has that power.  When is the last time you heard someone get angry at you and say, "Buddha damn you?"  They don't because there's no power in that name to curse, damn, bless or save.  Only the name of Jesus does.  Did you ever wonder why it's the only name used to cuss someone out?  When someone gets mad and swears, he says,"Jesus Christ" or "God damn you."  Why?  There is no other name with power, but only the name of Jesus.
     The governments of the world are in a frenzy to stop His name.  Psalms 2 says that, "they want to break the bands of restraint and cords of control over them."  What restraint has God placed on people except to tell them that all the ungodly things that they do are wrong.
      I've never seen America under such demonic attack as it is today where they're trying to remove God from everything we see and say.  They want to remove the Word of God and replace It with public opinion.  In the eyes of the enemy, everything is alright as long as that's what the people want.  We no longer want to be reminded of what we do wrong.  And, now wrong has become normal and normal has become wrong.
     Men can marry men, women can marry women, children can be killed without remorse, parents can no longer touch or correct their children and the new normal will prevail against God and His Anointed.  The name of Jesus must be silenced if this to succeed.
    Psalm 2says that "the Kings of the earth take their places and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord."  This is not a passing whim with just our government, but a worldwide attack on the name that has power to save and change our entire world...the power of the name of Jesus.

Lesson 6 The Power Of His Name

     In Philippians 2:9-11 (Amplified) the Word declares that God has highly exalted Jesus and gave Him a name above every name.
     We've known for a long time that Jesus and God's Word are one and the same.  Sometimes we don't always put these two together like we should.
     In John 1:1-14 (Amplified) we see that in verse 9 how this Word was the true light and that this Light was Jesus.  When the Word entered into Mary's womb and became flesh, we called this flesh Jesus.  This Jesus before He took upon Himself this likeness of flesh, was called the Word of God.  Not only is He the Word of God, but He is the Light of the World.
     In the book of Genesis 1:3 (Amplified) God said, "Let there be light" and there was light.  This light was the first of many manifestations of Jesus in Light form, in Word form, in flesh form and in His Glory as the resurrected King of Kings.  Many seem to think that when God spoke Light, it was the sun, but God didn't make the sun and moon until Genesis 1:16.  This Light God spoke forth was what is spoken of in John 1:9 (Amplified) which says, "There it was...the true light (was then) coming into the world (the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light) that illumines every person. Now we can understand some things more clearly."
     When this Light became the Word, then God spoke this Light (by His Word) into Mary's womb and this Word became flesh.  We called this flesh, this man or child, Jesus.  He was always the Son of God in different ways.  Only when He became man was He called Jesus.  He was revealed throughout the old covenant in many forms, but only to the new covenant people was He revealed in this flesh and blood body.
     Now we can understand better when we see 2 Corinthians 4:3-5 (Amplified) about the Light of the gospel being blinded by the god of this world.  John 12:35-36 (Amplified) we see Jesus saying in verse 36 that "while you have the Light, believe in the Light (have faith in it, hold onto it, rely on it) that you may become sons of the Light and be filled with Light."  We also see in John 12:46 (Amplified) Jesus says, "I have come as a Light into the world (whoever cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me) may not continue to live in darkness."
     David did not have Jesus in the old covenant, but he did have the Word.  David writes in Psalm 119:130 (Amplified) that "the entrance and unfolding of Your Words give Light."  So, you see, even though Jesus wasn't revealed as a man until time for the Church age was to begin, the Light was already here from Genesis 1 when God spoke and His Word was released in the world.  Psalm 138:2 (Amplified) gives us more revelation about His name being above every name.  It reads, "I will worship toward Your Holy Temple and praise Your name for Your loving kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your Word, and You have magnified Your Word above all Your name."
     We, as Christian people, have been honored by being able to see the Light, Word, and flesh all being made One.  We can see the exalted Word being named Jesus and actually walking among men and being sacrificed as the Lamb of God.
     When men of God talk about speaking the Word and living the Word (these Word people everyone talks about), we are living in the Light and walking in this Light.  Since Jesus and the Word are actually one and the same, when we walk in the Word, we are walking in Him.  Is there anything that Jesus can do that the Word can't?  If they are the same, then the power of Jesus is in the power of the gospel unto salvation.
     Psalms 107:20 (Amplified) says "He sends His Word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction."  Matthew 8:8 is the scripture where we actually see Jesus and the Word as one.  The Word in Psalms 107:20 actually was made flesh and we saw God's Word work in this natural world.
     When we talk about being in the Word, it's not some religious thing to look holy, but a Light being turned on in our spirit that actually brings health and healing. God says in Proverbs 4:20-27 (Amplified), especially verse 22,"(My Words) are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh."

Lesson 5 The Power Of His Name

     Philippians 2:9-11 (Amplified) says, "Therefore (because He stooped so low) God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name."  Verse 10 says, "that in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth."  Verse 11 goes on, "and every tongue (frankly and openly) confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
     This scripture has more revelation than maybe any other scripture in the whole of the New Testament.  The power of His name when spoken from the lips of a man brings attention to the whole universe.  In years past, the Church believed that you had to "pray through" for God to hear you.  Today, because the Lord has given more revelation than in times past, we know that when you pray in the name of Jesus, you have prayed through.  This name brings instant attention to the ears of the Father, the angels and the devil all at one time.
     Did you ever stop to think that when you were lost in the world and then you wanted out,even the devil (whom we served at that time) couldn't stop the new birth from working in your life?  The best he could do was to try and convince you that it didn't work.  Romans 10:13 (Amplified) says, "For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord (invoking Him as Lord) will be saved."
     When you called on Jesus and spoke His name for salvation, all of the demons in the earth (and under the earth) could not prevent it from working.  If satan had the ability, then he would have stopped it,; but he couldn't.  Romans 5:10 (Amplified) says, "for if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more (certain), now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin's dominion) through His (resurrection) life."
     This name has transferred us forever into the power of His life and daily (and eternal) cleansing.  Romans 1:4-6 (Amplified) says, "And (as to His divine nature) according to the Spirit of Holiness was openly designated the Son of God in power (in striking, triumphant and miraculous manner) by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."  Verse 5 goes on, "It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and (our) apostleship to promoted obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations."  Verse 6 "And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited (as you are) to belong to Him."
     This name gave us salvation, grace, reconciliation and favor, as well as being made righteous before God...all because of the power of His name.  Nothing that we could do or say could do what Jesus' name has done.  His name has broken the devil's hold of guilt and condemnation that used to keep us in bondage.  We felt that after where we were and what we'd done, we had no right to come before a Holy God.  But Jesus broke this hold.  Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) says, "Therefore (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit."  Verse 2 , "for the law of the spirit of life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me from the law of sin and death."
     This name (and faith in His name) will break every twinge of guilt and of condemnation from off of the believer if we will allow it to.  The enemy tries to remind us of who we were to keep us from seeing who we are in Him.  Jesus' name didn't just save us from destruction, but from everything that we ever were.  Only the name of Jesus holds the power to do away with the whole man and present a new man in the presence of God.
     We read in Ephesians 3:12 (Amplified), "In whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an undeserved approach to God with freedom and without fear)."  Hebrews 7;24-25(Amplified) says,"But He holds His priesthood unchangeable, because He lives on forever."  Verse 25 continues, "therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all ti es and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them."
     Only faith in His name and the power of His name can do all of these things.

Lesson 4 The Power Of His Name

     Philippians 2:9-10 (Amplified) tells us, "Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name."  Verse 10 continues, "That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth."
     The name of Jesus is the power of all the body of Christ both now and in the ages to come.  Since we are the body and He is the head, then we are connected by that name.  As the body of Christ, we are His hands when we lay hands on the sick.  We are His feet when we go into the world.  We are His voice when we speak His Word and we are His arms when we hold the ones who need comfort.  We are one person; the head and the body are both called Jesus.
     This name is truly the name above all names.  When His name is used in faith by the believer, it's the same as though Jesus Himself has spoken.  No Christian would ever say that the name of Jesus is void of power, but yet we seem reluctant to speak it out against the enemy.  Somehow we've been talked into believing that we are not worthy of His name.  We want to stay humble before God and yet we want to declare we are born again.  By confessing that we're unworthy we're really telling the Father that Jesus was not enough to redeem you.  We've been taught for centuries that it's prideful to proclaim we're righteous even though it was God Who declared you to be righteous in Jesus.  The teachings many receive will tell you that "you're just an old sinner saved by grace."  Yet in the Word, God declared that through Jesus "our sins and iniquities He remembers no more."  Everything we are in the new birth is because of Jesus.  It's not by our words, but by His.  But, because it's by Him then we should not diminish His work by denying it by false humility.
     We talk about "being but dung" and how much of a wretch we are.  It may sound humble to the Church, but it doesn't sound humble to God.  To stand in the face of God and declare that you are a "beggar on a dung hill" is like saying that Jesus' sacrifice wasn't enough to cleanse you.
     We are what we are because of Jesus and what we are is a far cry from what we were.  We somehow have thought that everything that Jesus did for us is put off until we get to heaven.  If this is our attitude about the Word and the works of Calvary, then we're not much of a threat to the enemy as far as the devil is concerned.
     If the name of Jesus is to be used against the enemy, then who is to use it?  We, as the body of Christ, have been given this name to do with it the same as Jesus did when He walked among men.  The power of His name, when spoken in faith by a believer, is the same as if Jesus spoke it Himself.
     When Jesus spoke to sickness; it left.  When Jesus spoke to demons they cried out and obeyed.  When we speak to sickness or demons in the name of Jesus, it still holds the same power.  Satan isn't intimidated by you or me, but he's afraid of the name of Jesus.
     The authority that the devil has used for so long was usurped authority and was taken by deceit.  The authority the believer has is delegated authority that was taken from the devil by conquest.  This authority was given to the believer by Jesus Himself to continue what He came to do.  Once Jesus was raised from the dead and received in heaven by the Father, this name became ours to use now to fulfill His call in the earth.
     when Jesus commanded "go into all the earth and preach and make disciples," He didn't intend for us to do it in our own name or power.  When Jesus said to use His name as the badge of authority that would move a mountain if need be, we were to use it that way.  The believer is always conscience of the fact that it's not me, but the father in me who does the works.
     You're not exalting yourself by laying hands on the sick or casting out demons or bringing forth a miracle.  You're exalting Jesus because His name is the power that produces these acts.  When a good job is done on your car engine, you don't tell the wrench how great it is.  You tell the mechanic.  So, when someone is healed, it's not the person (or the tool), but the Lord who receives the glory.
     We need to learn how to really believe in what Jesus did and begin to walk in it.  If He made you righteous, then believe that you are righteous.  It's not because of you...it's because of Him.
     If God made you to be the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus like in  2 Corinthians 5:21 (Amplified) , then your confession should be what God said you are and not what you think you are.  True Bible humility is not that you're unworthy, but that because of Jesus, you have been made worthy (whether or not you feel like it).
     That's really what faith is all about.  My faith is in the finished work of Jesus and not about me.  2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified) declares that through Jesus my old man is done away with and I am a new creation in Him.  I don't always feel righteous, but it's not my righteousness that allows me access to my Father, but His righteousness.  So, I humbles myself to believe what God says I am and not in myself. 
     The power of His name isn't when I feel like I have this privilege, but by what the Word said about it.  His name has all the power whether or not I feel like it.  Take what He gave you and forget about you for a while and just walk with Him.  Demons still tremble at His name; not your name.  Just believe in who you are in Him and don't worry about who you used to be.  His name still works.

Lesson 3 The Power Of His Name

     We read in Philippians 2:9-10 (Amplified), "Therefore, (because He stooped so low) God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name."  Verse 10 goes on, "that in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth."  Verse 11 "And every tongue (frankly and openly) confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is lord, to the glory of God the Father."
     This name is the most powerful source of authority in the entire universe.  We, as the Church, haven't (as a whole) really understood the importance of this until now.  The devil's greatest fear is that the Church will finally get this revelation and begin to rise up in this authority and power.  The name of Jesus is the God-given badge of authority in three realms: heaven, earth and under the earth.  When someone in the family of God uses this name in faith, then everyone in these three realms pays attention.
     We read in the Word of God about who we are and about the forces of darkness.  We're intelligent enough to know what the words say, but we're not spiritual enough to really understand what the word means.  We read in Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified), "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents) but against the despotisms, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness, in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere."
     The Word of God is very clear about who and what our enemy is.  There are no other weaponry that's effective against this enemy except for spiritual weaponry.  This is a battle against an outlaw spirit and his army of fallen angels.  He knows what the Word of God says and he knows he's in violation of it, but he doesn't care.  He's an outlaw spirit.
     We have laws in this country against growing, selling and buying narcotics.  Everyone know that it's against the law to do these things, but there are those who have no regard for the law.  These outlaws will continue to violate the law and destroy lives until someone upholds the law and stops them.  If they operate here, it's not the President's fault.  He has declared it illegal and has delegated authority from the highest office in the land to stop it, but authority is of no use if we don't use it.
     We've been given this authority by our Lord Jesus and it's ours to use in our lives for His glory.  The power of His name is of no use to someone who doesn't believe in it.  Mark 16:17 (Amplified) says, "And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages."  Verse 18 continues, "They will pick up serpents and (even) if they drink anything deadly it will not hurt them, they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover."
     These are all spiritual weapons against spiritual forces that are activated by those who believe in His name.     These aren't doctors who lay hands on sick people (thank God for doctors), but that's not what this scripture said.  It said "those who believe shall cast out demons by the power of His name."  All of these attesting signs are spiritual in nature and are used against a spiritual enemy that will only yield to a believer in the power of His name.
     These forces aren't flesh and blood and will not yield to flesh and blood.  They will only obey the power of the spiritual force and the power of the name of Jesus.  We somehow decided that because Jesus has defeated satan that the war is over.  Even though he's been defeated, the devil won't quit.  He knows what the Word says and he knows that he's operating against the law of God, but he doesn't care.  If you don't enforce the law of the power of Jesus' name, then satan will still run rough-shod over you and make your life a mess.  He no longer has the authority (given by Adam) to do this, but he refuses to stop unless you stop him.  James4:7 (Amplified) says, "So be subject to God.  Resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee from you."  How do you resist him if you don't believe he can move against you in the first place?
     In Acts 3:16 (Amplified) Peter made the comment to the people about the man at the gates of the Temple when he said, "And His name, through and by faith in His name, has made whom you see and recognize well and strong."
     Jesus' name and faith in His name is what we used when we called for salvation.  No matter how hard he fought or how much he wanted too, the devil couldn't stop the new birth.  We used His name and faith in His name and all the forces had to shut up.  Where did we ever hear that Jesus' name only worked when we were saved?  Did it somehow lose it's power after that?  If the enemy had to back off and obey then, then doesn't he have to do so now?  He didn't want you saved, but satan couldn't stop it.  He doesn't want you healed, but he can't stop that either.  The power of the name of Jesus in the lips of faith will make this outlaw spirit obey the Word.
     When the Church understands who our Father really is and who the enemy really is, then things will change.  We seem to have some kind of dilemma about this in the Church.  Until we set this straight, we can't use faith in His name.  If you don't know whether God is your problem or your answer, then how can you use faith in the name of Jesus to stop anything.  Jesus said that, "My sheep know My voice."  Without knowing who your enemy is, there can be no faith resistance against him.  We seem to have been placed in a position by wrong teaching that God's still your problem.  If we get sick, then it's God testing us.  If we die early, then God took us to be an angel.  If our job, children, marriage, health, our mind, or whatever comes whether good or bad, get into trouble, then we place it on the head of God.  Why is it afterall this time that we can't tell God and the devil apart?  Some even believe that the whole reason for the creation of the devil was just to test the Church.
     Why are we so quick to believe that the biggest hindrance to our Christian walk is the very on that died so we could become Christians?  Some believe that Jesus died so that they could be saved and then He'll try to push you hard enough to see if you will fail.
     Jesus said that if we see Him, then we have seen the Father.  Maybe you should spend more time watching Jesus.  When did you see Him make someone sick?  When did you see Him try to press someone so hard as to quit?  When did you ever hear Him say that this sickness was God teaching them anything?  Maybe we would have more faith in the power of His name if we knew who He is. 

Lesson 2 The Power Of His Name

     We read in Philippians 2:9 (Amplified), "Therefore (because He stooped so low) God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name."  Verse 10 goes on, "That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth."
     The power of this name is the source of the liberty of the Church, both now and forever.  This name holds all authority both in heaven and earth.  In Matthew 28:18-19 (Amplified), "Jesus approached and breaking the silence, said to them, 'All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.'"  There is no greater power in the universe than the name of Jesus.
     The Church has learned that in order to be saved, they must be born again by making Jesus the Lord of their lives.  We've learned that He bore our sin and have made Him our Savior.  We've allowed Him to be Savior, but don't seem to understand how to make Him Lord.  He's Lord no matter what we say or do.  He's Lord even to the unbeliever and satan himself.  There's no question about His Lordship, but we as the Church have had a problem about knowing how to let Him be Lord.  Like I said, we know Him as our sin-bearer, but do we allow Him to really be Lord in our lives? 
     When God raised Jesus from the dead, and according to Ephesians 1: 16-23 (Amplified) PLEASE READ THESE SCRIPTURES FOR YOURSELF! He placed His name "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named (above every title that can be conferred) not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come."
     There's no higher rule, ever; not just the forgiveness of our sin, but the very power of His name to use on our behalf.  In this same book of Ephesians 3:10 (Amplified), we find that we, the Church, are to use this name in power and righteousness to glorify God by it.  The purpose is" that through the Church the (complicated, many sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects) might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere."
     We, the Church, are to use this name to set at liberty, all who are bound.  The power of His name in the lips of the Church is a fearful sound in the heart of the enemy.  We've used His name in prayer, but some now have been reluctant to use His name in force and command against our adversary.  By not having understood the power of attorney for the use of His name, we have allowed satan to still rule in our lives.
     In Luke 10:17 (Amplified) we read where "the seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!'"  These men weren't born again and Jesus hadn't even gone to the cross or resurrected yet.  Still His name held authority over demonic powers.  Surely, we as the Church, should understand the power of His name more than they did.  Maybe we're afraid we'll overstep our bounds and use this authority wrong.  Or, maybe we've been deceived by the enemy not to use it at all.  Now that you've been born again, you have every right by our Father to the use of His name to maintain your liberty and to give liberty to whosoever will be set free.  The difference of His name in prayer and His name in authority in the lips of the believer is altogether different.
     His name in prayer is access to the throne of God at anytime.  It's the very righteousness that causes God to accept and to hear us.  His name in command is what lets the enemy know that we understand just who this Lord is and that we stand in the power of His name.  James 4:7 (Amplified) says, "So be subject to God, resist the devil (stand firm against him) and he will flee from you."  The only way to resist the devil is to use the name of Jesus and to stand in faith.  Satan doesn't fear you, he fears the name of Jesus.  You can't make a deal with him to leave you alone and satan doesn't care that you are saved.  As a matter of fact, you're the very ones that the devil wants to get too.  He already has the unsaved deceived and now he wants to deceive the believer into thinking he's at satan's mercy.  You weren't left in the enemy's hand as helpless.  You have His name as a legal right to use at your defense.  The enemy understands the power of Jesus' name better than most of the Church.  This name was given to us when He was raised from the dead and is still ours to use.  All of the angels, all of God's Word, and all of God's power is in that name.
     If we have power of attorney to the use of Jesus' name, then everything that His name holds in power and authority is still in His name.  If J.C. Penney gave you the power of attorney, then would have authority over everything he has.  Joseph had power of attorney over all of Egypt and had authority over everything except Pharaoh himself.
     You're not Jesus, but you have His name, His authority, His blood and His Spirit.  You're seated with Him in heavenly places in all power and authority.  Ephesians 2:6 (Amplified) says that, "He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him) in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of our being) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."  If we are in Him and seated with Him, then we have use of His name to command the enemy (just as He did).  When the enemy comes, resist him by the power of the name that is above every name...JESUS!

Lesson 1 The Power Of His Name

     Philippians 2:9-11 (Amplified) says ,"Therefore (because He stooped so low) God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name."  Verse 10 goes on, "that in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow; in heaven and on earth and under the earth."  Verse 11 , "and every tongue (frankly and openly) confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
     This name that was conferred upon Him by the Father, is the Power of our Salvation.  Not just the part of salvation that brings you to heaven when we leave this planet, but the power of our salvation now also.  This is the authority of the believer while we are still here in the flesh and blood body.  We've been given the power of attorney to use His name against the enemy in every realm of our Christian walk.  At the use of this name (and understanding of this name) we have, now, complete authority over everything here.
     Mostly, we have never stepped into the knowledge of this as believers.  In the book of Acts 3:6 (Amplified) we read, "But Peter said, silver and gold (money) I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you; in (the use of) the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."  Verse 8 goes on, "And leaping forth he stood and began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God."
     Peter didn't pray over this man, nor did he ask God to heal him.  Peter simply spoke to him in the name of Jesus and commanded him to rise up and walk.
     There's a big difference between using the authority of His name in prayer and using the authority of His name in a command.  Mostly, we've used His name in our prayer life and we must do so to reach results.  But, using His name in a command of power is something that many Christians don't seem to understand yet.  We're granted the privilege of the use of His name and all of the power of that name in everything we do.  At the sound of that name in the lips of a believer, the enemy has to loose his hold and leave.  When a believer uses that name in faith, it's just as though Jesus Himself spoke it.
     In John 16:26 (Amplified) "Jesus said, at that time (Jesus talking about after His resurrection) you will ask (pray) in My name, and I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf (for it will be unnecessary)."  Verse 27 goes on, "for the Father Himself (tenderly) loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came out from the Father." 
     This is Jesus' name in the power of prayer.  John 14:12-14 (Amplified) says, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you; If anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to My Father."  Verse 13 continues, "and I will do (I Myself will grant) whatever you ask in My name (as presenting all that I am) so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son." Verse 14 ,"(Yes) I will grant (I Myself will do for you) whatever you shall ask in My Name (as presenting all that I Am)."
     John 16 is His name in prayer and John 14 is His name by demand.  You're not demanding Jesus to do something, but you are demanding (by the power of His name) the enemy (in sickness,in bondage, in torment) to loose the captive in whatever he's holding the people, to let them go.  This is what Peter and John did in Acts 3 at the gates of the Temple.  Did you notice that Peter didn't pray for God to heal the man?  He demanded (or commanded) the man to rise and walk at the power of the Name of Jesus.  There's a difference in the Name in prayer and His name in the authority of the believer to use His name.
     As you watch (especially in the book of Acts), the difference in the use of the Name of Jesus, you will see a stark contrast.  In Acts 4:24-31 (Amplified) you see the tremendous power of His name used in prayer.  You find also in Acts 12 when Peter was thrown in jail, as the people prayed, an angel came (as the result of the people praying) and set Peter free.  In Acts 13 you find the Apostle Paul "being confronted by a false prophet named Bar-Jesus."  Acts 13:6 says,"as he opposed those who preached, Paul (by command or demand in the name of Jesus) spoke blindness on this man (Elymas) ."  Verse 11, "and the man needed someone to lead him by the hand."
     One scripture is the power of His name in prayer, the other is the power of attorney to use His ability against the enemy upon the command.  Some things you pray about and some things you take authority over.  Both are a direct result of the Power of His name.
     In Acts 16:16-18 (Amplified) you see the Apostle Paul in verse 18 use the name of Jesus by demanding the unclean spirit to come out of a slave girl being used by satan.  The power of His name being used by command, in this same chapter in verse 25 you see Paul and Silas pray and praise and the jail fell open by an earthquake from on High.
     Paul knew the power of the name in prayer, and Paul knew the power of His name in command over the enemy.  He knew when to pray and he knew when to speak in the authority of His name.  Even when Paul was bitten by the poisonous snake in Acts 28:1-5 (Amplified).  Paul, knowing what the power of the indwelling of the Spirit, and the authority of the Jesus (and His name) that indwelled him, didn't pray and didn't panic.  He simply stood in the power of the name of Jesus and walked on in his faith.
     The difference between the name of Jesus in prayer and the name on the lips of the believer in authority is something the Church needs to study and learn more about especially in this present day of evil.
    

Lesson 9 Feelings-The Seat Of Unrest

     The Christian can no longer afford the luxury of living by his feelings.  In this day and age, we have been walking more in the old man than in the new man.  As time draws closer to the coming of the Lord, things are changing very fast.  There was a time when just the basic morality that was in the land and in the people was a place where you could walk safely.  Those days are no more.
     When I was a teenager and even when I was a young man, you didn't have much to be concerned about as you grew up.  "Happy Days" on t.v. was the way of life.  It was a pretty carefree time in America.  Kids played kick-the-can under street lights, young girls could walk to the movies without fear, and parents could allow their children to play in the parks without fear.
     In these last days before Jesus is to return, this nation has changed dramatically.  Now things have changed for the worse.  Jesus is still Lord, the Word still works and you can still live without fear for yourself and your family.  But, now you must be more vigilant than ever before.  Things that used to come easy for believers aren't without fierce opposition as in times past.
     The great dangers that we face in our lives today have much to do with the Church being slack in what and who we set in office of government.  We, the Church, are the ones who held the nation on the right path in morality and faith.  We dropped the ball several generations back and now what we sowed has become a bumper crop.
     We moved by our feelings instead of by faith and we voted democratic or republican instead of by prayer and guidance.  Now our lack of responsibility has come home to roost.  We, the Church (not just you and me, but the whole Body of Christ), was given the responsibility to hold fast the faith of our fathers.  We forgot about praying for our leaders (or praying about who they want to be) and let ourselves be drawn into the flesh more than in the spirit.  We became like those who wanted a King Saul instead of a King Jesus.
     Feelings about things without the Word to back them is a dangerous place for the Church to walk.  Feelings aren't a thing that is wrong because God gave them, but feelings left unchecked are a dangerous thing.  In Ephesians 4:23-27 (Amplified) says to, "Be constantly renewed in the Spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude)."  Verse 24, "And put on the new nature (the regenerated self) created in God's Image (God like) in true righteousness and holiness."  Verse 25 continues, "Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being now done with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another."  Verse 26 says, "When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down."  Verse 27 says, "Leave no (such) room or foothold for the devil (give no opportunity to him)."
     Here we see that feelings can enter in because anger is a feeling.  The anger itself isn't wrong only when it goes unchecked.  If you allow the anger to go unchecked, then it will become unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment.  All of these things give place to the enemy to bring depression and separation into not just one person, but many.  Hebrews 12:14-15 (Amplified) tells us, "Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will (ever) see the Lord."   Verse 15 continues, "Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look (after one another) to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing) in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it."
     A root of bitterness if it is left unchecked can come from anger.  From the root come the branches and the fruit.  So, feelings of anger may come, but it's our responsibility to make sure they don't take root.  Watch what you say and do when anger rises up in you.  This same principal is true for any feeling that rises in you.
     We've had splits in our churches, in our families, and in our hearts before God because of unchecked feelings.  In these last days, these things will not be tolerated by the Father.  The time has come to walk in 1 Corinthians 13:11 (Amplified) that says, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I talked like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have beecome a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside."
     In two thousand years of childhood, the Church must be grown up and take responsibility for its actions.  Does this means you're not saved?  God forbid.  You're still God's children, but now it's time to become men.  It's time for the sons of God to begin taking their place in faith and grow up into those who walk after the Spirit.  Romans 8:13-14 (Amplified) we read, "For if you live according to (the dictates of) the flesh; you will surely die.  But if through the power of the (Holy) Spirit you are (habitually) putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the evil deeds prompted by the body, you shall (really and genuinely) live forever."  Verse 14 goes on, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
     Feelings have a place in the Christian person and everyone has them.  It's not wrong to have feelings, but it's wrong for feelings to have you. 

Lesson 8 Feelings-The Seat Of Unrest

     The difference between feelings and faith are worlds apart; literally, worlds apart.  Jesus said that "we are in this world, but we are not of this world" in John 17:16 (Amplified).  When we operate in feelings we are operating only by the standard of this world.  Feelings stop faith from working to it's full capacity.  If you're praying for your children, then you lift them up in faith that God is moving on their behalf.  Then, when we see them doing things that are wrong, we feel like it isn't working and we lose faith and begin again to lapse into worry.  Being moved by feelings will negate our faith and put us right back into the realm of merely unsaved people.
     We pray for the salvation of our loved ones as though we need to talk God into moving on their behalf.  We forget that saving them was His idea to begin with.  John 3:16 (Amplified) says that, "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to and relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal life."  This is God's plan for all of mankind.  It's not that we need to talk Him into it, but that we need to quit looking at them in the natural and look to Him in faith.
     We find in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (Amplified) ,"But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God) it is hidden (only) to those who are perishing and obscured (only) to those who are spiritually dying and veiled (only) to those who are lost."  Verse 4 goes on, "For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds (that they should not discern the truth) preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), who is the Image and likeness of God."
     Instead of being moved by how we feel when we pray for them, maybe we need to (by faith) come against the spirit who is blinding them and by faith speak light against the darkness.  We need to (by faith) always keep in mind Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified) that says, "for we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending with only physical opponents) but against the despotisms, against the powers, against the master spirits who are the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere."
     These spirits rely on us to walk in what we know and have always walked in.  They depend on us to keep walking in what we see and feel.  If they can keep us spiritually blind, then our faith doesn't work and they can keep the blinded ones blind to the truth.  God has done all that is necessary to get us saved, but we have an enemy that tries to prevent this from happening.  It doesn't matter to what degree they may be in sin, the Blood has taken care of it all.
     Your faith won't work while your feelings are still dictating to you by what you see.  The spirits that are blinding your loved ones aren't what you can see, but what faith in the Word says is our problem.  You can't see these spirits, nor can you see the works that they're doing and their destruction.  It takes the Christians being mature enough to step out of feelings and into the arena of faith.
     If you're praying, then being discouraged by what you're seeing then you're allowing your faith to fall to the ground.  Remember, you're the one standing.  The ones you're praying for aren't praying to be saved.  If they were, then you wouldn't need to stand in the gap for them.  You're praying and using the Name of Jesus, not for saved ones, but for lost ones.  These are people who've been deceived.  They think they don't need Jesus and are enjoying the pleasures of sin.  They've been deceived into thinking they are alright.  We need to use our privileges in the power of His Name to stop the work of the enemy in their lives so that they can see light in the darkness to find their way out.  Are we not called to be the Light of the world?
     Married people who know God are still struggling with feelings for their spouse and sometimes fall short of faith and end up in divorce.  Walking in the five sense wasn't even any good before we were saved.  I don't know why we think it will be any better in the Spirit. 
      It was our feelings that got us into all the trouble when we were still in the world.  "If it feels good, do it" remember?  Feelings got us drunk when we felt bad and were worried and feelings got us into fights with our spouses, our bosses, the police and even with ourselves.  We did some things that were so dumb and so far out that we could hardly believe that we did them.  Back then, feelings ran our lives and made wrecks out of them.  As a Christian, if we allow these same out of order feelings to run our lives, then we are still messed up.
     If feelings run our spiritual lives the way they did our old man, then we're still under the condemnation of the very dark spirits that kept us away from God when we were in the world.  These spirits now (even though they couldn't stop your being saved) will make your walk with the Lord unsuccessful as far as being free and fulfilled.
     One day you feel like God is very much in your life and the next day you feel like He's gone.  One day you feel like your prayers are effective and the next day you feel as though the heavens are a brass ceiling and never reach or are heard by God.  Feelings will keep you off balance all the time.  Learning how to trust these feelings (that are still God given) is the growing of the Christian while we're still living in this world.

Lesson 7 Feelings-The Seat Of Unrest

     For so long a time I was frustrated with my walk with God.  I found myself being angry with Him and disappointed in His lack of response.  It seemed as though what I read in His Word didn't work and it was difficult to stay faithful to my prayer time and study.  I finally came to a place in my Christian walk where I had to make a choice about my walk with Him.  I could fall into a place where all of my efforts were useless and it didn't matter if I prayed or not or I could find out why my prayer life was messed up.
     After some time of seeking God about this, I found out some things that changed how my walk would be different forever.  Have you ever been frustrated by your prayer time?  Or did it seem like things in the Word weren't working?  I believe that if we were to be honest about it, then most of us have.
     I found that my prayers weren't there to change God, but to agree with Him so as to change things here.  In 1 John 5:14-15 (Amplified) we read that< "This is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him; (we are sure) that if we ask anything (make our request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan) He listens to and hears us." Verse 15 continues, "And if (since) we (positively) know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know (with settled and absolute knowledge) that we have (granted us as our present possessions) the requests made of Him."
     Knowing what His will was in any certain matter, determined if I would have Him hear me or not.  I could pray the old standby prayer of, "O, Lord, if this be Thy will" or I could search the scriptures to find out what His will was concerning any particular thing before I prayed.  If I was praying about someone being saved, then I could find the promises that John 3:16 was His will concerning salvation (as well as other scriptures) so I could pray with certainty that He hears me and that He and I were in agreement.
     Now, I had confidence in my prayer time as I found out that I wasn't just reading my Bible because "that's what I'm supposed to do," but to seek His will and heart on any subject before I pray.  I found that this wasn't just scripture, but promise to me.  The greatest promise I found after I was saved came like a glimpse into scripture in a new way.
     I came on Colossians 1:9-11 (Amplified) in the realization that this was a prayer that the Holy Spirit gave to Paul for us.  This prayer that was prayed wasn't just for them but for the Church so we could know God's will and purpose for our lives.  He wanted us to know His heart so we could pray with boldness and faith.  Listen to this prayer that was prayed for you through the Apostle Paul by the Holy Spirit.
     Colossians 1;9-11 (Amplified) says that, "For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it."  Verse 9 says, "Your Love Have not ceased to pray and make (special) request for you, (asking) that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom (in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things."  Verse 10 continues, "that you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God (with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance and recognition)."  Verse 11 goes on, "(we pray) that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, (to exercise) every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy."
     I found out that John said "if we ask according to His will" and I found out that Colossians 1;9 said that "the Holy Spirit was praying through the Apostle Paul that we be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will."  This is a prayer that's still out there on the heart of God and the faith of the Holy Spirit for God's people to receive.
     Church, this isn't just scripture to read, but prayer to receive the Holy Spirit bringing us into oneness with Him in the Father.  This prayer in Colossians 9-11 is just as valid for us to partake of as the scripture in Romans 10:8-10 about salvation.  We need to set our hearts to receive this promise of God as we would every other promise.  He doesn't want us to be ignorant of His will, but to know and come into the knowledge of it.
     Jesus prayed in John 17:18 (Amplified) "Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  In Verse 20 Jesus said, "Neither for these alone do I pray (it is not for their sakes only that I make this request) but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching."  This is for us now, as well as for those then.
     We're supposed to listen and to seek the Father through His Word and the Holy Spirit so that we know His will and can pray with confidence and assurance that our prayers are heard.  Jesus knew the will and heart of His Father and so should we.  It shouldn't be a guessing game about what to pray.
     Don't base it on how you may feel about it or how someone else may feel about it.  Believe this prayer in Colossians was heard and answered and is now valid for you and you can know with confidence that you are heard.

Lesson 6 Feelings-The Seat Of Unrest

     We as the Church of the Living God are a supernatural people.  Mostly, we haven't had a whole lot of teaching about this topic, but nevertheless it is true.  We had just read in the book of Romans 10:17 (Amplified) "So faith comes by hearing (by what is told) and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the message that came from the lips) of Christ (the Messiah Himself)."  The message that Jesus preached is the same as Paul preached in the Epistles.  In 2 Corinthians 12 (Amplified) we this revelation was given to Paul by God Himself.  Even though Jesus didn't preach this openly to the people because it wasn't time to reveal the whole of the new birth and the entire plan of redemption.  2Corinthians 2:8 (Amplified) says that "None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never had crucified the Lord of Glory."
     When Jesus was here in His earthly walk as a man, He was talking to the children of Israel (the old covenant people).  The new covenant and the new birth wasn't available until after His resurrection.  Had He revealed this plan then, satan would never have allowed the crucifixion to occur.  It was the very thing that defeated him.
     So, the message that "the lips of Christ" spoke, continue throughout the Word of God.  Sometimes we miss the idea that what Paul preached came down straight from the lips of God Himself.  This message is to a supernatural people by a supernatural Father and is a mystery hidden from the enemy until now.
     If Romans 10:17 (Amplified) is true (and you know it is), then until this Word is preached and heard, it's hard to put faith in this portion of God's will for His children.  Mostly, we still walk by what we feel because we haven't had enough of the Word to walk by faith.  When He said in Romans 10:17 that "faith comes by hearing"  Paul didn't mean hearing everything.  Faith in God comes by hearing the Word of God.  Faith in anything else comes by hearing anything else.  Faith in Buddha comes by hearing things preached about Buddha just like faith in Jesus comes by hearing about Jesus.
     Evolution has been preached instead of creation and folks who hear it preached enough, have come to put their faith in it instead of the Word.  We've come to trust our feelings more than God's Word because we haven't heard the Word preached.  When was the last time you heard a teaching about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the speaking of other tongues preached in the church you attend?  If it isn't preached, then they don't hear and if they don't hear, then they have no faith in it.  If they have no faith in it, then it dies away in the Church.
     Back in the 1930's and 1940's the Holy Spirit was preached and such great revivals like the one in Azuza Street in California was occurring.  The Holy Spirit was poured upon the people as  in the Book of Acts.  It's not that the Church doesn't have faith, they do.  It's just that we haven't gone from faith to faith.  Romans 1:17 (Amplified) says that "for in the Gospel is a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith that arouses more faith) as it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
     We hear very little teaching about Jesus bearing our sickness on the cross compared to bearing our sin.  We put faith in Him as a sin bearer (and well we should) this one powerful message has gone out through all the world and the people believed and were saved by the millions.  Because it's been preached, we heard.  Because we heard, we believed...and it worked.  As we learn to preach the rest of this message, they'll hear and believe it as well.
     We still walk in oppression and depression because we haven't heard much Word about deliverance from those things in our lives.  Isaiah 53:5 (Amplified) tells us that "He was wounded for out transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement (needful to obtain peace and well being for us), was upon Him, and with the stripes (that wounded) Him we are healed and made whole."
     This is the same gospel that took away our sins and it's been preached and it works.  When the whole of the gospel is preached and heard, it will work in the same way.
     In Mark 4:23-24 (Amplified) Jesus was preaching about the parable of the sower.  He said that the seed He was sowing was the Word of God.  In essence, all words are seeds.  The Word of God brings faith in God and the words of anything else bring faith in whatever the seed is.  You can't hear words of doubt and unbelief and grow faith in God any more than you can plant seeds of corn and get green beans.  In Mark 4:24 (Amplified) Jesus said to, "Be careful what you are hearing.  The measure (of thought and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you-and more (besides) will be given to you who hear."
     Be careful what you are hearing.  Are we really careful about what we hear?  Do we hear words of doubt and unbelief and allow them to grow?  Faith comes by hearing.  Do you have faith in some of the messages that you hear about these things are passed away, or that was only for the early church or that's not for today or for everyone.  Is your faith more in those messages or more in the words of Christ, the Messiah?  Do we walk by faith or by sight?  2 Corinthians 5:7 (Amplified) says "for we walk by faith (we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction of belief respecting man's relationship to God and Diving things, with trust and Holy fervor; (thus we walk) not by sight or appearance."
     We can only walk in faith by what we hear and believe.  Nothing can produce faith in God unless we hear what His plan is and believe by faith in it.  When we only walk by our senses, we can't see the Spirit.  When we walk by faith, the Word is Spirit and life.
     All of what we believe or don't believe is by what we have heard or not heard.  I challenge the pastors and teachers in the Church to begin teaching once again about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the speaking of new tongues, and receiving the gifts of the Spirit.  Not as something that's passed away, but as the still and ever present Holy Spirit that awaits the awakening of the Church to the things that He's been sent to do.
     Mark 4;24 says to "Heed what you hear."  Some things that you hear don't build faith, but rather will destroy it in your life and destroy it in your life.  Continue to hear and understand that you are now a supernatural being living in a natural world.  You've been given the supernatural Spirit of God Himself to do what needs to be done.