10.3 From The Jesus Secret
I Follow Jesus. Day 11: p. 27
Webster’s 1926 “follow.” I come after Jesus. I move behind in the same path Jesus walked. I accompany Jesus on the path He walks. I am the result of Je- sus: He is the cause; I am the effect. I go in pursuit of Jesus. I strive after; I seek to attain to the same as Jesus attained. I accept Jesus as my authority; I take Him as my Master and Leader. I yield allegiance to Jesus. I adopt the opinions of Jesus. I obey Jesus. I take Jesus as my rule of action; I follow His advice. I copy Jesus; He is my example. I watch; I keep my eyes fixed upon Jesus. I follow Jesus.
Webster’s 1926 “follow.” I come after Jesus. I move behind in the same path Jesus walked. I accompany Jesus on the path He walks. I am the result of Je- sus: He is the cause; I am the effect. I go in pursuit of Jesus. I strive after; I seek to attain to the same as Jesus attained. I accept Jesus as my authority; I take Him as my Master and Leader. I yield allegiance to Jesus. I adopt the opinions of Jesus. I obey Jesus. I take Jesus as my rule of action; I follow His advice. I copy Jesus; He is my example. I watch; I keep my eyes fixed upon Jesus. I follow Jesus.
I follow Jesus. I take up my cross; I follow after Him. I follow Jesus; I sit enthroned in heaven. I fol- low Jesus; He has made me a fisher, a gatherer, of men. I follow Jesus; I do not look back. I follow Him; I know His voice. I flee from strangers because I do not recognize their voices. I hear His voice; I follow Him. I am with Him wherever He is. He draws me to Himself.
I imitate Christ. I follow His steps. I follow the Lamb wherever He goes. I am with Jesus. All the im- pact of the gospel, all the salvation of Almighty God can be summed up in these words: I follow Jesus.
I Am a Good and Faithful Servant. Day 21: p. 37
I take everything God gives me, I risk it all in the marketplaces of this world – wisely, as He teaches me – and I bring back to Him a great increase from what He has invested in me.
Is this what I do? Is it the joy and passion of my life, to faithfully “invest” every good thing God has imparted to me into the triumph of His kingdom? If I look at my own lack, my own weariness and fears, then I know that I will never “make it.” I cannot look at myself.
God’s word is power. I speak His word to myself. I am the good and faithful servant. I invest His king- dom in the marketplaces of this world, as He teach- es me. I invest into my family, my friends, my job; into anyone I happen to meet. I invest the human things He has given me, my abilities, my time, my money. I invest the anointing and the grace He has given me, His power upon me, and His spiritual gifts. I pray for others. I give a cup of cold water; I do the simple, little things that meet their needs.
As I speak this, I become what I speak. I do what I see myself doing. I live what I see; it is who I am. Because Jesus fills my heart, I become what I speak. I am faithful in a few things; I am made ruler over much. I enter into the joy of Jesus.
I Do What Jesus Tells Me to Do. Day 24: p. 40 From the very beginning, God determined that I
would be just like Jesus. He sees exactly what I am in my final state. That IS who I am.
The best way to see myself as I really am is to look at all the things Jesus and the Apostles commanded me to do. This is who I really am, doing those things effortlessly, as my nature, almost without thought. I declare right now who I am.
Jesus commanded me to love God. I love God. Jesus commanded me to love my brothers and sis- ters. I love my brothers and sisters. Jesus command- ed me to let my light shine. My good works testify of the goodness and glory of God. The commandment is written in my heart; it is who I am.
I Give Food to the Hungry. Day 25: p. 41.
I give food to the hungry; I give drink to the thirsty; I take strangers into my house; I clothe those who are naked; I visit the sick; I visit those who are in prison.
There are many ways to be hungry and thirsty. There are many lonely and exposed paths. There are many kinds of sickness. There are many types of prison cells.
As I take this confession of faith through the entire New Testament, I am struck by a recurring theme. The essence of being like Christ is constantly to be meeting people’s needs. First come the needs of the body of Christ, my brothers and sisters in the Lord, and then come the needs of others.
There are two ways in which I meet people’s needs. First, I meet them through the gift God has given me. I do not judge myself by the gift God has given someone else. I do not worry when my gift does not meet a particular need. I am a member of a body. There are others who do have the gift for those particular needs I am not equipped to meet.
Second, I meet the real and practical needs of all those who cross my path. My mind is set on what other people need. If I am a teacher, I teach with God’s ability. If I am a helper, I help with God’s abil- ity. If I am a builder, I give what I have. Whether in large things or small things, I give what God has given me to give.
I meet other people’s needs; God meets my needs. As I see myself as I really am – one who meets people’s needs – my life is radically altered. I become a servant. I think about other people’s con- cerns ahead of my own.
I desire to be great in the kingdom of God; that’s why I love to meet other people’s needs.
I Love My Enemies. Day 26: p. 42.
Webster’s 1926 “enemy.” I love the person who is hostile to me, who seeks my failure, who seeks to overthrow me. I love those persons who try to injure me. I love those persons who are members of the armed forces of hostile nations. I love them; I pray for them; I seek to do them good, not harm.
I do not resist violent people. If someone strikes me; I do not strike back. If someone makes me serve them, I serve them more than expected. I give to everyone who asks me. I love my enemies, I bless those who curse me; I do good to those who hate me; I pray for those who misuse me. I am a son of my heavenly Father. I am just like God.
I love my personal enemies. I love the man who honks at me in traffic. I love the lady at the checkout counter who makes me stand and wait in line. I love the ones who misuse me, who make bad decisions that destroy my hopes and do so without concern. I love those who criticize me to my face and tell me I am a loser. I love them.
I love those whom my nation or culture decries as enemies. I refuse to join the madness in this world of hating and fearing other peoples. I refuse to join the present hatred of Muslims. I refuse to give my assent to murdering people. I refuse to call any man “evil” or to place any people outside the power of a peacemaker.
Jesus gives life; I am here to give life. I refuse to join myself to the worldly men who form the armed forces of this world for the purposes of killing and destroying. I am just like Jesus. I insist on giving aid and comfort to my “enemies.” I insist on laying down my life for others’ sake.
I Am Here to Serve and to Give My Life for Others. Day 33: p. 51.
I always take the last place; I focus my effort on being a blessing to the people around me. I receive the least as they are Christ. I give water to those who are thirsty. I do not do anything that makes anyone weak to stumble. I receive all others. I spend my time doing things to bless and benefit those around me as well as everyone throughout the family of God.
I am here to serve and to give my life for others. Does God’s command have the power within it-self to bring its own fulfilment in my life? Can I call what doesn’t seem to exist as though it does? Can I declare who I am as God sees me in the end? I am determined to find out! What do I have to lose?
Webster’s 1926 “serve.” I am here to be employed by another and subject to His direction and control. I am here to work for, to labor on behalf of, to exert myself continuously, to do service. I am here to be subordinate to, to act a secondary part under. I am here to wait upon, to supply the wants of, to attend. I am here to contribute, to promote, to be sufficient for, to satisfy.
I love. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ in the same way that He loves me. I lay down my life for my friends. I devote my life to blessing those who are important to Jesus. I give water to those who are thirsty.
I Give; I Am the One Who Gives. Day 43: p. 63.
God gives; that is His nature. His life consists of giving. God gives, freely and abundantly. Giving works in every aspect of my life. I give. At home, at work, at school, I give. And as I give of myself to meet other people’s needs, to bless and benefit them, I am always surprised at how much comes back to me.
When someone asks me for something, I give it. I do good and lend, not expecting anything in return. I give without limit; it comes back to me without limit. Giving is who I am. Giving defines me.
I give life. I speak words of hope and encourage- ment and life to others. Life comes back to me. I give mercy; I give joy; I give hope. All these things belong to me, and I give them freely and abundantly every- where I go.
I give; everything is given back to me. I cannot keep up with all that God gives back; it is too much.
The Holy Spirit Teaches Me What to Say. Day 49: p. 69.
I do not advertise myself; God advertises me.
God is the Father of glory; but God does not praise Himself. God always gives glory to others. Because I am created in the image of God, I also love glory. I am invigorated and filled with life and strength when people speak encouraging and pos- itive things about me and to me. I also speak en- couragement into others.
I always take the place of service. I take care of the needs of any passing stranger. I do not worry about my life. I don’t let everyone know when I do good things for people. God rewards me openly. I always take the lowest seat. I never advertise my ac- complishments. If I am to be honored, I let someone else do that. I do not think more highly of myself than I should. I always put other people’s concerns of equal importance with my own.
When I am accused, when other people find fault with me, I do not worry. I know that when I do need to speak, the Holy Spirit gives me the words to say.
The Holy Spirit teaches me what to say. When I speak, I speak encouraging words. I speak blessing to others. I am quick to praise others. I speak of the triumph of Christ in them when I speak to others. I speak of the wonderful things of Christ. I do not crit- icize others; I do not put people down. I do not prac- tice pointing out to people their faults. I speak glory.
I Am Here to Seek and to Save What Was Lost.
Day 50-51: p. 71.
I bring to His feast the poor, the disabled, and the blind. I search the highways and hedges and I per- suade people to come to His feast. I leave the many who are righteous; I search the wilderness for the lost one. I rejoice when a lost one is found. I rejoice with great joy when God brings my brother back home. I am here to seek and to save what was lost.
Webster’s 1926 “seek.” I inquire for; I ask for what is lost. I beseech and entreat what is lost. I acquire and gain; I strive after what is lost. I reach and come to what is lost. I make search for; I make the discov- ery of what is lost.
Webster’s 1926 “save.” I make safe; I procure the safety of what is lost. I preserve what is lost from in- jury, destruction, or evil of any kind. I rescue from danger. I deliver from sin; I rescue from condemna- tion. I bring into spiritual life.
It is God who has lost something. God lost what is most precious to Him, His image: man. In fact, God even lost all of those whom He had already de- termined would be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Yet, this God is filled with great faith. He is a God who risks everything and wins everything. God sent Jesus to seek out, to search the world over, and to save what He lost. And God has commissioned me with the same ministry of reconciliation. It is a most noble calling to search for and to save what was lost.
Webster’s 1926 “lost.” Lost: Ruined or destroyed, physically or morally. Parted with; gone out of one’s possession. Having wandered from, or unable to find the way; bewildered; perplexed. Occupied with, or under the influence of something harmful, so as to be insensible of reality. Taken from the posses- sion of; denied to the efforts of. Hardened beyond sensibility or recovery; alienated; insensible. Lost.
This is my mission. I imitate Christ. In the way God assigned to me and with the particular gifts God gave me, I seek and I save what was lost.
The Spirit of the Lord Sent Me to Heal the Brokenhearted. Day 55: p. 75.
I am anointed to preach the gospel, but I am sent, first, to heal the brokenhearted. Healing the brokenhearted is what my Father does. Bringing God’s healing to brokenhearted people is what I do.
I listen to people. When someone wants to share their fears and sorrows, their hopes and joys with me, my heart is extended towards them; they have my full attention. People delight me.
I never criticize or find fault. When someone is caught in a sin, I seek to restore him or her to Christ by encouraging Christ within. I never speak down to others. I entreat everyone as I am speaking to Je- sus Himself.
When I speak to one who has offended me, I am not seeking to get even. That person delights me; I want to bless them. I never make grand pronounce- ments of weakness concerning others. I never make ridiculous claims concerning the“judgment” of God. Jesus is going to win; I know that. My delight is to watch Him do it and to share in His triumph.
I speak power and strength into people’s hearts. I encourage; I never discourage. Discouraging people’s dreams is easy; it puts me in control. I don’t do it. Encouraging people in the deep longings of their heart is risky; it takes great faith. When I encourage, I release to God. I am no longer in control. I encour- age people every chance I get.
I seek to bring the tender love of Jesus into the hurting, broken places in people’s lives. I never de- spise a person’s weakness; I never misuse their pain. Offensiveness is strength turned in the wrong di- rection; I show the brokenhearted how to turn that strength to God’s glory. Pain is an opportunity to re- veal God’s love, deeply and tenderly.
Everyone on this planet has a heart shattered by shame. I heal the brokenhearted.
I imitate Christ. I follow His steps. I follow the Lamb wherever He goes. I am with Jesus. All the im- pact of the gospel, all the salvation of Almighty God can be summed up in these words: I follow Jesus.
I Am a Good and Faithful Servant. Day 21: p. 37
I take everything God gives me, I risk it all in the marketplaces of this world – wisely, as He teaches me – and I bring back to Him a great increase from what He has invested in me.
Is this what I do? Is it the joy and passion of my life, to faithfully “invest” every good thing God has imparted to me into the triumph of His kingdom? If I look at my own lack, my own weariness and fears, then I know that I will never “make it.” I cannot look at myself.
God’s word is power. I speak His word to myself. I am the good and faithful servant. I invest His king- dom in the marketplaces of this world, as He teach- es me. I invest into my family, my friends, my job; into anyone I happen to meet. I invest the human things He has given me, my abilities, my time, my money. I invest the anointing and the grace He has given me, His power upon me, and His spiritual gifts. I pray for others. I give a cup of cold water; I do the simple, little things that meet their needs.
As I speak this, I become what I speak. I do what I see myself doing. I live what I see; it is who I am. Because Jesus fills my heart, I become what I speak. I am faithful in a few things; I am made ruler over much. I enter into the joy of Jesus.
I Do What Jesus Tells Me to Do. Day 24: p. 40 From the very beginning, God determined that I
would be just like Jesus. He sees exactly what I am in my final state. That IS who I am.
The best way to see myself as I really am is to look at all the things Jesus and the Apostles commanded me to do. This is who I really am, doing those things effortlessly, as my nature, almost without thought. I declare right now who I am.
Jesus commanded me to love God. I love God. Jesus commanded me to love my brothers and sis- ters. I love my brothers and sisters. Jesus command- ed me to let my light shine. My good works testify of the goodness and glory of God. The commandment is written in my heart; it is who I am.
I Give Food to the Hungry. Day 25: p. 41.
I give food to the hungry; I give drink to the thirsty; I take strangers into my house; I clothe those who are naked; I visit the sick; I visit those who are in prison.
There are many ways to be hungry and thirsty. There are many lonely and exposed paths. There are many kinds of sickness. There are many types of prison cells.
As I take this confession of faith through the entire New Testament, I am struck by a recurring theme. The essence of being like Christ is constantly to be meeting people’s needs. First come the needs of the body of Christ, my brothers and sisters in the Lord, and then come the needs of others.
There are two ways in which I meet people’s needs. First, I meet them through the gift God has given me. I do not judge myself by the gift God has given someone else. I do not worry when my gift does not meet a particular need. I am a member of a body. There are others who do have the gift for those particular needs I am not equipped to meet.
Second, I meet the real and practical needs of all those who cross my path. My mind is set on what other people need. If I am a teacher, I teach with God’s ability. If I am a helper, I help with God’s abil- ity. If I am a builder, I give what I have. Whether in large things or small things, I give what God has given me to give.
I meet other people’s needs; God meets my needs. As I see myself as I really am – one who meets people’s needs – my life is radically altered. I become a servant. I think about other people’s con- cerns ahead of my own.
I desire to be great in the kingdom of God; that’s why I love to meet other people’s needs.
I Love My Enemies. Day 26: p. 42.
Webster’s 1926 “enemy.” I love the person who is hostile to me, who seeks my failure, who seeks to overthrow me. I love those persons who try to injure me. I love those persons who are members of the armed forces of hostile nations. I love them; I pray for them; I seek to do them good, not harm.
I do not resist violent people. If someone strikes me; I do not strike back. If someone makes me serve them, I serve them more than expected. I give to everyone who asks me. I love my enemies, I bless those who curse me; I do good to those who hate me; I pray for those who misuse me. I am a son of my heavenly Father. I am just like God.
I love my personal enemies. I love the man who honks at me in traffic. I love the lady at the checkout counter who makes me stand and wait in line. I love the ones who misuse me, who make bad decisions that destroy my hopes and do so without concern. I love those who criticize me to my face and tell me I am a loser. I love them.
I love those whom my nation or culture decries as enemies. I refuse to join the madness in this world of hating and fearing other peoples. I refuse to join the present hatred of Muslims. I refuse to give my assent to murdering people. I refuse to call any man “evil” or to place any people outside the power of a peacemaker.
Jesus gives life; I am here to give life. I refuse to join myself to the worldly men who form the armed forces of this world for the purposes of killing and destroying. I am just like Jesus. I insist on giving aid and comfort to my “enemies.” I insist on laying down my life for others’ sake.
I Am Here to Serve and to Give My Life for Others. Day 33: p. 51.
I always take the last place; I focus my effort on being a blessing to the people around me. I receive the least as they are Christ. I give water to those who are thirsty. I do not do anything that makes anyone weak to stumble. I receive all others. I spend my time doing things to bless and benefit those around me as well as everyone throughout the family of God.
I am here to serve and to give my life for others. Does God’s command have the power within it-self to bring its own fulfilment in my life? Can I call what doesn’t seem to exist as though it does? Can I declare who I am as God sees me in the end? I am determined to find out! What do I have to lose?
Webster’s 1926 “serve.” I am here to be employed by another and subject to His direction and control. I am here to work for, to labor on behalf of, to exert myself continuously, to do service. I am here to be subordinate to, to act a secondary part under. I am here to wait upon, to supply the wants of, to attend. I am here to contribute, to promote, to be sufficient for, to satisfy.
I love. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ in the same way that He loves me. I lay down my life for my friends. I devote my life to blessing those who are important to Jesus. I give water to those who are thirsty.
I Give; I Am the One Who Gives. Day 43: p. 63.
God gives; that is His nature. His life consists of giving. God gives, freely and abundantly. Giving works in every aspect of my life. I give. At home, at work, at school, I give. And as I give of myself to meet other people’s needs, to bless and benefit them, I am always surprised at how much comes back to me.
When someone asks me for something, I give it. I do good and lend, not expecting anything in return. I give without limit; it comes back to me without limit. Giving is who I am. Giving defines me.
I give life. I speak words of hope and encourage- ment and life to others. Life comes back to me. I give mercy; I give joy; I give hope. All these things belong to me, and I give them freely and abundantly every- where I go.
I give; everything is given back to me. I cannot keep up with all that God gives back; it is too much.
The Holy Spirit Teaches Me What to Say. Day 49: p. 69.
I do not advertise myself; God advertises me.
God is the Father of glory; but God does not praise Himself. God always gives glory to others. Because I am created in the image of God, I also love glory. I am invigorated and filled with life and strength when people speak encouraging and pos- itive things about me and to me. I also speak en- couragement into others.
I always take the place of service. I take care of the needs of any passing stranger. I do not worry about my life. I don’t let everyone know when I do good things for people. God rewards me openly. I always take the lowest seat. I never advertise my ac- complishments. If I am to be honored, I let someone else do that. I do not think more highly of myself than I should. I always put other people’s concerns of equal importance with my own.
When I am accused, when other people find fault with me, I do not worry. I know that when I do need to speak, the Holy Spirit gives me the words to say.
The Holy Spirit teaches me what to say. When I speak, I speak encouraging words. I speak blessing to others. I am quick to praise others. I speak of the triumph of Christ in them when I speak to others. I speak of the wonderful things of Christ. I do not crit- icize others; I do not put people down. I do not prac- tice pointing out to people their faults. I speak glory.
I Am Here to Seek and to Save What Was Lost.
Day 50-51: p. 71.
I bring to His feast the poor, the disabled, and the blind. I search the highways and hedges and I per- suade people to come to His feast. I leave the many who are righteous; I search the wilderness for the lost one. I rejoice when a lost one is found. I rejoice with great joy when God brings my brother back home. I am here to seek and to save what was lost.
Webster’s 1926 “seek.” I inquire for; I ask for what is lost. I beseech and entreat what is lost. I acquire and gain; I strive after what is lost. I reach and come to what is lost. I make search for; I make the discov- ery of what is lost.
Webster’s 1926 “save.” I make safe; I procure the safety of what is lost. I preserve what is lost from in- jury, destruction, or evil of any kind. I rescue from danger. I deliver from sin; I rescue from condemna- tion. I bring into spiritual life.
It is God who has lost something. God lost what is most precious to Him, His image: man. In fact, God even lost all of those whom He had already de- termined would be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Yet, this God is filled with great faith. He is a God who risks everything and wins everything. God sent Jesus to seek out, to search the world over, and to save what He lost. And God has commissioned me with the same ministry of reconciliation. It is a most noble calling to search for and to save what was lost.
Webster’s 1926 “lost.” Lost: Ruined or destroyed, physically or morally. Parted with; gone out of one’s possession. Having wandered from, or unable to find the way; bewildered; perplexed. Occupied with, or under the influence of something harmful, so as to be insensible of reality. Taken from the posses- sion of; denied to the efforts of. Hardened beyond sensibility or recovery; alienated; insensible. Lost.
This is my mission. I imitate Christ. In the way God assigned to me and with the particular gifts God gave me, I seek and I save what was lost.
The Spirit of the Lord Sent Me to Heal the Brokenhearted. Day 55: p. 75.
I am anointed to preach the gospel, but I am sent, first, to heal the brokenhearted. Healing the brokenhearted is what my Father does. Bringing God’s healing to brokenhearted people is what I do.
I listen to people. When someone wants to share their fears and sorrows, their hopes and joys with me, my heart is extended towards them; they have my full attention. People delight me.
I never criticize or find fault. When someone is caught in a sin, I seek to restore him or her to Christ by encouraging Christ within. I never speak down to others. I entreat everyone as I am speaking to Je- sus Himself.
When I speak to one who has offended me, I am not seeking to get even. That person delights me; I want to bless them. I never make grand pronounce- ments of weakness concerning others. I never make ridiculous claims concerning the“judgment” of God. Jesus is going to win; I know that. My delight is to watch Him do it and to share in His triumph.
I speak power and strength into people’s hearts. I encourage; I never discourage. Discouraging people’s dreams is easy; it puts me in control. I don’t do it. Encouraging people in the deep longings of their heart is risky; it takes great faith. When I encourage, I release to God. I am no longer in control. I encour- age people every chance I get.
I seek to bring the tender love of Jesus into the hurting, broken places in people’s lives. I never de- spise a person’s weakness; I never misuse their pain. Offensiveness is strength turned in the wrong di- rection; I show the brokenhearted how to turn that strength to God’s glory. Pain is an opportunity to re- veal God’s love, deeply and tenderly.
Everyone on this planet has a heart shattered by shame. I heal the brokenhearted.
I Love My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. Day 65: p. 87.
I love all who belong to Jesus. I remember es- pecially those who are suffering for His name. I also remember those who minister Christ to His people. But I particularly love those believers with whom I fellowship, as well as all those believers whose lives my path touches.
I love God’s people for their diversity, how unique each of them is. I love the different ways of doing things found in any gathering of people. I love to see someone else approach a problem dif- ferently than I do. I love to listen to other people’s take on things. My life is so enriched; I always learn something as well. I am so glad everyone else is different from me.
I love the many races and cultures that are in the body of Christ. I love those in my fellowship who are of a different race or culture. God has blessed them with such a beautiful and different approach to His ways than what I know. My life is so greatly enriched by their contribution.
I love the brethren because Jesus loves them. I love them because they love the same Master I love. I love them because they drink from the same cup I drink. I love them because they belong to me and I belong to them; all that they are is mine, and all that I am is theirs. We are one.
I love them no matter what happens. I love them when they are unlovely. I love them when it seems that they ignore me or work against me. I love them when they offend me. I love them when they talk about me behind my back. I love them even if they betray me and misuse me publicly. I love them. I love my brothers and sisters. The love with which the Father loved Jesus is in me.
Jesus Sends Me. Day 66-67: p. 88-89. ‘As the Fa- ther has sent me, I also send you.’
Webster’s 1926 “send.” As the Father dispatched Jesus as His agent and messenger to convey a mes- sage, and to perform a work, so Jesus dispatches me as His agent and messenger to convey a message and to perform a work. I am sent in advance of the bridegroom to summon the bride.
I prepare the way of the Lord; I make His paths straight. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He anointed me to preach the gospel and to heal the brokenhearted. He sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and to proclaim the recovery of sight to the blind. He sent me to set at liberty those who are oppressed and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. This is who I am. I am sent to preach God’s kingdom.
I am an ambassador of God. He has entrusted reconciliation to me.
I am sent to convey a message and to perform a work. While the message is more important than the work, it falls on deaf ears without the work. The work gets people’s attention. The work is what I do to bless and serve others. The message is the good news of Christ our only life. My work is the first part of my message. My words come out of my work.
My work, what God sent me to do, is different from the work He sent my brother to do. Every in- dividual believer has a different and unique task set for them. I never judge my brother or sister because they are not doing the same work I am doing, or be- cause they are not doing it in the way God leads me. That is not my business. My only business towards my brothers’ work is to encourage them in giving themselves to the gift God gave them.
But the message of the work is always the same. It is a message of hope and of a changed life. It is a message of the power of God doing good things for and through people. It is a message of a people who love one another. It is a message of salvation and freedom.
Rivers of Living Water Flow Out. Day 69: p. 91. My sustenance comes from doing the will of the Father and finishing His work. The will of the Father is the source of my energy and my strength; it is my food. It is what I do. The sweet Holy Spirit flows out of my heart like a river.
I love people. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. My heart goes out to anyone I see that is in need. I delight in people. I am always thinking up ways to bless people, to show them kindness, to speak an encouraging word, to offer them some- thing of mine that they might need.
But I know that it is not just my actions and words that are touching people. When I speak a blessing to someone, God is speaking a blessing. When I reach out a hand to help someone, the hand of God is helping them. The divine, life-giving touch of God Himself flows out of my heart, out of my hand, out of my mouth, rivers of living water.
When I bless someone, the Holy Spirit touches that one and a miracle takes place in their life far above and beyond the human touch. When I give to someone the things they need, the river of God splashes upon them; their lives will never be the same. Everywhere I walk, not only the favor of God surrounds and emanates from me, but also His riv- ers of living water flow out of me, touching, healing, setting free.
With great power I give witness to the resurrec- tion of Jesus. Great grace is upon me. Many signs and wonders are done through my hands. The sick pass by and are healed. Wherever I go, unclean spirits come out of those who are possessed. The Holy Spirit comes upon me. I speak in tongues and prophesy. God works unusual miracles through my hands. I speak to one who is injured and he rises up healed. I am filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
God emanates from me; life flows out of me. Dead people do not stay dead as I walk by. The sick do not stay sick in my presence. Multitudes are con- victed of their need for Jesus as I pass by. All of this comes through me because I believe in Jesus.
The Power of the Holy Spirit Is Upon Me. Day 75: p. 103.
Webster’s 1926 “power.” The Holy Spirit’s ability to act physically, mentally, and morally is upon me. The Holy Spirit’s faculty of doing and performing is upon me. The Holy Spirit’s capability of producing an effect, physical, mental, and moral is upon me. The Holy Spirit’s thinking, reasoning, judging, and willing abilities are upon me. The might, energy, vig- or, and force of the Holy Spirit is upon me. The Holy Spirit’s ability to effect strongly is upon me.
His power is towards me; I experience the ex- ceeding greatness of that power, constantly. In fact, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead washes over me in wave after unending wave. The Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead lives in me. God gives Jesus-raised-from-the-dead life to my mortal body through His Spirit who lives in me. God is always working in me both the want to and the actual doing of His will. God performs His will through me.
The Holy Spirit has come upon me. The power of the Highest overshadows me. Jesus, the Christ of God, is being formed within me.
I Am a Witness of Christ. Day 77-78: p. 105-106.
Webster’s 1926 “witness.” I attest to the fact of Christ’s life and to the events of His death, buri- al, resurrection, and life in me. I give testimony of Christ. I give evidence before the courts of the uni- verse. My evidence is the life of Christ in me. I am the fulfilment of the New Covenant, and I confirm its authenticity with my life. I serve as and furnish evidence and proof that what Jesus says is true. I know it is true because what Jesus said is fulfilled in me. I know Jesus; I have beheld Him; I have per- sonal knowledge of Him. I act as a witness of Christ; I establish His authenticity. I give evidence of Christ. I have direct knowledge of Christ by reason of His personal presence in me.
I have heard, I have seen, I have handled the Word of Life. I have seen the Life; I bear witness to that Life. I am one with my brethren, as the Father and the Son are One; the world believes because of our oneness. I am made perfect in one with my brethren. The world is in awe; the world knows that the Father sent Jesus and has loved Him.
Jesus made many extraordinary claims about what I would experience if I believe in Him and fol- low Him. Jesus was witness number One. He was God’s first witness. Certainly, it is not hard to agree that Jesus was the witness of the Father. But one witness is not good enough for God. God requires a second witness. I am the second witness of Christ.
I Lay Hands on the Sick and They Are Healed; I Cast out Demons. Day 80-81: p. 108-109.
I give what I have in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. To those who are lame I say: “Rise up and walk.” Many signs and wonders are done through my hands. Multitudes are added to the Lord. The sick pass by and are healed. Multitudes gather, both sick and those tormented by demons, and all are healed. Wherever I go, unclean spirits come out of those who are possessed. Paralyzed and lame peo- ple are healed. Through me, Jesus the Christ heals you. Through me, the dead hear the voice of Jesus and arise. He grants that signs and wonders are done through my hands. God works unusual mira- cles through my hands. I speak to one who is injured and he rises up healed. I lay hands on the sick and they are healed.
I love all who belong to Jesus. I remember es- pecially those who are suffering for His name. I also remember those who minister Christ to His people. But I particularly love those believers with whom I fellowship, as well as all those believers whose lives my path touches.
I love God’s people for their diversity, how unique each of them is. I love the different ways of doing things found in any gathering of people. I love to see someone else approach a problem dif- ferently than I do. I love to listen to other people’s take on things. My life is so enriched; I always learn something as well. I am so glad everyone else is different from me.
I love the many races and cultures that are in the body of Christ. I love those in my fellowship who are of a different race or culture. God has blessed them with such a beautiful and different approach to His ways than what I know. My life is so greatly enriched by their contribution.
I love the brethren because Jesus loves them. I love them because they love the same Master I love. I love them because they drink from the same cup I drink. I love them because they belong to me and I belong to them; all that they are is mine, and all that I am is theirs. We are one.
I love them no matter what happens. I love them when they are unlovely. I love them when it seems that they ignore me or work against me. I love them when they offend me. I love them when they talk about me behind my back. I love them even if they betray me and misuse me publicly. I love them. I love my brothers and sisters. The love with which the Father loved Jesus is in me.
Jesus Sends Me. Day 66-67: p. 88-89. ‘As the Fa- ther has sent me, I also send you.’
Webster’s 1926 “send.” As the Father dispatched Jesus as His agent and messenger to convey a mes- sage, and to perform a work, so Jesus dispatches me as His agent and messenger to convey a message and to perform a work. I am sent in advance of the bridegroom to summon the bride.
I prepare the way of the Lord; I make His paths straight. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He anointed me to preach the gospel and to heal the brokenhearted. He sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and to proclaim the recovery of sight to the blind. He sent me to set at liberty those who are oppressed and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. This is who I am. I am sent to preach God’s kingdom.
I am an ambassador of God. He has entrusted reconciliation to me.
I am sent to convey a message and to perform a work. While the message is more important than the work, it falls on deaf ears without the work. The work gets people’s attention. The work is what I do to bless and serve others. The message is the good news of Christ our only life. My work is the first part of my message. My words come out of my work.
My work, what God sent me to do, is different from the work He sent my brother to do. Every in- dividual believer has a different and unique task set for them. I never judge my brother or sister because they are not doing the same work I am doing, or be- cause they are not doing it in the way God leads me. That is not my business. My only business towards my brothers’ work is to encourage them in giving themselves to the gift God gave them.
But the message of the work is always the same. It is a message of hope and of a changed life. It is a message of the power of God doing good things for and through people. It is a message of a people who love one another. It is a message of salvation and freedom.
Rivers of Living Water Flow Out. Day 69: p. 91. My sustenance comes from doing the will of the Father and finishing His work. The will of the Father is the source of my energy and my strength; it is my food. It is what I do. The sweet Holy Spirit flows out of my heart like a river.
I love people. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. My heart goes out to anyone I see that is in need. I delight in people. I am always thinking up ways to bless people, to show them kindness, to speak an encouraging word, to offer them some- thing of mine that they might need.
But I know that it is not just my actions and words that are touching people. When I speak a blessing to someone, God is speaking a blessing. When I reach out a hand to help someone, the hand of God is helping them. The divine, life-giving touch of God Himself flows out of my heart, out of my hand, out of my mouth, rivers of living water.
When I bless someone, the Holy Spirit touches that one and a miracle takes place in their life far above and beyond the human touch. When I give to someone the things they need, the river of God splashes upon them; their lives will never be the same. Everywhere I walk, not only the favor of God surrounds and emanates from me, but also His riv- ers of living water flow out of me, touching, healing, setting free.
With great power I give witness to the resurrec- tion of Jesus. Great grace is upon me. Many signs and wonders are done through my hands. The sick pass by and are healed. Wherever I go, unclean spirits come out of those who are possessed. The Holy Spirit comes upon me. I speak in tongues and prophesy. God works unusual miracles through my hands. I speak to one who is injured and he rises up healed. I am filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
God emanates from me; life flows out of me. Dead people do not stay dead as I walk by. The sick do not stay sick in my presence. Multitudes are con- victed of their need for Jesus as I pass by. All of this comes through me because I believe in Jesus.
The Power of the Holy Spirit Is Upon Me. Day 75: p. 103.
Webster’s 1926 “power.” The Holy Spirit’s ability to act physically, mentally, and morally is upon me. The Holy Spirit’s faculty of doing and performing is upon me. The Holy Spirit’s capability of producing an effect, physical, mental, and moral is upon me. The Holy Spirit’s thinking, reasoning, judging, and willing abilities are upon me. The might, energy, vig- or, and force of the Holy Spirit is upon me. The Holy Spirit’s ability to effect strongly is upon me.
His power is towards me; I experience the ex- ceeding greatness of that power, constantly. In fact, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead washes over me in wave after unending wave. The Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead lives in me. God gives Jesus-raised-from-the-dead life to my mortal body through His Spirit who lives in me. God is always working in me both the want to and the actual doing of His will. God performs His will through me.
The Holy Spirit has come upon me. The power of the Highest overshadows me. Jesus, the Christ of God, is being formed within me.
I Am a Witness of Christ. Day 77-78: p. 105-106.
Webster’s 1926 “witness.” I attest to the fact of Christ’s life and to the events of His death, buri- al, resurrection, and life in me. I give testimony of Christ. I give evidence before the courts of the uni- verse. My evidence is the life of Christ in me. I am the fulfilment of the New Covenant, and I confirm its authenticity with my life. I serve as and furnish evidence and proof that what Jesus says is true. I know it is true because what Jesus said is fulfilled in me. I know Jesus; I have beheld Him; I have per- sonal knowledge of Him. I act as a witness of Christ; I establish His authenticity. I give evidence of Christ. I have direct knowledge of Christ by reason of His personal presence in me.
I have heard, I have seen, I have handled the Word of Life. I have seen the Life; I bear witness to that Life. I am one with my brethren, as the Father and the Son are One; the world believes because of our oneness. I am made perfect in one with my brethren. The world is in awe; the world knows that the Father sent Jesus and has loved Him.
Jesus made many extraordinary claims about what I would experience if I believe in Him and fol- low Him. Jesus was witness number One. He was God’s first witness. Certainly, it is not hard to agree that Jesus was the witness of the Father. But one witness is not good enough for God. God requires a second witness. I am the second witness of Christ.
I Lay Hands on the Sick and They Are Healed; I Cast out Demons. Day 80-81: p. 108-109.
I give what I have in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. To those who are lame I say: “Rise up and walk.” Many signs and wonders are done through my hands. Multitudes are added to the Lord. The sick pass by and are healed. Multitudes gather, both sick and those tormented by demons, and all are healed. Wherever I go, unclean spirits come out of those who are possessed. Paralyzed and lame peo- ple are healed. Through me, Jesus the Christ heals you. Through me, the dead hear the voice of Jesus and arise. He grants that signs and wonders are done through my hands. God works unusual mira- cles through my hands. I speak to one who is injured and he rises up healed. I lay hands on the sick and they are healed.
Reaching out and touching people, lifting them up and meeting their needs, whatever those needs might be, is the central drive and ministry of Jesus. My central drive and ministry is reaching out and touching people, lifting them up and meeting their needs, whatever those needs might be.
I have the power of God upon me, not for my- self, but for others. If someone is sick (that includes everyone), I reach out and touch that one and he or she is healed. If someone is tormented by demons (everyone on the planet), I cast those demons out and bring the freedom of the Spirit of Christ to that person. I get down into the trenches; I climb down into the pit; I get right alongside of people in their pain and grief and hurt; and I bring them the help God has entrusted to me.