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Romans 12:3
In the English Standard Version of the Bible, Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” The New American Standard Bible, King James Version, and Holman Christian Standard Bible also contain “measure of faith,” while “measure of faith” is presented as “the faith God has distributed to each of you” in the New International Version and “the faith God has given us” in the New Living Translation. Right away, two facts are apparent about the “measure of faith”: first, it is the standard by which we correctly appraise ourselves, and, second, it is meted out by God. Because each believer receives his measure of faith by God’s allotment, we are prevented from thinking of ourselves “more highly” than we ought. Looking at the broader context of Romans 12:3, we notice there is something else given by God. The grace of God is mentioned as a gift to Paul in the same verse, and that same grace is mentioned as a gift to all believers in verse 6: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” So, immediately following his discussion of the measure of faith, Paul speaks of the gifts of the Spirit: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy. Recognizing that our measure of faith comes from God prevents pride and encourages “sober judgment.” Each of us should recognize the limits of his or her own gifts. At the same time, we must acknowledge the gifts that others possess and that each believer is divinely placed into Christ as a vital and functioning part of His spiritual Body (Romans 12:4–8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:27). No member should consider himself or herself as superior to any other but should instead recognize that God has placed us just where He wants us with the gifts He has chosen for us (1 Corinthians 12:11). God has given to each a “measure of faith” to use for Him. This “faith” is the gift from which all the other gifts flow. Faith is the first gift we receive (for justification), and faith is the gift that brings the other gifts of the Spirit into our lives. When a person is born again, God gives him gifts as a new member of the family of God. We receive the gifts according to the measure that God has given us, and we exercise the gifts according to the same measure of faith. “To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” (Ephesians 4:7). God deals to everyone his portion. Not everyone receives all the gifts, nor is the same gift given to everyone in the same measure. Our sovereign God distributes each gracious gift according to the measure of faith that He has bestowed on us. Recommended Resource: Faith Crisis: What Faith isn’t and Why It doesn’t Always Do What You Want by Ron Dunn The Measure Of Faith On The Inside Of You https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+measure+of+faith+copeland&view=detail&mid=66F3514753B2D53E99A766F3514753B2D53E99A7&FORM=VIRE&cc=US&setlang=en-US&cvid=31a9e15fc23744bea8d0164d47f39916&qs=SW&nclid=31F1128B89807F2FB9C0BACBC38F92D7&ts=1608804312862
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Proverbs 4:20-27NLT
20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4:20-27MSG 20-22 Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health. 23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. BLESSED:
Unity of the People of God: PROVISION: Psalm 133:1-3 1.Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore. PROGRESS: Genesis 11:6 6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. PRESENCE: Matthew 18:19-20 19“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Jesus will show up to help us. Supernatural comes through order. God is a God of order. Unity releases supernatural provision, progress, presence “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18
who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. Mark 10:30 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. John 16:23 Two Systems: The World System (Economic System) The Kingdom of God (Operating System) - A Better Way! “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5, 7 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 2 Peter 1:3 How do you Receive it! It’s already done! Get into The WORD. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:17 Be consistently persistent. knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 2 Peter 1:20 “For I am the Lord, I do not change. Malachi 3:6 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34 BE AVAILABLE, BE A WILLING VESSEL! Resources: Book: Laws of Prosperity, Copeland Link: KCM Partner Testimony – Roy King https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=KCM+Partner+Testimony&view=detail&mid=5E737D7B59C47786B5CC5E737D7B59C47786B5CC&FORM=VIRE&cc=US&setlang=en-US&cvid=dca787a8be9b45de9f1d485659b67441&qs=SW&nclid=31F1128B89807F2FB9C0BACBC38F92D7&ts=1595960481294 (Through Intercession)
If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.– 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 Since God doesn’t save anyone against their will, does it really do any good to pray for people who consciously refuse to receive Jesus as Lord? Yes! Yes! Yes it does! You see, in spite of the fact that most all unbelievers who have purposely refused to receive Jesus as Lord think they have made that decision of their own free will, the truth is, they haven’t. The Word of God says they have been blinded by Satan. He’s blocking their perception of the truth. So their decision hasn’t been freely made at all. Through the prayer of intercession, you can interfere with the satanic forces and help take the blinders off! You can also change circumstances with your prayers and help create situations that will bring them in contact with the Lord. You are well within your spiritual rights when you do. Jesus said in Matthew 12:29 to first bind the strong man and then enter his house and spoil his goods. So pray: “You spirit blinding the eyes of __________ (name), you stop what you are doing to keep him/her out of the kingdom of God. In Jesus’ Name, you stop NOW!” Jesus also said in Matthew 9:38, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he/she will send forth laborers into his harvest.” So pray, Lord send someone to __________ (name) with the Word of God. You know who he/she will listen to. I claim __________ (name) for the kingdom of God. I believe I receive his/her salvation and deliverance. In faith I praise You for it.” Believe it’s done when you pray. Don’t sit by and let the devil take you friends or loved ones without a fight. Pray! Pray! Pray! Come against the “god of this world.” Take off the blinders and open his/her eyes to the glorious gospel of God. Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 Enjoy this Prophetic, (Poetry From the Holy Spirit) Word that appeared in an article I recently read. I entitled it “A Prophetic WORD”,
A PROPHETIC WORD “When the seed is sown in the earth, before the sun can rise and set, the seed has demanded that your need be met. The heart will respond without regret, but the process has only begun, and it is not revealed yet; but have confidence and respect for the seed, for it has given its life for what you need. It will work night and day, giving substance to what you say. It will assemble the information piece-by-piece and know the exact time for its release. So set a watch on what you speak and how you pray, for a time of release comes every day. Take heed to the Words God has spoken and obey. For you see, the fruit is being fashioned each day. The process continues until the harvest is perfected in this very way. For day-after-day the seed demands, and the earth does obey. But be careful not to tamper with the seed, for if you do, you will come up with a weed. But if you will encourage it with the water of the Word, it will produce exactly the way you have heard.” 1. Genesis 8:22: “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest shall not cease.”
Confession: “Therefore, I sow my seeds in faith, knowing that the law of seedtime and harvest is working on my behalf.” 2. Genesis 1:11: “And God said, Let the earth bring forth…after his kind…and it was so.” Confession: “Therefore, I have sown financial seeds, and I’m expecting them to produce after their own kind in the form of financial blessings.” 3. Mark 4:26-27: “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground…and the seed should spring and grow up.” Confession: “Therefore, I’m expecting every seed that I have sown to grow up, to spring up, and to produce an abundant harvest.” 4. Job 36:11: “If they obey and serve him, they will spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.” Confession: “Therefore, because I have been obedient to God, I have sown my seeds. I fully expect my days to be filled with prosperity and my years with pleasures.” 5. Psalm 115:12, 14: “The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us…. The Lord shall increase you more and more.” Confession: “Therefore, because God has seen my sowing, His mind is continually on me. I’m expecting more and more financial blessings, and more and more financial increase to come into my life.” 6. Luke 6:38: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Confession: “Therefore, because I have given, I’m expecting good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running-over harvest from every seed that I’ve sown.” 7. 2 Corinthians 9:6: “He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Confession: “Therefore, I’m entitled to and I’m expecting a bountiful harvest because I am a bountiful sower.” 8. 2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” Confession: “Therefore, I’m expecting to have all sufficiency, more than enough, abounding in financial blessings, so that I am able to sow into every good work which the Holy Spirit impresses me to be a blessing to.” 9. 2 Chronicles 20:20: “Believe in the Lord your God, and so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” Confession: “Therefore, since I do believe in the Lord my God, and I believe what His prophet has spoken regarding (2020 being the year of SUPERNATURAL INCREASE, A NEW DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED) then I’m expecting to be established and prosper each day throughout this year and beyond. It shall come to pass in my life in Jesus’ Name. So be it.” As you water your seed with the Word of God and speak these faith-filled confessions, believe to receive an abundant harvest in 2020! Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away—let patience have her perfect work. You will reap an abundant harvest if you don’t give up! The Trinity refers to the fact that God is revealed in three persons, and yet He is one God. Each person (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is wholly God—not just a part of God. And together, they are God in oneness. Matthew 28:19 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Each Person of the Trinity has individual characteristics, responsibilities and operation. Yet none ever acts independently or in opposition to the others. There is always total unity and harmony. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (the Son), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7). Interestingly enough, the word Trinity itself is not found in the Bible. But the concept of the Trinity can be found from the beginning in the book of Genesis. In the account of Creation, God said, “Let us make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness...” (Genesis 1:26). Another characteristic of the Trinity is order. It is not an order of importance, but an order of operation. All plans come from the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit. The Father initiates, the Son proclaims (He is the Word in John 1), and the Holy Spirit executes. Each activity is vital but incomplete without the others. An example of the Trinity working together in harmony is found in Matthew 3:16-17: “After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.'” Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. – 3 John 2
Once you begin to believe it is God’s will to prosper you, you can’t help but wonder how He is going to do it. Is He going to put a check in the mail? Or start floating $20 bills down from the trees? No. He’s going to do it by prospering your soul. He’s going to plant the seeds of prosperity in your mind, will and emotions, and as they grow, they’ll produce a great financial harvest. Go to the book of Genesis and read the story of Joseph. It’s a perfect demonstration of what I’m talking about. When Joseph was sold as a slave to the Egyptians, he didn’t have a dime to his name. He didn’t even have his freedom. He’d been sold as a slave. But, right in the middle of his slavery, God gave Joseph such wisdom and ability that he made his owner prosper. As a result, the man put Joseph in charge of all his possessions. Later, Joseph was put in prison. There’s really not much opportunity for advancement in prison, is there? But God gave him insight that no other man in Egypt had. That insight landed him a position on Pharaoh’s staff. Not as a slave but as the most honored man in the entire country next to Pharaoh himself. He rode along in a chariot and people literally bowed down before him. During a worldwide famine, Joseph was in charge of all the food. Now that’s prosperity! How did God accomplish all that? By prospering Joseph’s soul. No matter how dismal his situation became, no matter how impossible his problems, God was able to reveal the spiritual secrets that would open the door of success for him. That’s what makes God’s method of prospering so exciting. It works anywhere and everywhere. It will work in the poorest countries on the face of this earth just like it works here in the United States. And you can be sure that it will work for you! Scripture Reading: Genesis 39 Father, in the Name of Jesus, I realize that as a believer my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. My acknowledgment of Your presence on a daily basis makes my faith in You effectual. I believe that You, heavenly Father, are leading and guiding me by the Holy Spirit through my spirit, and You are illuminating my mind.
As I yield to the Holy Spirit, I believe my steps are ordered of You, LORD. I commit and trust myself wholly to Your guidance, expecting You to cause my thoughts to become agreeable to Your will, so my plans will be established and succeed. I trust in You, LORD with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. As I acknowledge You, You direct me in the paths of righteousness. I confess that as I become more God-inside minded, I can more easily recognize the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. I hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, and a stranger’s voice I will not follow. I am aware that my spirit is the candle of the LORD. I meditate in The WORD day and night, not letting it depart from my mouth, I test my inward witness with The WORD, for the Spirit and The WORD agree. I am quick to act on The WORD, as well as the prompting of my spirit. I am not a hearer only but also a doer of The WORD. Therefore I am blessed in all my deeds. Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 6:19; Philemon 1:6; John 16:13; Romans 8:14; Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 16:3; 3:5-6; Psalm 23:3; Romans 8:16; John 10:5, 27; Proverbs 20:27; Joshua 1:8; 1 John 5:7; James 1:25 |
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