​WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT BEING BORN AGAIN?
Accepting Jesus as your Savior – is the key that unlocks God’s promises.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation] old things are passé away: behold all things are become new.  If you are a believer, here are some Bible facts about who you are and what you have as a new creation in Christ.
1.         You Are a Child Of God  No truth in the Bible is as far reaching as this: when you are born again, God is your Father.  And you can be assured He will take a father’s place and perform a father’s part.  He is interested in you and loves you.  (See John 14:23; 16:23, 27; Matthew 6:8-9, 26, 30-34; 7:11.)
2.         You Are a New Creature – a New Creation – a New Species  …In the New Birth, our spirits are recreated.  (Our bodies are not.  Our spirit is what becomes new).  The Apostle Paul calls our spirit being the inward man (2 Corinthians 4:16).  Peter calls this inner man the hidden man of the heart (1 Peter 3:4).  Your spirit being is the real you.
3.         All Things Are Possible to You  No one argues with Matthew 19:26 which says,  With God all things are possible Yet the same New Testament also says, All things are possible to him that believeth”.(Mark 9:23)
Are these scriptures equally true?  Could one be a statement of fact and the other a misconception?  No!  Both statements are true.  All things are possible to him that believeth.
Anytime you face a seemingly impossible situation, say aloud, “All things are possible to him that believeth.  And I believe!”
4.         The Greater One Is In You  1 John 4:4  
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 
John is telling us that we are born of God.  We have been born again.  Our spirits have been recreated.  We are of God.
Sadly, some Christians don’t know they are born of God and have received eternal life (the life and nature of God).  They think eternal life is something they will have when they get to heaven.  They think that right now they have received only forgiveness of sins.  And because of this, sin and Satan continue to reign over them.
But God in us is greater than any force that comes against us!  He’s greater than Satan and evil spirits.  He’s greater than sickness and disease.  When we know that the Life-Giver dwells in us, our very beings will radiate life!
When you are born again, you are of God.  You are born from above.  The same Spirit Who raised Christ from the dead dwells in you.  It’s no wonder the Bible says, “All things are possible to him that believeth.”  It is because the God with whom all things are possible lives within you!
 
By Kenneth E. Hagin

SALVATION FROM A TO Z 
 
For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Romans 3:23  
...BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  Acts 16:31 
That if thou shalt CONFESS with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10  
Giving thanks unto the Father…Who hath DELIVERED us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  Colossians 1:12-13  
For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have ETERNAL life.  John 3:16GNT    
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the FORGIVENESS of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  Ephesians 1:7.  
For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  Ephesians 2:8 
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that HEARETH my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.  John 5:24  
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 14:6  
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21  
But seek first the KINGDOM of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Matthew 6:33  
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is LIGHT, and in him is no darkness at all.  1 John 1:5   
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.  Acts 4:12  
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17  
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, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.  John 3:16AMP   
But as many as received him, to them gave he POWER to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  John 1:12  
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also QUICKEN your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  Romans 8:11  
For if, when we were enemies, we were RECONCILED to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be SAVED by his life.  Romans 5:10 
Sanctify them through thy TRUTH: thy word is truth.  John 17:17  
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the UNGODLY.  Romans 5:6   
…VERILY, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot  enter into the kingdom of God.   John 3:5  
For the WAGES of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 6:23  
Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, ’XCEPT a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  John 3:3  
Don’t be surprised at my statement that YOU must be born again.  John 3:7NLT 
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be ZEALOUS therefore, and repent.  Revelation 3:19  
PRAYER OF SALVATION:  Pray out loud in faith.  Dear God in Heaven, I come to You in the Name of Jesus.  Your Word says if I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I would be saved.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and I confess Him now as my Lord.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen   (Romans 5:12, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10)  
 
HOLY SPIRIT FROM A TO Z 
 
How God ANOINTED Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with him.  Acts 10:38  
I indeed BAPTIZE you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:  Matthew 3:11  
But when the COMFORTER is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:   John 15:26 
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he DWELLETH with you, and shall be in you.  John 14:16-17  
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized EVERY one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 2:38  
But the FRUIT of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23  
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will GUIDE you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.  John 16:13  
Then laid they their HANDS on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.  Acts 8:17 
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh INTERCESSION for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  Romans 8:26-27 
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ JESUS, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  Romans 8:1  
What?  KNOW ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  1 Corinthians 6:19  
And this expectation will not disappoint us.  For we know how dearly God LOVES us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.  Romans 5:5NLT
…on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For they heard them speak with tongues, and MAGNIFY God…Acts 10:45-46  
NEVERTHELESS I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  John 16:7  
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ORDAINED you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  John 15:16 
But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive POWER and will tell people about me everywhere…Acts 1:8
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also QUICKEN your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  Romans 8:11  
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should RECEIVE: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)  John 7:39  
And the SPIRIT of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;  Isaiah 11:2  
For he that speaketh in an unknown TONGUE speaketh not unto men, but unto God: …1 Corinthians 14:2  
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them UTTERANCE.  Acts 2:4  
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see VISIONS:   Joel 2:28  
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but WAIT for the promise of the Father,  Acts 1:4 
Be not drunk with wine, wherein is ‘XCESS; but be filled with the Spirit.  Ephesians 5:18
…Neither YIELD ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God…Romans 6:13  
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be ZEALOUS therefore, and repent.  Revelation 3:19  
PRAYER TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT Father, I believe with all my heart, based on the Scriptures, that the gift of the Holy Spirit is meant for me.  Just as I trust you for my eternal salvation by faith, so now I do trust you, by faith, to give me the fullness of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with other tongues.  I receive, by faith.  In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

SALVATION FROM A TO Z 
 
For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Romans 3:23  
...BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  Acts 16:31 
That if thou shalt CONFESS with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10  
Giving thanks unto the Father…Who hath DELIVERED us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  Colossians 1:12-13  
For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have ETERNAL life.  John 3:16GNT    
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the FORGIVENESS of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  Ephesians 1:7.  
For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  Ephesians 2:8 
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that HEARETH my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.  John 5:24  
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  John 14:6  
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21  
But seek first the KINGDOM of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Matthew 6:33  
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is LIGHT, and in him is no darkness at all.  1 John 1:5   
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.  Acts 4:12  
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17  
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, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.  John 3:16AMP   
But as many as received him, to them gave he POWER to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  John 1:12  
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also QUICKEN your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  Romans 8:11  
For if, when we were enemies, we were RECONCILED to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be SAVED by his life.  Romans 5:10 
Sanctify them through thy TRUTH: thy word is truth.  John 17:17  
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the UNGODLY.  Romans 5:6  
…VERILY, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot  enter into the kingdom of God.   John 3:5  
For the WAGES of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 6:23  
Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, ’XCEPT a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  John 3:3  
Don’t be surprised at my statement that YOU must be born again.  John 3:7NLT 
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be ZEALOUS therefore, and repent.  Revelation 3:19  
PRAYER OF SALVATION:  Pray out loud in faith.  Dear God in Heaven, I come to You in the Name of Jesus.  Your Word says if I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I would be saved.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and I confess Him now as my Lord.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen   (Romans 5:12, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10)  
 
HOLY SPIRIT FROM A TO Z 
 
How God ANOINTED Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with him.  Acts 10:38  
I indeed BAPTIZE you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:  Matthew 3:11  
But when the COMFORTER is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:   John 15:26 
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he DWELLETH with you, and shall be in you.  John 14:16-17  
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized EVERY one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 2:38  
But the FRUIT of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23  
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will GUIDE you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.  John 16:13  
Then laid they their HANDS on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.  Acts 8:17 
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh INTERCESSION for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  Romans 8:26-27 
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ JESUS, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  Romans 8:1  
What?  KNOW ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  1 Corinthians 6:19  
And this expectation will not disappoint us.  For we know how dearly God LOVES us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.  Romans 5:5NLT
…on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For they heard them speak with tongues, and MAGNIFY God…Acts 10:45-46  
NEVERTHELESS I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  John 16:7  
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ORDAINED you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  John 15:16 
But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive POWER and will tell people about me everywhere…Acts 1:8
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also QUICKEN your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  Romans 8:11  
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should RECEIVE: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)  John 7:39  
And the SPIRIT of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;  Isaiah 11:2  
For he that speaketh in an unknown TONGUE speaketh not unto men, but unto God: …1 Corinthians 14:2  
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them UTTERANCE.  Acts 2:4  
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see VISIONS:   Joel 2:28  
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but WAIT for the promise of the Father,  Acts 1:4 
Be not drunk with wine, wherein is ‘XCESS; but be filled with the Spirit.  Ephesians 5:18
…Neither YIELD ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God…Romans 6:13  
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be ZEALOUS therefore, and repent.  Revelation 3:19  
PRAYER TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT Father, I believe with all my heart, based on the Scriptures, that the gift of the Holy Spirit is meant for me.  Just as I trust you for my eternal salvation by faith, so now I do trust you, by faith, to give me the fullness of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with other tongues.  I receive, by faith.  In the Name of Jesus, Amen.    
GOOD NEWS DAILY MINISTRIES   P. O. BOX 8973    ROCKY MOUNT, NC 27804   gndministries@aol.com

THE NAME OF JESUS IS THE MASTER KEY
The Name of Jesus Is the Master Key - Bing video

7 SCRIPTURE-BASED CONFESSIONS TO SPEAK OVER YOUR SEED
If you were going to plant a garden in your backyard, would you walk outside, throw some seed around, then go back inside and wait for the crops to sprout? Probably not.  Well, you can’t do that with spiritual seed, either. Just as you would in the natural, you prepare the soil, plant intentionally, water, tend and then bring in the harvest.  As Jesse Duplantis says, “Sow it, don’t throw it.”
Part of the watering, tending and harvesting process includes speaking right words over your seed.  Don’t be a casual sower. Become an expert in farming THE BLESSING. Begin today by speaking these 7 Scripture-Backed Confessions To Speak Over Your Seed to bring in an abundant harvest!
 
1. Father, today, I am sowing a seed toward (goal, vision or dream), and therefore, I name my seed ________ (example: new home, new job). I sow it into Your kingdom, which is rich soil (Genesis 1:12).
2. I sow my seed in faith, knowing that the law of seedtime and harvest is always at work. I EXPECT to see a harvest, in Jesus’ Name (Genesis 8:22)!
3. I speak to every seed I’ve sown right now in the Name of Jesus, and I command you to grow, be fruitful and multiply to become a great and abundant harvest in my life (Mark 4:26-27).
4. Seed—I’m talking to you—I speak faith and life over you. I declare increase, promotion and overflowing abundance to come from you into my life (Psalm 115:12,14).
5. Seed, I haven’t forgotten about you. I bless you in the Name of the Lord, and I command you to yield to me according to God’s Word—good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38).
6. I sow bountiful seed, and I am expecting a bountiful harvest (2 Corinthians 9:6)!
7. My seed is producing a harvest for me, so I can continue to sow and reap in God’s perfect economy! I am BLESSED to live well and give well in Jesus’ Name (2 Corinthians 9:8)!
Keep watering your seed with faith words found in these confessions and expect to see a harvest. No matter how long it takes, never give up on a seed!

Do you need a dose of God’s favor today? If you are a child of God then you already have it. But if you need to remind yourself of God’s goodness, grace and favor in your life, then pray these four scriptures over yourself.
 
Be sure to insert your name and pray out loud so you can hear what God’s Word truly says about you!
 
·    Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace [I] have been saved through faith, and that not of [myself]; it is the gift of God” (NKJV).
 
·    Romans 5:8: “But God showed his great love for [me] by sending Christ to die for [me] while [I was] still [a] sinner.”
 
·    Psalm 5:12: “For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround [me] with your shield of love.”
 
·    2 Peter 1:2: “May God give [me] more and more grace and peace as [I] grow in [my] knowledge of God and Jesus [my] Lord.”
 
 Begin thanking the Lord right now that you are enjoying His favor in every area of your life. Then make sure to read and meditate over the promises God gave concerning His people in Deuteronomy 28. As you do, remind yourself that you walk in the favor of God each and every day!

Are you on the path to excellence in your ministry? Every Christian has a calling to fulfill, and following these steps will ensure your success!
You are called to ministry. Whether God has called you to be a pastor or a first-rate engineer, if you are a born-again Christian, God has a purpose for your life that will further the kingdom of God. He strategically places His people all over the world—not only in pulpits and on mission fields, but in homes, offices, schools and the marketplace.
But to succeed in ministry, it isn’t as simple as heeding the call. To be effective and fulfill God’s purpose for your ministry, you need to get on the road to excellence, run the race, and “obtain the prize.”
The ministry of Jesus was one of excellence, and one that laid the foundation for success. Once you know your calling, to follow Jesus’ example, you must pursue excellence in every aspect of your life and ministry.
What Is Excellence?
The root of the word excellent is excel, which means “to rise to the highest place or to pass in accomplishments or achievement, to be distinguishable by superiority.” Excellence does everything with the highest quality and integrity. It is never subpar or mediocre in any way. Excellence stands above the rest.
In ministry, a spirit of excellence is a desire to reach toward God, rather than get something from God. That’s why a ministry of excellence will never promote itself or force success. It allows the gospel to do the promoting.
To honor God and find success in your calling, begin by following these six steps to excellence in ministry.
Step No. 1: Be Dedicated to Excellence in Ministry
A ministry of excellence is a ministry that does not plan to fail. Whatever you have been called to—pastor, apostle, prophet, evangelist, teacher or any other role in the Body of Christ, the Lord will not revoke the assignment given to you (Romans 11:29), so you are responsible for how you handle your calling. To do that, you must be dedicated to excellence in every area of your ministry and dedicated to success.
When you stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, it will be in the light of your calling—not what you did, not what you meant to do or wished you had done, but what God said you were appointed to do. This applies not only to the fivefold ministry but to every member of Christ’s Body.
When you finally make a full, no-quit, no-turn-back, forever commitment to God, fulfilling your calling will be the most exciting thing you’ve ever done. He ordained you before the foundation of the world, but He did not leave you on your own! God has provided the power, furnished the weapons and equipped you with everything you need to fulfill your calling. Your part is to make a decision to be dedicated to your calling—a decision to pursue and maintain excellence in your ministry.
Step No. 2: Have Singleness of Purpose
What does it mean to have singleness of purpose? It means to be single-minded and driven in one direction. If you drive a car without a single destination in mind, you’ll be zigzagging and driving in circles. You won’t get anywhere! But when you have singleness of purpose, everything you do will drive you in that one direction.
What is your single purpose as a minister of God? To meet the needs of people. Many individuals and ministries often lose sight of this purpose. They get distracted with the number of people responding to them, the budget, projects or publicity. They don’t mean to, but sooner or later, they forget their purpose—to meet the needs of people.
We find in James 1:6-8 why single-mindedness is so important: “He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (NKJV).
The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, says, “[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating…).” What happens when you hesitate? Your adversary takes the first step. You find yourself on the defensive, with Satan ahead of you and beating you at every turn. If you are not single-minded about your purpose for the calling God has for you, you will not have any definite direction. You will always be wondering what you are supposed to do.
A double-minded man tries to operate in fear and faith at the same time. He does this by making plans in the flesh and preparing for defeat if what he wishes to come to pass doesn’t happen. As long as you’re making provision in the flesh, you’re making provision for failure. A man of faith never makes provision for failure. You will never find God playing nine-inning games.  He plays until He wins.
Meet the needs of people.  Say it out loud, “The singleness of purpose of my ministry is to meet the needs of people.”  If you are going to do that, you are going to have to live by faith, because that is the only way you are ever going to meet their needs. Be determined to have excellence in your ministry, to live by faith, and to meet the needs of people.
Step No. 3: Follow the Leadership of the Holy Spirit
The path to excellence in life and in ministry is always the same—follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Let’s face it, your mind likes to do a lot of its own planning, but if you lean on your own understanding, it’s only a matter of time before you fall flat. God has called you to a particular ministry, and He fully intends to lead you into excellence, success and a life beyond what you could ever imagine on your own.
That’s why He has given you the Holy Spirit—to guide you, instruct you and keep you on the path to excellence. A person who desires a ministry of excellence should pray in tongues at least an hour a day, and particularly before you preach or minister. Then, learn to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit within you. You will find yourself equipped with the answer to any challenge that comes your way.
Kenneth Copeland has found this to be true throughout his more than 50 years in the ministry. He once shared about a time when he first started in the ministry and found himself in a position where he needed the ministry of the Holy Spirit while he was preaching.
“One night, as I was preaching, I remember that the anointing was really strong, when a woman in the audience suddenly burst forth in tongues. I felt like someone had stood up and doused me with a fire hose. I said, ‘Lady, hold that.’ She just kept on. She grew louder still. By this time, the service was in shambles. This continued on for what seemed like an eternity.
“Finally, when she hushed, I looked right at her and corrected her sternly. The man sitting next to her spoke up and said, ‘Brother Copeland, she is stone-deaf. She didn’t hear a word you said.’ I found out later that someone had planned the whole thing. He had already run half a dozen preachers out of town with the same trick.
“I just closed my eyes and inside my own consciousness I said, ‘Lord, You will have to show me what to do. I am not going to make a move until You tell me what I am to do.’
“The answer came to me. It was so simple that my carnal mind would never have thought of it. I would not have even acted on it if I had thought of it! The Lord said, ‘Call her up and lay hands on her, and I will open her ears.’ I called her up, and God opened her ears.”
If you are going to minister to people’s needs, you will have to be led of the Holy Spirit because, more often than not, you will find yourself in situations that only His wisdom can handle.
Step No. 4: Strip Away the Things of the World
Excellence in ministry requires an excellent spirt in every area. This includes the conduct of those who work with you in ministry, as well as the operations of your place of ministry. For example, if your ministry is in your home, determine to have a home that is run with excellence. This means your home will be neat and clean, it will run in an organized way, and your children will be well-behaved. More importantly, you must first determine to have excellence in your own conduct.
The same is true if you are a pastor of a church. Every part of your church should operate with excellence. But it isn’t right to demand excellence from your staff or congregation if you don’t demand excellence in your own conduct. If your ministry is in a secular field, the same is true as well. Strive for excellence—expect excellence from your staff, in the dealings of your business, and in your own conduct. You can’t live a sloppy life and have an excellent ministry.
Oral Roberts once said, “If we demand excellence out of the students at Oral Roberts University, then we have to live by excellence in front of them.”
How do you achieve this? Strip away the things of the world.
We are in this world but not of it. So, to have excellence in our ministries, we must strip away everything of the world from our lives until there is nothing left but the Word of God. Strip away your negative confessions. Put the Word of God first place in your life and allow it to strip away all other things.
You can’t sit and watch television day and night, and expect to have an excellent ministry. Break the habit. Jesus said the cares of the world will choke the Word (Mark 4:19).
Paul wrote to young Timothy, “Be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:6, KJV). We cannot “feed” off of TV and be “good ministers of Jesus Christ.” We’ve got to strip away the things of the world to be effective.
Find the profile of excellence in this Profile of a Prosperous Christian.
Step No. 5: Look to the Word of God Day and Night
We already know that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17, NKJV). So, to achieve excellence in ministry, look to the Word of God day and night. It will guide you and keep you on the road to excellence. It will keep you from turning to the right or the left or using worldly wisdom to determine the path of your ministry.
Proverbs 4:20-22 says, “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” The Word is life and healing, and it stands for excellence in all things.
Exalt the Word in your life and ministry. Let it do the work. If there is ever a problem, apply God’s wisdom to it. Speak and act only on the Word. If you exalt the Word, people will be delivered.
In any area of ministry, if there is ever any doubt about which direction you should be headed, look toward the Word to direct you. Put the Word first. If you do this, everything else will take care of itself.
Step No. 6: Spend Time Fasting
To keep in tune with the Holy Spirit in your ministry, spend time fasting. The spiritual practice of fasting will help you hear from God and keep your flesh in line. Remember—fasting doesn’t push God into action, it helps you hear from God. He is always talking to us, but sometimes our “receiver” isn’t working as it should. Fasting is a tool that puts us in position to be more spiritually aware and “tuned in” to God.
Anyone who desires an excellent ministry continually seeks God for direction. A fast will put you in the position to hear from God to receive guidance for a specific situation. Remember to keep your fast private and follow Jesus’ guidelines (Matthew 6:16-18). Hypocritical piety will defeat the purpose of a fast. If you publicize your spirituality, you will exchange the reward from God for a reward from men.
Spend time fasting and submitting your ministry to the leading of the Lord. This will help ensure excellence in your ministry every step of the way.
In conclusion, when you put these six steps to excellence in ministry into practice, you will fulfill the calling and purpose of God for your life. Whatever He has called you to do, purpose in your heart to do it with excellence. Then, when the time comes, you will hear those wonderful, beautiful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
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