ContentsChapter1ThePriceofGod’sMiracle-WorkingPowerChapter2TheDiscipleisNotAboveHisMasterChapter3EveryOneThatisPerfectShallBeasHisMasterChapter4BeYeThereforePerfectChapter5Christ—OurExampleChapter6Self-DenialChapter7TheCrossChapter8IMustDecreaseChapter9HeMustIncreaseChapter10IdleWordsandFoolishTalkingChapter11PresentYourBodyChapter12APartakerofHisDivineNatureChapter13PersonalThings

ThispowerfulfaithclassicwaswrittenbyEvangelistA.A.Allensomefourdecadesago,buthasbeenoutofcirculationinrecentyears.BecauseIconsideritoneofthemostimportantChristianbookseverproduced,Iamhappytobeabletopresentitanewtoanewgenerationofreaderswhoneeditsbiblicalmessagenowmorethanever.

A.A.Allenwasoneofthemostimportantevangeliststoemergeintheearlydaysofthehealingrevival.Fromthebeginninghewasaprophettothepoor.Herelated to their feelings and needs in a way few public figures do, anddemonstratedgreatcompassionforthem.

Hisgreat tentcrusadesreachedmassesofpeopleacrossAmerica,asdidhisTVandradiooutreaches,andhisbooksandliterature.

Ihad theprivilegeof servingasBrotherAllen's associateevangelist for sixyearsduringthe1950s.I learnedsomuchaboutfaithandthemiraculousfromthismanofGod,withwhomIministeredwithdeepadmirationandrespect.

I pray this book will encourage, inspire, and bless you as it has so manyothersovertheyears.Andbyithebeingdeadyetspeaketh(Hebrews11:4).R.W.Schambach

Chapter1ThePriceofGod’sMiracle-WorkingPowerHowlonghadIbeenhereinthiscloset?Days...orjusthours?Itseemedlike

dayssince,atmyownrequest,Ihadheardmywifelockthatclosetdoorfromtheoutside!Whatwouldshethinkaboutmeshuttingmyselfawayforsolong?Haditreallybeendays,orjusthours?WasIreallygettinganywherewithGod?WouldGodanswer?WouldHesatisfythathungerinmysoul,orwouldIhavetoadmitdefeatagainasIhaddonesomanytimesbefore?No!I'dstayrighthereonmykneesuntilGodanswered,orIwoulddieintheattempt!Hadn'tGod'sWordsaid,TheythatwaitupontheLordshallrenewtheirstrength; theyshallmountupwithwingsaseagles;theyshallrun,andnotbeweary(Isaiah40:31)?

Hadmywifeopenedthedoor?No,itwasstillclosed!Butthelight—wherewas the light coming from? Then I began to realize that the light filling myprayerclosetwasGod'sglory!Itwasn'ttheclosetdoorthathadopened,butthedoorofheaven!

ThepresenceofGodwas so real andpowerful that I felt Iwoulddie rightthereonmyknees.ItseemedthatifGodcameanycloser,Icouldnotstandit!YetIwanteditandwasdeterminedtohaveit.LittlewonderthatPaul,underlikecircumstances, fell to the earth (Acts 9:4).Nowonder John fellat his feet asdead(Revelation1:17).

Wasthismyanswer?WasGodgoingtospeaktome?WouldGodsatisfymylongingheartatlast,afterthesemanyyears?IseemedtoloseconsciousnessofeverythingexceptthemightypresenceofGod.Itrembled..!triedtoseeHimandthenwas afraid that Iwould, for suddenly I realized that should I seeHim, Iwoulddie(seeExodus33:20).JustHisgloriouspresencewasenough!

Thenlikeawhirlwind,IheardHisvoice.ItwasGod!Hewasspeakingtome!ThiswasthegloriousanswerIhadsoughtsodiligentlyandhadbeenwaitingforsincemyconversionattheageoftwenty-three.ThiswaswhatmylongingsoulhadcriedforeversinceGodcalledmeintotheministry.

That call hadcomewith such force andwas sodefinite, thatnothingcouldevermakemedoubtitwasofGod.Eventhoughmypastlifehadnotproperlypreparedmeforministry,IknewGodwascallingme.

Fromthetimeofmyconversion,IrealizedmyneedofconcentratedstudyifIwas to effectively fulfill the call of God upon my life. I spent many hoursreading theBible and seeking to understand itsmessage andmeaning. Tomy

simple, untaught soul, God seemed to mean exactly what He said— and Heseemed to be saying it directly to me through His Word: As ye go, preach,saying,Thekingdomofheavenisathand.HEALTHESICK,cleansethelepers,raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew10:7,8).Allthisseemedtobeincludedinacalltotheministry,yetIdidnotseeit beingdone! Imyselfwaspowerless to carryout these commandsofChrist.YetIknewthatitcouldbedone,forChristwouldnotgiveacommandthatcouldnotbecarriedout!

Before my conversion, I knew so little about God and His Word, that Icouldn'tevenquoteJohn3:16ornamethefourGospels.IntheMethodistchurchwhereIwasconverted,IwasnottaughttoseekthebaptismwiththeHolyGhostsuch as the disciples received on the Day of Pentecost. Nor was I taught toexpect thesignsmentionedinMark16:17,18tofollowmeasabeliever in theLord.IwastaughttobelieveontheLordJesusChristforsalvation.AndIwasgloriouslysavedandsetfreefromcondemnationofsin.Then,asIsearchedtheScriptures, I asked God to direct me to the portions that would be the mostbeneficialtome.TheLordbegantorevealtomethetruthsofthebaptismoftheHoly Ghost, the signs following, the gifts of the Spirit, and the supernaturalthingsofGod.

ItwasnotlonguntilGodledmeintoaPentecostalchurch.ThereIbegantoseetheblessingsofGodandsomeofthemanifestationsoftheSpirit.Itwasinthesemeetings that I became convinced ofmy need for the baptismwith theHolySpirit.IbegantoprayandearnestlyseekGodforthatexperience.

Thirtydaysaftermyconversion,whileattendingacampmeeting inMiami,Oklahoma I was gloriously filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in othertonguesastheSpiritgaveutterance.

Ihadread,Yeshallreceivepower,afterthattheHolyGhostiscomeuponyou(Acts1:8),soIfullyexpectedthatIwouldimmediatelyhavepowertohealthesickandperformmiracles.But itdidn't takeme long to realize thatmorewasrequiredthanthebaptismwiththeHolyGhost,inordertoconsistentlyseetheseresults.ThebaptismwiththeSpiritprovidesaccesstothispower,butthegiftsoftheSpiritprovidethechannelsforitsoperation.IimmediatelybegantoprayandseekthegiftsoftheSpirit.IfeltImusthavepowertohealthesick,forIknewthatGodnevercalledanyonetopreachthegospelwithoutalsocommissioninghimtohealthesick.

The power of the Holy Ghost may be likened to the power of electricity.Whenone is filledwith theSpirit, it is likewiringabuilding,andestablishing

connectionwiththe"powerhouse."Manypeopleuseelectricityforyearsjusttoprovide light—never taking advantage of the conveniences that are availablethrough using the various appliances powered by electricity. The gifts of theSpiritmaybe likened to these appliances.Asnewgifts are added,moreworkcanbedonewithgreaterease.Thepowerdoesnotchange,butitismademoreeffective.Godnever intendedforHispeople tostopafterbeingfilledwith theSpirit. It is just the beginning.We are told to covet earnestly the best gifts (1Corinthians12:31).ThisisthepathtogreateraccomplishmentsforGod.

Twoyearsaftermyconversion, Imarriedandbeganmyministry.Formorethanayear,mywifeandIcontinuedpreachingthegloriousgospelofsalvation,thebaptismwiththeSpirit,thesecondcomingofChrist,anddivinehealing.IneveryrevivalmeetingIalwaysscheduledatleasttwonightseachweektopreachdivinehealingandprayforthesick.Duringthistime,wesawalargenumberofmiraculoushealingsasGodhonoredthepreachingofHisWord.ButIknewthatGod's plan included greater things forme and I believed therewould come atimewhenthisplanwouldbearealityinmylife.

Many timesmywife and I searched the Scriptures together. Each timewebecamemoreconvinced thatGod'spromisesconcerning thegiftsof theSpirit,thesignsfollowing,healings,andmiraclesweremeantforustoday.Itwasalsoclear thatwedidnotpossess thispowerin thefullnessGodhadpromised.Weknewtheremustbeascripturalreasonwhywewerelackingthispower.SinceGodcannotlie,thefaulthadtobewithinus!

Whilepastoringmyfirstchurch,inColorado,ImadeupmymindthatIhadtohearfromheavenandknowthereasonwhymyministrywasnotconfirmedbysignsandwonders.Ifeltsurethat ifIfastedandprayed,GodwouldrevealwhatstoodbetweenmeandHismiracle-workingpowerinmyministry.IwassohungryforthepowerofGodinmylifethatIfeltIcouldnotstandinmypulpitandpreachagain,untilIheardfromHim.ItoldmywifeofmyplantowaitonGodfortheanswer.

ItwasthenthatIhadthegreatestbattleofmylife.SatanwasdeterminedthatIshouldnot fastandprayuntilGodanswered.Manytimeshewhippedmebytrickingmeoutofthatprayercloset.SatanknewthatifIeveractuallycontactedGoditwouldhinderhisevilcause.Sohesetouttodoallinhispowertokeepmefrommakingthatcontact.

Day after day I went into the prayer closet, determined to stay until Godspoketome.AgainandagainIcameoutwithouttheanswer.

Againandagainmywifewouldsaytome,"Ithoughtyousaidthiswasthe

timeyouweregoingtostayuntilyougottheanswer."Thenshewouldsmileinherownsweetway,rememberingthatthespiritindeediswilling,butthefleshisweak(Matthew26:41).

AgainandagainIansweredher,"Honey,Ireallymeanttoprayitthroughthistime, but—!" It seemed therewas always a reasonwhy I couldn't stay in thatclosetuntiltheanswercame.IalwaysjustifiedmyselfbysayingIwouldprayitthroughtomorrow.Thingswouldbemorefavorablethen.

TheLordencouragedmyheartbycallingtomyattentionhowDanielheldonin fasting and prayer. He wrested the answer from the hands of Satan, eventhoughittookthreeweekstodoso(seeDaniel10:1,12).

SothenextdayIwasonmykneesintheclosetagain.IhadtoldmywifeIwouldnevercomeoutuntilIheardfromGod,andIreallythoughtImeantit.

Butafewhourslater,asInoticedthearomaoffoodbeingprepared,Iwasoutoftheclosetandinthekitchen,inquiring,"Whatsmellssodelicious,dear?"

Atthetableafewmomentslater,Godspoketomyheart.Ihadonlytakenonebiteoffood,butIstopped.Godhadspokentome.Iknewinthatmomentthatuntil Iwanted to hear fromGodmore than anything else in theworld—morethanfoodandgratificationoftheflesh—IwouldnevergetmyanswerfromGod.

Iquicklyarosefromthetableandsaidtomywife,"Honey,ImeanbusinesswithGod this time! I'mgoingback into thecloset,andIwantyou to lockmeinside.IamgoingtostaythereuntilIhearfromGod."IhadsaidthissomanytimesbeforethatshewasbeginningtowonderifIreallycouldsubduethefleshlongenoughtodefeatthedevil.

"Oh,"shereplied,"you'llbeknockingformetoopenthedoorinanhourorso."Nevertheless,Iheardherlockthedoorfromtheoutside,saying"I'llletyououtanytimeyouknock."

Ianswered,"I'llnotknockuntilIhavetheanswerthatIhavewantedsolong."AtlastIhaddefinitelymadeupmymindtostaythereuntilIheardfromGod—nomatterwhatthecost!

HourafterhourIbattledthedevilandthefleshinthatcloset!ManytimesIalmost gave up. It seemed tome that dayswere slipping by, andmyprogresswassoslow!ManytimesIwastemptedtogiveitallupandtrytobesatisfiedwithout theanswer—to justgoonas Ihadbeendoing.Butdeep inmysoul IknewIcouldneverbesatisfieddoingthat.Ihadtrieditandfoundthatitwasnotenough.SoIkeptonwaiting.

Andnowsomethingwashappening!I don't knowhow long I hadbeen in the closetwhen this happened, and it

doesn'tmatter.IjustknowIprayeduntilithappened!The presence ofGodwas so real...sowonderful ...and so powerful! InHis

presence,IfeltlikeoneofthesmallpebblesatthefootofthetoweringRockies.IfeltunworthytoevenhearHisvoice.ButHewasn'tspeakingtomebecauseIwas worthy, He was speaking because I was needy. Centuries ago He hadpromisedtosupplythatneed,andthiswasthefulfillmentofthatpromise.

ItseemedthatGodwas talking tomefaster thananyhumancouldpossiblyspeak—and faster than I could follow,mentally.Myheart cried out, "Speak alittlemoreslowly.Iwanttorememberitall!"YetIknewIcouldneverforget!GodwasgivingmealistofthethingswhichstoodbetweenmeandHispower.Aftereachnewrequirementwasaddedtothelistinmymind,therefollowedabriefexplanationabouttherequirementanditsimportance.

IfIhadknownthereweresomanythingstoremember,Iwouldhavebroughtapencilandpaper!Ihadn'texpectedGodtospeakinsuchadefiniteway,givingme sucha long list. I neverdreamed Iwas falling so far shortof thegloryofGod.Ihadn'trealizedthereweresomanythingsinmylifethatgenerateddoubtandhinderedmyfaith.

AsGodcontinuedtospeaktome,Ibegantofeelinmypocketsforapencil.AtlastIlocatedoneandbegansearchingforapieceofpaper.Icouldn'tfindany.SuddenlyIrememberedthecardboardboxfilledwithwinterclothesthatIwasusingforanaltar.Iwouldwriteonthebox.

NowIwasready!IaskedtheLordtopleasestartalloveragainatthebeginningandletmewrite

the things down, one at a time. I askedHim to speak slowly so I could get itdownonpaper.

Oncemore,GodstartedatthebeginningandrepeatedthemanythingsHehadalreadyrevealedtome.AsGodspoketome,IwrotedownwhatHesaid.

When the last requirement was written down on the list, God spoke onceagain. He said, "This is the answer. When you have placed on the altar ofconsecrationandobediencethelastthingonyourlist,YESHALLNOTONLYHEALTHESICK,BUTINMYNAMESHALLYECASTOUTDEVILS.YESHALLSEEMIGHTY

MIRACLES AS, IN MY NAME, YE PREACH THE WORD. FORBEHOLD, I GIVE YOU POWER OVER ALL THE POWER OF THEENEMY."

Godthenrevealedtomethethingsthatwerehindrancestomyministry—thethings that prevented Him from working with me, confirming theWord with

signs following. They were the very same things which were hinderingthousandsofothers.

Nowitbegantogrowdarker inthecloset.IfeltHismightypowerbegintolift. For a few more moments His presence lingered...and then I was alone.Alone,yetnotalone.

ItrembledunderthemightylingeringpresenceofGod.Inthedark,Ifumbledat thebottomof thecardboardbox, tearingoff the list Ihadwrittendown.Atlast,herewasthepriceImustpayinordertohavethepowerofGodinmylifeandministry—thepricetagfortheMIRACLE-WORKINGPOWEROFGOD!

Frantically,Ipoundedonthelockeddoor.AgainandagainIpounded.Atlast,Iheardmywifecoming.Sheopenedthedoorandthemomentshesawme,sheknewIhadbeenwithGod.Herfirstwordswere,"You'vegottheanswer!"

"Yes,honey.Godhaspaidmeavisitfromheaven,andhereistheanswer."Inmyhandwastheoldbrownpieceofcardboard,withtheanswerthathad

costsomanyhoursoffastingandprayer,waiting,and—yes—believing!MywifeandIsatdownatthetablewiththelistbeforeus.AsItoldherthe

story, andwewent down the list together,we bothwept. Therewere thirteenitemsonthelistwhenIcameoutofthecloset,butIerasedthelasttwobeforeshowingthelisttomywife.Theseweretoopersonalforevenhertoknow.Shehasneveraskedmeabout thembecauseshe realizes itMUSTremainbetweenmeandGod.

Theotherelevenrequirementsmakeupthecontentsofthisbook.Thereisoneentire chapter devoted to each of the eleven requirements. If you, too, havelongedforthemanifestationsofthemightypowerofGodinyourownlifeandministry,Itrustthatthesethoughtswillinspireyou.MayGodspeaktoyou,asHedidtome,andleadyoutonewvictoryandgreaterusefulnessbecauseofthisbook.

SinceGodspoketomethatdayinthecloset,manypageshavebeentornfromthe calendar. In fact,many calendars havebeen replacedbynewones.As thetimehaspassed,Ihavemarkedtherequirementsfrommylist,onebyone.ThelistgrewsmallerandsmallerasIshoutedthevictoryoverSatanandmarkedoffoneafteranother!

Finally, Iwasdown to the last tworequirements.Satansaid tome,"You'vemarkedoffelevenbutherearetwoyou'llnevermarkoff.I'vegotyouwhipped."

But,by thegraceofGod, I told thedevilhewasa liar. IfGodsaidIcouldmarkthemalloff,Hewouldhelpmedoit!ButitwasquitesometimebeforeIwasabletomarkoffthelasttwo.

NeverwillIforgettheday,whenIlookedovermylistandfoundtherewasonlyone thing left!PraiseGod, if Icouldmark thatoneoff, IcouldclaimthepromiseGodhadmadetome.

IHAD to claim that promise!Millionswere sick and afflicted, beyond thehelp ofmedical science. SomeoneMUSTbring deliverance to them.Godhadcalledmetotakedeliverancetothepeople,andGodhascalledeveryministerofthegospeltodothesame!(seeEzekiel34:1-4).

ManytimesasItraveledacrossthestates,GodpouredoutHisSpiritonmymeetings. However, I knew that when I marked the last item frommy list, Iwouldseemiracles suchas Ihadnever seenbefore. In themeantime, Iwouldpatientlystrivetowardvictory,trustingGodtohelpmeuntilthevictorycame.Iknew that, when victory was mine, God would be glorified, and others, too,wouldbeencouragedtoseekforHispower.

AsIwrotethisbook,Iwasconductinga"BacktoGodHealingRevival"inOakland, California. Many said it was the greatest revival in the history ofOakland.Hundredssaidtheyhadneverwitnessedsuchadynamicmovingofthepower of God. Night after night the waves of divine glory swept over thecongregation.Many testifiedofbeinghealedwhilesitting in theirseats.Againand againwe felt themighty power ofGod settling over themeeting. Peoplerose to their feet to testify of instant healings—some of which were visiblymiraculous, such as outward tumors disappearing and cripples being madewhole.

Ifeltagoiterdisappearatthetouchofmyhand,inJesus'name!There were many shouts of victory as the blind received their sight. One

womantestified,"Itwaslikecomingoutofthedarkintothesunlight."Weprayedforawomanwiththroattrouble.Afterafewmoments,shehurried

totheladiesrestroom.Afterreturningtotheauditorium,shetestifiedthat,afterprayer,somethingcamelooseinherthroatandcameupintohermouth.Shehadhurried to the rest room to dispose of it. It was some kind of foreign growth(probablycancer),whitish-orangeincolor.

Ruptures,aslargeasaperson'sfist,disappearedovernight.Cancer,deafness,tumor, goiter, sugar diabetes—every known disease and many unknown—disappearedas,inthenameofJesus,welaidhandsonthesick.Inmanycases,healingswereverifiedbydoctors'reportsandx-rays.

We stood in holy awe andmarvel at themiracle-working power ofGod. Itmoved, night after night, from the very beginning of this meeting. Hundredsweredeliveredfromthepowerof theenemy—saved,healed,orfilledwiththe

Spirit.In this meeting, it was impossible to have what is generally termed as a

"healingline."Atleast90percentofthosewelaidhandsonwereimmediatelyprostratedunderthemightypowerofGod.Somedancedafewstepsormoveddrunkenly under the power of the Spirit before falling (see Jeremiah 23:9).Under those circumstances, it was impossible to have people march on afterprayer. The mighty power of God moved upon the people. It was this samepowerthatcausedJohnto''fallathisfeetasdead”(seeRevelation1:17).

Manysaythatthemostoutstandingthingaboutthismeetingwasthatsuchalarge percentage of the sick received miraculous deliverances. It would be aconservative estimate to say that at least 90 percent—or evenmore—of thoseprayedforweremarvelouslyhealed.

Oneevening'sservicewasdesignated"HolyGhostNight."Thebuildingwaspackedtothedoors,withpeoplesittingonthealtarbenches.Eternityalonewillreveal the number of people who were filled, or refilled, with the Spirit.Weannouncedthat,inthisservice,handswouldbelaiduponseekersfortheinfillingoftheSpirit,accordingtoActs8:17.Afterthesermon,allwhohadnotalreadybeen filled during the service, came forward for prayer. With only a fewexceptions,everyonewetouchedinthenameofJesus,fellprostrate.Whatanunusual sight—to stand on the platform afterwards and look upon the many"slainoftheLord."Theywereineveryavailablealtarspaceandevendowntheaisles! Sweeter yet was the sound of the heavenly music as voices joined inunitedpraisetoGod.TheHolySpiritfilledobedientbelieversandtheybegantospeakinnewtonguesandmagnifyGod(seeMark16:17;Acts10:46).

Although I do not claim to possess the gift of healing, hundreds weremiraculouslyhealedinthismeeting,aswellasinfollowingcampaigns.IdonotclaimtopossessasinglegiftoftheSpirit,nortohavepowertoimpartanygifttoothers, yet all the gifts of the Spirit were in operation, night after night. GodconfirmedHisWordwithsignsfollowing!

WhydidIseesuchachangein theresultsofmyministry?YouaskWHY?Haveyounotguessed?

At last the final item was marked off the list! Hallelujah! Many times, Ialmostgaveuphopeofeverbeingabletomarkthatlastoneoff.But,atlast,itwasgone!ByGod'sgrace,GONEFOREVER!

WiththemarkingoffofthelastrequirementonmylistcamethefulfillmentofGod'spromise.Thesickwerehealed,devilscastout,andmightymiracleswereseen,inthenameofJesus,asHisWordwaspreached!

The followingchapters arededicated toallwhohunger for theMIRACLE-WORKINGPOWEROFGOD.

Chapter2TheDiscipleisNotAboveHisMasterWhatstrangewords!WhyshouldGodspeakthustome?Somehow,IknewIhadreadthesewords,butwhere?(Ilaterdiscoveredthey

werefromMatthew10:24.)ButthiswasthevoiceofGod,speakingdirectlytoME...thesamevoicewhichspoketoPeterinActs10:15,saying,WhatGodhathcleansed,thatcallnotthoucommon.IwashearingthevoiceofGod.Allotherswhomight share in themessageof thesewordswere, for themoment,blottedoutofmymind.IhadaskedGodforasolutiontomyproblemandnowHewasgivingtheanswer.

Firstofall,IneededtoknowthattherewasnopossibilityofmybeingabovetheMaster,Jesus.

You say, "What is so strangeabout that?Surelynoonewouldexpect tobeaboveHIM!"

Butwait!Youmayhavebeenseekingandexpectingthatverything,justasIhad.IhadreadGod'spromiseinJohn14:12,Hethatbelievethonme,theworksthatIdoshallhedoalso;andgreaterworksthantheseshallhedo;becauseIgountomyFather.AlthoughithardlyseemedreasonablethatanyonecouldreallydoagreatermiraclethanJesus,thatseemedtobewhatthescripturesaid.Ihadwondered about themeaning of this scripturemany times. The thought that adisciple could do a greater miracle than his Lord seemed to be a directcontradiction of the scripture. Now I see that this promise, like all God'spromises,istruewhenrightlyunderstood.Greaterworksthantheseshallhedo,in the sense that Jesus was only one, meant He was limited by time andtransportationtoasmallareaandafewpeople.ThosewhobelieveonGodarescattered over the face of the entire earth.Many ofHismodern-day discipleshavecircledtheglobe,preachingtothousandsatonetimebymeansofelectricalamplification systems, and to vast unseen audiences through radio andtelevision.Thus, theybroughtdeliverance togreatermultitudes thandidJesus.WhereJesusreachedhundreds,Hisfollowersarereachingthousands.TheworksofpowerwhicharedonetodayareTHESAMEWORKSwhichHedid—greaterinquantity,butnotinquality.EverybelieverhasbeenpromisedthesamepowerwhichJesusused.WhatmightythingscouldbeaccomplishedifallthefollowersofJesusmadeuseofthispower!

Thewordsquotedatthebeginningofthischapterwerepartofthemessageof

Christtotwelvebelievers.ThedisciplesweresentouttodotheverythingsGodhadcalledmetodoto—healthesick,cleansethelepers,raisethedead,castoutdevils:freelyyehavereceived,freelygive(Matthew10:8).Butthesewonderfulpromisesofpoweralso includedwarningsofpersecution—Yeshallbebroughtbeforegovernorsandkingsformysake(vs.18).Thebrothershalldeliverupthebrothertodeath,andthefatherthechild:andthechildrenshallriseupagainsttheirparents,andcausethemtobeput todeath (vs.21).EventhoughChrist'sfollowershadthesamepowertodothethingsHedid,theywerenotpromiseddeliverancefromthispersecution.Christhimselfwaspersecuted.IfHisdisciplescoulddothesesameworks,andyetbedeliveredfrompersecution,then,indeed,thedisciplewouldbeabovehismaster.Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2

Timothy3:12).Persecutionisoneoftheuniversalresultsofmanifestedpower.Jesuswasnot

persecuted while He remained in the carpenter shop at Nazareth. But themomentHestartedtodomightythings,Hewascalledthe"princeofdevils,"andthereweremany attempts to destroyHis life (see Luke 4:29). The powerlessreligious leaders of His day feared His mighty power, and the persecutioncontinueduntilHewascrucified.

Peterwasa"goodfellow"aslongashewasamerefisherman,butwhenhehealed the lame man, they threw him in jail (see Acts 3:7; 4:3). As long asStephen was just a "member" in the First Church at Jerusalem, he got alongnicely.But themoment hedid greatwonders andmiracles among the people(Acts6:8),hewascalledintojudgmentandstoned.

Paulneverhad to flee forhis lifebecauseofhis religion,untilafterhemetGodinasupernaturalway.

I personallymetvery little oppositionuntil Imadeupmymind tohave allGodhadpromisedmeasaminister.

Andyouwillnotencountermuchoppositionorpersecutionaslongasyouarejusta"normalChristian."ButwhenyouacceptGod'spromisesforyourlifeandbegintodotheUNUSUAL,persecutionwillcome!

Thisoppositionmayappeartocomefrompeople,butitisreallydirectedbySatan,thecommandinggeneraloftheopposingarmy.Heusesallthemethodsofwarfare,fromdirectfrontalattackto"fifth-columnactivities."

Againandagain,JesuspointedouttoHisdisciplesthepriceoffollowinginHis steps, recommending that they count the cost. He offered them theopportunitytoturnbackifthepriceseemedtoogreatinproportiontothevalue

oftheblessings.Evenourmasterforthejoythatwassetbeforehimenduredthecross, despising the shame, and is set downat the right handof the throneofGod(Hebrews12:2).

AllwhoseektoshareinGod'spowerandglorymustfollowthesamepathofsuffering, faithfulness, and consecration which He followed. To know theabundant,powerfullifeinthisworldandshareinheaven'sglory,wecannotbegreater thanourMaster.TheSonofGod suffered rejection, persecution, cruelscourgings, and crucifixion at the hands of those towhomHeministered.Hisdisciplesmayalsosufferinordertocarrythegospelofdeliverancetothoseinbondage.Ifwesuffer,weshallalsoreignwithhim(2Timothy2:12).

Christhimselfrejectedallearthlyambitions—evenrefusingtheopportunitytoruletheworld(seeMatthew4:8-10).Hisdisciple,ifheistoknowrealpower,musthavethesinglepurposeofGod,rejectingalloffersbutHis,nomatterhowattractivetheymaybe.Hiscry,likehisMasters,mustbe,Lo,Icome...todothywill,OGod(Hebrews10:7).LikePaul,hemustbeabletosay,IcountallthingsbutlossfortheexcellencyoftheknowledgeofChristJesus(Philippians3:8).

TheSonofGodspentlonghoursalonewithHisFather,inordertocastoutdemons.He said,Thiskindgoeth not out but by prayer and fasting (Matthew17:21). So surely His disciple must also spend hours in fasting and prayer,waitinguponGodand learning to thinkandact inunisonwithGod,beforehecanexpecttocastoutsuchdemons.Menoughtalways topray,andnot to faint (Luke18:1).Persistent,habitual

prayer was one of the outstanding characteristics of the life of Christ. WhenJudas desired to find Jesus in order to betrayHim to the priests, he knew hewouldfindHiminthegardenofprayer.PrayertoourLordwasmoreimportantthanteachingandhealing.HerefusedtoallowhimselftobesweptoffHisfeetby themultitudeswho came together to hear, and to be healed by him (Luke5:15).Hewithdrewintothewildernessandprayed.PrayerwasmoreimportanttoHimthan theworkingofmiracles, formiraclesdonotgenerate themselves.Prayer is the cause—miracles the result. Prayerwasmore important to Jesusthanrestandsleep.Inthemorning,risingupagreatwhilebeforeday,hewentout, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed (Mark 1:35). Andagain,hewentoutintoamountaintopray,andcontinuedallnightinprayertoGod(Luke6:12).

If thedisciple could attain the same results as Jesusdidwithoutpaying thesameprice, thedisciplewouldbegreater thanhismaster.The"student"wouldhave learned a better, more efficient method than that taught to him by his

"teacher." In the secular world, this may sometimes happen. Amusicianmayadvancebeyondtheabilityoftheonewhotrainedhim.Anartistmayexcelfarbeyondtheskillof theonewhotaughthimtodrawandpaint.Ascientistmaylearnforhimselfthingswhichhisscienceteachersneverknew.Butthestudentof Jesus Christ CANNOT become greater than his teacher. He cannot learnanythingJesusdoesnotknow.HecannotfindashortcuttopowerwithGod.Ifhe tries, he will only meet with disappointment and sorrow. His life will beshipwreckedandhisministryuseless.It is enough for the disciple [student] that he be as his master [teacher]

(Matthew10:25).

Chapter3EveryOneThatisPerfectShallBeasHisMasterMyspirit,whichhadbeenhumbledandalmostcrushedbythewordsofthe

firstmessage,wassuddenlyliftedupasIreceivedthenextrevelation.Irealizedthat,althoughIcouldneverbeabovemyMaster,GodhadsaidIshouldbelikemyMaster!(seeLuke6:40).

ThisisnotapromisethatcanonlybefulfilledafterthecomingofChrist,assomehavethought.ItismeantforthefollowersofChrist—hereandnow!Thispromisewasspokentomedirectly,formyowninstructionandedification.Butsince it isadirectquotationofScripture, itdoesnotapply tomealone,but toeveryonewhowillbelieveit!It is toyou!Youcanheal thesick!Youcanseemiracles!You can exercise the gifts of the Spirit (see 1Corinthians 12:8-11)!YoucandotheworksGoddid!HesaidyoucouldandHecannotlie!Godisnotaman,thatheshouldlie;neitherthesonofman,thatheshould

repent:hathhesaid,andshallhenotdoit?orhathhespoken,andshallhenotmakeitgood?(Numbers23:19).MycovenantwillInotbreak,noralter thethingthat isgoneoutofmylips

(Psalm89:34).Then,Everyonethatisperfect(whomeetstherequirements)shallbeashis

master(Luke6:40).IfIcouldmeettherequirements,IcouldbelikemyMaster!Some peoplewill say, "But that is impossible, forHewasGod, aswell as

human.Andweareonlyhuman."Thesepeopledisregardtheclearmessageofthesescriptures:Verilyhetooknotonhimthenatureofangels;buthetookonhim the seedofAbraham.Wherefore inall things itbehoovedhim tobemadelikeuntohisbrethren(Hebrews2:16,17).Butmadehimselfofnoreputation,andtookuponhimtheformofaservant,

andwasmadeinthelikenessofmen:Andbeingfoundinfashionasaman,hehumbledhimself(Philippians2:7,8).ThemanChristJesus(1Timothy2:5).Onenight,whenJesusandHisdiscipleswere inasmallboat, therecamea

great storm at sea, which caused the disciples to fear for their lives. Jesusrebuked thewinds and sea and immediately therewas a great calm.ThemenwhowerewithHimintheboatmarveled,saying,Whatmannerofmanis this?(Matthew8:27).

Thisquestionisstillthecryofmanytoday,astheyobserveGod'sdisciples—

thosewho,byfaith,areclaimingHispromisesandgoingforthhealingthesick,raisingthedead,andministeringtheWord(asJesushimselfsaidtheyshouldinMark 16:17,18) with the supernatural confirmation of signs following. Manyseemtothinktheyareapeculiaranddifferentspecies,ormanner,ofmen.Theyarenot.Theyaresimplycommon,ordinarymenwhoarefulloftheHolyGhostandyieldedtoGodasHisworkmen.TheyhavediscoveredthattheycanbeliketheirMasterandhavededicatedtheirlivestoreachingthatgoal.

WhenthepeopleatLystrasawthatPaul'scommandcouldbringhealingtoamanlamefromhismother'swomb,theysaid,Thegodsarecomedowntousinthelikenessofmen(Acts14:11).Beinguntaughtheathen,theydidnotknowthatmencouldhavesuchpower.ManyChristianpeopleseemtobejustasunawareofthepowerGodhasmadeavailabletoHispeople.Whenthesepoor,heathenpeoplewantedtooffersacrificesuntoPaulandBarnabas,theyrefusedtopermitthis,saying,Wealsoaremenoflikepassionswithyou,andpreachuntoyouthatyeshouldturn...untothelivingGod(Acts14:15).

JesustrulywasGod,aswellasman.Yet,asaman,Hewalkeduponearthandperformed miracles.We, as His disciples, need to ask not, "What manner ofGODisthis?"butrather,"WhatmannerofMANisthis?"

Jesus, byHis own statement,was amember of the eternal triuneGodhead,composedoftheFather(Jehovah), theSon(JesusChrist),andtheHolyGhost.Heexistedbeforetheworldwasmade,andsharedintheworkofcreation(seeJohn1:1-3).HewasnotonlyWITHGodandLIKEGod—HEWASGOD!AlltheattributesofdeitywereHis.WiththeFather,Hewasomnipotent,omniscient,omnipresent,andeternal.AndHeisallof thesetoday,asHesits,glorified,ontherighthandofGodinheaven.AtthecloseofHisearthlyministry,whenHewas ready tobeofferedasa sacrifice forour sins,Heprayed, Ihaveglorifiedtheeontheearth:Ihavefinishedtheworkwhichthougavestmetodo.Andnow,OFather,glorify thoumewith thineown selfwith theglorywhich Ihadwiththeebeforetheworldwas(John17:4,5).

TheglorywasHisbeforetheworldwas!ThegloryisstillHistoday!But that glorywas laid asidewhenHe took on human flesh—coming as a

helplessbabe.Hewasbornofawoman,circumcisedlikeanyotherJewishboy,andhe increased inwisdomand statureduringHis childhoodandgrowth (seeLuke2:52).Heexperiencedeveryweaknessandlimitationofhumanfleshandblood.Forasmuchthenasthechildrenarepartakersoffleshandblood,healsohimself likewise took part of the same (Hebrews 2:14). Hewas in all pointstemptedlikeasweare,yetwithoutsin(Hebrews4:15).

HewasinthebeginningwithGod.Allthingsweremadebyhim;andwithouthimwasnotanythingmadethatwasmade(John1:2,3).Yet,whileHewashereon earth, in the flesh, Jesus used the same power that is available to everybeliever today! Such a statement would be blasphemy had Jesus himself notmadeitplain,againandagain,thatthiswasHisplan.Everyonethatisperfectshallbeashismaster(Luke6:40).As thouhast sentme into theworld, even sohave Ialso sent them into the

world(John17:18).TheworksthatIdoshallhedoalso(John14:12).Although He was Omnipotent God, in His earthly life and ministry He

declared,TheSoncandonothingofhimself..Icanofmineownselfdonothing(John5:19,30).Thewords that I speakuntoyouI speaknotofmyself:but theFatherthatdwellethinme,hedoeththeworks(John14:10).

Theanswertothedisciples'question,"WhatmannerofMANisthis?"isnotfoundinthepowersofdeitywhichHeusedbeforeHewasmadefleshanddweltamongus(John1:14)norinthepowerwhichisHistodayintheheavenlies.Theanswercanonlybe found inHis earthly (human) life.He lived that life as anEXAMPLEforthosewhomHelefttofinishtheworkHestartedwhileHewashere.LeavingusanEXAMPLE,thatyeshouldfollowhissteps(1Peter2:21).Hewasourteacher(master)andwe,Hisdisciples(everyonethatisperfect),shallbeliketheMaster!HadHeusedpowerwhichwasnotavailabletous,itwouldbeimpossible for us to followHis example. But He left us the promise that wewouldreceivethesamePOWER,fromthesameSource,thatwasHis!Behold,IsendthepromiseofmyFatheruponyou:buttarryyeinthecityof

Jerusalem,untilyebeenduedwithPOWERfromonhigh(Luke24:49).Yeshall receivePOWER,after that theHolyGhost iscomeuponyou (Acts

1:8).These signs shall follow them that believe; Inmy name shall they cast out

devils;theyshallspeakwithnewtongues...theyshalllayhandsonthesick,andtheyshallrecover(Mark16:17,18).Behold, I give unto you POWER...over all the power of the enemy (Luke

10:19).Hethatbelievethonme,theworksthatIdoshallhedoalso(John14:12).Thoughhewasrich(inheavenlygloryanddivinepower),yetforyoursakes

hebecamepoor, thatye throughhispovertymightberich (2Corinthians8:9).Hefoldeditallaway,likeagarment,andlaidasideHisgreatwealthofpower.Butmadehimselfofnoreputation,andtookuponhimtheformofaservant,and

wasmade in the likeness ofmen (Philippians 2:7). Tradition has invented thetheorythatHeperformedmiraclesduringHischildhood.ButtheWordofGodplainly declares, This BEGINNING of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee[whereHe turnedwater intowine] (John2:11).Hemanifestednosuperhumanpower and performed nomiracles before theHoly Spirit descended upon him(seeMatthew3:16,17;John1:33).ItwaswhenGodanointedJesusofNazarethwith the Holy Ghost and with power [that He]went about doing good, andhealingallthatwereoppressedofthedevil;forGodwaswithhim(Acts10:38).ThiswasthesecretofHissuccessasaman.

Whatmannerofman?AmanANOINTEDWITHTHEHOLYGHOSTANDWITHPOWER.And

GodwaswithHim!Butdon'tforgetthis—Jesuswasamanwhowaseveryinchaman!Hefaced

—and conquered—EVERY TEMPTATION known to humanity! AmanwhocouldonlybeinoneplaceatatimeeventhoughasGod,Hewasomnipresent.AsGod,He neither slumbered nor slept (see Psalm121:4).Yet as aman,Hesuffered weariness (see John 4:6) and required sleep (Matthew 8:24). Hetraveledfromplacetoplaceonhot,weary,dustyfeet—Hisrateoftravellimitedtothespeedofwalking.Hisfeet,whichhadtrodtheimmaculategoldenstreetsofheaven,weresoiledandbruisedbythedustandstonesofthefilthy,unpavedorientalstreetsandpathsofPalestine.HowHewelcomedthecleansingcoolnessofthecustomaryfootbathbeforemeals,whensomeunselfishpersonthoughttoministertoHiminthisway!Hesufferedhungerandthirst,loneliness,weariness,and pain. The scripture says,Every beast of the forest ismine, and the cattleupon a thousand hills...The world is mine, and the fulness thereof (Psalm50:10,12).YetHeclaimednopartofitforhimselfasaman.Hebecamepoorerthanthefoxesandbirds,forHehadnoplacetolayHishead(seeLuke9:58).

AllthisHedidwillinglyforus,thatwemightsharetherichesofHisglory.When Satan came to Jesus in thewilderness (seeMatthew 4:3,4), the first

temptationwasthatHe should act in the creative power of the eternal Son ofGod, in order to

satisfyHishumanhunger.HadHedonethis,Hewouldhavebeen,inallpoints,likeuntohisbrethren. Itwas important to the plan of Satan that this point bespoiled, if possible. But Jesus did not fall into this temptation. There was noassumptionofdeity inHisreply.Heansweredfirmly,asaman,Manshallnotlivebybreadalone,butbyeverywordthatproceedethoutofthemouthofGod(Matthew4:4).

JesuslovedtorefertohimselfastheSonofman.It isapparentby thescriptures thatJesus tookuponhimselfourownnature

andlimitations,inordertobeaproperexampleforus.Itbehoovesustostudythatexamplecarefully,consideringthequestion,Whatmannerofpersonsoughtyetobeinallholyconversationandgodliness?(2Peter3:11).

Jesuswasamanofpower.Hespokeasonehavingauthority(seeMark1:22).Thepeoplewereastonishedat this, for the religious leadersof theirdayknewnothing of this power. They taught traditions, theories, and theologicalexplanations.JesuscutacrossallthelinesdrawnbytheirfinepointsofdoctrinewithHiswordsofauthority!ThetraditionalreligiousleadersdidnotspeakasHespokebecausetheyhadneverbeengivenauthorityoverthepoweroftheenemy.Howmany"religious"leaders todayspeakas thescribesandPharisees?Thosewho are LIKE their master speak with authority—the same authority Christreceived from the Father while He was here on earth (see John 5:26,27). HecameintheFather'sname(seeJohn5:43)(andasHislegalAGENT), toworktheworksofHisFather.Imustworktheworksofhimthatsentme(John9:4).WhileHewas on earth, Jesus chose disciples (first twelve, in Luke 9:1, thenseventyothers,inLuke10:1,19)andappointedthemas"deputies,"givingthemthesamepowerofattorney thatHehad.Theymarveled,Lord,even thedevilsaresubjectuntousthroughthyname(Luke10:17).TheyweretrainedunderHisdirect supervision so they could continueall that Jesus began both to do andteach(Acts1:1),whenthetimecameforJesustoreturntotheFather.

Jesus did not intend for the work He began on earth to cease when HereturnedtotheFather.BeforeHewentaway,HeleftcommandandauthorityforthecontinuationofHiswork.ThosewhobelieveonHimareHisagents,andarecommandedtodo,inHisname(byHisauthorityorpowerofattorney),allthethingswhichHehimselfwoulddoifHewerepresentinthebody!Inmynameshalltheycastoutdevils;theyshallspeakwithnewtongues;theyshalltakeupserpents[nottemptingGod,buthappeningbyaccident,asitdidtoPaul,inActs28:3-5];andiftheydrinkanydeadlything,itshallnothurtthem;theyshalllayhandson thesick,and theyshall recover (Mark16:17,18).Andwhatsoever yeshallaskinmyname,thatwillIdo,thattheFathermaybeglorifiedintheSon(John14:13).

ThegiftswhichJesusplacedintheChurch,fortheperfectingofthesaints,fortheworkoftheministry,fortheedifying[upbuilding]ofthebodyofChrist[HisChurch](Ephesians4:12),coverallthegreatandmightythingswhichJesusdidwhileHewashereintheflesh(see1Corinthians12:711).

Jesusnevertaught,byinferenceordirectstatement,thatthispowerwouldbegonefromtheworldwhenHewentaway. InHis lastcommission to thoseHeleftbehind,Hedeclared,Allpowerisgivenuntomeinheavenandinearth.Goye therefore [because this power is His, and through Him, ours (Luke 24:49,Acts 1:8)], and teach all nations...teaching them to observe [obey] all things[healthesick,cleansethelepers,raisethedead,castoutdevils—freelyyehavereceived, freelygive (Matthew10:8)]whatsoever Ihavecommandedyou:andlo,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheendoftheworld(Matthew28:1820).

Thedisciples, anointedwith theHolyGhost (seeActs2:4),went forth,andpreachedeverywhere,theLordworkingWITHTHEM,andconfirmingthewordwithSIGNSFOLLOWING(Mark16:20).

AslongasmenareanointedwiththeHolyGhost,andGodiswiththem,theworksJesusdidwillcontinuetobedoneeventotheendoftheworld(Matthew28:20).

ThediscipleshouldnotbeabovehisMaster,butheshallbelikehisMaster!ButifwearetobelikeHiminpower,wemustalsobelikeHiminholiness,

consecration,meekness, and compassion.Wemust be likeHim in prayer andfellowshipwiththeFather.WemustbelikeHiminfaith.WemustbelikeHimin fasting and self-denial. If itwerepossible for the servant tobe likeHim inpowerwithout paying the priceHe paid, then the servantwould be above hisLord.

ThereisapricetobepaidforallthatGodofferstomankind.Inasense,itisall free, but there is a price of obedience and preparedness. Even our freesalvationisoursonlywhenweheedtheadmonitionofGodtorepentandbelieveupontheLordJesusChrist.The"giftoftheHolyGhost"isoursonlywhenweobeyHim(seeActs5:32).ThepowerofGodlikeJesushadisforallthosewhomeetthecondition—everyonethatisperfectshallbeashismaster(Luke6:40).

Chapter4BeYeThereforePerfectThesewordsseemedevenmorestartlingthantheoneswhichGodhadalready

spoken.Surely thiswas toomuch!Could anymortal ever hope tobeperfect?Yet,surelyGodwouldnotaskmetodosomethingwhichHeknewIcouldnotdo!Andwithoutadoubt, thiswas thevoiceofGod. IhadaskedbreadofmyheavenlyFatherandIknewHewouldnotgivemeastone.Howthrillingtolearnthatthis, too,wasascripturequotation,foundinMatthew5:48.ItwasChrist'scommandnotonly tomebut toallwhowouldbe thechildrenofyourFatherwhichisinheaven(vs.45).

Perfection is thegoal setbyChrist foreveryChristian.NoteveryChristianhasreachedthegoalandnoChristianhastherighttoboastthathehasattainedit.EventhegreatApostlePauldeclared,Notas thoughIhadalreadyattained,eitherwerealreadyperfect:but I followafter (Philippians3:12).NoChristianworthyofthenamewillbesatisfiedtobelessthanperfect.NoChristianshouldmakeexcusesforhisimperfections,butshouldrecognizethemasfailuretokeepChrist'scommandandstriveearnestlytoovercomethem.Perfectionisthegoal!

For the benefit of thosewhomay have been taught that no person, exceptChrist,was ever perfect, let us note thatGod himself ascribes perfection to anumberofmen.Theydidnotclaimperfectionforthemselves,butGoddeclaredtheywereperfect.

Firstofall,Job,theherooftheoldestwrittenbookoftheBiblewasaperfectman.Hisfriendsdidn'tthinkhewasperfectandtheyaccusedhimofhypocrisy(see Job 8:6,13.) Satan did not think he was perfect and he accused him ofserving God only because of the material blessings God had given him. Jobhimself was willing to admit that he was imperfect, for he declared, I abhormyself, and repent in dust andashes (Job42:6).ButwhenSatan accusedhimbefore theLord,God himself declared,Hast thou consideredmy servant Job,thatthereisnonelikehimintheearth,aperfectandanuprightman?(Job1:8).And then, for the benefit of allwhomight read this scripture,God added hisdefinitionofhumanperfection—onethatfearethGod,andescheweth[shunneth,avoideth]evil.

Manyobject to the teachingofpossibleperfectionon thegrounds that theyhavenever seenaperfectman. In Job'sday,Goddeclared that therewasonlyone.Again,inNoah'sdaytherewasonlyone.YetGoddeclaredthatNoahwas

perfect!Noahwasajustmanandperfectinhisgenerations,andNoahwalkedwithGod(Genesis6:9).

Some declare that if one should become perfect, hewould immediately betranslated,aswasEnoch,butthescripturesdeclarethatEnochwalkedwithGodfor at least three hundred years before hewasnot (Genesis 5:22,24), and thatbeforehistranslationhehadthistestimony,thathepleasedGod(Hebrews11:5).

TheseOldTestamentsaintswereperfect,evenbeforethelawwasgiven.Nodivinityorsuperhumanperfectionisattributedtoanyofthem.Theyweremen,subject to likepassionsasweare,but theyknewandfearedGodandkeptHiscommands. They carefully avoided the overflowing evils of the idolatrouspeopleamongwhomtheylivedinsomeof themostoutstandinglyevilagesofhistory.

Wasperfectionpossibleunderthelaw?Moses,speakingGod'smessagetotheentirecongregationofIsrael,declared

ThoushaltbeperfectwiththeLordthyGod(Deuteronomy18:13).Man is sometimes more critical than God. When Miriam and Aaron

complainedagainstMoses,Godtookhispart,speakingtothemoutofthepillarofcloudsaying,MyservantMoses...isfaithfulinallminehouse(Numbers12:7).While this scripture does not use the word "perfect," surely it meets thedefinitiongiveninJob1:8.

Davidwasnotpersuaded thatperfectionwas impossible, forhedeclared inoneofhisinspiredpsalms,Iwillbehavemyselfwiselyinaperfectway...Iwillwalkwithinmyhousewithaperfectheart(Psalm101:2).

All these and, no doubt, many others (such as Daniel, Joseph, Abraham,Elijah,andElisha)livedlivesofholiness(perfection)withoutthebenefitoftheadvantageswehavebeengiventoday.GodgavethecompleteScripturestoHisNew Testament Church. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and isprofitable...that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto allgoodworks(2Timothy3:16,17).

It was not until our own dispensation that Christ was preached,Whom wepreach,warningeveryman,andteachingeverymaninallwisdom;thatwemaypresenteverymanperfectinChristJesus(Colossians1:28).

To His New Testament Church, Christ gave ...apostles...prophets...evangelists...pastorsandteachers;fortheperfectingofthesaints,fortheworkoftheministry,fortheedifyingofthebodyofChrist(Ephesians4:11,12).

Theywerenotgiven thegloriousoutpouringof theHolySpirit,who isourconstantly-abiding

Comforter,Teacher, andGuide (see John14:26).ButHe isgiven tous—toeveryonewhowillobeyGod(seeActs5:32).

HowmucheasieritshouldbeforustoliveperfectthanforthosewholivedbeforetheHolySpiritwasgiven!

Godsays,yearethetempleofthelivingGod;asGodhathsaid,Iwilldwellin them,andwalk in them....Whereforecomeout fromamong them,andbeyeseparate,saiththeLord,andtouchnottheuncleanthing;andIwillreceiveyou,andwillbeaFatheruntoyou,andyeshallbemysonsanddaughters,saiththeLordAlmighty.Having therefore thesepromises,dearlybeloved, letuscleanseourselvesfromallfilthinessofthefleshandspirit,perfectingholinessinthefearofGod(2Corinthians6:16-7:1).

Thesepromisesareoursandwecancleanseourselvesfromallfilthiness!WecanperfectholinessinthefearofGod!LikeJob,wecanfearGodandshuneviland be perfect inHis sight. This is not a "new thing." The doctrine of entiresanctificationhasbeentaughtbymanyoutstandingservantsofChristthroughoutthe Church Age, and is accepted as sound doctrine by a number of majordenominations.Onesuch statementof faith is found in theConstitutionof theGeneral Council of the Assemblies of God. (Minutes and Constitution, withBylaws,Revised1949edition),Page38,Section9.)

EntireSanctification"TheScriptures teacha lifeofholinesswithoutwhichnomanshall see the

Lord.BythepoweroftheHolyGhostweareabletoobeythecommand,'Beyeholy,forIamHoly.'EntiresanctificationisthewillofGodforallbelievers,andshouldbeearnestlypursuedbywalking inobedience toGod'sWord.Hebrews12:14;1Peter1:15,16;1Thessalonians5:23,24;1John2:6."

Call it what you will—perfection, holiness, entire sanctification—it is notonlypossible,itisacommandfromGod.Beyeholyinallmannerofconversation(1Peter1:15)."Beyethereforeperfect"(Matthew5:48).You say, "I knowa lot ofChristians, evenpreachers,who say you can't be

perfectandthereisnousetotry."Weknowthem,too,andtheyarenothealingthesickorcastingoutdemons!

Sin is the devil's bridgehead in your life.Let himhold the bridgehead, if youwill,butitwillrobyouofpower!

Jesusdidnotallowthedeviltomaintainabridgeheadinhislife.JustbeforeHewas crucified,He declared,Theprince of this world [Satan)] cometh, andhathnothinginme(John14:30).HehadpowertoaccomplishtheworkHecame

into the world to do because Satan had nothing in Him—not even one littlebridgeheadofpetsinorself-indulgence.

God's followers are admonished to keep the coasts of their lives free ofSatan'sbridgeheads,also.Neithergiveplacetothedevil (Ephesians4:27).It isthedevil'sbusinesstomakeyouthinkyoucan'tkeepyourlifeentirelyfreeofhishideoutsandlandingstrips.Ifyouleavehimabaseofoperationinyourlife,hecansabotageeveryeffortyoumakeforGodandrobyouofthepoweryouneed.ThentheworkGodhasgivenyoutodowillgoundone.Youwon'tseethesickhealedorthecaptivessetfree.Shouldyouattempttocastoutdemons,theywilllaughinyourface,saying,"Youletusremaininyourownlifeandthenwouldcastusoutofothers!"DemonsknowthepowerofChristandtheyknowandfearthepowerofapower-filledChristian.But theyhavenofearofonewhoisnotholy.

ThesevensonsofSceva,aJewandchiefof thepriests,decided theycouldsaythesamewordsasPaul,commandingdemons,inJesus'name,tocomeoutofthosewhowerepossessed.ButwithouttheholinessandconsecrationofPaul,theresultwasnotthesame.Theevilspiritansweredandsaid,JesusIknow,andPaulIknow;butwhoareye?Andthemaninwhomtheevilspiritwasleapedonthem, and overcame them...so that they fled...naked and wounded (Acts,19:15,16).Theydidn'tthinkholinesswasnecessary,buttheyfoundthatitcannotbe overlooked, if one is to exercise the miracle-working power of God! Thereaction is not so immediate and violent in every case, for these "vagabondJews"hadtrieditbefore,andonlyoncedidthishappen.Butneveroncedidtheysucceedincastingoutademon.DemonsonlyfleebeforethepowerofChrist,orofaChrist-filledlife.ThereisnowaytohavepowerwithGodwithoutholiness,for Jesus himself said,Everyone that is perfect shall be as hismaster (Luke6:40).

There ismore that couldbe said aboutperfection.AnentirebookcouldbewrittenindefenseofthepossibilityofobeyingthecommandofGod,Beyeholy;forIamholy(1Peter1:16).However,enoughhasbeensaidtoopentheeyesofthosewhoarehungryfortruthandeagertohavethemiracle-workingpowerofGod.

Butittakesmorethanjustknowingthatholinessispossible.Youmustknowhowtoattainit.

NoteveryChristianhasreachedthegoal.NoteveryfollowerofChristhasthepower that He promised. Even the twelve disciples, after performing manymiraclesinJesus'name,metademonwhorefusedtogoattheircommand(see

Matthew17:15,16).AfterJesushadcastoutthedemon,thedisciplesaskedHimwhytheyhadbeenunabletodoit.Hegaveasthereason,theirunbeliefandlackoffastingandprayer.Thesetwelvechosenmenwere,attimes,foundlackinginthemanifestationofthefruitsoftheSpiritandshowedevidenceofsuchworksofthefleshaspride(Mark10:37),jealousy(Mark10:41),andanger(Matthew26:51).TheyfailedtodiscerntheplanofGodandrebukedJesuswhenHetoldthem He would be killed. Jesus said to one of them, ”Get thee behind me,Satan...thousavourestnot the things thatbeofGod,but those thatbeofmen”(Matthew 16:23). These men had not reached perfection, but they earnestlydesiredtobeperfect.TheyworkeddiligentlytoattainthepromisesofGod,andGodhonoredthemandwasnotashamedtobecalledtheirGod.

Donotbediscouragedbecauseyouhavenotattainedperfection.ThereisanultimateperfectionwhichwillonlybereachedwhenweseeJesusfacetofaceatHis coming.But there is agrowth ingrace,growing towardperfection,whichmustcontinueaslongasweremainintheflesh.Ourperfectionmaybelikenedto the fruit on a tree. From the time the bud appears, the apple on the inside,thoughverytiny,canbeperfect.Ithasnotyettakenonthesize,color,orflavoritwilleventuallyhave,butinitspresentstateitisperfect.Asitisnourished,fed,andprotected fromfrost anddisease, itgrows intoaperfect littlegreenapple.Andas it is touchedby the sunshine and rain, it finallydevelops into a large,beautiful,fully-ripefruit.

It was this "unripened fruit" perfection that Paul referred to in Philippians3:15,Letus[includinghimself]therefore,asmanyasbeperfect,bethusminded.Threeversesbefore,hehad said,Notas though I hadalreadyattained, eitherwerealreadyperfect(vs.12).Herehewasspeakingoftheultimateperfectionofthe fully-ripe fruit, the perfection which will only be complete with theresurrectionof thedead.Pauldidn'toverlook theperfectionwhichhadalreadybeenattained,butwiththetrueChristianspirit,hewasnotsatisfiedtoremaininthatstate.Althoughhedidn'tclaimtobeperfect,hedeclared,Ifollowafter...thisonethingIdo,forgettingthosethingswhicharebehind,andreachingforthuntothosethingswhicharebefore,Ipresstowardthemark(vss.12-14).

There is no stopping place short of ultimate perfection. Although theimmatureChristianmay be perfect inGod's sight, hewill cease to be perfectwhenheissatisfiedtostopgrowing!Whenthelittlegreenapplestopsgrowing,it soon withers and falls from the tree. Perfection must be maintained andconstantlystrivenafter.

Growthcontinuesbytakinginfood.Desirethesinceremilkoftheword [the

Bible],thatyemaygrowthereby(1Peter2:2).AnappetitefortheWordofGodisnecessary,ifwearetogrowingrace,andintheknowledgeofourLordandSaviour(2Peter3:18).AreallovefortheWordofGodisanintegralpartofourperfection now, as well as our ultimate perfection when Jesus comes. Allscripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness:thatthemanofGodmaybeperfect(2Timothy3:16,17).

Manyfolkshaveplentyoftimetoreadcomicstrips,magazines,andnovels—everythingexcept theWordofGod.Theyare just toobusytostudytheBible!Nowonder theydonotgrow!Nowonder theyhavenopower toheal thesickandcastoutdemons.Nowondertheyarenotperfect—anddonotexpecttobe.Theyarenot feeding theirsouls theproper food.Growing in theknowledgeofourLordandSaviorcomesthroughstudyingGod'sWord.WeneedtoreaditandbelieveitisGod'srevelationtous.ItisthewordofHimwhocannotlieandHemeansexactlywhathesays!

Ample protection is provided for those who abide in Christ.Whatever thetemptationmaybe,weneednotsin,forGodisfaithful,whowillnotsufferyoutobe temptedabovethatyeareable;butwillwith the temptationalsomakeawaytoescape,thatyemaybeabletobearit(1Corinthians10:13).HewhichhathbegunagoodworkinyouwillperformituntilthedayofJesus

Christ(Philippians1:6).The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil (2

Thessalonians3:3).Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you

faultlessbeforethepresenceofhisglory(Jude24).Hallelujah!ItispossibletobekeptbyGodandtoliveonaplaneabovesin.Weshouldnotbe ignorantof thedevicesofSatan.Hecanquotescriptures,

too.Howquicklyhecomes tocomfort the imperfectChristian,byquoting thelast half ofMatthew26:41,Thespirit indeed iswilling, but the flesh isweak.This portion should never be quotedwithout the first part of the verse,Watchandpray,thatyeenternotintotemptation.Theentirepassageindicatesthatwecanovercometheweaknessoftheflesh.WalkintheSpirit,andyeshallnotfulfillthelustoftheflesh(Galatians5:16).

You can be sure, Satanwon't be quoting this passage of Scripture to anyone.Now theworks of the flesh aremanifest...theywhich do such things shall notinheritthekingdomofGod(Galatians5:19,21).Fortobecarnally[fleshly]mindedisdeath(Romans8:6).

Hide behind theweakness of the flesh if you like, but don't overlookwhatGod says will be the result! Don't accept Satan's suggestion, even when hequotesscriptures.Resistthedevil,andhewillfleefromyou(James4:7).

Youcanbeperfect!Godsaysyoucan.OnlySatansaysyoucannot.GodhasprovidedfoodforyouinHisWord,protectionforyouthroughHis

Spirit,andamightyagencyforyourperfectinginHisChurch.InorderfortheChurchtoservethispurpose,Hegavesome,apostles;andsome,prophets;andsome, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of thesaints(Ephesians4:11,12).

Don't thinkyoucanattain theperfectionGoddesires foryou, ifyou fail toheed His warning,Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as themanner of some is (Hebrews 10:25). Find a good church home, where God'sWordis taughtandbelieved,wherethepowerofGodispresentandwelcome,where God is confirming His Word with signs following, and where God'speopleSpeak...thethingswhichbecomesounddoctrine(Titus2:1).ThenmakeitapracticetobepresentwheneverGodandHispeoplemeettogether.Onlythencan you be perfected by the ministry gifts which God has placed within theChurch.Everyservice inaSpirit-filledchurch isplannedofGod tocontributesomethingtoyourperfection.

Patiencealsoplaysapart inperfection.Letpatiencehaveherperfectwork,thatyemaybeperfectandentire,wantingnothing(James1:4).

Thetonguealsoplaysanimportantpart,forifanymanoffendnotinword,thesameisaperfectman,andablealsotobridlethewholebody(James3:2).Andaboveallthesethingsputoncharity,whichisthebondofperfectness(Colossians3:14).Christisinterestedinpointingoutthewayofperfectiontoyou,ifyoudesire

to know it. He will place His finger on your pet sins and show you what iskeepingyoufromthegoal.

AyoungmanoncefellatthefeetofJesusandaskedthequestion,"WhatmustIdo?"Althoughthisyoungmanwasinquiringaboutthewaytosalvation,Jesuspointedoutthewaytoperfection.Ifthouwiltbeperfect,go...(Matthew19:21).He laidhis fingeron theyoungman'spetsin.Likesomanyothers, theyoungmanfeltthiswastoomuchtoask.Yetitwouldhavebeenasmallpricetopayforperfectionhereandeternallifeintheworldtocome.Jesusis just thesametoday.Whenyoucomeinquiringhowyoucanbeperfect,Hewillnotsendyouawaywithoutananswer.

Perfection andmore perfection is always theChristian goal. I press toward

themarkfortheprizeofthehighcallingofGodinChristJesus.Letustherefore,as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwiseminded,Godshallrevealeventhisuntoyou(Philippians3:14,15).

Asyoureadthisbook,SatanwillprobablywhispertoyouasPharoahdidtoMoses, "Sacrifice in the land" (see Exodus 8:25). In other words, he tries toconvinceyou that it isn't necessary to separateyourself from the thingsof theworld in order to have powerwithGod. If you persist, hewill say, "All rightthen,butdon'tgotoofar."Heinfersthereisdangeringoingtoofar.

You can't go too far with God. You may go too far in sin and self-righteousness.But,ifyouarewalkingintheSpirit,youneednotfeargoingtoofar. No believer has gone as far as God intended, until the signs follow hisministry.Wehavenotgoneasfarasweshouldgountilwecanlayhandsonthesickandseethemrecover!NochurchhasgoneasfarastheLordintendeduntilall nine gifts of the spirit are in operation in its services. Don't let Pharoah(Satan)keepyouback!Goon!Goalltheway!God'sgraceissufficientforyou.Don'tletanythingkeepyoufromappropriatingthepromisesofGodinyourownlife,whetheryoubealaymemberoraminister.LetusgoonuntoPERFECTION(Hebrews6:1).

Chapter5Christ—OurExampleForevenhereuntowereyecalled:becauseChristalsosufferedforus,leaving

usanEXAMPLE, thatyeshould followhissteps:Whodidnosin,neitherwasguilefoundinhismouth:Who,whenhewasreviled,revilednotagain;whenhesuffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgethrighteously(1Peter2:2123).

This scripturemakes itveryclear toeveryhonest-heartedchildofGod thatChristisourEXAMPLE,inwordanddeed!WecanwalkasChristwalkedandtalkasHetalked.FollowingHisexample isnotaconditionof thefeetor lips,butoftheheart!Forfromwithin,outoftheheartofmen,proceedevilthoughts,adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit,lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil thingscomefromwithin,anddefiletheman(Mark7:2123).Forashethinkethinhisheart,soishe(Proverbs23:7).Beforewe canwalk as Christwalked and talk asHe talked,wemust first

begintothinkasChristthought!Thisisonlypossibleaswe"bringintocaptivityeverythoughttotheobedienceofChrist"(see2Corinthians10:5).Thisdoesn'tjust happen. It is an act of determined consecration, requiring purpose andcontinual application, for themind loves to wander. It also requires a willingexchange—givinguptheformerwaysofthinkingandacceptingasourownthemind of Christ. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus(Philippians2:5).

ItispossibletoleadavictoriousthoughtlifeeventhoughSatantriestoinvadewithevilsuggestions.NowhereinGod'sWordhasHedeclaredthatmanwouldnotbetempted.EvenChristwastempted.Butonecanrefusetodwelluponevilthings.A sanemind is a controlledmind. Evil thoughts can be driven out byfilling the mind with good thoughts. Philippians 4:8 instructs us, Finally,brethren,whatsoeverthingsaretrue,whatsoeverthingsarehonest,whatsoeverthings are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,whatsoeverthingsareofgoodreport;iftherebeanyvirtue,andiftherebeanypraise,thinkonthesethings.Jesusthoughtgoodthoughts.ThatwasthereasonHecouldwalkandtalkrightandbeagoodexampleforustofollow.Christalsosuffered forus, leavingusanexample, thatyeshould followhis

steps,whodidnosin(1Peter2:21,22).Christdidnotliveinhabitualsin.Hedid

notmakeexcusesforsin.Heresistedthedevilandtemptation,althoughHewasinallpoints tempted likeasweare,yetwithout sin (Hebrews4:15).He isourexample.AndHestandsreadytohelpuswalkasHewalked—inHissteps!Whosoeverabidethinhimsinnethnot(1John3:6).This is contrary to much of the religious teaching today. Multitudes of

religious people today, even many who believe in divine healing, findthemselves powerless when faced with those who need deliverance fromsickness or demonpossession. If you reallywant powerwithGod, surely thismatterisworthyofserious,prayerfulthought,regardlessofformeropinionsorreligiousteaching.Thereisareasonwhysomehavepowerandsomedonot,andit isnotbecauseGodisarespecterofpersons.Powerisadirectresultoffaithandfaithcomesbyobedience.Beloved,ifourheartcondemnusnot,thenhaveweconfidence[faith]toward

God, and whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep hiscommandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight (1 John3:21,22).

Hope is available to peoplewithout holiness, but faith is not! If faithwereavailabletopeoplewithoutholiness,anyone—savedorunsaved—couldaskandreceiveanythingtheywantedfromGod,forGod'sunqualifiedpromisetothosewhohavefaithis,Whatsoeveryeshallaskinprayer,believing,yeshallreceive(Matthew21:22).ButGodalsosaid,Followpeace...andholiness,withoutwhichnomanshallseetheLord(Hebrews12:14).

Many religious teachers declare that everyone sins all the time—that it isimpossible to liveabovesin.Theysay thatas longasweare in thisworldwewillsin—thatwesineverydayandshouldrepenteverynight.ButGod'sWordstillcalmlyandsimplystatesHiscommand,beyeholy; forIamholy (1Peter1:16).

Paul,writingtotheCorinthians,declared,Awaketorighteousness,andsinnot;forsomehavenottheknowledgeofGod:

Ispeakthistoyourshame(1Corinthians15:34).People who are finding an excuse for their habitual sin, according to this

verse,havenottheknowledgeofGod.Whatashame!It isevidencethatmanyprofessedChristiansarespirituallyasleep.TheyarenotledbytheSpiritofGodandtheWordofGod,fortheworkoftheSpiritistoreprovetheworldofsinandofrighteousness(seeJohn16:8).TheWord,hiddenintheheart,will

preventsinningagainstGod(seePsalm119:11).Youcan'thavepowerwhenyouareasleep.Wakeup!Quitmakingexcusesfor

sin.Walkinthestepsoftheonewhodidnosin,neitherwasguilefoundinhismouth(1Peter2:22).

Jesus healed by His Word (see Matthew 8:16).His word was with power(Luke4:32).The followersofChrist are assured that theirwordsmay alsobewords of power. We are to talk as He talked. Guile (cunning craftiness anddeceit)mustnotbefoundinourmouths.JesuswalkedintheSpiritandwe,whoarehisfollowers,areexhortedtoalsowalkintheSpirit(seeGalatians5:16).

Galatians5:19-21liststhetheworksoftheflesh,whicharenotpresentinthelivesof thosewhowalk in theSpirit.Nowtheworksof the flesharemanifest,which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry,witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,envyings,murders,drunkenness,revellings,andsuchlike:ofthewhichItellyoubefore,asIhavealsotoldyouintimepast,thattheywhichdosuchthingsshallnotinheritthekingdomofGod.Therearesomewhoharborsomeoftheseworksofthefleshintheirlives,makingverylittle,ifany,efforttoovercomethem.Andyet they feel that God should honor their word and prayers and give themmiracle-workingpower.Butverse21says theywhichdosuch things shallnotonlyfailtohavepower,butshallnotinheritthekingdomofGod.Howcouldonewhoisnotevenfit for thekingdomofGodexpect tohavepower toworkHisworks?

UsingadictionarytostudythislistoftheworksofthefleshyouwillfindthatGod has listed uncleanness, lustfulness, immoderate desire, covetousness,hatred, discord, quarreling, contention, jealousy, violent anger, rage, riotousfeasting,andsuchlike.ThosewhodosuchthingsarenotwalkinginthestepsoftheOnewhodidnosin.

Paul exhorts us to put off the old man [or works of the flesh] with hisdeeds...and...putonthenewman,whichisrenewedinknowledgeaftertheimageofhimthatcreatedhim(Colossians3:9,10).

Listed below are some of the characteristics of a carnal personwho is notwalkingintheSpirit.Thislist,thoughincomplete,mayopenupnewchannelsofthoughtformany.

•Pride,important,independentspirit,stiffness,orprecisiveness.• Love of praise, love of being noticed, love of supremacy; drawing

attentiontoone'sself,asinconversation.• Arguing, talkative spirit; stubborn, unteachable spirit; self-will;

unyielding;headstrongdisposition;driving,commandingspirit;criticizingspirit;peevishness;fretfulness;loveofbeingcoaxedandhumored.

•Speakingoffaultsandfailuresofothersratherthanvirtuesofthosewhoareperhapsmoretalentedandappreciatedthanyourself.

• Lustful stirrings,unholyactions,undueaffectionand familiarity towardtheoppositesex;wanderingeyes.

• Dishonest,deceitfuldisposition;evadingorcoveringthetruth;leavingabetterimpressionofyourselfthanistrue;exaggerationorstrainingthetruth.

•Selfishness;loveformoney;loveforease;laziness.• Formality; spiritual deadness; lack of concern for souls; dryness and

indifference.•LACKINGINTHEPOWEROFGOD!IfyoulongforGod'spowerinyourlife,getonyourkneesandletHimtalkto

youaboutthesethingsandgiveyoualistofyourown.Godwillshowyouthethingsinyourlifethatmustbechanged.

Agoodcheckupon the thingswedo, say, and think is to ask the question,"WouldJesusdothis?"Iftheanswerisyes,youarefollowingHissteps.Iftheanswerisno,youaremissingthemarkandyoucannothaveGod'spower.Youmayevenfailtoreachheaven.

Livingalifeofholinessisnotimpossible.Godcommandeditandhewhichhathbegunagoodworkinyouwillperformit(Philippians1:6).Is anything toohard for theLord? (Genesis 18:14).God said to Paul,”My

graceissufficientforthee”(2Corinthians12:9).AndHisgraceissufficientforyouaswell.

Ifyoureallywantholiness,it isnotbeyondyourreach.Andwithoutit,youwillnevershareinGod'smiracle-workingpower!

Chapter6SelfDenialIfanymanwillcomeafterme,lethimDENYHIMSELF,andtakeuphiscross

daily,andfollowme(Luke9:23).ThepaththatJesuswalkedisawayofselfdenial.Andifyoudesireto"come

afterhim,"youmustDENYYOURSELF!Someoneoncesaid,"Nomanspakeas thisman."Imightadd,nomanever

livedlikethisman!Andfewhavelearnedtodenyself.Mark1:35saysofJesus,Risingupagreatwhilebeforeday,hewentout,and

departedintoasolitaryplace,andthereprayed.HowmanywhowouldliketodotheworksthatHedid,findlittleornotimeforprayer?Theymayoftenpraybeautifully in a crowd, or when others may be listening, but few can bearsolitude,forlonelyhoursofthenightspentinsolitaryprayerbringnoglorytoself.Selfwouldratherfindamorecomfortablespotinbedanddriftsoftlybacktosleep.Selfsays,"Imusthavemyrest."Whenaskedwhowillprayforanhourduring the night or earlymorning, selfsmiles and raises his hand. Selfwantsotherstothinkwellofhimbecausehehastakenthissacrificialhourofprayer.Butwhenthehourforprayerarrives,selfwillturnoffthealarmandgobacktosleep.Self says,"Itdoesnogood topraywhenyoudon't feel like itanyway."ButJesussayswearetodenyself.ThisisrealsacrificeandGodalwayshonorssacrifice.

In one of my early meetings in southernMissouri, good crowds had beenattendingforaweek,butnotonesoulhadrespondedtothealtarcalls.MywifeandIdecidedthatthisMUSTbechangedandagreedtoprayallnightforsoulstobesaved in thatmeeting.Wewerealreadyweary inbody, for thehourwaslateandtheservicehadbeenahardone.Soonwearinessbegantoovertakeus,and staying awake seemed almost impossible. Again and again we had toawaken each other.Therewas no shouting or excitement—nothing to keep usawake except the knowledge thatGod had given us responsibility for the lostsouls in this little community.And our desire to see them saved caused us tospendthesehoursinprayer.Asthesuncreptovertheeasternhorizon,weknewwe had done our part and that something was going to happen in the nextservice.Wecouldhardlywait!

And that night, victory came.One after another responded to the altar call,untilnineteensoulshadfoundsalvation.TheywereshoutingthepraisesofGod,

ina littlecountry schoolhouse,under theministryofapreacherwhohadonlybeenpreachingforthreeweeks.Wewenthomefromthatservicerejoicing,forGodhadtaughtusanimportantlesson—itpaystoDENYSELF.Evenwhenyouare tired and need your rest, it pays to pray it through, whether you arestimulated by good feelings or not. Self says, "Pray if you feel like it."SELFDENIALsays,"PRAYANYWAY."

Thereare timeswhenprayer isadelight—atimeofrefreshingto thewearysoul.But there are other timeswhenprayer is likemeeting the enemy face toface on the battleground.We have to fight forwhatGod says is rightly ours,draggingitbyforcefromouradversary,thedevil.Therearetimeswhenwemustwrestle inprayer, likeJacob,whenhecried, Iwillnot let theego,except thoublessme (Genesis32:26).Thereare timeswhen theanswer is slow incomingandwemust hold on patiently like Daniel, whowaited three full weeks (seeDaniel10:2).Therearetimeswhenthiswrestlingmayleavethebodywearyandthenervesoverwrought,as in thecaseofElijahwhenheprayeddownthefireandrain(see1Kings1819:4).Attimeslikethat,prayerrequiresselfdenial—butitpays.Onlythepersonwhobelievesinthepowerofprayerwilldenyhimselfthe rest which his body demands, in order to pray. But God promises,Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, BELIEVING, ye shall receive (Matthew21:22).

Real prayer—determined, prevailingprayer—is thegreatest outlet of poweronearth.

TheEarlyChurchprayedfortendaysandthencamethemiracleofPentecost.MosesspentfortydaysinthemountaintalkingwithGod,andhisfaceshonesothathehadtowearaveil.Mullerprayedand,overaperiodofyears,wasabletosecureonemilliondollarstomakepossiblethecareof2,000orphans.

Jesuswentuponthemountaintoprayandthenreturnedtocastoutdemons—thosewhichgoforthonlybyprayerandfasting(seeMark9:29).Hedidnotsayto thesorrowing father, "Thiskindgoethnotoutbutbyprayerand fasting, sowait while I go away to fast and pray." He had already fasted and prayed!Selfdenial—fastingandprayer—wasapartofHisdailylife.Heprayeddailysothatwhenneedsarose,Hewaspreparedtomeetthem.

Fasting is an important part of selfdenial. The desire for food—the richest,tastiest, and best—is one of the strongest desires of self. It was for food thatEsau sold his birthright. It was to physical hunger—the desire for food—thatSatandirectedthefirst inaseriesoftemptationsofChristwhenHewasinthewilderness.Paul, thatgreat apostleofpower,declared thathewas "in fastings

often"(see2Corinthians11:27).Fooditselfisnotsinful.Butifitisgivenundueimportance,itbecomesagod.

Andwhenitbecomesagod,itisasin.PaulwarnedhischurchatPhilippiofsomewhomtheymightbetemptedto

follow.Hesaid,TheyaretheenemiesofthecrossofChrist:whoseendisdestruction,whose

god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things(Philippians3:18,19).

Many who desire the miracle-working power of God in their lives arehinderedbecausetheywouldrathermissGod'sbestforthemthantomissagoodmeal.

Howharditwasformetoremainonmykneesinthatclosetofprayer,whenthesmellofgoodfoodcookingbegantofilterinthroughthecracksaroundthedoor!And itwasnotuntil I resolutely turnedbybackupon thedeliciousstewandwentbacktomyclosetwithoutmydinnerthatIheardthevoiceofGod.ItwasonlythenthatIprovedtoGodthatHemeantmoretomethanfood.

Fastingitselfhasnopowertoaccomplishmiracles,unlessitisdoneproperly.TheIsraelitesofIsaiah'sdaycriedout,Whereforehavewefasted,andthouseestnot?(Isaiah58:3).GodrepliedthroughHisprophet,Behold,inthedayofyourfast ye findpleasure, and exact all your labours.Behold ye fast for strife anddebate,and tosmitewith the fistofwickedness:yeshallnot fastasyedo thisday,tomakeyourvoicetobeheardonhigh(Isaiah58:3,4).Manythinktheyaredenying self,whenactually their selfdenial is only for selfish ends—tomaketheir voice heard on high. If our fasting is to be effective, it must beaccompaniedbyarealheartsearchingandseekingafterGod.Itmustincludeanenlargedvisionofourresponsibilitytobeourbrother'skeeper.Fastingmustbedoneunselfishlyifitistobeeffective.IsnotthisthefastthatIhavechosen?toloose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let theoppressedgofree,andthatyebreakeveryyoke?Isitnottodealthybreadtothehungry,andthatthoubringthepoorthatarecastouttothyhouse?when thouseest thenaked, that thoucoverhim;and that thouhidenot thyself from thineownflesh?(Isaiah58:6,7).WhenfastingisdoneGod'sway,Hepromises,Thenshall thy light break forth as themorning, and thine health shall spring forthspeedily;andthyrighteousnessshallgobeforethee;thegloryoftheLordshallbethyreward.THENSHALTTHOUCALL,ANDTHELORDSHALLANSWER:thoushaltcry,andheshallsay,HereIam(Isaiah58:8,9).

JesusfastedandHeexpectsthosewhofollowHimtofastalso.ButHepoints

outthatnoteveryfastisacceptabletoGod(seeMatthew6:16-18).Hedeclaresthat those who fast boastfully are hypocrites and their only reward is theadmiration of thosewho look only upon the outward appearance. The fastingJesus recommended is to be done privately—a secret transaction between theindividualandGod.Eventheimmediatefamilyneednotknowthatafast is inprogress.Whenfastingisdonethisway,Godwillhearfromheavenandrewardyouopenlybyansweringyourprayer.

Howmuchbetterforpeopletosay,"ThatmanhaspowerwithGod.Whenheprays, the sickarehealed, the lamewalk, thedumbspeak, and theblind see,"thantosay,"Thatmanissurelyapiousman.Hefaststhreedaysaweek.Hehascompleteda21-dayfastandisevennowinthetenthdayofa40-dayfast."

Somefinepeoplehavespentwasted time insacrificewhichwas ineffectivebecause they became puffed up and fasted with a spirit of boastfulness. It isSatan'sbusiness tospoilall thatwe try todoforGod,so letusbewatchful inthismatter.Don't letSatanmakeuseless,oneofourmosteffectiveweapons—theweaponofselfdenialthroughfasting.

TruefastingisamatterofgivingGodfirstplaceoverallthedemandsoftheself-life. It goes deep into the personal life. Paul recommended that evenhusbandsandwives(whoareinstructedtobeconsiderateofeachother)setasidetimebymutualagreement, togive themselves to fastingandprayer.Goddoesnotcondemnmarriageortherightfulrelationshipofhusbandandwife.Butlikefood, even this—which is rightfully ours—must be set aside for a time ofseekingGod.Anditbringsgreatprofit.ThecloserwewalktoGodthegreaterpowerwehaveinourlives.Thisclosenesscanbeachievedinonlyoneway—DrawnightoGod,andhewilldrawnightoyou(James4:8).

Selfdenial will sometimes take you away from the company of those youenjoy.Even though theyaregoodpeopleand fellowshipwith them isgreat, ifyou want power with God, you must fellowship with Him. Fellowship withGod'speopleiswonderfulandisnecessaryforeveryChristian,especiallythosewhoareyoung in theLord.But fellowshipwithGod ismore important.TrulyourfellowshipiswiththeFather,andwithhisSonJesusChrist(1John1:3).

ThosewhohavepowerwithGod—whoarebringingdeliverancetothesickandsufferingandwinningsoulstoChrist—arespendingmuchtimealonewithGodbeforetheyspendtimewithothers.

Powerdoesnotcomeinamoment—itistheresultofwaitingupontheLord.Selfwouldliketohurry,butselfmustbedeniedagain.PentecostfollowedaftertendaysofwaitingupontheLord.Daniel'svisionoftheLastDaysfollowed23

daysofwaiting.BecauseMoseshadnotlearnedtowaitupontheLordtoknowHismethodaswellasHiswill,hehadtowaitfortyyearsinexilebeforehewasreadytodotheworkofdeliverancethatGodwantedhimtodo.RestintheLord,andwaitpatientlyforhim(Psalm37:7).Waitingisalmosta lostart.Everythingtodayisdoneinahurry,withmany

things requiring only the push of a button. But there is no pushbutton— nomagicformulaor"royalroad"—forpowerwithGod.ThemanwhohaswaiteduponGodcommands thedemons todepart,and the tormentedone is free.Butthemanwhohasn'ttimeto"waste"inwaitingspeaksthesamewordsandseemsto do the same things, but nothing happens.Waiting uponGod is not wastedtime, although at times it may seem to you (and others) that you areaccomplishingnothing.WaitingonGod includes fasting,prayer,and justplainoldwaiting.Whenwe pray,we talk toGod.Butwhen you have prayed untilthereseemstobenothingmoretosay,thenyouneedtowaitforananswer.LetGodspeaktoyou.

Self is restless and impatient, always clamoring for action, attention, orgratification.Selfismindfulofthethingsofthisworld,thethingsoftheflesh.ButGodsaysIfanymanwillcomeafterme,lethimdenyhimself(Luke9:23).

WillyoucomeafterHim?WillyoudotheworksthatHedid?Thenwait inHispresenceandletHimspeaktoyoursoulaboutthethingsofselfwhichhavenot yet been denied. Let His life of selfdenial be your pattern.When you dothesethings,youwillshareinHismiracle-workingpower.

Chapter7TheCrossIf anymanwill comeafterme, let himdeny himself, and take up his cross

daily,andfollowme(Luke9:23).Very little is gained by self-denial, unless we also take up our cross and

followJesus.Bycross,Imeantheburdenofpain,sorrow,orsacrificewhichwecouldchoosetolayaside,butinsteadcarrywillinglyforthesakeofothers.Itisthatwhich,inthenatural,wewouldlayaside.Butrealizingthereisnootherwaytobring salvation, deliverance, andhealing to the lost, sick, and suffering,wewillinglyendureourcross.LookinguntoJesuswhoforthejoythatwassetbeforehimenduredthecross,

despising theshame (Hebrews12:2). Jesusdidn'thave toendure thecross.OnthenightHewastaken,HedeclaredthatHecould,evenatthatlatehour,praytotheFatherandhave twelve legionsofangels to rescueHimfromHis fate (seeMatthew26:53,54).ButHewent to thecrossbecauseHehadpurposed inHisheart to fulfill theScriptures.By bearing the stripes uponHis back and beingsacrificed, a lambwithout spotorblemish, lost and sinfulmenweredeliveredfromthedoublecurseofsinandsickness.

MosespartookofthisspiritwhenheturnedawayfromthethroneofEgypttoidentify himself with his brethren—a race of slaves—that he might, throughsufferingandsacrifice,bringdeliverancetothepeople(seeHebrews11:24,26).

Obedient to theheavenlyvision,Paul lefthisplace in theSanhedrin to jointhedespisedandpersecutedsectofChristians,thathemightbringdeliverancetotheGentiles.HewasfollowingJesusandbearinghiscross,whenhedeclared,Igobound in thespirituntoJerusalem,notknowing the things that shallbefallme there:Save that theHolyGhostwitnesseth ineverycity, saying thatbondsandafflictionsabideme.Butnoneofthesethingsmoveme,neithercountImylifedearuntomyself,sothatImight...testifythegospelofthegraceofGod(Acts20:22-24).

WhenCharlesG.Finneyleftapromisinglawpracticetoentertheministry—anuntriedfieldforwhichhehadnospecialtraining—hetookuphiscross.

However,justtakingupthecrossisnotenough.ItmustbetakenupDAILY!Itmustbetakenupwillinglyandbecarriedfaithfully,withoutfretting.Itiseasytomakeacommitmenttotakeupthecrossduringaninspiringconsecrationcall,butmanyfailtotakeitupagainthenextmorning,orthenext.

Christnever tookavacationfromHiscross.ThecrosswentwithHimevenonvacation!AlthoughHe steppedasideat times to rest, even then theburdenwasheavyuponHim.

OncewhenJesuswaswearyandhungry,Hesatdowntorestbythewell inSamaria,whileHisdiscipleswentintothecitytobuyfood.YetHehadthetimeandstrengthtoleadasoultosalvationandtostartagreatrevivalwhichsweptmostofSamariaintothekingdomofGod(seeJohn4).

WhenJesuswasconfrontedwithoneofthegreatestgriefsofHishumanlife—thesuddenandviolentdeathofHiscousinanddearfriend,JohntheBaptist—He thought to slip away alone for a little time. But the people observed HisgoingandfollowedHim,eventhen.WhenHelookeduponthem,Hewasfilledwithcompassion.HeputasideHisowngrief,tookupHiscross,andwentforthtohealtheirsickandministertotheirneeds(seeMatthew14:13,14).

The crosswasnot an accidentwhichbefellHimat the endof life.Hewasborn,andlived,anddiedundertheshadowofthecross.Heknewitwasthereallthetime,butneveroncedidHeshunthecross.NeveroncedidHefailtotakeitupdaily.TherewasneveradaythatHecouldsay,"ThisdayisMyown.IwillgoaboutMyFather'sbusinessagaintomorrow."TherewasneveranexperienceinHislifewhenHecouldsay,"Thisisminetoenjoy.Thepeoplemustwaituntilthis isover.ThenIwillmeet themandminister to theirneedsagain."Even inHistimesofsorrowHecouldnotsay,"Myowngriefissogreat.ItisonlyrightthatIshouldbecomfortednow.LetthemministeruntoMe."

On the nightwhen Jesuswas betrayed, He continued tominister, knowingthat the false disciple who would betray Him sat among those to whom Heministered. He rose from the table to wash the feet of His disciples,demonstratingthethingwhichHehadsaidbefore,TheSonofmancamenottobeministeredunto,buttominister,andtogivehislifearansomformany(Mark10:45).

To the eyes of theworld itmay seem that itwas only on that dark day ofCalvary thathebearinghiscrosswent forth (John19:16).But JesushadbeenbearingHiscrossdailyasHewentforth,ministeringamongthepeople.Hewaspoor, despised, lonely, andmisunderstood, yet Hewillinglywent about doinggood and healing all thatwere oppressed of the devil so thatHemight bringmanysonswithHimintoglory.

Theworldmaynotseeorunderstandourcross,buteachofushasourownGod-appointed cross, whether we choose to bear it or not. It is not sicknesswhich we are helpless to lay aside. It is not unpleasant circumstances of life

whichwouldbeourswhetherornotweserveGod. It is thatwhichweacceptwillingly—atpersonalsacrificetoourselves—inordertobeobedienttoGodandblessothers.

Have you been complimenting yourself on your cross-bearing?Could it bejustamatteroffeelingsorryforyourselfabout thecircumstancesofyourlife?Orhaveyouwillingly takenuponyourself theburdens,griefs, and sorrowsofothers,inordertoliftandblessthemandbringsalvationanddeliverance?IfyouwantGod'smiracle-workingpower, youmustbewilling topay theprice.AreyouwillingtotakeupyourcrossDAILYandfollowJesusalltheway?

If you followChrist fully, youwill followHim to the placewhereHewasfilledwiththeSpirit...thenontothewildernessandhoursoffastingandprayer.Youwillexperiencehoursofunappreciatedserviceandmisunderstandingsandpersecutions.Youwillspendnightsofwatchingaloneinprayer.YouwillfollowHimintothegarden,bearingtheburdenofthelostandthinkingsomeonenearbyissharingtheload,onlytofindthatalltheresthavegonetosleep.Thenyouwillarriveatthejudgmenthallforfalseaccusationsandunjustdecisions.Thenontothewhippingpostand thecat-o-nine tails—thevinegarand thegall.Youmustnotdrawback,evenfromthepainandsufferingofthecross.

Youmaysay,"Thatsoundslikelosingmylifealtogether."Indeed, it is. But Jesus said,Whosoeverwill save his life shall lose it; but

whosoevershalllosehislifeformysakeandthegospel's,thesameshallsaveit(Mark8:35).

Thisislifeabundant—thelifeofPOWER!Itisthelifeofrealsatisfaction—knowingthatyourlivinghasnotbeeninvain!SurelyitiswortheverysacrificetoknowthatwehavefollowedinthestepsoftheSonofGod!

Chapter8IMustDecreaseAtthispoint,Godbegandealingwithmeaboutmypride.Ihadneverfeltthat

Iwasproud.Atsuchasuggestion—whetherbypreaching,directaccusation,oreven the faithful dealing of the Spirit—I, like so many others, would excusemyself, calling it self-respect, poise, good breeding, or high-mindedness. ButGodcalleditSIN.Anhighlook,andaproudheart...issin(Proverbs21:4).

InthesearchlightofHispresence,itwasuselesstomakeexplanations.LikeJohnofold,IwasmadetorealizemyutterdependenceuponGodandhowlittlemyowneffortswereworth.Irealized,asIhadneverrealizedbefore,thatevenmybesteffortswerefutileandthat,truly,Godmusttakefullcontrolofmylife.Butbefore that couldhappen, I—myownpersonality, talents, knowledge, andnaturalability—mustdecreaseinimportanceinmyownopinion.

I have since discovered that the power and success of any man's ministrydependsupontheamount,orgreatness,ofGodinhislife.TheNewTestamentdisciples depended entirely upon the Lordworkingwith them, and confirmingthewordwithsignsfollowing(Mark16:20).Theyclaimednopowerorholinessforthemselves,althoughattheirwordofcommand,amanlameforfortyyearswas instantlyhealed, so thathenotonlywalked,but leapedand ran (seeActs3:2-8 and 12-16). These were the same men who had once rejoiced, saying,Lord,eventhedevilsaresubjectuntousthroughthyname (Luke10:17).Nowtheyhavedecreasedintheirownsightandarereadyforanincreasedministry.Hearthemsay,Whylookyesoearnestlyonus,asthoughbyourownpowerorholinesswehadmade thisman towalk?...his name through faith in his namehathmadethismanstrong(Acts3:12,16).

ItisonlyasGodincreasesinthelifeofoneofHisfollowersthatpowercanincrease,andthiscanneverhappenuntilselfisdecreased.

Oh thatGod'sministers—and laity aswell— could realize that it isnot bymight,norbypower,butbymy spirit, saith theLordofhosts (Zechariah4:6).Themightandpowerspokenofherereferstoman'smightandpower,notGod's—thenatural,notthesupernatural.

Many great church organizations today boast of their power, influence, orpopularity in theircommunity.Theirpowerandinfluencearederivedfromthemagnificence of their great church plants, their immense bank accounts, theefficiency of their organization, their numerical strength, and their connection

withthe"right"people.These"right"peoplepossesswealthandinfluenceinthisworld,thoughmanyofthemhaveneverbeenbornagainbythepowerofGod.They join the church as they would a social club. Their fine talent, soothing(spiritual sleep-producing) worship services, and beautiful forms, all help tomake them popular and give them power in a world of "religious andrespectable" sinners.Paul, inspiredby theHolyGhost, instructsus to separateourselves fromsuch folks.Havinga formofgodliness, butdenying thepowerthereof: from such turnaway (2Timothy3:5).ThesepeoplewouldbegreatlydispleasedifGodshouldinterruptthecontrolledorderlinessoftheirservicesbyspeaking through one of His prophets (as He so often did in days gone by),rebuking sin and calling them to lives of holiness and power. Theymake noplans,norleaveanyroomintheirservices,forthesupernaturalmanifestationofthepowerofGod.

True, there is a feeling of security and power in having a fine church,operating efficiently, without constant concern for financial obligations, andwhichisreachingmultitudeswiththegospel.Noneofthesethingsiswrong,andwe should be grateful toGod for them.But all these things are nothingmorethana lifelessshell if thesupernaturalpowerof theSpiritofGod isnot there.SuchachurchisameretowerofBabel,reachinguptowardaskythatistoofaraway. It is doomed to failure and confusion, even though it appears to beenjoyingsuccess.

Whatablessing tohave talent that isconsecratedandused for thegloryofGod.Howwonderful to haveknowledge.What a comfort to have appropriateaccommodations.But theone thingwhich isabsolutelynecessary is thepowerofGod.

Howmany fine churches in our cities find it hard to fill their auditoriums,whilemenandwomenstandintherainoutsideagospeltentpitchedontheedgeoftown,tryingtogetinside?PeoplewanttoseewhatGodisdoingthroughHisministerswhohaveplacedthepowerofGodfirstintheirlives—thosewhohavebeenwillingtodecreasesothatGodmayincrease.

The might that Zechariah spoke of refers to the might of man, such asphysical effort, natural ability, talents, forms, ceremonies, rituals, ordinances,andprograms.

Whenthesupernaturalisgone,manwillsubstitutewiththenatural.WhenthepowerofGod isnota reality inaman's life,hewill substitute songsabout it,layingmoreandmorestressupontheharmonyandmusicalflourishes,whiletherealpowerofGoddecreases.ThankGodforgoodmusic,butinitselfitisnotthe

powerofGod!Themightandpowerofnaturalmanwillneverfulfillthegreatcommission and bring deliverance to the multitudes. Although God may usethemtosomeextent,withtheanointingoftheSpirituponthem,theycannotbeusedasasubstitutefortheSpirit!

Even beautifully outlined sermons, eloquently preached by men of strongpersonalityandcharm,willneverget the jobdonealone.Forpreaching isnotourobjective—itismerelyameanstoanend.Ifgoodsermonizingandbeautifulpreachingcouldgetthejobdone,itwouldhavebeendonelongago.

OhthatmenwoulddecreaseandrealizethatwithoutGodtheyarenothing!Ifpreacherscouldonlyrealizethatitisnotaltogetherthebeautyandforcefulnessof their preaching that brings results, but the anointing of the Spirit upon thesermon,andGod'spowerinthemanwhoispreaching.Peopleneedmorethantojusthearasermon—theyneedtofeelsomethingwhileitisbeingpreached.ItistheSpiritthatcausespeopletofeelthepreaching.

Paulwasnotanignorantandunlearnedman(likesomeoftheotherdisciples).Hehadthebesteducationavailableinhistime.HisspeechtothemenofAthens,onMarsHill,isstillrecognizedasoneoftheclassicsofpersuasivedebateandofhomoletical and literary arrangement (see Acts 17:22-31). His background,education, and reputation amonghis fellowswas such that he coulddeclare, Imightalsohaveconfidenceintheflesh.Ifanyothermanthinketh thathehathwhereofhemighttrustintheflesh,Imore(Philippians3:4).ButPaulturneditallaside and was willing to decrease.But what things were gain to me, those IcountedlossforChrist(Philippians3:7).AlthoughPaulwascapableofeloquentspeech,hewrotetotheCorinthians,Myspeechandmypreachingwasnotwithenticingwordsofman'swisdom,butindemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower(1Corinthians2:4). In thenext versehe tells uswhyhe laid asidehis naturaltalentstodependuponthepowerofGod,andthatalone.Thatyourfaithshouldnotstandinthewisdomofmen,butinthepowerofGod(vs.5).

If thepowerofGodweregiven its rightfulplace today,morepeoplewouldputtheirfaithinGod,ratherthantrustingintheirchurch.Therewouldn'tbesomanycarriedawaybysomepreacher'spersonality,sothattheyareofnousetoGodormanunlesstheycanworkunderhisleadership.

PaulrecognizedtheimportanceoftheSpirituponhispreaching.Notthatwearesufficientofourselvestothinkanythingasofourselves;butoursufficiencyisofGod;whoalsohathmadeusableministersof thenewtestament;notof theletter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life (2Corinthians3:5,6).

PeopletodayneedlifeandlifecannotcomewithouttheSpirit.Godwillmakeusableministers(abletobringlifeanddeliverance)oftheNewTestamentaswedecreaseallournaturalabilityandallthatcallsattentiontoandglorifiesself.

Although Paul was a man of extraordinary knowledge, due to his fineeducationandhisrichandvariedexperience,hewaswillingtocastitallaside,declaringthathewasdeterminednottoknowanythingamongyou,saveChrist(1Corinthians2:2).

Knowledgepuffethup (1Corinthians 1:8). Some people are of little use toGod because they "know" too much. Paul speaks of some in the church atCorinthwhoarepuffedup(see1Corinthians4:18).Bythishemeanttheywere"oversized," and needed to decrease, or be deflated. They seemed to be finespeakers,butPauldeclaredthattherealtestwasnotintheirspeech,butintheirpower.ForthekingdomofGodisnotinword,BUTINPOWER(1Corinthians4:20).

Howtrue this is!Andhowfoolishweappearby trying tobesomethingwearenot,becauseofpride!

Pridegenerallytakesoneoffiveforms:•PrideofFACE—HowmuchbetterIlookthanthosearoundme!•PrideofPLACE—Don'taskthatofoneinmyposition!• PrideofRACE—Icome fromanexcellent familyandmustuphold the

familyhonoratanycost!• Pride of PACE—Everyone should be able to see thatwe are themost

capableandefficientpersonavailable.Nooneelsecouldkeepupwithme!Andthelastandworstoneofall:•PrideofGRACE—Lookatmyspiritualaccomplishments,howhumbleI

am, the length of my fasts, my visions, dreams, and revelations, the gifts Ipossess—ImustbeaspecialfavoritewithGod!

Whatever form our pridemay take—puffing us up like a toy balloon—thefirstthingwemustdoifwearetohaverealpowerwithGodistodecrease—"IMUSTDECREASE."Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; but he that humbleth himself

shallbeexalted(Luke14:11).Godresisteththeproud,butgivethgraceuntothehumble(James4:6).Ifyouhaveprideinyourlife,theBiblesaysGodwillresistyou!How,then,canyouhopeforGodtoworkwithyou,confirmingtheWordwith

signs following? Yes, we must decrease. Only the gold must remain. All thedross and tinmust be taken awaybeforeGod canworkwith it asHedesires.

Andhowlittlethereisleftwhenthedrossisgone!

Chapter9HeMustIncreaseHaveyou everdriven across theprairie and looked at themountains in the

distance? At first sight they seem very small. But as youmove closer to themountains, you are astonished to see how rapidly they seem to grow.But themountainsreallydon'tgrow—theyarestillthesamesizeaswhenyoufirstsawthem. The difference is that you have drawn closer to themountains. This isexactlywhathappenswhenGod"increases."Godisthesame,yesterday,today,andforever,andHeisthesameGodforallmen.Buttosomepeople,Heseemstobe a little, shriveledup, impotentGodwho can scarcely be expected to doanythingthatreallymatters.TheproblemisthatthesepeoplearelivingtoofarawayfromHim!ThisiswhyweareinstructedtodrawnightoGod(James4:8).

Godisfarawayfrommanypeoplebecausetheyhaveallowedsomanyotherthingstocomeinbetween.SomeevendrawnightoGodwiththeirmouth,whiletheirheart is far fromHim(seeMatthew15:8).Theonlyway todrawnear toGod is to earnestly (with all your heart) search out those things which comebetweenyouandGodandgetridofthem!

Pride certainlywill keepGod at a distance.The proud he knowethafar off(Psalm138:6).Godcannotworkwith thosewhoare far away fromHim.YoumustcometoHimhumbly.

Somehaveexcused the lackofpower in their livesby saying, "Thedayofmiracles is past. The Church is established now and doesn't need miraclesanymore."NowheredoestheScriptureconfirmsuchathought.JesusChrist[is]theSAME,yesterday,todayandforever(Hebrews13:8).Behold,theLord'shandisnotshortened,thatitcannotsave;neitherhisear

heavy, thatitcannothear:butyouriniquitieshaveseparatedbetweenyouandyourGod(Isaiah59:1,2).Don'tblameGodforyourlackofpower.Puttheblamesquarelywhere itbelongs.YOUare too far fromGodbecause therearemanyiniquities(sins)inbetween.

FriendsandlovedonesmaycomebetweenyouandGod.Jesussaid,Hethatlovethfatherormothermorethanmeisnotworthyofme:andhethatlovethsonordaughtermorethanmeisnotworthyofme(Matthew10:37).

ThecaresoflifemaycomebetweenyouandGod,likeweedschokingoutacropandmaking itunfruitful.Somegiveall their thought to the thingsof thislife,justasthoughtheyweregoingtolivehereforever.Godcannotworkwith

such as these. To be near to the heart of God and feel the pulse beat of Hiscompassionforthelostandthesuffering,onemusthaveaconstantrealizationoftheshortnessoflifeandtheinevitabilityofeternity.

Some are kept at a distance from God because of a lack of appreciation.Praiseislackingintheirlives.RealappreciationforwhoGodisandwhatHehasdonewillbringforthpraise,andpraisebringsusintothepresenceofGod.Enterintohisgateswiththanksgiving,andintohiscourtswithpraise(Psalm100:4).

GoddesirestobenearHispeoplesomuchthatHesentHisHOLYSPIRITtotakeupabode,notjustnearbutwithinHischildren.WhenyouopenyourheartandallowtheSpiritofGodtofillyou,baptizeyou,andtakepossessionofeverypartofyourbody,youfindthatHeismuchnearerthaneverbefore.HewillbeamuchgreaterGodtoyouthanyouhaveeverknown.Then,asHeisallowedtocontinue to dwell in you richly—teaching and guiding you into a closerrelationshipwith theFatherandapurer lifeofholiness—thegreatnessofGodwillbecomemoreandmoreapparent.Hewillincreaseinyourlife.

ThemoreyoucometoknowHim,bywalkingbesideHimdaybyday,andthemoreyoufeeduponHisWord,themoreHewillincreaseinyoursight.AllthatweknowofGod,weknowbyfaith.Faithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbytheword ofGod (Romans10:17). So it's important to feed upon theWord ofGod.It isstrange,butsomewhopayvery littleheed to theWordofGod,stillhope to haveHis power. ButHewill not honorwithHis presence thosewhodishonorHisWord.

TheWordwillhelpcleanseourlivesofthesinswhichstandbetweenusandGod.Wherewithal shall a youngmancleansehisway?by takingheed theretoaccordingtothyword(Psalm119:9).

In dealingwithme about thismatter,Godmade it very plain that, if thesethingswereallowed topersist inmy life—ifsinwere toleratedandallowed toremain—Hewouldcontinue tobeatadistancefromme.Andat thatdistance,He could only be to me the little, meaningless God whom so many othersprofessedtoserve.TheonlywayGodcouldincreaseHispowerinmylifeandusemeforHisglorywasformetokeepouteverythingthatcamebetweenus.TheonlywayHecouldremainthegreat"IAM"wasformetocontinuallywalkinthelightofHisWordandbythepowerofHisSpirit.IhadtodecreasedailyandbecomemoreabsorbedinHimwhomustincrease.

He MUST increase! Not could increase, or might increase—but MUSTincrease.Thereisnootherchoice.HemustincreaseincontrolofmylifeifIamtohaveHispower.

IamcrucifiedwithChrist:neverthelessI live;yetnotI,butChrist liveth inme(Galatians2:20)."Fillmewiththyspirit,tillalltheworldmaysee,Notme,butJesusonly,shiningoutthroughme."

Chapter10IdleWordsandFoolishTalkingEvery idle [unprofitable]word thatmenshallspeak, theyshallgiveaccount

thereofinthedayofjudgment(Matthew12:36).Nothingrevealsthelackofrealspiritualitymorequicklyandthoroughlythan

foolishtalking, jesting,andidlewords.Aperpetualflowoffoolishtalkingandnonsensical joking labels theshallowChristianasonewhohasnoconcern forothersandnoburdenfor thelostandsuffering.Althoughthismayseemlikeasmallmatterintheeyesofmany,therearefewspiritualdiseaseswhicharemoredevastatingandcontagious.

God classes foolish talking alongwith some very unattractive companions:Butfornication,andalluncleanness,orcovetousness,letitnotbeoncenamedamong you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, norjesting,whicharenotconvenient:butrathergivingofthanks(Ephesians5:3,4).

Jesushimselfdeclared,Evilthoughts,adulteries,fornications,murders,thefts,covetousness,wickedness,deceit, lasciviousness,anevileye,blasphemy,pride,foolishness: All these evil things come fromwithin, and defile theman (Mark7:21-23).Foolishness,then,willdefileamanthesameasfornication!Therearemanywhowouldneverkillorsteal,yettheywillenterthepulpitand,publiclyandunashamedly,revealbytheirwordsthattheyaredefiledwithin.IhaveneveryetfoundamanbeingmightilyusedoftheLordtobringdeliverancetothesickandsinful,whosemouthisfilledwithfoolishness.Therearethosewhoentertainthe people, getting hearty laughs in response to their jokes and nonsense.Butwhen a real need arises, they haven't got the goods—they are unable to bringdeliveranceandbeablessing.Attimes, theymayeventrytoputoff theusuallightnessandpreachorteachaboutdeeplyspiritualthings.Buttothosewhohearthem, there is no ring of sincerity, no real persuasion that they speak as theoraclesofGod.Theyarelikesoundingbrass,oratinklingcymbal.

IdonotwishtoinferthatGod'speopleshouldgoaroundwithalongfaceallthetime,havingnojoy.God'speopleshouldbethehappiestpeopleintheworld,forHecommanded,Rejoiceevermore(1Thessalonians5:16).God'speoplemaybesohappythattheywillshout,sing,claptheirhands,dance,laugh,andevenleapforjoy:MakeaJOYFULNOISEuntotheLord,allyelands.ServetheLordwithGLADNESS:comebeforehispresencewithSINGING(Psalm100:1,2).

OCLAPYOURHANDS,allyepeople;SHOUTuntoGodwith thevoiceoftriumph(Psalm47:1).LetthempraisehisnameintheDANCE:letthemSINGpraisesuntohimwith

theTIMBRELandHARP(Psalm149:3).DavidDANCEDbeforetheLordwithallhismight(2Samuel6:14).ThenwasourmouthfilledwithLAUGHTER,andourtonguewithSINGING:

then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for us;whereofweareGLAD(Psalm126:2,3).Rejoiceinthatday,andLEAPFORJOY(Luke6:23).ForthejoyoftheLordisyourstrength(Nehemiah8:10).The Christian who doesn't have joy is a weak Christian and is a poor

representativeofthefaithheclaims.Ifhedoesn'tbegintoexperiencejoy,hewillprobablysoonbecompletelybacksliddenandseekinghisjoysomewhereelse.

ThejoywhichbringsstrengthisrejoicingintheLord.Itisnotrejoicinginthepowerofourownstrengthorwit.Butnowyerejoiceinyourboastings:allsuchrejoicingisevil(James4:16).

Manywhoareguiltyofthesinoffoolish,excessive,andunprofitabletalkingwill,atfirst,betemptedtobrandmeafanaticandrisetothedefenseoftheirpetsin.Theywilldeclarethatitisamistaketotakethingstooseriously.However,theycanfindnoscripturaldefenseforthisview.Rescuingthelostandbringingdeliverance to thesuffering isseriousbusiness,whichrequires thewholeheartandmindoftheonewhoisconsecratedtothetask.Yet,manyinsistontalkinginwhatever manner they choose—preferring their jokes, foolish jesting, andnonsensetothepowerofGodintheirlives.Ifthisisthewayyoufeel,Godwillhavetogoonwithoutyou.

God chose towork through the spokenword ofHis representatives in thisworld.When Jesuswashere,He said toHisdisciples,Thewords that I speakuntoyou,theyarespirit,andtheyarelife(John6:63).Whataboutthewordsyouspeak?

Some say that joking helps them to forget their troubles. Jesus forgot Histroublesbyrelievingthetroublesofothers.

Jamescomparesthespeechcomingoutofourmouthstowatercomingfromafountain (see James 3:10,11). He insists that a fountain should give forth thesame kind of water all the time—not sweet water part of the time and bitterwater part of the time. Then he adds,Who is a wise man and endued withknowledgeamongyou?lethimshowoutofagoodconversationhisworkswithmeeknessofwisdom(James3:13).

Ephesians 4:29 says, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of yourmouth,butthatwhichisgoodtotheuseofedifying.Wordswhichdonotedifyareidle—vain,empty,unprofitable—words.Theyarewastedwords.Godgivesauthorityandpowertothebeliever.ThisisHispreciousgifttousanditshouldnotbewasted.

Jesussaid,Whosoever[thatmeansyou!]shallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelieve that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass; he shall havewhatsoever he saith (Mark 11:23). This gives us the power to speak withauthority,eventotheextentofcontrollinginanimatethings.It'sthesamepowerJesususedwhenHe spoke to thewindand the seaandcalmed the storm (seeMark4:39). It's thesamepowerMosesusedwhenhespoke to the rock in thedesertandwatergushedforth(seeNumbers20:8).Joshuausedthesamepowerwhenhecommandedthesunandthemoontostandstill(seeJoshua10:12,13).JesusdemonstratedthispowerwhenHespoketothefigtree,saying,Nomaneatfruitoftheehereafterforever(Mark11:14).Hecommandedthetreetodieanditdied! Itwason thisoccasion thatHeexpresslydelegated thissamepowerandauthoritytoanywhobelieve.

MenandwomenwhohaveGod'spowerintheirwordscanspeakdeliverancefrom every oppression of Satan—words that bring salvation for the soul andhealing for the body. To them—His representatives—Jesus warned that idle,wastedwordswouldbebrought into judgment.Wordswhich couldhavebeenlife,deliverance,andbreadtostarvingsouls,butinsteadwerewordsofchaff!Ina world of dying, starving souls and suffering humanity, how sad it is towithhold the one source of life and deliverance, and offer stones for bread!Insteadofbeinga fountainwhichgives forth thepurewaterof life, toomanygive forth a streamof froth and foolishnesswhich, if notpoisonous, is utterlyunattractive and unprofitable!Howwillwemeasure up in that day,when ourdeeds andwords are judged by the standard of theWord ofGod: If anymanspeak,lethimspeakastheoracles[utteranceorspeech]ofGod(1Peter4:11).

ThosewhoinsistoncontinuingintheirfoolishnessarelikeagroupofyoungladieswhowereseeninavisionbyaconsecratedsaintofGod.Theyweretoobusymakingdaisychainstowarnthepassersbythattheirstepswereleadingtoimpendingdanger.Justaheadwasanawfulprecipice,wheretheycouldquicklyfall and be dashed to death on the rocks below. This kind of selfishpreoccupation is far from the spirit of Christ, who had compassion upon themultitudes.

IdonotmeantoinferthatthereisnoplaceforhumorintheconversationoftheChristian—oreveninthepreachingoftheWord.Manytimes,ourspeechorpreaching can be humorous and still be sanctified.A bit of humor, especiallywhenused to illustrate a point, canbeveryprofitable. It arouses the attentionand interestof thehearers anddriveshome themessageof thegospel, so thatsoulsturntoGod.Usedinthismanner,itisnotidleandunprofitable.

ThereasonsomeChristiansspeaksomanyidlewordsissimplybecausetheyspeaksomanywords!TheytalksomuchthattheyhavenotimetothinkorlistentothevoiceofGod.Foolishwordscomesoeasily—wedon'tevenhavetothinkabout them.Wehear foolishwordseverywhere—theyseemtobeproducedbyrepetition.Thespiritoftheageisanever-increasingspiritoflevity,whichmakesserious thinking difficult for both sinner and saint. It is typified by the oft-repeatedphrase,"Don'ttakelifetooseriously.Afterall,you'llnevergetoutofitalive."Insuchanage,ittakesrealeffortandconsecrationtostudytobequiet(1Thessalonians4:11)andwaitbeforeGodtillwereceiveHispowerfulwords.Butthewisemanwilldoit,forhethathathknowledgesparethhiswords(Proverbs17:27),but themouth of fools feedeth on foolishness (Proverbs 15:14). In themultitude of words there wanteth not sin (Proverbs 10:19). A fool's voice isknownBYMULTITUDEOFWORDS(Ecclesiastes5:3).

AsImentionedinpreviouschapters,holinessisnecessaryifwearetohaveGod's power in our lives. And holiness is not complete until it has takenpossessionofthetongue.Butashewhichhathcalledyouisholy,sobeyeholyinallmannerofconversation(1Peter1:15).

I beseech you, brethren, to give this matter your prayerful consideration.Manywho are lost and sufferingwill never find deliverance unless youmakeyourself readyand take them thedeliveringpowerof JesusChrist.ConsecrateyourselftoGodafreshandpresentyourbodytoHim,alivingsacrifice.Donotforgetorneglecttoincludeyourtongue,yourlips,andyourvoice!Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6).

Keepthatwhichiscommittedtothytrust[thepowertospeakinGod'sstead,andbring deliverance], avoiding profane [not holy] and vain [empty, worthless]babblings(1Timothy6:20).

It ismyprayer that allwho read this bookwill cast asideall thingswhichhinderthefreedomofpowerofGodintheirlives.Putyourallonthealtarandcarryaburdenforthelostandsuffering.Remember,Godcangoonwithoutyou,butifyougoonwithGod,youmustgoHisway.Putfoolishnessasidenow!Getoutofthe"eddy"andintothestreamofGod'spower.

God'spromisesareforyouifyouwillonlybelievethem,meetHisconditions,andpaytheprice.

Chapter11PresentYourBodyIbeseechyoutherefore,brethren,bythemerciesofGod,thatyepresentyour

bodiesa living sacrifice, holy, acceptableuntoGod,which is your reasonableservice(Romans12:1).

Goddoesn'tmakeahabitofusingthatwhichdoesnotbelongtoHim.Heusesvesselswhichareyieldedtohim—consecrated,sanctified,setapartforHisuse.DoyouwantGodtouseyou?ThenyoumustpresentyourbodytoHim.Itmustbe completely yielded and surrendered toGod.A body that is not completelyyielded and surrendered toGod is still,more or less, domineered by Satan orself.

At special times, many present their bodies to the Lord for His use inextendingthebordersofHiskingdom.Butitisobvious,sincetheyarenotbeingused,thatmanywhohavepresentedthemselveshavenotbeenaccepted.

GoddoesnotrefusethembecauseHehasnoneedforlaborers.Christhimselfgaveusthecommandtopraythatmorelaborerswouldbesentforthbecausetheharvesttrulyisplenteous,butthelaborersarefew(Matthew9:37).

Goddoesnotrefusethembecauseoftheirhandicaps,forHeoftenusesthosewhoseemtohavefewnaturalqualifications.PeterandJohn,mengreatlyusedofGod, were unlearned and ignorant men (Acts 4:13). Moses was "slow ofspeech."Notmanywisemenaftertheflesh...notmanynoble,arecalled;butGodhathchosenthefoolishthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthewise;andGodhathchosen theweak thingsof theworld toconfound the thingswhicharemighty;Andthebasethingsoftheworld,andthingswhicharedespised(1Corinthians1:26,27,28). Do you think you are handicapped? Almost everyone ishandicappedinsomeway.

Ayoungman,grateful forhis salvation,wanted to sharehis testimony in astreetmeeting so othersmight know thematchless grace ofGod.But hewasunabletogivehistestimonybecauseofastammeringproblem.YethisloveforGodandhisdesiretowitnessforHimdrovehimtohiskneestoseekGod'shelp.Godheardhiscryanddeliveredhim.Hebecameagreatpreacherofthegospeland,formanyyears,wasthechiefspeakeratalargecampmeetinginNewYork.

To be an acceptable sacrifice beforeGod, your body need not be strong orbeautiful.DavidBrainard,agreatmissionarytotheAmericanIndians,wastoldthathewasdyingofTuberculosis.Hewastoldthattotalbedrestwasnecessary

ifhewastoliveformorethanafewweeks.ButhebroughtwhathehadtoGodandmadeanacceptablesacrifice.Hefellonhisface,crying,"Givemesoulsortakemysoul!"ThenheroseupandwentouttoministeramongthepeopleGodhadlaiduponhisheart.ThousandsofsoulswerewontoChristthroughhisyearsofministry.

Theonly reasonGodrefusessome isbecause theyarenotacceptable!Godmakesonlytworequirementsforan"acceptablesacrifice"—itmustbeholyanditmustbeHis.

ThatwhichisnotholyisanabominationtoGod.Asacrificewhichisdefiledby thehabits and sinsof theworld isnomoreacceptable toGod than thepigwhich was offered upon the sacred altar of the Temple at Jerusalem byAntiochusEpiphanes.Suchasacrificewillnotbeaccepted.

That which is God's must be His not only on Sunday and prayer meetingnight,butsevendaysandnightseveryweek.Anditmustbepresentedwithnostringsattached,withaheart thatcries,"I renounceallauthorityover thisgift,now and forever. It isYours to use, to set aside, or to destroy.WhateverYouchoose to dowith it, it isYours. If it is only a hiddenministry of prayer andpersonal testimony—I sayyes,Lord. If it is aministry inmyownhometown,thatisallright.Ifittakesmefaracrosstheseatostrangelandsandunfriendlypeople...ifitrequiresthatIdieformyfaithatthehandsofpersecutors...ifImustliveunderconditionsthatareworsethandeath...still,thisbodyisYours.DowithitasYouplease—feeditorstarveit...chillitinthefarNorthorletitsufferintheheatofAfrica...exaltitorhumiliateit...itisallYours."

Acceptableconsecration is likehandingGodablankpaperwithyournamesignedatthebottom,whichsays,"FillitinanywayYouwantanditshallbemycontractfortheuseofmyentirelife."

A sacrifice is not complete by merely saying yes to specific callings orrequests of the spirit of God when they are given. Total sacrifice involves awholehearteddeterminationtodevoteyourentirelifetodoingthewillofGod,nomatterwhatitisorwhatitmaycost.ItistherealizationthatYearenotyourown(1Corinthians6:19).

Youmay find a small measure of power and a small measure of blessing,when you have made a small measure of sacrifice. But if you would reallyexperiencethefreeflowofGod'smiracle-workingpowerinyourlife,youmustpresentyourbody,alivingsacrifice,holyandacceptableuntoGod.

Chapter12APartakerofHisDivineNatureWhereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by

theseyemightbePARTAKERSOFTHEDIVINENATURE(2Peter1:4).GodISpower.Thereisnothinggoodin thisworldexcept thatwhichcomes

through the power ofGod.WhenHe came into thisworld in the flesh, Jesushimself declared thatHederivedHis power fromGod. I donothingofmyself(John8:28).TheSoncandonothingofhimself(John5:19).IamintheFather,andtheFatherinme.ThewordsthatIspeakuntoyou,Ispeaknotofmyself:buttheFatherthatdwellethinme,hedoeththeworks(John14:10).

After making this emphatic statement in John 14:10, Christ turned to Hisdiscipleswithapromise,Verily,verily,Isayuntoyou,Hethatbelievethonme,theworksthatIdoshallhedoalso;andgreaterworksthantheseshallhedo;because I go unto my Father (John 14:12). But, just as His own work andfruitfulness was conditional on His abiding in the Father, so our work andfruitfulnessisconditionalonourabidinginHim.Abideinme,andIinyou.Asthebranchcannotbearfruitofitself,exceptitabideinthevine;nomorecanye,exceptyeabideinme(John15:4).Withoutmeyecandonothing(John15:5).

Thebranchispartakerofthenatureofthevine.Thesamesapflowsthroughit.Thetextureofthewoodisthesame.Theleavesarethesame.Thefruitisthesame.Thebarkisthesame.Itisapartofthevine!Aslongasitremainsinthevine, it can dowhatever the vine does.Butwhenever it is separated (cut off)fromthevine,itcannolongerdowhatthevinedoes.Thelife-givingsapceasestoflowthroughthebranchanditisnolongerpartakerofthenatureofthevine.For it is thenatureof thevine tobring forth fruit, and the severedbranchcanneverdothat.

Branchescanbecutoffandtheycanalsobegrafted.We,assinnerssavedbygrace,arecomparedinGod'sWordtothebranchesof

a wild olive tree which were grafted in. Having been grafted in, we becomepartakersof therootand fatnessof theolive tree (Romans11:17). Ifagraft isdonewell,madesothatnothinginterfereswiththeflowofthesapintothenewlimb,itwillsoonbegintolookandactliketheotherpartsofthetree.

WhataprivilegetobemadeapartakerofthedivinenatureofGod—tolooksomuchlikeHimthatotherswillrealizethatwehavebeenwithJesus...andtoactsomuchlikeHimthatwealsodotheworksthatHedid!

We can only be partakers of this divine nature because of His promises—through faith in His promises. We partake of the divine nature, in itseffectiveness, as we exercise the gifts of the Spirit and, in its essence, as weshowforththefruitsoftheSpirit.ItisintheexercisingofthegiftsoftheSpiritthatGodshowsforth,throughus,Hismiracle-workingpower.Havingthengiftsdiffering...whetherprophecy,letusprophesyaccordingtotheproportionoffaith(Romans 12:6). This is the secret of our accomplishments for God. They aredoneaccordingtotheproportionoffaith.Wearepartakersofthedivinenatureaccordingtotheproportionoffaith.Withlittlefaith,thebranchisbarelyalive—thesapbarelygetsthrough,creatingafewgreenleavesthatgivehopethatfruitmight come.Withmore faith there ismoreof thedivinenature—fruitfulness.Withmuchfaith,thereisabundantlife—thelife-givingsapflowsfreelytoeverypartofthebranch,andtheweightofthefruitalmostbowsittotheground!

HewhoisapartakerofthedivinenatureofChristwillalsobeapartakerofHisnatureofmeeknessandhumility.TheloveandcompassionofthenatureofChrist will be apparent in all the activities and contacts of his daily life. Thegentleness,kindness,goodness, longsuffering,peace, joy inservice, self-denial(temperance)—allthesewillbepartofthelifeofthepersonwhoisapartakerofthedivinenatureofChrist.ThesemaynothavebeenpartofyournaturebeforeChristcametodwellinyou,butwhenyoubecomeapartakerofHisnature,theywillreplacethethingsofyourowncarnalnature.

ThenwhenyouareapartakerofHisdivinenature,youwillhavewisdomthatcomes from following the leading of theSpirit. It is not thewisdomwhich ispurely natural, or gainedmerely from observation, but is a Spirit-ledwisdomwhich is incomprehensible to thosewho do not understand the leading of theSpirit.Knowledgewill come toyourmindout of theknowledge stored in themind of God. Things which you need to know, but have no other way ofknowing,Godhimselfwillrevealtoyou.Therewillbepower,forGodispower!Andmiraclesandsignswillfollow.Thesickwillbehealed—thelamewillwalkandcancerswillvanishatyourcommand.Theblindwillseeandthedeafwillhear.Whennecessary,eventhesecretsofpeople'sheartswillbemademanifest.SoulswillbestirredfromthesleepofspiritualdeathandbebroughtagainfromthedeadintothewillofGod.

Godplaysnofavorites.Thepriceofpowerstands—it'sthesameforall.Andthesamepowerisavailabletoallwhowillpaytheprice!Itisforeveryonewhowill take, by faith, the "exceeding great and precious promises" for himself,believingwithallhisheartthatGodmeantexactlywhatHesaid.Itisthenthat

we become a partaker of His divine nature, and the door opens to newadventuresoffaith,beyondyourwildestdreams!

Chapter13PersonalThingsThesearetheelevenpointsthatGodrevealedtome.AsIhavesharedthem

withyou, I trust thatGodhasused themtobringyoucloser tohimself, intoapositiontoreceiveHismiracle-workingpowerinyourownlife.

YoumaybewonderingwhatthoselasttwopersonalthingswerewhichGodshowedme.Icannottellyoufor,deepinmyheart,IdonotfeeltheLordwouldhavemedoso.Butthischapterdealswiththematterof"personalthings."Andas you consider themessage of this book, read theBible, andwait before theLordinprayer,Iamsurethatyou,too,willfindsome"personalthings"whichrequireattention.

Ipraythatyoumayhavebeeninspiredtopresstowardthemarkfortheprizeof the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14), and to keeppressingonuntilGodisworkinginyourlifewithmiracle-workingpower.StriveearnestlyforperfectioninthesightofGodandseektobeinHisperfectwill.Letus therefore, asmany as be perfect, be thusminded; and if in anything ye beotherwiseminded,Godshallrevealeventhisuntoyou(Philippians3:15).

ThisisGod'spromise—Hewillrevealwhatyouneedtoknowaboutyourlife.Youhavenoneedtoknowaboutthepersonal,petsinswhichGodpointedouttome.Butyoudoneedtorecognizeyourownpetsins,thosewhichkeepyoufromhavingthepowerGodwantsyoutohave!

Inmyexperienceasanevangelistandpastor,Ihavefoundthatmostpeoplehaveapetsinwhichtheyhavepampered,petted,anddevelopedforyears.Paultermsitthesinwhichdothsoeasilybesetus(Hebrews12:1),oryour"besettingsin."Healsosaysitmustbelaidasideifwearetogaintheprizeattheendoftherace.Letuslayasideeveryweight,andthesinwhichdothsoeasilybesetus,andletusrunwithpatiencetheracethatissetbeforeus(Hebrews12:1).

ManygoodpeoplecouldhavebeeneffectiveChristianworkershadtheynotdroppedoutoftherace.Buttheybecamesodiscouragedbytheexcessweightofthings they refused to lay aside that they gave up and became skeptics. TheyquestionthepowerwhichGodpromisedtothebeliever"withsignsfollowing"—theworkswhichChrist did.Many, across the land today, are on the verge ofgivingupallhopeofeverknowingGodinthefullnessofHispower.DONOTGIVEUP.GetalonewithGod.Whateverthecostmaybe,seekHimearnestly,untilHehasshownyou the things thatmustbecleansedfromyour lifebefore

youcanexperienceHispower.ArichyoungruleroncecametoJesus,anxioustoknowwhatwaswrongwith

his religious experience. He was so anxious to know that he literally camerunningandfelldownattheMaster'sfeet.Whenheinquired,"WhatmustIdo?"Jesusreplied,"Onethingthoulackest."ThenChristputHisfingerontheyoungman'spetsinandinstructedhimonhowtogetridofit(seeMark10:21).AsyouseektheLord,rememberthatHeisalwaysfaithful.Hewillrevealyourpetsintoyou,justasHerevealedthesinoftherichyoungrulertohim.Failuretoplaceyour sinupon the altarwill causeyou to "goawaygrieved," just like the richyoung ruler. When God speaks to you— no matter how small the voice—OBEY!GetridofthatpetsinandgoonwithGod!

Yourpetsinis:•thesinyoudon'twantthepreachertopreachabout•thesinyouarealwaysreadytodefend—forwhichyouarealwaysreadyto

makeexcuses•thesinwhich,althoughyoudonotadmititissin,youprefertodowhen

youthinknoonewillfindout•thesinwhichmosteasilyholdsyoucaptive•thesinwhichcausescloudsofdoubtandremorsetocrossyourspiritual

skyjustwhenyoureallyfeeltheneedtocontactGod•thesinwhichyouaremostunwillingtogiveup•thesinwhichyouthinkissosmallthatGodshouldscarcelybeabletosee

it, and yet so large that you are sure you could never livewithout it (the sinwhichmustbeFLUNG[Weymouth]asideorelseyoumustdropoutoftherace.)

•thesinyoucontinuallytrytomakeyourselfbelieveisan"infirmity.''Be honest with yourself. Recognize your sin and call it SIN! Do not call

jealously"watchfulness."Ifyouarecovetous,don'tcallyourselfeconomical.Ifyouareguiltyofthesinofpride,don'tdressitupasself-respect.Ifyouareoneofthosewhoconstantlyexaggerates(stretchesthetruth),youmayaswelladmitthatallwhichisnotthetruthisalie!Areyouboundbyaperverse(stubbornlywrong)demon?Becareful,oryouwillprideyourselfonjustbeingveryfirm.Ifyour besetting sin is lust, don't excuse it by saying you are just oversexed bynature.Don'tcallcriticizingthegiftofdiscernment,orclaimtobeagoodjudgeofhumannature.

Areyoufretfulandcomplaining?Satanwilltellyouthatyouarenervousandthat, in your condition, this fretfulness can't be helped. Come on, friend. Behonestwithyourself andGod.Call it exactlywhat it is. If it is sin, call it sin.

Then get down before God and ask Him to set you free and make you anovercomer.

No doubt, many excuse their "little" sins by pointing out, "Why, everyonedoesthat!"Remember,youcan'tpatternyourlifeafterotherpeople'smistakes.HowdoyouknowthatGodhasn'tspokento themmanytimesabout thisverything?Don'tjointhemintheirdisobedience.AndwhatifGodhasn'tspokentothem about it?Remember the exhortation of Jesus to Peter,when he inquiredaboutwhatwouldberequiredofanotherdisciple,Whatis thattothee?Followthoume(John21:22).

Consecration has much to do with personal things. It is the putting off—putting out of our lives—of the hundred and one "little things" that, inthemselves,maynotbesin,butwhich,ifallowedtoremain,taketheplacethatChristshouldhave.Forexample,manyprofessingChristiansadmitthattheydonotreadtheirBibleasmuchastheyshould.Theysaytheyaresobusythattheyjustdon'thave time to read it.Yet thesesamepeoplehave time to readall thedaily and Sunday comic strips, various magazines, and stories in otherpublications.Thereisbutonelogicalconclusion—thesecomics,magazines,andother stories aremore important to them than theWord ofGod. Some of thisreadingmight be of a rather harmless nature and not actually sinful in itself,exceptforthefactthatithascrowdedChristoutofHisrightfulplaceinthelifeof the reader.Thousandswhoprofess to be believers in theLord JesusChristtodaywouldhavemorepower in their lives if the time they spent listening toballgames,"soapoperas,"and"perpetualemotiondramas"wasspentalone intheclosetofprayer,listeningtothevoiceofGod.Thesearesomeofthe"littlefoxesthatspoilthevine,"destroyingthetendergrapesandrobbingGod'speopleoffruitfulness.

Manywouldhavemorepowerintheirlives,ifthetimetheyspentinfrontoftheir television sets watching wrestling matches was spent on their knees,wrestling against Satan and the principalities and powers and the rulers ofdarkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places(Ephesians6:12).

Itisn'talwaystheharsh,grosssinsthatstandbetweenmanandGod.Infact,thesinswhichseemtokeepmostpeoplefromthebestGodhasforthemarethethings that "everybodydoes."But I'dbecarefulabout saying"everybodydoesit."Thosewhoarecarryingaburdenforthislost,sin-sick,Christ-rejecting,hell-boundworld,andwhoaredoing theworkswhichChristpromised theywoulddo,withsignsfollowingtheirministry,andwhoarebringingdeliverancetothe

needy,havelongagolaidthosethingsaside.Youmayberightinsaying,”nearlyeveryoneinmychurchdoesit."Butdon'tforgetthat,whiletheyaredoingthesethings, theyarewonderingwhy theydon't have themiracle-workingpowerofGodandthegiftsof theSpiritoperatingin their lives.Manyof themprobablywonder if they are ready for theRapture!Many times, after preaching on thecomingoftheLord,Ihavemadealtarcallsforthosewhoarenotsuretheyareready.IhaveoftenbeensurprisedatthegreatnumberofpeoplewhoprofessedtobesavedandfilledwiththeSpiritwhoraisedtheirhands!If theseso-calledsaintsarenotlivingasufficientlyvictoriouslifesoastobeassuredthattheyarereadyfortheRapture,theycannothaveconsistentmiracle-workingpower!Theymay have a prayer answered now and then, but the times in which we livedemandmore than that.Youcannotpatternyour life after thecrowd.There isonlyonewhoselifeisworthytobeapatternforours,andthatoneisJESUS.

Somemay not bewilling to accept the teachings of holiness found in thisbook.ButImakenoapology. IhavequotedJesusall throughthebook,and ifyou disagreewithHim, it is time to reconsider and begin agreeingwithGod.Cantwowalktogether,excepttheybeagreed(Amos3:3).IfyouexpecttowalkwithGodandhavepower inyour life towork theworksofGod, it is time toagreewithGod.WhenyoufullyagreewithGod,youmaybe indisagreementwithsomeotherswhoseopinionsyouhonorandvalue,but it isbetter toagreewithGod.

At some point in life, every person reaches the fork in the road andmustdecide which direction he will take. Throughout the ages, men of God havechosen the way that seemed hard and brought persecution, suffering...andPOWER.Others have chosen theway that seemedmore attractive, and led toprosperity, popularity...and destruction. Picture Lot of old, as he pondered thebest course to take.Therewas thewatered valley,with the prosperous city ofSodomat its center. Surely thiswas an easierway than to turn to the lonely,roughhills.Hefeltsurehecouldgoamongthosepeopleinthevalley,mindhisownaffairs,andnotpartakeoftheirsins.Andevenattheend,Godstillcountedhimasa"righteousman."ButLotdidn'thavethepowerofGodinhislife.Hecouldn'tevenrescuehisownmarrieddaughtersfromthedestructionofSodom,forheseemedtothemasonethatmocked(seeGenesis19:14).

This popular but destructiveway is still open to thosewho choose it. But,thankGod,thereisabetterwayanditisopentoo.ItismarkedbythefootstepsofsuchmenasMoses,whobyfaith...whenhewascometoyears,refusedtobecalled the sonofPharoah's daughter; choosing rather to suffer afflictionwith

the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Hebrews11:24,25).

Joseph also chose God's way, keeping himself pure, even though it meantspendingyearsinanorientaldungeon,withnoassurance(exceptinhissoul)thathewouldeverbereleased.

Asaslaveboy,Danieldeclinedtodrinktheking'swine.Choosingto travelGod's roadmeanta trip to the lion'sdenforDaniel,butat theendhekepthisappointmentwithGod.

ThesemensaidnotoSatansotheycouldsayyestoGod.MosesweighedthepleasuresandtreasuresofEgyptagainstthecallofGodanddecidedinfavorofthecallofGod.Heknewthepleasuresofsincouldonly last foraseason.Heesteemed the reproach of ChristGREATERRICHES (Hebrews 11:26).Moseshada truesenseofvalueswhichmany todaydonothave.Theyseemto thinkgreaterrichesarefoundinEgypt—Hollywood,Broadway,orWallStreet.ButinordertosayyestoGod,wefirstmustsaynotothethingsoftheworld.

ThosewhosemindsweresetuponworldlythingswouldhavequicklyadvisedMosesthathewasmakingaveryunwisechoice,givingupsomuchforsolittle.ButMosesreceivedhisreward—HewasafriendofGodandtalkedwithHimfacetoface.HisfaceshonesobrightwiththegloryofGodthatpeoplecouldnotbeartolookuponit.And,workinghandinhandwithGod,heledthreemillionpeople out of bondage into liberty. He saw themmiraculously delivered timeaftertimeastheywerekeptbythehandofGodsothattherewasnotonefeeblepersoninalltheirtribes(Psalm105:37).Truly,thisistherewardwhichweseektoday—thatwemightbeabletobringsalvationanddeliverancetoneedypeople.Godstillgives that reward to thosewhohearHisvoiceandobeyHiscall—tothosewhosaynototheworldandyestoGod!

Indaysgoneby,Godsoughtforaman...thatshouldmakeupthehedge,andstandinthegapbefore[him]forthelandthat[He]mightnotdestroyit(Ezekiel22:30).Godisstilllookingforsuchmentoday.God'sholinessdemandsthatHesend judgment upon awickedworld. The presence of righteous people in theworldisallthatholdsbackthefloodsofGod'sjudgment.Mosesstoodinthegapfor the Children of Israel and their lives were spared (see Exodus 32:10,11).AbrahamstoodinthegapforLotandhisfamily,whentheywereinSodom.Andif Lot could have gathered a group of righteous people, saved from theirsinfulness throughhis testimonyand influence,hecouldhavestood in thegapfortheentirecityofSodom(seeGenesis18:23;19:15).

Ourgenerationtodayisawickedgeneration,similartothatofLot'sday.Itis

a sin-sick, judgment-bound generation. The wrath of God has already beenpronounced againstall who partake of thewickedness of theworld. ButGoddoes not take pleasure in pouring out judgment.Now, as in days gone by,Helooks foraman—anymanorwoman—who iswilling to stand in thegap.Helooksforsomeonewholovespeopleenoughtomakethesacrificesnecessarytohold back the storm of judgment—someone who will stand, with the stormbeating upon his back, and raise his voice long and loud, pleading with thepeopletofleefromthewrathtocome.

Thestageissetforthelastgreatsceneofthegreatstory,"TheHistoryofManupon the Earth." Soon the curtain will rise on that last scene—the terribleTribulationPeriod.Then,aftertherighteoushavebeensnatchedaway,thewrathofGodwillbepouredoutwithoutmeasureuponthiswickedworld.Thecloudsaregathering,thelightningisflashing,andthethunderrolls—gustsofthewindswhichprecedethestormcanbefeltwithever-increasingfrequencyandforce.Liftupyoureyes,andlookonthefields;fortheyarewhitealreadytoharvest

(John4:35).ItismoreurgentthaneverbeforethattheservantsofGodplacethework of the harvest ahead of everything else. Theymust work, for the nightcometh,whennomancanwork (John9:4). It is time touseall thepower thatGod provided to save as much of the precious harvest as possible before thestormbreaks.ItistimeforyouandmetofaithfullystandinthegapwhereGodneedsus.

Howsad,whenGodsoughthopefully,foramantostandinthegap,buthadtosay,Ifoundnone.ThereforehaveIpouredoutmineindignationuponthem;Ihaveconsumedthemwiththefireofmywrath(Ezekiel22:30,31).

Godisstilllookingformentostandinthegap!Heisstilllookingforlaborersfortheharvest.Heoffersthesamewagesandrewardsforthosewhoserveinthislasthour, as for thosewhohave stood theheatof thebattlebeforeus.AllHeasksisthatwerespondtoHiscallandfaithfullycarryitout.Willyousayyestothe call of God?Will you giveHim your all?Will you accept His best—themiracle-working, soul-savingpowerofGod—whichbringsdeliverance to thelostandtothesickandsuffering?

MuchhasbeendoneforthedeliveranceofhumanitybyholymenandwomenofGod,fromthetimeofrighteousAbeluntilnow.ButasIlookintoGod'sWordandbeholdthemightypromisesofGod,Ifindthatmiracleswerewroughtwhensomeonedaredtobelieve.Iampersuadedthat it remains tobeseenwhatGodcan dowith aman orwomanwho iswilling to go all thewaywithHim andneverdoubtinhisheart!Whatimmensepowercouldbeturnedlooseagainstthe

enemywhoisdestroyingmankind,ifagreatarmyofmenandwomenwouldallstandtogetheruponGod'spromisesandbelieveforHismiracle-workingpower!

YOUcanbethatone—oroneofthatgreatarmy!When God looks for a man, will you volunteer? WILL YOU BE THAT

MAN?

OtherMaterialsByPOWERPUBLICATIONSJesussaid,“healthesick,cleansethelepers,raisethedead,castoutdevils'♦IsGod’sPoweruponyourlife?Arethegiftsofthespiritinoperationthroughyou?♦Doyouhavefaithformiracles?Howoftenarethesickhealedandthedevilscastoutwhenyoupray?♦AreyoulackingpowertodoGod'swork?Whatpreventsyoufromconfirmingthewordwithsignsfollowing?Thisfaithclassichastheanswersyou’vebeenlookingfor.InordertohavethepowerofGodinyourlifeandministry,thereareconditionstomeet...andapriceto

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