YOUR ROYAL DESTINY

DISCOVERING YOUR SIGNIFICANCE

NATHAN D. PIETSCH

Copyright © 2014 by Nathan D. Pietsch and All Sufficient God Church

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A LAUGHING AND SINGING FATHER

I AM the Heavenly Father. I am a laughing and singing Father. I want you to have a new perspective of My characteristics. I am not an angry Father anticipating total destruction. I am rejoicing over you. I am laughing and singing. I sit in the heavens and laugh at the plans of the enemy (Psalm 2:4). I am the Lord your God in your midst. I am the Mighty One who saves. I rejoice over you with gladness. I quiet you with My love. I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). Catch the song.

Don’t believe what others might say or think about you. Believe what I say and think about you. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I want only the best for you. I am merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy (Psalm 103:8). I have a plan for your life, a destiny. You are special (1 Peter 2:9). Ask Me to help you remove any false humility and walk with authority in your robes of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).

YOU HAVE MY HEART

I AM Jesus. You have My whole heart. I am passionately and radically in love with you. Why else would I leave the splendors of Heaven, come to earth, and die a brutal death on a cross? I did it for you. I died so you could be reconciled (Romans 5:10). I died so that you can have life, and that you may have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

During My earthly ministry, I called out to four fisherman. They had an option to go their own way and do their own thing. However, they chose to surrender to Me. They forsook all and followed Me (Luke 5:9-11). They came to believe and know that I am the Christ, the Son of the living God (John 6:68-69). These four simple fishermen followed Me and eventually became mighty vessels in My hands.

I am giving you an invitation to get in the boat with Me and never leave it. I desire a deep personal relationship with you. I desire to empower you to transform nations. I have already given all things that pertain to life and Godliness (2 Peter 1:3). All you have to do is receive it. I long for you to say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

SOLDIERS

I AM the Holy Spirit. There are two main types of soldiers: soldiers in a national military, and soldiers in the Lord’s army. Soldiers in a national military need to be honored, appreciated, and thanked. Soldiers are specifically chosen by military leaders to represent the nation. Not every person qualifies to be in a national military. They are elite. You may not agree with the decisions political leaders make who govern the soldiers, but soldiers are willing to endure horrific situations to protect their nation.

Soldiers in the Lord’s army fight for those bound by the snares of the devil. The soldiers in Our army help deliver those who are drawn toward death and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter (Proverbs 24:11). Our soldiers are called to preach the Gospel, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, set at liberty those who are oppressed, and proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19).

I am raising a strong and powerful army that is willing to shake off lukewarmness and complacency and become a burning one (Revelation 3:14-16). I am raising up an army of elite lovers who are not afraid to bring Kingdom light into the darkest regions of the earth. I am looking to empower you so we can transform regions together. I will qualify and equip you. All you have to do is be willing.

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Biblical References

All scriptural references are taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible unless otherwise mentioned.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

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DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate Your Royal Destiny: Discovering Your Significance to all those who will step into their true God-given destinies. It is time to arise into the purposes of why you were created. May you hear the Lord’s voice and answer God’s call. This book is dedicated to you for having the boldness to make a difference and change the world. Thank you for serving the King of kings!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to specifically thank my bride Dawn for being a faithful companion with me on this grand adventure with the Lord.

I would also like to thank the multitudes of people who have helped Dawn and I grow spiritually and helped us with our ministry call.

I would specifically like to thank those who opened their homes to Dawn and I while we have traveled the United States as missionaries. God used them mightily to benefit the Kingdom.

Thank you: Angelo, Andrea, Adam, and Aaron LiVecchi (We See Jesus Ministries), Michael and Dawn Southworth (Dawn Price Baby), Alan and Lisa Gluck, (Lab Angels), Bill and Carol Doyel (Living Better50), Francisco and Carla Reyes (Third Watch Ministries), Dirk and Mary Squire (Squire Construction), Sherry and Madelaine Haydel (Sherry Haydel Limited), Kathleen Krohn, Myron and Lorie Ace, Rich, Kelley, and Kallee Salber, and my parents, Clint and Faye Pietsch.

I would also like to thank Natalie Groff for her work in editing this book. If you desire to contact Natalie you can at: nataliegroff12@yahoo.com.

CONTENTS

A Laughing and Singing Father

You Have My Heart

Soldiers

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Your Destiny

Why Christ?

In Christ, You Are Royalty

In Christ, You Are Adopted In

Prayer of Salvation

Heavenly Celebration

Royal Ways of the Kingdom

Your Royal Identity

The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God Offers Provision

The Kingdom of God Offers Mysteries and Revelations

The Kingdom of God Involves Preaching the Gospel

The Kingdom of God Is Greater than the Earthly Realm

The Kingdom of God Is Supernatural

The Kingdom of God Offers a New Life

The Kingdom of God Is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy

The Kingdom of God Is Power

The Kingdom of God Cannot Be Shaken

Hearing the King’s Voice

Hearing God through the Bible

Hearing God through His Still, Small Voice

Hearing God through the Counsel of People

Hearing God through the Audible Voice of God

Hearing God through Dreams

Hearing God through Visions

The Holy Spirit

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

Why Do We Need the Holy Spirit?

Jesus Needed the Holy Spirit

Miracles of Jesus

The Apostles Needed the Holy Spirit

Miracles Performed through the Apostles

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Biblical References of Spiritual Gifts

Old Testament

New Testament

Definitions of Spiritual Gifts

Personal Testimonies Using the Spiritual Gifts

Darkness to Light

Jesus is Alive at Arts Alive

Baptisms

Baptism of Repentance

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Baptism of Fire

Prayer to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Activating Tongues

Personal Testimony of Tongues

Singing in the Spirit in a Demon’s Den

Weapons of Warfare

The Word of God

Personal Testimony of Deliverance Using the Word of God

Halloween Night Deliverance

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit Power

The Fruit of the Spirit

Prayer

Praying in the Spirit

Laughter

Praise and Worship

The Holy Communion

The Blood of Jesus

Free Indeed

Cleansed Life, Cleansed Home

Key Principles to Keep You Free

Cultivating God’s Presence

The Secret Place

Praise and Worship

Go and Make Disciples

Personal Testimonies of Healing Miracles

Fish in the Boat

Withered Hand Healed

Deployment

Special Facebook Group

Connect with Nathan

Future Books

About the Author

One Last Request...

Additional Resources

PREFACE

It is a great honor to be speaking to you through this book. I pray the Lord would touch and bless you abundantly as we travel through this book together. God has great and wonderful things in store for you. Allow yourself to be sensitive to the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. In Them, you have an amazing destiny that is going to change the world for God’s glory.

The purpose of writing Your Royal Destiny: Discovering Your Significance is to save you years of wasted time and frustration. The first twenty-five years of my Christian walk was spent in religious performance and lukewarm Christianity. I didn’t know I had a royal destiny. I didn’t know my royal identity. I didn’t know I could operate in the holy supernatural. I didn’t know miraculous signs, wonders, and miracles were supposed to follow my life. I didn’t know I could transform nations for God’s glory.

It is my great desire to see you arise into your royal destiny. I desire to see people immediately step into the meaning of their lives. Your destiny and purpose in life can only be accomplished through Jesus Christ. When a person receives Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, everything becomes possible. In Christ, you are called to do great exploits. You are called to do the greater works. You have a royal destiny to fulfill. Enjoy it!

INTRODUCTION

God is desiring to use you mightily for His glory. He has a specific task for you. Jesus is calling out saying, “Follow Me.” May we be like Levi, the tax collector in Luke 5:27-28. The Bible says:

27 After these things He [Jesus] went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.

Now is the time! I believe we are living in perhaps the most significant time in history. I believe we are living at the end of the end-times. I believe we are getting ready to see the largest outpouring of God’s Spirit in human history.

The prophet Joel spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Joel 2:28-29:

28 And it shall come to pass afterward

That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your old men shall dream dreams,

Your young men shall see visions.

29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Regardless of your past or present circumstances, God is desiring to use you for His glory in these last days.

God is looking for lovers. God is looking for people who truly follow God’s greatest commandments found in Mark 12:30-31. Jesus said:

30 “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

No book will ever substitute the Holy Bible. However Your Royal Destiny: Discovering Your Significance is designed to impart into you the tools, gifts, revelations, wisdom, and knowledge to help you fulfill your God-given destiny. It is a watering trough for all people searching for significance. It is a fountain for all people wanting to discover their life’s purpose. It is a drinking well for all people wanting to fulfill their royal destiny.

We will help accomplish this by showing you how to step into your God-given destiny. The first step to fulfilling your destiny is to get on the royal path. This path leads to the Kingdom of Heaven. Inside the Kingdom you will find the King. The King is Jesus Christ. This King is the King of kings and Lord of lords. His arms of love are wide open ready to embrace and empower you.

After you are on the royal path, you will learn about the Kingdom of Heaven and what it offers you. You will also learn how to hear the King’s voice so you can receive your marching orders from Him. The marching orders you receive from the King are directly linked to discovering your significance. Don’t worry, you will have a Guide, a Helper, a Comforter. His name is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help you navigate on this road called life. He has numerous spiritual gifts awaiting you that will empower you to perform miraculous signs, wonders, and miracles for God’s glory.

Throughout this book you will also learn about the weapons of warfare. These weapons will help you along your journey. These weapons will help you remain free from oppression, depression, turmoil, and disease if your enemies should come in like a flood. In the midst of it, you will learn how to cultivate God’s presence which will be your help and shield. Your Royal Destiny: Discovering Your Significance will help guide you in these processes.

Let’s step into this together. But first, can I pray for you?

“In the name of Jesus Christ, I speak an alignment throughout your spirit, soul, and body right now. I say, ‘Come into alignment with the will of the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.’ I pray that you would immediately step forth into your God-given destiny and purpose completely and perfectly all the days of your life. May God use you mightily for His glory. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”

YOUR DESTINY

Did you know you were created by God to fulfill a specific purpose for Him? The Bible says in Colossians 1:16, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” This means you were created to fulfill a purpose.

You have an extremely important destiny. It is impossible to fulfill your destiny and purpose outside of God. You need to be completely activated in all that the Lord has for you in order to accomplish your destiny.

You need a deep relationship with the Holy Trinity: the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. You need Them to help you fulfill your destiny.

WHY CHRIST?

The absolute most important decision you will ever make is that of opening your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. The great accuser: our adversary: the devil does not want you to develop a personal relationship with the Lord. The devil knows the joy and peace that is found in putting your faith in Jesus Christ. The devil does not want you to enjoy such peace. Therefore, he will do everything he can to keep you from it, especially lie to you.

As the Holy Spirit begins to speak to you and soften your heart, allow yourself to surrender to Him. The Bible says in Psalm 95:7b-8a, “Today, if you will hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts...” The devil will desire for you to harden your heart towards God. Ask the Lord to minister to you as you read the following scriptures.

John 3:16:

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:20b:

20 ...But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.

Philippians 2:10-11:

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 10:9-10:

9 If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:9:

9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

IN CHRIST, YOU ARE ROYALTY

The Bible tells us that those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior automatically become royalty. In 1 Peter 2:9-10, the Bible says:

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Not only did Jesus make you royalty, but you are a royal priest, chosen, holy, and special. These are free benefits Jesus has made available to everybody who will receive them.

The Bible also says in Revelation 1:5-6:

5 From Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:6 tells you and I that those who believe in Jesus are made kings and priests through Jesus’ own sacrifice on the cross.

IN CHRIST, YOU ARE ADOPTED IN

The Bible tells us that those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior automatically become adopted into Him. The Bible says in Romans 8:15:

15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

This revelation is extremely significant because an adopted child is no longer an orphan. They have full legal access to any and all inheritances from the parents. Those who are adopted into Christ by receiving Him as their personal Lord and Savior automatically have access to the entire Heavenly Kingdom realm and all that it offers. In God’s Kingdom, there is no disease, illness, sorrow, depression, frustration, poverty, or death. You will learn more about the Heavenly Kingdom in the pages to come.

The first step in fulfilling your destiny is to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. If you have not already and desire to receive all that the Lord has for you, please pray the Prayer of Salvation from your heart.

PRAYER OF SALVATION

Lord, I know that I have broken your laws and commandments. I know that I have fallen short of Your perfection. I am a sinner and in need of a Savior. My sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry and confess my sins to You. I want to turn away from my past sinful life and turn toward You. Please forgive me of all my sins.

I believe Your Son Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I believe He was resurrected from the dead, is now alive, and hears my prayers. I invite Jesus to become my Lord and Savior, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward.

Please send Your Holy Spirit to empower me. Please baptize me with the Holy Spirit and fire. Please help me to do Your will for the rest of my life. Thank You, Lord. May You be glorified by my life. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

HEAVENLY CELEBRATION

If this is the first time you have ever said this prayer, we want to welcome you into the family of God. You can now begin to fully experience the joy, peace, love, and power of our Heavenly Father. There is also a huge party taking place for you right now in Heaven.

Jesus said in Luke 15:10:

10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Now that you have received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you have access to everything God has to offer. All your sins are permanently washed away and the Holy Spirit has entered into your body. You are also sealed in the Book of Life, which entitles you to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

With your decision to follow Christ, you will need to learn about the royal ways of the Kingdom. By learning about your royal identity and the Kingdom of God, your royal destiny will begin to surface. We cover this in the next section.

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ROYAL WAYS OF THE KINGDOM

Every person needs to be taught about royalty. Even the royals in the United Kingdom are taught how to act like royalty. In the Bible, the prophet Samuel had to instruct an entire nation on the behavior of royalty. In 1 Samuel 10:25, the Bible says:

25 Then Samuel explained to the people the behavior of royalty, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

We also need to be taught the behavior of royalty, and our royal identity in Christ. Let’s look at your royal identity in Christ Jesus together.

YOUR ROYAL IDENTITY

Since you are now royalty in Christ Jesus, you need to start thinking like you’re royalty. The old pauper, servant mentality needs to be replaced with Kingdom thinking. You need to put off your former conduct, and put on the new man which was created according to God.

The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:20-24 saying:

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Paul also wrote in Romans 12:2:

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We have been instructed to put off our old behaviors and be renewed. We are no longer to conform to this world but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

The following scriptures will help transform you and renew your mind. The following Bible verses will teach you about who you are in Christ Jesus. These verses confirm your royal identity.

I am the head and not the tail.

Deuteronomy 28:13:

13 And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.

I am clothed with garments of salvation and covered with the robe of righteousness.

Isaiah 61:10:

10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,

my soul shall be joyful in my God;

for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

I am a crown of glory and royal diadem in the hand of God.

Isaiah 62:3:

3 You shall also be a crown of glory

in the hand of the Lord,

and a royal diadem

in the hand of your God.

I am loved with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3:

3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”

I am the light of the world.

Matthew 5:14:

14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

I am set free.

John 8:31-32:

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

I am free from condemnation.

Romans 8:1:

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

I am a child of God.

Romans 8:16:

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

I am more than a conqueror.

Romans 8:37:

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19:

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

I am a new creature.

2 Corinthians 5:17:

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

I am an ambassador for Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:20:

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

I am accepted in Christ.

Ephesians 1:6:

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

I am alive with Christ.

Ephesians 2:5:

5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).

I am qualified to share in His inheritance.

Colossians 1:12:

12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

I am delivered from the power of darkness and transformed into God’s Kingdom.

Colossians 1:13:

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.

I am complete in Christ.

Colossians 2:10:

10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

I am called of God.

2 Timothy 1:9:

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

I am healed by the wounds of Jesus.

1 Peter 2:24:

24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.

I am born of God and the evil one does not touch me.

1 John 5:18:

18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the blood of Jesus.

Revelation 1:5:

5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

I have received the power of the Holy Spirit: power to cast out demons, speak with new tongues, take up serpents, drink poison, and lay hands on the sick and see them recover.

Mark 16:17-18:

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

I have authority over all the power of the enemy.

Luke 10:19:

19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

I have everlasting life.

John 6:47:

47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

I have an abundant life.

John 10:10b:

10b ...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

I have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16:

16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

I have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.

Philippians 4:7:

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I have all my needs met by God according to His glorious riches in Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:19:

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I have access to the throne of grace.

Hebrews 4:16:

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I hear and know God’s voice.

John 10:27:

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

I shall do even greater works than Jesus Christ.

John 14:12:

12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

I can do all things through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:13:

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I possess the Greater One in me because greater is He who is me than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:4:

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Now that you have begun to renew your mind with your true royal identity, let’s learn more about the Kingdom of God and the way it operates.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Once people accept Jesus into their heart, they have the Kingdom of God within them. Jesus said in Luke 17:21b: ...“For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Who is in the Kingdom of God? Well, God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Not only that, angels, cherubims, seraphs, the great cloud of witnesses, the 24 elders, the four living creatures, lots of gold, and everything else in Heaven is inside Christian believers. You have a lot going on inside of you right now.

There is no “baby” Holy Spirit, or “new believer’s” Holy Spirit. A new convert walks in all the power and authority God has to offer.

If the Kingdom of God is within us and we have access to this Kingdom, we had better learn more about God’s Kingdom. After all, Jesus taught us how to pray so God’s Kingdom would come upon the earth. In Matthew 6:9-10:

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

“Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.”

One of our mandates as believers in Jesus Christ is to release God’s Kingdom upon the earth. We are to do this so God’s will will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

God’s Kingdom is more powerful than this earthly kingdom. Think of it this way: when God’s Kingdom invades earth, His Kingdom supersedes, or overwrites, this earthly system. When Heaven manifests itself upon the earth, anything is possible.

Let’s take some time and learn more about God’s Kingdom by looking at the Bible. There are a number of scriptures that talk about the Kingdom of God. The more you know about this Kingdom, the more you know what is available to you and how to access it.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD OFFERS PROVISION

Jesus said in Matthew 6:25 and 33:

25 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

In this lesson, Jesus told the people, including you and I, not to worry about our lives. We are not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear. Our first priority is to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is extremely significant.

If we learn how God’s Kingdom works, we can access it at any time. There is no lack or shortage of any kind in God’s Kingdom. If we know how the Kingdom of God works, we can operate in the supernatural.

Another example of how the Kingdom of God offers provision is found in Luke 6:20 where we see Jesus preaching on the Beatitudes. The Bible says:

20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you poor,

For yours is the kingdom of God.”

This verse has been interpreted many different ways. In a sense, poor people can’t really take care of themselves. They are often looking for and relying on hand outs. The Kingdom of God cannot be earned or bought. It is all free! There is nothing you have to do to earn it. Poor people like free, therefore they receive it.

This verse also brings great hope to the poor. The Kingdom of God is not poor, bankrupt, or poverty struck in any way. The construction material in the Heavenly realm is precious stones, pure gold, and pearl. As you can see, what we consider to be precious commodities here on earth is God’s construction material. Since we are citizens of the Kingdom, we have a right and ability to access that wealth in this earthly realm.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD OFFERS MYSTERIES AND REVELATIONS

In Matthew 13:11, Jesus said:

11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”

In this passage, Jesus was speaking to His disciples. This would include you, if you abide in His Word (see John 8:31). Do you realize the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven have been given to you? They are waiting to be searched out.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD INVOLVES PREACHING THE GOSPEL

In Mark 1:14, the Bible says:

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.

We are told Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The way Jesus preached was through words: and then demonstration. Jesus didn’t just stand behind a pulpit, deliver a powerless, fluffy message, and dismiss for lunch. He demonstrated the Kingdom of God through His preaching.

The apostle Paul gives us revelation on how to fully preach the gospel of Christ. To fully preach the gospel of Christ, mighty signs, wonders, and power must be demonstrated in your life. This means all believers need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. You will learn more about the Holy Spirit in the pages ahead.

Paul penned in Romans 15:19:

19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5:

4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS GREATER THAN THE EARTHLY REALM

In Luke 7:28, Jesus said:

28 For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

This verse gives you an example of how much higher the Kingdom of God is than the earthly realm. In comparison, the very best this earth has to offer is not better than the very least the Kingdom of God has to offer.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS SUPERNATURAL

In Luke 9:2, Jesus sent out His twelve disciples into the mission field. The Bible says:

2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

This verse confirms again that preaching the Kingdom of God and performing signs, wonders, and miracles go hand in hand.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD OFFERS A NEW LIFE

In John 3:3-5, the Bible says:

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

In order for a person to enter the Kingdom of God, they must be born again. This born again experience occurs when a person receives Jesus into their heart as Lord and Savior. When Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God,” He was first speaking of the natural birth and then the spiritual. Once a person receives Jesus, they automatically enter into the Kingdom. There is no working or striving, simply receiving.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY

In Romans 14:17, the Bible says:

17 The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The apostle Paul gives us some great insight into the Kingdom of God. Paul said the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This Kingdom is great! Let’s look individually at these three words Paul used to describe the Kingdom.

Once a person receives Jesus into their heart, they are automatically made righteous. That’s it! Receive the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit into your heart and you are righteous. There is no labor involved. You don’t need to pass out any magazines or try to meditate yourself into a higher level of consciousness. You are made righteous in Christ.

In Isaiah 54:17, the Lord tells us:

17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

And their righteousness is from Me,”

Says the Lord.

It is a done deal. It is a finished work. God has made us righteous simply by us receiving Him.

The Kingdom of God is peace. Isn’t that nice? Just hearing those words makes me want to lie down in the arms of the Lord. There is no more struggle. There is no more hussle-and-bussle. Everything is peaceful in God’s Kingdom.

Jesus tells us in John 14:27:

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The Kingdom of God is joy. Just hearing these words makes me want to laugh, shout, and dance. You never have to have a bad day again. If the world got a dose of this, anti-depressant companies would go bankrupt overnight. God is so fun!

A major bonus for us pertaining to the Kingdom of God is that we don’t have to wait to get to Heaven to experience it. The Kingdom is already here. It is inside of you. You just have to learn how to release it.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS POWER

In 1 Corinthians 4:20, the Bible says:

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

This word power comes from the Greek word dunamis. It means, force—specifically miraculous power. In order to combat the enemy, expel darkness, give people a God encounter, and have people start their own personal relationship with Jesus, we need the power of the Kingdom of God operating in us.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD CANNOT BE SHAKEN

In Hebrews 12:28, the Bible says:

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

I love the first part of this verse, we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken. The Kingdom of God is firmly established. There is nothing in all existence now or forevermore that can overthrow our God. We are in His Kingdom and it cannot be shaken!

As you can see, God’s Kingdom: in which we belong: is pretty awesome. I am not certain why the entire planet would not want to be part of this Kingdom. There is nobody in all of existence for all of eternity who will be able to offer a better deal.

Now that you have an understanding of the Kingdom you belong to, you need to be able to hear the King’s voice. The next section reveals different ways King Jesus might speak to you.

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HEARING THE KING’S VOICE

In order for you to fulfill your royal destiny, you will need to hear the King’s voice. You will need to receive your marching orders from God Himself. By learning to hear God’s voice, you will know where to go and what to do in your life.

The Bible tells us that Jesus only did what He saw His Father do. The Bible also says Jesus only spoke what He heard the Father speak. In John 5:19, Jesus said,

19 Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

Jesus also said in John 12:49-50:

49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.

One reason Jesus had an amazing ministry and was able to fulfill His royal destiny was because He was able to hear God’s voice. You also can hear God’s voice. His voice will guide and lead you. By following His voice, you will accomplish your royal destiny.

You can hear Jesus’ voice because He said you could. In John 10:27, Jesus said:

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

The Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit speak to people in a variety of ways. God is always speaking. Some of the ways in which God speaks to people are through the Bible; His still, small voice; the counsel of people; the audible voice of God; dreams; and visions. Let’s look at these ways together in greater detail.

HEARING GOD THROUGH THE BIBLE

God can speak to people through His written Word the Bible. It is important to consistently read your Bible. In Psalm 119:11, the Bible says:

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.

In Psalm 119:105, the Bible says:

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, the Bible says:

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

As you read your Bible, listen to hear God’s voice speak to you from the words on the page.

HEARING GOD THROUGH HIS STILL, SMALL VOICE

God can communicate through His still, small voice. In the book of 1 Kings 19:11-12, the Bible says:

11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

The Bible says in Acts 11:12:

12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.

Acts 16:6-7 says:

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

In the book of Isaiah 30:21, the Bible says:

21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you,

saying,

“This is the way, walk in it,”

Whenever you turn to the right hand

Or whenever you turn to the left.

Begin to listen to hear God’s still, small voice as He speaks to you.

HEARING GOD THROUGH THE COUNSEL OF PEOPLE

God can talk to people through the counsel of others. For example, in Proverbs 12:15, King Solomon wrote:

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But he who heeds counsel is wise.

If you receive counsel from others, it should not contradict the Bible. In addition, after you hear counsel from others it is your responsibility to take it before the Lord and ask Him if you should receive or reject the counsel given.

HEARING GOD THROUGH THE AUDIBLE VOICE OF GOD

God can catch people’s attention through His own audible voice. In the book of Acts 9:4-5, the Bible says:

4 Then he [Saul] fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

There are several other examples of God audibly speaking to people throughout the Bible. God may speak to you audibly as well.

HEARING GOD THROUGH DREAMS

God can speak to people through dreams. In the book of Matthew 1:20-21, the Bible says:

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Your dreams can be very significant. God might reveal to you a directive word in your dreams. He might share with you an issue you need to repent of. Before you go to sleep you might want to have a way to transcribe your dreams so you do not forget them. You can also begin to expect God to speak to you through your dreams nightly.

HEARING GOD THROUGH VISIONS

God can also communicate through visions. In the book of Acts 10:9-17, the Bible says:

9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.

Visions can also be known as daydreams. You may find yourself having a revelatory vision from God that changes your life. The vision Peter had changed his life and millions of others. Do not neglect to hear God from your visions.

Now that we have seen ways in which God can speak to people, you need to understand that God is actually and constantly speaking to you. You can also hear His voice. Let’s look at some scriptures together.

In John 10:26-28, Jesus said to the religious leaders of the day:

26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

If you have received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, He is your Shepherd and you are His sheep. You hear His voice, He knows you, and you follow Him.

Not only are you a cute sheep, you also have the mind of Christ. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:16:

16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

God often speaks to us through our minds. I believe you hear from the Lord on a much more continual basis than you realize. When God speaks to us through our minds, we usually think they are our own thoughts. In reality, you might be getting a download from the Lord.

When God speaks to us through our minds, the voice we hear usually sounds like our own voice. God’s voice often sounds like my own voice in my head.

Now that you have a firm understanding of your royal identity, the Kingdom of God and the various ways to hear the voice of God, let’s shift our gaze a little. It is time to focus on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help empower you to fulfill your destiny.

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THE HOLY SPIRIT

Having a deep personal relationship with the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary in helping you fulfill your royal destiny. Jesus needed the Holy Spirit active in His life and so did the apostles. You will also need the Holy Spirit active in your life.

In order to have the Holy Spirit active in your life, you will need to know who the Holy Spirit is, why you need the Holy Spirit, and the gifts the Holy Spirit has to offer you. Throughout this chapter we will explore these matters.

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

The Holy Spirit is God and possesses all the characteristics of God. He is the third “Person” in the Trinity. Jesus verbally identified the Holy Spirit as being equal with the Heavenly Father and Himself in Matthew 28:19-20 during the Great Commission. Jesus said:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

In John 14:15-17 and 25-26, Jesus talked with His disciples about the Holy Spirit. Jesus said:

15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever: 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

25 These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Speaking of the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus also said in John 16:5-15:

5 But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

In Matthew chapter 3, we see John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus and also baptizing Him. In verse 11, John spoke of Jesus:

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

In this section of scripture, John told us that Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire. The next chapter discusses the various baptisms, but first let’s look at why we need the Holy Spirit operating in our lives.

WHY DO WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Unfortunately, many believers think they do not need a relationship with the Holy Spirit nor the power He offers. When a person receives Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit instantly dwells within the physical body of the believer. When you accepted Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit entered into you.

The apostle Paul made this clear in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Paul wrote:

19 Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

However, there is more to the Holy Spirit.

JESUS NEEDED THE HOLY SPIRIT

When you received Jesus, almighty God Himself entered into you. There is a whole lot of power within you. Unfortunately, due to lies from the enemy, many believers have not developed their relationship with the Holy Spirit nor believe in His power. Jesus did not begin His public ministry until He was baptized in the Holy Spirit.

We see the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus in Matthew 3:16-17. The Bible says:

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus didn’t begin His public ministry as described in chapter 4 until after the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The Bible says in Matthew 4:23-24:

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

If Jesus didn’t begin His public ministry without the empowering of the Holy Spirit, maybe we need the Holy Spirit too. Following, is a brief list of some of the miracles Jesus was able to perform through the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

MIRACLES OF JESUS

Raised dead son of the widow of Nain

Luke 7:11-17

Calmed the storm

Matthew 8:23-27

Paralytic at Capernaum walked

Mark 2:1-12

The bleeding woman healed

Mark 5:24-34

Two blind men see at Galilee

Matthew 9:27-31

Man with withered hand healed

Mark 3:1-6

Fed the 5000

John 6:5-15

Walked on water

John 6:16-21

Demon-possessed girl delivered

Matthew 15:21-28

Transfiguration of Jesus

Luke 9:28-36

Cleansed ten lepers

Luke 17:11-19

Cursed and withered the fig tree

Matthew 21:18-22

Healed the cut-off ear of a servant

Luke 22:49-51

THE APOSTLES NEEDED THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus’ disciples did not begin their public ministry until they also received the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at two Biblical accounts together, first of them waiting for the empowering of the Holy Spirit and then the miracles they did through the Holy Spirit.

By the end of Luke chapter 24, Jesus had already been crucified and raised from the dead. He then appeared to His disciples. In verses 46-49, Jesus said:

46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Jesus instructed His own disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the book of Acts, we see the fulfillment of Jesus’ instructions. In Acts chapter 1 verses 4-8, the author Luke wrote:

4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

We see the actual fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in Acts chapter 2. Let’s look at a number of verses from Acts 2 together. In Acts 2:1-4, the Bible says:

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

After the followers of Jesus, including His mother Mary and brothers, were filled with the Holy Spirit, we see the crowd’s response in verses 5-13:

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs: we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

After Peter heard some in the crowd mocking their behavior, he addressed the group and quoted scripture from the prophet Joel. In Acts 2:14-21, the Bible says:

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your young men shall see visions,

Your old men shall dream dreams.

18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days;

And they shall prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in heaven above

And signs in the earth beneath:

Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,

And the moon into blood,

Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

21 And it shall come to pass

That whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Peter made it clear that Jesus’ promise of “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,” had just been fulfilled.

As you continue to read through the book of Acts, you will find the apostles immediately performing great signs and wonders in the name of Jesus Christ through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Below is a brief list of some of the radical miracles found in the book of Acts performed through the apostles.

MIRACLES PERFORMED THROUGH THE APOSTLES

Apostles spoke in tongues

Acts 2:1-4

A lame man radically healed

Acts 3:1-10

Miraculous signs and wonders, multitudes all got healed and delivered from demons

Acts 5:12-16

Philip cast out unclean spirits and healed paralyzed and lame people

Acts 8:5-7

Peter raised Tabitha from the dead

Acts 9:36-42

Paul cast out a spirit of divination (witchcraft)

Acts 16:16-24

Paul unharmed by viper bite

Acts 28:1-6

Paul healed all people on the island who had diseases

Acts 28:9

Now that you have an understanding why you need the Holy Spirit active in your life, let’s look at the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Spiritual gifts (or charismata) are gifts that are supernaturally bestowed upon Christians by the Holy Spirit to strengthen the church. Most of the spiritual gifts are discussed in the New Testament, but there are some spiritual gifts found in the Old Testament.

The apostle Paul said one of the most profound statements regarding spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:1. The Bible says:

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.

Paul--through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit--tells us not to be ignorant regarding spiritual gifts. The devil has placed such an attack upon spiritual gifts because he knows there is no way to overpower Christians who operate in spiritual gifts or the holy supernatural. However, the devil knows if he can lie to the body of Christ and get people to discount the spiritual gifts, then he can severely wound the church.

It is time we learn about the holy supernatural and embrace spiritual gifts. All of creation is waiting for you to arise and be revealed as a son or daughter of God. Let’s look at the following list of spiritual gifts together. We’ll then look at their definitions.

BIBLICAL REFERENCES OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

OLD TESTAMENT

Craftsmanship

2 Chronicles 2:13-14:

13 And now I have sent a skillful man, endowed with understanding, Huram my master craftsman 14 (the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre), skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple and blue, fine linen and crimson, and to make any engraving and to accomplish any plan which may be given to him, with your skillful men and with the skillful men of my lord David your father.

Worship (gift of music)

2 Chronicles 7:6:

6 And the priests attended to their services; the Levites also with instruments of the music of the Lord, which King David had made to praise the Lord, saying, “For His mercy endures forever,” whenever David offered praise by their ministry. The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel stood.

Interpretation of Dreams

Genesis 40:8, 12:

8 And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”

12 And Joseph said to him, “This is the interpretation of it...

NEW TESTAMENT

Prophecy

Romans 12:6:

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

Ministry, Teaching

Romans 12:7:

7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;

Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, Mercy (compassion)

Romans 12:8:

8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge

1 Corinthians 12:8:

8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,

Faith, Healing

1 Corinthians 12:9:

9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

Working of Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits, Speaking in tongues, Interpretation of Tongues

1 Corinthians 12:10:

10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Working of Miracles, Healing, Helps, Administration, Speaking in Tongues

1 Corinthians 12:28:

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher

Ephesians 4:11-12: (Five-fold ministry)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

DEFINITIONS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Craftsmanship: A person with the gift of craftsmanship is skilled in working with their hands. Some of their skills may include working with: art, vehicles, gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, wood, linen, and engraving tools.

Worship (gift of music): People with the gift of worship have an amazing ability to praise and worship the Lord. They often have an anointing to help others encounter God through music. Their worship gift might include instruments and/or their voices. The gift of worship can be used for warfare, breakthrough, inspiration, ushering in peace, and/or ushering in the presence of the Lord.

Interpretation of Dreams: This gift enables a person to accurately and precisely interpret either night dreams or day dreams. This gift often goes hand-in-hand with the gift of prophecy.

Prophecy: Prophecy is the supernatural ability to receive a message from God in order to edify, exhort, and comfort the Body of Christ. In its purest sense, prophecy is simply hearing what the Holy Spirit is saying and then speaking that forth. Not all prophecies contain predictions about the future.

Ministry: In its pure definition from the Greek language, the gift of ministry refers to a person who has a servant’s heart. Ministry involves running errands and/or being an attendant, like a waiter at a table.

Teaching: A person with the gift of teaching has the ability to understand the more difficult things of God and explain them in a way that is easy to understand.

Exhortation: Exhortation is the ability to motivate, build-up, and/or encourage another person.

Giving: The gift of giving is when a person has been blessed by God with resources or time and then able to give them when they are needed with a cheerful heart.

Leadership: A leadership ability is God-given insight into when something needs to be done, who can do it, how it can be completed, and how to lead those people to get it accomplished.

Mercy: A person with the gift of mercy has a heart to care for and encourage those who are not able to care for themselves and whom no one else would care for. It also involves knowing who and when to help.

Word of Wisdom: A person operating in a word of wisdom can understand and speak forth biblical truth in such a way as to skillfully apply it to life situations with all discernment.

Word of Knowledge: A word of knowledge is a message, concept, or bit of knowledge that God reveals supernaturally to the recipient. It may or may not be shared with others.

Faith: A gift of faith is knowing what you hope for, having a conviction about things you can’t see, trusting God, believing God’s words, and obeying God.

Healing: The gift of healing is a supernatural ability to bring or release healing to a person’s soul (mind, will, and emotions) or physical body.

Working of Miracles: This gift is demonstrated when the Holy Spirit comes upon a person and they are able to perform a miracle. A miracle is a supernatural act that is humanly impossible without the intervention of God. Two examples would be God using a person to raise someone from the dead or heal a crippled person.

Discerning of Spirits: This gift is the supernatural ability to know what is from God and what is not from God. A person operating in this gift can often reveal a demonic spirit or influence and bring God’s power and love to replace it.

Speaking in Tongues: The gift of tongues is the language of the Holy Spirit. One of its supernatural abilities is to instantly speak another human language not known by the believer speaking it. For example, it is possible to instantly speak German never having studied it. This similar phenomena is what happened on the day of Pentecost when everyone heard them speak in his own language.

Another supernatural ability is to speak a Heavenly language not known by the believer speaking it. This purpose is to build up the individual believer or the Body of Christ when the message is interpreted.

Interpretation of Tongues: Supernatural ability to make tongues a clear message to all that are present to edify, exhort, and comfort the Body of Christ.

Helps: The gift of helps or service is the supernatural ability to do for others whatever needs to be done. It is the divine ability to carry another person’s burden without notice or earthly reward.

Administration: A person who operates in this gift is usually very organized. They have an ability to perform tasks speedily and accurately. People operating in the gift of administration often make great office managers.

Apostle: The word “apostle” simply means an ambassador of the gospel who is sent out on a mission. They have been equipped with supernatural power and spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the mission.

Apostolic ministry usually involves laying a solid Christian foundation. In the case of Paul and Barnabas, we see this expressed in church planting as they preached the gospel in new areas. The apostles in the scriptures often worked in teams.

Prophet: A prophet is one who speaks or communicates a message authoritatively as moved by the Holy Spirit. According to Deuteronomy 18:22, when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Evangelist: An evangelist is someone who desires that all should come to know the truth that God loves everyone so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for their redemption or someone who is gifted to proclaim this message.

Pastor: The word “pastor” simply means “shepherd.” Pastors are usually gifted to guide, lead, and set an example for other Christians.

PERSONAL TESTIMONIES USING THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

DARKNESS TO LIGHT

This testimony is taken from Las Vegas, Nevada. Dawn and I hit the streets of Vegas around 11:30 PM. We decided to walk from the Bellagio Hotel and Casino to Harrah’s Casino. We were so filled with God’s love. We were having fun laughing and dancing all over in His presence, that we just had to release it all over the Strip.

As we walked on our journey, a girl in her twenties whom we will call Lara was highlighted. I got a word of knowledge that she had night terrors and tremors. You could tell she was severely tormented by demons. Lara was also passing out pornography tracts to anybody who walked by. We walked up to her and asked, “Excuse me, I know this sounds strange, but do you suffer from night terrors?”

“Wait, why?” she responded. “What exactly do you mean?”

“Do you wake up in the night in fear and terror?”

“Yes, every night.”

I replied, “Do you want to be set free of these night terrors?”

“Yes.”

“Then please repeat after me. ‘In the name of Jesus, I ask You, Lord, to forgive me of all my sins. Let there be light. Jesus, please come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I command all fear and terror to permanently leave me. Lord, please replace it with Your perfect love. I am in the light, and darkness has no hold on me. I speak this forth in the name of Jesus. Amen.’”

Lara repeated what I said and her countenance changed before our very eyes. Her face was previously dark with rings around her eyes. Her face began to radiate, her eyes lightened, and she began to smile. It was priceless.

There was more the Lord wanted to do in her life too. I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to ask her if she wanted her own personal prayer language to speak with God. She didn’t really know what I was talking about, so I began to explain to her the importance and value of speaking in tongues. I told her it is the spiritual gift that will build her faith, strength, belief, self-esteem, and self-worth. Tongues is the gift that edifies the person speaking in them.

Lara decided that she needed this gift. Every believer needs to speak in tongues. This gift unlocks many other gifts. Right there on the Las Vegas Strip, Lara got baptized in the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. Instantly she felt a release and a shift take place within her. God is so good. He took Lara from total darkness directly into His Kingdom to speaking in tongues in a matter of moments.

Even though Lara is a “baby” in the faith, she now has the same Holy Spirit as every believer. This gives her the ability to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. (See Matthew 10:8.)

JESUS IS ALIVE AT ARTS ALIVE

When Dawn and I lived in Humboldt county, California, we went to the Eureka community event Arts Alive. There is always a lot of people there. Dawn and I arrived at the Old Towne section of Eureka around 7:30 PM. For the first one and one-half hours, not much happened. We eventually went back to the car and got our “Spiritual Readings” sign. This sign basically draws a new age type of crowd. However, when people come over to receive a “spiritual reading” from us, we prophecy destiny, purpose, and life over them in the name of Jesus.

After we got the sign, we made our way back to the Eureka square. At first, there were multitudes of people. I gave a few prophetic words to a few people, but nothing was flowing at all. I wasn’t really getting very good or clear words.

After about 15-minutes, the multitude of people had all left, except a few people. Dawn was dancing around and singing in her spiritual language. I then asked Dawn if she would help prophecy over people with me. She agreed that she would.

After she agreed to unite with me, something happened. A young woman in her early twenties came up and asked for a word. We both gave her a prophetic word. She didn’t really say much and walked away. She then went and brought back other people to us. Within a matter of moments there were ten people gathered around us. I looked at one lady in her early thirties and asked her, “Do you have pain in your lower back?”

She looked at me with a blank stare. “Yes, how do you know?”

“Do you want to be healed of that right now?”

“Yes, I do,” she replied.

“On a scale of 1-10, where is your pain level at?”

“It’s about a seven,” she replied.

I responded, “In the name of Jesus Christ, Jesus the Christ heals you. Now, test it out. Move around a little.” She did and her jaw dropped in amazement.

“What...?” she said in bewilderment, “I have no pain!”

I asked her, “You’re telling us that you did have pain, we spoke healing in the name of Jesus, and now you are totally healed?”

“Yes,” she testified to everybody around her.

I then called out to the people starting to gather around us. There were probably about 15 people gathered by now. I yelled out, “Is there anybody else who has any body aches or pains?”

Another girl in her early twenties said, “My back hurts too.” I asked her where it registered on the pain scale. “Six,” she replied.

“Do you want to be healed of this?” I asked.

“Yes, I do.”

I then asked the other people who had gathered around if they wanted to perform a miracle in the name of Jesus. The consensus was, “Yes!”

I then walked them through their first miracle. “First, ask the lady if you can pray for her. Get a grid of how much pain she is in. That way you can measure the improvements. Next, ask if you can lay hands on her. Finally, say, ‘In the name of Jesus, be healed!’”

They did what I said. About eight people gathered around her and laid hands on her after getting permission. “Now have her check it out,” I instructed. The girl began to move around and her jaw dropped. She had no pain. This is when I think the crowd’s attention was captured. These people had just realized that God used them to perform a miracle. What was interesting was that none of them had a personal relationship with Jesus yet. I then asked them, “Do you want more of this power? Do you want to walk into your God-given destiny right now?”

They all shook their heads and said, “Yes.” Dawn and I then lead a group of eight people to the Lord right there. We then prophesied over all of them individually. At one point, there was probably about 30 people gathered around listening to Dawn and I release the Good News of Jesus Christ.

After we prophesied over the eight people who just received Jesus, they weren’t leaving. It was as if they were expecting and wanting more. I then asked this group if they wanted even more of God.

“Yes!” they cried out.

I briefly explained to them about the ability to speak in tongues. I then asked them if they wanted this gift and they were eager to receive it. We showed them how to activate their spiritual language. The Holy Spirit dropped upon us all again and they began speaking in tongues. We continued ministering and God continued to stoke the fire by bringing people to us. They would come and go. Several more people got saved along the way. Dawn and I ministered for about 45-minutes.

As we were leaving, two young girls around 19 years old came up to Dawn and I wanting council on boyfriend relationships. We talked for awhile about the importance of purity. One girl was a virgin and the other wanted to recommit her body to the Lord and to save herself for her future husband. She wanted us to pray for her virginity to be supernaturally restored.

After we prayed for her, she began to weep. Earlier in the night, several other girls started to cry when we prophesied over them. We actually love to see tears when we are ministering to people. It is proof that God is touching their hearts.

While we were talking with these two young girls, three other girls came over as well. They were all friends. Dawn and I prophesied over these three girls too. Two of them accepted Jesus into their hearts. In totality, we ministered for about an hour, with about 15 salvations, healings, tongues, and other miracles took place. This mini-revival stemmed from releasing some prophetic words over people via a “Spiritual Readings” sign.

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BAPTISMS

To help you fulfill your royal destiny, you will want to be baptized with the three main baptisms mentioned in the Bible. The three main baptisms are: the baptism of repentance, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the baptism of fire.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to be baptized in all three. I believe Jesus was baptized in all three at the same time. However, any baptism can occur without having been baptized in the others. Neither is there a set order in which a person should be baptized. Let’s start by looking at Jesus’ baptism recorded in Matthew 3:11-17.

The Bible says:

11 “I [John the Baptist] indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Let’s look at these three baptisms in greater detail.

BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE

In the first phrase of Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.” The baptism of repentance is performed in water. This is the most common baptism in churches. In many churches, they have special “baptismal” services for people who want to be water baptized.

The public act of water baptism signifies an outward sign of an inward change. When a person goes under the water, it signifies the old man, or sinful nature, is dead and buried in Christ Jesus. When they arise out of the water, they are a new creation in Christ having their old sinful nature dead and buried.

Another reason why people like to get publicly water baptized is to show their open expression that they are not ashamed to be a follower of Jesus. Jesus said there would be consequences for those people who are ashamed of Him and His words.

In Luke 9:26, Jesus said:

26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

I believe it is very important to be water baptized. There are numerous accounts in the Bible that speak about being baptized in water or in the baptism of repentance. Let’s look at some of these scriptures together.

Matthew 28:19:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

After Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, He appeared to His disciples before being taken up to Heaven. Jesus told His followers to make disciples of all the nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Mark 1:4-5:

4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

In Mark 1 we are told John came baptizing and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. The act of getting dunked in water does not remove sin. It is the confession to God and turning away from sin that justifies us.

Acts 2: 38, 41:

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

In this section of scripture, the Holy Spirit had just been poured out upon the 120 people in the upper room. Peter was preaching to the multitudes. In verse 38, Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

As I mentioned previously, any one of these three baptisms can occur in any order. There is no set formula to follow. If a person does not read this verse carefully, they may interpret it as, “I have to get baptized in water, and then I can get baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This is not true. Peter first said, “Repent.”

In verse 48, the Bible says, “those who gladly received his word were baptized.” When a person receives the word of God and receives Jesus into their heart, they should be baptized.

Acts 22:16:

16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

These words are from the apostle Paul testifying of what Jesus told him to do. Jesus specifically told Paul to arise, be baptized, and call upon the name of the Lord for his sins to be washed away.

Romans 6:1-4:

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

These verses are jam-packed with revelation. As I previously mentioned, the public act of water baptism signifies an outward sign of an inward change. When a person goes under water, it signifies the old man, or sinful nature, is dead and buried in Christ Jesus. When we come up out of the water, we are a new creation in Jesus. The old sinful nature stays buried in Christ. It doesn’t come up again.

Paul also wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

We get to rejoice that we are a brand new creation in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:27:

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

When a person is baptized into Christ Jesus, or receives Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, he or she puts on Christ. In other words, when a person gets saved, Jesus wraps Himself around the individual like a tight knit blanket. Nice!

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential in helping you fulfill your royal destiny. Jesus needed the Holy Spirit, the early apostles needed the Holy Spirit, and so do we. In the coming days, it will become more evident why we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. If Jesus is the gun, the Holy Spirit is the ammunition. We need both to destroy the enemy.

The New Testament is full of scriptural accounts of people being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Let’s review some of them now.

Acts 1:4-5:

4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Jesus gave instructions to His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not want them to begin their ministry until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit. Every believer in Jesus Christ needs to be baptized in the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues and prophesying. We will go into greater detail on this shortly.

Acts 8:14-16:

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

This section of scripture clearly indicates there is more to our Christian walk than a baptism of repentance. It even indicates there is much more to our Christian walk than just a relationship with Jesus. Every believer in Jesus absolutely needs to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and have an intimate relationship with the Spirit.

The final sentence in verse 16 is mind-boggling to me. The Bible says, “They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” The emphasis is on the word only. To me, it seems that if a person only knew Jesus, that would be enough. However, the Bible indicates to us that there is so much to God. There is even more than just a relationship with Jesus. If Jesus wasn’t enough, there is still more!

The addition is the Person of the Holy Spirit. If our only God relationship is with Jesus, we are only running on a third of the engine. This thought is beyond my comprehension.

Acts 9:17:

17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

This section of scripture is immediately following Saul’s (Paul’s) personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Ananias was sent to Saul by God to heal his blinded eyes, get him filled with the Holy Spirit, and baptize him.

Acts 10:44-48:

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,

47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

This section of scripture verifies that a person can be baptized in the Holy Spirit before being water baptized.

Acts 19:1-6:

1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

As I read this section of scripture, Paul seems to make it his first priority to make sure these Ephesian disciples get filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul instantly put emphasis on the importance of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

The Bible also tells us that when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Speaking in tongues and prophesying are two signs that a believer has been baptized in the Holy Spirit. I have heard many people say they have been baptized in the Holy Spirit but are unable to speak in tongues. To me, scripture indicates speaking in tongues is evidence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit.

BAPTISM OF FIRE

The baptism of fire is certainly the least talked about of these three baptisms. When John the Baptist spoke of Jesus saying, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire,” the Greek word for fire is, pur. Let’s look at the definition and some scriptures associated with this word.

In Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, there are numerous definitions of fire to sift through. We’ll only look at the first one:

(a) of the holiness of God, which consumes all that is inconsistent therewith, Hebrews 10:27, Hebrews 12:29, cp. Revelation 1:14, Revelation 2:18, Revelation 10:1, Revelation 15:2, Revelation 19:12, similarly of the holy angels as His ministers, Hebrews 1:7, in Revelation 3:18 it is symbolic of that which tries the faith of saints, producing what will glorify the Lord.

If you read through the scriptural references pertaining to the Greek word fire in Matthew 3:11, you can see it is pretty obvious why a person would want to be baptized in fire. Let’s look at one of the above referenced scriptures closer. In Hebrews 12:29 the Bible says that “our God is a consuming fire.”

There is so much power displayed in this verse. The word fire in this verse is the same word John used when he spoke of Jesus saying, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” It is possible to be baptized with this sort of fire.

PRAYER TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

If you desire to receive the baptism and power of the Holy Spirit and you already have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please pray the following prayer.

“Lord, thank you for coming into my heart and being Lord of my life. Even if I do not understand everything about You, I know that I need more of You. I ask You to please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I ask to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and with fire. I want to be endued with power from on high. I want all that you have for me. Thank you, Lord. May You be glorified. I pray all of this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

ACTIVATING TONGUES

Now begin to speak in your Heavenly language. Whatever sounds come out of your mouth, let it happen. God is doing something in you right now.

If you are having difficulty releasing your Heavenly language, there is a guide to help you below.

1) Begin to make a noise out of your mouth. You need to activate the sound. A simple sound to make is “Ahhhhhh,” similar to when a doctor checks a person’s throat.

2) Begin to move your mouth and tongue slowly to change the sounds, “Aah, kah, lah, shah, jah, lah, kah, nah, sheh, keh, heh, lah...” until you feel your tongue engage to make the sounds come forth naturally. It might sound like “gibberish” or “baby-talk” at first but it is much more powerful.

3) Begin to pick up the pace of your sounds until the Spirit is praying through you. Your sounds will quickly change into a holy tongue language complete with vocabulary.

4) Thank God for the gift He has just imparted into you. You can thank Him in English, the Spirit, or both.

5) Use your new gift very often, especially at the start until you feel very comfortable with it.

One major key point here to emphasize is that no person or book can give the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are directly given by the Holy Spirit. However, people and books can help active others to help them receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Praying in the Spirit doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to physically experience something. Some people think they will get a spiritual “high” if they speak in tongues. They might, but a person will usually feel a release of stress and a sense of peace come upon them.

I have heard some people say, “Praying in tongues doesn’t do anything for me. I don’t feel anything when I pray.” Just because you don’t feel something doesn’t mean nothing is happening. This is where faith comes into play. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:4, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.” You have to believe when you pray in the spirit that the Lord is building you up in Him.

When I first started speaking in tongues, I would physically get nauseous when I prayed. This lasted for almost a week. I was only able to pray for a few minutes at a time. I got to the point to where I almost didn’t want to pray in the Spirit at all. I don’t know why God allowed it, but I believe the enemy was causing this nausea to keep me from praying. The enemy knew if he could keep me from praying in the Spirit, I would be a much less threat to him.

After a week or so of persevering, I broke through and no longer have any negative, ill-effects from praying in tongues. Now I pray verbally, silently, and sing constantly in the Spirit. I am no longer a “defeated” Christian waiting for the rapture to “save me.”

I am a powerful warrior, filled with the Holy Spirit and changing the world for God’s glory. In order for you to be a powerful warrior for Jesus, you will also need the Holy Spirit operating in your life. Below is a personal testimony of the power of tongues.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF TONGUES

SINGING IN THE SPIRIT IN A DEMON’S DEN

My wife, Dawn and I previously lived in Humboldt County, California. We often did outreach in Arcata. On one particular night, we decided to take a team of five others to the Arcata Plaza to minister to people. The team consisted of Micael from Switzerland, Joshua, Justin, Brooke, and Nicole. While in the plaza, we released a number of prophetic words by drawing a crowd from our “Spiritual Readings” sign.

While we were ministering in the Plaza, a guy and girl walked up to us with a flyer inviting us to come check out some art pieces in a warehouse. There was some sort of art gallery there. We eventually made it over to the warehouse. When we went in, we were amazed. We had stepped right into a satanic worship. There were about 50 people in the warehouse.

People were dancing, playing music, and singing on a microphone. The art pieces were totally new age and satanic in nature. The warehouse was dimly lit and people were lying around the perimeter of the room on sofas.

The movements the people were making while dancing did not look human. They looked like they were slithering. They were standing upright, but they looked like the way a snake moves. We could easily feel the darkness. We instantly knew we had walked into a demon’s den.

Even though we knew the seriousness of where we were, that didn’t matter to us. We were there to release the Kingdom and Presence of God and change the spiritual atmosphere of the place. Dawn and I joined in with the dancing. However, we obviously didn’t dance their style, but rather God’s style. Holy dancing and laughing is a form of spiritual warfare.

In addition to dancing, my spirit wanted to pray in tongues. The other members of the team were also dancing and praying in tongues. After about 10-minutes, the spiritual atmosphere had shifted. I then realized that the microphone was open to anybody to sing on. I knew the Lord wanted me to take the microphone. I didn’t know if I was supposed to preach some sort of Bible message or what. As I reached for the microphone, I still didn’t know what I was going to do. Finally, the word of the Lord came to me: “I only want you to sing in tongues.”

Instantly, I thought in my mind, “Lord, I can’t sing with this satanic music playing and being released. I don’t want to partner with this.” The Lord then spoke to me through II Corinthians 4:17-18,

17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

The Lord continued, “These musicians are working for Me. I will use their sound to release your sound and sanctify it. They are working for Me.”

I then started to sing in tongues in front of about 50 people worshiping the devil. I didn’t even really care about the sound of my voice either. I knew I was to sing in tongues so that the frequency of Heaven would fill the entire room. I didn’t necessarily want to sing because I was still waiting for a beautiful sounding voice that sings on key. However, I knew I was supposed to sing regardless of how my voice sounded. I knew the weapon of my voice significantly out-weighed the fear of what people might say if I sang out of tune.

When I first started singing, I was in the middle of a circle of people. When my first notes hit the crowd, they physically jolted, as if they had just been hit with something. People then started walking away, as if they wanted to find a dark corner and hide in. Even the musicians stopped playing and didn’t know what to do. I thought they were going to come up and throw me out of the place, but I just kept singing in the Spirit. I had purposed in my heart to keep singing until somebody came and took the microphone away from me. As long as I had it, I wanted to take advantage of my opportunity. After about five minutes of singing, in which the musicians started playing again, my team member, Micael took the microphone from me. He sang for another five minutes in tongues and French. This opened the door for Justin to sing as well. The sliminess of the place was beginning to disintegrate.

In only a few weeks after this night, the entire warehouse was transformed. The horrible art pictures were taken down. We had also prayed that the walls of the building would be painted with the blood of Jesus. We walked into the facility one Friday night, and the entire inside had been painted red, in which we symbolized as the blood of Jesus. We believe God answered our prayers. Somebody also had the lights turned on. It was no longer a physically and spiritually dark place, but a well-lit radiating place. God had radically and miraculously transformed this building, almost overnight.

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WEAPONS OF WARFARE

The devil knows you have a royal destiny to fulfill. Consequently, he will do everything possible to keep you from fulfilling your purpose. The enemy does not want you to discover your significance. In order for you to combat or prevent the attacks of the enemy, you will need to know your weapons of warfare.

In the Old Testament when the children of Israel were driving out their enemies and taking nations, they physically killed the people they conquered. They used swords, spears, and such weapons to do this.

We are not planning on physically killing anyone, nor use guns or knives. The Christian no longer uses worldly weapons, but spiritual ones. Some weapons that we use are: the Word of God, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit power, the fruit of the Spirit, prayer, laughter, praise and worship, and Holy Communion. We’ll look at these weapons in greater detail in a moment.

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5:

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Paul also wrote in Ephesians 6:12:

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Paul wrote “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood.” This means our battle is also not against people. It is against evil principalities and powers.

There have been times when I have been ministering the pure love of Jesus Christ on the streets when a demon possessed person will start manifesting demons. They began to curse at me and tell me to get away from them. I knew that it wasn’t the person speaking, but rather the “critter” within them. I wasn’t going to punch the person in the face and beat them up. I knew the battle was not against the person, but rather the darkness within that person. Now let’s look at our weapons of warfare.

THE WORD OF GOD

When Jesus was tempted by the devil in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus used the Word of God to combat him. In verses 4, 6, and 7, Jesus said, “It is written...” quoting, Deuteronomy 8:3, Psalm 91:11-12, and Deuteronomy 6:16 respectively. So too, we combat the enemy with the Word of God. It is important that we know the written word of God: the Bible, and are able to hear the voice of God. The following personal testimony illustrates the importance of using scripture as a weapon of warfare.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF DELIVERANCE USING THE WORD OF GOD

HALLOWEEN NIGHT DELIVERANCE

Dawn and I decided to hit the streets in Bend, Oregon on Halloween night to see who we might pray for. Downtown was packed with “Halloween freaks.” Many of them were in monster costumes and most were getting sauced on alcoholic beverages. God showed up mightily, though. We were able to prophesy over numerous people and several people gave their hearts to Jesus Christ. It really was a great night.

After midnight had struck, Dawn and I were making our way back to our car. We decided to cut through Drake Park. On our way through, we saw a person lying in the shadows face down as if he were dead. I walked up to the man: we’ll call him James: and said, “Hey, excuse me. Are you ok?” There was no response. I then nudged him with my foot. He still didn’t respond. I thought he might be dead, but then he began to stir.

James stood up on his feet and looked at me. I could immediately tell he was not in his right mind. I could also tell he walked in a dark power. In addition, his face was painted with Halloween paint to look like a demon. As I saw him and felt the evil presence, I actually took a step backwards.

I then extended my hand out to him and walked towards him. I said, “Can I pray for you?” He was a little wobbly on his feet. I said again, “Can I pray for you?” He extended his hand and took mine. We grabbed each other as if we were going to arm wrestle. I began to pray and release the Kingdom on him. Within seconds he began manifesting demons.

He kept saying over and over, “Satan has all authority, Satan has all authority” in a deep growling voice. Dawn and I both replied back in power quoting scripture saying, “Jesus Christ has all authority. Jesus has all authority (see Matthew 28:18).”

James then began to foam at the mouth and push his shoulder and head into me. We were lightly grappling for about ten seconds. James continued to say, “Satan has all authority.”

Dawn was standing behind me praying in tongues and quoting scripture. Every time Dawn said, “Jesus has all authority,” I could feel a wave of power released over my shoulder and hit him.

Quite honestly, I knew we were totally safe. Spiritually, it was two against one. It was our God verses his god. I also have black belt degrees in three different martial arts. He had nothing on us. Our God is so big. Every time he would push into me, I would position myself to be in the physically stronger position. While this was all going on, I actually asked the Lord, “Lord, can I toss this guy to the ground?” The Lord replied clearly in the midst of all of this, “I don’t want you using your martial art training. I want you to rely completely on Me.”

After about ten seconds of Dawn and I rebuking these demons, James fell flat on the ground as if dead. He fell like a rock as if somebody knocked him out. I actually thought he died. I then began to shake him with my hand saying, “Hey, are you alive? Can you hear me?”

There was no response. After about another ten seconds of him lying face down, he sat up. He looked at us as if to say, “What’s going on?” He was in his right mind. We were able to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with him and prophecy his destiny. It was so disappointing, though, because he would not let the lie go saying, “You need to clean yourself up before you can go to God.” He wasn’t ready to start a personal relationship with Jesus at the time. However, we did pray a lot for him before he headed his way.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We have previously discussed the various gifts of the Holy Spirit in detail. As you grow in your giftings, they will become mighty weapons in your hands.

HOLY SPIRIT POWER

Another weapon of warfare is power. This word “power” comes from the Greek word dunamis. It means force, specifically miraculous power. It’s also where we derive the word “dynamite”! In order to combat the enemy, expel darkness, give people a God encounter, and have people start their own personal relationship with Jesus, we need the power of the Holy Spirit operating in us.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

We can combat the devil by exemplifying the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote on the fruit of the Spirit. The Bible says in Galatians 5:22-23:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

In this section of scripture we see what the fruit of the Holy Spirit is. The devil cannot tolerate this fruit. Love is the first fruit mentioned and the other fruits are derivatives of love. When we are walking in a powerful display of the fruit of the Spirit, the devil must flee.

Love is perhaps the greatest weapon of warfare of all time. It was love for humanity that God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross that we might have everlasting life. Jesus in turn has loved us with the same love that the Father has for Him. Jesus was also willing to lay down His life for us. In turn, out of love we ought to be willing to lay our lives down for others. Let’s look at some scriptures together associated with love.

Proverbs 10:12:

12 Hatred stirs up strife,

But love covers all sins.

Proverbs 25:21-22:

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

Mark 12:30-31:

30 “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

John 13:34-35:

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 Corinthians 13:13:

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Love should be the basis of every ministry. Jesus was often moved with compassion for the people. When Dawn and I minister to people on the streets or in the marketplace, our primary purpose is to love them into the Kingdom of God. After all, it is the goodness of the Lord that leads to repentance.

If love is so essential, how do we display a greater evidence of God’s love in our lives to other people? The best answer to this is to spend time with God. Learn to incorporate the Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit into every aspect of your life. The more you let Them love on you and the more full you get of Them, the easier it is to pour Them out of you.

PRAYER

It is impossible to pray to the Lord and have nothing happen. Even if we do not immediately see results, something did take place. When we pray in alignment with the Heavenly Father, God hears those prayers and then releases an answer to those prayers. Sometimes the answers are: “Yes,” “No,” or “Wait.” Other times, you might get very clear details regarding the answer to your prayers. Let’s look at a number of Bible verses together pertaining to prayer and look at two examples of how the enemy was defeated because of prayer.

Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4:

8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.

When you and I pray, our prayers fill up golden bowls that the four living creatures and twenty-four elders have. Our prayers are like incense—a sweet smelling aroma—before God. Our prayers are then offered upon a golden altar that are before God’s throne. Our prayers then ascend before God from the angel’s hand. This section of scripture should change the way you view the importance and power of prayer.

Jesus gave advice to His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane about watching and praying. In Mark 14:38 the Bible says, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The garden was where Jesus was arrested and only hours away from being put to death. He told His disciples to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation. When you and I pray, it keeps us from entering into temptation and being snared by the devil.

There are a number of examples of how the devil was defeated in the Bible because of the effects of prayer. However, let’s look at two of these examples. In the book of Daniel chapter 10, we see Daniel humbling himself, fasting, and praying to the Lord.

The Bible says in verses 12-13:

12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

This section of scripture is very interesting because it displays what can actually transpire in the spiritual realm when we pray. First, Daniel set his heart to understand and must have prayed to receive some sort of revelation from God. Once Daniel began to pray, angels were released to deliver the message to Daniel. However, the evil governing spirit or prince of the kingdom of Persia delayed the answers to Daniel’s prayer for 21-days. Then Michael, also known as an arch-angel, came to help the messenger angel get to his assignment.

Sometimes our prayers might seem insignificant. However, often times significant events can take place in the spiritual realm unbeknownst to us. When we pray according to the will of the Father, the devil is booted back.

We also see the works of the devil made null by prayer in the book of Acts chapter 12. In Acts 12, the apostle Peter was arrested for his faith by King Herod. He was thrown into prison and shackled. Let’s look at the account found in verses 5-7.

The Bible says:

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.

The Bible tells us in verse five that constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. It was the devil’s plan to keep Peter bound in prison, chains, and oppression. However, the prayers of the saints released angels to deliver Peter from his dire condition. There is much power in prayer and the devil can be defeated because of our prayers.

PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT

Praying in the Spirit, or in tongues, is a great way to pray. When you pray in the Spirit, you are praying directly into the heart of the Heavenly Father. It is impossible to pray amiss when praying in tongues.

Praying in the Spirit is also listed with the “full armor of God.” Many people are very familiar with Ephesians 6:11-17, but almost always conclude “the full armor of God” lesson before verse 18. Let’s look at this section of scripture in its entirety.

The Bible says:

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints:

In verse 18, the Bible tells us to be constantly praying and making supplications in the Spirit. This certainly means we should be praying in tongues on a very regular basis.

LAUGHTER

Laughing is a wonderful gift given to us by God. From an earthly stand point, most parents enjoy seeing their children laugh, play, and have a good time. Likewise, so does our Heavenly Father enjoy to see us having fun. The Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10b, ...“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Not only is laughter good for us, but it is also a weapon of warfare. Can you believe laughter can actually bring confusion into the camp of the enemy? I once heard of a study some scientists did to find out why hyenas “laugh.” I don’t know the source of this study, but the conclusion of the study was that Hyenas “laugh” in order to create confusion amongst their prey.

When we laugh, we also can bring confusion in the camps of our enemies. The enemy cannot handle joy, love, or laughter. When you laugh, you are actually changing your spiritual environment. The Bible tells us in Psalms 2:4:

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The Lord shall hold them in derision.

Your laughter actually causes the enemy havoc. God, who sits in the heavens, laughs at the plans of the enemies. Believers in Jesus Christ also sit in the heavens. Your laughter is powerful in combating the enemy. Go ahead and start laughing.

We also see another Biblical example of the ability to laugh during hard times. The Bible says in Job 5:22:

22 You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

This scripture should give you hope. It tells us that we will be able to laugh at destruction and famine. To me, this is an indication that nothing evil will be able to touch us in any way.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

God’s glory is always released when you praise and worship Him. Since God’s glory is released during praise and worship, the devil cannot handle this and will flee. Praise and worship changes the spiritual atmosphere. Not only does the spiritual atmosphere change, but God actually enthrones Himself upon the praises of His people.

The Bible says in Psalms 22:3:

3 But You are holy,

Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

In other words, when you praise God, He sets up residency in the midst of your praises.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

Taking Holy Communion regularly is extremely powerful. Jesus is the One who instituted the Lord’s supper with His disciples right before He went to the cross. Communion signifies His broken body (the bread) and His shed blood (the wine).

Holy Communion offers health, healing, and wholeness to the partaker. It also removes the enemy. Let me explain how Holy Communion removes the enemy.

When a person takes Communion, they are proclaiming the Lord’s death. The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:26:

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

This verse raises the question, “What about the Lord’s death are we proclaiming and to whom are we proclaiming it?” Paul gives us further insight into this question in Colossians 2:15. The Bibles says:

15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He [Jesus] made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

When you take Communion and remember Jesus’ death, you are proclaiming to the principalities and powers that they have been disarmed because Jesus has triumphed over them. The enemy has to flee from you.

When you take Communion, you can say something similar to the following prayer.

“We are remembering Jesus’ death. We are also proclaiming to the principalities and powers that they have been disarmed because Jesus has triumphed over them. We are releasing our faith in the finished, complete, and perfect work of Jesus Christ at the cross. Every knee must bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

This means that all demons and all darkness associated with this place has to flee now in the name of Jesus. For as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we are proclaiming the Lord’s death till He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). Jesus has already disarmed all principalities and powers. He has made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:15). We declare all of this in the name of Jesus.”

THE BLOOD OF JESUS

While we are on the subject of Holy Communion, let’s talk more about the power of Jesus’ blood. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that brings life. It is the blood of Jesus that wipes away the sins of the world. It is the blood of Jesus that overcomes the devil. It is the blood of Jesus that has brought us near to God. It is the blood of Jesus that has sanctified us. The blood of Jesus is so powerful and wonderful. Let’s look at a few scriptures together pertaining to the blood of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:11:

11 And they overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Ephesians 2:13:

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Hebrews 13:12:

12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

1 John 1:7:

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Ephesians 1:7:

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace...

Colossians 1:13-14:

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

To help you minimize the attacks the enemy (unclean spirits, evil spirits, demons, or satan) tries to lay on you, there are some practical steps for you to take. In the next section, you will learn how to stay free indeed and close the door on any enemy counter attacks.

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FREE INDEED

In order for you to truly accomplish your royal destiny in Christ Jesus, you will need to maintain your freedom from the devil and his strongholds. In John 10:10 Jesus said speaking of the devil, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” The enemy will attempt to steal, kill, and destroy from you if you permit him. You will need to remain free indeed from the clutches of the enemy.

There are a number of practical things you can do to help you keep your freedom. We will look at ways to help you maintain your freedom throughout this chapter.

CLEANSED LIFE, CLEANSED HOME

It is important for you to remove from your home and/or physical body those items that have connected you to the devil or darkness. For example, items of cult or occult material, pornography, and everything else the Lord reveals to you. It is equally important that you discontinue going to certain places and/or socializing with those who practice ungodly behaviors.

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’” If you know you struggle in certain areas, it is best to find an accountability partner.

If you have items or markings that are questionable: such as tattoos or family heirlooms: anoint them with oil and break and renounce all evil connection associated with them. If you have questions or need further assistance, find a Holy Spirit filled brother or sister. Then prayerfully consider their advice.

KEY PRINCIPLES TO KEEP YOU FREE

Confession

If you do fall into sin, immediately confess Your sins to God. The following scriptures speak of confessing sins.

Psalm 32:5:

5 I acknowledged my sin to You,

And my iniquity I have not hidden.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions

to the Lord,”

And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Selah

Proverbs 28:13:

13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,

but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

After you have confessed your sins, they are forgiven and forgotten. In Psalm 103:12, the Bible says:

12 As far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Do not believe the lies the enemy might throw your way saying that your sins cannot be forgiven. Jesus’ shed blood on the cross is sufficient to cleanse your sin.

Meet each new day trusting in God’s power to help you make right decisions.

Psalm 73:26 tells us:

26 My flesh and my heart fail;

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

We have a God of great power helping us. Call upon His name and believe He will help you make the right decisions.

Expect continuous and increasing freedom.

Where the enemy has previously bound or used you for his purposes, expect freedom from him. Move forward by faith, without feeling condemned about your past.

Philippians 3:13-14:

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1:

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

The devil is a liar.

If the enemy tries to convince you that your freedom in Jesus Christ did not really happen but was only in your mind, use the full armor of God against him. By knowing the Word of God and your royal identity, you will easily be able to expose the enemy’s lies and replace them with truth.

Do not hesitate to call upon Jesus for help.

The name of Jesus Christ and the blood of the Lamb are very powerful. If you call upon the Lord, He will help you. You also overcome the enemy by the blood of Jesus.

Matthew 14:29-31a:

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him…

Revelation 12:11:

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Avoid deliberate sin.

The Lord can help you overcome sinful tendencies.

Hebrews 2:18:

18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

2 Peter 2:9:

9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.

1 Corinthians 10:13:

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Make time to read, learn, and meditate on God’s Word daily.

The Bible says in Ephesians 6:17:

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Joshua 1:8:

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Know that God’s Word is a huge part in overcoming the enemy.

Put on your spiritual armor and keep it on.

Ephesians 6:13-18:

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Remember, the last component of this passage consists of prayer.

Draw near to God.

The closer we are to God, the farther away from the enemy. We draw near to God through church, fellowship with other Christians, praising and worshipping God, and reading God’s Word.

James 4:7-8a:

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…

Glorify God in your thoughts and actions.

Colossians 3:1-3:

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Avoid being a “Lone Ranger.”

John 15:4:

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

James 5:16:

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Break wrong relationships.

James 4:4:

4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Break former habits that led to sin.

If certain movies, magazines, television programs, or places cause you to stumble, cut them off.

Matthew 18:8:

8 If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.

Replace the old with the new.

2 Corinthians 5:17:

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Philippians 4:8:

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy: meditate on these things.

Be a praising, praying, and thankful person.

Deuteronomy 10:21:

21 He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18:

17 Pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Romans 8:28:

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Eat of the Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Please be aware that in order to maintain your freedom in Jesus Christ, you must be in submission to Him. By being in submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and obedient to His will, you will be able to maintain your freedom.

Joshua 24:20:

20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28:

26 Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.

To help your relationship grow with the Lord, you need to learn to cultivate His presence. The next section briefly explains how to commune with God.

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CULTIVATING GOD’S PRESENCE

To help you fulfill your royal destiny, you will need to learn how to cultivate God’s presence. God is an up close and personal God. He desires to have a deep intimate relationship with you. He desires for you to really know who He is.

God wants to pour His love into you so you can pour it back into Him and onto others. In order to be completely saturated in His love, we need to stay in His presence and spend time with Him.

In the natural realm, people who spend time together often take on characteristics of each other. In a sense, you become like the environment in which you’re in. If a good child starts hanging out with a bad crowd, he will probably be poorly influenced by the negativity.

When we spend time cultivating God’s presence, His anointing smears all over us. We become saturated with Him. If you desire to really be used by the Lord and fulfill your destiny, you have to learn to cultivate His presence.

There are a variety of ways to cultivate God’s presence in your life. Let’s look at two of them: abiding in the secret place and praise and worship.

THE SECRET PLACE

The secret place is simply that private place where you commune with God one-on-one. Some people call this “the prayer closet.” Your secret place could be anywhere. However, it should be a place where you can meet with God privately and uninterrupted.

If you desire to be braver than a mighty warrior, bolder than a lion, and stronger than a freight train, you need to stay in God’s presence. You can do this in your private secret place with Him.

The Bible speaks about dwelling in the secret place. Let’s first look at Psalm 91:1. The Bible says:

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus said:

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

God is looking for people who know Him intimately. He is looking for those who are willing to worship Him in spirit and truth. God is looking for radical lovers and worshippers who spend time in His presence. God doesn’t care about your résumé of past accomplishments. He is looking for an abandoned group of worshippers.

God’s glory is always released when you praise and worship Him. Praise and worship are different but are often done together. Praise is more energetic and fast-paced. Praise usually involves thanking the Lord for what He has done for you or your family. Worship usually involves magnifying the Lord for who He is.

When you learn to cultivate God’s presence, you will be amazed at what God will reveal to you. God’s revelations to you are often directly linked to your royal destiny. Spend time in the secret place and in praise and worship.

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GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES

Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples after He was resurrected from the tomb and before His ascension into Heaven was, “Go.” In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said:

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The Bible also says in Mark 16:15:

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Every person who has a personal relationship with Jesus is called to go and make disciples. All believers are called to share the truth of God with the people we come in contact with on a daily basis. We are called to live in the reality of the Kingdom of God at all times.

Jesus defines the reality of the Kingdom of God in Matthew 10:7-8. Jesus said:

7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

In other words, Jesus has given you and I permission to demonstrate the Kingdom of Heaven wherever we go. For example, if you go to the supermarket and see somebody needing a physical healing miracle in their body, Jesus has given you authority to heal the sick in His name.

Below, you will find personal testimonies of God displaying His glory through people. God also wants to work through you to display His glory. If you permit God to work through you, you will soon have a list of testimonies of your own. Your testimonies are meant to empower other believers and glorify God.

PERSONAL TESTIMONIES OF HEALING MIRACLES

FISH IN THE BOAT

When Dawn and I lived in Humboldt county, we often did outreach in Eureka and Arcata. Unfortunately, Dawn wasn’t with me on this particular night, but I went to an open-air prayer meeting in the Eureka square. There was only a handful of people who met on Tuesday nights to pray, but God always showed up.

Earlier in the day, I specifically prayed to God, “Lord, please bring to me Your treasures. Let people come to me and talk to me who need prayer.” Fishing for people is fun, but it is more fun when the fish jump into your boat.

After the prayer session had ended, I was walking with a couple of friends to one of the local coffee shops to find some people to minister to. As we walked, a lady in her forties on the street corner asked me, “What were you doing up there in the square?”

“Oh, we were praying,” I replied. “Do you need prayer for any reason?”

“No, I don’t need prayer, but I do need food.”

I told her that I didn’t have any food, but I gave her some money. Her and her daughter were apparently waiting for her husband to come out of a store. I then asked her, “I don’t mean to pry, but why are you in this wheelchair?”

“I fell off a roof on my back and smashed some vertebrae,” she replied.

“Are you paralyzed?” I asked.

“No, I’m not paralyzed, but I am in excruciating pain and only have the strength to stand for about 10-seconds at a time.”

“Would you like to be healed of that? Can I pray for you?”

“Sure, if you want to,” she replied.

I spoke with boldness and with my God-given authority, “In the name of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ heals you. Now get up and walk.”

There was silence for a few seconds. I could see something was happening. “Are you feeling anything? What’s going on?” I asked.

“I feel tingling all over my body!”

I then said, “Do you feel that extreme heat on your back?” I’m not really sure why I said that, but it was actually a word of knowledge of what God was doing.

She replied, “Now that you say that, yes, I do feel heat all over!”

“Would you be interested in standing up and testing out your back? Can you move it around and do something that you couldn’t do before?”

She stood up on her own and started moving around, rotating from one direction to the next. “I couldn’t move like this before!” she exclaimed.

“Are you ready to walk?” I asked.

She started walking totally normal. We walked about 30-feet and she stopped. “Are you OK?” I asked.

“Yes, there is no way I could have walked this far before. I couldn’t even stand this long!” Just as she said this, her husband walked up.

“Why are you out of your wheelchair?” he asked.

“This guy prayed for me and God healed me!” Just as she said this, I heard a scream behind me. I turned around and a homeless man in his fifties in a wheelchair wheeled himself by me. I saw he had his foot in a cast. He was growling and snarling as he went by. I could clearly tell it was a demonic manifestation. The demons were not happy to see us there.

I tried to enter back into the conversation I was previously having with the woman in the wheelchair, but clearly my mind and attention were now on this other man. He was about 10-feet from me now and still creating a lot of noise and distractions. Fortunately, my friends were talking with the woman and her husband, so I decided to go and talk to this other man.

I walked up to him, stuck my hand out, and said, “Can I pray for you?”

He stood up onto his feet, started weeping like a baby, and fell into my arms to hug me. While I was still hugging him, I told him to repeat after me. “Dear Lord, please forgive me of my sins. Jesus please come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I pray this in the name of Jesus.”

He repeated the words after me. Then his face lit up in a radiant smile. He had just met his Lord and Savior.

All of this was happening in front of the coffee shop. I am pretty sure people were witnessing all of this through the large store front windows, because my two friends Paul and Sarah, who had been planning on meeting me for ministry outreach, came outside to meet me. The three of us talked with this homeless gentleman for about 20-minutes, pouring the Heavenly Father’s love into him.

About this time, another homeless man in his forties came walking by. He was pulling a suitcase with all of his possessions. He stopped to talk with us. I realized then that God had answered my prayer. He was bringing His treasures to me. The fish were jumping into my boat. This homeless man later told us that he was going to walk down the sidewalk on the other side of the street, but he felt compelled to come over towards us.

As we were talking with him, I began to get words of knowledge on him. “Hey, do you have a lot of pain in your back?”

He looked at me funny, “Yes, how do you know, and why do you ask?”

“Well, God wants to heal your back right now. Can I pray for you?”

“Sure, I guess so.”

I said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ heals you. I command all the pain to go right now to the cross of Christ. Test it out. How’s the pain?”

“It’s gone!” he replied.

I then got another word of knowledge about his hips being shifted out of alignment and one of his legs being shorter than the other. I then asked him, “How are your hips?”

“I’ve had problems with them in the past,” he replied.

“Hey, do you mind sitting down in this chair so we can check your leg length?”

“No, I guess not, but how are you going to check my leg length?”

“If you sit down in the chair and don’t move, I’ll lift your legs up to see if they’re even.” He then sat down in the chair.

“Be sure you sit really still,” I reminded him. Sure enough, as I compared one leg length to the other, his right leg was one-quarter inch shorter than the other. “Do you see your leg length?” I asked. “Do you know that your right leg is shorter than the left? Can I pray that Jesus will align your hips and back so you’re legs are even?”

“Sure,” he replied.

“In the name of Jesus Christ, I command this body to properly align and submit to the will of the Father.” I was watching his legs the entire time, but I never actually saw the process of his right leg growing. However, it did grow! In fact, his right leg was actually over grown about one-quarter of an inch.

I asked the gentleman, “Hey, did you happen to move or adjust in the chair at all?”

“No, why?”

“Well, look at your legs. The right one is now longer.”

He looked, and his jaw dropped. It was then that he realized that God had supernaturally touched him. However, he was still out of alignment because God over grew his right leg.

I then asked him, “Hey, do you want to be taller?” I figured this is why the Holy Spirit over grew his leg.

“Yes, I do,” he replied. “I’m only 5-foot 5-inches. I’d like to be taller.”

“How much taller would you like to be?”

“Oh, only about an inch,” he said. I could tell he wanted to be taller than that though.

I then said, “I command your body to grow taller in the name of Jesus.”

I rechecked his legs and we all agreed, including the homeless man in the wheelchair, saw that his legs were perfectly even. The homeless man then stood up out of the chair. Paul, Sarah, and I were all standing there staring at this guy. He looked to be about two to three inches taller. I have to admit, I am not certain if God physically grew his entire body, or if God just removed the heavy burdens and shame this guy was carrying, resulting in him standing taller. Regardless, now he was standing straight, tall, and proud: like a Marine.

I asked him, “Do you know what just happened to you?”

“Yes,” he said, “A miracle.”

“Would you like to give your heart to Jesus?”

“Yes, I would.”

“Then please repeat after me. ‘Dear Lord, please forgive me of my sins. Jesus please come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I ask all of this in the name of Jesus. Amen.’” That is when he really started smiling.

Paul, Sarah, and I continued to pour love into these two homeless guys who had very little earthly possessions, but who had just received the Kingdom of Heaven. Hallelujah!

God never ceases to amaze me. The man who got taller started singing at the top of his lungs in front of the coffee shop with people all around him. He sang an old Christian hymn he had learned somewhere. It was clear to see that when God touches people they can’t help but rejoice in His glory. This man got delivered of a strong Buddhist belief system and new age philosophy by the love of God.

WITHERED HAND HEALED

While Dawn and I were ministering on the East Coast, we decided to drive to Winston-Salem, North Carolina on our way to Lynchburg, Virginia. This area is absolutely amazing. It’s as if we had just stepped outside time. We started to get hungry and decided to go to the C. Winkler Bakery for some food.

Sitting outside of the bakery, a man and his wife in their fifties were highlighted to me. From a long distance away, my eyes zeroed in on a wrist brace the man was wearing. I knew God was going to do something.

I approached the couple sitting on the bench and said, “It looks like you hurt your wrist.”

The man replied, “Well, I didn’t really hurt it, I have carpal tunnel syndrome. I had surgery on it two years ago.”

I replied, “After two years you still have to wear the brace?”

“Yes, the doctors say it’s going to be for the rest of my life. I hardly have any strength in my hand. I can only lift 20-pounds with it.”

“How is your other hand doing?”

“Well, that has carpal tunnel too. I need to get surgery on it, but I’m not sure when I will be able to afford that.” He then demonstrated that he was unable to open his hand. In fact, it was basically a withered hand. The tendons in his hand were super tight and he was by no means able to open it.

“Hey, do you mind if I pray for your hand to open up?” I asked. “We see radical healing miracles all the time.”

“Oh, I guess I don’t mind.”

“Then in the name of Jesus Christ, stretch out your hand.” Nothing seemed to happen. “In the name of Jesus, I command this hand to open.” I didn’t notice any change. Then his wife said, “Look, it opened wider.”

I began to thank the Lord for what He was doing. As long as we were seeing some breakthrough, I continued to speak healing. I commanded carpal tunnel to go to the cross and several other ailments. After about five minutes, both him and his wife had open mouths as they looked at his hand. God had touched it radically and it was about 95% healed. This was a radical miracle that happened before our very eyes and they couldn’t deny it.

I’m not sure why the man didn’t receive a 100% healing right there. Maybe we stopped prematurely. I asked them if they wanted to rededicate their lives to the Lord and they replied, “We’ve already done that.”

I replied, “That’s great. I encourage you to call upon the name of Jesus all the time. Tell Jesus that you want all that He has for you. Allow Him to take control of every aspect of your life. I also encourage you to read your Bible, and go to a good Bible-believing, Spirit-filled church.”

DEPLOYMENT

We have traveled on this journey together through this book to help you find your royal destiny and discover your significance. I have a shared several testimonies to help fan the flame of revival fire within you. You are now trained, equipped, and ready for deployment. It is time for you to get your marching orders directly from the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of the Lord is now upon you. God has anointed you to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent you to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. You are called to deliver those who are drawn toward death and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.

As you go forth and as you grow in your relationship with the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, God is going to meet you in wonderful ways. It is time to arise and step into your royal destiny.

Hear the words God spoke to Joshua after he became the leader of the nation Israel . Joshua 1:6-9 says:

6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

The Lord would say the same to you today: be strong and of good courage!

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Join the Your Royal Destiny Book Club on Facebook. This group is designed for readers like you who want to connect with others for encouragement, strength, testimonies, and inspiration.

CONNECT WITH NATHAN

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this book. I'm so excited for you to fulfill your royal destiny in Christ Jesus.

If you have comments or questions please connect with him via All Sufficient God Church, Twitter, or Facebook.

FUTURE BOOKS

Stay tuned for future books written by Nathan D. Pietsch on Amazon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nathan D. Pietsch (Peach) was born and diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a disease in which tumors attack the nervous system. His doctors anticipated a childhood death. However, the Lord healed Nathan miraculously.

Nathan is now a prolific writer and a national and international preacher. He desires to live his life so radically for the Lord, that his supernatural lifestyle must be explained by scripture.

Nathan and his wife, Dawn are also missionaries, and the founders of All Sufficient God Church. Their primary emphasis is taking the love of God onto the streets and into the marketplace. They have encountered thousands of people outside of the church building.

They travel the world going to cities and regions they feel the Lord is calling them. There are three primary objectives Nathan and Dawn accomplish in their ministry. Their first objective is reaching the lost on the streets and in the marketplace in the areas they go. They accomplish this through power evangelism outreach. Their second objective is to train and equip other churches in power evangelism outreach. Their third objective is to conduct revival meetings and conferences.

Nathan and Dawn's first ministry objective in a region is to do power evangelism outreach on the streets and in the marketplace. Power evangelism outreach is a crucial part of All Sufficient God Church. In Luke chapter 9, Jesus sent out the disciples and in verse 6 the Bible says, "So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere." Jesus also instructed in Mark 16:15 saying, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

Nathan and Dawn have encountered thousands of people on the streets and in the marketplace doing power evangelism. They have ministered to: witches, Voodoo Queens, prostitutes, gang members, drug addicts, mentally disturbed, suicidal, satanists, and demon possessed people. Many of those they ministered to had an amazing God-encounter which resulted in them receiving Jesus Christ into their hearts as their personal Lord and Savior.

Nathan and Dawn's second ministry objective in a region is to activate other churches in power evangelism. Nathan and Dawn are passionate evangelists. They love to release God's love on the hurting and desperate people they find on the streets and in the marketplace. However, there is a real need for other people and churches to also become activated in power evangelism outreach. Therefore, it is their objective to train and equip the local churches in power evangelism in the areas they are called to do ministry. By training the local churches to do power evangelism, outreach can continue strong in the area once Nathan and Dawn are called to another region.

Nathan and Dawn's third ministry objective is to conduct revival meetings and conferences. One meeting they conduct is an activation school entitled, Activating the Supernatural.

If you are interested in inviting Nathan and Dawn to help activate you or your church in power evangelism outreach, or by hosting an Activating the Supernatural school, please contact them at All Sufficient God Church.

Learn more on Nathan's Amazon Author's Page.

ONE LAST REQUEST...

I want to personally thank you for reading this book. If you enjoyed this book or found it useful, I would be very grateful if you would post a review on Amazon. Your support really does make a difference. I read the reviews personally so I can get your feedback and make this book even better.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For additional free resources and resources available for purchase, please visit our website at:

All Sufficient God Church.

Table of Contents

A Laughing and Singing Father

You Have My Heart

Soldiers

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Your Destiny

Why Christ?

In Christ, You Are Royalty

In Christ, You Are Adopted In

Prayer of Salvation

Heavenly Celebration

Royal Ways of the Kingdom

Your Royal Identity

The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God Offers Provision

The Kingdom of God Offers Mysteries and Revelations

The Kingdom of God Involves Preaching the Gospel

The Kingdom of God Is Greater than the Earthly Realm

The Kingdom of God Is Supernatural

The Kingdom of God Offers a New Life

The Kingdom of God Is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy

The Kingdom of God Is Power

The Kingdom of God Cannot Be Shaken

Hearing the King’s Voice

Hearing God through the Bible

Hearing God through His Still, Small Voice

Hearing God through the Counsel of People

Hearing God through the Audible Voice of God

Hearing God through Dreams

Hearing God through Visions

The Holy Spirit

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

Why Do We Need the Holy Spirit?

Jesus Needed the Holy Spirit

Miracles of Jesus

The Apostles Needed the Holy Spirit

Miracles Performed through the Apostles

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Biblical References of Spiritual Gifts

Old Testament

New Testament

Definitions of Spiritual Gifts

Personal Testimonies Using the Spiritual Gifts

Darkness to Light

Jesus is Alive at Arts Alive

Baptisms

Baptism of Repentance

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Baptism of Fire

Prayer to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Activating Tongues

Personal Testimony of Tongues

Singing in the Spirit in a Demon’s Den

Weapons of Warfare

The Word of God

Personal Testimony of Deliverance Using the Word of God

Halloween Night Deliverance

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit Power

The Fruit of the Spirit

Prayer

Praying in the Spirit

Laughter

Praise and Worship

The Holy Communion

The Blood of Jesus

Free Indeed

Cleansed Life, Cleansed Home

Key Principles to Keep You Free

Cultivating God’s Presence

The Secret Place

Praise and Worship

Go and Make Disciples

Personal Testimonies of Healing Miracles

Fish in the Boat

Withered Hand Healed

Deployment

Special Facebook Group

Connect with Nathan

Future Books

About the Author

One Last Request...

Additional Resources