Don't Be Affected by the World's Message

ach day we are confronted with messages of lack, Edestruction and death. We live in a world filled with bad news! Through television, the Internet, radio, newspapers and even our closest friends and family, we're constantly hearing unbelieving and disheartening words. It seems that people like to hear bad news, and they like to repeat it even more!

If you're saved, then you know that there is Good News in Jesus Christ. God has made a way for us to shed anxiety and fear and deal with this world's negativity by using our faith in God. You see, every day we are given the opportunity to be affected by the world's message. Every day we've got a choice to make—Will we let what they say affect us, or will we tune into what God is saying and let what He says affect us instead?

Jesus, Jairus and a Woman with an Issue

The story of Jesus, Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood gives us a good example of how to tune out the world's message in favor of God's message. Jairus was a high official of the church, a ruler in the synagogue. He was desperate and filled with anxiety over his only daughter's nearing death as he joined the multitude waiting for Jesus.

And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received Him: for they were all waiting for Him.

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: And he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought Him that He would come into his house: for he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

Luke 8:40-42

By this time, the rulers and high officials in the church had become strongly opposed to Jesus and His teachings. They hated Jesus so much that they had made plans to kill Him. Now, imagine how Jairus must have felt as he fell to his knees and begged for a favor from Jesus, the very man who was the subject of a conspiracy by his (Jairus') peers. Look at what happens next.

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

Came behind Him, and touched the border of His garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

And Jesus said, Who touched me?

When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me.

And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately.

And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Luke 8:43-48

Isn't it just like a woman to be persistent and tenacious when she has a need?! This woman didn't fall at Jesus' feet and beg for a miracle. She didn't even consult Him in the matter! She simply acted on her own faith in the divine healing power working in Jesus' life. Her faith actually drew the healing power out from Jesus without His being aware of her specific problem.

What did she do? She put a demand on Jesus' virtue. She used her faith, and she was made whole because of it. Now, that's a miracle! But it isn't the point in this message—because this lady's miracle came at a bad time for someone else in the crowd—Jairus. Her miracle sure didn't help him!

I can almost hear Jairus saying, "Hey, lady, my kid is dying right now! You've had your problem for 12 years! Jesus can take care of you later! Let's go!"

The story continues in an unusual direction: "While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, 'Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.'" (Luke 8:49).

Can you imagine what it would feel like to hear such news? The woman with the issue of blood had just experienced a miracle, and, yet, at the very same time, this father gets the worst news of his life. The truth is that this is exactly how life can sometimes be.

One is saved, one perishes; one is born and another goes to the grave. Something wonderful can happen right alongside something horrible. Look at what happened next: "But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole" (Luke 8:50).

You see, Jesus knew that mankind had been given an inner substance that had the power to change natural circumstances—faith! The human will is a powerful thing. Romans 12:3 tells us that "...God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Faith is given to everyone, and faith will work for anyone who has the will to use its power.

Making the Choice to Believe

Hebrews 11:1, tells us what faith is: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Verse two tells us what it has done, "For by it the elders obtained a good report." Faith will do the same for you. It will bring forth a good report in your life—even if the report at the moment seems bad!

Jairus' report was really bad—it just can't get much worse than death. Notice that the scripture doesn't tell us how Jairus felt upon hearing the messenger's bad news, but, as a father, I can imagine that his heart sank.

Jesus, on the other hand, knew the power of faith and reacted immediately to the messenger's bad news by giving Jairus a strong command: "Jairus, fear not!

Believe! She's going to be made whole!"

Jesus responded quickly—that is an important point. Jairus didn't allow the fear to settle in, and instead, immediately began acting on Jesus' words.

Why was Jesus so quick to command Jairus to not fear? Because He knew that a person's natural reaction to death is fear, and all forms of fear are destructive.

Anxiety is a form of fear and so is despondency and hopelessness. Those are all natural reactions to bad news, but they don't help anyone, and Jairus needed help.

Jesus knew that if Jairus wanted to see his daughter smiling and laughing again, he would have to immediately stop fear from gripping his emotions and mind. He would have to go against his feelings, regardless of how natural they were, because fear is actually faith working in reverse.

Jesus refused to speak death. I believe it's because Jesus knew Proverbs 18:21! This is why Jesus said that Jairus' daughter would be "made whole" instead of risen from the dead. Also, notice that Jesus didn't just wave a magic wand and heal the girl. He told Jairus to get involved when He commanded him to do those three things: 1) Don't fear 2) Only believe and 3) Know your daughter will be made whole. Jairus had a choice to make.

When trying times happen in your life, it is how you react that determines the outcome. When bad news comes, you also have a choice about how you will respond. You can choose to accept it, or you can replace the news with God's Word.

While the World Mocks, Jesus Heals

When Jesus traveled to Jairus' house, He saw a crowd of people gathered around the house crying over the little girl's death.

And when He came into the house, He suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.

And all wept, and bewailed her: but He said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

Luke 8:51-52

Notice that Jesus didn't allow many people to be in the house. He only allowed Peter, James, John and the parents into the house.

Why? Because He knew that these would believe with Him. He didn't need a bunch of "poor-mouthing." negative people around when He was trying to administer the prayer of faith.

I find it funny that Jesus didn't even allow all the other disciples in! Can you imagine what the rest of the disciples were saying? Maybe this, "I tell you one thing, I follow Jesus the same as those! I heard Peter cussing just last week, yet I have to stay out here on the porch!" Yeah, Peter wasn't always a perfect Christian, but you've got to hand it to him—the boy had zeal and faith!

That brings up a good point for you to remember in your situations.

God isn't interested in you being perfect. He is just looking for faith.

Even if you sinned yesterday, God's forgiveness can wash you clean today, and you can see Him do a miracle for you.

Don't get caught up in guilt when you need a miracle.

Get clean, and then use your faith! That guilt will ruin you, and anxiety will stop your faith before it even has a chance to work!

At Jairus' house, there was a mourning crowd with an attitude. They made fun of Jesus and laughed at the very thought that the girl was sleeping. To them, healing was a joke! The girl was dead! Why would anybody in their right mind say otherwise?!

They didn't have cars or airplanes back then, and so the girl had probably been dead for a while before Jesus was able to get to the house.

But Jesus was not affected by the message of the girl's death. He wasn't affected by the offended disciples or the mocking mourners. Jesus refused to be affected by what the world was saying and doing around Him.

And He put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, 'Maid, arise.'

And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and He commanded to give her meat.

And her parents were astonished: but He charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

Luke 8:54-56

The girl was made whole—it was an amazing miracle! The parents were so astonished, because it was an impossibility and, yet, with Jesus, it was possible. With faith, it was possible. With an "only believe" attitude, it was possible. They might have had to endure some scorning, but it paled in comparison to the joy of having their daughter alive and well!

I'll tell you what, nothing shuts a scorner up quicker than a miracle. Naysayers can't say much when they're proven wrong—and that's what faith does. It hears the world's message, but chooses to believe God's message instead.

Jesus Shunned the Spectacular

Why did Jesus tell the parents not to tell anyone what was done? Because He was not interested in the spectacular. He also knew that He had to do many other things before going to the cross, and He wanted to complete His destiny. Miracles bring fame—Jesus knew it, and He wasn't interested in it. Jesus was focused on doing what the Father had sent Him to the earth to do.

Today, if someone was raised from the dead, every T.V. camera in America would be on the scene saying, "Okay, make the dead person do something, let's see how it works!" We live in a society that is driven by the "spectacular."

Jesus wasn't interested in the publicity that the miracle would bring Him. He was interested in seeing the afflicted healed.

Jesus never said that He had "the gift of miracles and of healing," and He didn't shout every miracle from the rooftops—not because He wasn't thrilled, but because He knew that fame only got in the way.

Jesus had to make it to the cross, and He lived in a time where officials would kill him just to shut him up. They didn't want him gaining any power or prestige among the people.

Also, Jesus didn't need other people to pat Him on the back all the time. He was a secure man, and His security came from His relationship with the Father. He had no problem giving all the credit to God. "...But the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works" (John 14:10).

Problems Don't Have to Rule Your Thoughts

God is with you. He's on your side, and no matter what situation is staring you in the face today, God is greater than the problem. 1 John 4:4 is one of the most encouraging scriptures: "...Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world."

If you've invited the Lord into your heart, then He lives inside of you, and your faith in Him will enable you to overcome any situation—no matter how dire. Your faith will help you not to be affected by the world's message. When you trust in God, your faith takes precedent over the situation. You don't deny how bad the situation is, you just deny its right to affect you.

Problems don't have to rule your thoughts. You have the ability to stop fear and anxiety in its tracks by focusing on God and His ability to change circumstances. Remember, there isn't much you can do sometimes to make a situation right. But, God can do anything. He can give you the wisdom that you need. He can give you ideas that you could have never thought of on your own. He can give you the right words at the right time. He can give you peace in a time when the world says that you should be losing your mind.

With God, you don't have to lose your mind to problems or feel hopeless. You don't have to be so focused on them that they steal your joy for living.

You can choose to NOT be affected by the world's message. It is a choice—a matter of letting go and knowing that the best way to help the situation is to rely upon God. Remember, hopelessness is a form of fear, and it is not God's will for you.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." God gives power. God gives love. God gives mental soundness and stability. But you won't get those things unless you go to Him.

Power, love and mental soundness don't just fall from the sky in the midst of troublesome times. If you want something from God, you need to get into His presence in order to receive from Him. God is the One you turn to when you need inner help. There is no method or person that can empower, love or sooth the mind better than the Creator, God. 1 John 4:8 says that, "...God is love." And, in that love, there is great power for living.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.

He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:18-19

Fear of problems will cripple you and stop you from having success. It's tormenting! Who wants that? I know you don't, and I don't want it either!

Bad Economy? I'm Not Participating!

I am a Cajun from South Louisiana, but God has blessed me with a world-wide ministry. When Louisiana was going through economic recession. I had so many people ask me if I was being hurt by the recession. Do you know what I'd tell them? I'm not participating! I chose not to participate in Louisiana's recession.

Now, some people mocked that, but they were soon quiet because I was doing OK and they were the ones having all the financial trouble. You see, they chose to accept the world's message—they put more trust in Louisiana than God!

Back then, I just couldn't understand why believers would accept the world's message so easily.

They would hear one bad report on the news and start speaking negatively to everyone they met. Sure, I knew that the bad economy was a reality, but I had greater confidence in God. He is the ultimate reality!

God rained manna from the sky in the middle of a desert. He parted the sea. Surely, I thought; He would help me to ride above economic recession, and He did!

So, when people looked at me with that worried emotion on their face and asked, "Brother Jesse, are you having trouble down there in the South? I hear it's really bad." I'd say, "No, I'm doing great! I'm not participating in the recession." I refused to talk badly.

I chose to say good things and not just say them...but believe them too! That's a good point because there are lots of Christians talking faith but not living faith.

So, they don't see results. But when you really do choose to trust God, it is an easier road because worry can't co-exist with faith.

Other ministers have told me that December and January are the worst months for their churches and ministries financially. They say people are involved with the Christmas holidays, go on vacation and forget that they are a prayer and financial partner to the ministry. Yet, those months continue to be some of our ministry's best! God is taking care of us year-round because we've got our faith out there year-round.

People enjoy being our Covenant Partners, and they find it a privilege to join with a ministry because it is helping to bring the lost to Christ. As I travel, I often meet people who are my partners, and they're so excited about it. I remember one in particular many years ago who came up to me all excited and said,

"Jesse Duplantis! I'm your partner!" I was so blessed.

I said, "Isn't it wonderful, you and me getting people saved, linked up together!"

I believe that people who have chosen to support this ministry understand that we're in it for souls—and God will supply what it takes to get His message out. He sends the people to support the work. We do the work and preach the Word! That's why I have no problem believing that, " M y God will supply all my need according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19). God said that if I doubt not in my heart but believe that those things that I say will come to pass, they will! All I have to say is "Mountain, be thou removed!" (Mark 11:23). God didn't tell me to go up on the mountain, get spiritually crazy on it, build a camp up there and pray over it all day, every day. He said it simply—Just don't doubt, believe it and say it.

Faith will move the problem.

Don't Deny Your Problems, Deny Their Rights

Don't deny the existence of a mountainous problem in your life: deny its authority to stay!

Refuse to allow it to stop the plan of God in your life.

Don't be affected by the world's message. If you have a tumor as big as a baseball, it's hard to deny it. But you can deny its right to be in your body. Your spirit must take precedent over the situation.

That's what Jesus did concerning Jairus. He made it clear that even if He was late getting to his home, the girl would be made whole. And to be "whole,"

she would have to be alive. She wouldn't stay dead, no matter what the message was.

Once a man came up to me who was crying and complaining about circumstances with his family that he experienced more than 30 years ago. "I come from a dysfunctional family. I have so many problems that I don't know what to do." I looked at him and said,

"You are still talking about stuff that happened years ago. If you are saved, then it is passed away.

What are you trying to remind God for? Didn't He give you a new heart and a new soul? Then walk in your given power! You are a new creature in Christ Jesus! The Bible says to forget those things which are behind, and reach out to those things that are ahead."

Don't Dredge Up What God Wants You to Give Up

The world will tell you that you must keep talking about problems in order to fix them. God says the opposite. God says that you should stop talking about the problem all the time, and first and foremost, just go to Him. He is the healer of your heart and the lifter of your head!

There are some things that talking just will never fix—heart problems is one of them ! He may bring issues to light so that you can be aware of them, but when the wounds are deep, God's interest is in healing your heart.

You may want to dredge up all those bad memories and rehearse all the bad things that have happened in your life, but it's not always productive.

You know what happened. God knows what happened. Sometimes, you just need to go to Him, pour your heart out and then release those issues to God and accept His healing grace. It sounds simple, and it is...but you've got to be at a place in your life where you want to do it!

When you pray to God and release those old problems and the feelings of resentment towards others for what they've done, you are actually cracking out of the egg! You're growing up and allowing Him more room to help you! God can work with you if you are willing to release others. He can heal you if you'll have faith in Him.

After you release it, the emotions may still come up from time to time. The devil will try to throw a thought in your mind. Refuse it! That's his message, and it only leads to your defeat. When you accept God's message—God's Word about you—it only leads to your success.

God is love, and in Him, there is great peace. He has washed you clean. He has made you a new creature in Christ Jesus, old things are passed away, and all things have become new!

It's ridiculous to keep dredging up the past just so you can weep over it again and again—that is not peaceful! You can't change what happened. Forgive those who have wronged you so that you can move on. The Word commands you to do it.

Think about it! Who didn't come from a dysfunctional family? Unless your entire family was born-again with the full knowledge of the power of God living inside of them—and they lived it instead of just talking about it—you came from a dysfunctional family! Nobody is perfect and even the best families have issues. But, it is time to stop living in the past, because the past never sees the future.

Make up your mind. If Jesus is real and His Word is truth, then it ought to work in your life. Look to Him as the Author and Finisher of your faith. He will not let you down.

God Will Provide the Truth by Divine Spiritual Law

The scorner will produce the truth by natural law.

But, God will produce the truth by divine spiritual law.

In Jairus' case, the message was that his daughter had died. It was true. Death was a reality. But, Jesus wasn't worried about it because He knew that God superseded the world's reality. His spiritual law could break any natural law!

Your spirit is the real you, and it's much stronger and more resilient and powerful than your physical body or anything in the natural. Your body can't live without your spirit; but your spirit can live without your body.

So, if the doctors give you a negative report concerning your physical body, do not allow their message to come in and steal your faith. Remember that your spirit is stronger than your body and God promised, "With long life I will satisfy him, and shew him my salvation" (Psalm 91:16).

Your faith will make you whole, so fear not and only believe. You have a better, more qualified physician living right on the inside of you. He is well able to make you whole, and the only payment accepted for His services is faith in His abilities.

"Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1). Believe His report! Believe His message! He is revealing Himself to you!

Don't Be Affected By the World's Message

The Word clearly says that we will have troubles in this life. It is how we handle them that will either make us or break us. We can overcome. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Since the power is in your words, be aware of what you're saying on a regular basis. Elevate the answer and not the problem.

Today, you can choose to NOT be affected by the world's message. You can say, "I'm not going to be moved by what they say. I'm going to be affected only by what Jesus and His Word says."

If you will believe, trust in, adhere to and rely on Him, your miracle will come to pass. Your mountainous problem will be removed. With faith and patience, you will inherit the promises of God!

Prayer of Salvation

If you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, I'd like to take this opportunity to pray with you. All God asks is for you to come to Him with a sincere heart and accept His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Right now, go to Him in prayer.

Speak from your heart. The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10 that if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with your heart and confess it with your mouth, you will be saved. Your sins will be washed away when you accept what Jesus did for you. Pray this prayer right now:

"Lord Jesus, come into my life. Forgive me of all my sins. I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross and rose from the dead to make a way for me. Thank you for loving me enough to die for me, for thinking that I was worth it. Today, I accept you into my heart and give myself totally to you. I'm tired of living my own way, and I want to live your way. I need your help. Lord, create a clean heart in me right now and guide me from now on. I love you, Jesus, and I accept you as my Savior. You are now the Lord of my life!"

If you just prayed this prayer, Congratulations!

You're starting a new life! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says when you accept Jesus as your savior, "Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Friend, you have a whole new way of life to look forward to. You've been given a clean slate—you are righteous now because of what Jesus did, and nobody can take that away! You're saved and starting a brand new life in Christ.

Please write to my ministry and let us know of your decision so that we can bless you with some more information and pray for you. God bless you as you start your new life with God today.

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