BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

The angel told Peter to get his shoes on and follow him. “When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord” (verse 10). When you’re dealing with angels, natural hindrances are nothing. The chains just fell off Peter. When they reached the outer gate, it opened of its own accord. After the angel left him, Peter hurried to a prayer meeting and the believers there were so shocked to see him, they failed to open the gate and let him in. It was easier for Peter to get out of prison than to get into the prayer meeting! Another thing about angels is they have supernatural, superhuman strength. The Word says they “excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word” (Psalm 103:20). That last phrase gives you a clue about what causes the angels to work. They hearken to the voice of God’s Word. And they hear the voice of His Word concerning your welfare from your mouth. When you speak out God’s Word of deliverance, the angels assigned to you go to work to bring that Word to pass. The Bible gives us clear instructions about how to deal with angels. It says: “Provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice [the angel’s voice], and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For mine Angel shall go before thee” (Exodus 23:21-23). Provoke him not. How do you provoke your angel? By speaking things that are contrary to the Word of God. By saying things like, “They’re going to kill me...I’m afraid...I’m sick....” When you speak your defeat instead of your victory, the angels assigned to you don’t have the right to say, “That poor, dumb man, I’ll just bless him anyway. I’ll protect him even though he’s not trusting God.” No, they can’t do that. Their hands are tied by your words of unbelief. They are bound. They have been charged to hearken to God’s Word—words of faith (Psalm 103:20). Your words either turn your angels loose to work for you or force them to sit helplessly by while the devil harasses you. If you haven’t been getting the action you want in your finances, your health or any other area, the first place to look is right in your own mouth. Don’t blame it on your wife. Don’t blame your husband or your pastor. Look at your own words. There is no shortage of angel power. There are plenty of them. Trillions. If there’s a shortage in your life at all, it’s a shortage of Word power. Solve that shortage by putting God’s promises of deliverance in your heart and in your mouth. Continually give the angels the Word they need to protect you. When you’re tempted to discuss how bad your situation is—stop. Remember your great salvation. Remember the angels. Remember what God’s Word says about your situation. Open your mouth. V --------------------- Questions & Answers by Gloria Copeland Q: I’ve been standing for my healing for a long time, but it has not come. Is God withholding my healing from me or could something else be blocking it? A: God never holds out on us. His will is that all men be healed—and that includes you! Jesus purchased your healing at the same time He purchased your redemption from sin (Isaiah 53:4-5). So health is just as available to you as salvation is. When we fail to receive something He’s promised, we can always be assured that the problem lies with us and not with Him. There are, however, several things that might be preventing you from receiving it. 1. Failing to walk in love Galatians 5:6 says faith works by love. So if you want your faith to prevail over sickness or disease, you have to operate in love. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and find out how God’s kind of love behaves. After all, love is not a feeling. It’s an action. So start acting in love and your healing won’t be far behind. 2. Unbelief In Mark 11:24, Jesus tells us what is required for us to receive from God. He said, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Most people are only willing to believe they’ve received healing after they can see or feel the results. But according to that scripture, you must believe you receive it when you pray. When you believe by faith that you have what you ask for, healing will come. 3. Sin First John 3:22 says we receive whatever we ask of God because we do those things that are pleasing in His sight. Living a life free from habitual sin and rebellion causes us to have confidence in our heart toward God. And confidence toward God is an essential part of the operation of faith. 4. Unforgiveness This is perhaps the greatest hindrance to healing. That’s why immediately after giving instructions about faith, Jesus said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25-26). Notice the words when ye stand praying. Don’t wait. As soon as someone offends you, forgive immediately and your prayers will never be hindered. If you are obeying in these four areas consistently, then you can be confident that your healing will come. So just keep standing in faith (Ephesians 6:12-13) and you will receive! V APRIL '14 : BVOV : 23

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