This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.   (Matthew 15:8)

When I was growing up, church and church activities were my favorite places to be. I especially liked the music and knew most of the songs by heart that they sang out of the dark green All-American Church Hymnal. In fact, I still have an old copy sitting on my bookshelf.

I especially liked the Sunday nights when we sang favorites. This was a time when you raised your hand if you had a favorite song you wanted sung, and if they called on you, the congregation would sing your song. When they picked me, the song I chose most often was Just a Closer Walk with Thee. Some people chose the same song every time, so it got to be a game with me, hoping and praying that so-and-so wouldn’t get picked because I didn’t like the song I knew they were going to choose.

Besides the Favorites nights, once or twice a year, we would have a Singspiration where we would all get together for two or three hours and have special music as well as singing the congregational songs. What memories!

Recently, God reminded me of a time when I must have been in my early teens. As I was standing there in the pew next to my friends singing out of the hymnal, the Holy Spirit spoke to me. He asked me if I even knew what I was singing. The truth was, I didn’t. I knew all of the songs, and I was singing with all of my might, but I wasn’t paying any attention to the words coming out of my mouth.

Conviction fell on me like a lead balloon. I don’t know what the preacher preached that night because I was so wrapped up in this whole new revelation, trying to figure out how and why it happens. The one thing I know is that I learned I did it a lot. I was singing songs like:

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

Was I really surrendering everything to Jesus? Was I loving and trusting him and living in His presence every day? Then there’s a song that is really a prayer from the heart:

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love. Take my will, and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine; Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.

That song wasn’t coming from my heart. I didn’t even realize I was praying as the melody came out of my mouth. Did I really want God to do these things? Then, I wondered how many times I missed out on God’s help, His comfort and peace, and His blessings when I didn’t pay any attention as I sang:

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Wow! Look at the other two verses when you get a chance. We could go on with other songs, and I do, indeed, challenge you to do just that.

That night I had to confess that I had only been giving God lip service. The songs I was supposedly singing to him weren’t coming from my heart at all. I was ashamed and asked God’s forgiveness because I truly didn’t want to be like that. I didn’t want to sing songs out of habit or because everyone else was singing them. I wanted to praise Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth.

It’s important that we know and understand what comes out of our mouths and that we don’t take those words lightly. The power of life and death is in our tongues. We have been given the power to either curse ourselves or bring blessings to ourselves. We also need to realize that God knows our hearts and our motives. He knows whether or not we’re simply acting like a Christian or if we’re truly being one.

From that night God spoke to me, I changed. I am a lot more aware of what I’m singing, and when I sing, I sing from my heart. Yes, sometimes I still mess up and sing with my mouth and not my heart, but when I realize what I’m doing, I get myself back on the right track and start over.

Just a side note: Be careful of other songs you sing. Many times I’ve come out of a store or restaurant singing a song from the past with a catchy tune, not even aware that I’d heard it, let alone that I’m now singing it. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit makes me aware of what I’m singing, and I realize that the words don’t line up at all with what a Christian should be speaking. The devil would like nothing better than for us to curse ourselves or open the door for sin to come in.

I ask the Lord to help each of us to be those who draw close to God with our hearts, and not just with our lips.

Scheduled to sing a special song in the evening service at church, I was meditating on what I should say to the congregation as a prelude to the song, “I’ve Been to the Potter’s House.”

The Lord reminded me of a phone call I once received in the office. This man was questioning his salvation, telling me that he had done some pretty bad things before he was saved and that he had a hard time believing God would really forgive him. This man was also handicapped, with a permanent disability due to his neck being broken.

As we talked, I assured him that there wasn’t anything he could have done that would have been so bad for God not to forgive him if he had repented and asked His forgiveness. I reminded him of King David and how he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, plus had her husband killed. Yet, God forgave him when he truly repented and turned back to Him. 

Then, I reminded him of Saul (before God changed his name to Paul). I described how he was responsible for persecuting the Christians, even having them killed. Yet, God not only forgave him, but also used him as a great apostle to the Gentiles, and who also wrote about half of the books in the New Testament. 

With God’s help, I reassured this man that God had truly forgiven him for all that he’d done, but he needed to forgive himself. I also encouraged him that God had a purpose for him. Yes, this inspirational story was what God wanted me to share before singing:

Tossed about by life’s battles

All my hope was sinking fast

The sinful life that I was living

I knew that I just could not last

Then I went down to the potter’s house

And placed this vessel into His hands

On His wheel of grace and mercy

He made me over again.

If God could forgive David, and if he could forgive Saul, then he’ll forgive any of us if we turn from our sins and call on Him. He can take our broken lives and make something beautiful out of them, even when we don’t think there’s any hope.

Later on, during the communion service, I was meditating on Jesus and what He had done for me. It’s important to make sure my heart is clear before I partake of the holy communion, which represents His broken body and spilled blood – making sure I ask God to forgive my sins, plus making sure I don’t have any unforgiveness in my heart.

As I was praying, I confessed to God that I forgave all of the people who have hurt me and persecuted me, even those who didn’t even realize they were persecuting me. Then, I hesitated as the Holy Spirit helped me understand what I had just prayed. He reminded me of the scriptures I had searched out before singing regarding Saul and how he had persecuted the Christians. Saul thought he was doing a work for God, that he was doing God a favor by persecuting and destroying the Christians. He honestly believed this was the right thing to do.

The Holy Spirit then spoke to me and told me that many people today are persecuting Christians and don’t even realize it. They not only speak against men and women of God and the work they are doing, but they also stir up strife, doubt, and division by sharing these thoughts with others. They honestly believe they owe it to others to tell them the truth. However, they are not building up God’s kingdom. They are tearing it down with their criticisms and misjudgments – all in the name of doing a work for God. They magnify a person’s faults or weaknesses – out of a false sense of duty.

The sad thing is that many of these people seem to be blinded to the fact that Satan is using them as a tool to tear down God’s people. Unfortunately, it has been said that Christians are the only species on earth that destroy their own wounded. How sad! I know because there have been so many people – yes, Christian people – who have said destructive things either to me, or about me, and, likewise, done things that have hurt and discouraged me. Now, I know I am far from being perfect, but I have a heart for God and a heart to serve Him and work for Him. Wouldn’t you think that all Christians would be on the same side trying to encourage one another? Why do we criticize, find fault, nit-pick, or hold past mistakes over each others’ heads? It shouldn’t be this way!

Through the years, many Christians have persecuted me and my family, and they haven’t a clue as to the damage they’ve done to God’s kingdom.

Yes, Lord, I forgive those who have persecuted me, saying or doing things that hurt or discouraged me, even if they didn’t realize what they were doing. And, Lord, help me never to be one who persecutes another Christian brother or sister. I don’t want to be a part of tearing anyone down, especially their work for your kingdom. Please forgive me for times I may have done just that, and Lord, help me to never do it again. Lord, during those times I feel persecuted, help me to remember your Word:

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

(Matthew 5:10-12)

Vicki

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

When I think of earthly heroes and those whom I greatly admire, Corrie ten Boon is high on my list. She and her family were responsible for hiding and helping the Jews in World War II, thus spending years being tortured in concentration camps. Upon their arrival to Ravensbruck, near Berlin, Corrie and her sister, Betsie were placed in a filthy, overcrowded barracks infested with lice. In her 50’s, this was more than Corrie felt that she could bear.

They were determined to be Christian witnesses and examples, even in these adverse circumstances. Corrie had even smuggled in a Bible with God’s help. However, that night as they lay down to sleep, with tears streaming down her cheeks, Corrie whispered to Betsie that she didn’t know how she could ever be thankful for the lice.

Betsie, being the eldest and seeing things from a different perspective, responded with excitement. She had already heard the talk spreading amongst the women that because of the lice, the guards wouldn’t come into that particular barracks. Guards were known not only to physically torture women prisoners, but also to sexually abuse them. Betsie excitedly assured Corrie that because of the lice, they wouldn’t have to face that abuse while dwelling in that God-provided shelter. She elatedly explained that because of the lice, they would also have the freedom to read the Bible, and even have Bible studies with other women, without fear of the guards coming in and confiscating their Bible. Through this, Corrie learned that she could even be thankful for lice.

Most of us, myself included, have major trouble being thankful for all things—just look at this evil world around us. How could I be thankful for my 10 year old niece being run over by a semi? How can I be thankful for the murders I hear about, or for the abuse of innocent children?

It’s difficult to even conceive that God would want us to be thankful for all the evil. If we look at our scripture, it doesn’t say that we should be thankful for every thing. Rather, it says that we should pray with thanksgiving in every thing. We can also see this in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 where the apostle Paul writes, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” God wants us to express thanksgiving no matter what circumstances surround us.

After all, even when bad or evil things happen, God has promised all of us who love Him and are serving Him that He will work all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). This is a great mystery that we don’t often understand, and it requires a great faith to hang onto it.  We do this by casting all our cares and burdens on Him (1 Peter 5:7/Matthew 11:28-30); by receiving His peace through our prayers of thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7); and always thinking on the good things (Philippians 4:8-9).

Recently, I was reading an article in the secular magazine, Woman’s Day, on No Worries. The author used many biblical principles, but the section on gratitude really caught my attention. She cited a study that was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania in 2002 on severely depressed people. Martin Seligman, PhD, a researcher and psychology professor asked these severely depressed people to go to a website once a day before they went to bed and write down three good things that happened that day and why.

These were people who were so severely depressed that simply getting out of bed could be one of the things on their list. This was their only treatment— writing down three good things every day. Within 15 days, 94% felt less depressed. This study has been repeated several times since, and every time researches found that being thankful actually made the subjects feel happier.

If this works in the secular world, on subjects suffering severe depression, how much more can we Christians follow God’s instructions and claim His promises by being thankful in everything? I dare say that if every one of us followed these same instructions given in that research project, our lives, also, would drastically change for the better.

ALL good things come from God. If it’s good, He is the source, and we need to give Him thanks. In the natural, when we do something special for someone or give them something, and in return, they show us their appreciation and gratitude, we have a desire to give even more to that person. If we, being humans, feel that way, don’t you think God also reacts similarly when we honor Him with sincere thankfulness and appreciation?

Of course, He does. Just look at the story of the ten lepers who Jesus healed. Only the one who came back to thank Him was made whole. He received more of God’s goodness than the other nine.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful, annual holiday, but for Christians it should be a daily celebration, giving glory to God for who He is and for all He’s done!

“You will not die; your baby will be fine!  You will carry the baby full term; you will deliver the baby, and the baby will live!  Be of good cheer, for I, the Lord am with you; and so shall I be with your child!  Thus saith The Lord God almighty!”

“Brother Bill, pray for me!”  I heard a voice call out somewhere in the crowd.  As I looked to see, a young woman, with tears streaming down her face came running toward me.  In her expression, I saw the look of desperation as she arrived to stand in front of me.

The Miracle Service had just begun about an hour before.  We had enjoyed praise and worship for about thirty minutes; I had brought forth the Word of life, and the actual prayer time was just starting.  Earlier that day, I had prayed for God’s special touch to minister to His people!  I was down on my knees in the living room, crying out to the one God who could make a difference in so many desperate lives!

God had demonstrated His tremendous love for His children so many times in these meetings.  We had seen several brain tumors healed; two little girls who were delivered of oncoming blindness; and others with heart problems completely healed with doctor’s verifications.  The list would actually go on and on of the things the Lord had done as we prayed.

This particular day I will never forget.  Many had been prayed for and the Spirit of the Lord was moving!

This was when I began to hear the young female voice crying out, “Brother Bill, pray for me.”  As she approached the altar where we were praying, I knew God was about to do something phenomenal. 

She began to explain how she had seen a doctor after discovering her pregnancy.  Thinking it was just a routine visit with the physician; her whole world seemed to fall apart as he gave the unwanted news.  “You cannot carry this child – your heart cannot take the stress of childbearing — either you will die or you will lose the child. My advise to you is to get an ABORTION.”  Sobbing even harder than before, she cried out, “Pray for me.”

After she had finished telling of the horrible situation she was in, we gathered around her to pray.  About ten men and women placed their hands on her.  I began speaking in tongues in order to enter into the spiritual realm.  You see, I have learned that nothing can be done in the natural.  Speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance is our way of entering into the spiritual.  In the Spiritual mode, all things are possible. 

Being familiar with the gift of prophecy, I could feel the Word of God coming forth from deep within. 

“You will not die; your baby will be fine!  You will carry the baby full term; you will deliver the baby, and the baby will live!  Be of good cheer, for I, the Lord am with you; and so shall I be with your child!”

Through sobbing tears, the pregnant woman walked back to her seat with new hope deep in her heart.

She returned several times to the Miracle Services for prayer.  The Spirit of the Lord spoke the same Word over and over until her delivery drew near.  I tell you of a truth, she had that baby, and the child was healthy.  Little Carrie is nine years old now, and has a three-year-old brother who is also healthy.  God certainly has plans for those two children.  The devil tried to steal those kids, but the Lord brought deliverance to a crying mother who believed Him for a miracle!

Faith Must Have A Work

Just like the woman with the issue of blood that we find in the Bible, this woman believed if she could touch God with her faith, all would be well.  Miracles do not just happen on there own.  This particular woman had to believe the Word of God concerning her situation.  It’s not enough to say that I believe God, but she put feet to her believing and came to a meeting where God was moving by His Spirit.  If you want what God has, you have to come where He is moving and where these kinds of things are happening.  Its not enough just to have faith.  The book of James speaks to us about these things.

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

All who are born-again have faith.  The Bible says,

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he aught; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3).

We must do something with our faith.  The woman in our story came to the Miracle Service.  The fact that she came was an act of faith.  A lot of folks will tell you that they can get what they need from God right there in their living room.  That may be true as long as you are exercising your faith in some manner.  This woman knew she needed to get where God was moving by His Spirit.

The Importance of Humility

Another thing about this miracle was that the woman humbled herself in the sight of God.  The Lord really can’t do anything with someone who is unteachable or high-minded, thinking that they know it all.  There’s only one who knows all things and that is God Himself.  The Bible says,

Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh unto God, and He will draw nigh unto you (James 4:6-8).

Humility is a must to receive what God want to do in your life.  Whether you need healing, salvation for your family, or a financial miracle, we must humble ourselves before God.  When we humble ourselves, we are saying to our Heavenly Father that we are unable and we know that He is able.

Two Or More Believe Together 

I have learned this lesson over and over as I have held hundreds of Miracle Services believing God for the supernatural to take place.

Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them (Matthew 18:19-20

Christianity is not meant to be lived alone.  Those who have separated themselves from the rest of the body are trying to live this thing by themselves.  The Bible is very clear that we are to assemble together to share our needs and testify of the goodness of the Lord.  Your testimony may be what I need to get through another day.  But what if I don’t hear what I need to hear.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The Bible teaches on the power of agreement.  This is where two or more will come together such as we did with the woman in our story.  Two or more have come together to agree upon whatever they need.  The Word of God gives us perfect direction concerning this agreement.  If you agree, it will be done.  This woman came to be with others who were trusting God for the needs of others as well as their own.