Category: Print Newsletter Archive

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – October 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter - October 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – October 1984 (Print Edition)

“Thou Shalt Not… Worry!”

Thou shalt not worry? Is that a commandment? NO, it’s not one of the Ten Commandments – but it is a command from God’s Word! 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” Notice this is not a suggestion. It does not say, “Brethren, if you want to, why don’t you cast your care upon Him…” No! It commands us to cast our cares upon Him! What is “care” in this verse? The Greek word used is “merimna” which means, “distraction, worry, care, solicitude.” We are to cast our worry upon the Lord! In other words, don’t worry about things, let the Lord handle them for you! What is worry in the spiritual sense? It is meditation on the word of the devil! Those things that he is trying to use to distract you (part of that word’s definition) from the Word of God and living by faith. Here’s something else that will shock you! You can’t operate in faith and worry about something at the same time!

Worry and faith just can’t function together. Fear is at the root of worry, and fear is the opposite of faith! We’ve looked at 1 Peter 5:7; let’s look at verse eight. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” It is not a coincidence that this scripture follows the one on worry!

This scripture does not say that satan is going about devouring everyone and anyone he wants. No! It says that he is seeking whom he may – those that are open to be devoured! Satan is not a lion, he just roars as one! Who is open for satan to devour? Those that give place to him! (Eph. 4:27) One way of giving place to satan in your thought life is through worry!

“Be careful for nothing!” (Philippians 4:6) The Greek says, “Don’t worry about anything!” Some Christians would not dare swear, drink, spit or chew… especially in church! Yet, those same Christians will sit in every service and allow satan to buffet their minds with worry! They can’t get anything out of the ministry of the Word because they are distracted by their own problems. And they will remain their problems – until they make a quality decision to cast them on the Lord and live free of worry! Mark 4:19 lists the cares (merimna) of this world as one of the five things satan tries to use to get the seed of God’s Word out of your heart. Worry is a destroyer! Don’t take it lightly in your thought life. Thou shalt not worry!

Items of Interest in This Issue

Special Tape Offer: “The Healing Series”… Word of Faith Satellite Seminar at Taylors Grove Church… Satellite Seminar Schedule… Letter to Friends and Partners

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – July 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter - July 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – July 1984 (Print Edition)

“Reviving the Spirit of America”

Since this is the July-August-September issue of “The Spirit of Faith,” I want to share about something that many folks usually stop and take the time to think about during the July Fourth Holiday – our American heritage and freedoms. There are people who refuse to believe that the United States is, or ever was, a Christian nation. Even Christians have lost the vision of this being a Christian nation! But all you need do is look at history (which is “His – Story”) and see that our country was started by a series of miracles! When I was a child growing up in school, we were taught that – “Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492.” But our teachers never mentioned that Christopher Columbus was a committed Christian that had studied out the origin of his name – which means the “Christ-bearer,” and took it seriously! He believed that he had a revelation from God to go unto “the Indies” to take the Gospel to those lands. Columbus wrote in his “Book of Prophecies,” “…it was the Lord that put into my mind – I could feel His hand upon me – the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies… there was no question that the inspiration came from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous illumination from the Holy Scriptures…” And what did he say urged him on to discover what he called “the Indies” (actually the land to become known as America?) He went on to say, “…the fact that the Gospel must still be preached to so many lands in such a short time – this is what convinces me.” So we see, God inspired a man of vision to find this land! This was just the beginning of the many miracles detailed in history – but amazingly, never mentioned in public schools – that demonstrates that the Lord has indeed had His hand on this country since its beginnings!

Unfortunately, many people in the United States have lost the vision of our country as a Christian nation. This is due in large part to the influx of secular humanism both as a “religion” and as a philosophy motivating many educators and politicians to remove the Bible and references to God from both our political and social systems. Our children are not being taught this country’s Christian heritage. Secular humanism seeks to eliminate Christianity and the Bible from this country! We, as Christians, must stand up and be counted by registering to vote and then voting! Many “vote their conscience” – well, the time has come to vote our Bibles – not our conscience! Vote in favor of those that take stands against the evils that are creeping into our nation such as – abortion, homosexual “rights,” keeping prayer and reference to God out of our public schools, the efforts of those to strip away our rights and privileges to worship and serve God in every area of life! We must not simply sit back and say and do nothing – if we don’t do something – who will? I am not endorsing any particular party or candidate. I am simply saying that you need to educate yourself to the issues and choice of candidates and then take action by voting for those that are supporting God in our country!

We have a very special tape that we want to send you this month – it is called, “The Scriptural Basis For Patriotism”. As usual we will send this tape out free to those that request it, however, we would remind you that it does cost us the price of the tape, the labeling, the packaging and the mailing of the tape to you, so if God speaks to you about enclosing a gift to help provide this tape to others it would be appreciated! To request this special, informative tape write to:

Spirit of Faith Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 900772
Dallas, TX 75390
All gifts are completely tax deductible, and greatly appreciated
(Note: This address is no longer valid.)

Our current address is: Word of Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 5213, High Point, NC 27262

As I said in the last issue, the Spirit of Faith Broadcast could be continued on WLXN-FM in Lexington, NC only if there was enough support coming in to pay the radio bill each month. I said that I would gladly send the programs from Texas and continue the program if people became partners with us- that we could not do it alone. Had enough people “voted” in this way, the Spirit of Faith Broadcast would still be on every day as it was for five years and five months continuously. But, as you know, the Spirit of Faith Broadcast went off with the airing of the 1400th program on June 15, 1984. Many have said that the broadcast was a blessing to them while it was on. We have listed the topics that were taught in the order that they aired, both in 1976 when we were on WSEZ-FM for a short time before Brother Bill entered the full time ministry, and on WLXN-FM after entering full time ministry.

WSEZ in Winston-Salem (Before Entering Fulltime Ministry)

1976: APR- Condemnation, The Word, The Baptism in the Holy Ghost MAY- Spiritual Gifts, The Occult, Cults JUN- The Human Spirit, Plead Your Case, Our Rights As Believers, Healing, Christian Living JUL- The Dilemma of the Church, The Spirit of Faith, Discerning Truth and Error AUG- Dealing With Habits, Testimony

WLXN in Lexington (After entering Fulltime Ministry)

1979: JAN- Faith FEB- Faith, The Baptism in The Holy Spirit-MAR- Revelation Knowledge APR- Revelation Knowledge, Galatians Chapter Three, Healing MAY- Healing JUN- Doing the Sayings of Jesus JUL- The Sower Sows the Word, Salvation and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit AUG- Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Tongues, Healing SEP- We Always Triumph, Integrity of God’s Word, Confession OCT- Spirit, Soul and Body, What About Job?, The Occult NOV- Healing is Yours!, Three Ways To Be Healed, Ministering Healing To Others, The Force of Patience DEC-Casting Down Imaginations, Revelation Knowledge, Jesus’ Birth

1980: JAN- Planting the Seed of the Word, Partnership Week, Cults FEB- Cults, The Baptism in the Holy Ghost, Why Tongues?, Spiritual Gifts MAR- Partnership, Spiritual Gifts, The Great Exchange, Agreeing With God APR- Faith MAY- Applying the Word, A Christian’s Steps To Answered Prayer, The Woman Question JUN-What is the Human Spirit?, Spirit, Soul and Body, Walking in the Spirit, Living in the New Birth JUL- Walking in the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, What Good is Speaking in Other Tongues?, Using Your Prayer Language, Receiving God’s Provision of Healing, Testimony of Healing AUG- Demons and Angels, Women in the Ministry, Living in Divine Health, Sharing Healing with the World SEP- Effective Prayer, Agreement, Binding and Loosing, Petition and Supplication, Intercession OCT- Intercession, Power Over Satan, Exercising Authority, The Responsibility of Authority, Maturing as a Christian NOV- Piedmont Believer’s Convention Interview, Growing Up Spiritually, The Overcoming Life, Sharing on Faith, The Virgin Birth

1981: JAN- Prosperity FEB- Seed Faith MAR- Faith APR-Traditions: Avoid Them!, Faith: What it is Not!, Piedmont Believers Convention Preview MAY- Healing JUN- Receiving from the Word, Jamaica Missions Preview, Women in the Ministry, Jamaica Missions Report JUL- How To Get Your Needs Met!, Living in the Word AUG- Living in the Word SEP- The Goods News Oct-The Pastor’s Ministry, Power of the Local Church NOV- The Power of the Believer, Power and Authority DEC- The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

1982: JAN- The Spirit Filled Life!, The Sower Sows The Word FEB- You Can Do It!- We Are Winners! MAR- The Glorious Church, Faith: Who Has It? APR- Faith: What Is It?, Faith: How Is It Applied? MAY- Interview: Christian Testimony, Faith: Using Words, Know Those That Labor Among You JUN- Our Attitude of Faith JUL- Fulfill the Vision!, Satellite Partnership, Tapping Into God’s Word AUG- The Baptism in the Holy Spirit SEP- The Mental Battleground, Prosperity OCT- Prosperity, Avoiding Pitfalls in Prosperity NOV- The Benefits of Partnership, Living in Excellence DEC- Satellite Reports, Pursue Your Dream

1983: JAN- Pursue Your Dream, Why Some Christians Fail FEB-Partnership, Satellite Report MAR- Interview: Victory Church, Prosperity is Yours! APR- Commitment, The Life of Faith MAY-The Life of Faith, Channel 20 Interview, Channel 16 Interview JUN- We Are Ambassadors!, Intercession JUL- Pray For America!, Basics of Faith, Consistency AUG- The Right Place At The Right Time!, Prosperity, The Believer’s Benefits SEP- The Believer’s Benefits OCT- Interview: Ron Cohn, Our Attitude with Finances, The Attitude To Have When God Makes You Rich!, Halloween and the Occult NOV- Interview: Dave Roddick, Hope, Interview: Jimmy Holmes and Gary Price DEC- Be Strong In Faith!

1984: JAN- Be Strong In Faith!, Two Kinds of Knowledge, Traditions: Satan’s Strongholds FEB- Traditions: Satan’s Strongholds, Baptism in the Holy Spirit MAR- The Simplicity of Faith, The Spirit of Faith, Thou Shalt Not Worry! APR- Revive the Spirit of America!, The Signs of Spiritual Immaturity MAY-The Signs of Spiritual Immaturity, Are You A Macedonian Giver?, The Word of Faith JUN- The Word of Faith

During Brother Bill’s time of ministry in North Carolina, we had many meetings that he was invited to speak at, or that were sponsored by the Ministry. Below are listed the major meetings that Brother Bill spoke in, with the exception of the many regular church services that he was invited to speak at by many pastors in the Piedmont area.

Major Meetings Since Entering Fulltime Ministry

1979-
January 18-20 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Greensboro Coliseum Town Hall Auditorium
December 6-8 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Fayetteville, NC

1980-
February 7-9 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Winston-Salem, NC
March 9-15 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Bennettsville, SC
April 21-26 NC Area Campmeeting, Winston-Salem, NC
September 11-13 Word of Faith Seminar, Salisbury, NC
November 17-21 Piedmont Believers Convention, Winston-Salem, NC
December 18-20 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Winston-Salem, NC

1981-
March 16-19 PBC Helps Seminar, Winston-Salem, NC
March 23-28 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Albemarle, NC
April 27-May 2 Piedmont Believers Convention, Winston-Salem, NC
June 17-21 Jamaica Missions Trip, Jamaica, West Indies
July 16-18 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Winston-Salem, NC
August 17-29 Faith Tentmeeting, Winston-Salem, NC
September 21- 26 Word Seminar, Jonesville, NC
November 9-14 Piedmont Believers Convention, Winston-Salem, NC

1982-
March 16-19 NCFWM Convention, Clemmons, NC
March 29- April 3 Piedmont Believers Convention, Concord, NC
May 13-15 NCFWM Word Seminar, Mt. Airy, NC
June 2-4 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Lexington, NC
June 24-26 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Winston-Salem, NC
July 25-31 WLXN Radio Rally, Lexington, NC

1983-
March 13-15 Asheboro Faith Seminar, Asheboro, NC
April 22-23 NCFWM Helps Seminar, Winston-Salem, NC
May 19-21 Concord Believers Convention, Concord, NC
August 25-27 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Lexington, NC

1984-
March 22-24 Spirit of Faith Seminar, Lexington, NC

Where do we go from here? Well, as we said last month, the ministry will continue! I firmly believe that we are going to be back on radio and perhaps even television one day! For now I will concentrate my efforts on being faithful and diligent in my staff position at Word of’ Faith here in Dallas! I am involved in the Believer’s Outreach Fellowship program as a home Bible Study teacher and director and doing whatever is at hand to do to get the Word out here in the Dallas Metroplex. As I said earlier, we still need your prayerful support as we continue to publish this newsletter and “Proclaim the Word of Faith!”

Please note that our new address is: Spirit of Faith Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 900772 Dallas, Texas 75390 (Note: This address is no longer valid.)

Items of Interest in This Issue

Invitation to the North Carolina Fellowship of Word Ministries “Revive the Spirit of America” Convention

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – May 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter - May 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – May 1984 (Print Edition)

“Texas, Here We Come”

As most of you that listen to the Spirit of Faith Broadcast know, Joy and I are moving to Dallas, Texas. Joy will be working as a scientific programmer with Texas Instruments and I have been promised an opening with Word of Faith World Outreach Center – the church and multi-media outreach ministry that puts on the satellite seminars that we have been featuring each month since we became involved in July of 1982 as a Word of Faith Satellite affiliate. As one of the first one hundred affiliates in the program (#092), I am excited about the opportunity to be associated with Word of Faith in Dallas, TX. Our ministry, Word of Faith Ministries, Inc., is not a division of Word of Faith World Outreach Center or affiliated in any way other than the similarity in our names – both of which come from Romans 10:8 – and the fact that we (Word of Faith in Denton, NC) are Word of Faith Satellite Affiliates. Our ministry name was at one time simply Bill Bailey Ministries, Inc., and we will go back to that when we move to Dallas, TX to avoid any confusion between the two ministries. As I have been announcing on the radio, our move creates some changes and opportunities. Matthew and Beth Shope, our close friends and partners in this ministry, are moving to Dallas as well. Between their generous partnership and what Joy and I have been able to do – the ministry has been supported over the last five and a half years. In fact, 76% of the monthly support of this ministry has been supplied by these few over these years. We don’t begrudge that!

Praise God, it has been a privilege to be able to minister the Word to folks over WLXN each weekday for those many years! In fact, I was told recently that May 15th was WLXN’s sixth anniversary as a Christian station. They went on as a Christian station – May 15, 1978. The Spirit of Faith Broadcast began on January 29, 1979, just seven and half months later! However, our move to Texas, means that we will no longer be able to personally supply the bulk of the finances of the ministry. This does not have to mean the end of the Spirit of Faith Broadcast, however!

Paul said that he did not want some contributors to the ministry eased and others burdened – but by an equality – everyone should collectively supply the need of financing ministries. (2 Corinth. 8:13, 14) The main expense of Word of Faith Ministries, Inc., or Bill Bailey Ministries, is the monthly radio bill. When we started in 1979 the total bill was $270.00 a month. The bill is now $330.00 every month. This is a bargain to reach potentially one and a half million people every day with the Word! If 33 people gave just $10.00 a month the need would be met – if 66 people gave $5.00 a month it would be met – or 330 people giving a dollar a month! Think of it! There are over 1135 people on our mailing list that are reading this newsletter! Just a small percentage of these folks that are interested in this ministry- if they did their part- could keep the Spirit of Faith Broadcast on every day! I would be happy- glad- honored-to continue to make the broadcast tapes and mail them from Dallas, Texas to Lexington, North Carolina… but I can’t do it alone. If you want it to continue, then you must become involved as a regular monthly partner. If not, then you have cast your vote for the Spirit of Faith Broadcast to go off the air on WLXN as of June 15, 1984.

I don’t mean this as a threat or a tactic of some kind to raise funds, it is just the simple realities of paying for the continuation of the radio broadcast. Do you want us to continue on WLXN-FM? Then pray and ask God what He would have you do- faithfully each month. I do want to thank those partners that we do have- some send ten dollars, some twenty, some have written to say that they can’t give financially but have committed to intercede and pray on our behalf. Thank you, so much for your continuing support! To have you stand by this ministry as faithfully as you have means so much! May the blessings of God continue to richly come to you!

I want to send you a tape that I ministered recently at Taylor’s Grove Church in Denton, NC. The title of this tape is – “Are You A Macedonian Giver?” The principles on this tape will help you understand the truths of God’s Word in relation to the prosperity that God has promised is available. You may have this tape by requesting it this month. If you write, be sure to mail your letter by June 1, 1984 for this offer. I will be getting a Texas mailing address for the ministry, but I do not know it at the time of this writing. I will tell you this new address in the next issue of the Spirit of Faith. May God continue to richly bless you!

Items of Interest in This Issue

Invitation to the Word of Faith Satellite Seminar at Taylors Grove Church… Invitation to the North Carolina Fellowship of Word Ministries “Revive the Spirit of America” Convention

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – March 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter - March 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – March 1984 (Print Edition)

“Thou Shalt Not… Worry!”

Thou shalt not worry? Is that a commandment? NO, it’s not one of the Ten Commandments – but it is a command from God’s Word! 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” Notice this is not a suggestion. It does not say, “Brethren, if you want to, why don’t you cast your care upon Him…” No! It commands us to cast our cares upon Him! What is “care” in this verse? The Greek word used is “merimna” which means, “distraction, worry, care, solicitude.” We are to cast our worry upon the Lord! In other words, don’t worry about things, let the Lord handle them for you! What is worry in the spiritual sense? It is meditation on the word of the devil! Those things that he is trying to use to distract you (part of that word’s definition) from the Word of God and living by faith. Here’s something else that will shock you! You can’t operate in faith and worry about something at the same time! Worry and faith just can’t function together. Fear is at the root of worry, and fear is the opposite of faith!

We’ve looked at 1 Peter 5:7; let’s look at verse eight. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” It is not a coincidence that this scripture follows the one on worry! This scripture does not say that satan is going about devouring everyone and anyone he wants. No! It says that he is seeking whom he may – those that are open to be devoured! Satan is not a lion, he just roars as one! Who is open for satan to devour? Those that give place to him! (Eph. 4:27) One way of giving place to satan in your thought life is through worry!

“Be careful for nothing!” (Philippians 4:6) The Greek says, “Don’t worry about anything!” Some Christians would not dare swear, drink, spit or chew… especially in church! Yet, those same Christians will sit in every service and allow satan to buffet their minds with worry! They can’t get anything out of the ministry of the Word because they are distracted by their own problems. And they will remain their problems – until they make a quality decision to cast them on the Lord and live free of worry! Mark 4:19 lists the cares (merimna) of this world as one of the five things satan tries to use to get the seed of God’s Word out of your heart. Worry is a destroyer! Don’t take it lightly in your thought life. Thou shalt not worry!

Items of Interest in This Issue

Invitation to the Word of Faith Satellite Seminar at Taylors Grove Church… A Spirit of Faith Seminar in Lexington, NC… Itinerary

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – February 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter - February 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – February 1984 (Print Edition)

“Know Those That Labor Among You”

This month the Lord spoke to me concerning the need we all have as believers to take heed what we hear. (Mark 4:24) Especially in the area of the ministry that we are hearing. God has blessed the Body of Christ with some of the finest ministries that have ever been available in order that we can hear the Word, receive it and live what we hear taught. At the same time, however, there is a need for awakening ourselves to the fact that there are wolves among the flock as well. Paul warned the church that he started in Ephesus in Acts 19:27-31: “…I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own Blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, sparing not the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Paul was obviously very concerned with the condition of those that he had taught and nurtured in the faith during the three years he was in Ephesus founding that church! Notice he said that not only would ministers come from without the church and teach things contrary to the Word, he said that some would come from within! He said that we were to be aware – to take heed to ourselves – that we are not misled.

In 1 Thess. 5:12 Paul said, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you…” We are held responsible to know those that are teaching us, as to whether they are in line with the Word or not! But, how can we know that? By the Word of God! Brethren, if what you are hearing from a certain minister does not line up with the whole council of God – not just the verses that may be pulled out of context – avoid them! Many teachers are teaching things today that are not at all in line with the Word – yet no one is questioning them! For instance, many teach that we, as born again believers, are going to have to go through the Tribulation period – which the Bible declares is the “wrath of God”. My brethren, God has not called us to face His wrath. No! We do have a blessed hope of the “Rapture” or catching away of the saints. “But Brother Bill the word ‘rapture’ isn’t even in the Bible!” No, but the fact of this catching away is! (2 Thess. 2:l-6) 1 Corinth. 15:52-58) I would recommend some of Brother Hilton Sutton’s teaching tapes on the subject for those that have been confused on this issue. You may write: Hilton Sutton, 736 Wilson Road, Humble, TX 77338 for a tape catalog. But there are many other teachings that are just as distorted. There is much misinformation on the subject of demons as well. Many believers have become afraid that there is a “demon in every doorknob” that will “get them”. Brethren, we have authority through the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ! We should not be on the run from satan – he should be on the run from us! (James 4:7) Christians that are constantly being told that they have a “demon of this, or that” holding them back should beware of the teaching that they are hearing! Demons are real. But they are afraid of us! We have authority over them in the Name of Jesus – we shouldn’t be afraid of them. Indeed, that is giving satan place – through fear!

There are many teachings like this that are holding people in bondage, and many teachers. Usually these types are, as Paul said, “making disciples unto themselves,” holding their people in bondage to their own brand of teaching. They usually downgrade the ministries of other ministers while making themselves seem the only reliable source of true Bible knowledge. Have I made you think and question with this article? Good! I trust that I have! No matter who is ministering – whether they are a “big name” or local minister, you should always check what they are saying to make sure they are in line with the Word of God; even me! As ministers we have a tremendous responsibility to give you the truth of the Word – but you have the responsibility to check it out for yourself as well! Know those that labor among you!

Items of Interest in This Issue

Invitation to the Word of Faith Satellite Seminar at Taylors Grove Church… Tape Offer “Know Those That Labor Among You”… Itinerary… Invitation to be a Radio Partner

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – December 1983 / January 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter - December 1983 / January 1984 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – December 1983 / January 1984 (Print Edition)

“Goalsetting!”

Goals are set in many areas – sports, day-to-day appointments, politics… What is a goal? Webster defines “goal” as, “the terminal point of a race, the end toward which effort is directed, aim…” Did you ever think that God is interested in our setting goals? God’s Word is full of goals for us as believers! He desires that we grow up spiritually to full maturity as believers! That is a goal we all are shooting for. A “vision” is defined as a -“divinely inspired goal.” We normally think of visions as some kind of divine visitation – and that can happen – but a vision can also be a goal that God has given you. God, in His wisdom, has engineered us to work in a “goal oriented” system. Then, He placed goals before us as believers. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” The word that is translated “perish” here actually means, “are made destitute and naked.”

If you do not have a divinely inspired goal to shoot for you are stripped bare and are destined for failure! Some folks may say, “Well, God hasn’t given me a goal!” Really? You need to read your Bible again! The Word is full of goals for us to shoot for! Besides, have you been listening for some ideas from the Lord? Take time to be still and listen after you have meditated in the Word. You may find that He was just waiting for you to slow down and get quiet enough to listen to some of His ideas!

God does have ideas that will lead you into success! Proverbs 8:12 says that He will give us knowledge of witty inventions. Isaiah 48:17 says that he will teach us to profit. The meaning of the word “teach” here, is to “goad, teach, and give incentive.” He will not only give us the way to profit, He will also give us the incentive. Some folks think that setting goals for your success is wrong. God doesn’t think so! He says He will supernaturally give us the desire (incentive), the way (a plan of action), and will bless what we put our hand to! But whatever you do, set your goal, and pursue it with all your might! (Ec. 9:10; Rom. 12:11)

Once you have a goal from the Lord and a method of accomplishing that goal – you need wisdom from God to begin to bring the goal into manifestation. Proverbs 24:14 says that when you find knowledge and wisdom there shall be a reward – and your expectation (goal) will not be cut off! Whatever you do, allow God to lead you with His wisdom and understanding. He understands it better than you do! Get wisdom! (Proverbs 4:5) Let God teach you how to set a goal, how to plan for the fulfillment of the goal – and how to bring it to pass! God given goals will come to pass as you operate in the multitude of business! (Ec. 5:3)

Items of Interest in This Issue

Invitation to the Word of Faith Satellite Seminar at Taylors Grove Church… Introduction to WOKX 1590 AM Radio “Worshipping Our King Radio” in High Point, NC a ministry of Agape Ministries… Radio Program Invitation… Notice that we added WOKX radio to our Broadcast Station list

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – November 1983 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter - November 1983 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – November 1983 (Print Edition)

“What Does It Mean to be ‘Born Again?'”

What is all this talk about being “born again”? Isn’t it just a lot of religious nonsense? NO! But there are many people talking about it that don’t know what its all about themselves! It has nothing to do with “religion”. Religion is just man’s attempt to reach God’s level. It won’t work. No church or denomination will ever reach God by its own methods.

“How can I reach God, then?” Don’t! LET GOD REACH OUT TO YOU! He has through His Son, Jesus. Now wait! Before you lay this down … I’m not talking about religion, or church, or anything like that… I’m talking about a personal, one-to-one relationship with Jesus. It is available!

HOW? By being born again! Jesus said, “… except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) “But how can I be born again if not through religion?” By doing what God said to do! Listen to this: “… IF THOU SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, AND SHALT BELIEVE IN THINE HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, THOU SHALT BE SAVED.” (Romans 10:9) Being saved is being born again. Its that simple! This scripture is all that you need to know to be born again.

You don’t have to be a Bible scholar! Just pray according to that scripture, out of your heart . . . “GOD, ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD, I COME TO YOU CONFESSING JESUS AS MY LORD, I BELIEVE THAT YOU, FATHER, HAVE RAISED YOUR SON, JESUS FROM THE DEAD. I THANK YOU NOW THAT ACCORDING TO ROMANS 10:9, I AM BORN AGAIN, I AM SAVED! IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN!”

NOW, if you ever think, “I’m not really born again”, you’ll know better! Just say, “I am born again, according to Romans 10:9, because I did what it said!” Here are some other scriptures for you to study concerning your salvation … 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; John 3:1-18; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Revelation 3:20; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8, 9; 1 Peter 2:24

Items of Interest in This Issue

Invitation to the Word of Faith Satellite Seminar at Taylors Grove Church… Invitation to Satellite Concert with The Imperials… Radio Program Invitation… Publication and Tape Catalog… Explanation of the outreach areas of Word of Faith Ministries

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – October 1983 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter - October 1983 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – October 1983 (Print Edition)

“God’s Commandments Aren’t Grievous”

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.” (I John 5:1-3)

Whosoever is born of God loves those that are born of God. We are to love one another. We are to love God and keep His commandments. What are the commandments? There are not just the ten commandments. The commandments of God are found throughout His Word.

As a matter of fact, the ten are fulfilled in just two: “And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the Name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave commandment. And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. “(I John 3:23-24) Jesus said that on these two commandments the whole law and books of the prophets hang. (Matthew 22:36-40)

Now notice if you, as a believer, love God and are walking in love (divine love) toward the brethren and you have the inward witness of the Holy Spirit of God in your spirit, the Word of God says that we can know that He abides in us and we in Him. We can know that we are fulfilling the commandments! For a born again believer, walking in God’s commandments should not be grievous or hard!

Too many times we tend to go back and pick up our old sin-consciousness that we had before we were born again and return to the bondage of trying, in our strength, to fulfill the law. We are not under the law! Now, it is true that we cannot use our freedom from the law as an occasion to the flesh, but by love we are to serve one another (Gal. 5:13). But as we have heard Brother Kenneth Copeland say, “Believers are not looking for a way to sin, they are looking for a way to live above it.” If your innermost desire is to get away with some sin… get born again! But for those believers that are not looking for a way to sin… lean toward your righteousness!

I have noticed an unfortunate tendency among some that are in the ministry. They place believers under bondage to many rules and regulations, teaching them that if they do not do this, or that, just right, then they will not be blessed by God or helped in any way. God’s Word is full of conditions to receive. For instance, GIVE and it shall be given. If you don’t do the condition, the giving, then you will not receive the promise, the being given to. I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about teaching folks that they must grovel, groan and sacrifice to get God to even look kindly about what they are doing. I labored under the strain of this for some time. It seemed that every time I turned around someone was telling me that all I was doing for God was not enough because I didn’t fast enough. I didn’t pray enough. I wasn’t sacrificing enough personally to be really anointed by God for a supernatural ministry. Now please understand! I know that fasting, praying, etc., is necessary and important. But why are you doing it? Because God told you to – or in order to impress people with your spirituality? If we strain and sweat to do something in order to get God to bless what we are doing then our attitude is wrong! When God says to you, in your spirit, “PRAY AND FAST!” Then you should do so! For as long as He says and when He says. But if you do it because someone has driven you into the ground with condemnation because they don’t think you are spiritual enough to serve God, then you are in trouble! This attitude almost caused me to get out of the ministry. I finally thought one day, “I might as well go back to photography and be a layman…God can’t use me in the ministry.” God had to supernaturally speak to me, as clearly as though it were audible, “Hold it just a minute son. Don’t look at what you’ve done wrong, look at what you and I have accomplished together. Look at the good things… look at the people that have been born again, healed and delivered!” Then He took me to I John 5:3 and said, “I said that fulfilling My commandments are not grievous… it’s not hard!” Oh, how I needed that! You need to realize there are always areas for improvement. We need to always keep shooting for that high mark. Don’t become burdened by legalistic teaching and a sin-consciousness. It is not hard to live for God in all that we do. But be aware of the witness in your human spirit, “I’m in you, you are in Me, together we have overcome the world!”

Items of Interest in This Issue

Invitation to the Word of Faith Satellite Seminar at Taylors Grove Church… Radio Program Invitation… Itinerary… Tape Offer: “The Good News!” Tent Meeting Tapes

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – September 1983 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter - September 1983 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – September 1983 (Print Edition)

“God Wants You to Prosper!”

Yes, God wants you to prosper in all that you do! But why? Why does God give us all things richly to enjoy? (1 Tim. 6:17) Is it so that we can just enjoy ourselves and get our own desires satisfied? No! We are to remember the Lord our God who gives us the power to get wealth in order to establish His covenant, or His Word! (Deut. 8:18) Many are talking about the revival that we have desired, prayed and longed for. Well, the revival is upon us! Are we, as the Body of Christ, ready to finance the revival? Finance it! Yes, it takes finances for Satellite ministry, sending ministers out into the field, even running a local Word Church! God’s intent is that we, as believers reach the world with the good news- well, the world isn’t going to pay for it! It’s up to us!

How can we reach the world with the Gospel?

The means have been made available – all we do is pray and pay for it! I don’t mean for this to sound hard and harse, it isn’t. It is a great privilege for God to allow us to get involved in bringing the Word to the world! All it means is that we have to be blessed financially, and then in turn bless the ministries that are reaching the world financially.

As we give it is given to us! (Luke 6:38) Why? So that we can give – and receive – and give – and receive… In this way, God is able to bless us- and, more importantly, use us, as channels through which the Word is preached! It is no wonder that God desires above all things that we prosper and be in health. (3 John 2) If we have our physical needs met we can be more sensitive to meeting the needs of others.

God wants you to prosper and be blessed so that you can bless others. If we will get our attitude toward finances straight – we will see blessings come to us in abundance – to use!

Items of Interest in This Issue

Invitation to the Word of Faith Satellite Seminar at Taylors Grove Church… Radio Program Invitation… Itinerary… Tape Offer: “Prosperity: God’s Way!”

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – August 1983 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter - August 1983 (Print Edition)

The Spirit of Faith Newsletter – August 1983 (Print Edition)

“More Than Conquerors!”

As believers we are more than conquerors! The Word says in Romans 8:37 that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us! It would be exciting if we were told that we were conquerors and overcomers. But notice, we are more than that! Brother Copeland tells a story to illustrate this that I can’t improve on – it seems that a great fighter won a prize fight – he was a conqueror! He fought a good fight and he won, he took home his prize winnings – then he gave them to his wife – she was more than a conqueror! She got the prize without the fight! You see, that’s just what Jesus did for us. He came, died, and rose again – He won the fight, then He turned the victory over to us! That is what this verse says. We are more than conqueror; through Jesus.

You might say, “Brother Bill, I just don’t feel like a conqueror, much less more than one!” Well, don’t go by your feelings, go by the Word! Jesus won the battle and was given all power and authority according to Matthew 28:18. Then He turned around and gave us His Name, His Power, and the authority to use it! How do we use it? Through faith in His Name! Notice Mark 16:17, the signs will follow the ones that believe and use His Name. The Word says in 1 John 3:23 that we are commanded to believe on the Name, and love one another.

Our love for others is expressed as we use the authority He’s given us through His Name to lay hands on the sick – and pray for one another. We are told in John 16:23 to ask (or pray) in Jesus’ Name. We are even told in John 15:21 that we will persecuted for His Name’s sake. “Well, Brother, I’m a believer and I’m not being persecuted for His Name’s sake!” Well, you must not be using the authority that is in that Name! No, you won’t be persecuted in this country for being a “normal” church going Christian. But, start using the authority that is yours through Jesus’ Name – then is when they call you a nut, a fanatic, and whatever else. Believers that use their authority through Jesus’ Name are the Bible norm, not someone that just warms a pew! We have been given a precious privilege – let’s use it!

Items of Interest in This Issue

Invitation to the Spirit of Faith Seminar at Faith Revival Center in Lexington, NC… Invitation to the Word of Faith Satellite presentation of the 1983 Southwest Believer’s Convention with Kenneth Copeland at Taylors Grove Church… Radio Program Invitation… Itinerary