IMPARTING GENERATIONAL BLESSINGS This book was written especially for the partners of our ministry, in deepest appreciation for their continual prayers and support of our Manna Fest television program. It is our sincer sin ceree desir de siree to see you yo u and an d you yo u r descen de scenda dant ntss come co me int i nto o the th e ullness ull ness of God's od 's favo favorr and blessing b lessings. s.
Co p y right righ t 2001 2001 Vo ice o f Ev Ev ang an g elis lis m P.O. Box 3595 3595 Cleveland, TN 37320 Publ Pub lis hed he d thro t hrou u gh the th e Voice of o f Eva Evang ngeli eliss m Ministry Minist ry,, Pen Peny y Ston Sto n e, Jr., Jr., Di Directo rect o r. The in terna te rnation tional al office office for the th e Vo ice o Evangelism is located in Cleveland, Tennessee. Printed by Pres Presss works orks in Cl Clevel eve land, and , Tenn Tennes esss ee. A ll s cript criptures ures quot qu oted ed are tak ta ken fro fro m the th e King King James James Versi ers io n o the Bible, unless otherwise indicated.
Tabl abl e of Conte Content ntss
Title Pag Pagee E p pigra igrap ph Copyrigh opyrightt & Permissions Per missions It's All About Being in Cove Covena nant nt wit with h God Preface Introdu ntroduction ction Chapte Cha terr 1: 1 : Th The Pot P otential ential Pow P ower er of the Blessing Chapter 2: The DNA of a Covenant Chapte Chap terr 3: Un Unusua usuall Ex Exam amples ples of Generation Generatio nal Bless Ble ssing ingss Chapte Cha terr 4: P ass ssing ing on the Bles Blessi sin ng thro throu ugh the La Laying ying on of Han Hands ds Chaapte Ch terr 5: 5 : Th Ther eree is a Prop Pro phet in the the Hou Ho use
Chap Ch apte terr 6: 6 : Impart Impart Bef Be fore Yo You De Depa part rt Chapter 7: The Blessing on the Fourth Generation Chapter 8: In Your Down Sitting and Your Uprising Chapte Chap terr 9: How to Begin Your P er erso sona nall Legacy Chapter 10: Never Give Up on Anyone as Long as as They are Bre Breathing athing My P rayer for Yo You Spec ecial ial Photo Session Sess ion Backcover
It's Al l About Bei Be i ng i n Cov Covena enan nt wi w i th God "And I will establish my covenant between me and thee thee and thy thy seed see d after a fter thee thee in their their eneration enera tionss fo f or an a n everlas everl asting ting covenant, covenant, to be a God God unto thee thee,, and to thy seed se ed after af ter thee." (Genesis 17:7) "I will make thy name to be remembered in all enerations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and an d ever eve r."
(Psalms 45: 17) "He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he command commanded ed to a thousand tho usand generations." gen erations."
(Psalms 105 :8) "Be ye mindful mindful always a lways of his covenant: covenant : the word word which wh ich he he comm commanded and ed to a thousand tho usand generations." gen erations."
(1 Ch Ch ronicles ron icles 16: 16: 15) 15) "And they that shall be of thee shall sha ll bui b uild ld the th e old ol d wast w astee pla pl a ces: thou th ou shalt sha lt raise ra ise up u p the t he fou found nda a tion ti onss of many man y gene ge nerat ratio ions; ns; and an d tho t hou u sha sh a lt be be called cal led the th e rep repai airrer of the br b reach, ea ch, the th e resto restorrer of the path pa thss to dwel d welll in." in ." (Isaiah (Is aiah 58:1 58:12) 2)
Preface In life there are two types of people: Those who make an impact and those who leave scars. People who leave scars impart pa rt a neg n egat atiiv e impres impres s ion, on , often for li life. Peo People ple who make an impact are those who have deposited valuable reserves o wisdom and knowledge and are appreciated long after they are gone. Throughout my life, many people have impressed me, but only a few have significantly impacted my life. For this reason, I wish to express my deepest love and appreciation to one perso pe rson n in parti pa rticu cullar who has ha s made ad e a great g reat impact pa ct upon up on my life, and to whom I owe much credit for my present ministry: my father, Perry Fred Stone, Sr. Dad has faithfully walked with God for over fifty years. From a teenage evangelist in the 1940's to the present, he has witnessed a countless number of people healed of every known disease and affliction through his prayers. Throughout the years, he has received warning dreams that, on several occas occ asiions on s , spared s pared the th e lives lives of mys mys elf elf or other oth er fam famiily membe embers. rs. I have been with him on hundreds of occasions when he prays. At times times,, he prays p rays like a dying d ying man, an , groani groan ing and an d travai t ravailling for reviva revivall. At other ot her times times,, his his words have ha ve pierci piercing ng autho aut hori rity, ty, much like an ambas ambasss ador ado r who who is appr app roachi oach ing a king king''s throne. Dad has never been a wealthy man. He lives on social security and the offerings of God's people. He is approaching 70 and pr p reaches with more anoi ano inting tod t oday ay than ever before. before.
Should Christ tarry many more years, Dad will go home to be with with the th e Lord and an d wait wait for the th e rest res t of the th e fami family to arrive arrive.. Should he go before Christ comes, I pray that the same anointing and spirit of prayer will drop like a mantle upon his two two sons s ons and grandsons grandsons . If that day comes, it will not matter that he leaves us few material goods. He will leave a legacy of integrity, godliness, and memories that will endure for generations. We will be proud pro ud to s ay a man man of o f God was am a mong on g us us. Imp artin art ing g I dedicate the revelation in this book, Imp Generational eneration al Blessings, Blessings, to my father, a man whose walk with God has touched thousands of lives, especially those of his own household.
With With eternal ete rnal lov love, e, Yo u r son so n , Perry Perry Sto St o n e, Jr. Jr.
Introduction For many years, ministers have emphasized the subject o breaking breaking gene ge neration rational al curse cu rsess . At one on e ti t ime, it seem s eemed ed that th at every ev ery minister had a teaching or a message dealing with the subject. People became very "curse conscious," spending hours tracing past hurts or bitter words, and forgiving loved ones who had injured them emotionally. Most of the teaching was doctri do ctrinall nally y s ound ou nd and a great help to thos tho s e in in need. n eed. Yet, Yet, one w ant t afternoon afternoo n the t he Holy Spiri Spiritt mov moved ed upo u pon n my my mi mind and s aid aid I wan someon someo n e to begi be gin n tea t each chin ing g on o n how h ow to impart impa rt the t he gene ge nerat ratio iona nal l blessings! Up to that poi p oint, nt, I had not n ot per p erss onall onally hear h eard d anyone any one teach t each on how to impart generational blessings. I was familiar with prayi pray ing for the th e s ick or aski as king ng God to bless bles s a p erson ers on,, but bu t not no t the idea of transferring a blessing from one generation to another. As I began to research this subject, I was amazed to discover that, throughout the Bible, there are revelations o God imparting His covenant blessing from the father to the s on, wi with each s ucceeding ucceeding gener g enerati ation on pas p asss ing that t hat bl b less es s ing on on to the next generation. I also observed that the revelation o the blessing was mentioned far more often than was the revelation evelation of generati gen eration onal al curs curs es. es . Personally, I am not ignorant of experiencing generational bless bles s ings ng s . I am a fourth fou rth gene ge neration ration ministe nis terr of o f the t he Gos pel pe l. My My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all Full Gospel ministers. nisters . As each gener gen erati ation on pas s ed, the foll ollowing owing generati gen eration on seemed to experience a greater level of spiritual growth,
bless bles s ings ng s , and an d results res ults in the th e mi ministry nis try.. As A s you yo u wil will dis dis cove co verr, the th e same pattern of progressive blessings can be seen with the first three patriarchs of the covenant, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the thread of passing on the blessing is woven througho throug hout ut the t he Bi Bible. ble. Whenever I read a book dealing with practical Biblical truths, I want to know if the author is simply writing on the s ubj ub ject as an interesting topi to pic, c, or if if the autho aut horr is is writing ting bas ed on both bo th expe experi rien ence ce and a nd know no wledge. edg e. For exam example, ple, I don't do n't want to read books on how to raise children that are written by someone who has never raised one. Nor do I want to study resource material on marriage written by someone who has never been married. I understand the power of generational blessings. Our family has experienced this in our lives and ministries. I want to teach teac h you, yo u, from from the th e Word of o f God God and from from perso pe rsona nall expe experi rienc ence, e, spiritual truths that will help you come into your season o favor and blessing, and teach you how to pass the torch o bless bles s ing on to you yo u r chi ch ildren and a nd grand gran d chi ch ild ren. This truth has been in my spirit for many years. Now it is time to bring it forth to reach more people with this lifechanging teaching. I have prepared this book with my dear partne pa rtners rs of ministry nis try in mind. nd . Your ou r prayers pray ers and an d s u pport pp ort are transforming lives, families, and churches. I desire to see you and every member of your household blessed and highly favo fav o red (Nu (Nu mb ers 6:23 6:23-2 -27) 7).. Yo u r Co Co v enan en antt Partner Partn er for Gl Glo b al Ev Ev ang an g elis elis m, Perry Stone, Jr.
1
The Potential Power of the Blessing "For I know him, that he will command his children and his house-hold after him, and they shall keep the way o the Lord, to do justice and judgement; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham Abraham that which th e Lor Lord d hath spoken spok en o him."
(Gen (Genes es is 1 8:1 8:19) 9)
Jonathan Edwards, one of colonial America's most noted early ministers, was married in 1727. His classic message, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," was so convicting that lost souls sitting under his preaching would scream and fall to the floor in anguish. Some would begin yelling that they could co uld feel the th e flam flames es of hell h ell s corching co rching their th eir feet. Yet Yet,, man many y do do not know that Edwards, in his private life, was a very loving, compassionate man who enjoyed spending quality personal t ime ime wit wit h h is famil family. y. Edwards had eleven children. When at home, Edwards had a special chair that he alone sat in and, in the evenings, he would sit with his children for one hour each day. The smaller ones would sit on his lap and the older ones would spend precious preciou s time time with with their th eir dad, da d, as toge to geth ther er they th ey woul wou ld s hare ha re their th eir hearts. hearts . Edwar Edwards ds als als o pr p rayed a bless ing over ov er each child. child. In 1900, A. E. Winship tracked 1,400 decedents o Edwards dwards.. In In hi h is publ pu bliis hed s tudy tud y, Wi Winshi ns hip p revealed revealed that t hat the one on e marri arriage of Edwards Edwards produce prod uced: d: 300 300 minis ministe ters rs 13 noted no ted autho au thorrs 13 coll college presi pres idents den ts 65 coll college profess profes s ors 100 lawyers and a nd a dean de an of o f a law law schoo sch ooll 30 jud judge gess 56 phys ph ysiicians cians and a dean of a medical medical s chool cho ol 80 holders holde rs of o f publi pu blicc off o ffiice 3 Uni United ted States Senators
1 Vice Presi Pres ident de nt of the th e United States Stat es 1 compt comptrol rolller of the th e United States Treasury reas ury The spiritual seeds planted in the hearts of the Edwards' children would blossom into a family tree producing spiritual fruit. Is it possible that families today can begin planting a family tree that will produce children and grandchildren who will carry on a spiritual legacy? As we will see, the legacy can actual actua lly begi beg in before the child child is bor bo rn. The blessing begins in the loins
As Hebrews 7:8-10 indicates, actions taken by a father years before his children are born can impact those children. Paul wrote about Abraham, God's covenant man, and Melchis Melchis edec, ede c, the first first king and pries priestt in Jerus Jerus alem alem:: "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may may so say, Levi also, who receiveth eceivet h tithes, ti thes, paid pai d tithe ti thess in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father; when Melchisedec Melch isedec met him." him."
The entire story of Abraham paying tithes unfolds in Genesis chapter 14. Abraham had returned from a battle and traveled to Salem (which was later called Jerusalem) to meet with Melchis Melchis edec. ede c. This This mys teriou teriouss figu figure re was was the th e first first king and pries priestt of Go d. A b raham gav ga v e one on e tent te nth h of the th e s poi po il (a ti t ithe) th e) in appreciation for God giving him victory during the battle (Gen (Genes esiis 14:20). Paying Paying tithes is noth no thiing uni un ique, qu e, but to t o say s ay that t hat
Levi was paying tithes in Abraham's loins when Levi was not yet bor bo rn is s tretching tretching things ... ... or is is it? The secret se cret is in the the seed see d
To underst un derstand and thi t hiss concept, con cept, we we mus mus t underst un derstand and how h ow God God views the seed and the power of the covenant. When God made a covenant with Abraham, He promised to bless Abraham's seed (Genesis 12:3, 13:15, 15:3, 16:10, 17:7, 17:10). The term seed refers to Abraham's children. Why does God place s o much uc h emph emphas asiis on the th e s eed? eed ? He doe d oess s o becau be causs e the th e evidence that a Hebrew child was in covenant with God was the act of circumcision. On the eighth day in the life of a Hebrew male child, the foreskin of his flesh was circumcised (Genesis 17:12). This physical act leaves a small scar on the flesh as a visible reminder of the covenant, in the same fashion that crucif crucifiixion s cars on the body bo dy of Jesus Jesu s are are a remi eminder nd er of the new covenant he instituted through his suffering. It is interesting to note that Jesus appeared to his disciples and revealed these scars eight days after his resurrection (John 20:26-27). When the Hebrew son marries, the seed from his loins must pass through the area of his body marked by the act o circumcision. Therefore, the seed is blessed before the child is ever physically conceived! This brings up the concept of how God views a child. In our age of abortion, many do not believe that life begins until the child is birthed and breathing on its own. Yet, God marks a child before it is conceived in the womb. God told Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and an d bef b efor oree thou tho u cam ca mest forth forth out ou t of the wom wo mb I sanctif sancti fied
thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). David said, "Thou art my God from my mother's belly" (Psalms 22:10). The Bible says, "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward" (Psalms 127:3). Both John and Jesus were given names by an angel of the Lord prior to being conceived in the womb (Luke 1:13 and 31).
If God knows your children before they are born, and the seed is marked before conception takes place, then we know why the writer of Hebrews taught that Abraham was paying tithes for Levi while Levi was still in Abraham's loins. Abraham' Abraham's s eed was Isaac, Is Is aac's aac's s eed was Jacob, and one o Jacob's sons was Levi whose son, a Levite, became the priest who received tithes tith es fro fro m the th e peo p eople ple (Neh (Nehem emiiah 10: 10:38). 8). The blood of a child originates from the father's seed; therefore, God placed emphasis on the seed of the man produ pro ducing cing the t he chil c hild. d. Thi Th is is why the t he Book oo k of Gen Genes esiis s peaks pe aks o the fathers, not the mothers, begetting the sons. In a Hebrew genealogy, women are seldom listed. This is because the man bore bo re the th e phys ph ys ical mark of the th e cove co vena nant nt and an d his s eed was bless bles s ed before b efore it it ente en tered red int into o the t he woman woman!! In God's sight, what a man does with his body is very important. Entire generations are cursed through drug addiction ad diction,, alcohol, alcoh ol, porno po rnograp graphy, hy, and an d wicked wicked im imagi ag ination na tionss . Yet, et , if a curs curs e can be pas s ed on to the th e thir third and fourth generations generations , the blessings, as we will show you, can also transfer from father to s on. Abraham: the beginning of the covenant
The roots of our spiritual heritage begin with Abraham. This ancient patriarch was a friend of God and was chosen as God's covenant man (Isaiah 41:8). This early nomad left the comfort of his community, separated himself from relatives, and ourneyed by faith into the Promised Land. Being childless, Abraham discovered God's plan to form a new nation through Abraham's children who were not yet born! God promised Abraham, "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing" (Genesis (Genesis 12:2). Abraham received this promise of a son at age seventyfive, but he was one hundred years old when Isaac was born. Abraham waited twenty-five years for God to fulfill His Word. Most folks would have given up, but Abraham counted God faithful to perform the promise (Romans 4:3). After entering into the covenant, blessings followed Abraham. He was very rich in cattle, silver, and gold (Genesis 13:2). God gave him the land everywhere his feet walked! Before Abraham's death, he sought a bride for his son, Isaac. Abraham Ab raham s ent his s ervant, ervan t, El Eleazar eazar,, to Syria Syria to t o find find Isaac Isaa c a wife. wife. Eleazar's caravan included ten camels loaded with gold, silver, and jewels to give to the father of the future bride (Genesis 24:10). Abraham's servant confessed, "The Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels and asses" (Genesis 24:35). Eleazar eazar als als o revealed that th at Abraha A braham m had ha d gi g iven to Is aac "all that he had" (Gen (Genes es is 24:3 24:36). 6).
Second generation blessing After Abr Ab raham's aham's death, deat h, his his s on Isaac Is aac recei received ved not no t onl on ly the th e wealth ealth of Abr Ab raham, aham, but an addi add ition tional al measure eas ure of the covenan cov enantt bless bles s ing as well well. In the th e time time o f A braham brah am,, a fami famine s truck truc k the th e Promised Land and Abraham was forced to live in Egypt (Gen (Genes esiis 12: 12:10). 10). Anot An othe herr great fami famine came came in the t he time time of o f Is Is aac, aac , but bu t the th e bless bles s in g on Isaac Isa ac was at a higher high er level. ev el. Inste Ins tead ad o goi go ing to Egypt gy pt,, Is Is aac sowed s owed in the ti t ime of fami famine and received one hundred fold (Genesis 26:12). It is impossible to obtain a harvest in a famine unless God's special favor is with you. We also read, "And the man (Isaac) waxed great, and went orward, orward, and grew grew until un til he h e becam beca me very great great"" (Genesis 26:13). Abraham, the first-generation covenant man, was unable to receive a harvest in famine. His son, Isaac, was not only able, but bu t received back ba ck one on e hund hu ndred red times times the th e seed s eed he had h ad pl p lante an ted! d! When we are in covenant with God, if our children serve the Lord they should experience additional blessings from the Lord, since the level of blessing should increase with each generation. Isaac was blessed, and his blessings were transf trans ferred erred to hi h is s on, on , Jacob.
Transfer ransfer to the third third generati generation on As the time of Isaac's departure drew near, he spoke a s pecial blessi bless ing upon up on Jacob. Es Es au, the th e fir firs tbor tbo rn, was ex e xpecti pect ing to receive eceive the t he dou d oubl blee por po rtion tion bles blesss ing promi promis ed to t o the t he fir firs tbor tbo rn son (Deuteronomy 21:17). Instead, Jacob pretended to be Esau and tricked his father in order to receive Esau's blessing. The Bible ble records records the words of Is Is aac's bl b less es s ing on Jacob: "Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fat fatne ness ss o f the th e earth ea rth,, and an d plen pl enty ty o f corn co rn and an d wine wi ne.. Let peop pe ople le serve thee, th ee, and a nd nati na tion onss bow b ow down do wn to thee: th ee: be b e lor l ord d over thy br b rethren, ethren, and let thy th y mother's sons sons bow b ow down to thee: cursed be everyone that curseth thee, and blessed be he that tha t blesseth thee." thee."
(Genesis 27:28-29) Esau, Jacob's brother, was angry because Jacob took his birth birthri righ ghtt and an d his b less es s ing (Gen (Genes esiis 27:3 7:36). Leavi eav ing Isaac's Isa ac's wealth behind, Jacob fled for his life and settled in Assyria, oining the work force on his uncle's farm. Jacob was hired as a herdsman and worked for Uncle Laban for twenty years (Genesis 31:41). During this time, Laban changed Jacob's wages ten times (Genesis 31:7). Despite Laban's mistreatment of Jacob, Jacob, God God began to bless bless everyth everythiing Jacob Jacob touched. tou ched. Jacob Jacob recognized this blessing when he rebuked Laban saying, "For it was wa s little littl e which thou tho u hadst ha dst before before I came, and an d it is i s increased increased unto a multitude; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house
also" (Genesis 30:30). Even Laban admitted that God had bless bles s ed his farm farm beca b ecaus us e a bless bles s ing foll follo wed Jacob Jaco b (Gen (Genes esiis 30:27).
After twent twenty y years y ears of o f hard hard work, work, Jacob Jacob took too k his his two wi wives , children, children, and an d floc flock ks , and returned to the th e Prom Promiis ed Land an d to t o meet meet Esau. Jacob was uncertain of the reception he would receive. Would his brother, who had sought to kill him twenty years earli earlier, er, forgive forgive Jacob, Jacob , or was was he planni plann ing a secret s ecret attack at tack agai aga ins t him? For security purposes, Jacob divided his family into two groups and crossed the Jordan River, coming face to face with his twin (Genesis chapter 33). After a tearful reunion, Jacob offered Esau a special gift o choice animals from his abundant flock. Esau responded, "Keep it brother, I have enough" (Genesis 33:9). Jacob demanded that he accept the gift, confessing, "Take my blessing that is brought to thee ... because I have enough" (Genesis 33:11). Remember that when Jacob left his family he had nothing. Twenty ent y year yea rs later, ater, he had s uch abu a bund ndance ance that th at he tr t ried to give give some of it away. Esau, on the other hand, was so blessed that he didn't have room enough to receive the blessing. What broug bro ught ht s uch uc h abun ab unda danc ncee in the th e lives ve s of thes th esee des de s cenda cen dant ntss o Abr Ab raham? aham? In Jacob' Jacob 's case, cas e, the ans a nsw wer is is threefold: threefold: Jacob worked hard, regardless of the circumstances (Gen (Genes es is 31:4 31:40) 0).. Jacob was loyal to his assignment, even when he was mistreated (Genesis 31:7). Jacob was under a special covenant blessing from his father fath er (Gen (Genes es is 27: 27:27). 27).
These same three principles — hard work, loyalty to the vision, and walking in a covenant relationship with God — can release God's favor in your life. Jacob had an obsession with his dream. He wanted Rachel for his wife, and this desire becam be camee h is moti ot ivation va tion.. You may have ha ve a g odl od ly heri he rita tage ge,, but bu t God cannot bless the hands of a lazy person who does not cons con s is tently ten tly foll follow ow a dream, dream, a vision, or the purpo p urposs es of God God.. Those he worked for recognized the blessings God had placed upon up on Jacob. Jaco b. Laban ab an reali realized, ed , "The Lord hath blessed me or thy sake" (Genesis 30:27). Laban knew he had little when Jacob arrived, but twenty years later God had blessed the hard work of Jacob and now both Laban and Jacob were enjoying the th e fruits fruits of Jacob's Jacob 's labor. labor. Jacob's wives , Leah Leah and an d Rachel, Rachel, conf con fess es s ed that t hat their father had spent the daughters' inheritance and left them with nothing. Laban had "devoured their money" (Genesis 31:15). The wives realized that God's blessings were with Jacob, so they departed from their father's house and journeyed to the Promised Land with little concern for the personal inheritance that they would never receive. The blessings on Jacob were so great that th at Dad's inheri nh eritanc tancee was now no w ins insiigni gn ificant. cant . A nati nati on forms forms wi thin the fourth fourth gene g eneration ration
Seventy souls came from the loins of Jacob (Exodus 15). These seventy included his twelve sons, their children, and grandchi grandch ildren. The The tw t welve elve s ons on s of Jacob were were call called the t he "s " s ons on s of Jacob" and eventually the "children of Israel" (Exodus 1:l). This large family became the nation of Israel. After spending four hundred years in Egypt, the children of Israel departed
from their captivity with 600,000 men (Exodus 12:37). Including the women, children, and the mixed multitude, some scholars estimate that three million Hebrews eventually entered the Prom Promiis ed Land an d forty years ye ars later at er.. Is rael was an invincibl invinciblee nati nat ion hedged hed ged in and an d pr p rotected ote cted by the hand of God. Whenever Israel was in trouble, they could remind God of His covenant and God would defeat their enemies. The only time their prayers were unanswered or their defeat certain was when they sinned against God or broke the words of the coven cov enant ant (Jos (Jos hua hu a 7: 7:1-20 -20). 4,000 4,00 0 years years later later the the bles bles s ings contin continue ue
Although many Jewish people who live in Israel today consider themselves atheists, agnostics, or secular Jews, there is a clear blessing on the land of Israel and great financial bless bles s ing upon up on many an y Hebrew peop peo p le. Whil W hilee man many y non-rel no n-reliigious giou s Jews refuse to acknowledge God's hand in their lives, many Christians reject the notion that the Lord would bless anyone who has not received eceived the t he new covenant. Modern blessings trace back to the covenants God made with Abraham and King David. God's favor on the land o Israel was promised to Abraham and his seed (Genesis 12:7). The blessing of Israel ruling the nations and controlling Jerusalem was promised to King David in the form of a covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-14). God told David that if his descendants departed from the covenant He would chastise them but that his "mercy shall not depart away" (2 Samuel 7:15). 15). God God remains remains faith faithful ful to His His Word. The Th e A lmighty gh ty declar de clared ed::
"My "M y covenant will I not I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone go ne out o ut of my of my lips."
(Psalms 89:34) The modern blessings upon the land, the field, and the citi cities es of Is Is rael are being being releas eleased ed becaus becau s e of o f words words God s pok po ke to Abraham. As strange as is it seems, sinners who are not honoring the salvation covenant can still see their works bless bles s ed becau be causs e the t hey y are the t he b lood oo d lin e of o f so s o meone eo ne who has ha s a covenant with God. I know of one man who makes no profes pro fesss ion of Chris hris tianity, but bu t he d eman emands ds that th at h is wife wife pay pa y tithe each week from his income. He acknowledges that he knows where the blessings are coming from, and although he has not accepted Christ, he recognizes that aspect of the covenant. I realize this goes against the traditional theology of most Christians, but God is true to His covenant. This is why, after almost two thousand years of persecution, the nation of Israel is one of the greatest nations on earth. God has a preplanned purpo pu rposs e for Israel Israe l, and an d he bless bles s es the th e land an d and an d the th e peop pe oplle in preparation prep aration for fo r fulfi fulfillment en t of o f His His prom pro mis es to the th e proph pro phet etss . God wil will recogniz recog nizee the th e aspec as pectt of o f His coven co venan antt that th at is bei b eing ng acted acte d upo u pon. n. Years Years ago, ag o, a femal femalee mi minister nist er was was havi hav ing great resul resu lts when he n prayi p raying ng for the th e si s ick. Yet, becaus bec aus e of o f her denominational training, she did not believe certain gifts of the Spirit were operating in the church today. A minister asked me how she was experiencing these miracles while teaching that certain gifts had ceased. I told him it was because the woman had a revelation on the authority in Jesus' name and a faith to bel be lieve ev e God would heal he al the th e s ick. God hono ho nored red her he r
understanding of the healing revelation in the covenant, although she fell short of understanding other important covenant truths truths.. Some churches have a powerful ability to bring souls to Christ but never teach on the Holy Spirit and the power of God. Yet, God God bless bles s es the th e congrega con gregation tion with with man many y conv co nversions ersions . God will always confirm His Word and will bless you in the level o revelati evelation on that th at you understand u nderstand and act upon. up on. God made a covenant of prosperity with Israel (Deuteronomy 29:9). He included a covenant of healing (Exodus 15:26) and a covenant of redemption (Exodus 13:1315). Many Jewish people walk in prosperity but have no knowledge of a redemptive and healing covenant. Israel has some of the greatest technology, military weapons, and computer development on earth. It is not because they are more intelligent, but because the descendants of Abraham carry carry the t he DNA DNA of a coven cov enant ant in their t heir heritag heritage! e! If God still honors His Word to natural Israel, how much more can He bless the seed of those who walk in the new covenant! "He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he command commanded ed to a thousand tho usand generations." g enerations."
(Psalms 105:8)
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The DNA of a Covenant "And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it."
(Nehemiah 9:38) A test developed in 1997 by an American geneticist resulted in a recent astonishing discovery. A number of Jewish men living in Israel had the test conducted, proving that they were from the lineage of the ancient Hebrew priesthood. Genetici en eticiss ts began be gan s tudy tu dyiing vari va riations ations in the th e Y chrom ch romos os ome ome o 306 Jewi Jewis h men fro fro m Israel Is rael,, Can Canad ada, a, and an d Engl ng land, an d, includi includ ing 106 106 self-identified Cohanim. The Hebrew priesthood came through Levi, the father o the Levites. The Levites were appointed priests who ministered in the tabernacle of Moses, the Temple of Solomon, and Herod's Temple. When Herod's Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., the Jews were scattered throughout the nations. This resul esu lted in the ces s ation ation and dis dis persion persion of the Levi Levites tes and the pries priests ts . For centu cen turi ries es,, it was onl on ly b y their th eir nam na mes that th at Jewis Jewis h peop pe oplle could co uld as s ume ume they th ey were in in the t he pri p ries estly tly li lin eage. eag e. The Hebrew word for priests is Cohanim. If a Jewish perso pe rson n h as the th e s urnam urn amee Levi ev i, Levee, ev ee, or Levi ev in, it indi nd icates cat es a connection to the tribe of Levi. If their surnames are Cohen, Kahn, Kane, or a similar variation, the name indicates a connection to the ancient priest, although not all men with such surnames are Cohanim. David Goldstein reported that o seventeen Cohanim in Israel who were tested, thirteen carry
this priestly gene. Re-searchers have tested three thousand men from a tribe in India and another group in Africa and have found ou nd that t hat s everal men in in each group car c arrry the th e gene. gen e. Scientists have broken many of the human genetic codes. They have discovered that all men are related and have one original mother. The Bible was the first to confirm this when it stated that Eve was the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20). As stated, research has also revealed that there is a priestly gene that is lock locked ed into into the bl b lood of thos e who who are are true descendants des cendants of Aaron, Aaron , the th e fi first pri p ries est. t.
The DNA of God Certain men may carry a priestly gene, but only one man, Jesus Christ, carried the DNA of God. Christ was conceived o the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Christ had no earthly earthly father; therefore, therefore, the s eed within within Mary was was the s eed of God's Word (John 1:l-4). Since a child's blood can come only through throug h the t he s eed of o f a man, man, and Chris hris t had h ad no n o earthly father father,, the blood bloo d in Chris hris t came came from from His His Heavenly Heave nly Father Fath er.. W hen he n Jesus Jes us bega be gan n His His ministry nis try,, He s aid, "I do nothing of myself but as my ather hath taught me, I speak these things" (John 8:28). He also revealed, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9). Jesus walked, talked, and acted in the perfect will of God, because Christ carried His Father's genes! Jesus was called the "Son of God," not just in name, but by His very nature (Luke 1:35). When Abraham cut covenant with God, he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin and the flesh of every male child born in his house (Genesis 17:23). When we enter the new covenant, we accept the sacrifice of Christ's suffering and, by faith, receive the forgiveness of our sins by His blood. The flesh o Chris hris t was was cut s o that th at we coul cou ld be gr g rafted afted into the th e covenan cov enant. t. It It is His blood that cleanses from all sin (1John 1:7). It is as though we were dying with a blood disease and we received a blood bloo d trans tran s fusi fus ion! on ! Paul Pau l wrote wrote,, "If any man is in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are are become be come new" (2 (2 Corinthians 5:17). The phrase new creature creation. n. God's life through Christ makes us new. means new creatio
We have the DNA of Christ
When we repent we are "born again" (John 3:3). We enter a covenan cov enantt wi with God God throug t hrough h Jesus Jes us Chris hris t. Just as Christ was formed within Mary by the Father, we also become a new creation through Christ (2 Co rin rin thi th ians an s 5:17 5:17). ). As Chris hris t carr c arriied the th e nam n amee and an d natu n ature re of Hi His Father Fathe r, we we carry the t he nam na me and an d natu na ture re of Chri Chriss t (John (Joh n 14: 14: 13-16 -16). As Chris hris t was the t he bego b egotten tten Son of God God,, we we becom beco me the th e sons of God through spiritual adoption (Romans 8:1416). When Christ began healing, delivering, and forgiving, He was fulfilling God's plan for man. By accepting Christ, we receive God's plan for us. Eventually, everything begins to change. Our conversat con versatiion changes chan ges from profani profanity ty to preaching preaching.. Our Our attitud attitudee changes from anger to appreciation. Our lifestyle changes from pride pride to h umi umility, from from s elf-cen elf-cente teredn rednes esss to s ervant erva ntho hood od.. People who knew us before our conversion often can't understand the changes they see. The old nature is dead due to a transformation in our spiritual DNA (Romans 6:6). The inward trans form formation has h as becom be comee an outwar ou tward d lifest lifestyle. yle. Just as the blood contains DNA that can be traced and examined, the blood of Christ contains something very special. When we receive His blood by faith, it has power to forgive from sin (Ephesians 1:7), purge our conscience (Hebrews 9:14), and save us from wrath (Romans 5:9). It is no surprise that the
bloo d of the Bible teaches teach es that th at we overcom ove rcomee the th e enem ene my "By the blood amb (Christ) and by the word of our testimony" (Revelation 12:11).
The DNA of a Covenant Just as DNA is imprinted in the blood, there is a DNA patt pa ttern ern found fou nd in the th e cove co vena nant nt.. A pers pe rson on canno can nott chan ch ange ge the th e genetic patterns locked in their blood. They are handed down from generation to generation. Even certain diseases passed down are called genetic diseases. God's covenant with Abraham was sealed in the blood of circumcision (Genesis 17:11), and the new covenant was sealed in the blood of Christ (Eph (Ephes esiians 1:13). The wri written tte n Word Word of God God is the th e legal oath oat h that th at activates the covenant, the blood is the token (sign), and the Bible is the legal document that connects God to His promises. We must understand that, when experiencing any Biblical covenant promise, it is as real as the law of gravity. If I jump fro fro m a tree t ree or o r a buil b uilding ding,, I wi will always always fall fall downwar down ward. d. I can't ca n't s ee gravity gravity but bu t it it is is there. When we believe and begin to act upon the Word of God, certain spiritual laws are activated. There is a "law of the spirit of life" (Romans 8:2), a "law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2), and a "law of faith" (Romans 3:27). If I pray in faith, nothing wavering, God will hear and answer my prayer (James 1:6). These spiritual laws are eternally engraved in what I call the DNA of the coven co venant. ant. If we have hav e a need n eed and an d pr p ray accor acco rding ding to God's will, He shall "Supply all my need according to his riches in glory glo ry by Christ Jesus" Jesus" (Philippians (Philippians 4: 19). Just as the genes of the human body set in motion the formation of the body, bo dy, the th e DNA DNA of the th e cov c oven enan antt s ets et s in moti ot ion the th e format formatiion o a new ne w natu na ture re and a new n ew creat creatiion in Chri Chriss t. A child's blood contains certain genetic features that are
linked to the seed of the father, and the proper blood test can reveal revea l the th e li lin k. You woul wou ld nev n ever er kno know w who is the t he s p iritu ritual al father of some so-called Christians based on their character and walk. Scripture indicates that a person who receives Christ also receives a radical transformation. A person whose life has been be en chan ch ang g ed by the th e new ne w cov c oven enan antt wil will hav h avee visi vis ible marks arks o that th at chang ch ange. e. It It is is all all a part pa rt of the th e new creat creatiion proces proce s s . Your ou r conversation, thinking, attitude, actions, and manner o condu con duct ct take on the t he nature na ture of your yo ur new Father! In summary: The Bible is a covenant book containing both the old and new covenants covenants.. Both covenants were sealed in blood, the old in the blood bloo d of circu circum mcision and an d the th e new ne w in the th e blood bloo d o Christ. We enter the new covenant by repenting of our sins and accepting accep ting Chri Chriss t as our ou r Savior Savior.. The effect of our covenant relationship begins a total transfor trans form mation of o f our ou r s piri pirit, sou s oull, and bod b ody y. I call the transforming effects of our relationship with God the th e "DN " DNA A of a coven cov enant ant." ."
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Unusual Examples of Generational Blessings "For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and an d for for my my servant David's sak e."
(Isaiah (Is aiah 37:3 37:35) 5) It is rare for anyone to escape death twice, but Jarrod
Skel Skelton ton has beaten beat en the th e odds od ds . Several Several years ago, ago , Jarr Jarrod od was in a serious motorcycle accident. As he hung between life and death, death , interces intercesss ion was made and he recover ecov ered. ed. Mor Mo re recently recently, Jarrod and his brother-in-law were thrown from a boat while fishing. The boat's motor continued to run as the men were in the th e mi middl dd le of o f a large large lake. lake. Jarrod's Jarrod's brother-i brot her-in-l n-law aw was was cut by the th e motor oto r and dr d rowned. Wear Weariing heavy heav y clothing and an d boo b oots ts,, Jar Jarrrod expected that he would be next. As he went under, God miraculou raculouss ly s pared his life whe when n a Chri Chriss tian coup co uplle looking looking for a fishing spot pulled him from the waters. Everyone knew it was a mi miracle. I recen recently tly tol to ld hi h im, "One of o f the reason reas onss you yo u are stil s tilll here is is becau be causs e you yo u have ha ve s everal ev eral gene ge nerations rations of prayer pray er warri warriors ors in y o u r fami family. From From an in fant, fan t, fami family memb emb ers cal ca lled y o u r nam na me in prayer pray er and an d ask as ked Go d to prote pro tect ct y ou. ou . Thos Th os e prayers pray ers that th at were were s tored in heaven heav en cam ca me up before before God God when death deat h was s talk talking you!"
You should have been dead Several times times my life has been bee n s pared pa red from from death dea th,, and onl on ly later did I discover that someone was praying for me at the very moment that I needed divine intervention. Those who carry your blood and your name should understand the influen nfluence ce a true bel b eliiever can have hav e throug t hrough h prayer. prayer. It It is pos po s s ible ble that you and I would have been dead a long time ago had covenant prayers not been planted in the heavenly Temple before be fore the th e thron th ronee of Go d. The Bible s peaks pe aks of putt pu ttiing God in remembrance (Isaiah 43:26), and of how God remembers His covenant (Leviticus 26:42). When the Israelites were in danger or in bondage and cried out to the Lord, He remembered His prom pro mis es to their th eir forefathers forefath ers and a nd del de livered ve red them th em (Ex (Exodus od us 2:24). 24). God's mercy upon a covenant man's household is clearly demonstrated in the family of King David. God gave David a prom pro mis e for his future fut ure son s onss : "If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne forevermore."
(Psalms 132: 11-12) David understood the nature of a covenant. In fact, he would never counterattack King Saul's assassination attempts becau be causs e David had ha d a cove co ven n ant an t with with Saul's Saul's s on, on , Jonat Jon atha han n (1 Samu Samu el 18: 18:3). 3). Yea Years rs later late r, Davi Dav id s inned inn ed miserab ise rablly b y com co mmitti tt in g adultery with Bathsheba and conspiring to have her husband,
Uriah, killed in battle (2 Samuel 11 :15). Although David repented, the murder of Uriah brought a sword of judgement agains ag ainstt Davi Dav id and a nd his s ons on s (2 Samue Samuell 12:9 2:9-10 -10). God was merci merciful ful to David David becau b ecauss e he h e knew how to repent and he had h ad a coven co venan antt with with God. od . Yet, si s in has h as a price. price. David's David's affair with Bathsheba opened the door for the enemy to attack his seed. It seems that the sin of David affected his sons. Adonijah induced a family feud (1 Kings 2); Amnon raped his half sister (2 Samuel 13); and Absalom, the "hippie" in the family, started a rebellion (2 Samuel 13). Despite the failures in the family, God's love for David birth birthed ed a s pecial pe cial bless bles s ing for future fut ure gene ge neration rationss . After A fter Davi Dav id 's death, his son, Solomon, reigned for forty years (2 Chronicles 9:30). Solomon's son, Rehoboam, split the kingdom of Israel and trouble trou ble began beg an brewing brewing amon among g the th e tr t ribes (2 Chron Chroniicles cles 10:l19). The faithfulness of God to His covenant and His word can be s een in the t he live livess of ki kings ng s who followed followed Davi Dav id: King Abijam (1 Kings chapter 15)
This descendant of David ruled eighty-six years after David's death. The writer tells us that his heart was not perf pe rfect ect as David his father fath er (I King Kingss 5:3 5:3). Normall Normally y, God would bring a form of judgement against the king, but we read these amazing words: "Nevertheless for David's sake did the Lord his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem to set up his son af a fter him, and to establish Jerusalem" Jerusalem" (1 (1 Kings 15:4). King J ehoram (2 King Kingss chapter chapter 8) 8)
About 186 years after David's departure, another descendant of David married the daughter of Ahab (2 King Kingss 8:18). He turned turne d wicked wicked and an d God God could co uld have h ave poured po ured out His wrath upon him, but the Bible says, "Yet, the Lord would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him always a light, and to his children" (2 Kings 8:19). Notice the king was spared, not becau be causs e he was worthy of a bless bles s ing, ng , but bu t becau be causs e God was keeping a prom p romiis e he had h ad made made to David! David! King Hezek ezekiah iah (2 (2 Kings 18-20) 18 -20)
Over 313 years later, the descendants of King David were still sitting on the throne of David. King Hezekiah was sick unto death and began to plead with God to be healed. God gave the king this word: " ... Thus saith the Lord, Lord, the th e God of David Davi d thy th y fathe at herr, I h ave av e hea he a rd thy th y prayer pra yer.. ...beh .behol old, d, I will wi ll heal he al thee... th ee... and an d I will wi ll deli de liver ver thee th ee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will wil l defend defend this t his city for mine own o wn sak e, and an d for for my my servan servant t David' Davi d'ss sak e" (2 (2 Kin Kin g s 205205-6) 6).. Imagine, 313 years later David's bones had rotted in the th e tom t omb; b; yet, ye t, God God was s till till keepi eep ing His Word Word to t o Davi Dav id. In light of these incidents we should highlight the following poi po ints nt s : In each situation, the disobedient kings could have fall fallen unde un derr God God's 's judge ud gem ment. en t.
In each situation, God restrained His judgement and wrath upo u pon n the th e ki kings ng s . In each situation, God spared the king for His servant David's sake. It is not what you deserve; it is the covenant of God
David's descendants received favor and protection, despite their moral and spiritual failures. It was not because they deser des erved ved it, but becaus b ecausee they were ere the s eed of Davi David d and an d carried his DNA. When your children rebel against God, the only only s ource of protection protection they t hey have h ave is is to be b e under und er your you r hedge. hedg e. In the Book of Job, his sons and daughters were protected by an invisible hedge created as Job continually offered animal sacrifices on the altar on their behalf (Job 1:5). Under the new covenant, our protection comes when we speak the Word o God over our family and claim God's promises with the confession of our mouth (Romans 10:10). Your ou r children children who are outs ou tsiide of o f the th e coven cov enant ant may have h ave been be en prote pro tect cted ed from from dang da nger er and an d deat de ath h becau be causs e of your yo ur prayers pray ers,, you y ourr hed h edge ge,, and a nd your yo ur com co mmitmen tmentt to God. od . They Th ey were were not no t "l " lucky" that the car didn didn''t s lide off the bridg bridgee into into the river; they were ere protected by b y your you r prayer prayerss ! I believe that when children carry your seed, have your blood bloo d type ty pe,, and an d are called called by you yo u r nam n ame, e, God can and an d wil will be be merciful erciful to them th em for your you r sake. When Whe n the t he s eed of Abr Ab raham ah am was in Egypt, the Hebrews cried out to God by reason of their affl affliction, and an d God God remem remembe berred His His coven co venant ant and an d broug b rought ht them th em out of bondage (Exodus 2:24). When the seed of Abraham bega be gan n worshiping wors hiping a gol go lden de n calf c alf in the t he wil wildernes de rnes s , the A lmighty gh ty
set out to destroy them, until Moses began to remind God o His covenant. Moses said "Remember Abraham, Isaac, and srael, srae l, thy th y servant serva nts". s". The Bible reveals, "And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people" (Exodus 32:13-14). Israel deserved to die, but God remembered His covenant co venant and an d stopp s topped ed pos s ible ble destr dest ruction. uction. In the time of Abraham, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were exceedingly wicked. Before God destroyed the cities, He spoke with his covenant partner, Abraham (Genesis 18: 16-33). After Abraham's intercession, his nephew, Lot, was rescued before be fore the t he des de s truction truc tion of th t h e ci c ity (Gen (Genes esiis 19:l-30) -30).. It was Lot's ot 's choi cho ice to t o live in Sodom Sodo m (Gene (Geness is 13:12); yet, ye t, becau be causs e Lot Lot was a blood bloo d relat relatiiv e of A braham brah am,, Go d was u nder nd er a cov co v enan en antt obligation to inform Abraham of His plans. God said, "Shall I hide from Abraha Abraham m that thing th ing which I do?" (Gen (Genes es is 18: 18: 17) 17) Since Since God's od 's coven co venant ant is bas ed upon up on His Word, and He wil will not no t chang ch angee His His word or alter alter the thi th ing that tha t has ha s come come out ou t of his his mouth, we can have complete confidence in the Bible, God's covenant manual. God requires that we be obedient to His Word if we are to enjoy the benefits of His covenant (John 15:7). Moses and Abraham reminded God of His covenant when trouble was brewing. Today, believers continue to intercede for their loved ones, thus aborting the assignments of Satan Satan.. Stopping a robbery with a covenant prayer
Missionary Kelvin McDaniel has told this story many times with tears flowing down his face. As a young teenager, Kelvin rebelled against his Christian family and ran away from
his h ome ome in Bess Bes s emer emer,, Alabam Alab ama. a. W hile hile in Flori Florida da,, he met s ome ome you y oung ng men who invi nv ited him to New York Ci City. Often Often liv ing in a stran s trange ger' r'ss apartm ap artmen entt or o r on the street, Kelvin always knew he had a mother and father who continuall con tinually y prayed for him him. One November evening, Kelvin was suddenly cornered in an alley while two strong men attempted to rob him. Pinned to the wall with a knife to his throat, Kelvin feared he would beco be com me anot an othe herr New York crim crime s tatis ta tistic. tic. Am A mazi azingl ng ly, he woul wou ld later learn that at that very moment, a minister was at his mother's home in Alabama saying, "God is showing me Kelvin's life is in danger. We must pray now!" At the very moment intercession was being made in Alabama, the man holding the knife suddenly turned and punched his partner in the face with his fist. Kelvin said, "It was as though a spirit o confusion fell upon the would be robbers." Screaming at his partne pa rtnerr, the th e atta at tacker cker dropp dro pped ed h is knife nife o n the th e groun gro und d and an d Kelvin sprinted full speed out of the alley and into the street withou th outt looking looking back ba ck.. He later later dis dis covered cov ered that th at a mi minis nis ter about abo ut a thou th ouss and miles away away was demand demandiing that tha t an attack of Satan be b e hal h alted. ted. Duri During that special prayer back in Alabama, the Holy Spirit spoke a word through the minister that Kelvin would be protected and would return home to Alabama. The Spirit also revealed that Kelvin would take the Gospel to the nations of the world. Many years have passed, but today Kelvin McDaniel is a mis s ionary on ary evang ev angel eliis t, mi ministeri nist ering ng to crowds of up u p to 50,00 ,000. God protected Kelvin because his parents were obedient to intercede and claim the covenant promises of family salvation (Acts 16:31).
Stopping a car accident with a covenant prayer
Years ago a go,, my father fath er was in deep prayer whe when n sud s udden denlly he he saw a full color vision of a fatal automobile accident. In the vision, a huge coal truck slammed into a vehicle, killing the two pas pa s s enge en gers. rs. The Holy Holy Spiri Spirit impres s ed Dad that th at the th e acci acc ident de nt would involve his half brother Morgan, who lived in West Virginia. rginia. Dad Dad atte at tem mpted pt ed to call Morgan Mo rgan and an d warn hi h im of the th e impending danger, but he didn't answer the phone. The only immediate solution was to stand in the gap in prayer (Ezekiel 22:30). Dad went next door to the church and began one hour o intense, travailing prayer for the protection of Morgan. Toward the conclusion of the hour, the Holy Spirit spoke to Dad and s aid, aid, "Y " You are ask as king me to t o protect prot ect one on e who has willfull fully turned away from me and refuses to serve me." Dad began to seek God and beg the Lord for Morgan's protection. The Holy Spirit impressed my father that if he would ask for an angel to prote pro tect ct Morgan Mo rgan,, that th at God woul wou ld perm pe rmiit it b ecaus eca us e Dad had ha d a covenan cov enantt with with God. od . Dad prayed for angelic protection. Later that evening, Dad spoke to Morgan on the phone. Morgan said that earlier he and his buddy were driving across a mountain, and an elderly couple who lived across the street from Morgan was following them. Morgan suddenly felt the urge to pull over and stop at a small restaurant. The elderly couple passed them and ourneyed on down the road. Morgan spent a few moments in the restaurant, then headed back to the truck and on toward their des tinat tinatiion. on . When he turned a corner, Morgan was shocked to
discover that a huge coal truck had hit the elderly couple and killed them th em both bo th!! Deat Death h was lurking urking on the th e West Wes t Vi Virginia rginia roads road s calling for the name of Morgan Ball, but the angel of the Lord interrupted the assignment and preserved the brother of a minister who had a covenant with God! It is interesting to note that th at it was was Morgan Mo rgan who, who , as a teen t eenage agerr, led led my my father fath er to Chri Chriss t.
Instructions under the new covenant Under the old covenant, men would approach God by s aying, "In the th e nam na me of o f the God God of Abr Ab raham, aham, Is Is aac, and Jacob" (Exodus 3:6,15-16). It was taught that since Abraham was the father of the covenant, to pray in his name captured God's attention. Later, the Hebrew nation would approach God at the Temple through the priesthood and by means of blood sacrifices. Under the new covenant, men approach God in the name of Jes Jesus us,, God's God's covenant covenan t Son. Jesu Jesuss s aid aid "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you" (John 16:23). Jesus is now our high priest; therefore, we offer the sacrifices of praise and prayer before Him continually (Hebrews 13:15). Our words words ascen as cend d into the th e Tem Temple ple of God God in heav h eaven en.. When Wh en we pray we we are to: Petition the Heavenly Father (John 16:23). Petition the Father in the name of Jesus His Son (John 16:23). Petition in faith believing (James 1:6-8). Give thanks before the answer comes (Philippians 4:6). The early patriarchs released the blessing though the power po wer of their th eir words and an d prayers pray ers.. We also releas releas e bless bles s ings ng s though our words and prayers. Ancient covenant men released
the authority of the blessing through the laying on of hands. Likewise, we can release spiritual blessings through the laying on of hands han ds.. Let Let us u s now no w expl explore ore thi th is fasci as cinating nating s pir piritual act.
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Passing on the Blessing through the Laying on of Hands "Then there were brought unto him little children, that he shoul sho uld d put p ut his hi s hand ha ndss on the t hem, m, a nd pray: pra y: and an d the t he disc d iscip iple less rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forb forbid id them th em not no t to come co me unto un to me; for of such suc h is the th e k ingdom ingd om of heaven."
(Matthew 19:13-14) Recentl ecent ly, sever sev eral al uni un iversities versities did did a s tudy tud y invol invo lving ving touch. tou ch. They learned that we have five million touch receptors in our body, bo dy, and an d one-th on e-thiird are in our ou r hand ha ndss . The red blood bloo d cells cells , which carry oxygen to the blood, contain the pigment hemog hemogllobi ob in. A New New York University nursing nu rsing s chool cho ol fou found nd that th at when one individual lays hands on another, both individuals' hemoglobin level rises in their blood stream. Dr. Delores Krieger, a professor, states that as hemoglobin levels are invigorated, body tissue receives more oxygen. This process aids aids in the t he regener regen erati ative ve pr p roces s of an il ill person. perso n. UCLA conducted a study and discovered that type A men coul cou ld add two years to their lives if they woul ou ld hug hu g thei the ir wi wives several times a day. Duke University found that without meaningful non-sexual touch, our bodies do not produce a certain type of protein crucial to organ growth and development. With s o much much em e mphas ph asiis placed placed on o n touch to uch and the laying laying on on of hands, certainly the Creator understood the importance o this action. The Bible is filled with examples of ministering to peop pe oplle throu th rough gh the th e lay layiing o n of o f hand ha ndss . This is both a Biblical doctrine and a spiritual principle. Under the old covenant, the patriarchs, priests, and prophets exercised the practice of laying on of hands when transferring spiritual blessing and spiritual authority from one person to another. Under the new covenant, Hebrews 6:2 indicates that laying on of hands is a doctrine of the New Testament church. There is a somewhat mysterious blessing and power released through the th e layi laying ng on of hands. hands .
Jacob laid his hands upon his sons and spoke a blessing (Genesis 48:14). The priest laid his hands upon the scapegoat to transfer the sins of Israel (Leviticus chapter 8). Moses laid hands upon Joshua to transfer spiritual authority (Deuteronomy 34:9). Christ and the Apostles laid hands upon the sick (Luke 4:40). The Holy Spirit was received through the laying on of hands (Acts 19:6). Ministers were commissioned into the th e mi ministry after the elders elders laid aid hands han ds upon up on them, them, setting s etting them forth for ministry (1 Timothy 4:14). Spiritual gifts were imparted by the laying on of hands (2 Timothy 1:6). Perhap Perhapss the most os t pr p reciou eciouss s cri criptur ptu re refer referrring to the laying aying on of hands is when Jesus blessed the children (Matthew 19: 13-14). Laying Laying on o n of o f hands hand s s houl ho uld d not n ot be s omething omething don d onee hal h alffheartedly or without faith. Scripture gives the guidelines to "Lay "Lay hands hand s upon no n o man suddenly" (1 (1 Tim Timo o t h y 5:22 5:22). ). The Bible is clear that blessings, authority, healing, the impartati pa rtation on of the th e Holy Holy Spiri Spirit, t, wis wis dom do m, and even ev en the th e gi g ifts of the th e Spirit can be received by the laying on of hands. The transfer of the blessing involves both the one who is imparting and the one on e who is receiving. eceiving.
Empty hands upon empty heads All spiritual truth must be mixed with faith in order to activate God's promises (Hebrews 4:2). During my early ministry, I often prayed for people in a prayer line. Believers would line up in single file and I would pray for them one by one. I would notice two different responses. Many would begin be gin weeping, weeping , s hak ha king, ng , or rejo rejo icing duri du ring ng the th e pers pe rson onal al prayer pray er.. With With o thers th ers,, it was like prayi pray ing for a col co ld piece o concrete. There was no flowing of the Holy Spirit from mysel to them. In fact, at times I could sense a resistance. I eventually realized that many people were bound with fear, unforgiveness, and bitterness that had built an inner stronghold. Those perso pe rson n s mus t hum hu mble them th emss elves and an d repent repe nt before be fore the th e anoi ano inti nt ing can be b e releas released ed into the t heiir s piri pirit. They were phys ph ys ically cally presen pres entt in in bod b ody y, but s piri pirituall tu ally y di d is conn co nnect ected ed.. When you are being ministered to one-on-one, if you do not no t mi mix your yo ur fai faith th with with the th e prayer praye r, then it is is " empt empty y hand h andss upon up on empty heads!" Christ was aware of this in Nazareth, His hometown. The Bible says, "He did not many mighty works there there because beca use of their the ir unbelief" unb elief" (Matth (Mat thew ew 1358 1358). ). The person doing the impartation or the praying must have an anointing of the Holy Spirit in order to impart to the receiver. I once heard a noted minister say, "When I pray for you there is nothing special in my hands." I thought to myself, "Keep them off of my head!" The fact is that when a person with a strong anointing is ministering to another through the laying on of hands, the receiver can actually feel the presence of God! When the woman with the issue of blood touched the
hem of Christ's garment, Jesus felt healing power leave His body bo dy and an d the th e woman woman felt felt heali he aling ng p ower ente en terr her h er body bo dy (Mark 527-30). Note that both Jesus and the woman felt something happe hap pen. n. There was was a releas releasee foll followed by b y an impartati partat ion. on . The gift of laying on of hands
The Book of Acts records events within the early church. In Acts Ac ts chapt cha pter er 8, 8, Phil Philllip went to Samari Samariaa to preach the th e Gos Gos pel. A revival broke out and the entire city was shaken. Occult books bo oks were were burned bu rned and an d the th e Lord's ord 's nam na me was magnif ag nifiied (Acts (Act s 8:6-12). When the Samaritan believers desired to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Jerusalem church sent Peter and John to lay hands upon them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). It appears that Peter and John had a special gift to pray for people who desired the gift of the Holy Spirit, because when they laid hands upon the new converts, they th ey received the th e Holy Spiri Spirit (Act (A ctss 8:14-1 14-17) 7).. At age eighteen eighteen,, I attended a statew s tatewiide churc ch urch h conven co nventi tion on under an open-air tabernacle. As Bishop M. H. Kennedy was introducing the nightly speaker, he said, "God has given Brother Ronnie Brock the gift of laying hands upon people to receive the Holy Spirit." I had never heard of such a gift. The minister shared several stories about hundreds who would receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of a supernatural prayer pray er langu an guag age. e. During During the th e weeklon weeklong g meeti eet ing, ng , I carefully carefully watched atch ed the th e nigh nightt speaker s peaker as he call called for thos tho s e hungry hun gry for for the Holy Spirit to come forward. True to the words of the Bishop, everyone he laid hands on would begin to speak in a prayer language from the Holy Spirit. I later read where Paul operated
in thi th is gift gift acco a ccordi rding ng to A cts 19:1-7. -7. Seeing this gift in operation birthed a spiritual hunger in my heart. I longed to see people of all denominations receive the precious gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). I began fasting and praying that God would use me in the same manner. I read where Paul laid his hands upon twelve men and they all received the th e Hol Ho ly Spiri Spirit (Acts (Act s 19:6 9:6-7). -7). Within twelve months, I began seeing large numbers o peop pe oplle immedi ed iately at ely receive the th e Holy Holy Spiri Spirit, as I woul wou ld lay hands upon them asking God to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit. Many revivals were extended to as long as eleven weeks. When the meetings concluded, often hundreds had received eceived the Holy Spir Spirit, many many through throug h the t he laying on o n of hands han ds.. Many were from denominational backgrounds that did not accept accep t certai ce rtain n man maniifestations fest ations of the th e Holy Holy Spiri Spirit. Let me make it clear that I did not give anyone the Holy Spirit. God is the giver of the Holy Spirit, just as God is the deliverer and the healer (Luke 11:13). Yet, God answers the prayers pray ers that th at men and an d women women p ray. ray. The anoint an ointiing o f the th e Holy Holy Spirit breaks the yokes of bondage (Isaiah 10:27), brings healing power to the sick (Luke 5:17), and can release the power po wer of God God throu th rough gh the th e bap b aptis tism m of the th e Holy Spiri Spirit (Acts (Ac ts 1:8 1:8). God has always used the prayers of the righteous and the hands of the anointed to perform His works on earth (James 5:16). What God has placed within us can be released out of us to mi minis nis ter to thos tho s e aroun around d us us. I realize those unfamiliar with this practice may not understand the operation of the laying on of hands. Don't allow this lack of knowledge to distract you from the fact that impartation partation occurs o ccurs thr th rough ou gh the t he laying laying on of o f hands han ds..
Passing the blessing on through the laying on of hands
Before Jacob's death, he blessed the sons of Joseph (Gen (Genes esiis 48:9-22 -22). Acco Ac cordi rding ng to tradition tradition,, the th e righ rightt hand han d was to be placed u pon po n the th e head he ad of the th e oldes olde s t and an d the th e left hand ha nd upon up on the head of the youngest. This is because the right hand o God represents the side of His power and authority; therefore, the right hand represented the power of the blessing (Psalms 1623-11). When Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, stood before be fore Jacob Jaco b , the th e bless bles s ing took to ok a s trange tran ge twis twis t. Jacob Jaco b literal te rallly switched his hands, and placed his right hand on the younger and his left hand upon the older (Genesis 48:14). Jacob then s poke a powerf powerful bles blesss ing over the s ons : "And the angel an gel which whi ch redeemed redeemed me fr from all evil, evi l, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them th em,, and the th e name o my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude ultitu de in the midst of the earth."
(Gen (Genes es is 48:1 48:16) 6) Joseph immediately was displeased and attempted to switch the hands of his father. One thing you don't do is interrupt a dying man when he is praying for his grandchildren! The older patriarch refused to listen to Joseph. He said, "I know what I'm doing. The older son will be great, but the younger son will be greater than he and will become a multitude of nations" (Genesis 48:20). There are some today who believe that, centuries later, the sons of Ephraim became the th e peo p eople ple of Bri Britain tain and an d later the th e earl ea rly y Am A merican ericanss . When reading this story, I realized that both sons had an
identical blessing spoken over them. The scripture says that Jacob Jacob ask as ked the th e angels angels of God God to bles blesss the lads, meaning both young men. But the act of laying the right hand upon the head was identified as the passing of the mantle from one person to anot an othe herr. Whe W hen n Elijah threw th rew his his mantle an tle upo u pon n Elis ha, ha , im immedi ed iately at ely the double portion anointing was transferred (2 Kings 2:9-15). With the laying on of hands, the blessing was immediately sealed in the patriarch's family in the sight of God. Even today, religious Jews practice speaking over their children and bless bles s ing them th em by layi ay ing h ands an ds upon up on them th em.. When my son was born, I immediately began to lay my hands upon him and speak blessing to his life. I still do so to thi th is day. da y. I wi will s ay, " You are bl b less es s ed and an d hi h ighl gh ly favo fav o red. You You wil will s erve God God and an d beco b ecom me a great g reat man man of God God.. Yo u are a re the th e son s on of my youth and I speak the blessings of God over you." I often have him repeat this blessing out loud. I understand the power po wer of trans ferri ferring ng the th e bless bles s ing due du e to an ex e xperi pe rien ence ce I had as as a teenage teen age preacher, preacher, wi with a man man many many people peo ple cons idered to be a true prophet of God. Seldom a day goes by that I don't take Jonathan Jonath an in my my arms arms and conf con fess es s a bless ing over ov er him him. In summary: The Bible makes it clear that laying on of hands was practiced prac ticed und u nder er both bo th cov co v enan en ants ts . Laying on of hands can bring impartation of healing, gifts, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit. Laying on of hands can also be a method o transf trans ferri erring a bl b less es s ing. ng . If s omeon omeonee is is to pr p ray for you yo u by the laying laying on of o f hands han ds,, know no w that they are anointed and free from from s in.
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There is a Prophet in the House Ask what wh at I I shall sha ll do for thee, th ee, bef be fore ore I be taken away " ... Ask fr from thee. th ee. And Elisha Eli sha said, sai d, I p ray thee, th ee, let le t a doub do uble le porti po rtion on of thy spiri sp iritt be b e upo up o n me."
(2 Kings 2:9) The church is filled with self-appointed and self-anointed proph pro phet etss . A perso pe rson n who cont co ntiinuall nu ally y walk walks around arou nd s ayi ay ing, ng ,
"Thus saith the Lord" is no more a prophet than saying, "I'm a Cadi ad illac" makes you yo u an autom aut omob obiile. But But I do believe believe there th ere are a few true prophetic voices on the earth today. They may not be on the same level as a Biblical prophet, but they are people who spend hours in prayer and truly hear from God. As a teenager, I was honored to encounter such a person, and the impartation from this man changed my life. As a child, I recall heari hea ring ng my father tel te ll rivet rivetiing s tori to ries es about abo ut thi th is man's an 's ministry nist ry.. He was my father's uncl un cle, e, Rufus Rufus Dunf un ford, and an d the th e mi miracle racle of o f his his healing and conversion reads like a page from the Book o Acts.
The Coalfie Coalfields lds of of West Virgi ir ginia nia Durin Durin g th t h e 1930 1930's 's,, the th e coalfi co alfields elds in Wes t Vi Virginia were boom bo omiing. ng . Men Me n were were worki working in s hifts hifts and an d immigrants gran ts were were pouri po uring ng into nt o A merica erica from from Europe uro pe.. The rough rou gh work and an d environment bred a wild spirit among the mountain folks. Adultery, moon shining, gambling, domestic violence, and drunkenness were considered a normal lifestyle, while those who turned to religion for solitude were tagged "holy rollers." The Stone Sto ne and Dunfor un ford d fami families were were rais rais ed in this t his s etti ett ing. ng . During the 1930's, the Pentecostal movement swept through America and brushed through the coal camps of West Virginia. rginia. One One coup co uplle to t o be b e affected affecte d by b y the t he Holy Holy Spi Sp irit rit was Rufus and an d Mam M amiie Dunford. During that time, few young men completed school. Most worked on a farm or in the mines at an early age. Rufus had only completed third grade and could not read or write. He depended upon his wife or one of his daughters to assist him when s igni gn ing his nam n amee or o r reading reading a docum do cument ent.. Mamie was attending a local church, but Rufus wasn't interested in her religion, at least not until a large tumor was discovered in his brain. Doctors sent Rufus to Johns Hopkins hospital for an examination. The diagnosis was bleak, and surgery did not guarantee recovery. The doctor informed Rufus that he could die during surgery or spend the rest of his life in a vegetative state. Rufus made the decision to return to West Virginia rginia and an d let fate have ha ve its way. way. The wind in the potato patch
Mamie began sharing with Rufus how the Full Gospel peop pe oplle bel be lieved ev ed God could co uld heal. he al. She tol to ld him that th at his onl on ly hope was God's Divine intervention. Rufus began humbling himself, meditating on the words of his wife. He spent three days fasting and asking God for help. Rufus continued to function physically, although the sickness and the headaches persis pe rsiste ted. d. At the end of the third day, Mamie asked Rufus to bring some potatoes from their garden for supper. While Rufus was in the potato patch, he suddenly felt a whirlwind engulf him. o leaves on the trees were stirring, and the wind appeared to be s urround urrou ndiing onl on ly hi h im. Sud Sudde denly nly he h e was knocked knoc ked off o ff his feet and found foun d hims hims elf elf lying lying flat flat on his back ba ck.. Im Immedi ed iately he h e beg b egan an to pray. Rufus later reported, "The more I prayed, the better I felt. The pain slowly began leaving." Rufus began calling upon the Lord for salvation and healing. In the midst of his prayer, something strange began to happen. He began to pray in a languag ang uagee he did did not n ot know no w. At that th at moment oment,, Mami Mamie looked out ou t the t he wind window ow,, saw s aw Rufus Rufus on his back, and cried out, "Oh my, the brain tumor has ruptured!" She ran out of the house and was amazed to hear Rufus "speaking with tongues" and quoting scriptures from Mark Ma rk chap ch apte terr 16 16. Mami Mamie knew thi th is was a mi miracle racle beca b ecaus us e Rufu Rufuss could not read. That day, while lying in a potato patch, Rufus received salvation, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and a complete complete heal hea ling. ng . Rufus accepted a call into the ministry and became a prayer pray er warri warrior or,, prayi pray ing as much uc h as three th ree hours ho urs each eac h morni orn ing. ng . He also received a unique gift: He could fluently speak Greek, Latin, and several other languages and was able to witness to
immigrants in their own languages. He had received the true "gift of divers kinds of tongues" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:10. This This was part one o ne of God God's 's plan of o f destiny des tiny.. A forty-two month revival
As lightning strikes a dry prairie and sets it on fire, revival struck the coalfield communities in the late 1940's. One revival continued every night for forty-two months! A woman named Mildred Collins was ministering each night at the Flat Top Church of God in Christ near the town of English, West Virginia. In November of 1949, a tall, thin, dark-haired teenage boy bo y came came to the th e altar at the th e invi nv itation ta tion o f his hal ha lf b rother roth er,, Morgan. When W hen Fredd Freddiie Stone, the th e son s on of a coal mi miner (and (and the man who would become my father), stood up and confessed Chris hris t had h ad s aved him him, another anot her mi ministry would s oon oo n be birthed birthed.. alva Dunford Stone, the mother of Fred, was the sister o Rufus Dunford. After Dad's conversion, he and Rufus became close ministry friends. He discovered the power of prayer and the awesome operation of the gifts of the Holy Sprit while sitting under Rufus' ministry. Dad recalled traveling with Rufus to conduct a revival at the Christian Church of God in Beef Hide, Kentucky: "That night, a young boy with a club foot was broug bro ugh h t for prayer pray er.. The poor po or littl tt le fell fello w walk walked on his ankle bone. He was born this way and the doctors could do nothing about it. Rufus prayed fervently, but without results. He then announced, 'There is too much unbelief.
How many of you will fast with me all day tomorrow for a miracle for this boy?' Hands went up. The next day, Rufus spent most of the day praying and the entire day fasting. That night, he sat the boy in a chair and began praying in the Holy Spirit. As he prayed, he rubbed the boy's right foot. Suddenly, the club foot went straight! The boy cried and then laughed. aughed . He He jum jumped ped up and s tarted tarted to t o run around the church. His foot was perfect! It was one of the first miracles of healing I ever saw." I once heard h eard Mami Mamie tell how ho w a cancer had appeared app eared on her leg. It soon spread to the size of a silver dollar. Eventually, the disease ate through her flesh and the bone was exposed. Finally, she went to Rufus and said, "Would you please pray for me that God will remove this cancer?' Rufus replied, "I have been be en waiting waiting for y ou to call on o n the th e Lo rd for your yo ur miracle. racle. It's about abo ut time." time." Rufus Rufus prayed praye d ferventl fervent ly and an d the t he followi following ng morning, the cancer was gone and the large hole was replaced with new s kin. It It was as thou th ough gh ther the re had never nev er been a pr p robl ob lem! em! While Rufus' ministry of praying for the sick became known throughout the mountains, the gift of witnessing to others in their language was the most unique. Dad was with Rufus on many occasions when he would walk up to a foreigner (usually an immigrant coal miner who spoke broken English), and speak to that person in the language of their native country. Often the immigrant thought Rufus was a Catho at hollic pri p ries estt who had ha d knowl kno wled edge ge of Lat Latiin and a nd Greek. His His own daughter daugh ter later later confes confesss ed: "When we were children, we did not understand the
gift God had given Dad. He would pray in the morning on his his knees and star s tartt bounci bou ncing ng up u p and down d own until until the hous ho usee shook. Dad would walk up to a total stranger who had cancer or a goiter g oiter and s ay, ay, 'Y 'You don't do n't want that t hat (s icknes cknes s ) do you?' They would reply that they did not, and Dad would offer prayer on the street. Many times, the person was healed healed at that instant." ns tant." Fre red d S tone tone b beg egins ins to exp exper erie ience nce the sam s amee anointing anointing
Because Elisha remained faithful, he received Elijah's double portion prior to Elijah's departure (2 Kings 2:9). Experience has demonstrated that the anointing of the mentor can come upon the student, if the student will remain true to God and learn the secrets of flowing in God's presence. By observing Rufus, Dad soon discovered that the keys to experiencing miracles were long seasons of fasting and hours of prayer. When traveling with Rufus, my father observed that Rufus did much of his praying in the prayer language of the Holy Spirit. He believes to this day that this was one of the important keys that made the prayer of this man of God so effective. As a teenaged teen aged minis nis ter, ter, my my father and s everal other oth er young youn g ministers built a small cabin in the mountains to spend time in fasting and prayer. It was during a season of prayer that Dad received a supernatural call of God to enter the full-time ministry. Almost immediately, he began to experience many o the same spiritual gifts and manifestations he had seen in the meetings with Rufus. Once he saw a woman whose face was eaten to the bone with cancer receive her healing. On another
occasion, a man who was blind in one eye received his sight. Dad also began beg an to t o experi experience ence the s ame ame gift gift of o f divers divers tongu ton gues es.. One such example was when he set out to witness to a sixteen-year old Greek boy named Tony, whose parents owned a restau res taurant rant in the th e town t own of Welch Welch,, Wes Westt Vi Virginia. rginia. Ton Tony y coul cou ld speak broken English, and Dad felt a burden to bring God's Word to Tony. On this occasion, he and his minister friend, Truman Smith, stood before Tony and said, "Tony, I want to read to you yo u from the th e Bi Bible." ble." Dad open op ened ed the th e Bi Bible to Psal Psa lms 23 and, as he began to read, the anointing came upon him. Suddenly, he began to read the Psalms, verse by verse, in another anoth er langu language. age. After li lis tening to t o the t he entire entire pas pa s s age, Ton Tony y looked looked at a t Dad's min ister ist er fri friend en d an a n d s aid, "Y " Yo u lie lie to t o me me Trum Truman an." ." Truman ruman s aid, "I " I don do n 't lie, lie, To To n y. I am a mi min is ter! te r!"" Tony on y replied replied,, "Y " Yes, es , you yo u lie. You You tel te ll me me this t his man neve ne verr go to college to learn to preach! He go to school! He speak to me in Greek, German, and Italian! You tell me the Lord is my Shepherd in Greek, then you change language to German and then th en Itali Italian!" Dad said, "Tony, that is the Holy Spirit. It is a gift from God." He had spoken in the three languages that Tony could speak! About twenty-seven years later, my father encountered Tony's sister while he was visiting a church in Pearisburg, Virginia. rginia. As Dad was relat relatiin g the t he s tory to ry of o f him hims elf and an d Ton Tony y, a woman jumped up and said, "That is my Tony! That is my Tony!" on y!" She sai s aid, d, "Y " You are the man who s pok po ke to my broth b rother er,, Tony. He always talked about the young minister who spoke to
him about the Lord in his three languages!" Tony's sister said Tony on y had h ad accepted accep ted the th e Lord Lord and an d was fil filled with with the th e Holy Holy Spiri Spirit. t. He di d ied of a heart attack at tack at age forty-one. By building a personal relationship with Rufus, sitting under his ministry, and praying together, the same type o anoi ano inti nt ing began beg an to t o function fun ction in my my father' fath er'ss ministry nist ry.. You can' c an'tt imp i mpar artt what what you don't on' t have have
I have witnessed some "impartation services" and went away realizing the people didn't receive because the minister had nothing to give. I have also seen ministers attempt to impart the anointing to an entire congregation at one time. This is futil futile for for seve s everal ral reason reas onss : Thee anoi Th anoi nting i s a prod product uct of the Holy Holy Sp S piri ir i t.
The anointing abides with us upon our receiving the Holy Spirit baptism (1 John 2:20 and 27). The anointing is the tangible power of God that we experience when the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. While there are levels of anointing, you cannot impart an anointing that already abides within a believer. God will not allow His anointing to abide in a person who is practici racticing ng sin. s in.
To pray over an audience and claim that everyone is receiving an impartation may sound exciting and seem spiritual. But the fact remains that, if people in the
audience are not sensitive to the Holy Spirit and are filled with iniquity, the Holy Spirit will avoid them until they are clean (1 Co Co rin rin thians th ians 3:15 3:15-1 -16) 6).. God is very selective as to whom He gives a special anointing.
God desires to see integrity, honesty, and humility before be fore he bring bringss a s pecial pe cial unct un ctiion with with uni un ique qu e gifts gifts to a vessel. Other-wise, a novice will be lifted up in pride and fall fall int into o the th e s n are of o f the th e dev d eviil (1 (1 Ti Timothy ot hy 3:6). God links people together in a relationship before He allows impartation.
It is easy to impart to a family member because you are related by blood and carry the same DNA. It is more diffi difficu cullt to t o impart to t o a perso p erson n with whom ho m you yo u have ha ve littl tt le or o r no relati elation onss hip. hip.
I want want your anointing Several times people have come to me in an altar service and s aid, aid, "Pray "Pray for me; me; I want want your yo ur anointing anointing." ." They s hould ho uld be saying, "Pray for me; I want more of the Holy Spirit," or "Pray for me; I wan wantt to t o learn learn how h ow to lis ten and hear hea r the voice v oice of God God." ." You s ee, it it is not no t my anointing; it is His anointing. Often I will reply, "So, you want my anointing. Do you also want my batt ba ttlles?' es ?' The Th e pers p erson on often ofte n s tares ta res at me as a s if to s ay, "That "Th at's 's not no t what I ask as ked for!" for!" Yet, et , if if you cons co ns ider de r a mi ministe nis terr your yo ur men mento torr, you yo u may experi experience ence the s ame ame typ t ypee of o f battles. One man who prayed for me many years ago was a great man of God, but he experienced seasons of depression. For three years, at the beginning of my ministry, I also experienced depress dep ress ion. on . Years later, ater, I reali realizzed that th at I was was picki picking up on the th e s ame ame attacks att acks that th at one o ne of o f my men mento tors rs had ha d expe experrienced. enc ed. David was anointed (1 Samuel 16:13). He became a giant killer, and he had thirty-three mighty men who traveled with him. These men helped destroy the race of giants (2 Samuel 21:22). King Saul made twenty-one attempts to assassinate David. The enemies of David became the enemies of David's mighty men. His battles became their battles, and his victories becam be camee their th eir victori victo ries es.. Everyth ve rythiing was goi go in g well well in David's life unti unt il he was anointed an ointed to be the th e nex ne xt king king..
The anointing attracts attacks The anointing attracts attacks. As a teenager, David was anointed with oil to become a future king. This ceremony occurred in the "midst of his brethren" (1 Samuel 16:13). Weeks later, his own brothers were mocking and criticizing him (1 Samuel 17:28). His anointing caused a separation among his own family, as it seemed his brothers were jealous of the anoi ano inti nt ing on David's David's life. When the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, He was immediately placed into a conflict and was tempted by Satan for forty days and nights (Mark 1:9-13). Christ's anointing thrust Him into a spiritual conflict. Following His temptation, He preached His first public sermon in Nazareth. Jesus took His text from Isaiah 61:l-3 and emphasized, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me" (Luke 4:18). When Jesus said He was anointed, the hometown crowd went into a fr frenzy enzy, sayi say ing, ng , "This "This is Joseph Jos eph''s s on.. on ...w .who ho does d oes he thi th ink he is" (Luke 4:22)? Someone recommended they push Him of the cliff (Luke 4:29). Jesus' first sermón was a failure by man's terms. There is an anointing in every believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20, 2:27). That anointing is increased through prayer and fasting. Transferring a special ministry or a special anointing is more than speaking or praying for someone. It involves a spiritual relationship with God and a perso pe rson n al relat relatiions on s hip with with the th e perso pe rson n imparti pa rtin n g. A t the th e Jordan Jorda n River, when God said, "This is my beloved Son" (Mark 1:11), Jesus immediately received the anointing from the Holy Spirit
(Matthew 3:16). Timothy received an impartation of gifts from Paul. The apostle wrote, "To Timothy, my dearly beloved son" (2 Timothy ot hy 1:2 1:2). A person pers onal al relations relations hip with with the th e men mento torr is is what creates creates the pos po s s ibili bility of recei receivi ving ng a s pecial anoi ano inting. Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Paul, and others "imparted before they departed." departed."
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Impart Before You Depart "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spirit spi ritua uall gift, g ift, to the th e end en d ye may be b e establ esta blish ished ed." ."
(Ro (Ro mans an s 1:1 1:11) We must impart before we depart! Elijah was an anointed proph pro phet et who imparted pa rted a doub do ublle porti po rtion on ano an o inti nt ing on Elis ha (2 Kings 2:9). Elisha performed twice as many miracles as Elijah.
At the end of Elisha's life, there was no one for him to impart his double portion to; therefore, when he died he took this anoi ano inting to t o hi h is grave. We We read where where a dead d ead man was thrown into Elisha's grave, where he hit Elisha's bleached bones, causing the soldier to come back from the dead (2 Kings 13:21). Someone could have asked for a triple portion of the anointing of El Elis ha, but bu t instead ins tead,, the prophet proph et died, died, retaining retaining the t he anoi ano inting in his his bones bon es.. There were many great men and women of God who did not mentor someone to fill their shoes. They preached to the masses but missed the opportunity to impart their anointing to s omeon omeonee who could co uld carry carry on the work. ork. The act of imparting before departing can be observed with Moses, who imparted his wisdom to Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:9). Jacob, before his death, blessed his sons and an d worshiped wors hiped God (Heb (Hebrew rewss 11:21). El Elijah trans tran s ferred ferred a dou d ouble ble porti po rtion on of h is s piri pirit to Elis ha momen oments ts before be fore h is ascen as censs ion into heaven (2 Kings 2:11-15). Days before David's death, he ensured his successor by having his son Solomon anointed at the pool of Siloam (1 Kings chapter 1). Before Christ's ascension, He breathed upon His disciples and said, "Receive e the Holy Ghost" (John 20:22). Christ commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until power from on high was imp arted art ed to their th eir mi min is try (Lu (Lu ke 24: 24:49). 49). In the Biblical cases, the person receiving the impartation was personally acquainted with or followed closely the ministry of the one imparting the blessing. Joshua spent forty years ministering to Moses before he received the transfer o authority to lead Israel into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:9). Ki King Jehoshap Jehos haphat hat s tated that Elis ha had h ad pou p ourred water on
the hands of Elijah (2 Kings 3:11). Washing someone's hands seems insignificant; yet, God noticed the faithfulness of Elisha meeting a need in Elijah's life. The sons of the prophets stood at a distance to view Elijah's departure, but Elisha refused to back ba ck away from from the th e prop pro p het he t and an d foll follo wed him acros acro s s the th e Jordan River (2 Kings 2:7-8). In our time, some stand at a distance waiting for a blessing to fall on them, while others pursu pu rsuee the th e bless bles s ing. ng . Many individuals desire an impartation without spending time around anointed people. Others seek a quick hit of God's bless bles s ings ng s with withou outt sp s p ending en ding quali qu ality ty time time in in His His pres ence. en ce. Whe W hen n I was a teenager, a dynamic minister, Floyd Lawhon, told me, "Perry, if you want spiritual results, you must spend more time with God than with peopl peo ple." e." I did, did, and the revivals evivals began b egan to s tir tir entire communities and extend for many weeks. It was this time alone with God that birthed a hunger for more of Him. This hunger led me to a spiritual encounter that would transform my early ministry.
My personal personal encounter encounter It was March of 1979, and I had concluded a twenty-threenight nigh t revi rev ival va l in Pulask Pulas ki, Virginia rginia where man many y s oul ou ls accep acc epte ted d Christ and were baptized in the Holy Spirit. While in deep prayer pray er,, the Holy Spiri Spirit impres impres s ed me that th at I sho s hould uld travel t ravel to War, War, West es t Vi Virginia ginia and an d hav h avee Rufus Rufus Dunford pray p ray a s peci pec ial prayer praye r for for me. I felt an urgency and knew I must make the trip when the revival evival ended. ended . I had not no t seen s een Rufus Rufus in abou ab outt si s ix years. I invited a friend named Paul and my brother Phillip and we set out on the three-hour trip. When we arrived, I went to the area where Rufus lived, only to discover that his house had burned bu rned down. do wn. I inquir nq uired ed and an d was tol to ld that th at Rufus ufu s had ha d moved ov ed across town near the railroad tracks. His wife Mamie answered my knock on the door. She said, "Oh my, look who is here!" I felt a little odd not having announced my visit, but mountain folks are not offended when you just drop in. When I walked in the door, I spotted Rufus with his eyes closed, lying on a hospital bed. Suddenly he shot his right hand into the air, and said, "I perceive a man of God has come into my house!" This sudden reaction surprised me, since he did not know who had entered entered his his hous h ous e. I pulled up a chair and began soaking up every word as this aged prophet began to unfold the story of his call of God and his miraculous healing, and of how the gifts of the Spirit operated during his ministry. Several hours passed. Toward the conclusion of our conversation, I told him I had come for prayer pray er.. I hum hu mbly as a s ked thi th is s eas oned on ed gene ge neral ral of faith to lay his hands upon upo n me me and pray. pray.
As I leaned over his bed, he placed both hands upon my head and immediately began to pray in the prayer language o the Holy Spirit. My entire body trembled as the anointing bega be gan n to t o flow flow int into o every ev ery part p art of my my being b eing.. Suddenly, Rufus paused and said, "Son, do you know what the Spirit is saying?' I replied, "No." He said, "He is speaking the Latin language and you need to discern the languag ang uagee of o f the Spir Spirit and an d what He is is s aying." I was embarrassed at my lack of spiritual discernment. Rufus pick picked ed up u p the th e words words of his his prayer and con tinu tinued ed pr p raying aying in the Spirit. This time, my face, hands, and arms began to tingle as thou th ough gh a liqu liquiid fire fire was was burni bu rning ng withi th in me. me. Rufus stopped again and asked, "Son, what is the Spirit saying?' I sudd su ddenly enly sens s ens ed a word word of o f kno know wledge edg e and an d repli eplied, "H " He is is prayi pray ing for my ministry nis try.. He is ask as king the th e Lord that th at when you yo u depart dep art that th at I wil will receive you y ourr anointing!" Rufus shouted, "That's it, that's it!" and began praying again. As he fervently prayed, the strange sensation began to move down my spine, and soon my entire body was covered, like a warm blanket, in an anointing I had never experienced. It was the most tangible presence of the Lord I had ever encountered. I remember thinking, "Is this what happened when Elijah imparted the anointing to Elisha?"
From that moment forward The warm warm, ting tinglling s ens ation ation conti con tinu nued ed as I left eft the th e hous ho us e. I drov drovee hom ho me and coul cou ld feel a clos clos enes s to the Holy oly Spiri Spirit that th at I had never nev er fel feltt before. b efore. That That night, night , as I prayed in my room, room, I fel feltt closer to the Lord than at any time in my life. A desire to pray long hours and to fast came over me. Mom and Dad noticed the change, chan ge, as I seldo seldom m ate a meal. eal. I was not no t s truggling truggling to fast, as t, study, or spend hours in prayer. There was an immediate change in every part of my spiritual walk. Three months later, Rufus pas p asss ed away. away. Neith Neither er my my father fath er nor no r I knew kne w tha t hatt Rufus ufu s woul wou ld d ie in July of 1979. That day, we were both attending a regional church conv co nven ention tion in Roanoke, Roan oke, Virginia. rginia. At four fou r o'cloc o'clock k in the t he afternoon, Dad walked over to me and was weeping profusely. He said, "Son, I felt impressed of the Lord to tell you that you are going to begin to experience miracles in your meetings!" We embraced and both began weeping. When we returned home, we learned that Rufus had passed away about the same time my father and I embraced and began weeping. I remembered the impartation and was curious to see what level of anointing an ointing I wou woulld now no w experi experien ence. ce.
The miracles begin Three weeks after Rufus' death, in July of 1979, I was cond co nduc ucting ting a revi rev ival va l in Seven Sev en Mile Mile Ford, Vi Virginia. rginia. On On Tue Tuess day da y night, a man carried his fifteen-year old grandson into the service. He had been to Johns Hopkins Hospital for surgery. His feet were bandaged and he was unable to walk without crutches. During the altar service, I felt impressed to pray for the young man. As we prayed, again I felt the strange, warm, tingling sensation I had sensed when Rufus had prayed for me three months earlier. After prayer, I headed back to continue ministering in the altars. Suddenly I heard a scream, turned to the right, and saw that the young man was standing and walking down the aisle without any assistance! God's healing power po wer had ha d touc to uche hed d the th e boy bo y. The followi following ng day da y we s hot ho t bas ba s ketball ketb all toge to geth ther er at the th e pas pa s tor' to r'ss hous ho us e. The pas p asto tor' r'ss wife wife was was related to the boy and his family and was amazed at the healing touch God br b rought oug ht to the young yo ung man. Following that miracle, the anointing of the Holy Spirit bega be gan n to mani an ifest fes t in a new ne w way. way. More Mo re peop pe oplle were were bei be ing saved, healed, and filled with the Holy Spirit in the crusades. The operation of the gift of divers tongues began to manifest in the meetings. One of the most dramatic stories relating to this gift happened in 1981 at the Bob White Boulevard Church o f Go Go d in Pulas Pu laski ki,, Vir Virg g inia. An archaeologis archaeologis t tran transs lates lates a mes s age in tongues tongues
It was Saturday night, October 31, 1981. A great revival was breaking forth and the crowds were filling the 850-seat sanctuary. I went to the pulpit prepared to preach, but felt led to sing and to exhort the congregation. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit came mightily upon me and I began to pray in the prayer language of the Holy Spirit. I could tell I had never heard this dialect before. The service was being taped, and I laid down the th e mi microphon croph one, e, left left the th e platform, platform, and beg b egan an pr p rayi ay ing for peop pe oplle who had form formed a prayer p rayer li line. ne . After the th e servi s ervice, ce, the th e you y outh th choi cho ir director director,, She Shellby Mitchell, Mitchell, approached me. She said, "Perry, when the Holy Spirit was speaking through you, I thought I recognized a few words in French. I would like to take a cassette tape of you praying in the Spirit to my former French professor at Radford University, and s ee if if he can understand u nderstand the langu language." age." The revival was extended and the following week, Shelby arrived at the church and said, "I gave the tape to my former profes pro fesss or. or. I didn't tel te ll him it was a preach p reacher er in in a chu c hurch rch s ervice. I just asked him if he could tell me what language was spoken on the tape. He told me it wasn't French, but a Middle Eastern dialect. He told me about a professor from Syria who was in America studying Indian artifacts who may be able to translate what was being s aid." aid." Shelby had returned from lunch with her former professor and the Syrian archaeologist named Mikkel, who had listened to the tape. He asked Shelby at lunch, "What were you doing lis teni ten ing to a rabb rabbii give give a lecture, when you yo u di d id not n ot und u nderstan erstand d the language he was speaking?' Shelby replied, "I will tell you the ans a nsw wer to that t hat when you yo u tel t elll me what what is on the tape." At that point, Mikkel pulled out a piece of paper with
information written on it. He said, "There were two dialects o Assyrian spoken on the tape. Both are spoken in Syria today. One is an older form that was possibly spoken by Abraham in the land of Ur. I recognize it because a few people in Syria s peak pea k thi th is Chaldean form form today." to day." Mikkel said that the Books of Ezra and Daniel and the Babylonian Talmud were written in Aramaic, which was the official language in Palestine until Hebrew supplanted it. Mikkel said, "I translated the language and have written the transl trans lation ation on o n thi th is paper pap er." ." He He handed han ded her the paper pap er and Shelby Shelby read the th e foll following owing trans lation: "The messenger messenger of the Lord Lord has ha s interrupted interrupt ed to deliver d eliver to a peop pe ople le the th e message messag e of the th e Highest High est Fath Fa ther er.. His love lo ve is everlasting, His mercy is longsuffering and enduring. His grace gra ce pours po urs ( flows) lo ws) freely eel y. Healin Heal ing g was wa s bloo bl ood-b d-bo o ught ug ht by His S on. on . Delivera Deli veranc ncee powe po werr is sent sen t forth ort h by Jesus Jesu s Christ Ch rist to all people p eople who will hear hea r this day. day."
Shelby was amazed. Both professors were astonished when he n s he informed nformed them th em,, "It was not no t a rabbi giving giving a lecture. ect ure. It It was a tw t wenty en ty--two year y ear old evang ev angel eliis t, born bo rn in in West Virginia, rginia, who of o ften butc b utchers hers the th e Eng Engllis h lang languag uagee when when he h e preaches! preaches !" That is not no t the th e end of the s tory. tory. In In a letter dated dat ed September September 12, 1983, Shelby tells the story of Mikkel's supernatural conversion con version to Chris hris t!
Origi ri gin nal l etter by by MIKKEL MIRTAHERI
Blacksburg -Archeologist
September 12, 1983 Dear Broth Brother er Stone: Ston e: On October 31, 1981 at the Pulaski Church of God I attended a revival service. On this night you began singing under a heavy anointing. During the song service sinners bega be gan n running run ning to the th e al a ltar ta r crying for repenta repen tanc nce. e. A heav he avy y flow flow of the Spirit started falling and you started exhorting the congregation in tongues. I recognized a few words that the Spirit had spoken. Having aving s tudi tud ied French French I took too k the tape with the t he mes messs age in tongues only, to a professor who speaks French fluently. He procee pro ceede ded d to tel te ll me me the t he lang an g uage ua ge was not no t Fren French ch but bu t he knew ne w someone who could interpret the message. He took the tape to Mikkel Mirtaheri, an Archaeologist who at the time was s tudy tu dyiin g Indi Ind ian A rtifacts rtifacts in Blacks Blacksbu burg, rg, VA . Mikk Mikkel el was born bo rn and raised in Assyria. He has been in the United States for approx app roxiimately ten te n years y ears s tudy tu dyiing archaeol archaeo logy og y formations formations . Tw Two days day s later ate r I met Mikk Mikkel and an d he h e interpreted the th e tape t ape for me. me. Mikkel proceeded to tell me that the language was an ancient form of Aramaic. It was spoken in Mesopatomia, Chal ha ldea de a and an d As A s s yria yria (which (which is Syria Syria tod t oday. ay.)) The hoo h ook ks of Ez Ezra, Daniel and the Babylonian Talmand was written in the Aramaic language. Mikkel asked me why I had been to a lecture by a Rabbi. ab bi. I repli replied ed I had not no t been b een to a lect lecture, ure, but a reviva revivall s ervice ervice and the tape was a message in tongues. Mikkel stated that it was remarkable because this ancient form of Aramaic was no
longer on ger spo s pok ken or taught. taug ht. He attended atten ded the revival evival service service Fri Friday ight and was amazed at the supernatural move of the Holy Spirit. The tape was interpreted as the following: "The messenger of the Lord has interrupted to deliver to a people the message of the highest Father. His love is everlasting, His mercy is long suffering and enduring. His grace (pours) flows freely. Healing was blood bought by His Son. Deliverance power po wer is is s ent en t forth by Jesus Jes us Chris hris t to all people peo ple who wil will hear h ear thi th is day da y." Mont Mo nths hs later at er I rece receiived ve d a pho p hone ne call from from Yakim akima, Washington. Mikkel was calling to tell me of his close encounter with Jesus Christ. He was at an archaeological conventi conven tion on in the th e state s tate of Wash Washiington ngto n when he and an d five five other ot her men were stranded in a blizzard on the interstate. Traffic was paral pa ralyzed. yzed. After A fter spe s pend ndiin g s everal ev eral hours ho urs in the th e car ca r they th ey got go t out o ut to stretch. Mikkel made the statement that they were going to die and if there was a Hell they would go there. The other men laughed and stated: they didn't believe in God, or Heaven, or Hell. Mikkel then silently prayed and asked God to spare his life if He really existed. As Mikkel turned to get into the car he looked up and saw a man dressed in a white garment, his face was illuminated. As he Mikkel got back into the car that moment knowing he had met the Savior. Fifteen minutes later a rescue escu e team was s ent out ou t and the th e group was was s aved after about five hours of being stranded. Mikkel went to his motel room got go t on his knees knees and accepted accept ed Chri Chriss t as his Savior Savior.. Mikkel told me of his miraculous New Birth. In our conversation he stated that the message on the tape was for his know kno wledge edg e from from an alm almighty gh ty God, od , but he was s o bl b linded nd ed by
and through science that he refused to hear the voice from Heaven that t hat was s ent to t o s peak to him him. Than Tha n k God God for a mi mighty gh ty move ov e of o f Hi His power po wer.. Sincerely,
God seeks resu re sults lts At age nineteen, I was beginning to experience the same type of miracles and operation of the gifts that Rufus had experienced. I was aware that God wanted results for His Kingdo ng dom m. The emph emphas asiis of each s ervi ervice ce was the preaching preaching,, but the highlight was the altar service. I began preaching to see s pir piritual tua l resul es ults ts in the altars. altars. The purpos p urpos e of any gif gift is to t o br b ring ton gues es are are peop pe oplle to Chris hris t. This is why the t he Bible Bible teach tea ches es that th at tongu not a sign to those who believe, but to those who believe not" (1 Corinthians 14:22). The gifts of the Spirit are not for personal gain gain or o r show sho w, but to produce produ ce spi s pirritual tua l resul es ults ts..
Sit under anointed ministries I would encourage you and your children to sit under ministries that preach the Word with the unction of the Holy Spirit, and allow the incorruptible seed of God's Word to be grafted into your heart. Just as parents brought their children to Jesus to be blessed, we should ask men and women of God to pr p ray a bl b less es s ing over ov er our chil children. Ofte Often, n, litt littlle gi g irls rls and an d boys bo ys wil will com co me up u p to Pam or me me with with a chi ch ild like draw d rawiing of a s tick man man preach prea chiing. ng . They The y wil will say, sa y, "Gi "Give this to Brother Perry. I like him. He is funny." Others will come to the altars and wait until we pray for them. Do not discourage this activity. I began praying when I was about six years old at the altar altar in in Dad's chur chu rch. Remember that it is all about the seed. The seed of God's Word must be planted in the hearts of your seed (children) in order to produce a harvest. This is one way the blessings are handed han ded dow do wn from from parent to t o chi ch ild. In summary: There are men and women today who carry a special anointing. To experi experien ence ce the t he anoi ano inti nt ing of a mentor ent or,, one on e mus mus t bui bu ild a relationship. The mento mentorr shou sh oulld impart bef b efore ore he depar dep arts ts.. The impartation takes place through prayer and laying on of hands. hands .
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The Blessing on the Fourth Generation "And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in my eyes, and has done unto un to the house h ouse of Ahab according according to all that was in mine heart, h eart, thy childr child ren of o f the fourth generation generatio n shall sha ll sit on the thron thronee of Israel." Israel."
(2 Kin Kin g s 10:3 10:30) 0) Those who minister on the subject of generational curses often point point out o ut that a curse can persis persis t into into the thi t hirrd and an d forth forth generations (Exodus 20:5; 34:7). Likewise, spiritual blessings can be passed on to the third and forth generations and even beyo be yond nd.. Abraham was the first generation, and he passed the bless bles s ing to his s on Isaac Is aac,, the th e s econd eco nd gene ge neration ration.. Is Is aac b less es s ed Jacob, who was the third generation. Jacob passed the bless bles s ing on to his twel t welve ve s ons on s who beca b ecam me the th e nation na tion of o f Israel Israe l. By the time of the fourth generation, Israel was expanding into a great nation. Christians need to understand this principle and pass spiritual wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to their children and grandchildren. Each generation that serves the Lord sho s houl uld d have h ave addi ad diti tion onal al bles blesss ings ng s heaped heap ed upo u pon n them th em.. Thi Thiss s hould ho uld espec es peciiall ally be b e true in the lives ve s of mi ministers nist ers of o f the th e Gos Gos pel. The tale of four four young young minis ters
The evidence of blessings being handed down from generation to generation is evident with four ministers. They are Jentezen Franklin, Marcus Lamb, Randy White, and myself. There are some unique generational parallels that can be traced in our o ur li lives : We were were al a ll from from the th e s ame ame den d enom omiination na tion.. We all all began be gan ministeri nist ering ng in our o ur teenag teen agee years. ye ars. We all have several generations of Christians in our
families. We all all began be gan ministeri nist ering ng about abo ut the th e s ame ame ti t ime. All four of us began ministering as teenagers. I received my call into the ministry at age sixteen in Salem, Virginia at an all night prayer meeting. At age eighteen, I met Marcus Lamb, als als o a teena tee nager ger,, who who was traveling traveling throug th rougho hout ut Virginia ginia conducting extended revivals in churches. Marcus began ministering at age fifteen and, by age nineteen, had finished college. We would often minister, months apart, in the same church or the same area. We often spoke on the phone and corresponded by mail, sharing the results of the revivals and the wonderful miracles we were experiencing. In the early 1980's, Marcus and I were experiencing some of the greatest spiritual results of any evangelists in our denomination. It was Marcus who called and warned me not to marry a girl I was engaged to. He said she was not the right one, and he was correct. I met the right one two months later in a four-week revival in Northport, Alabama. In April of 1982, several days after my wife and I were married, we conducted a three-week "honeymoon" revival in Gastonia, North Carolina. During this revival, we met two very talente talented d youn yo ung g men men who had ha d recently recently accepted accep ted the t he call call into the ministry. They were Richie and Jentezen Franklin, two brothers whose father was a well-respected minister. Several nights during the revival, Jentezen played the saxophone and ministered in song. I told my wife, "God is going to use this youn yo ung g man. man. He He has a strong s trong anoi an ointing." nting." Both Jentezen and his brother were gifted by the Holy Spirit, and one could sense God's power when they stood
before be fore the th e peo pe o ple. Mont Mo nths hs later at er,, we bega be gan n to hear he ar abou ab outt the th e Franklin brothers and how churches were experiencing great revivals under their ministry. Shortly thereafter, Jentezen was married and continued traveling, experiencing tremendous results with his dynamic preaching and singing. Eventually, Jentezen felt impressed to accept a pastorate at a church in Gainesville, Georgia. In the mid-1980's, while conducting a revival at the ational Church of God in Washington, D.C., I became acquai acqu ainte nted d with with a ver ve ry gi g ifted youn yo ung g man man nam n amed ed Randy and y Whi Wh ite. Randy had served the church in the youth department and the children's ministry. Randy had gone through a difficult divorce and was working a secular job. He had a love for God and a burden bu rden for s oul ou ls , and an d he was very ve ry loyal oy al in his perso pe rson n al walk walk with God and his faithfulness to the church. One evening before be fore s ervice, Rand an d y and an d I were s itti tt ing in his car and an d he was sharing with me his burden for ministry. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit came upon me and I gave Randy this word: "The rod o Aaron that looks dead will blossom again and produce fruit." The Lord was speaking of Randy's ministry. We both began to cry cry and an d rejoi rejoice, ce, kno know wing God' od 's hand han d was upon up on Randy and y and an d that t hat He had special plans for him in the future. As time passed, Randy and his dedicated wife, Paula went to Tampa, Florida to s tart a new chur chu rch. All four young men were part of the same denomination and were chosen by the Lord to enter the ministry as teenagers. Now the rest of the story
Many years have passed since those early revivals with four fou r zealou zealouss teen te enag agee preach p reachers ers.. Tod Today, ay, our mi ministry nis try,, Voice o Evangelism, has progressed from small local churches to an international ministry, reaching millions through television and through our o ur seven-point seven-point outr ou treach. each. Marcus Lamb is President of Daystar Television Network, the second largest Christian network in America. In 1985, Marcus started his first television station in Montgomery, Alabama. Marcus is now headquartered in the Dallas-Forth Worth Metroplex. He and his wife, Joni, are loved by hundreds of thousands of loyal viewers. On October 18, 1993, I was honored to be on the set the night Marcus pulled the power switch and the Daystar Network was placed on the air! That night, only a handful of viewers knew that a new network was born. bo rn. Today, od ay, the th e network ne twork reaches reach es from from coas co astt to coas co astt and an d is cons con s idered one o ne of Amer Ameriica's outs ou tstan tandi ding ng Chris hris tian tian networks networks . Jentezen Franklin was told by his peers not to leave the evang eva ngel eliis tic mi ministry nist ry.. He He was informed nformed in a pho p hone ne conv co nversa ersation tion that he was being groomed to one day become an executive in the national youth department of our denomination. I recall telling him, "Obey God instead of men. If you feel led to pastor, then God is in it!" Jentezen went to Gainesville, Georgia to Free Chapel Worship Center, a church with about 350 members. I was honored to conduct one of Jentezen's early revivals at the old sanctuary. Each year we would return and see the astonishing growth under Jentezen's ministry. Today, Jentezen has a weekly television program, a Bible School, and over 5,000 membe embers rs at a t Free Cha Chape pell Worship Wors hip Center Cent er,, one on e of o f Ameri America's ca's mos t exci exciting ting churche ch urchess . Randy White organized a church in Tampa, Florida with
about three families. He called me and asked if I would come and preach a weeklong revival. Pam and I were honored to preach preac h the th e first first revival at Randy an dy's 's church ch urch,, with with abou ab outt forty members in attendance! Today, I am amazed at the growth and the th e power po werful ful outreach ou treach ministr nist ries at With Withou outt Wall Walls Internati Internat ional on al Church in Tampa, Florida. The new sanctuary seats 4,500 peop pe oplle and an d there th ere are over ov er 250 major major mi ministri nis tries es conn co nnect ected ed with with the chu c hurrch. Fr From famou amouss s por po rts athl ath letes, etes , law lawyers, yers, and doctors do ctors,, to form former stri s tripp ppers ers and an d ex e x-drug -drug deal de alers, ers, the t he church chu rch is is impacting pa cting the city city with a mes messs age of o f rres estorati toration on.. Can anyone explain how four young fireball preachers, ministering in small local churches, can experience such phen ph enom omen enal al s piri piritual tu al results res ults and an d growth gro wth in their th eir ministri nis tries es?? After all, hundreds of men and women accept a call into the ministry nist ry each year yea r, yet neve n everr expe experrience enc e the th e leve levell of res results ults that th at other oth erss do. do . Is Is God playing playing favorites favorites,, or is is ther the re a key we need to understand?
We have discussed this Marcus, Jentezen, Randy, and I have discussed why we bel be lieve ev e the t he bless bles s ings ng s are so s o g reat upon up on our ou r mi ministri nis tries es.. It woul wou ld be eas y in the th e natu na tural ral to s ay we al a ll work lon long g hours ho urs and an d h ave av e certain gifts that God is using to reach the nation. But we all understand that the seeds that were planted in us by our parent pa rentss and an d grand gran d parent pa rentss are produ pro ducing cing a harves ha rvestt in our ou r ministries. Paul said, "I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave g ave the th e increase" increase" (1 (1 Corint orinthian hianss 3:6). 6). The firs firstt gen g eneration eration planted plant ed the th e s eed, eed , the th e nex ne xt gene ge neration ration watered the th e s eed, eed , the th e following generation cultivated the field, and the fourth generation generation reaped the har h arves vest. t. Our parents and relatives before us were tithers, just as Abraham was. In elementary school, Marcus began setting aside five cents out of a fifty-cent weekly allowance his father gave him. At age eleven, I began practicing what I saw Mom and Dad do each week. I remember giving one dollar out of ten that I had in a small wallet. All four ministers continue the same princ princiip les of giving, giving , but bu t I bel be lieve ev e o ur fina financ nciial bless bles s ings ng s are not just a result of what we are planting today. They are the result of a harvest we are enjoying that was planted by our fathers and mothers. Isaac enjoyed a harvest during a famine becau be causs e he h e again ag ain dug d ug the th e well wells of hi h is father fath er Abraha Ab raham m (Gen (Genes esiis 26:18). Abraham worked hard, and Isaac was blessed because of Abraham's hard work. The seed I am planting today will bless bles s me and an d wil will also prepare prep are a harves ha rves t for my chi ch ild ren and an d grandchildren. Each of us can recall being raised to tithe, honor God, and
study the Word. As a child or a teenager, you don't realize the impact pa ct the t he s eed of God God's 's Word is is havi hav ing on your yo ur li life. The ol o lder we all become, the more appreciative we are of our Full Gospel Christian heritage and family legacies. Family members who are outside of covenant with God need to understand understand that godl god ly parents parents and grandparents grandparents have prayed pray ed for them th em from from the th e time time they th ey were were infants nfan ts . They The y may bel be lieve ev e their th eir suc s ucces ces s is due du e to their th eir educ ed ucat atiion or s o me s pecial pe cial abili ability. In reali reality, they are li like the t he s ons on s of David. David. They The y have hav e no no presen pres entt relat relatiions on s hip with with God, od , b ut the th e Lo Lo rd is is faith faithful ful to ans an s wer the prayers of their family members because of the covenant they th ey carry carry. This does not mean they can live in sin and disobey God without consequences. If they continue to be disobedient, they will experience chastisement and eventually be brought under some form of God's judgement, especially if they were raised with the knowledge of the truth. Individuals who were raised in Christian homes, but who today are prodigal sons, have lived under the prayer covering of several generations and God has extended mercy for the sake of praying parents and grandparents. The four of us understand the impartation of the blessing. But what are the important principles in passing the blessing on to your yo ur chil children and an d gr g randchi and chilldren?
Three important principles These three spiritual principles are the vital links to bui bu ilding the th e found fou ndat atiion of your yo ur s piri piritual tu al hous ho us e and an d bui bu ilding character character and faith faith in your y our descendants des cendants :
Plant seeds through giving Giving involves both finances and time. It has been said that what we make happen for others, God will make happen for us. If we plant for someone else's needs, then in the t he futur utu re, som so meone eon e wil will plant plant a seed s eed to meet our o ur needs need s . Your ou r givi giving ng today tod ay is is a seed s eed for futur utu re bles blesss ings ng s upon up on you y our r descendants. Plant seeds in the form of the Word of God
The Bible is a Book of seeds. Each promise is an incorruptible seed (1 Peter 1:23). Jesus taught that the Word of God is planted into hearts as a seed is in the wo rds shall not ground (Mark chapter 4). Christ said, "My wor pass pa ss away aw ay" " (Matthew (Matthew 24:35). When we hear, the Word is plante plan ted d in ou o u r spi sp irit. rit. As A s we act upon up on the th e Word, the th e seed s eed is activated activated to pr p roduce odu ce res resul ults ts.. When we speak s peak the Word Word to othe ot hers, rs, we we are plant plantiing into nt o their t heir lives ve s . Transfer rans fer the b ble less s ing through through pray prayer er and and the lay l aying ing on o hands
Prayer and the laying on of hands are twins that cannot be separated. To pray without touch may limit the transfer. To touch without prayer could void the transfer. Both ot h sho s hould uld be exerci exerciss ed, ed , alon along g with with the t he anointing an ointing in in faith faith.. You wi wi l l alway alwayss g ain by pl pl anting s ee eed ds
As previously stated, all four ministers had family members who were tithers. There is a special blessing placed on the th e gi g iver ve r (Malachi (Malachi 3: 3:10). In fact, God God has a spec s peciial covenan cove nantt for those who offer sacrifices (Psalms 505). I truly believe that the financial blessings our ministries are experiencing are the increase from past generations. When I was growing up, the needs of our family were always met, but today our ministry is exploding in growth and financial increase. The same is true with Marcus , Jen Jentezen, tezen, and Randy. Not onl on ly are the t he chu ch u rches that th at Jente Jen tezzen and an d Randy an dy pas pa s tor to r very generous in their giving, the ministers themselves practice sowing into the lives of others. Pam has given away a car, a van, furni furniture, ture, and other o ther tangibl tangiblee ass as s ets to thos th osee in in need as the Lord directed. The Bible says that Abraham paid tithes for Levi while Levi was still in his loins. Abraham's obedience impacted his children who were yet to be born. God honors the seed and gives gives the t he harves harvest. t. Keep them in the house of God
Paul wrote to Timothy saying that the same faith that was in his mother and his grandmother was also in him (2 Timothy 1:5). We eventually become what we associate with. As children, all four ministers sat in Sunday School classes, learning the Word of God. In fact, most of us were in church every time the doors were open, including revivals, conventions, and prayer meetings. Today, some would think this is is too much chur chu rch, but the t he resul resu lts s peak for for thems thems elves elves . So much of the Word was placed in our hearts that it was
difficult to stray from God without severe conviction striking our hearts. When we grew up, our denomination was very strict in their practical commitments. Some objected to these strict teachings, but the fact was that our families (including grandparents) were very godly people whose only desire was to pl p lease eas e God God in thei th eirr appear app earance ance and an d acti act ions on s . Get into such a habit of going to church that if you don't go, you feel like something is wrong. Get into a routine o prayer pray er s o that th at when you yo u mis s it, s omet omething hing s eems eems wron wrong. g. Develop a system of giving so that you automatically sow before be fore you yo u are as ked. ed . Fi nd a sp s pi ritua ri tuall mentor for your fami fami l y
Those who experience a transfer of the generational bless bles s ing all s ay there th ere was at leas t one on e perso pe rson n in their th eir fami family who was a strong "prayer warrior." These special people becam be camee o ur mento en tors rs,, peop pe oplle whom who m we looked oo ked up to with with respect and admiration. These individuals spent hours in deep intercession, calling for the salvation of their children and grandchildren. As a chi ch ild, I recal recalll my father spen s pendi ding ng exten extended ded s eason eas onss in prayer pray er.. He He woul wou ld s omet ometiimes pray s o loudly lou dly that th at you y ou could co uld hear h ear him in the back yard! Often, I could hear him call the names o his children and hold them up before God's throne. The Bible indicates that prayers are stored in golden vials before the throne of God (Revelation 5:8). At appointed times, these vials are are opened op ened,, the pr p rayers are are releas released ed in God God's 's Pres Presence, ence, and an d the answ ans wers ers are are sent s ent back b ack to earth. Find a mentor and discover everything you can about
prayer pray er,, worsh wors h ip, s tudy tu dyiin g the th e Word, and an d g iving, ving , and an d then th en act upon what you learn. We learn by example. Don't talk the talk without walking the walk. Teach your family how to pray by prayi pray ing, ng , how ho w to give by g iving, ving , how ho w to love ov e by lovi ov ing, ng , and an d how ho w to care by caring caring.. The full meas meas ure of the the b ble less s ing
In Matth M atthew ew chapter 20 20, Jes Jesus us gave gav e a parabl p arablee of o f a man man who hired workers for His field. He selected people at different times of the day, but offered them the same amount of money. One group grou p was hired hired at ni n ine in the t he morning. A secon sec ond d crew c rew came came in in at twelve twelve noo n oon, n, and the t he thi t hirrd gr g roup ou p went to work at thr th ree in in the th e afternoon. A final crew was hired at five o'clock, just one hour before be fore the th e workda workday y con co n cluded. clude d. When payday came, those who worked one hour received the same amount of pay as those who worked all day. Those who worked longer were angry with those who only worked one hour. Their attitude was that if you worked longer you should receive more pay. One application of this parable could be that th at thos th os e worki working near ne ar the th e return retu rn of the th e Lord wil will receive the full measure of God's blessings, including the combined bless bles s ings ng s of the pas t generation. generation.
A heritage heritage of ministers inisters You can s ee how ho w the spir s piriitual bles blesss ings ng s increase by examining my family heritage. My great-grandfather, Robert L. Rexroad, was a pioneer Full Gospel minister in the early 1930's. He organized one of the first traveling bands and pioneered church ch urches es throu th rough ghou outt West Wes t Vi Virginia rginia and an d Vi Virgin rgin ia. My grandfather, John Bava, married Lucy, a niece whom Robert and his wife, Lillian, raised. Granddad Bava founded a company that recorded and published music, and through the company, he published over 1,000 songs. One of his most noted songs, "Don't Overlook Salvation," was recorded by Ricky icky Van Shelto She lton n in 1993 1993.. Gran Grand d d ad was cal ca lled "Th " Thee Sin Sin g in g Coal oa l Miner," Miner," and an d was acti act ive in Gos Gos pel pe l radio radio in the th e early early day d ayss o the industry. He passed away on April 11, 1997 at age eightyfour. My father, Fred Stone, is an anointed minister. Dad served as an evangel evan geliis t and pastor pas tor throug throughou houtt his his forty-ei orty-eight ght years years o ministry. At one time he could quote entire books of the New Testa es tam ment. en t. Years ago, ag o, duri du ring ng our ou r fami family vaca v acation tion,, Dad said, s aid, "Go to the Book of James." He began with verse one and quoted the entire book. His personal experiences with the Holy Spirit are stories that captivate both young and old. Dad is a humble servant of God who knows how to listen to and obey the th e di d irection rectionss of the th e Holy Holy Spiri Spirit. The spiritual seeds planted for three generations have created a great harvest in our ministry. In twenty-four years o full full time time mi ministry nis try,, I have ha ve perso pe rsona nallly witn witnes esss ed over ov er 18, 18,0 000 s oul ou ls come come to t o Chris hris t and a nd over ov er 31 31,00 ,000 receive receive the t he full fullnes ne s s of the th e Holy Holy
Spir Spirit. Having Having wri written over ov er fi fifty s ongs on gs that tha t have h ave been recorded, I can see the influence of Granddad Bava. The desire to pray long hours, read, and study are a product of my father's influence. Dad always had the Bible or a religious book in his Mu sical al hand. Granddad Bava once printed a magazine called Music choes. Today, we print the Voice of Evangelism magazine and have printed over twenty books. Grandmother Bava once said to me, "Perry, you are now doing everything your granddad wanted to do, but was never able." The blessing was passed on! on ! Si Since nc e 197 1977, our ou r mi ministry nis try has h as accom acc ompli pliss hed he d th t h e follo follo wing wing:: preach prea ched ed in thi th irty-five rty-five s tate ta tess and an d sev s even en forei fo reign gn nation na tionss oi ce of Evangeli Evang elism sm publi pu bliss hed he d a bi b i-mon -month thlly mag magaz aziine, ne , Voice
written and published over fifty gospel songs which have been recorded ecorded produ pro duced ced a large large vi v ideo de o and an d cas ca s s ette et te out o utreach reach mi ministry nis try written and pub p ubllis hed over o ver twenty twenty books bo oks and boo b ook klets organized and supported missionaries and mission crusades hosted a weekly television program, Manna Fest, which is s een in over 110 cities bui bu ilt and an d paid p aid for for a 25, 25,0 000 s quare qu are foo foott mi ministry nis try cent ce nter er Please understand that this is not a brag sheet. God receives all the glory for these results, and I am grateful and hum hu mbled for God God's 's bless bles s ings ng s . Yet, I am aware aware tha t hatt the t he fina finance ncess , prayers pray ers,, and an d time time plante plan ted d by previ prev ious ou s gene ge nerations rations are com co ming full circle in our ministry. Nothing has been given to me on a
silver platter. It has come through obedience, hard work, and commitment to Christ. These results have come over twentyfour fou r years yea rs of o f mi ministry nis try.. I will add that it has not been easy. At age eighteen, my s ingi ng ing s ound ou nded ed like a frog frog with with laryngi aryng itis. I practicall practically flun flunk ked Engl ng lis h in s chool, cho ol, and our ou r ffiirst " magaz ag aziine" was a s mall all piece piece o pape pa perr sen s entt to thi th irty close clos e frien friends ds . The offerin offerin gs barel ba rely y cove co vered red my gasoline expenses, and I prayed half the day that enough peop pe oplle woul wou ld be b e interes inte reste ted d in my my revi rev ival va ls to fil fill up jus t half h alf the th e church. I owned one blue suit jacket. My grandfather told me he hoped ho ped that th at I could could one o ne day pastor pas tor a church church with with a hundre hun dred d members. As I began to fast, pray, and devour the Word, changes bega be gan n to occu oc curr. I bega be gan n to s ing on key (a miracle racle in its elf). elf). Despite men laughing at the "magazine," persistence paid of and today the Voice of Evangelism, a twenty-page, bi-monthly publi pu blicat catiion, on , is s ent en t throu th rough gho o ut the th e Unite United d States Stat es.. Over the th e years, our offices have moved from an apartment to a 25,000 square foot ministry center. My first song, Close to the Cross but Far From the Blood , written in Bulgaria in 1992, was recently recorded by the McKameys and released on national radio. The attendance at the local churches has gone from fifteen fifteen peo p eople ple a night to as high as 5,00 ,000 in one on e servi s ervice. ce. To To God God be the t he gl g lory! ory !
Gifts ifts will cr create eate other gif gi fts A parable of Christ in Matthew 25:14-30 speaks of a bus bu s ines ne s s man who called called three th ree s ervant erva ntss to him and a nd entrus en trus ted te d them with silver coins. The first man was given five talents (coins), the second man was given two talents, and the third man was given one. The businessman took a long journey, expecting his servants to invest their money while he was gone. When he returned, the man took an account of his servants. The servant with five talents had doubled his investment to ten coins. The man with two had doubled his investment to four coins. The man with one coin had, out o fear, fear, buri bu ried ed his coi co in. The businessman, who represents the Lord, commended the two men who doubled their money (Matthew 25:21). The fellow who hid his single coin was reprimanded, and his coin was given to the man who had ten (Matthew 25:28). Why did the Lord give the one coin to the man who already had ten coins coins ? Didn Didn't 't the fell ellow wi with ten have hav e enou en ough gh?? The spiritual application of this parable is important. I peop pe oplle do not no t us e the th e gift gift God gives them th em,, the th e Lord wil will transfer the gift to someone who will use it! God can transfer money, on ey, gifts gifts , and abili ability from from one on e who is inactive na ctive to t o one on e who is willing to use the gift for God's glory. Once you step out and use us e what God God has given given you, yo u, he can qui qu ickl ckly multi ultiply ply what what you yo u have to create create what what you yo u need. People do not see the sacrifices others make to have what they now have. We live in a town with a major Christian University. Often, young ministers tour our facilities and ask
me the key to building a global ministry. I reply, "Learn to clean bath ba throo room ms and an d knock knoc k on doors do ors to invi nv ite peop pe oplle to church ch urch." ." When I was eleven years old, I became the janitor of the chur chu rches Dad pas p astored. tored. On On Saturdays , I woul ou ld knock on doors do ors inviting people to church. Some people seek a shortcut to the bless bles s ings ng s with witho o ut making aking a s acrifi acrifice. ce. Don't Don 't ever ev er critici criticizze someone's blessings because you don't know the sacrifices they have hav e made made to t o arri arrive at their present presen t des tination. tination. At age eleven, I began playing drums in Dad's church. At age fifteen, I assisted a local minister in his print shop and, at age seventeen, I traded my drum set to the printer so I could Preciou ouss Promise Promisess fo fo r Believe Beli evers, rs, pri get my first first book, bo ok, Preci p rin n ted. te d. God God used us ed the drums drums as a seed s eed to grow our printing printing mi minis nis try. try. According to Proverbs 18:16, "A man's gift maketh room or him hi m, and bringeth brin geth him befor beforee great great men. " The word room in Hebrew means to open up and to broaden. As you begin to obey ob ey the t he Lord, He He wil will begi beg in to t o br b roaden oad en your yo ur gif gifts and talents talents . For example, playing the drums eventually led to my singing in church. Singing eventually led to song writing, and over time the songs were recorded on tape. Nationally known s ingers heard heard the recordi ecordings ngs and s elected elected s ongs ong s for their their own own albums. Recorded songs produced royalties that became a perso pe rson n al bless bles s ing to my fami family. Messages were birthed in seasons of fervent prayer. The messages were recorded on cassette tape and the tapes were placed into nt o album albu ms , which which then th en becam be camee a s eed plante plan ted d in the th e lives of thousands of people. The finances from the albums were placed back into the ministry, thus enabling the Voice o vangelism magazine to be printed and mailed throughout orth A merica. erica.
Prophetic messages were birthed through intense study, and the messages were placed on videotapes. The videotapes becam be camee s pecial pe cial off o ffers ers duri du rin n g tel te letho et hons ns on Chris hris tian tel te levi ev is ion stations. The stations began inviting me to speak on the subject of Bible prophecy. By offering a special package o proph pro phet etiic tap t apes es,, the th e peo p eople, ple, the th e sta s tation tionss , and o ur mi ministry nis try were bless bles s ed. ed . The financial finan cial s eed we received over ov er sev s everal eral years was planted plant ed into nt o new ne w digital video vide o produ pro duct ctiion equipm eq uipmen ent. t. A s a result, we now have a weekly television program, Manna Fest, which which is s een in over ov er 110 110 cities cities in A merica. erica. Each gift was a path leading to a new area of ministry. Consider using your gifts as a farmer would use seed. Plant yourself in God's will and begin to sharpen your skills, unlocking the God-given abilities hidden behind the doors o opportunity. Discover the gifts and motivations in the life of your children. Encourage them to follow through with their gifts. At age elev eleven, en, when I wou woulld practi p ractice ce pl p layi ay ing the th e drum d rumss at hom h ome, e, it it alm almos t drove d rove my fami family and the th e nei n eigh ghbo bors rs insan ins ane. e. Boo Boom m, boom bo om,, crash, crash, boom, boom ...it sounded like wild men in the ungle preparing for war. If my mother and father had dis dis couraged me, me, they could could have h ave stopp s topped ed the th e seed s eed that th at woul would d be pl p lante an ted d in the th e future futu re to bi b irth the t he out o utreach reach mi ministry. nis try. Let the th e chi ch ildren play their t heir ins trumen truments ts.. Allow Allow them th em to play sports. Encourage them to write stories and poems. Help them use the computer to create graphics. Develop their creativity. My son, Jonathan, plays the guitar. He carries it with him everywhere, even when we take a trip thirty miles away to the mall. all. I tell tell h im, "Y " You wil will be o ne of the t he bes be s t in the t he n ati at ion. on . One One day you y ou may di d irect the th e worsh worshiip at you y ourr dad' dad 's s ervices ervices!!
The power of the blessing, coupled with special gifts, can bring bring forth muc much h fruit. fruit. In In sum s umm mary: Each p pers ers on has has cer certa tain in gifts g ifts or abil abilitie itiess .
Paul spoke of the gifts of the Spirit and said that God divides to every man severally as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11). We each have certain gifts and abilities. Some are spiritual and others are natural abilities. Those abilities must be developed and used.
According According to t o the th e parables parables,, a pers pers on must us t us e his his or her abilities, or God will allow another to receive their bless bles s ing. ng . The Bible s ays ay s , " ...hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. " (Revelation 3:11). What you do may seem insignificant, but if you will be faithful in the small responsibilities, God will eventually give give you yo u greater res respo pons ns ibil bilities ties..
Your gifts will open doors. Men and women in business and in ministry are always looking for dedicated people with gifts o communication, leadership, organization, administration, and helps. Not everyone is a pulpit minister and not everyone's gift is a spiritual gift. But natural gifts can be used by spiritual people to open door doo rs for you. Gi fts can be be i mparted to to the next ne xt gener ge neration. ation.
One man man sai s aid d that th at the th e worl world's d's gr g reates t son s ongs gs,, ideas , and invent nv entiions on s are lyi lying ng in a gr g raveyard. avey ard. They They died died with the person. Everything God created gives and reproduces itself. Paul laid hands upon Timothy and imparted s piri piritual tu al gifts gifts becaus bec aus e he h e des d esiired a man man of God God to carry on his ministry (Romans 1:11). Impart before you depart. Become a mentor and leave the blessing to s omeone omeone who can use us e what you have lear learned. ned. The Bible promises, "Train up a child in the way he shou sho u ld go: go : and an d when wh en he is old, ol d, he will wi ll not no t depa de part rt from it" it " (Proverbs 22:6). Training is most effective when done by exam example ple and not no t just jus t by b y words . The hom ho me is is where he re it it all begins be gins..
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In Your Down Sitting and Your Uprising "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, down , and when thou th ou risest risest up."
(Deuteronomy 6:7) Rais ais ing chi ch ildren and an d training training them t hem are two two branch b ranches es on the th e s ame ame tree. Your ou r phys ical presence presen ce alon alonee does do es not no t guarantee g uarantee that your children will be godly. Watching them grow is not imparting into their life. God gave the Hebrew nation clear instructions in both raising and training their children to serve the th e Lord. Lord. I have always been impressed with Hebrew customs and how dedicated the orthodox Jewish men are in rearing and instructi ns tructing ng their s ons on s and daugh dau ghters. ters. Con Conss ider the foll following owing:: When a Jewish male child turns eight days old, the child is circumcised as a token of covenant with God (Gen (Genes es is 17:1 17:12) 2).. At age thirteen, Jewish boys experience a Bar Mitzvah and the girls a Bat Mitzvah. This ceremony introduces the children to their responsibility of being a son or daugh dau ghter ter of the coven cov enant ant (Mark (Mark 5:42). During the Sabbath, the entire family attends Synagogue and enjoys a large meal together. The Sabbath is still considered holy (Exodus 20:8). There are special feasts throughout the year, such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, as well as other celebrations such as Purim and Hanukkah. Jewish children actively participate in these celebrations. Spiritual training begins early. The father will take a small wooden stick and dip it in honey while reading the Word o God (Torah) (Torah) to the t he chil c hild. d. He He wants to create the t he ment mental al conce co ncept pt
that the Torah is sweet. Each orthodox home has a mezuzah placed on the th e righ rightt s ide of the th e doorp do orpos os t. This o bject hol ho lds a piece of parch p archm ment en t with with s cript criptures ures from from the Torah. orah . The chi ch ild is taught to kiss the mezuzah when entering and exiting the house. During the celebration of Hanukkah, certain foods are enjoyed enjoye d and a nd s peci pec ial gam ga mes are played. played . The entir en tiree fami family enjoys e njoys these thes e celebr celebrati ations ons . These customs are not based on modem concepts but are rooted in the Torah (the five Books of Moses). God instructed the Hebrews Hebrews to wri write His His Word on the doo d oorrpos po s t or the entrance en trance to their homes after possessing the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 6:9). He also instructed that they wear fringes on their outer garments as a reminder of God's commands (Num (Numbers bers 15:38). This ins tructi truct ion led to the th e deve d evellopm op ment of the th e Hebrew prayer pray er sha s hawl wl (talli (tallith). th ). These traditions, customs, and commandments were to be taugh tau ghtt to the th e children children at a very earl ea rly y age. ag e. Rab Rabbi bi Yehuda, ehu da, the th e son of Tema, wrote in the Jewish Mishna about training up a child. He lists the progression of the age and expected level o training training a chil c hild d s hould ho uld receive: receive: Age Ag e 5: to read the t he Bible Age Ag e 10 10: to read the t he Mi M is hna hn a Age Ag e 13: 13: boun bo und d to t o the t he Comm ommandm and ments ent s Age Ag e 15 15: to s tudy tu dy the th e Tal Talm mud A g e 18: 18: the th e age ag e of o f marr marriiage ag e Age Ag e 20 20: pur pu rs uit uit of bus bu s ines s A g e 30: 30: full full of vi v igor go r Age 40: maturity of reason Age Ag e 50 50: a couns cou ns elor elor
A g e 60: 60: com co mmencem en cemen entt of o f age Age Ag e 70 70: the gray age ag e Age Ag e 80 80: advanced adv anced old age Age Ag e 90 90: bow bo wed over ov er Age Ag e 10 100: as he were were dead and gone go ne He further stated that a child's growth is revealed by these Hebrew words words : Jeled Jel ed , mean meaniing a newbo n ewborn rn bab b aby y (Ex (Exodu od u s 2:3, 6 and an d 8) Jone Jo nek k , mean meaniing a s uck uc kling (Is (Is aiah 1 1: 1:8) Olel , mean meaniing to ask as k for bread (Lam (Lamen enta tation tionss 4:4) Gamul , meaning a weaned one (the end of 2 years) (Isaiah 28:9) Taph , mea mean n in g to clin clin g to its mo ther th er (Ez (Ezekiel ekiel 9:6 9:6)) Elem Ele m, mean meaniing to b ecom eco me stron s trong g and a nd fm (Is (Is aiah 7:1 7:14)
In our ou r western west ern culture, Chri Chriss tians dedicate de dicate thei th eirr chi ch ildren to to God in a special service. Most Christian children receive Biblical training in Sunday School or children's church and are usually taught how to pray a simple prayer. However, by the time a child reaches eighteen years of age, many who were rais ais ed in church are are unabl un ablee to quote quo te ten s cri criptures and cannot lead a group in spontaneous prayer. The television was their baby ba byss itter tt er while while Mom Mo m and an d Dad worked worked.. Despite Des pite our ou r fast fas t paced pa ced lifestyle, we are to teach our children in our uprising and in our down sitting. This means that spiritual instruction should be given given firs t thi th ing in the t he morni morning ng and the last as t thi th ing at ni n ight. gh t. We are bles blesss ed as a fami family that th at our o ur son so n Jonath Jon athan an is hom ho med schooled. Every day he spends thirty minutes hearing
ins tructi truct ion from from the th e Bi Bible. Recently ecen tly,, he beg b egan an quot qu otiing an enti ent ire chapter from the Bible. We have taught Jonathan to bless his meals and we direct him in prayer at bedtime. Some of our best conversations occur before he goes to sleep. We have talked about heaven, death, and the coming of the Lord, and answ ans wered ered many thought-pr thou ght-provo ovok king ques tions tions . As a child, Mom taught me to pray a prayer before going to sleep, and Dad seemed to pray constantly. As a child, my mind was on childish things, but the seed was planted and memories were formed that laid a foundation for my future. Many times, when one of the kids became sick, Dad would pray a praye p rayerr of faith faith for us u s . We We beli b eliev eved ed he had ha d a direct direct line to heaven. Teachi eac hing ng must mus t be be mi xed wi wi th p prayer rayer
When your children hear you praying, it will impact their Po intt Man, Ma n, he talks about a man heart. In Steve Farr's book, Poin named George McCluskey who decided to spend one hour each day in prayer p rayer for for his chi ch ildren. He late laterr exten extended ded his prayer p rayer to included his his grandchi grandch ildren and an d great-grandch great-grandchiildren. Years pas pa s s ed and a nd his two t wo Chri Chriss tian daug da ught hters ers marr marriied men men who were in full-time ministry. Between the two couples, they had four girls and one boy. Each of the girls married a minister and the boy bo y becam b ecamee a pas p astor tor.. The fir firs t tw t wo chil children born b orn to this generation were both boys. One chose the ministry, while the other was the first one in four generations not to do so. He decided to pursue his interest in psychology. This man was James James Dobson Dobs on,, the mos mos t infl influen uential tial and an d s igni gn ifican ficantt leader in in the t he pro-f pro -fam amiily movem ov emen entt toda to day y. Four Fou r gene ge nerations rations ago, ag o, a man's an 's
prayers pray ers impa impact cted ed Dobs Do bs on's on 's life! life! On the opposite side, a lack of spiritual guidance, prayer, and values will destroy generations. In the 1800's lived a man named Mat Jukes, an alleged moon shiner. Neither he nor his wife ever attended church. According to Dr. Tim LaHaye in his Your Family, mily, Jukes had 1,026 descendants. seminar You and Your Fa Three hundred died prematurely, one hundred were sent to pris pris on, on , one o ne hund hu ndred red ninety ninet y were were pros pro s titute titu tess , and an d one on e hund hu ndred red were town drunks. Is there hope for anyone in a family with such bad seed? What if you have no church background and are the th e first first Christi hrist ian in you yo u r fam famiily? What if you are from four generations of heathen?
Paula White introduces her husband as the fifth generation of Christians, then states that she is from four gener gen erati ation onss of heathen. heath en. Yet, Yet, this woman woman has h as becom beco me one o ne o America's premier female ministers, preaching in the greatest churches in North America and abroad. At some point, she becam be camee dete de term rmiin ed not n ot to allo allo w her he r pas pa s t to cont co ntrol rol her he r future. futu re. People often ask my wife, Pam, if her dad was a minister. She tells them her parents were divorced many years ago and that her father did not attend the weddings of his three daughters; yet, Pam is a stable wife and mother. She is the execu executive tive secretary s ecretary of o f the Voice of Evan Evange gellis m and an d has h as ass as s is ted in building and maintaining our ministry for almost twenty years. Paula and Pam could have chosen to dwell upon the failures of the past, but instead, they chose to pursue their purpo pu rposs e in Chris hris t. In the th e words of Paul, they th ey forgot forgo t thos th os e
things which were behind and reached for the things that are before be fore them th em (Phil (Philiip pians 3:13). 13). You may be the th e only o nly perso p erson n in your yo ur fami family who bel b eliieves ev es the Gospel and has accepted Christ. Perhaps you feel disappointed that there is no person in your lineage with an anointing or a gift to transfer into your life. If this is your case, you have a unique opportuni opp ortunity ty to t o begi b egin n a new n ew legacy for your you r descendants. What if I am a si s i ngl ng l e mom? mom?
Today, od ay, many an y mothe ot hers rs are rais rais ing thei th eirr children children withou th outt the t he father. How can a mother effectively train her children and impart a blessing when the priest of the home, the father, is not presen pres ent? t? One example of this is Mary, the mother of Christ. We read where Joseph took Mary for His wife after Christ was conceived in her by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). When Jesus was in the Temple at age twelve, Joseph was mentioned again (Luke 2:42-50). The next time frame is age thirty, when Christ was being baptized in water (Luke 3:21-23). Most scholars believe that Joseph passed away years before Christ bega be gan n His His publi pu blicc ministry nis try.. This woul wou ld mean that th at Mary Ma ry was invol nv olved ved in Chris hris t's minis nis try, try, but Joseph Jos eph was not no t pr p resent. es ent. Mary was present at the wedding at Cana where Christ perf pe rform ormed ed His His firs firstt miracle racle (Joh (John n 2:3). 3). Mary Ma ry was with with Chris hris t's disciples during His earthly ministry (Matthew 12:46). She was standing at the foot of the cross prior to Christ's death (John 19:25-27), and she was also present in the upper room and when the Holy oly Spir Spirit was poured po ured out o ut at Pentecos Pent ecos t (Acts (Act s 1:14).
It is is easy to s ay that, th at, since since Jesus Jesu s was the Son of o f God, God, He He had little interest in His earthly mother. The scene at the crucifixion proves otherwise. At the cross, Jesus cried out to His mother, "Behold thy son" (John 19:26). Christ then looked at John and said, "Behold thy mother" (John 19:27). From that moment oment,, Joh John n too t ook k Mary to his hou h ouss e to care c are for for her. her. It It appe ap pears ars that Jesus Jesu s did did not n ot want to die wi with His mother oth er watch watchiing. ng . Mary became a single parent. Christ impacted her life and, certainly, He honored Mary for being the vessel God used to bring bring Him Him into nt o the th e world. world. The ange an gell Gabri ab riel el s aid Mary Ma ry was bless bles s ed amo amo ng women women (Luke (Luke 1:2 1:28). 8). Elizabet ab eth h s aid Mary Ma ry was bless bles s ed amon among g women women (Lu (Lu ke 1:42). Mary Ma ry bega be gan n to proph pro phes esy y about the future and said, "All generations shall call me blessed' (Luke (Luke 1:48). Although many Catholics disagree, Mary had other children after Christ was born (Matthew 13:55). Mary was bless bles s ed, ed , althou alth ough gh a wido widow w. She carefully carefully foll followed the th e ministry nis try of Jesus and was filled with the Holy Spirit on the day o Pentecost. Being divorced and raising children without a father is similar to being a widow. I have said that a natural widow has lost her companion through death, and a spiritual widow has lost her husband through divorce or separation. The good news is that t hat God becom beco mes the hus hu s band ban d to t o the t he wido widow w. The The Lord Lord said: "Fear not; for for thou shalt not no t be asham asha med: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt sha lt forge orgett the th e shame sha me of thy th y you yo u th, th , and an d shalt sha lt not no t remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For
thy Mak Ma k er is thine husband h usband:: the Lord Lord of o f hosts is his nam na me ..."
(Isaiah (Is aiah 54:4 54:4-5 -5)) If a man is not present to impart spiritual knowledge, then God will give you, the mother, the special grace and spiritual authori auth ority ty to carr carry on the bles blesss ing in the t he fami amily. Throu Through ghou outt the t he Bible, God God u s ed women women to fulfi fulfill Hi His plan. plan . You You can begin be gin a spiritual legacy, despite your circumstances.
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How to Begin Your Personal Legacy "We "We will wil l not no t hide hi de them t hem fr from their child ch ildrren, showing showi ng to the t he gene ge nerat ratio ion n to come co me the th e praise pra isess o f the th e Lord, Lord, and an d his hi s stren strengt gth, h, and a nd h is won w onde derf rful ul work wo rk s that th at he hath ha th done do ne.. For he establi esta blished shed a testimony.. testimony..." ."
(Psalms 78:4-5)
Many secular sociologists believe the era of the family as we know it is finished. With divorce, single parents, cohabitating unmarried couples, and the homosexual lifestyle, they th ey bel be lieve ev e the th e tradi trad itional tion al fam famiily is hi h is tory to ry.. Yet, et , other oth er res research earch indicates that many Americans have a strong desire to rebuild the th e fami family s tructure. truct ure. Before my wife and I were married, she spent Christmas with my mom's family in Davis, West Virginia. This small, peace pe aceful ful town to wn locat oc ated ed in a moun ou n tai ta in com co mmuni un ity was h ome ome to my grandp g randparents arents , Joh John n and an d Luc Lucy y Bav Bava. a. Chri Chriss tmas tmas at the t heiir hom ho me was a tradition each year. It reminded me of an old-fashioned Christmas, with laughter, food, and a house filled with several generations of children, busy with holiday activities. We both agreed that we wanted a loving and enduring marriage like Granddad and Grandmother Bava. I had never seen them angry with one another. They were both in their 60's at the time of our marriage, but they still acted like two teenagers who had just fallen in love. Grandmother kept an immaculate house and Granddad complimented it with his humor and hard work. Their positive Christian character and living made ad e an a n impact pa ct on all who met them th em.. Others are not as fortunate to have Christian family members. Some may believe that a generational blessing cannot be passed on because of a negative family history. Before efore you yo u bel b eliieve you y ou have hav e no hope, ho pe, cons con s ider the mes messs many s aints aints of old old found them the ms elves elves in.
The house of dysfunctional saints Noah, Noah , who s pent pe nt a hund hu ndred red years ye ars bui bu ilding the th e ark and an d saving his entire family from destruction, left the ark, planted a vineyard, then got naked and drunk (Genesis 9:20-22). Lot heeded the warning of two angels, fled from Sodom and Gomorrah, hid in a cave, and was seduced by his two daughters (Genesis 19:33-38). Gideon was a mighty man o valor, leading three hundred men into battle and defeating a huge hu ge nati nat ion. on . Years later ate r, this s ame ame man man created a gold g old epho ep hod d that led Israel into idol worship (Judges 8:22-28). Sampson could take the jawbone of a donkey and make it as deadly as a sub-machine gun. Sampson had strong arms and a weak heart. He spent too much time at Delilah's hair salon and she clipped his hair, thus cutting off his anointing (Judges chapter 16). David could defeat bears, lions, giants, and Philistines, but a good-looking woman by the name of Bathsheba did more damage to David's family than a giant named Goliath and an army of Philistines (2 Samuel chapter 11.) And you think your fami family has ha s had ha d probl prob lems ems ? Yet, read the th e famou famouss hall of faith faith pas s age ag e in Hebrews Hebrews chapter 11. Paul lists names of men and women who were cons con s idered people peo ple of great great faith faith and who pleas pleased ed God God.. It It reads, reads , faith th Noah No ah ... "By fai ...being warned of God...prepared an ark...and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith" (Hebrews 11:7). In Hebrews 11:32, Paul mentions Gideon, Sampson, and David and states, "And these all, having obtained a good report epo rt thr th rough ou gh faith ait h ..." (Hebrews (Heb rews 11:39 1:39). ). It is clear that God did not emphasize their failure, but
recognized their repentance, humility, and actions of faith. When Peter was speaking about Lot, he called Lot a righteous man whose soul was vexed day to day by the actions and conv co nvers ersat atiio ns of the th e wicked. wicked. (2 Peter Pete r 2: 2:7-8 7-8). God did not no t excus excus e thei th eirr sins and fail ailures. In several s everal cases cas es,, the sins of these men presented problems for future generations. But this truth is evident: God did not hold their pas pa s t o ver ve r their th eir head he adss but bu t bless bles s ed their th eir future, futu re, des de s pite their th eir pas pa s t. The churc c hurch h was was built uil t wi wi th this bunch?
Consider the twelve men Christ chose to help organize the church. Judas was the treasurer of the group and was siphoning off funds. The Bible calls him a thief (John 12:6). Peter, the most outspoken, was in competition for a position in the Kingdom (Luke 9:46). James and John brought their mother into the di d is cuss cus s ion with a reques t that th at her two two s ons be all allowed owed to sit upon Christ's throne in the kingdom. John rebuked anyone in ministry who was not ordained in their small group (Luke 9:49). James and John became so angry with the Samaritans, they requested that Jesus scorch the place with fire, in the same manner that Elijah did against the prophets o Baal (Luke 9:54). Jesus rebuked His disciples for their unbelie (Luke 9:41). During an all night intercession service, these future world changers were caught napping and couldn't pray for one hour without snoring through the prayer meeting (Luke 22:45-46). Judas Juda s deci d ecide ded d to defect d efect from from the th e twelve twelve and an d was rewarded rewarded with thirty pieces of silver. One disciple appeared at Christ's arrest
scene draped in a bed sheet and ended up running back home naked (Mark 14:51). Peter jumped up from a deep sleep and bega be gan n to t o swi s wing ng a sword, s word, wha whacki cking ng off Malchus Malchu s ' ri right gh t ear ea r. (Joh (John n 18:10). The remaining disciples headed for the hills as Jesus was led away. Peter, who promised to be faithful to the end, went on a cursing binge in order to convince folks that he had noth no thiing to do with with Jesus Jes us (Matthew (Matth ew 26 26:73-74 -74). With these types of disciples in today's church, few peop pe oplle woul wou ld be b e sta s tand ndiing in line line to join as membe embers rs.. "The "Th e First First Church of Dysfunctional Saints" would be an apt name for this group. But something happened that changed their destiny and their lives forever. Jesus took this group of men (without Judas, of course), and promi promis ed to t o impart sup s upernatural ernatural pow po wer to them th em through throu gh the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Apparently, Christ saw potential that others missed. These eleven original disciples not only helped birth birth and an d organ org aniize the th e Chris hris tian church ch urch,, b ut ten te n out ou t o f the th e eleven died as martyrs! If Christ can use these uneducated fishermen and former bus bu s ines ne s s men to s hak ha ke the th e world world with with the th e Gos pel pe l, certai certa inly He can pl p lace His His hand han d upo u pon n you y ou!! I have often s aid aid that th at if if God God can use us e Perr Perry Stone, Stone , ther the re is is hope ho pe and an d encou en courragement agement for anyone! anyon e! Remember that many of these first disciples were not in covenant with God when they received the call from Christ. Each man bui bu ilt a legacy from from the th e founda foun dation tion up. u p. When you have no legacy from your past
Perhaps your family background is so bad that you just hope ho pe you y ourr rel relati atives ves'' pictu picturres are not hang h angiing on the wall all in the t he
pos po s t office. office. Mayb Ma ybee y ou have ha ve relat relatiiv es who are more like outlaws than in-laws. It is easy to feel left out of the loop and tell yourself that it must be nice to have relatives who are Christians and several generations that were in ministry, while bel be lievi ev ing that th at noth no thiing goo go o d wil will ever ev er b ecom eco me of your yo ur fami family. The Bible once again nullifies this thought. One woman from the Bible proved that the power to change your destiny is in your hands. hands .
The hooker who turned happy The sign on the wall could have read "Rahab's House Strangers Welcome." Jericho was the gateway to the Promised Land. and . The harlots harlots of the city city lived in apartm ap artment entss located ocat ed on the wall, which ensured them a clear view of the men passing through the t he land land of o f Canaan on bus iness nes s tri trips. ps . Rahab owned a hous ho us e of il ill repute. epu te. Bus Bus ines s was boom bo omiing, ng , but bu t news ne ws from from the th e des de s ert had ha d the th e town to wn peop pe oplle's nerves ne rves on edge. edg e. It It s eemed eemed that t hat the Hebrews ebrews had broken broken Pharaoh's hol ho ld in Egypt and their God had cleared a path through the Red Sea. Hebrew swat teams had assassinated two giant men named Sihon and Og, and the inhabitants of Jericho knew they were next on the hit list. Rahab recognized that she and her family would be destr des troyed oyed.. Forty years passed, and suddenly the inhabitants o Jeri Jericho s aw thou th ouss ands and s of o f tents ten ts pitched pitche d in the th e Jordan Vall alley. The Hebrews were coming! Late one night, Rahab heard a knock on the door. This time, instead of pleasure seekers, it was two godly Hebrews who sought secret refuge in the harlot's house. Certainly, a stranger stopping here wouldn't arous e sus s us picion picion.. (Jos (Jos hua hu a 2: 2:2-5). -5). Rahab knew her moment of destiny had arrived. She testified to the spies of how she knew the reputation of their God's power and of how their God would give them the city. "...For or the th e Lord Lord your yo ur God, He He is God in heaven hea ven She confess ed, "...F above, and in earth beneath" (Jos h u a 2:1 2:11). 1). It was a simple confession that changed her heart and her way of thinking. She was still a harlot by reputation, but
something within her made her take a step of faith and ask the men how their God could protect her and her family! (Joshua 2:12-14). By placing a scarlet thread in the window and remaining in the house during the siege, she and her family came out alive and were received within the family of the Hebrew eb rewss . Scri Scripture pt ure says s ays it thi th is way: "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peac pe ace." e."
(Hebrews 11:31) The real miracle of the story is this: Rahab's house was bui bu ilt upo u pon n the t he town to wn wall wall, and s he d welt welt upo u pon n the t he wall wall" (Jos (Jos hua hu a 2:15). 15). During During the th e s iege, eg e, the th e wall walls of Jerich Jericho o fell fell fl flat, at , but bu t Rahab Raha b 's house remained intact (Joshua 6:20). The two spies went into her hous ho us e, rem remov oved ed Rahab aha b and a nd her fami family, and s ent them th em s afely afely into the camp of Israel. Her simple confession and act of faith changed chan ged her h er des tiny tiny and an d set s et her on cour cou rs e for for a s pecial legacy. If they could s ee me now
Before her conversion, the name Rahab was symbolic o pros pro s titution titu tion;; howeve ho weverr, her he r nam na me is also lis ted te d in the th e geneal gen ealog ogiies of Jesus Jesu s in the t he New Tes Testam tament ent.. Jewish tradition teaches that the two spies Joshua sent to Jericho were Caleb and a man named Phineas. Joshua knew that Caleb would never doubt God's ability to capture the city. Other sources teach that Rahab married one of the two spies that helped save her life. If this is true, then the other spy
woul ou ld have h ave been b een nam n amed ed Salm Salmon, on , based bas ed on o n Matt Ma tthew hew 1: 1:5. How could an ex-harlot have her name engraved in the greatest list of genealogies in history? If you study the names listed in Matthew chapter 1, you will discover that Rahab married Salmon, and they had a child named Boaz, who married Ruth. uth . He He and an d Ruth had h ad a chi ch ild nam n amed ed Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David. Therefore, Rahab was the th e great-gr g reat-gran andm dmot other her of Ki King David. David. Tal Talk k abou ab outt a legacy! legacy ! En cyclo lope pedi dia a o It doesn't end there. According to the Encyc iblical Personalities , there were eight prophets who were also priests who were descendants of Rahab. They were eriah, Baruch, Seraiah, Mahseiah, Jeremiah, Hilkiah, Hanamel, and Shalum. Look at the great men of God who came from the marriage of Rahab and Salmon. The inhabitants of Jericho would have never believed that a former prostitute could change chan ge her h er li life and produce produ ce such s uch a spi s pirritual tua l geneal gen ealog ogy y.
The story s tory of Rahab Rahab demons demons trates trates three great great truths: truths : God wil will take any perso pe rson n of o f any race or background backgroun d and an d accept accep t the t hem m into nt o the t he kingdo ng dom m of God God.. You have hav e the th e abi ab ility to t o chang ch angee your yo ur des tiny. tiny. You don't do n't have hav e to remai remain n in the th e pl p lace you y ou are now no w. The choi cho ices you yo u mak makee today tod ay can eithe eitherr bui bu ild or o r des troy your yo ur leg legacy. acy.
Destroyi Destroying ng your potential Just as an immoral person can become moral, a moral perso pe rson n can beco be com me immoral. It all s tem te ms from from the th e cho ch o ices we make. A story of three Baptist ministers illustrates this concept quite well. In 1945, the Baptist denomination had three young evangelists who were beginning to blaze the trail with revival. They were Chuck Templeton, age twenty-five; Bron Clifford, also in his mid-twenties; and Billy Graham, who was then twenty-seven years of age. An article that appeared in a leading Baptist magazine noted that Templeton was attracting the largest crowds of any Baptist minister. The 1945 article called Templeton the "next Babe Ruth of evangelism." Clifford was also mentioned as a powerful young minister with extraordinary potential. The name Billy Graham was never mentioned. Ten years later, things had changed. By 1955, Templeton had left the ministry to pursue a career in radio and television. Clifford was no longer in ministry. He became an alcoholic and died from cirrhosis of the liver at age thirty-five. Graham went on to have h ave the th e greatest revival revivalss and the lar larges gestt crowds crowds of any minister in America. He became globally recognized for his integrity. This This demon demonss trates that you yo u can begi beg in well well and end in ruin, ruin, or you can begin as an unknown and become a blessing. The end resul resu lt wil will be in the th e choices ch oices you yo u mak make. e.
Time to make the break Several years yea rs ago, ag o, when we were were buil b uilding ding our o ur int internationa ernationall ministry center, we needed someone to paint the 25,000 square foot facility. Kelvin McDaniel and his brother, Wayne, filled the pos po s ition. tion . Wayne Wayn e had ha d been be en away fro fro m God for abou ab outt twenty twen ty years. yea rs. In a previous previou s marri arriage, ag e, his his wife wife had fall fallen into nt o s in and a nd he was bitter at church people, preachers, and just about everyone everyon e els els e conn co nnected ected to Chris hris tiani tianity ty.. Wayne later confessed that he was apprehensive about pai pa inti nt in g for a ministry nis try.. A fter a few weeks, Wayne Wayn e disco dis cove vered red that I collected sports cards and autographs. Pam and I invited Wayne ay ne to our ou r home home for dinner, dinner, and I sho s howed wed hi h im my col co llecti ect ion. on . Wayne was also a collector and we found a mutual point o conversation. For several months, we developed a friendship with Wayne and invited him to several revivals. One afternoon, my wife Pam said, "Wayne, why aren't you serving the Lord?' Wayne explained all the bad things he had gone through. Pam said, "It's a pity that your wife and little girl are going to heaven heav en and an d you y ou will die die los lostt and an d never n ever see s ee them th em!!" Wayne ayn e came came under conviction. On May 14, the night before dedicating our new ministry center, I was ministering at our home church in Cleveland, Tennessee. That night, Wayne came to the altar and repented. Weeks later, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit and soon his smoking habit was broken. Today, Wayne is happily serving God and traveling several times a year, assisting with missions crus crusades ades in forei foreign gn nati n ation onss . Wayne had to choose between living in his past or
choo ch ooss ing a new n ew des tiny. Yo u wil will neve ne verr begi beg in a fami family legacy lega cy i you yo u always always remi emind yourself yo urself of how badl bad ly you y ou were treated treated and how the world has done you wrong. Life is a matter of choices, and you yo u can choos cho osee to obey ob ey God, God, be happy, go to church, and not no t to al a llow the enemy enemy to choos cho osee for for you!
It begins with you You can do nothi noth ing about where here you have been b een but bu t everythi everyth ing about abo ut where you ar a re goi go ing. ng . The The Apo A poss tle tle Paul knew this. Paul (formerly named Saul) was a highly educated Pharisee who trained under the noted teacher Rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Paul considered followers of Christ heretics and carried documents for the arrest of leaders in the church. He was responsible for the death of Stephen, one of the first martyrs of the church (Acts 7:58-59). This was Paul's resume before be fore his conv co nvers ersiion: on : "And for Saul Sau l he made havoc ha voc of the church, church, entering into int o every house, and hailing hail ing men and women women committed committed them th em to prison. p rison." "
(Acts (Act s 8:3 8:3) Christ Himself suddenly interrupted Saul's anti-Christian perse pe rsecu cution tion.. I call it a Son s troke on the th e road to Damas Damascu cuss (Acts 9:3-7). God changed his name from Saul to Paul and melted his stony heart. When people attempted to remind Paul of his past, his attitude was to forget those things which are behind be hind and an d reach for thos th os e thi th ings ng s that th at are before be fore (Ph (Ph ilippi pp ians an s 3:13). The only time Paul spoke of his past was to use it as a testimony to demonstrate the changes God made in his life. Although Paul wrote that he was not married, he mentored a number of spiritual sons, including a young man named
Timothy, whom he called "my dearly beloved son" (2 Timothy 1:2). Paul poured his soul into training and raising up young ministers. nist ers. You You might gh t s ay that th at he h e reproduced reprodu ced hims hims elf elf through throu gh their th eir mi min is try. What if you don't have children?
When a man and woman have no children, how can a legacy be carried on? The answer: Impart into the lives of your "spiritual children." A perfect example of this is Bea Ogle, the director of our Daughters of Rachel ministry. Affectionately called Aunt Bea by hundreds of friends, she and her husband Elroy never had children. For many years, Bea served her local church ch urch in Pulask Pulas ki, Virginia rginia in in leaders lead ersh h ip pos p os itions tion s , in in cluding as an outs o uts tanding tanding Sunday und ay School choo l teacher. teacher. To the many young couples who sat under her teaching, Bea has been a spiritual mother. Often, they would come to Bea's house for spiritual counsel or call her for times of prayer. Some would share personal information with Bea that they would share with no other. People knew Bea would never use any inform nformation ation against them the m and that tha t s he woul ou ld pr p ray a hol ho le in in the heaven he avenss on o n thei th eirr behal beh alff. I once asked Bea why she and Elroy never had children. She said, "I guess because God wanted me to have spiritual children that I could help raise in spiritual things." Bea now directs a group of eight hundred intercessors that are linked to our ministry. Hundreds of women follow her example in prayer and intercession. She is reproducing her gift of intercession in the lives lives of thos e she s he is is mentori ent oring ng.. You can pas p asss on a spir s piriitual tu al legacy ega cy by b y im imparting int into o the t he
lives of thos e arou around nd you y ou.. There are are several s everal ways to do d o thi th is : Teach clas cl asss es and and hav have home home Bib B ible le s tud tudie iess .
You may never nev er travel travel as an evangel evan geliis t, but bu t you y ou can impact one person in a local church or a personal Bible s tudy. That one on e person could could change ch ange the t he worl world. Spend personal, intercession.
quality
time
in
prayer
an
Pray Prayer er is is a seed s eed.. You plant you y ourr words words before God God's 's throne in order to pr p roduce od uce a future harves t. Your ou r prayers pray ers may s ave av e the th e life of anot an othe herr or s top to p an ass as s ignm gn ment of Satan. Satan . Your ou r prayers will endu en dure re lon long g after you yo u have h ave departed d eparted thi th is life. Give of your finances, and if you have no heirs, leave a will il l or trust trus t for for future future minis ini s try. try.
Few people consider leaving a portion of their assets in a trust or a will to be used for ministry. This ensures that spiritual benefits will continue to be laid up long after after they have hav e departed. on't let this happen to you
Pam and I have known of people with no children or immediate family, and we have sometimes wondered how they will impact the future after they have departed. There are
peop pe oplle who have ha ve s pent pe nt a lifetime fetime in ves ve s ting and an d accum acc umu u lati at ing money. They have no children or close family members and have made no plans to invest in the work of the kingdom o God when they the y depart. d epart. I told Pam, "Do people not realize that if they would build an orphanage, start a foreign Bible school, or leave a trust for a major ajor mi ministry nist ry that th at thei th eirr mon money ey would cont co ntiinue nu e to t o work work for for the th e kingdo ng dom m of God God and produce prod uce s piri piritual tu al fruit fruit lon long g after a fter they have ha ve departed?' The Bible teaches that a good man will leave an inheritance for his children (Proverbs 13:22). It is Biblical to ens ure the th e secu s ecuri rity ty of your yo ur fam famiily af a fter you yo u dep d epart. art. Yet, how ho w many believers are sitting on finances that will go into the pockets po ckets of unbe un bellievi ev ing, ng , di d is tant ta nt relat relatiives ve s and an d neve ne verr bri b ring ng forth eterna et ernall fruit fruit for the th e King Kingdo dom m of God God?? What do you think of when I say Mother Theresa? Do you visualize a petite woman working among the poorest of the poor po or in in Indi Ind ia? Years Years after her he r death, deat h, her h er leg legacy acy liv es on in Indi Ind ia and around the world. She was never married and never gave birth birth to her he r own chi ch ildren; dren ; yet, ye t, s he was " mothe ot her" r" to thou th ouss ands an ds of lepe lepers rs and an d poo p oorr chil children in Ind Indiia. What pictures come to mind when I say Howard Hughes? In his day, d ay, Mr. Mr. Hug Hughes hes was the t he wealthies wealthiestt man man in the t he world, orld, yet I personally do not know of one thing that he did to cause his legacy to continue. In fact, most young people today wouldn't even eve n recogn reco gniize his nam n ame. e. One lived in wealth and is not remembered. One lived in pove po verty rty and an d becam be camee a legen eg end. d. The memory emory of the th e jus t is bless bles s ed (Prov (Proverbs erbs 10:7 0:7).
Dead people people rule the world The reason your legacy is important is because dead peop pe oplle rul ru le th t h e world. world. The Th e com c omm muni un is ts of China China s till till foll follow ow the t he teachings of a dead man named Karl Marx. The Buddhists on the Asian continents are strict observers of the "enlightened one" who departed this life thousands of years ago. Mohammed, the prophet of Islam, is buried in Medina in Saudi Arabia and his beliefs are written in the Koran, Islam's holy book. bo ok. Radi ad ical Mus Mu s lims wil will di d ie over ov er the th e words of a dead de ad man. an . The Mormons claim six million adherents and base their teachings on an alleged gold bible discovered by Joseph Smith. He is dead, but millions hold the book of Mormon as truth. The Constitution that governs America was penned by men whose graves are memorials. Libraries are filled with the words of dead people. Colleges teach from books that were written by dead men, and students receive degrees after studying and researching the words o men whos e names names are are engr eng raved on weather eath er worn tombs tombston tones es.. Chris hris tianity tianity is the th e onl on ly reli religion that t hat is gove go verned rned by b y a living living Lord! It is the only religion where the leader does not rule from His grave, but rules from His throne! The fact that dead men rule ule the world orld reveals reveals the impo imporrtance tan ce of the thi th ings ng s you yo u s ay and an d do. do . Peopl Peop le wil will remem remembe berr your yo ur words and an d deed de edss . Your ou r im impact pa ct on the th e li lives that th at you y ou touc to uch h today to day will carry carry on o n tom to morrow orrow.. Righteo Rig hteous us people eople whos hos e impact impact is g re reat ater er after after their death
Almost two thousands years after their deaths, we are still
reading the words of Peter, James, John, and Paul. The Bible is still the world's best selling book, and lives are still being changed because of it. Religious songs continue to be sung many years after they were written, while most secular songs come and go each month. The words of the righteous contain life. Jonathan Edwards' sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," is considered one of the greatest soul-winning mess es s ages ever preached. The writing tingss of Charl Charles es Spurgeon are are still held in high regard among ministers. The writings of Smith Wigglesworth are more popular now than when he was living. Christian books published two hundred years ago are being reprinte eprinted d and s old old in in booksto bo okstorres. es . The secular millionaire is soon forgotten as his wealth is scattered, but the memory of the righteous is blessed. The world is dealing with corruptible seed, while the church has incorruptible seed. The Word of God abides forever and will not no t pas p asss away (Matthew (Matt hew 24: 24:35). You can begi beg in now no w to make make a difference in your life, the life of your seed, and the lives o those thos e around around you. you . Are you you read re ady y to begin eg in a leg le g acy?
Here ere is is where you need to begi beg in: Make the decision not to live in the failures of your past.
Don't talk about it any more unless using it as a tes timon timony y to t o reveal reve al how ho w God God has del de livered ve red you. yo u. You You
canno can nott walk walk forward forward while while looking looking backw ba ckwards ards.. Make ak e choices choic es that that wi wi l l l ead to a good outcom outcome. e.
Every road of o f choi cho ice has an end. en d. When Wh en you y ou make ake a choice, think of the long-term effect and not the shortterm pleasure. The seed planted today becomes the harvest of tomorrow, and we do reap what we sow (Galat (Galatian ianss 6:7) 6:7).. Make your life an example to follow.
The greatest greates t tes tim timony on y is is one on e that th at is is acted out. ou t. You are not what you were, and not yet what you will be. Your ou r old old habi hab its and "s tinki tinking ng thinki thinking" ng " are are gon g onee and an d you are a new creature. Live a life that emphasizes the change, chan ge, and live in s uch a way that th at peop p eoplle wil will want to imitate you. Live so that you are appreciated and not jus jus t end en d ured. ured . Be s uch uc h a b less es s ing that th at you yo u wil will be mis s ed and an d not n ot forgotten orgott en when you yo u depart d epart thi th is life. It It is is all a choice! ch oice!
10
Never Give Up on Anyone as Long as They are Breathing ho ld fast the th e p ro fession essio n of our ou r faith ai th with wi thou out t " Let us hold wavering; wave ring; for for he is fait faithf hful ul that tha t pr p romised."
(Hebrews (Heb rews 10:2 10:23) 3)
One of the most remarkable stories I have ever read was Have told by Ted DeMoss in the book The Greatest Lessons I Have ver Learned, compiled by Bill Bright. At the time, DeMoss was a young insurance salesman. One day he visited an apartment to call on a man whose name had been sent to his offi office as a direct direct mai maill respo es pons nse. e. DeMo DeMoss s went to the third third s tory apartment and knocked on the door. The man, who spoke through the door without opening it, refused to let DeMoss in, and even threatened to throw him down the stairs. After some eff effort, DeMos DeMos s convinced con vinced the t he man man to let hi h im in s o he h e coul co uld d talk talk to h im. DeMoss fully intended to talk with the man about insurance, but when he opened the door, before him stood an old blind man with a white beard. DeMoss said, "I hadn't been in the business long, but I knew he was too old to buy any ins urance uran ce I mi might gh t s ell him." him." The Spirit of God impressed DeMoss that he needed to talk to this man about Jesus Christ. When the man asked what he wanted to talk about, DeMoss replied, "I want to read the Bible to you." Of course, DeMoss didn't have a Bible with him and had to look around the apartment to find one. He finally found one covered with dust on top of a stack of books and opened op ened it to read the th e third third chapte ch apterr of Joh John. n. When he looked up, the old man was crying. DeMoss said, "Sir, would you like to invite Jesus Christ into your life right now, right here?" The man s aid, "Well, "Well, I would like like to do d o it righ rightt now n ow,, but bu t not n ot here." here." He wanted to go to the kitchen tche n and an d do it with with his moth mother er.. Puzz uzzled, DeMos DeMosss thought thou ght perhaps perhaps he had a photograph pho tograph o his mother in the kitchen and wanted to go there for
s enti ent imental en tal reason reas onss . He foll followed the th e man man to t o the th e ki kitchen tch en and, an d, to his surprise, there was his ninety-eight year old invalid mother s itti tt ing in a canva can vass -backed chai cha ir. The old man said, "Mother, God has sent a man to our home. He's been reading the Bible to me, and I'm going to accept Jesus Jes us Chris hris t." The woman screamed and, when she regained control, said, "Mister, I don't know who you are, but I have prayed for my boy b oy every day for over eigh eighty ty years!" This story reveals the great truth: Never give up on anyon any onee as long on g as a s they th ey are a re sti st ill breathi breath ing! ng ! Your ou r prayers praye rs wil will long outlive you. The words of your prayers are stored in heaven in golden vials before the throne of God (Revelation 5:8). 8). Your ou r words do not no t fall fall to the th e earth u nheard nh eard.. Duri During ng certai certa in seasons, your prayers (and giving) will come up before the throne of God (Acts 10:1-4). Though you may pass from this life, your prayers continue to live in the presence of God. Often, saints of God will die without seeing their family membe embers rs receive receive Chris Chris t. Years pas s and an d s udde ud denly nly they th ey receive the gif gift of o f salvation salvation.. This is why many children accept Christ after the death o their Christian loved ones. It is not some emotional moment, or the des d esiire to mak makee other oth erss feel better bett er by a pr p rofess ed conv co nver erss ion. on . It is often the prayers of that mother or dad coming up before God, od , who who s upernatu up ernatural rallly mov moved ed on thei th eirr behal beha lf. Curs Curs es and bles le s s ings ing s continu continuee for for generat g enerations ions
A curse can continue for generations. Joshua prophesied that the man who would rebuild Jericho would lose his
firstborn son when he laid the foundation and his youngest son when he hung the city gates (Joshua 6:26). Hundreds o years later, this curse was fulfilled in the days of King Ahab when he issued a decree for Hilel to rebuild Jericho. Both o Hilel's sons, Abiram and Segub, died while the city was being rebuilt (1 Kings 16:34). The words of Joshua's curse held for several generations. Bless es s ings ng s can c an als als o conti con tinu nuee for for generation generationss ! "He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he command commanded ed to a thousand tho usand generations." g enerations."
(Psalms 105:8) I conclud concludee by givi giving ng you yo u the t he foll ollowing owing ins truction truction:: Pray consis cons is tently for for your your chil c hild dre ren n and g randchi randchild ldre ren. n.
Praying is like planting seeds in a garden. The more you plant plant the t he gr g reater the harvest. James James tell tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much uc h (James (James 5:16). Cons on s is tency ten cy attract a ttractss the th e atten att ention tion o God (Luke 18:7). We are told we will reap if we faint not (Galatians (Galatians 6:9 6:9). You may not no t see s ee the t he res ults ins tant ta ntlly, but bu t God God is faith faithful ful with with his prom p romiis es. es . Pray for those who are yet to be born.
God often spoke of Abraham's seed years before his first child was born. God is a planner, always
looking into the future. If Abraham paid tithes for Levi hundreds of years before the Levites received tithes, then we can begin speaking and planning in the spirit realm for the blessings of our children and grandchildren. Seek God that not one of your descendants will be lost without Christ. Make a verbal decree that your yo ur hous hou s e shall s hall be s aved (Acts Act s 16:31). Speak blessings over your seed and never speak curses.
Speaking blessings should begin when the child is in the t he womb. womb. Tel Telll your yo ur seed s eed,, "You "You are bless bles s ed and highly favored. favo red. You are God God's 's creation creation." ." Say it often o ften and in their presence. Never curse what God has bless bles s ed (Numbe (Numbers rs 23: 23:8). Lay hands upon your children and bless them.
It has been proven that touching and hugging produ pro duces ces a mo re emot emotiionall on ally y s tab ta b le chi ch ild. Jonat Jon atha han n Edwards would allow his smaller children to sit in his lap each evening as he spent quality time with each child. Jesus blessed the children by laying his hands upon up on them th em.. This This serves s erves as our ou r exam example. ple. Fi g ht your your s pi ritua ri tuall battl attl es wi th the cov c ovenant. enant.
Are you born again? Have you been baptized in water? ate r? Are you a giver? Do Do you y ou s eek God God in prayer? p rayer? Do Do
you believe the Bible and practice its spiritual princ princiiples? ples ? Then The n you yo u have ha ve a cove co vena nant nt with with God. od . The Almighty will stand with you in your day of adversity. Quote scriptures when fighting a battle. Print out copies and hang them in your house. Keep the prom pro mis es ever ev er before you. yo u. Teach the covenant by example both morning and night.
It is God's will that you experience the fullness o His covenant promises. It is also His plan that these bless bles s ings ng s you yo u are expe experi rien encing cing wil will flow flow into nt o the th e nex ne xt gene ge neration. ration. Set the th e exam examp p le in pers p erson onal al prayer praye r. Your ou r "seed" should hear you pray. Set the example by reading the Word with your family. Set the example by bei be in g a worshipe wors hiperr in church ch urch and an d by tithi tith ing and an d giving. giving . If we say we believe the written Word, then we must be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only (James 1:2325). Children learn by example. Most children are in school an average of thirty-five hours a week. They watch television an average of twenty-eight hours a week, sleep an average of fifty hours a week, and attend church an average of two hours a week. If you depend upon a church service alone to impact your children, you will fall short. The best example is to observe you in acti act ion. on . The Cath Cathol oliic Chu Churrch once on ce s aid aid that t hat if they coul cou ld tak t akee a child from birth and train him for the first seven years, that child would remain in the Catholic Church for life.
A person's perso n's beliefs beliefs for li life are are estab es tabllis hed duri du ring ng the th e first first s even to ten years of their life. It is time for you to begin to plant the seed within your seed. Impa Imparrt before b efore you dep d epart. art.
My Prayer for You Father, in the name of Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God, I approach your eternal throne on behalf of my special fri friends end s and partners partn ers of o f thi th is ministr nist ry. Lord, Lord, you yo u s ee thei th eirr sincere heart and thei t heirr obedi ob edience ence to t o you y ou,, Accor Acco rding ding to t o the th e promi promis es in your covenant Book, the Bible, I am asking you to bless them spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially. Let them be bless bles s ed and an d highl high ly favored. favo red. Let the th e works works of their th eir hand ha ndss increase and the desires of their heart come to pass, according to your will. Let their seed be great in the earth. Bless their children and grandchildren and the children that shall be born. Give them th em a god g odlly heri h eritag tage. e. I ask thi th is in Jes us nam na me. AME AM EN.
Spec Sp ecial ial Photo Session Session
One of the early Full Gospel campmeetings in the 1930's where my grandfather grand father and an d grandm grand mother ot her Bav Bavaa were mi ministeri nist ering ng..
R.L. Rexroad was one of the early pioneer preachers. He was my great grandfather on my mother's side of the family.
My great grandfather Pete Bava (left) standing beside his son John Bava (my grandfather) posing for this picture prior to a church chu rch s ervice. ervice. Pete immigrated from from Italy Italy as a you y oung ng man and s poke wi with a s trong trong accent.
The entire family has been musically gifted for many generations. Here my mother Juanita Stone, age 17, is sporting
a new n ew Gi Gib s on gui gu itar ta r.
One of the highlights of grandad's songwriting career was
when he n noted no ted s inger ng er Ricky Van Shelton recorded reco rded granda g randad's d's s ong on g "Don't Overlook Salvation" on his Gospel album. Grandad wrote the t he s ong on g in 194 1949. Ri Ricky cky s aid aid it was one on e of o f the first first Gos pel songs he learned to sing in church and was his parent's favorite avorite gos g ospel pel song. son g.
This church was organized and built by my Grandfather John Bava the day I was born (June 23, 1959). It is where I preached my first revival in 1977.
I received my call into the ministry at age 16 during an all night prayer pray er meet meetiing. ng .
This was a prayer altar I built as a teenager on a mountain behind be hind a church ch urch campg campgrou round nd in Roa Roano nok ke, Virginia. rginia.
Articles related to the early ministries of my father, Fred Stone, and me.
This was the th e onl on ly suit s uit I owned when I started s tarted my mi ministry nist ry..
Through our extensive travels we have been ble bless ssed ed to meet mee t and build il d fr frie ien ndships ships with man many noted individuals. Here are a few from my per perso son nal coll co llec ectio tion n.
In 1988, I had the privilege of meeting the Prime Minister o Israel, Israel, Sho Shom mon Peres Peres,, during during one on e of our ou r Holy Holy Lan Land d tou t ours. rs.
Antho An thony ny Telf elford is is one on e of o f the pi p itchers for the Montreal Mon treal Expos po s . Pam and I met him and his family at Without Walls Church in Tampa, Florida.
On November 29, 1998, we met then Governor George W. Bush at the Western Wall in Israel. Our people encouraged him to run for Presiden President. t.
NBA basketball star, Lawrence Funderburke, saw us ministering on television in the mid-nineties. He has since beco be com me a fri friend en d and an d partne pa rtnerr in our ou r ministry. nis try. Today od ay Lawren awrence ce plays for th t h e Sacramen Sacramento to King Kingss and an d enj en jo ys the th e s tudy tu dy of Bible proph pro phecy. ecy.
