Kenneth Copeland – Teachings Teaching the Principles of Faith to meet the needs of People worldwide

Kenneth Copeland — Perfection Through The WordPosted by admin on September 20th, 2010

Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” This is the way the saints are perfected—not through tribulations. We are to be perfected by the Word, through the ministry.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m glad to know that God didn’t send cancer to edify me or poverty to perfect my faith. No, these curses are not from God. They are from Satan, and we are to triumph over them with the power twins—faith and patience.

The Word does not say faith is developed by trials, but it does say that the trying of our faith works patience. It’s what we do with trials and tribulations that makes the difference—not the fact that we’re suffering. There are those in the Church who think we are to glory in tribulations, but tribulation is not the goal of Christianity. Many think we can’t be worth anything until we suffer. That’s not true. You’ll not be worth anything unless you overcome that suffering. Suffering is the result of the attack of Satan. The glory is in overcoming that trial with the Word of God, through the power of God. There is no glory in knuckling down and enduring trials. This is why we can count it all joy when we are tried. We know that Jesus has defeated Satan, and that we’re victors over anything he sends our way.

Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The glory lies in overcoming the world and its trials and tribulations. Trouble may come our way, but through the good things of God, He always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus.

The Apostle Paul said, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:1-4). Paul was saying that he had peace with God whatever came his way. He had this peace, not only when things were working right for him, but also when trouble came down the road. He did not let go of his peace with God because of tribulation. This tribulation only worked patience in him, and patience brought the experience of victory. Then the experience of victory worked hope.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Kenneth Copeland — Understanding Romans 8:28Posted by admin on September 15th, 2010

Many Christians use Romans 8:28, “…All things work together for good to them that love God” as an excuse to fail. To them this scripture says, “All the devil does to me will turn out for my good. After all, you know the Bible says we are made stronger by the trials and tribulations of this life.” The Bible does not say that at all! When the Apostle Paul wrote that all things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose, he was teaching on intercessory prayer.

Romans 8:26-28 says:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

All things work together for the good of those who love God, when we are operating together in intercessory prayer!

While a friend and I were talking about prayer one day, the Lord spoke to me and said, Those things do not mean all bad things work together for the good of those who love God. I am talking about the things of God: the Word of God, the gifts of the Spirit, the Name of Jesus and the power-weapons of the Body of Christ. These are the things that work together for the good of those who love God. Under this kind of operation, the things that the devil throws at you will be overcome by the power of the things of God, and victory will be the result.

Many trials Satan causes make people weaker instead of stronger. If it were the trials and tribulations that make us strong, everyone on earth would be a spiritual giant. Certainly there have been enough trials and tribulations to perfect the saints. That must not be the avenue through which God perfects us.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Kenneth Copeland — No Temptation Too GreatPosted by admin on September 10th, 2010

Don’t forget the ministry of the Holy Spirit in all this. He is continually working in you, teaching, interceding and backing your faith with His mighty power. This is where the power of patience is so important. As long as your faith is active, the Spirit of God is active. It’s impossible to please Him without faith. Patience guards against your admitting a doubt or confession of fear into your consciousness. Even when we stretch our faith as far as it will go, He who is within us is greater than he who is in the world.

First Corinthians 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” This scripture reveals three more important things about trials: (1) Testings and temptations are common to man. No one is ever tested or tried with things that are not common to mankind. Satan does not have the right to call upon his experience as a heavenly being to apply things that are outside the realm of humanity, as tests or trials. (2) God is faithful. You will never face anything you cannot overcome. (3) God always provides the way of escape.

Satan’s weapons are no match for the weapons God has provided for us. Thank God, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but powerful through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Satan is limited to the things that are common to mankind, but we are not. We have access to the full armor of God, Himself. Our patience rests solidly on the full assurance that, no matter what comes next, Jesus has provided more than enough victory to put us over.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Kenneth Copeland — Stand Fast In the Face of TemptationPosted by admin on August 17th, 2010

Regardless of what storms may come our way, the Father’s Word cannot fail. In that kind of atmosphere, faith is free to move and overcome whatever Satan has put in our way. James 1:12-21 says:

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

In order to properly develop the power of patience, we must know what the Bible says about testings and trials. The Greek word translated temptations in these scriptures is the same word for “trials” and “testings.” It is vitally important that we know, from verse 13, that God is not tested by evil, and He doesn’t tempt or test men with evil. We are warned to never say that we are tested by God.

Verse 14 explains what a test or trial is. It’s anything that applies pressure on the lusts or desires of the flesh. Any pressure that draws us away from God’s Word is the beginning of a test. If we then act on that lust, sin is the result. Still, we have a way of escape, because the Word says we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ. He is faithful to forgive us our sins when we confess them. (See 1 John 1:9.) We are still more than conquerors in Jesus. When Satan applies pressure on our bodies to make them sick, we don’t have to succumb to that pressure. When he presents us with financial ruin, we don’t have to yield to the temptation to turn to the world and borrow. Most of the time, this only makes matters worse. Thank God, we can turn to God’s Word in Philippians 4:19 and use our faith. Then, regardless of circumstances, we exercise the power of patience and continue to stand fast in the liberty to which we have been called (Galatians 5:1).

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Kenneth Copeland — Developing Our FaithPosted by admin on July 14th, 2010

Faith is developed as we act on the Word of God. Hebrews 12:2 states that Jesus is the Author and Finisher, or Developer, of our faith. It doesn’t say Satan is the developer of our faith.

It is vitally important we realize the difference between the developing of faith and the developing of patience. Faith should be developed on the Word of God before the trial or testing comes. Jesus says in Luke 6:47-48 that a man who acts on His words is like someone who builds his house on a rock. When the floods beat on that house, the house does not fall. Notice the man has to dig deep. This is where his faith is developed. His patience is developed during the storm. He knows his house will stand because it’s built on rock. Remember, Jesus says the man builds on that rock. He acts on the Word. His faith is developed before the trial comes. The force of patience is developed in the trial or tribulation and undergirds, or keeps the door open, for faith to work and to overcome whatever is put before it.

The definition of patience is “being constant” or “being the same way at all times.” James 1 says we are to be single-minded. We must always respond or react in every circumstance of life the same way—on the Word of God. Regardless of what may be thrown at us, we must become so Word-of-God-minded that we don’t act in fear or doubt, but always on what the Word of our God says. The Word says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus has always and will always respond to the Word rather than to circumstances, reason or fear. This is the way we should be.

Being sound in patience is to answer every doubt and fear with the firm assurance and confession that God’s Word is true, no matter what we feel, hear or see.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries