Now, the Word of God is…

Teaching by Dr. Fred K. Price.

YouTube: The other side of Signs and Wonders AND How Faith Works Series: [Part 2], [Part 4], [Part 6 ]

Sign and Wonders are for Unbelievers not for Christians.

We are not to look for them as in for ourselves, we have no need of signs to confirm the reality of our faith in God nor wonders that shows He is. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are a means to empower the Ministry gifts: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teachers. Tools of the trade to enable them to do the work. And the Holy Spirit operates them in the believers as He wills. That signs and wonders are in the heights of manifestation in areas where the heathen [unbelievers are] the purpose of it being to demonstrate the reality of God to them so that they may come into faith. They may be turned away form the power of darkness to the power of God, through the demonstration of the exceeding power of God. [We operate in them as we minister to a dying world.]

The bible says “without faith it is impossible to please God.” However, unbelievers are not able to exercises faith because they are spiritually dead, do not have the faith of God.   

Then for Christians believers, signs and wonders are not to be the norm: they are to operate by a different standard [principles]. They are to operate by faith. “The just shall live by faith.” that once you have come into faith and are declared righteous, your growth in the body of Christ is to bringing you to this standard. You are being weened off your dependency on [experiences] that tantalite your sense and declare to you your standing, to the reality of the truth of the word of God, the sole ground on which you are to stand [minus the senses]. Bringing you to the maturity of the faith: “till we all come to the unity of faith and of knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” Ephesians 4:13 That as a maturing christians we operate the supernatural in our daily life through the exercise of our faith.

let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2

Jesus is our example, not looking to the circumstances or what the enemy is doing. The enemy will resist you to see if you really believe, therefore endurance is necessary, not giving up: that the word of God is truth, it is good news. Live by the good news [a good report].

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has a great reward. …Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:35,38-39  

Then to walk by faith is to walk with confidence in the word of God and to persist in it, without drawing back. If we obtain the saving of our souls by it then we should obtain whatever we desire according to His word, with confidence through persistence. 

The Attribute of Faith.

[Now /Therefore], Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 

Faith is a present tense. The fact that faith is represented in a tense format, determines if one wants to operate in faith, one must understand that attribute. If we do not grasp that fact, we have misunderstood faith and will not be able to walk in it. If you present faith as something that will be in the future tense, then you have negated faith. Then faith is to act consistent with assurance to a [desired predetermined outcome], as a surety of possession in the  present. [Josef ordered his bone to be taken when the day come for them to leave Egypt. He spoke of an event he was sure of though it was 430 years off.]

Therefore if we speak of [any situations] in a future tense regarding faith then we are out of it. Because we are saying God has not done it, and God says He has, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places [in the spirit] in Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 Therefore whatever is consistence with the will of God for us is already done and is in existence. Then If one says I know God is going to heal Me that person is out of faith because it contradicts the word of God, that says “by His strips you were healed.” Therefore, when you say, “The Lord is going to do …”] it is out of faith. You are contradicting God who says He has done it therefore, God can not side with you. Then faith for the individual must be spoken in the now.  

Faith is the substance of things hoped for: Hope does not have a substance to it, it is comparable to a dream, without any bases or foundation, it is without grounds. Hope is a goal setter and apart from faith it is wispy. “Hope allows you to smile while the ship is sinking, but faith helps you to keep it afloat.” Dr. Fred. Price 

Substance: is defined as something tangible to the senses, it speaks of materiality. Substance is perceived by the senses, which you can see, smell, hear, taste or touch. Therefore we can say faith is [the tangible, the grasping point, the reality] of what is hoped for, it is to have grounds. The strength of faith is determined by the level of trust you have on the grounds.

The evidence of things not seen: Evidence: is defined as a [proof, validation, substantiation] of something which you do not possess presently. Proof takes the place of what is a proof of until what it represents arrives.Then faith is temporary for an individual situations, it is in operation until that particular situation is brought to manifestation then faith is no longer required. Therefore if faith is the substance and faith is the evidence then faith itself must be something.

Not seen: when saying “not seen” it is not only speaking of the eyes, it incorporates also the other four senses. Then if faith is the evidence of things not seen, it is speaking of operation outside the realm of the senses [the physical world]. Then a better representation of that sentence would be; “faith is the evidence of things not perceived by the senses.”

We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight.

Then the error of our ways is that we walk by the senses and not by faith. Our gaze constantly fixed on our circumstances [the mountains], our expectation is based on our circumstances therefore the circumstances dictates our response: our conduct in speech and deed [confessing the mountains] which in turn shape our reality. What appears to us to be a truthful rendition of our situation is actually  a declaration of a bad report.   

Then if we are to walk by faith, then we have to leave the realm of the sense. We can not look at the circumstance to tell us where we are with God. Then if faith is the Evidence of things not seen then faith belongs to another realm where faith is the law. Just in our physical world our senses interpret the existence of materiel, by which we are able to perceive it. Then in the spirit world the law that interprets the reality of things that exists is faith. Therefore without faith you can not perceive them. That being the case, how are we to know, what our faith is the evidence of at any given point, if we have not perceived it with our senses? That is if I have not been first informed of what is true in the spirit world. Then how do we obtain information on the reality of the existence of things not perceived by our senses for which our faith is to represent?

“The word is near you in your mouth and in your heart [spirit] that is the word of faith we preach. Romans 10:8

The word of faith is the gospel, the gospel is good news. When you are recipient of a good news then you are in possession of information and information is knowledge and that knowledge is about God. You know because the word of God tells you so.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 

Faith does not come in no other way. It does not come by prayer, fasting nor any other way, only by hearing the word of God. Then if faith comes by hearing the word of God then, faith and the word of God must go together. That is you can not have one without the other. Where the word of God is proclaimed there must be faith and where faith is there is the word of God. Then faith and the word of God are synonymous.  

Therefore the first verse of Hebrews chapter 11 can be read in this manner: Now, the word of God is the [substance, tangibility] of things hoped for, the word of God is the [evidence, proof] of things not perceived by the sense. That the word of God takes the place of what is to be brought into manifestation in the physical world. It is the guaranty of the reality [the existence] of the things promised/hoped for. Now if it is the guaranty a confirmation of what is hoped for, then you must so act and so speak consistent to that truth. You must align yourself with the word of God regardless of the circumstances or what is perceived by the senses. Then the word of God becomes/is the substance we can cling/hold to. We learn to see our reality through the word.

Then the question becomes whether you believe the word of God [the bible]. The evidence of what you believe is in the manner you speak and act. To take an example of sickness, you must endeavour to speak in keeping with the word of God. It is not to deny the reality of what is at present at work in your body, the pain and so on. But to speak and act in line with the word. “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sickness.” Matthew 8:17 “by His strips you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 If He has taken our sickness and by His strips we were healed then we have the promises [grounds] by which we can obtain our health and wellbeing through the exercise of our faith. Therefore we have the means to resist the devil who has got no right to bring those things on us, and we fight him with the fight of faith. We do that by: 

While we look not at the things which are [perceived by the senses], but at the things which are not [perceived by the senses]. For the things which are [perceived by the senses] are temporary [subject to change], but the things which are not [perceived by the senses] are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

What you perceive through your senses do not change the truth of spirit but your conduct in line with the spirit world changes the reality of what is perceived with your senses. Then it is not a matter of mind over matter, but a simple matter of not giving it heed. Do not look at, or consent to it, as if it has any right to affect or control your life [you must endeavour to ignore it and confess the truth of the word of God]. God is telling you do not look at what is in the world but look to what is eternal [His word, His promise] “My words will never pass away.” Look to the unchanging word of God by which you are able to change your circumstance. The bible says it is not possible for God to lie. God is unchanging, dependable, faithful: then I have to bring myself inline to the truth of His word and not to be drawn away from it. Therefore by His word we can change the reality of this world.      

How does this operate in our lives?

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21

You shall have what you say. If you speak sickness and bring bad report, you are speaking against the word, and that is exactly what you will have. Then you can speak death to your own life or you can speak life to your own life. What you speak has a greater measure of effect in your own life because you have that much confidence in the words you speak than anyone else. There is a law of words which is at work, regardless of if you believe in it or not [like gravity]. Therefore when you speak words that are out of step with the word of God, then you have hindered God from working in your life. When you operate outside His word, the protocol given to us by which we are to communicate with Him and rely on our tradition, feelings and circumstances we hinder Him. It is not that He loves us any less, but the control resides in our hands. God is Spirit, then He must work through the law of the spirit which is faith. It is not denying the circumstances are not real, the stress, the pain, the hurt but denying the right the circumstance have to dictate our lives. Jesus is our Lord. 

For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Mark 11:23

When saying “he shall have whatever he says” [it does not stipulate good or bad] just that he shall have what he says. Therefore, if you speak sickness, poverty, problems that is the reality you create with your mouth. And it does not say ‘he shall have what he believes” but “he shall have what he says.” Believing is not what brings to pass, it is a significant part of it but what brings it to pass, is what you confess with your mouth out loud. Therefore what you say must be what you believe AND what you believe must be the word of God. Faith is released by words through your mouth.

“And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe therefore speak.” 2 Corinthians 4:13  

Therefore if God is telling us to; “Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 which is the sign of humility, that you have given Him charge in all things and are not worried or struggling under your own efforts and dictates. Then if you have cast your cares upon Him, then you can not carry them. You have to act as if you are free, you have to talk as if you are free, and think as if you are free. You can not keep worrying and talk of all your troubles and countermand the word of God by a negative confession.

That is we are to walk by His word, “For, we walk by faith [by the word of God] and not by sight [senses].” 2 Corinthians 5:7 Then if the word of God is the guideline then I can not say “I am afraid or I am fearful.” since the word of God says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, of love and sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7 Nor can I be anxious for anything, for the word of God says “be anxious for nothing.” Luke 12:29, Philippians 4:6 Therefore when we act and speak, contrary to His word we are negating the word from working in our lives. Then we have to bring ourselves to speak and to act according to the knowledge of the word of God we have, regardless of the circumstances that assaults us. 

Children Ought to Imitate Their Father:

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 AND “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

As the righteous children of God in Christ Jesus we have to operate as He does. We have to operate in the spirit of faith. Paul in Romans describes God as, “God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;” Romans 4:17 That God spoke them into being, and likewise we as His children can do so when we speak in faith according to His word. 

‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’

The Mechanics of the Prayer of Faith.

First of all we have to be convinced that everything we will ever need and want is already in existence in the spirit world. We only need to speak it into being into the physical world by faith. In Hebrews its says, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed [created] by the word of God, so that the things which are seen [physical world] were not made of things which are visible.”  Hebrews 11:3 Therefore we know the physical is brought forth from the spirit, by speaking the word in faith. Then how do we operate in it successfully?

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24

This verse is the mechanics of how faith works, how to put your faith into operation. There is a difference to having faith and to operate in faith. In order to operate in faith you have to know how it works.

The the key point of that verse is “when you pray” which is in the present it is ‘now’. And faith is a present tense, “Now, faith is.” Therefore what Jesus is saying is exercise your faith when you pray. That is our request is to be made known to God at the time we pray. And when we pray, making our request known to God, we are to: “believe that you receive them” That is your request is granted in the now. The very moment you have made it known to Him. [Notice:] it is says ‘believe”, not “feel that you receive them,” not “understand that you receive them,” nor “see that you receive them,” Only believe you receive them. [Believe God, believe His word.] 

[Key] The believing has to be done NOW, not after or before, not when you feel something, nor when something happens but in the present, in the now when you are praying.

An example of employment: you are interviewed for a job, the person tells you to start Monday and you work that week and when Friday comes you are expectant of getting paid. You expect it on noting else but because the person who hired you told you it is company police you are paid weekly. You do not ask the person for a sign nor do you feel it, but in faith you accept his word and come Friday you are expectant of the money. You tell everyone you will have money on Friday just because the person who hired you said so. Then it is the same principle, then the one and true God says, “Jesus says believe you receive what you requested of Him.”

Then “you shall have them” shall have is a future tense, it is future to the believing that you receive them. The “believe I receive my request,” that I have to do the moment I pray in the present [in the now]. But the fulfilment, the manifestation of the request I have made is in the future tense, it is you shall have them. [Notice:] What you will have is not what you requested but whatever you believed you received when you prayed. Therefore, praying a list of things for the sake of making request known to God does not bring them to pass. But my statement when I make my request known to God is to declare “Thank you Lord, I believe I have received.” And that is the conclusion of the prayer of faith as far as making the request known. 

Therefore, you can not pray to God asking for the same thing again. If you truly believe you have received what you have prayed for it is unbelief to ask for it again, since by asking you are invalidating your confession that you believe you have received it. Then you are out of faith. Sheer multitude of prayers do not move the hand of God, only faith does. Therefore, you need not pray more than once as far as petitioning God is concerned. Form then on, until the fulfilment [apparent to my senses] of the desired outcome the confession of faith is: [Thank you Father, I [BELIEVE] I have received my request.]  Faith is a matter of believing it is done and confessing it with your mouth and acting to extent you can as though it is already done. When you get what you wanted you no longer need to believe it, you know it, then faith has done its work and is not required for that particular situation. 

Scriptural example of this is Abraham’s conduct described in Romans 4:17-21. When Abraham believed the word of God, that He will be a father of many nations, the Scriptures says, Abraham “not being weak in faith he did not consider his or Sarah’s body” [that is he did not look at the things of senses, or circumstances], But looking to the word of God to the unseen – he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief. He did not ask again for an heir nor did he wander if God is going to do it. But was strengthened in faith giving glory to God [He was thanking God and glorifying Him as if it was already done: “believe you receive them”.] – being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And he received the promise [Isaac].

Strength of faith is not looking at circumstance but at the word of God, believing His word over all situations. And we are further strengthened in faith as we give thanks to God and praise Him with full expectation what He promised He has done. This gives us reason for a continual confession of our mouth, what we believed we have received, through our thanksgiving.

An example: purchase of goods on the internet. Once you have locate an item and completed the purchase transaction you receive the receipt. You do not then go back and process the same transaction over and over for the same item. But you simply wait for the delivery of the item with expectancy. And in that process you so speak and conduct yourself as one who has already brought the item, though you do not yet have the product in your possession but you trust it shall arrive.     

Then If you pray according to His will, [According to His word], you know He has heard you. Then if He has heard you, you know you have the petition you have asked of Him [you have the receipt of transaction]. Therefore, you believe you receive. Then you are free to conduct yourself as one who has bought the item, giving praise to Him being thankful to Him. Being careful to conduct yourself in keeping to that truth, that is the words of your mouth. 

Mechanics for the Prayer of Faith and the Key verses:

• God is True: God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19, Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth. John 17:17, Haven and earth will pass away but My words will by no means pass away. Luke 21:33, And praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. Psalm 138:2 [The confidence we have of Him.]
• Blessed with All Blessings: Blessed be God the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 [Everything is already in existence in the spirit, in the heavenly places. ]
• Grounds for Request: Abide in Me and if My words abide in you ask whatever you desire and it will be done for you. John 15:7 [The word of God is the catalogue of what is available to us: Then when you pray, you make your desire known to God according to His word, His will.]
• Prayer Transaction: Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 [The prayer of faith, making your request known to God. “Father I desire … according to Your word… I make my request known to You.” 
• Prayer Transaction Receipt: Now this the confidence we have of Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15 [This is a component to believe you receive them. Which is my petition is granted, therefore I believe I receive what I asked for. So my confession is “Father now I believe I receive my request, Thank you.” [Side Point:] The official moment, you have made your petition known to God then write it down that you might not waver and enter into unbelief.]
• The Word is the Focus: while we do not look at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen. 2 Corinthians 4:18 [Form this point forward we no longer refer to the situations it is ignored, we do not ask again but simply make our faith confession that is we believe we have received what we asked. Not looking at the circumstances nor to the senses but to His word.]
• Confession Propels Delivery: He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was able to perform. Romans 4:20-21 [Therefore, Giving Him continual glory and thanking Him. “I Thank you Father, I BELIEVE I have received my request.” It is not yet manifested, I don’t see it nor feel it, BUT I believe it. It is the confession of a faith fact not a physical fact.] Faith is released by words through your mouth.
• The Fight of Faith: “Above all take up the shield of faith with which you are able to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6:16 [It is staying the course making the right confession and keeping to the word God. You have to make your stand. It is the word of God and it is the truth.] 

GOD IS FAITHFUL AND HE WILL DO IT!

1 Thessalonians 5:24