I've Prayed Powerfully, But I Don't Feel Any Better...

So, you have watched the Curry Blake videos here and you have prayed powerfully for yourself in the name of Jesus knowing that the power that resurrected Jesus lives within you. Perhaps you felt your pain or something shift when you prayed, but you have woken up today feeling just as sick.

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED!

Do you remember the Isaiah 53:5?

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Do you see? "…by His stripes we are healed." Look at the tense of that verse. 

In the normal Christian church, we are taught that it may be God's will for us to us to be sick. This is just NOT true. It is always His will for us to be free and healthy! He took those stripes for you and me so we could know that we ARE healed. 

What does that mean? Remember our God is always about free will choice. 

You have a choice. You can walk in sickness or in health knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are healed.

Let me give you an example. I used to have really debilitating back pain. My back would hurt after about 5 minutes of walking. When I first learned about how to pray powerfully and in the spirit, I would pray for my back. I used to touch my back and pray something like "I bring health into this back, in the name of Jesus. By your stripes this back is completely well." Remember, it is not really what we say, but it is the belief of knowing it is Jesus doing the healing and not some personal superpower or whatever. Anyway, after praying I might notice the back pain leave completely or sometimes it would move. It might get hot or cold. All of these things are signs that the pain is on the move. What do you do then? You BLAST that pain with prayer. You may need to pray for it every 5 minutes for a certain period of time. Just walk in faith knowing this is completely unacceptable and you refuse to have pain because God wants you to be free.

Another important part is to renew your mind. You see, when one is in chronic pain or has an illness, you start to make accommodations in life. I know I was. I would think, "I cannot walk the dog because my back pain is so bad" or "If I go to Walmart, I am going to have to find some places to sit down because my back will hurt after walking for a few minutes." You get the idea. When I would have these thoughts, I was actually WELCOMING the pain back in.

Kind of crazy, right? I know it sounds weird, but being sick can be provide reasons to not go to work, attend social gatherings we might rather skip, take extra naps, and the list goes on. So, if you are going to pray powerfully for healing in your body, then you must renew your mind and begin to think differently.

What if your back didn't hurt all the time? What would you do that you have not been able to do forever? What if you didn't have cancer or some kind of disease? What would be different? Take some time. Ask God what you have changed because of your pain/sickness. What parts of the true you that God created you to be could return?

For me, one of the true parts of me was to dance again. With the daily migraines, back pain, and foot pain this really seemed like an impossibility to me. But, I began to walk in faith knowing that soon I would return to Jazzercise. The first day I went, it was scary. Part of me really felt I couldn't do it. 2-3 times during the sessions for the first month or so, I would have to go into the bathroom and pray in the name of Jesus for whatever part of my body was suddenly hurting again. I refused to give up this true part of me. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this is one of the things God wanted me to do. Nothing was going to keep me from reaching God's goal for me!

You might also have to retrain family members. They are used to your sickness and pain. I had many people asking me all the time about how bad my headaches had been recently or trying to make accommodations for me knowing I could not walk far. Tell them you have realized God doesn't want you to be sick. Stop talking about those aches and pains. Ask God to show you when you think about them (the thought patterns you have) and break those in the name of Jesus.

I think another thing that also really helped is to kind of pray aggressively when pain would come around. Especially when I was alone in my car, I raise my voice and speak directly to that pain in the name of Jesus. I tell it that it is absolutely not allowed. I know who I am in God. I agree with who God says I am. I refuse to allow that pain/sickness to keep me from doing what God wants me to do. Somehow for me, speaking in almost an angry voice helps to remind me that it is not by Katherine's power that these things have to go, but it is by the amazing power of Jesus that lives in me.

Finally, one other thing I would like to mention. Sometimes I will still have just a terrible headache. I pray fervently in the spirit and it seems to have a vice on me. In that situation, it is important to have someone who knows how to pray powerfully and have them pray for you. What if you do not have anyone? In that case, please contact me via email. Give me your phone number, what is ailing you, and best time to call. I will call and we will get you feeling better. 

Once you start walking in freedom and health, share your newfound knowledge. See that person walking on a cane on the street? Go over and ask if you can pray for them. Almost always they will say yes. Pray for them (maybe several times until they feel better or put down that cane). Then share the gospel (if they do not already have a relationship with God). By taking this leap of faith, you will have changed a life and you will feel even healthier because praying for others in this way will dramatically increase your faith! Praise God!

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In this blog I have used material I learned at:
 Wind and Fire Mission Base Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302
John G. Lake Ministries - Curry Blake DHT Training2

Pay Attention to What Makes You Feel Defensive...

Did you know that a key way of seeing into yourself and what is still binding you from living the way God wants you to live is to look at what makes you feel defensive?
It's true. Try for a day or two to really be aware if you feel offended or find yourself being defensive in any situation.
Note these things. Then take a few minutes with God and begin to analyze them with God helping you discern.
If I have time, I take a minute immediately after I notice that I have been defensive about something and go through the following steps with God.

1. I acknowledge that I felt defensive. Then I ask God to help me see what was I defensive about. What was the true message underneath my defensiveness?
2. Once I discover the incident, memory, or issue that is underneath the defensiveness I think about the topic (trying to put myself in the situation or memory associated with it). I ask myself, "What am I feeling in this setting?"
3. I acknowledge any emotions I feel (such as: fear, anxiety, sadness, humiliation, etc). Then I take these emotions stating them aloud and say, "In the name of Jesus, fear you leave now. I break all ties you have to this situation."
4. In addition, I pay attention to subconscious statements I might be saying to myself (those core beliefs that are definitely unbiblical such as "I am bad" "I am disgusting" or whatever).
5. I take theses statements and say, "In the name of Jesus you no longer have any power here. I will not think these things again in the name of Jesus. Any strongholds or thought patterns associated with this belief is broken in the name of Jesus."
6. To make sure I am done with this issue, I go back to the original situation in my head that just happened to make me defensive. How am I feeling now? What thoughts am I having? If any negatives still remain I repeat until head is empty and feeling no feelings.

This is truly an amazing and life changing exercise. It is like having years and years of counseling, but in the span of 5 minutes. I can now see why God is called the ultimate counselor. Only He can get rid of the junk that has been in our brains for our whole lives in just a few short minutes. Wow! Praise God!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

God Does NOT Want You to be Sick!

God does not want you to be sick. 
Throughout my adult life, I had migraines. I felt God had allowed me to have this health issue or even given it to me because I deserved it! 
It was a huge revelation to realize that sickness does not come from God. He actually wants us to be healed.

Mark 16:18 states, "They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed"(emphasis added).

What does this really mean? Our great commission as Christians is to go out and lay hands on others, in the name of Jesus, and God will heal them. 

Perhaps the best at explaining this concept clearly is Curry Blake. Please see my page with all of Curry Blake's DHT (Divine Healing Technique) trainings. Watch all of these trainings and then go out and start laying hands on people. It is really amazing to see. Or lay hands on yourself. That is where I began. I put my hands on myself and told my headaches to leave in the name of Jesus. 

So, the next time you hear someone say it is God's will for them to be sick, remind yourself it is NEVER God's will for us to be sick. He wants us to walk in His glory and power into freedom and becoming who He wants us to be in Christ. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at:

 Wind and Fire Mission Base Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

John G. Lake Ministries - Curry Blake DHT Training2

Immediate vs. Ultimate

Impulse control can be hard. Whether you struggle with food, shopping, gambling, drinking, etc.
One of the Fruits of the Spirit is self-discipline. Did you realize that simply by becoming a Christian you have access to any and all of the Fruits of the Spirit? They are not some unattainable thing that one needs to read the Bible so many times or do some sort religious gymnastics to accomplish.
Rather, they are there at your fingertips now. Simply start living in self-discipline. Walk with the confidence knowing that God has already bestowed this gift to you.
Also, when facing those impulse situations, why not say to yourself, "immediate or ultimate." In other words, think about if you are going to indulge the immediate or resist for ultimate. If you live life according to the immediate, you will miss out on the ultimate!
One thing I am doing right now is having a sign in my car with "immediate or ultimate" on my dashboard. Sometimes I am tempted to buy something or eat when I do not need to. By having a simple reminder in front of me, I am able to remember that I am self-disciplined. God has already given me this gift.
Just another way to walk in freedom and power!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

Grading Your Decisions

Boy, doesn't it just feel awful when you have made a poor decision? It is hard to stop condemnation or negative thinking from taking over.

What if you were able to avoid negative decisions by looking at all the choices you made in a new way? Stop viewing everything in a pass/fail mentality. 

Think of something you are trying to make a decision about right now. Now, think of a solution that you have considered doing to solve the problem. 

Grade this solution you are considering on a 1-10 scale (1-poor - 10- best). What is your number? Now take your problem before God. Be still before Him asking Him how to improve your solution. Is there someone he recommends you speak to for guidance? Is there are verse He gives you to add clarity?

Now think of the solution God has given you and grade this one in your head. Did your number go up?

Remember, stop thinking about everything as right or wrong -- pass or fail. If you make a decision that you don't like as well say, "Well, that outcome was about a 3. I wonder what I could try to make it go up a couple of numbers in the future?

We are talking about shifting your brain about the way you think about decisions. Start shifting and see a difference!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

What if it Doesn't Work? What if it Does?

Do you live in the land of "what ifs"? Do you find yourself constantly wondering what might happen or could come next? Is worry your go-to emotion?

I know it was (and sometimes still is) for me. I used to worry about absolutely everything. Even when I would tell myself not to worry, I would worry. I knew Matthew 6:34 by heart, where Jesus says, "Do not worry about tomorrow for today has enough troubles of its own." I would chant that to myself - yet I would worry.

God really does not want us to worry. When a worry pops into your head, tell it to leave in the name of Jesus. Also, try shifting your thoughts.

You might be worrying about something and think, "What if it doesn't work?"
INSTEAD, try thinking, "What if it does!"

Also remember God really is your best friend. He wants to help you in EVERY decision. So even if it something small like trying to figure out what you should wear to work or when to go do your exercising for the day - just ask Him. I have found great peace when I just ask God about whatever is going on in my brain.  Just try it. Allow Him to close the door on worrying and release you from that prison!

I am Not How I Feel. I am How I Decide.

Do your emotions run haywire? Are you driven by feelings to do things you later regret?
God gave us emotions as a helper, but not to be our guide.
The Holy Spirit is our guide.
Just today, I found myself feeling fear and guilt over something that was really not worth feeling anything over. The emotions were so strong and did not make any sense to me. I stopped and prayed with power and told these feelings to go away in the name of Jesus.
Before I learned so much from God, emotions truly controlled my life. I was led to eating too much or feeling the need to escape through TV to get away from my uncomfortable emotions.
Now that I really understand who God says I am and how he wants me to be free from emotions that dictate my actions.
God wants you to understand when you have a strong feeling - it is just that. It is not wrong to feel mad or sad, but God does not want the emotions to dictate what you do. Rather, acknowledge the feeling. Pray to be rid of it if it is an uncomfortable feeling and then go on with your life.
You be the decision maker about what you do. Not your feelings.
Be intentional.  Seek the Holy Spirit if you are unsure about your next step, but don't rely on those unruly emotions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

How to Be Grateful in 15 Minutes

Do you find yourself complaining? Thinking of what needs to be done and how you are possibly going to get it all done? Feeling overwhelmed by life?
I find it is difficult to remember gratitude at these times.
God wants us to enter each day with thanksgiving and praise in our hearts.
How does one get into this mindset? Why not begin with taking 15 minutes over your lunch break or before bed and writing down 25 things that are going well in your life. Then take that list and put it in your Bible to look at each day or perhaps post it on your frig.
Try thanking God for a couple of these things each day. Say, "I am content with where I am at and thankful for ______________." It's true, isn't it? I know it can be hard, but watch how your life changes with just this one simple change!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

Positive Thinking Only Diet

This is no ordinary diet. There are no food restrictions or specific rules to follow when it comes to eating. Rather this diet is a brain diet.
How positive is your thinking these days? How often do you have a negative thought about anything?
If you find you are having a constant steam of condemnation going around in your head, please read my post entitled "Getting Rid of Self-Condemnation Forever"
Now that condemnation is gone from your brain, how many other negative thoughts do you find yourself meditating on? For instance, what role does worry/fear play in your life? How often do you find yourself complaining? Doubting? Just feeling down-in-the-dumps?
God really wants to free you from this too! So why not go on a diet for your brain.

Steps to Positive Thinking Only Diet:

Your main goal is to make it one entire day without a negative thought. If you have a negative thought, you must begin again to make it 24 hours without one.

1. Pray and ask God to give you wisdom and discernment about when a thought is negative and not beneficial. Also ask for him to help you hold it captive and release it.

2. Begin your day. When a negative thought comes up in your head, notice it is there, then throw it out in the name of Jesus. Just having this thought come into your brain does not count. It is MEDITATING on the thought or PERSEVERATING on it that gives it power. This is where Satan can get a foothold into your life.

3. Replace the thought with a verse. It can be any verse. Or simply say the name of Jesus over and over until you are focused on something new.

4. Build stamina in holding every thought captive just as you do when you build endurance in exercise. It will be hard at first, but do not give up. God will give you freedom from negative thoughts.

5. Do not get discouraged. Whatever you do, do not allow condemnation or anything negative to come into your head when you are unable to hold a thought captive. This is hard. It takes practice. One woman took 6 months of doing this daily before she could make it through one whole day without negativity sneaking into her thoughts. Ask God to strengthen you! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

3-7-21

Is there some habit you have that you would like to be rid of? Perhaps there is one you would like to establish?
First, I encourage you to pray and ask God about what you are wanting to change. See if it is in His plan for you to modify this.
I have learned that using the 3-7-21 method will help you as your work with God on changing.
Let's say you decide you will get up at the same time each day. First, try to do this for 3 days in a row, then 7, finally, for 21 days. 21 days makes a habit. Once you have done the new behavior (or stopped the old one) for 21 days you will have broken the pattern in your head.
Yea! Another piece of freedom for you!

Getting Rid of Self-Condemnation Forever!

Satan wants us to think we are unlovable.

I find that focusing on media such as TV, fashion magazines, and music videos puts a lot of images into my head that shows what one needs to look like to be loved -- according to the world. All the times you failed, all the things you did which you are ashamed of, how your body does not look how you think it should.

All of these negatives create a huge culture of self-condmenation. Do you condemn yourself continuously? Do you believe all the negatives you give yourself?

I did. Despite being a school counselor and telling kids daily to give themselves put ups not put downs, I was constantly barraging myself with negatives. About anything and everything.
I knew God wanted me to "hold every thought captive" and that He loved me, but I just totally believed all the gobbledegook going around in my head and was hopelessly unable to stop the nasty, negativeness that pervaded my brain.

How I got rid of that constant stream of self-condemnation:

These were the steps I took to get those negative comments to leave forever:
1. I understood and agreed with the idea that any words of condemnation ARE NOT FROM GOD. Remember "HE HAS NEVER HAD A BAD THOUGHT ABOUT YOU."
1. I prayed, asking God for discernment and wisdom to hear and identify any condemnation.
2. I prayed with power and might (don't be afraid to get loud when you pray like this. I find praying when I am alone in the car works really well). I told condemnation to leave me forever! I know that the Bible says there is "no condemnation in Christ." I told that condemnation to leave in the name of Jesus. I told condemnation I would no longer be listening to anything it had to say to me.
3. God gave me discernment to hear specific negative words or comments I was saying to myself. Whenever it happened I would take 1-2 minutes and pray aloud telling it to leave. I would no longer think about this, in the name of Jesus. God has forgiven me (if it was a sin) and I was certainly not going to allow any thought patterns or strong holds associated with this condemnation to continue, in the name of Jesus.
4. I would put myself back into that thought for a minute - purposely thinking about the situation that triggered the condemnation. I would ask myself, "How do you feel?" If I felt nothing, great! I was done. If I felt fear, sadness, anxiety, etc. I would identify the feelings and say a prayer like this, "Fear, sadness, worry associated with this negative thought you will leave NOW in the name of Jesus. You have no place here!" Now, think of the situation that triggered again, any negative emotions remaining? If there are, repeat this process until there are none and you feel absolutely nothing.
5. I worked on this process for about a week. Within a week there was no self-condemnation present in my head anymore. I mean, you know how people say they are thinking about nothing and they really have nothing going on in their head? That is the way it suddenly felt. Nothing. No negative comments, no self hatred, nothing. Wow! True freedom!

Just a few more thoughts on this process:
- You have to be willing to put effort into this. God wants you to have this freedom. But, you need to take the time (generally, 2-5 minutes will actually be enough time) to attack this problem head on each time a negative thought enters your head.
- When you are praying - pray aloud. Your words have power! You don't have to be loud when you pray. If a condemning thought popped into my brain and I was around others I would take a minute to use the restroom or walk to a quiet spot in room and whisper (still aloud) my prayer.
-Praise God as you are emotionally healed and freed from these words that have plagued you for years!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

Who Am I?

If you grew up attending public schools, you probably made one of those "Who Am I" or "I am Special" poster boards for a class project. Remember the parts of the poster that were supposed to demonstrate your worth? (Your likes, dislikes, talents, how many brothers or sisters you had, what you wanted to be when you grew up, etc).

With this philosophy, we are brought up to believe our worth is defined by what we do or what we like. It is no wonder that our self perception is so distorted by the time we get older.
I found that my primary identity came from what I did for a living. When people would ask me how I was doing, I would think about how my job or personal accomplishments in my life. It is interesting to look at that. Isn't the question, how are YOU? Not, what have you accomplished recently; how successful are you in your work or relationships; etc. If we are really engaging in meaningful relationships we should really want to know HOW the person is doing, not WHAT they are doing.

I learned recently that God is not focused on WHAT I DO, but WHO I AM.

God does not determine a person's value by looking at what they have done in life or by his/her good works.

Did you know that you are actually God's treasure? We are His treasured possession! (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 7:6, Deuteronomy 14:2, Deuteronomy 26:18)

Walk in freedom - stop identifying yourself by what you do. Start embracing who God says you are. Start now. Watch this video from Casting Crowns.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

Is God Disappointed in You? Is God Punishing You?

I became a Christian as a teenager and grew up knowing Jesus loved me because "the Bible told me so." But, I didn't really think He could love me?  I mean, look at the sins I had committed. I knew that I was forgiven, but really didn't I deserve to be punished? 

Certainly I deserved to have daily migraines because I had really let God down. He was really disappointed in me, right??

It was not until last year, when I was told a life changing message --

GOD HAS NEVER HAD A BAD THOUGHT ABOUT YOU!

I mean, meditate on that statement. All the times you have put yourself down for not meeting man's standards about reading the Bible for such and such amount of time daily or whether or not you prayed hard enough for the people on your prayer list, etc. All of those times I thought God was disappointed in my lack of christianity. 

Just because you have bad thoughts about you or the devil puts negative ideas into your head about who you are, this is NOT what God is thinking about you. 

What does God think about you? Have you asked Him? Why not spend some time alone with God (I like being outside if I can be) and just ask him "What do you want to tell me about me, God?" Then, sit and wait - be still and silent before God. He will give you a word, phrase, vision, or dream. 

Also, look at the word of God. Did you know that He loves you with an everlasting love? ()Jeremiah 31:3). Think about that His love for your is unending. Now, begin to agree with that idea simply by saying it aloud and saying something like, "I agree with how God loves me with an everlasting love."

When a negative thought about yourself suddenly pops up into your head, stop and say, "Thought you leave in the name of Jesus. You are not true. You are not real. God has never had a bad thought about me. I agree with how He loves me forever."

Begin to walk in freedom and remember what God really thinks about you - agree with Him and find true joy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

One Step at a Time
Feeling overwhelmed? Unsure of what to do. There is a great worship song called "Step by Step." Likewise, one of my favorite authors Henry Blackaby explains to us to simply pray, "Lord, just tell me what to do one step at a time and I will do it." Now think about that and hold onto it. Ask God, "What is the next step, God?" Now, be silent and listen. If you do not hear God speak at that moment ask God to lead you to a passage in the Bible or to light your path with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is a very simple concept. How would your life change if you did this?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230

Share Jesus Without Fear By William Fay Do you want to share Jesus without fear? Perhaps the thought of sharing your faith in Jesus Christ causes feelings of fear and guilt in your heart. We need to look no further than the first book of the New Testament to see that we are commanded to share God's good news with others. Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." However, God did not intend for this command to give you feelings of inadequacy. Instead, this command illustrates God's desire to include us in His wonderful plan to redeem mankind.

Would you like to know the secret to fearlessly sharing your faith in Jesus Christ? Sadly, there is no special trick, but it is comforting to know that God hears your prayers, and He is faithful to grant you anything according to His will. Since God desires to see everyone come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Peter 3:9), you can confidently ask Him to provide opportunities to share your faith. Praying for God to guide your Christian witnessing encounters allows you to rely on His supernatural power rather than your own ability. He will remove your fear of witnessing.
Share Jesus Without Fear - The Questions
If you want to share Jesus without fear, how do you get started? Starting a discussion about spirituality is often the biggest barrier to sharing your faith in Jesus Christ. Do you wonder how to approach the subject in the midst of everyday conversation? You can make this a much easier task by using the simple technique of asking your friend questions about his beliefs. This technique usually has two benefits. First, your friend may be more obliged to listen to your beliefs once you have listened to his. Second, and more important, this technique allows you to know what is going on in your friend's life so that you can better minister to him.

Here are a few questions that can move the conversation from a secular topic to a spiritual topic. The questions act as a funnel to introduce the Gospel.

• Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?
• To you, who is Jesus?
• Do you think there is a heaven or a hell?
• If you died tonight, where would you go?
• By the way, if what you were believing is not true, would you want to know?

These five questions, asked in the order listed above, can move a conversation from the secular to the spiritual. And if your friend answers "yes" to the final question, you will have the privilege of sharing your faith with your friend.
Share Jesus Without Fear - Let God's Word Speak
You can share Jesus without fear! Rather than recite an elaborate presentation, simply open your Bible and let God's Word speak for itself. For this to work, you will need a Bible (preferably a small one because small Bibles tend to be less intimidating to non-christians), and a few salvation passages to share. Some passages that serve this purpose are listed below:

• "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
• "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
• "In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again'" (John 3:3).
• "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6).
• "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame'" (Romans 10:9).
• "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Corinthians 5:15).
• "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).

Invite your friend to read a verse aloud and then have him explain the verse to you. Take him through all the verses listed above. If your friend interprets a passage incorrectly, don't argue or offer your interpretation, but politely ask him to read it again, and then explain it a second time. Misinterpretation should not be much of a problem if you use the Bible verses listed above.

Even if your friend mentions that he doesn't believe in or agree with the Bible, it is best not to argue. You can state that you simply want him to understand what the Bible says about eternity. Isn't it wonderful to know that it's not our responsibility to convict? Conviction is God's job. All we can do is share. Once we have shared, we have done God's will. Witnessing for Christ is a no-lose activity.

What has worked the best for my friends and I is to actually mark all of these verses in a little new testament and carry it with us at all times. We have even made a tract using these techniques. By putting everything on a little tract it is easy to see how to lead one through the steps and remember the questions to ask.

This is just another tool to put in your toolbox as you work for the Lord.

Witnessing - Question "Don't All Religions Lead to God?"
Perhaps this is one of the most common questions you will be confronted with as you witness. I believe Hank Hanegraaff- The Bible Answer Man- answers it best in his book "The Bible Answer Book" (pp160-161) :
Don't all religions lead to God?

Before answering this question, a word of warning is in order: Anyone who answers in the negative may well be ostracized for being narrow-minded and intolerant. That being said, my answer is, "No, not all religions lead to God, and it is incorrect and illogical to maintain that they do."

First, when you begin to examine world religions such as Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, you will immediately recognize that they directly contradict one another. For example, Moses taught that there was only one God; Krishna believed in many gods; and Buddha was agnostic. Logically, they can all be wrong but they can't all be right.

Furthermore, the road of religion leads steeply uphill, while the road of Christianity descends downward. Put another way, Religion is fallen humanity's attempt to reach up and become acceptable to God through what we do; Christianity, on the other hand, is a divine gift based on what Christ has done. He lived the perfect life that we could never live and offers us his perfection as an absolutely free gift.

Finally, Jesus taught that there was only one way to God. "I am the way and the truth and the life," said Jesus, "No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). Moreover, Jesus validated his claim through the immutable fact of his resurrection. The opinions of all other religious leaders are equally valid in that they are equally worthless. They died and are still dead. Only Jesus had the power to lay down his life and to take it up again. Thus, his opinion is infinitely more valid that theirs.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

This book and other free articles are available at http://www.equip.org

Witnessing Through Christian Fiction...
Does it ever seem like when it comes time to talk to friends or family about God that suddenly we find ourselves completely tongue-tied or extremely nervous? I remember one time when the person I was witnessing to went to the bathroom I called a Christian friend of mine quickly and said in a panicked voice, "What is the prayer of salvation again?" She helped me to remember there is not one specific prayer of salvation - that you just need to invite Christ into your heart and ask that He forgive you for your sins.
God can work in powerful ways in your lost loved ones hearts through many different ways. One way that I encourage you to pray about is through Christian fiction. Think about the person who you really want to know God and who has been on your heart. Does this person enjoy reading as a pastime? There are some truly amazing and life-changing books out there that I encourage you to check out.
It has been my experience that it works best to give the book to the person as a gift, not as a loaner. The person will be touched that you thought of them. Especially if it is someone from work or an acquaintances you don't know as well. I give the type of book I know will be of interest to that person, yet has a powerful message of salvation. (See book suggestions and links below). Pray before you give the book. God will let you know clearly which book you should give, when you should give it and how you should say it. You may feel uncomfortable at first when you begin giving books, but continue to give and God will bless you deeply. In addition, the people who read these books will come back to you and thank you.
If the person chooses to read the book it will generate all sorts of conversations surrounding God and religion. If questions arise that you cannot answer, please use the Christian Research Institute link on this page to contact and ask your questions there or feel free to contact me.

Suggested Christian Fiction:

Titles By Randy Alcorn
Please check out Randy's website http://www.epm.org/
I suggest you sign up for his newsletter that he will mail to your home.

Deadline This is my #1 choice for nonChristian seekers. It portrays 3 men in a car accident and their final destinies: Heaven, Hell and Undecided (this one is still alive). I would also recommend it for Christians who are needing a clear perspective of Heaven - not just everyone sitting around playing harps all the time - how unbelievable and exciting it is. By the way, Randy's books are awesome to listen to on audiobook.

Lord Foulgrin's Letters Every Christian should read this book. It helps Christians become aware of the actual spiritual battle we are all in. I really pick and choose if I give this to a nonChristian because I think it is almost too much to handle at once. Every hot topic issue is addressed in this book. But, there are some who it is excellent for. Again, God will guide you.

Edge of Eternity This book is just amazing and really makes you think! I give it to any Christian and the intellectual seeking nonChristian. It leads to all sorts of great discussions. Read it for yourself and let it change your life!

Randy has numerous other fiction items that are all wonderful. His non-fiction is also terrific. As you can tell he is my favorite author!

THE LEFT BEHIND SERIES
By Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
Official Left Behind website:
http://www.leftbehind.com/channelbooks.asp

I have found that the popular Left Behind series (a series of 12 books based on the Book of Revelation) is an excellent tool for witnessing. Although some Christians disagree with Tim LaHaye's views about what will happen and how some aspects are interpreted, there is no denying that over and over again LaHaye offers the reader a model of how to become a Christian through characters' salvation. I have seen several friends grow from this reading.

I recommend giving this book to a nonChristian who enjoys exciting, engaging fiction. I always just give the first book. Here is a link to Amazon where the first in the series sells for 1 cent.
http://www.leftbehind.com/channelbooks.asp

Whether or not your friend continues to read the series is irrelevant, what is relevant is what they gained. Engage them in discussion. Ask them if they would like to watch the movie with you.

There are 2 movies in the series. You can buy them as a two pack for $3.49 at http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=45744&netp_id=289834&event=EFIN|27512|71218
By the way, christianbook.com is a great resource for most items that you would normally
buy at your local store. You can usually get items significantly reduced.

There is so much more wonderful Christian fiction. Does your unsaved mom love romance? Think Liz Curtis Higgs. Does your unsaved roommate get thrilled by thrillers? Check out Craig Parshall. The key to picking out a good piece to give: (1) Pray about giving a book (2) Read the book first yourself (3) Make sure it has a clear salvation message (4) Give the book and wait for a response.

Witness to others about my faith? Not me...
Do you feel overwhelmed with the thought of sharing your faith with others? Not sure about how to "share the Good News"?
It is important, in fact it is crucial, that we share our faith with others. Witnessing is not just about being a street preacher (although there is a place for that). It is about sharing the love and peace of Jesus Christ with the people who are the most dear to us -- our family and friends.
Look around you, there are people at work, neighbors, friends and even our dearest family members who are tragically lost and do not know the saving love of Jesus Christ. These people will not have eternal life or even in this life know the peace God gives during trial or his deep love He has for each one of us. How sad is that!
Which leads me back to the original discussion - witnessing.
We will begin a discussion about different ways to witness. There is no right or wrong way. The Holy Spirit will guide you. This is God's job not yours.
The first step is for you to pray for God to open opportunities in your life for witnessing. Then ask God to help your heart to become bold for Him. Get ready for a great ride! He is about to make things really happen in your life and for everyone you interact with!

You are adopted by God...
I am sure you know of a family who has adopted a child. Think of the process the couple went through to adopt. Think about how much they really wanted that child. Think of how they prepared the room for the adopted child and waited anxiously for it's arrival. When the child finally arrived, the couple was overjoyed and spent all their time with the child -- watching the child sleep, holding the child closely, showing the child off to all of their friends and family.

Ephesians 1:5 states, "He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will" (emphasis added)

God not only created you, He adopted you!
God knew exactly what He was doing when He created you - no mistake was made. He adopted you! What do we know about adoptions? They are always wanted! He watches you - even when you sleep! :) He will hold you closely when you are going through a rough time and gives you peace during times of trial. He delights in you and loves you so deeply! Be encouraged! Know that the Lord made no mistake when He created you!