Contents

1.TheDifferenceBetweenFaithandHope

2.FaithIsanAct

3.FaithTakestheAnswerNow

4.HopeChangedtoFaithBringsResults

Chapter1

TheDifferenceBetweenFaithandHope

Nowfaithisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor,theevidenceofthingsnotseen.

—Hebrews11:1

In Moffatt's translation of the New Testament, Hebrews11:1reads,"Nowfaithmeansthatweareconfidentofwhatwehopefor,convincedofwhatwedonotsee."

The first part of this verse in The New English Biblereads,"Faithgivessubstancetoourhopes."Anothertranslationsays,

"Faith is thewarrantydeed that the thing forwhichyouhavefondlyhopedisatlastyours."

TheSpirit,throughPaul,issimplytellingusthatfaithis layingholdoftheunrealitiesofhopeandbringingthemintotherealmofreality.

Youhopeforfinancestomeettheobligationsyouhave,butfaithgivesyoutheassuranceyou'llhave themoneywhenyouneedit.Youhopeforphysicalstrengthtodothejobyoumustdo,butfaithsays,"TheLordisthestrengthofmylife;ofwhomshall Ibeafraid?"(Ps.27:1).

Faith,we know, grows out of theWord ofGod: "So then faithcometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"(Rom.10:17).

FaithsaysthesamethingtheWordofGodsays.

Unbelief,ontheotherhand,istakingsidesagainstGod'sWord.

It is sad that thereare somany "believers"who talkunbelief,thus taking sides against theWord ofGod. Then theywonderwhyGod'sWorddoesn'tworkforthem.

Oneof thebestways to findoutwhat something is, is to findoutwhatitisnot.Let'sfollowthatapproachintheselessons.

First, faith is not hope. Too often people are justhoping theywill receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, healing, or ananswertoprayer.Butit'snothopingthatgetsthejobdone;it'sbelieving.

Nowfaithis.Ifit'snotnow,it'snotfaith.

When someone says, "Well, I believe I'll get the Holy Spiritsometime," that's not faith; it's hope. Hope is always futuretense

—pointing to the future—but faith isalwaysnow. Faith says,"I'llreceiverightnow.Ihaveitnow."

When it comes to receiving what you need from God, theprinciples of faith are the same in any area, whether forreceivingthebaptismintheHolySpirit,healing,ananswertoprayer,orfinances.Ifyoulearntheprinciplesoffaith,itiseasytoreceivewhateveryouneedfromGod.

Yearsago, I conducteda tentmeeting inWaco,Texas.On thethirdnightIpreachedonlayingonofhandsandhadahealingservice. Back then, I always put people in the same line toreceivehealingorthebaptismoftheHolySpirit.

ThefirstmaninthelinehadcometoreceivethebaptismintheHolySpirit.

Iaskedhim,"WillyoureceivenowasIlaymyhandsonyouandpray?"

"Well,BrotherHagin,"heanswered,"Isurehopeso."

Ireplied,"Youwon't."

Thatmadehimangry.Ihadmeanttohelphim,notangerhim,so I added, "Youdon't receive fromGod throughhope; it's byfaiththatyoureceive."

Hesaid,"Idon'tknowwhether I'mgoingtoreceiveornot,soI'mjustnotgoingtosayIam."

ThenIaskedhim,"IfIofferedyouadollarbill,wouldyousay,'Well,Idon'tknowwhetherIcanreceiveitornot'?"

"No,certainlynot,"hereplied.

"GodoffersyouagiftwhichisjustaseasyforyoutoreceiveasadollarImightofferyou,"Isaid.

"ButIhavebeenseekingalongtime,"hesaid."Infact,it'sbeenabout13years,andIhaven'treceivedyet.Idon'tknowwhetherIwillreceive."

He got quite upset about it, so I hugged his neck andsaid,"Brother,I'mheretohelpyou.Itwouldn'tdoabitofgoodformetolaymyhandsonyouandprayforyou.Infact,undertheseconditions,IcouldlaymyhandsonyourheaduntilIworeeveryhairoff,andyouwouldn'tgetanything.Isuggestyousiton the front row towatchand listen towhat isgoingon, andyou'llseethedifferencebetweenbelievingandhoping."

I prayed for several people for healing, and then came to ayoung woman who wanted to receive the Holy Spirit. Iasked,"AreyouaChristian?"

"I'mamemberoftheBaptistchurch,"shesaid.

Isaid,"YoucouldbelongtoanychurchandnotbeaChristian.It'snotbeingamemberofachurch;it'sbeingbornagain."

"Yes,"shedeclared,"Iknowthat.AndIhavebeenbornagain."

"Well, fine," I said. "Doyoubelieve in theHolySpirit?AnddoyoubelieveinthebaptismoftheHolySpirit?"(HavingaBaptistbackgroundmyself,Iknowtheydon'tallbelievethat.)

"Icertainlydo,"shesaid."It'sintheBible."

ThenIaskedher,"WillyoureceivetheHolySpiritnowwhenIlaymyhandsonyourheadandpray?"

"Icertainlywill,"sheresponded."Youknow, IsatheretonightandfollowedeveryScriptureyougaveasyoupreached,andit'sall inthere.It'sintheWord—thelayingonofhandstoreceivetheHolySpirit.Icertainlywillreceive."

Isawshewasready.Isawfaithinoperation.Ireachedoutmyright hand to lay it on her forehead, but before I could touchher,shethrewupbothhandsandstartedspeakingintongues.

ThenIturnedtothemanwhohadbeenobservingonthefrontrow. I asked, "Now do you see the difference betweenjusthopingyouwillreceivethebaptismintheHolySpiritandreallybelievingyouwill?"

"Yes,"hesaid,"IguessIdo."

He returned three nights later. That night we had anotherservice for laying hands on the sick and for receiving thebaptismintheHolySpirit.Again,hewasthefirstmaninline.

Isaid,"Iseeyou'reback."

"Yes," he replied, "I'm back. And I'll tell you something—I'vechangedmyhopeintofaith.JustputyourhandsonmeandI'llbefilledwiththeHolySpiritrightnow!"

Ireachedoutmyhandsandhadhardlytouchedhimbeforebothofhishandswentupandhebeganspeakingintongues.

It makes such a difference when you really believe God anddon't just hope you'll receive from Him. You see, that manhadn't actually been seeking for 13 years; he had just beenhoping he'd get the Holy Spirit. And you don't receive byhoping.

Jesus said, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,BELIEVE that ye receive them ___" (Mark 11:24). He did notsay, "HOPE that ye receive them";He said, "BELIEVE that yereceivethem."

HereishowtotellwhetheryouarereallybelievingGodorjusthoping:Hopeisfuturetense.Butifyouareseekinghealing,it'snot in the future you want to be healed; it's right now—especiallyifyouareinpain.

IfyouareseekingthebaptismoftheHolySpirit,youdon'twanttobefilledinthefuture;itisnowyouwanttoreceive.

Ifit'ssalvationapersonwants,it'snotinthefuturehewantstobesaved; thatmaybe too late. Indaysgoneby, I've talked tomenabout their salvationand I'vehad them tellme that theyhopedtobesaved.Isaywithtearsthatsomeofthesemenarein hell today. They left this world unsaved because salvationwhichisbasedonhopenevercomestofruition.

ItseemsthatwealwaysstumbleoverthesamestumblingstonewhenitcomestoreceivingthingsfromGod:WehopeHehearsourprayers.Wehopetobehealed.WehopetoreceivetheHolySpirit.Evenifyousay,"IbelieveI'llreceiveitsometime,"

that is stillhope.You'recalling itbelief,but it'shopebecauseit'sinthefuture.

Notice what our text says: "NOW faith is.... " That's presenttense.Ifit'snotnow,it'snotfaith.Faithispresenttense.Hopeisfuturetense.Getintherighttense;getinthepresenttense.

SomepeoplearealwaysbelievingGodisgoingtodosomethingforthem,butfaithbelievesthatHehasdoneandisdoing.

Even when it comes to healing, many people say, "BrotherHagin,Idon'tunderstandwhyIhaven'treceivedmyhealing.IknowGodpromisedtohealme."

"Godhasnotpromisedtohealyouatall,"Itellthem.

They reply, "Doesn't the Word of God say, 'Himself took ourinfirmities,andbareoursicknesses'?Isn'tthatapromise?"

No,thatisnotapromise.Itisastatementoffactwhichtellsussomethingthathasalreadyhappened.

Somewill quote First Peter 2:24: "Who his own self bare oursins inhis ownbodyon the tree, thatwe,beingdead to sins,should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye werehealed."Thenthey'llask,"Doesn'tthatpromisemehealing?"

I have to tell them, "No, that doesn't promise healing. It tellsyouwhatbelongstoyou."

Ihavelearnedthis:AssoonasIcangetpeopletoquithopingandstartbelieving,theyarehealedimmediately.

IwaspreachingseveralyearsagoinOklahomaandawomaninher 70's who hadn't taken a single step in four years wasbrought to the service. The doctors had said shewould neverwalk again. Her knees had simply worn out and wouldn'tfunction to carry her weight. Having sat around with noexercise,shehadgrownquitelarge.

When it came time for the healing line, they brought herforward and sat her on the altar. I knelt in front of herand prayed. Then I said, "Now, Sister, arise and walk in theNameoftheLordJesus."

Thatdearsouldidherbest toarise—andall the timeshewascryingandpraying,"OdearLordJesus,pleasehealme.Lord,IknowYou promised to healme. You knowwhat a burden I'vebeen tomy family. I can't doone thing formyself.DearLord,pleasehealme.Pleasehealmy limbs.Please letmewalk.Oh,please,please,please!"

"Waitaminute,Sister,"Isaid."Ihaveawordforyou.Icanhelpyou."

But insteadof listening, she just got louder and louder. I saidthesecondtime,"Waitaminute,Sister.Ihaveawordforyou.Icanhelpyou."Shegotstilllouder.

ThethirdtimeIsaid,"Waitaminute,Sister.Waitaminute.

IhaveawordfromGodforyou.Icanhelpyou."

She had gotten almost hysterical, so I took hold of hershoulders, shookher firmly,andsaid, "I commandyou to shutupintheNameoftheLordJesus!"

She stopped and looked at me. Then I realized that thecongregation had "put the brakes on." The same thinghappenedtoJesusinhishometownofNazareth.TheBiblesaysso!"Andhecould theredonomightywork [it doesn't sayHewouldn't; it saysHecouldn't]save thathe laidhishandsonafewsickfolk,andhealedthem"(Mark6:5).TheoriginalGreekreadsthatHelaidhandsonafewpeoplewith"minorailments."Why?Mark6:6givesustheanswer:"Andhemarvelledbecauseoftheirunbelief"

BeforeIcoulddoanythingtohelpthatwoman,Ihadtogetthebrakesofunbeliefoff.Ihadtogotoworkonthecongregationfirst.

I said, "Some thought I was being rude to this woman." Andsomespokerightoutandsaid,"Yes,wesurelydid."

I replied, "Now I want to ask you a question. If you werewalking down the street and someone in a car stopped andasked fordirections and then turnedaroundand startedbackthewaytheyhadcome,wouldn'tyoutrytostopthemandgetthemstraightenedout?"

"Well,yes,"thecrowdagreed.

"All right," I said. "This woman was on the wrong road. Shewasn't on the road to healing. I've done nothing but flag herdown,andnowIhaveherattention."

I continued, "If you'll just take your feet off the brakes longenough,we'll get thiswoman healed." I sensed a release andwentbacktodealingwiththesickwoman.

"Sister,"Isaid,"didyouknowyouarehealed?"

Shelookedupatmewide-eyedandasked,"Oh,amI?"

I opened my Bible to First Peter 2:24, handed it to her, andaskedhertoreadtheversealoud.

Sheread,"Whohisownselfbareoursins inhisownbodyonthe tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live untorighteousness:bywhosestripesyewerehealed."

"Readthatlastclauseagain,please,"Isaid.

"Bywhosestripesyewerehealed,"sheread.

"Now I want to ask you a question," I continued. "Is werepresenttense,futuretense,orpasttense?"

"It'spasttense,"shereplied.

"ThenifyouwerehealedbyJesus'stripes,youarenowhealed,aren'tyou?"

"Yes,"sheanswered,"Iam!"

"NowwillyoudowhatItellyou?"

When she indicated she would, I said to her, "Just lift yourhandsandlookrightuptoJesusandbegintopraiseHim.PraiseHim because you are healed—present tense—not going to be—youare."

Shelookedup,andinasimple,childlikemannershesaid,"DearLord Jesus, I'm soglad I'mhealed."Shehadn'twalkeda stepyet—shehadnoevidenceofhealingwhatsoever—yetshesaid,"I'm so glad I'mhealed.Dear Lord, You knowhow tired I gotsitting around. Thank God, my knees are well. My limbs arehealed.I'msothankful!"

Then I said to the congregation, "Let's thank God with herbecausesheis—notgoingtobe—butishealed."

MostofthecrowdraisedtheirhandsandpraisedGodwithherbecauseshewashealed.

Someprobably said, "She'snothealed; shehasn'twalkedyet.Shehasn'ttakenastep."

Our text,however, says, ".. .faith is theevidenceof thingsnotseen. " (Ifyou'regoingtowaituntilyouseesomethingbeforeyoubelieveit,thatisn'tfaithatall.)Turningtoher,Isaid,"MySister,ariseandwalkinJesus'

Name!"Immediatelythatwomanjumpedoffthealtarlikea16-year-oldgirlandwalked,leaped,andran,praisingGod.

Dr.LilianYeomanssaidsomethingwhichIreadyearsagoandnever have forgotten. It's been a blessing to me through theyears.Shesaid,"IfIprayjustonceforsomethinganddon'tgetit,Istartchanging.IstartchangingbecauseifIprayandthatprayerisn'tanswered,therewillhavetobeachangebeforetheanswercomes.AndIknowtherecan'tbeanychangewithGod;Heneverchanges.Soifthere'sanychanging,ithastobeonmypart. Therefore, if I pray and do not receive, then I startchanging."

I have followed this policy through the years and have foundthatitworks100percentofthetime.

WeneedtorealizethatwecannotsubstitutehopeforfaithandgetanswersfromGod.Butdon'tmisunderstandme:Ifyoukeephopeinitsrightfulplace,itisblessed,wonderful,beautiful,and

arealitytoyou.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "And now abideth faith, hope,charity,thesethree;butthegreatestoftheseischarity"(1Cor.

13:13).Hedidnotsaythattheothersaren'timportant;hesaidthegreatestofthethreeislove.Eachoneofthemhasitsplace.

You can't substitute love for hope, and you can't substitutehopeforfaith.

Yet I know from dealing with so many thousands of peopleduringmyministry thatmost people are trying to receive ananswertoprayeronhopeinsteadofonfaith.ThereasonIknowisbecauseofwhattheysaytome.

Some say, "If you take my hope away fromme, I won't haveanythingleft."

"No,"Ireply."I'mnottakingyourhopeawayfromyou.I'mjustshowingyouthatyouhaveyourhopemisplaced."

ThankGod,we have a blessed hope! Theblessedhope of theChurch is the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ—theresurrectionofthesaveddead—theRaptureofthelivingsaints—the hope of heaven—the hope of seeing our loved ones andfriends.ThankGodforthathope.Wearerejoicinginit.Butitisallfuturetense.

WeknowJesusiscomingagain.Whetherapersonbelievesitornot,He iscoming,becausetheWordsaysso.Theresurrectionisgoingtotakeplacewhetherwehavefaithornot;whetherwebelieveitornot.

Lovedonesand friendswhohavediedhavegone toheaven iftheywereChristians—regardlessofwhatwebelieveaboutit—andtheywillcomebackwithJesuswhenHereturns.

MyfaithisnotgoingtobringJesusback.Thatis,mybelievingthatHewillreturntodaywon'tbringHimbacktoday.

Ifthatweretrue,thentheChurchcouldbelieveandbringJesusbackbytheirfaith.ButHeiscoming,isn'tHe?

His return is future tense. Idon'tknow ifHe iscoming today,tomorrow,ornextweek,butIdoknowHeiscoming.

This is a blessed hope. It is also a purifying hope, for Johnsaid, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifiethhimself,evenasheispure"(1John3:3).

When I say that IbelieveHe is coming, it is a combinationofbelievingwhat theWordsaysandhope (future tense).But if I

say, "I believe I'm going to get my healing sometime," that'snotbelievingatall;that'shope,anditwon'tbringhealing.

Ihaveseengoodpeoplediesayingjustthat;peoplewhowerewonderfulChristians.Iwouldn'tspeakdisparaginglyofthematall.Theyarenowinheaven.Theyjustdidn'tknowwhatfaithis.

Theysaid,"IbelieveGodisgoingtohealmesometime."

Andthat'snotfaith;itishope.

Anythingthatpointstothefutureorlookstothefutureishopeandnotfaith.

Chapter2

FaithIsanAct

Some years ago, a friend of mine told me about a womanevangelist who preached in the early days of the PentecostalMovement.

In one of her meetings, she ministered to four people inwheelchairs. To all four she said in a quiet voice, "Arise andwalkinJesus'Name!"

Andtheyallgotupandwalked—exceptthefourthone.

"Ican'twalk,"shesaid.

"The others couldn't walk, either," the evangelist pointed out,"buttheydid."

Thewomanreplied,"Iknowtheydid,butIcan'twalk.Ihaven'twalkedinyears.Ican'twalk."

Andtheevangelisthadtowalkawayandleavehersittingthere,stillinunbelief.

Yousee,whenthosefirstthreebegantoactuponwhatwastoldthem,resultswereforthcoming.WhenyouactuponwhatGod'sWordsays,oractuponwhattheHolySpiritmayspeaktoyourheart,resultsareforthcoming.Thatisfaith!

Awoman in one of the churches I pastored had arthritis andwasinawheelchair.Thedoctorhadtoldhersomeyearsbeforethatherbodyeventuallywouldbecomerigidandshewouldn'tbeable tomove.Shewouldbecomeconfined toawheelchair,herbodyfixedinasittingposition.Thiscametopass.Herbodywasstiffasaboard.

Sheandherhusbandnevermissedaservice.Now,Icouldprayforthiswomanandshewouldreceive instanthealingforsuch

minorailmentsasthefluoracold.Butitbotheredmethatsheneveronceaskedtobeprayedforforhealingfromthearthritis.

Therewerepeopleinthatchurchwhohadbeenhealedofveryseriousailments,andIknewitwasGod'swilltohealher,too.

Somemightargue,"Well,itmaynotbeGod'swill,"butIknowitisGod'swilltohealpeople!(Thatdoesn'tmeanthatChristianswhodon'tgethealedaren'tgoingtoheaven.Itjustmeanstheyarerobbedofablessingwhileon thisearth.)Oneafternoonasmall group of us from the church went to this crippledwoman's house to pray with her, determined to see herdelivered from that wheelchair. As we prayed, I saw exactlywhatGodwantedmetodo.

I said to everyone, "Get back away from her." We were in alarge room. I went across the room from her andsaid, "Everybodywatch,but Idon'twantanyone to touchher.Stayawayfromher."

ThenIpointedafingeratherandsaid,"Now,mySister,ariseandwalkintheNameofJesusChrist!"

My wife and I and the members of that prayer group arewitnessestothefactthatthepowerofGodliftedherupoutofthatchair.Shesatsuspendedinmid-airabovethewheelchair!

She couldmove her arms and immediately she reached downwiththoselittle,crippledhandsforthewheelchair.Themomentshedid,shefellbackdownintothechair.

Asshedid,withoutthinking—IknowitwastheSpiritofGodinme—Ipointedtoherandsaid,"Sister,youdon'thaveanounceoffaith,doyou?Youdon'tbelieveyou'lleverbehealedofthisarthritis,doyou?"

Sheblurtedout, "No,BrotherHagin, Idon't. I'lldieandgo tomygravewithit."Andshedid.

YoucannotreceivefromGodbeyondactualfaith.Doyouknowwhat would have happened if she had cooperated with God'shealingpower?Shewouldhavebeenhealed.Everyjointinherbodywouldhavebeenloosened.Shewouldhavebeguntowalk!

Toomanypeople think thatGod'spower—healingpower,HolySpirit power—is going to move on them and make them dosomething whether they want to do it or not. No! Thatwouldn'tbetheHolySpirit;thatwouldbeanevilspirit.

Evil spirits force, drive, and compel you to do things. But theHolySpiriturges,prompts,orgivesagentlepush.Thenitisuptoyoutorespond.Itisuptoyoutoobey.

While I was conducting ameeting in Texas, a woman in thattownwroteafriendinanothercity,tellingherhowmanywerereceiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit in the services. Sheinvitedherfriendtocomedownfortheweekendservices.

The friend drove down andwas in two of our services beforecoming forward to receive theHolySpirit. I laidmyhandsonher head, prayed, and the Holy Spirit came upon her. Theutterancecame.ButIcouldn'tgethertorespondorreceive.

Inthenextservice,whichwasSundaymorning,shecameagainforprayer.OnceagaintheHolySpiritcameuponherandgaveherutterance,butagainshedidnotyieldandreceive.

Iknewexactlywhatwaswrong,butIknewitwouldtaketimetoinstructher,anditwasgettinglate.Iturnedtheserviceovertothepastor.

Then I slipped through the side door andwaswalking acrosstheparkinglottowardtheparsonagewhenIsawhersittinginhercar.Shelookedsodisappointedasshesatthereamomentbeforeturningthekeyontobeginherjourneyhome.

IaskedtheLordtoletmehelpher.InstantlytheSpiritofGodshowedmehow tohelpher quickly. Iwalked over to her car,openedmyBibletoActs2:4,andasIhandedittoherthroughthewindow,Iaskedhertoreaditaloud.

She read, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, andbegan to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave themutterance.”

"Sister,"Iasked,"whodoestheScripturesaydidthespeakingwithtongues?"

Shereplied,"ItsaystheHolyGhostdid."

Iaskedhertoreaditagain.Shereaditagain.Iaskedherthesame question. She gave the same reply. So I repeatedthequestion.Finally,onthefourthtimearound,shecaughtonthat something must be wrong, so she began to read slowly,"And—they—were—all—filled—with—the—Holy—Ghost—and—began—tospeak...."

Lookingastonished,shesaid,"Why,THEYdid!"

ShetookmyBibleoutofitscaseandexaminedit.ShesaidshethoughtperhapsIhadadifferentBiblefromhers,butitwasthesame;aScofieldreferenceedition.

"Youknow,"shesaid,"IalwaysthoughttheHolySpiritdidthespeaking."

I told her I had known that. Then I said, "Let's read severalotherScriptures.God'sWordsaysthatoutofthemouthoftwoorthreewitnessesshallathingbeestablished."

WereadActs10:44-46:"WhilePeteryetspakethesewords,theHolyGhostfellonallthemwhichheardtheword.Andtheyofthe circumcision which believed were astonished, as many ascamewithPeter,becausethatontheGentilesalsowaspouredoutthegiftoftheHolyGhost.FortheyheardTHEMspeakwithtongues,andmagnifyGod."

"Oh,"sheexclaimed,"Iseeit!"

"That'stwowitnesses,"Isaid."Let'sgetthree."

SowereadActs19:6,"AndwhenPaulhadlaidhishandsuponthem, the Holy Ghost came on them; and THEY spake withtongues,andprophesied."

Thewomansaid,"Youknow,BrotherHagin,ifIhadbeencalledtotestify inacourtandthe lawyerhadaskedmewhodidthespeakingintongues,IwouldhavesaidtheHolySpiritdid—andIwouldhavethoughtIwastellingthetruth."

Isaid,"Iwanttoaskyousomething.WhenI laidmyhandsonyou,didyousensetheHolySpirit?DidthepowerofGodcomeuponyou?"

"Absolutely,"sheanswered.

"Didyourtonguewanttosaysomethingthatwasn'tEnglish?"

"Why,"shesaid,"itwasallIcoulddotokeepitfromit."

"You're not supposed to keep it from it," I told her. "You'resupposed to cooperate. When the Holy Spirit gives youutterance,youmusthavefaithtoact."

Immediatelyshebegantospeakinamostbeautifultongue.

Once I chattedwith a fellowwho had been "tarrying" for thebaptism in the Holy Spirit for 15 years! After we'd talked alittle, he said, "You can't tell me one thing about tarrying. IknowallaboutseekingGod."Yes,hemayhaveknownallaboutseeking— but he didn't know anything about receiving fromGod!Thereisadifference.

Earlyonemorning,anevangelistfriendofminewenttoprayatthechurchwherehewaspreaching.Whilehewasthere,amancamein,recognizedhimasthevisitingevangelist,shookhandswithhim,andimmediatelysaid,"Youknowwhat?"

"No."

Grinning, as if he were proud of the fact, he said, "I've beenseekingtheHolyGhostfor19years!"

"Youhaven'tdoneanysuchthing,"myfriendtoldhim.

"Jesus said, 'They that seek shall find.' If you'd been seeking,youwouldhavefound.Allyou'vebeendoingishangingaroundthealtar."

Andthat'sallsomepeoplearedoing—justhangingaround.

It'stimetoquithangingaroundandtostartactingontheWordofGod,becausefaithisacting.

I was in one church where there was a man who had beenseverely burned over the lower part of his body. He couldn'twalk;hejustscootedalong.

Inoneoftheservices,theHolySpirittoldmetohaveeveryonewhohad somethingwrongwith them from their hips down tocomeintothehealingline.Thismanwasthefirstinline.

IwaiteduntiltheywereallinlinebeforeItoldthemwhatelseGod had said for me to tell them to do. I went up to thismanandasked,"Canyourun?"

Ittookhimbysurprise."OmyGod,no,"hesaid."Ican'tevenwalk,muchlessrun."

I said, "That'swhat theLordhas toldme todo—to tell you torun."

Theman didn't even give it a second thought.He turned andstartedscootinguptheaisleasfastashecould.Thethirdtimehe came around, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me and Ijumpedoffthatplatform,grabbedthemanbythehand,andranaroundthatbuildingwithhim.Whenwegotbacktothefront,hewaswalkingnormally;notscooting.Hewasperfectlyhealed.

However,ifIhadn'tbeenabletogethimtocooperateandactonhisfaith,Icouldn'thavehelpedhim.Faith,yousee,isactingonGod'sWord—doingwhateverHesaystodo inHisWord,orwhateverHemaysaytousintheSpirit.

Chapter3

FaithTakestheAnswerNow

Faithsays,"It'smine—Ihaveitnow!"

Hopesays,"I'llgetitsometime."

Aslongasyouhope,theanswerwillnevermaterialize.Butthe

momentyoustartbelieving,itwillwork.

That's the lesson I learnedon thebedof sicknessmanyyearsago. I had lain on that bed for 16 longmonths. In fact, I hadbeen sick all my life. I never had run and played like otherchildren.Ididnothaveanormalchildhood.

At the age of 15, I became totally bedfast. Five doctorswerecalled in onmy case.One of themhadpracticed at theMayoClinicandwasconsideredoneofthebestdoctorsinAmerica.

They agreed there was absolutely no hope for me. As far asmedical science knew, no one in my condition had ever livedpastage16.

ThankGodforall thegoodbooksandtapeswehavetodayonfaith and healing. There wasn't too much written about thesubjectinthosedays,andwhattherewasIdidn'tknowabout.

Whenyou'rebedfast24hoursaday,youcandoalotofpraying.Iprayedhoursonend,dayafterday,weekafterweek,monthaftermonth. Icriedandprayed,"DearLordJesus,pleasehealme."IbeggedHimtohealme.SeveralnightsIprayedallnightlong.

Iwasthoroughlysaved,butmyprayingbroughtnoresults.

I'dpray—andI'dbecertainGodhadheardme,becauseIhadaspiritualfeelingofsomekind.I'djustfeelthatthiswasit.ThenI'd feelmypulse.Myheartwouldn'tbebeatingright.My legswere still paralyzed, lifeless boneswith a little skin stretchedoverthem,nomeat,nomusclesinthethighsorcalves.

Iwouldstartcryingandsay,"Lord,IthoughtYouweregoingtohealme.IfeltlikeYoudid.Ijustknewit.ButYoudidn't!"

Icouldn'tunderstandit.Forawhile—aboutamonth—Iwouldn'tevenlookattheBible.IdecidedImightaswellgiveup.

Then I'd go right down to death's door—right down into thethroesofdeath.YoucouldseewhereI'dwornallthevarnishofftheheadboardofmybedas Iheldonto it, fightingdeathwitheveryfiberofmybeing.

Then I would come back to theWord of God, and although Icouldn'tseewhereIwasmissingit,IwouldtrytoactonGod'sWord.Iwouldgetsomehelpandsomehowgetovertheattacks,butstillIdidnotreceivemyhealing.

Finally,on thesecondTuesdayofAugust1934,afterbeingonthebedofsicknessfor16months,Iwasprayingatabout8:30

inthemorning,andIsaidtotheLord,"Now,dearLordJesus,when Youwere here on earth, You said inMark 11:24, 'Whatthings soever yedesire,when yepray, believe that ye receivethem,andyeshallhavethem. 'DearLordJesus,Idesiretobehealed.

"Yousaid,'Whenyoupray.'Ihaveprayed.

"Yousaid, 'Believe. 'DearLord Jesus, ifYoustoodherebymybedsideintheflesh,likemymotherdoes;andifIcouldseeYouwithmy physical eyes as I can seemymother; and if I couldreachoutwithmyphysicalhandandlaymyhandonyours,asIcanmymother'shand;andifYouweretosaytome, 'Son,thetroublewithyou isyou'renotbelieving,' IwouldhavetoreplytoYou,dearLordJesus,'Youarelyingaboutit—Idobelieve.'"(And I said this in kindness and not with arrogance.)When Isaidthis,Hespoketome.

Idiscoveredthesecretoffaiththatday.

Now Jesusdidnot speak tome literally,physically, asanotherhumanbeingmight speak.He's not here in the flesh.But theHoly Spirit is here. And the Holy Spirit shall not speak ofHimself.Jesussaid,"butwhatsoeverheshallhear,thatshallhespeak...."(John16:13).

TheHolySpiritheardJesussayit,andHespokeittomyspirit.Ontheinsideofmethesewordswerespoken:"Yes,youbelieveallright—asfarasyouknow.ButthelastclauseofthisverseofScripture is 'believe that ye receive them and ye shall havethem.'"

Then I saw it! Itwas justas if someonehad turneda lightoninsideme.Isawitinstantly!

Iexclaimed,"DearLordJesus,Iseeit!Iseeit!IhavetobelieveIreceivemyhealing.IhavetobelieveIreceivehealingformyheartwhilemyheartisstillnotbeatingright.IhavetobelieveIreceive healing for my paralysis even though I am stillparalyzed from the natural standpoint. And if I believe that Ireceiveit,thenIhaveit!"

I had never seen that before. I had wanted to receive myhealingfirst,andthenbelieveit.Butyoudon'thavetobelieveitthen;youknowitthen.IsawwhatIhadbeendoing:Ihadbeenhopingallthosemonthstoreceivehealing,anditdidn'twork.

If you follow theWord and theHolySpirit, youwill do thingsautomatically.Althoughtherehadbeensometimes inmy longillnesswhenIcouldn'tusemyhandstoowell,atthistimeIhadfairly good use of them; it was my lower body that wasparalyzed. After receiving this revelation of God's Word, I

immediatelyliftedmyhands.Nobodytoldmeto.Ican'texplainwhyIdidit;Ijustdidit.

"HeavenlyFather,dearLordJesus,thankGodIamhealed,"

Iprayed."IbelieveIamhealed."

NowIhaditintherighttense.NowIhaditworkingforme.

Nowfaithis.Ifit'snotnow,it'snotfaith.BelievingIwasgoingto get my healing wouldn't be present tense; it wouldn't befaith.

"ThankYou,dearLordJesus,"Isaid,"formyhealing.Ibelievethatmy heart is well. I believe thatmy paralysis is healed. IthankYouforthehealingofmybody."

I did not time it—and I realize that a fewmoments can seemlike a long time—but I think I must have praised Him alongthose lines for about 10 minutes. I spent those 10minutesthankingHimbecausemyheartwaswellandmybodywashealed.

Satan challenged me almost instantly, of course. Yes, he willcontest every inch of ground you take. Immediately hesaid,"You'reaprettylookingthing.YouclaimtobeaChristian,andnowyou'vestartedlying."

Anyothertimehewouldhavedeniedthereisahelloralakeoffire,butthistimehesaidtome,"Don'tyouknowtheBiblesaysallliarsshallhavetheirpartinthelakewhichburnethwithfireandbrimstone?"

"Yes,Iknowthat,devil,"Ianswered,"butIdidn'tlie."Iknewitwas the devil, because anything that is doubt ordiscouragementisoftheenemy.

Hereplied,"Yes,youdid!Yousaidyouwerehealedandyou'renot.Feelyourheart."

I was in the habit of feeling my heart to check it, and Iunconsciouslyreachedtofeelit.WhenIdid,Islappedmyhandandsaid,"Don'tyoudoit!Now,Mr.Devil,Ididn'tsayIfeltasifIwerehealed.IfIsaidthat,Iwouldbelying.AndIdidn'tsayIlooklikeI'mhealed.IfIsaidthat,Iwouldbelying.Ididn'tsayanythingabouthowIlookorfeel.IsaidIbelieveIamhealed.IbelieveIam,andIreceivetheanswertomyprayer.IfyousayIdon't believe it, then you're lying. Besides that, you're a liaranyhow—Jesussaidyouare.

"JesusChrist,theSonofGod,whenHewasontheearth,saidinMark 11:24, 'What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,

believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. ' Jesussaidit—andwhatHesaidisso!Ibelieveit.IfIbelieveit,thenI'llhaveit.IbelieveHimrightnow.

"Ifyouwanttoargueandfussaboutit,goarguewithJesus.

Ididn'tsayit;Hesaidit."

That put a stop to the devil. I went back to my business ofthankingandpraisingGodfortheanswer.

I think I had been praising Him for about 10 minutesmorewhen fromwithinmyheart,myspirit, thesewordswerespoken:

"You believe that you are healed. But healed people—wellpeople—haven'tanybusinessinbed.Theyneedtobeup."

"That'sright,"Ianswered."Yes,Lord,that'sright.I'mgoingtogetup.PraiseGod,I'mgoingtogetup!"

Yousee,Iwasbelieving,butfaithishaving.Believingistakingastepup—andyouhavetotakeallthesteps.

Ididn'tlookanybetter,andIdidn'tfeelanybetter.

Physically, I had no feeling from my waist down. I was stillpartiallyparalyzed.Ihadabouttwo-thirdsuseoftheupperpartofmybody.

I was propped up on big pillows so I could read the Bible. Ipushed myself to a sitting position and pulled my knees upagainstmychest.ThenImadeanefforttotwistmybody,andIpushedmyfeetoffthebed.

I got hold of thebedpost at thebottomof thebedandpulledmyselfoffthebed.Myfeetfellonthefloorlikechunksofwood.

Iknewtheyweredownthere,notbecauseIcouldfeelthem,butbecauseIcouldseetheywerethere.Mykneessagged.ThereIstood,huggingthebedpost,mykneesalmosttouchingthefloor.

Theroomstartedspinning.

Thedevilwasfightingmeeveryinchoftheway.Thoughtswerecoming intomymind as fast asmachine gun bullets can fire:"Youcan'twalkandyouknowyoucan't.You'renothealedandyouknowyou'renot.You're lyingabout it.You'regoing to fallrighthereonthefloorandyou'lljusthavetohethere."

One of the best ways in the world to handle the devil is tocompletelyignorehim.SoIignoredhim.Iactedasifhehadn'tsaidanything.

HangingontothatbedpostthebestIcould,Iliftedonehandalittleandsaid,"ThankGod,I'mhealed.IwanttodeclareinthepresenceofAlmightyGod,theLordJesusChristandtheangelsinheaven,inthepresenceofthedevilandtheevilspirits,thattheWordofGodistrue,andIbelieveIamhealed!Ibelieveit."

That old room was spinning, for I'd been lying flat for16months.Ishutmyeyes.InafewminutesIcouldtellthingshad quit spinning. I openedmy eyes. Everythingwas back inplace.

Isaidagain,"ThankGod,accordingtotheWordI'mhealed."Ibelievedit.

Then I felt something like awarmglowdropping onmyheadfromaboveme. Itseemedto flowdownoverme,as ifa jarofwarm honey had been poured overmy head. It ran downmywholebody.

Whenitreachedmywaist,feelingbegantoreturntothelowerpartofmybody.ForafewsecondsIfeltexcruciatingpain.Mylegs felt like 10 million straight pins were pricking them. Iwouldhavecriedifithadn'tfeltsogood!Whenyouhaven'thadanyfeelingatall,itevenfeelsgoodtohurt!ThenIfeltnormal.Theparalysiswasgone.

Isaid,"I'mgoingtowalknow,"andIdid.AndI'vebeenwalkingeversince.

ThatishowIlearnedthisprincipleoffaithI'mteachingyou.

ItworksinreceivingallofGod'sprovisions.

Chapter4

HopeChangedtoFaithBringsResults

An 83-year-old man came to a meeting I held in 1950 inCalifornia. He told me he had been "seeking the HolyGhost"eversincetheAzusaStreetoutpouring.

Hesaid,"BrotherHagin,mywifereceivedtheHolyGhostintherevival50yearsagohereinLosAngelesattheoldAzusaStreetMission. Some have said everybody who went there receivedtheHolyGhost.But Iwent through thatwholemeeting, threeservicesadayforthreeyears.IwasinnearlyeveryserviceandIsoughttheHolyGhosteverytime,butIdidn'treceive."

ThesecondtimeIlaidhandsonthismanIknewinmyspiritbyrevelation exactly what his trouble was, but I also knew Icouldn'tgethimtoaccepthelpjustthen.Sometimesyouknowwhat'swrongwith people, but that doesn'tmean theywill be

helped.Theyhavetorecognizetheirproblemanddosomethingaboutit.

I began to teach on faith during that meeting, and the oldgentleman came night and day. It was strange tome that heheardthetruthformorethanaweekandstilldidn'tunderstandit.Hehadtohearitoverandoveragain.(ThatisthereasonIkeepteachingcertaintruthsoverandoveragain.Peopledon'talways grasp something the first time you say it.) But afterabout10daysofbeing ineveryservice,hecametomeat theclose of the morning service. He said, "Brother Hagin, I justcaughtitthismorning.IseenowwhyIhaven'treceived.

I've never believed! For 50 years I've just beenhoping to gettheHolyGhost."

"Iknewthat,Brother,"Ireplied."ThesecondtimeIlaidhandsonyouandprayed,itwasrevealedtome.IalsoknewIcouldn'tgetyoutoseeitjustthen,butifyou'dkeepcoming,eventuallyyouwouldseeit."

"You're going to have to give me a little more time," hecontinued. "Youknow I'vebeenon this road for50years,andit's going to take me a little while to get turned around andheadedbackintheotherdirection."

"That's all right,Brother," I said. "Takeall the time youwant,butkeepcomingtotheservices."

"Oh,we'llbehereeveryservice,"heassuredme.

Itoldhimthatwhenhishopechangedtofaith,Iwouldknowit,hewouldknowit,andthenhe'dreceivethebaptismintheHolySpirit.

About three days later, after we'd dismissed the eveningservice,thismancameuptothepastorandme.

"IwonderifIcouldgetyoubrethrentolayhandsonme?"

he asked. "I've changed my hope into faith. I'm ready toreceive!"

"Areyouexpectingtoreceive?"Iasked.

"Yes,justputyourhandsonmeandI'llreceiverightnow,"

hesaid.

ThepastorandIlaidourhandsonhimandalmostimmediatelyhis handswent in the air, hismouthwas opened, andhewasspeakingintongues.Fornearly50yearshe'djustbeenhoping—butnowhehadreceived!

Years ago when I was traveling in the field ministry, somealarming symptomsdeveloped inmybody. They continued forthreenights,interruptingmysleep.

Somepeoplecan't tell thedifferencebetweenwhenGod talkstothemandwhenthedeviltalkstothem.Thedifferenceisthatthedeviltalksdoubtandunbelief;Godwon'tcauseyoutodoubtHisWord.Soitwasthedevilwhokepttellingme,"Thisisonetimeyou'renotgoingtogetyourhealing.Youwon'tgetitthistime!"

Whenhepersisted, I started to laughathim. Ididn't feel likelaughing, but Imademyself do it. I laughed aloud, because Iknew if I laughed long enough the devil would ask me whatI was laughing about. Sure enough, in a little while heasked,"Whatareyoulaughingabout?"

"I'mlaughingatyou,"Ireplied.

"Laughingatme?"

"Yes,I'mlaughingatyou."

"Whatareyoulaughingatmeabout?"

Itoldhim,"YousaidIwasn't'goingtoget'myhealing.ButwhywouldIwanttogetitwhenJesusalreadyhasgottenitforme?I'mnotplanningtogethealed—ever!

"Mr.Devil,theBiblesaysinFirstPeter2:24,'Whohisownselfbareoursinsinhisownbodyonthetree,thatwe,beingdeadto sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes yewere healed. ' I was healed nearly 2,000 years ago by thestripesofJesus,andthatbelongstome.I'mnottryingtogetit;Ihaveit!"

The symptoms stopped and never returned. I overcame thedevil by thebloodof theLamband thewordofmy testimony(Rev.12:11).

Goingastepfurther,letuslookattwopassagesofScripture:

JOHN20:25-29

25Theotherdisciplesthereforesaiduntohim

[Thomas],WehaveseentheLord.Buthesaiduntothem,ExceptIshallseeinhishandstheprintofthenails,andputmy finger into the print of the nails, and thrustmyhandintohisside,Iwillnotbelieve.

26 And after eight days again his discipleswerewithin,andThomaswiththem:thencameJesus,thedoorsbeing

shut,andstoodinthemidst,andsaid,Peacebeuntoyou.

27ThensaithhetoThomas,Reachhitherthyfinger,andbeholdmyhands;andreachhitherthyhand,andthrustitintomyside:andbenotfaithless,butbelieving.

28AndThomasansweredandsaiduntohim,MyLordandmyGod.

29Jesussaithuntohim,Thomas,becausethouhastseenme, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have notseen,andyethavebelieved.

ROMANS4:17-21

17 (As it is written, I havemade thee a father ofmanynations,) before him whom he believed, even God, whoquickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which benotasthoughtheywere.

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he mightbecome the father of many nations, according to thatwhichwasspoken,Soshallthyseedbe.

19Andbeingnotweakinfaith,heconsiderednothisownbodynowdead,whenhewasaboutanhundredyearsold,neitheryetthedeadnessofSarah'swomb.

20 He staggered not at the promise of God throughunbelief;butwasstronginfaith,givingglorytoGod;21Andbeingfullypersuadedthat,whathehadpromised,hewasablealsotoperform.

Can you see any difference between Abraham's faith andThomas'faith?Decidedlyyes!

Thomassaid,"Iwon'tbelieveunlessIcansee theprintof thenailsandthewoundinHisside."Jesustoldhim,"BecausethouhastSEENme, thouhastbelieved:blessedare they thathavenotseen,andyethavebelieved"(John20:20).

Abraham, on the other hand, is onewho "calleth those thingswhichbenotasthoughtheywere"(v.17).

WhatfaithisBiblefaith?Abraham's,ofcourse!OurtextsaysinHebrews11:1,"Nowfaithisthesubstanceofthingshoped for,theevidenceofthingsnotseen."Abrahamismentionedinthissame11thchapterofHebrews.His faithwasbasedon"beingfullypersuadedthat,whathe[God]hadpromised,hewasablealsotoper-form"(Rom.4:21).

HereisalittleformulaoffaithpatternedafterAbraham'sfaith

whichyoucanmakeworkforyou:

First,AbrahamhadGod'sWordforit.

Second,AbrahambelievedGod'sWord.

Third, Abraham considered not the contradictorycircumstances.

Fourth,AbrahamgavepraisetoGod.

Follow those four steps and you'll always get through toGod.Theyarefourstepstocertaindeliverance,healing,orwhateveryouareseeking.

NoticeThomas' faith. ItwasnotbaseduponwhatGodsaid; itwasbaseduponThomas'physical senses.Hesaidhewouldn'tbelieveunlesshecouldsee.

Somanypeoplearelikethat.Theysay,"WhenIseeitorfeelit,I'll know I have it." But that isn't Bible faith. That's naturalhumanfaith—andanysinneralreadyhasthatkindoffaith!

Real faith is based upon God's Word. Real faith in the Wordsays, "If God says it is true, then it is." Believing God isbelievingHisWord!

I like somethingSmithWigglesworth said: "I can'tunderstandGod the Father by feeling. I can't understand the Lord JesusChristbyfeeling.IcanunderstandGodtheFatherandtheLordJesusChristonlybywhattheWordsaysaboutthem."

Hewent on to say, "We need to get acquaintedwith God theFatherthroughtheWord.HeiseverythingtheWordsaysHeis.

WeneedtogetacquaintedwiththeLordJesusChrist throughtheWord.HeiseverythingtheWordsaysHeis."

Toomanypeopletry togetacquaintedwithGodthroughtheirfeelings.Whentheyfeelwell,theythinkGodheardthem.

Iftheydon'tfeelwell,theythinkHe'snothearingthem.Theirfaithisbasedontheirfeelings.

Myfaith isbasedonGod'sWord.IfGod'sWordsaysHehearsme,thenIknowHehearsme,becauseHesaidsoandHisWordcannot lie. Ifmy faithwere based onmy feelings, Iwould beusing natural human faith, and I can't do that; I have to usescripturalfaith—Biblefaith.

Furthermore, if my faith is based on the Word of God, I willbelieve theWordregardlessofevidence thatwouldsatisfymyphysical senses.Toomanypeopleare trying togetAbraham's

blessingwithThomas'kindoffaith—anditjustwon'twork.

WebelievershavetheAbrahamkindoffaith,becauseGalatians3:29says,"And if yebeChrist's, thenareyeAbraham's seed,andheirsaccordingtothepromise."Galatians3:7says,"Knowye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are thechildrenofAbraham."ThatmeanswehavetheAbrahamkindoffaith.We'renottryingtogetit—wehaveit!

Anyonecanbelievewhattheyfeel,hear,orseeinthephysicalrealm—andweoperateinthephysicalmostofthetime

—butwhenitcomestospiritualmatters,wedon'twalkbysight.

Ifmedicalscienceheals,ithealsthroughthephysical.

IfChristianScienceheals,ithealsthroughthemind.

WhenGodheals,Hehealsthroughthespirit.

Spiritual healing—divine healing—is received from God theFatherinthesamewaytheNewBirthisreceived:inthehumanspirit.

The New Birth is the rebirth of the human spirit. When youwerebornagain, itwasnotyourbody thatwasbornagain; itwasyourspirit.Youstillhavethesamebodyyou'vealwayshad.

SecondCorinthians5:17isnottalkingaboutyourbody'sbeingmadenew:

2CORINTHIANS5:17

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a newcreature: old things are passed away; behold, all thingsarebecomenew.

Whenyouaresaved,itisthemanontheinside—theinnerman—whoisbornagainandmadenew;yourphysicalmanremainsthesame. Jesussaid,"Thatwhich isbornof the flesh is flesh;andthatwhichisbornoftheSpiritisspirit"(John3:6).

Youcan'ttellsimplybylookingatapersonwhathashappenedto him on the inside, although, in the process of time, it willshowupontheoutside.

We've been fooled at times. Some have come to the altar,prayed, cried, jumpedup andhugged everybody, actedhappy,and then we never saw or heard from them again.We reallythoughttheyhadgottensomething,butitwasjustanemotionalsomethingandnottheNewBirth.

Others weren't emotional at all. Looking at them, you might

wonder if theygotanything; theydidn't seemtohavebeenatthealtarlongenoughformuchtohappen.Yetwe'veseenthembecomeoutstandingChristians.

Too often our faith is based on the physical—on what ourphysicalsensestellus.CertainlyIbelieveinfeeling,butIplaceitlast.

God'sWordcomesfirst.FaithinGod'sWordcomessecond.

Feelingcomeslast.

Toomanypeopleturnitaroundandallowfeelingtocomefirst;faithintheirfeelingsecond;andtheWordofGodlast.

Thatkindoffaithneverwillbesuccessfulinanything.

"Well, I'm hoping and praying," some say about prayer. "I'mprayingandhoping."

Hopeisagoodwaiter,butapoorreceiver.

YearsagoIstayedinthehomeofapastorwhowastheworld'sworst tosay, "I'ma-hopinganda-praying."He'dsay itup toadozentimesaday.

WhatamazedmewasthathesatineveryserviceasItaughtonthe difference between hope and faith. But it ran off him likewateroffaduck'sback.Hesatrightthereanddidn'tgetit.

One day while we were alone in his car the pastorsaid, "Brother Hagin, I want you to pray with me aboutsomething."

"Allright,"Isaid,"whatisit?"

"Well,there'sabusinessmanhere,notamemberofmychurch,whowantstogivemetheequityinacabinonthelake.

It'sgotafewacreswithit.Heonlyowes$900onit.HesaidIcouldtakeoverhismonthlypaymentsorelsehe'dpayitoffandIcouldpayhimbackwithoutanyinterest.Hiswifehasobjectedalittle,sonowhe'stoletmeknowin30daysifhecanworkitout."

Whenheadded,"I'mjusta-hopinganda-prayinghe'llbeabletoworkitout,"Ispokeup.

"Brother,"Isaid,"ifthat'sallyou'redoing,you'rewastingyourtime!" I didn't say this to act smart. This was the secondmeetingIhadheldforthispastor,andhestillhadn'tcaughtontowhatIwaspreaching!

ForaminuteIdidn'tknowwhathewasgoingtodo.HebattedhiseyesandIthoughthewasgoingtodriveofftheroad.

Thenhecaughton."Youknow,that'sright!"hesaid."Yes,that'sright.I'mwastingmytimeandGod'stime,too.Cometothinkofit, though, I'm just wastingmy time. God didn't hear me tobeginwith,soI'mjustwastingmyowntime."

Thepastorgottheacreageandcabinwhenhequithopingandstartedbelieving.

Faithissosimple,whetherinthespiritualrealm,thefinancialrealm,orthematerialrealm.Faithispresenttense!

Nowfaithis!

Faith says, "I have it now."Hope says, "I'll get it sometime"—andthatwon'twork.

Setawatchonyour lips. Insteadofprayingandhoping, startsaying, "I'm praying and believing." And if you say it, it willworkforyou—now!

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