August 15th, 2012
1-877-200-1604 | www.encountersnetwork.com

From the Desk of James W. Goll

I return this week from two weeks of ministry activity in South Korea. I was given the privilege of ministering at two local churches as well as for four very full days with WLI Korea on the theme of the supernatural life, and then ministered at an Art Museum for three nights in Seoul! Thanks for your support for EN, as once again I have been one of your international ambassadors! I have included a few pictures of my time in Korea for your enjoyment.

I am stirred on the subject of FAITH right now. I am bringing you some material from one of my newest books, A Radical Faith, and some of my teaching as well as a great audio message by Bill Johnson. In our global Prayer Storm this week, we will pray into a sobering word from Rick Ridings of Jerusalem concerning the chemical weapons arsenal in Syria and their potential threat to Israel and others in the Middle East.

Please take special note of our current Summer Clearance Special on all our Book and Study Guide Bundles during the month of August. This is a savings to you of at least 50% off – and sometimes even as much as $21 off full retail! Our CD class sets also continue on sale at $50 off and our self-produced study guides are $10 off for the remainder of this month only. Take advantage of these Summer Clearance Specials (while the supplies last) as we will discontinue many of these resources after the month of August. In September, we will begin to introduce an upgraded line of some of these products with the launch of our much awaited G.E.T. E-School. Remember, EN Resources, Great Product at Great Prices!

Blessings to You!

James W. Goll
and the Encounters Network • Prayer Storm • Compassion Acts Team

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Faith to Live By!
By James W. Goll

Faith is a constant, abiding trust in something. In Hebrews 6:1-3, it is called faith towards God, not faith in feelings, circumstances, or even people. True faith is in the present tense as distinguished from hope, which is future-oriented. Faith comes after repentance and is of the heart, not of the mind.

Faith in God gives us the ability to believe His Word and appropriate it in our lives. The importance of faith can be seen in the fact that it is impossible to please God without it. “And without faith, it is impossible to please Him; for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

We can believe and have faith in God because of who He is. Not only is God’s Word true, but God Himself is trustworthy and cannot lie. Therefore, put your whole trust in Him and you will not be disappointed

1. Faith is a Present Reality!
   Faith means belief, faithfulness, reliability, trust, confidence, firm persuasion, assurance, or firm conviction. “Assurance” in the Greek is the word used for “reality” or “actual being” (as opposed to what merely seems to be), or the “realization” of something such as the realization of a plan. Faith is the “title deed” to the promises of God.
   
   
2. Faith as Contrasted with Hope
   Hope is not a present reality, but a desire or expectation of something in the future. “But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit of righteousness that for which we hope” (Galatians 5:5). Hope has to do with waiting for something, while faith does not.
   
   Derek Prince defined hope as the “Confident expectation of good – a steady and persistent optimism.” To be a pessimist is to deny our faith, for “we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
   
   Without Christ we can have no such hope (Ephesians 2:12, I Thessalonians 4:13), for hope is rooted in saving faith (Romans 5:1-5). Both faith and hope deal with the realm of things unseen (Romans 8:24, II Corinthians 5:7) and are founded upon God’s Word (Romans 10:17, 15:4).
   
   
3. Faith is a Certainty!
   “Conviction” means proof of evidence and involves a similar idea to the present reality of faith. How can we have such certainty? It is because it is based upon the Word of God. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Nothing is more certain than the Word of God!
   
   
4. Faith is Contrasted with Sight
   Faith sees into the realm of the unseen and calls it forth as a present reality. “We live by faith not by sight” (II Corinthians 5:7).

WHAT CAUSES FAITH TO ARISE?

Faith is produced in our hearts as we follow Jesus, whereas hope is simply the mental expectation of good (compare I Thessalonians 5:8 with Romans 10:8-10). There are several ways then that we cause faith to arise in our hearts as we receive the Word of God.

1. Preaching of the Gospel
   1. Titus 1:3
   2. Romans 10:8
   3. I Thessalonians 2:13
   4. John 1:1
      
      
2. Through the Written Word
   1. Luke 24:44
   2. Psalm 119:105
   3. Acts 17:13
      
      
3. In Times of Prayer
   1. II Corinthians 12:8–9
   2. Isaiah 65:24
   3. Jeremiah 33:3
   4. Romans 10:17
      
      
4. A Word of Testimony or Exhortation
   1. John 4:29
   2. Colossians 3:16
   3. Hebrews 4:7
   4. Hebrews 10:23-25
      
      
5. Dreams, Visions and Supernatural Experiences
   1. Acts 2:17
   2. Acts 9:3-6
   3. Acts 27:22-25
      
      
6. Audible Voice of God
   1. Matthew 3:16-17
   2. Acts 9:4-6, 10
   3. Revelation 1:8
   4. Revelation 22:7, 12-13

ADDING FAITH TO THE WORD

We not only receive faith from the Word of God but we also base our faith totally on it. We treat God’s Word as fact and trust circumstances to align themselves with it.

1. Sick Woman and Jesus’ Ministry
   1. Matthew 9:20-22
   2. Numbers 15:38-41
      
      
2. From the Life of Abraham and Isaac
   1. Hebrews 11:8-12
   2. Genesis 15:1-6
   3. Romans 4:3
   4. Hebrews 11:17-19
   5. Genesis 21:12 and 22:1-2

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH

1. We Are Saved by Faith
   1. Ephesians 2:8
   2. Romans 5:1
      
      
2. The Just Shall Live by Faith
   1. Romans 1:17
   2. Hebrews 10:38
      
      
3. We Are Kept by Faith
   1. I Peter 1:5
   2. I John 5:4
      
      
4. We Are Healed by Faith
   1. James 5:15
   2. Acts 3:16
   3. Mark 5:21-24
      
      
5. It Takes Faith to Please God
   1. Hebrews 11:5-6
   2. Luke 1:31, 35

LIVING BY FAITH

Faith is not only the way to enter a life in Christ, but is the only way we can continue. Living by faith affects our whole lifestyle, even the food we eat (Romans 14). Everything we do must issue forth from faith in God, for “everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).

The person who lives by faith has unlimited potential. “All things are possible with God” (Matthew 19:26), and so Jesus has affirmed all things are possible to the one who believes (Mark 9:23). This potential is not to do whatever we please, but to live for God and to seek both His will and His ways.

KEEP THE ISSUE OF FAITH SIMPLE

Culminating Principle – Mark 11:22-24

Here is a little principle taken from Mark 11:22-24 that is easy to remember: Pray until the promise; praise until the provision. Step one in exercising faith is to pray until a promise from God’s Word is spoken (rhema) to you by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit may lead you to a certain verse of scripture, or speak to you by a spiritual gift (I Corinthians 12:8-10), or simply lead you to trust in the Living Word Himself.

Step two in exercising faith is to enter into thanksgiving. Thank the Lord that He has heard you and that your answer is on the way!

Summary Verse – Luke 8:50

Do not fear! Don’t be afraid, only believe!!!

Let’s contend for fresh faith for today - not just faith in what God did yesterday.
Because, FAITH IS NOW…..

Fighting the good fight of faith!

Dr. James W. Goll

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Sounding an Alarm Concerning Syria

Most of you are aware of the terrible civil war raging in Syria at this time. It is actually a very complicated issue with refugees fleeing into neighboring countries of Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and even Israel. One of the very serious issues is the arsenal of chemical and biological weapons that it is finally being admitted exists in this volatile nation of Syria.

I want you to watch the sobering message via video from my friend Rick Ridings of Succat Hallel in Jerusalem. He is giving us practical prayer points concerning the conflict raging in Syria and its potential to spill out into a regional war. I have personally had warnings given to me from the Holy Spirit over 12 years ago concerning this. I have had specific words from the Lord to watch Syria in the fall of 2012 and what could escalate out of control in 2013.

I am not presenting this to promote fear, but rather a “heads up” especially to God’s watchmen to be on the alert and pray. So this week, I want you to listen to Rick’s word of warning and pay close attention to his practical prayer points

Click here to watch the video

Sincerely!

Dr. James W. Goll