Are you willing to separate from the world and dare to be different? The Bible says, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (II Corinthians 6:17,18).

You must never conform to the world in any way, and never justify yourself for doing anything against God. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2). You are only justified in the eyes of God through the blood of the Lamb.

Some people think that if they act like the world, they can win the world; but that is deceit. The devil blinds people’s minds to the truth, so why would you want to mix and mingle with the wrong people and open your mind to the devil? In whom the god of this world [the devil] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (II Corinthians 4:4).

Divine Protection

The Old Testament tells us about people who dared to be different. At one time, the King of Assyria and his army were going against King Hezekiah and the children of Israel. The King of Assyria wanted the Israelites to give up their God and to worship idols like the Assyrians; but Hezekiah told the people, Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles (II Chronicles 32:7,8).

The children of Israel listened and dared to be different, and God delivered them. Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side (II Chronicles 32:22). You too have to dare to be different in this last hour. You must be courageous and seek to do everything the Lord wants you to without compromise.

Never Compromise

The three Hebrew boys dared to be different when they refused to bow down and worship the golden image. The message sent out to all was, Whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace (Daniel 3:6). But the boys refused to compromise saying, Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up (Daniel 3:18).

King Nebuchadnezzar got so mad that he heated the furnace seven times hotter than ever before and threw them in, but God was with them. Not only did they not burn, they didn’t even smell like smoke. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them (Daniel 3:27).

Daniel was a slave in the Persian kingdom when the people were told they could not make a petition of any god other than the king, but Daniel dared to be different; and he continued to open his window toward Jerusalem and pray to God Almighty three times a day. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions (Daniel 6:16).

Just as God was with the Hebrew boys, He was also with Daniel. When the king went to the lions’ den the next day, Daniel was alive and well; and he said, My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt (Daniel 6:22).

Follow Jesus

Jesus dared to be different, and He tried to teach the disciples to do the same thing. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:20). You must keep the Lord’s teachings as well, knowing that they are different from what the world teaches. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD (Isaiah 55:8).

After Pentecost, the disciples did dare to be different. And when they had brought them [the apostles], they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:27-29).

The world loves its own; but when you are different from those in the world, they will hate you just as they hated Jesus. He said, If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you…If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you (John 15:19,20). The Holy Ghost is the one who will give you the courage and holy boldness you need to do the whole will of God and not conform to the world.

You have to learn to live in this world yet not be a part of it. Jesus prayed to the Father saying, I pray not that thou shouldest take them [His followers] out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them [make them holy] through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:15-17).

Take Your Stand Against the World

When you dare to be different, you will not be a friend to the world. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (James 4:4).

You have to separate and take your stand for God. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?…or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel (II Corinthians 6:14,15)?

The Lord didn’t save you and give you a new life so you could go back to the world. Yes, it is human nature to want to follow the crowd, but the Bible makes it clear that we are not to walk like those in the world. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (Ephesians 4:17,18).

Dare to be different no matter how much you are criticized or talked about because God will be with you to lift you up. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man (Psalm 18:48). And all the benefits Heaven affords can be yours right now if you will claim them. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases (Psalm 103:2,3).

The divine nature is different from the human nature, and it doesn’t want to be a part of the world. When you truly have that nature and walk with God, you can overcome the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (I John 4:4). For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (I John 5:4).

Be a Light to the World

You must dare to be different not only in how you act but also in how you dress and speak. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy (I Peter 1:14-16).

This world is not home to true children of God; we walk a different path than the world does. But as honest-hearted people watch our lives, they will want what we have. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation (I Peter 2:11,12).

Dare to be a light that stands out in the midst of this dark, dark world so others will see that light and want to come to it. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Paul Stood for Christ

Paul dared to be different, and only Jesus ever suffered more than the Apostle Paul; but Paul stood every test and won. In his last letter to Timothy, he wrote, For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (II Timothy 4:6-8).

Paul let nothing separate him from Christ and the mission set before him. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38,39). You must let nothing separate you from the love of God either.

When it seems like the devil and all his demons are coming against you, say like Paul did, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13). In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:37).

Heaven Will Be Worth It

Dare to be different realizing that Heaven will be worth it all no matter what price you have to pay or how much you have to suffer for Christ’s name’s sake. When you reach your heavenly home, God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away (Revelation 21:4). That will be wonderful!

There are many sacrifices that must be made now; but one day, there will be no sacrificing. You may shed many tears now, but joy is on its way. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5). You will be mistreated on this Earth, and things will not always go your way; but the Bible says, If we suffer [for Christ’s sake], we shall also reign with him [Jesus] (II Timothy 2:12).

Until that day, the Lord will be with you. Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). He will even send angels to help you. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them (Psalm 34:7).

Dare to Be Saved

If you don’t have the courage and power you need to dare to be different, then you need Jesus. He is the only one who will bring you true peace, joy, happiness, health and strength no matter what is going on around you.

If you don’t have divine blood in your soul today, you will never make it. Come to Jesus, and pray the sinner’s prayer right now: Oh, God, save my soul! I am so sorry I sinned against you, but I have come home. I am going to serve you, Lord, for the rest of my life. I believe that the blood of Jesus washes away all of my sins. Come into my heart, Jesus! Come on in!

If you meant that prayer, Jesus has come. Now, you must fast, pray and live in the Word so you will have the courage and strength you need to always stand for Christ.

Dare to Be Healed

Now that the divine blood has given you eternal life, it can also make you well. The Bible says, But he [Jesus] was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). I am not a healer; I am just a believer in God’s healing truth. You may have cancer, heart trouble, AIDS or paralysis. You may be crippled, blind or deaf; but it doesn’t matter because God heals every kind of sickness, disease and affliction.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8). Jesus spoke, and sickness was destroyed because blood power went forth in His voice. He spoke, and the devils had to go out of people no matter how bound they were. Jesus is still doing the same works today. All things are possible to those who believe.

Lord, I bring the sick and afflicted to you. Many may never be normal without your touch, and you have given that healing touch again and again. In the holy name of Jesus, I come. Through your gifts of miracles and healings and through the power of the Holy Ghost, touch the people right now. Heal! in the all-powerful, blood name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The healing power is flowing. Let it linger in your body or in the body of one you have prayed for until complete deliverance comes…and it will come if you believe the truth. Notice all changes daily; then write or email your testimony to us. You can also send a message through one of our social media pages. We look forward to hearing what God has done for you.

The Courage to Stand for Christ

by Rev.Steve Millar

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1). Many of the Early Church disciples put their lives on the line for Jesus. They believed so strongly in Him that they were willing to sacrifice themselves to further the Gospel; and many of them faced awful deaths, from being fed to lions to being crucified.

When Jesus started His ministry here on Earth, it wasn’t an easy one. He faced opposition, threats, plots against His life and betrayal. Finally, He was totally rejected and put to death; but Jesus had divine courage to stand and to give the ultimate sacrifice—His life.

Jesus knew that the fate of all mankind was at stake. He knew it was up to Him to complete the plan of God so that we could have the hope of redemption. What if Jesus would have given in to fear and self-preservation and failed? It is a natural instinct for a living creature to fight for survival, but Jesus didn’t fight for His own survival; He fought for ours. Now, it is our turn to have the courage to stand for Jesus no matter what the circumstances may be and to fight for the survival of lost souls.

Paul Confronts the Devil

Paul and Silas had the courage to stand for Christ. They were busy establishing churches and doing a great work for the Lord; and the Bible says, And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily (Acts 16:5). Paul and Silas knew the importance of getting the Word of God to people, and they were willing to sacrifice their lives to do that.

When Paul and Silas went to pray one day, they met a damsel who had the spirit of divination, meaning she was a psychic. The devil was using her to tell people their future or to uncover hidden things, and she was making a lot of money for her masters.

The girl kept following Paul and Silas and crying out, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation (Acts 16:17). What she was saying was true, but she was not saying it to draw the people to the truth. Psychics want you to think they have a gift from God to help people when they are really being used 100 percent by the devil. Part of what they say may be true, but that is how the devil draws people into deceit.

Paul knew that girl was devil possessed because when you have the Holy Spirit living and dwelling inside of you like Paul and Silas did, you can discern between those who are of God and those who are of the devil. Paul finally got fed up with her. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit [in the girl], I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour (Acts 16:18).

Notice that Paul didn’t address the damsel but the spirit in her because he knew a demonic spirit was controlling her. Paul followed the leadership of the Holy Ghost and cast the spirit out of that poor girl. I’m sure Paul knew that the girl’s masters would not be happy with him for delivering her because she made them much money from her soothsaying. It would have been easier for Paul and Silas to have ignored her and gone about their business, but they stood for righteousness; and she needed deliverance. Having the courage to stand for Christ means doing the right thing even if it makes things harder on you.

Persecuted for Christ’s Sake

After Paul had cast the spirit out in the name of Jesus, the girl’s masters went after Paul and Silas and took them to the rulers. There they accused them of teaching customs that were not lawful for the Roman people. It is sad when people put money ahead of the welfare of others. For the love of money is the root of all evil (I Timothy 6:10).

The people considered Paul and Silas to be troublemakers, and they rose up against them. And the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks (Acts 16:22-24).

There will be times when you will suffer for doing what is right too; but hold on to the promises of God and know that in the end, God will work it all out for good. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing (I Peter 3:17).

Child of God, would you remain faithful to Christ if you were threatened with being beaten and imprisoned? Do you have the courage to stand for Christ like Paul and Silas did?

Rejoice Amidst Trials

Paul and Silas were treated like dangerous criminals and placed in the innermost part of the prison, but it didn’t get them down. Instead, they used it as an opportunity to pray and sing praises all night. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25).

Those prisoners probably wondered how Paul and Silas could be singing and rejoicing in prison; but I’m sure the peace, love and anointing of God that flowed through their voices affected the men in a special way. Always remember that complaining never carries the anointing of God; it just spreads that bad spirit to others and hinders them.

Most people would have looked at Paul and Silas and thought they had had a really bad day; but when you have the courage to stand for Jesus, you will always have a good day. Jesus said, Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matthew 5:11,12).

Paul and Silas didn’t consider how they were being treated by people or the fact that they had been beaten and were in pain. It looked like there was no hope for them, but they were looking at the positive—they had freed that girl’s soul from the bondage of Satan. They were trusting that God would move for them.

God Had a Plan

While Paul and Silas were rejoicing, Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed (Acts 16:26).

The earthquake provided a great opportunity for all the prisoners to escape, but no one left. Why?—because God was in control. When the jailor saw what had happened, he thought that surely all the prisoners had escaped; so he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here (Acts 16:28).

When you are courageous in the Lord, He will fight your battles and make the impossible possible. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Deuteronomy 31:6). Do you believe that God is with you and that He will never fail you? Do you believe that He is in control of your situation?

A Beautiful Miracle of Salvation

So many miracles had happened that day, but the greatest miracle of all was yet to come. Then he [the jailor] called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they [Paul and Silas] said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house (Acts 16:29-32).

God was in control that day, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit got the jailor ready for Paul and Silas to lead him to Jesus. That man accepted Jesus and became a new creature. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Corinthians 5:17). All those things were able to take place that day because Paul and Silas had the courage to stand for Jesus.

And he [the jailor] took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house (Acts 16:33,34). Paul and Silas were bound in chains in a maximum security prison, and then they became guests at the home of the jailor. He was to have kept them locked up tight so they couldn’t escape; but through the divine blood, he took on the courage of Jesus Christ. He wanted salvation not only for himself but for his whole family, and God made it happen in an unbelievable way.

Child of God, if you were put in the same situation as Paul and Silas, would the story have played out the same way? Would you have used divine courage to stand for the sake of Christ, or would you have bowed to what the devil wanted so you could avoid the whole situation?

Spiritual Weakness Brings Bad Results

Peter thought he was strong in the Lord, and he thought he was willing to die for Christ; but Jesus knew Peter was weak. He told him, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat…And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me (Luke 22:31,33,34). Peter was deceived in what he thought about himself.

Not long after Jesus had told Peter he would deny Him, soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The first thing Peter did was cut off one of the soldier’s ears. Then when they took Jesus away, Peter followed from afar off. And they laid their hands on him [Jesus], and took him. And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire (Mark 14:46,53,54). When you lack divine courage, you will only follow Jesus from afar.

As Peter sat warming himself, he was asked three different times if he was one of those who had been with Jesus; and each time, he said no. After he denied Jesus the third time, he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept (Mark 14:71,72).

Peter lacked the power, love and sound mind that the Lord had made available to him. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7). Peter did not have the courage to stand for Christ, and he knew he had failed. When the cock crowed the second time, it was a wake-up call of conviction.

No Time to Fail

How many times have you received a sign from the Holy Ghost that you failed to use divine courage and holy boldness? Peter knew he had failed, and he wept bitterly; but the Lord doesn’t want that to happen to you. He wants you to stand, and you can do that through the blood of Jesus. Then the Lord will always provide a way of escape from your trial if you will wait on Him with patience and courage. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13). Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD (Psalm 27:14).

When trials and tribulations come your way, are you waiting on the Lord; or are you ready to cut off a man’s ear like Peter did? You will never be a good testimony for the Lord when you are hurting others. It takes great courage to withstand persecution for righteousness’ sake.

Peter had to learn the hard way that he was not strong in the Lord; but praise God, he repented and then went on to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Once he had that power from On High inside, he was able to boldly stand before a crowd of 3000 souls and preach to them about how they were guilty of crucifying the Son of God.

You Must Receive the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost made all the difference in Peter’s life because earlier, he had not been courageous enough to tell the truth to even the three people who had accused him of being one of Jesus’ disciples. The Holy Ghost will give you the holy boldness you need to stand for Christ.

If you think you can stand in this final hour without the baptism of the Holy Ghost, then the devil is deceiving you just like he deceived Peter. The devil knows you cannot make the Rapture without the Holy Ghost, so he will do everything in his power to keep you from receiving Him. If you wait too long, the trumpet will sound; and you will be left behind. It will be too late for you just like it was too late for Peter when he heard the cock crow. You may weep bitterly, but it won’t change the fact that you are left behind; and what will you do then? Do you actually think you will have the courage to stand once the Holy Spirit has taken His flight and the devil and his demons have taken over this world? Will you be strong enough to give your life for Christ, or will you take the Mark of the Beast?

Friend, you can escape the coming Tribulation Period by simply asking Jesus Christ into your heart. The sinner’s prayer is located on page 5 of this magazine. Once you are saved, you must go on to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost so you will be ready to leave this Earth when Jesus comes.