BIBLE STUDY WEEK 5 ANSWERS:

 

 

1.    What cause "grow worse" image? 
Not walking in faith, but in fear and allowing the enemy access to your thinking.

2.    What can changed the "grow worse" image?
When you hear God's Word; . . ."When she had heard of Jesus" (v.27)

3.    Did the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5) have to hear only? Explain.
Word produce images, so she had to hear and speak, and keep speaking; she kept saying if she can just touch His garment. She was changing the seen and shaping the unseen at this moment.

4.    When did she establish point contact?
She thought about it for a moment and then she said out loud, "When I touch His clothes, I shall be made whole. Her words and faith connected.

5.    What will faith-filled words do for you?
Faith-filled words framed this world. The Word of God will frame your world also, if you will begin to speak it continually.

6.    How do you cause your faith to be silent?
You say nothing, not one word. God will take the things that not and bring to naught the things that are.

7.    What is Kingdom Principles?
An Illustration of the Kingdom of God, here on earth, would be the United States Embassy in a foreign land. (or any other nation's embassy) The Embassy is considered a piece of America, governed by America in a different country. At this present time; God's Kingdom here on earth is a spiritual one; where he reigns in the hearts and lives of those that have accepted his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and are submitting to his Lordship.
As Christians. we can be likened to the U.S. Embassy: we are governed by God, but we live in a world that as a whole, is in spiritual darkness; where Satan still rules in the hearts and lives of unbelievers. The good news is that Jesus Christ made it possible to escape from Satan's grasp and to enter the Kingdom of God, by translation at the new birth.
As Ambassadors, this is the message that we proclaim to the citizens of this lost world. While on earth, Jesus Christ exercised the authority of God's Kingdom, as can be seen in the casting out of demons, healing the sick, raising the dead and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom.
Kingdom principles is miraculous, beyond human thinking and understanding. It operates in the spirit-realm.  Speaking those things which be not as though they were is Kingdom principles by faith.

Here more examples too...................
_______________________
1. The Kingdom preached
MATTHEW 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness
of Judaea,
2. And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
MATTHEW 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
2. The Kingdom has come
MATTHEW 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
3. The Kingdom within you
LUKE 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
4. Kingdom characteristics
ROMANS 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
5. The beginning of Satan's end
JOHN 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
JOHN 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
6. Some mysteries of the Kingdom
MATTHEW 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
* Many of the Mysteries that were hidden in the scriptures, have been divinely revealed with the first coming of Jesus Christ, such as....
1. The mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, in parables. ( Matthew 13:3-50 )
2. The mystery of Israel's blindness. ( Romans ch.11 )
3. The mystery of the church, as one body, composed of Jews and Gentiles
( Ephesians 3:1-12, 6:19 Colossians 4:3 )
4. The mystery of the church, as the bride of Christ. ( Ephesians 5:21-32 )
5. The mystery of the divinity of Jesus Christ. ( John 1:1-3, vs.14 )
6. The mystery of the translation of the church. ( 1 Corinthians 15:51-52,
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 )
7. The mystery of the first coming of Christ, one of suffering. ( 1 Peter 1:11,
Mark 8:31, Isaiah 53:3 )
8. The mystery of the 2nd. coming of Christ. ( Revelation 1:7, 19:11, vs.12-16 )
That was very interesting, and had to share with you.

8.    Can you give a statement of changing the seen and shaping the unseen?
Changing the seen-naturally. Shaping the unseen-spiritually, by faith-filled words, by speaking God's Word until it come to pass, and never give up on it.

9.    How can you operate in Kingdom Principles?
By establishing it with your own words, praying to God and trusting Him to bring it to pass.

10.   What is faith?
Faith is the substance of things hope for, and evidence of things not seen.  Faith bring things into existence.

BIBLE STUDY WEEK 5 (9/24/13)

 
Bible study:          "Changing the Seen & Shaping the Unseen" (By Charles  Capps)

Chapter:                 (5)

Subject:                  A Time to Speaks, A Time to Be Silent

Prayer:
Father God, we come to You in Jesus' name, asking for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of Your Word today.  Amen.

  
Study: 
This is a long chapter, but very inspirational. I learn a great deal in this chapter.  Deep revelation for the soul.  This chapter is the meat of the whole book, I believe, but we will see in chapter (6) weather it is or not.  So much was introduced to us here. Especially when he talked about Kingdom Principles. Kingdom principles is within the realm of God's kingdom, and can not be seen with the natural eye, but must be believed with the spiritual concept. I will share more on Kingdom Principles later.

Let get started....................

The Word of the Lord has been spoken. God's Word is out. God's Word is the final authority on any subject.
To change the seen things, sometimes you must get your mouth in motion.
There are other times, if you're going to change what's seen, you will have to practice the vocabulary of silence.
This is especially true in situations where Satan comes against you so strongly that you can't bring yourself to say the things that are positive or in line with the Word of God. The pressure is on, the circumstance is wild, and all that rises up  within you is against what God says. You know if you say anything, it will be negative; so don't say anything.
Have you ever founded yourself in that predicament?
Be quiet before God because His Word has already been spoken. You have confessed it for weeks, but now it's time to be quiet.
Jairus is a good example of keeping quiet after confessing in faith. In the 5th chapter of  Mark, verses 22 and 23, Jairus came to Jesus in behalf of his daughter:
Behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

Words of Faith

Jairus said, ... and she shall live. Those are his faith-filled words. He is building a faith image—shaping the unseen. He set the law of faith in motion with his words of faith.
Follow Jesus, in verses 24-27, as He goes to Jairus' house and see how it worked:
Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
And a certain woman, which had
an issue of blood twelve years,
And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

"Grow Worse" Image

Notice what was said of this woman. After spending all she had (indicating she may have been rich at one time) and suffering many things, she was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. No doubt this woman had within her a "grow worse" image.
Many Christians have formed within themselves a "grow worse" image. They never see themselves getting any better. They never see themselves having any more than what they have had because of past experiences.
Perhaps they allowed fear to creep in and cause the circumstances to be as they are. Sometimes it is just a wrong decision they made that brought on the problems. Then the devil said, "These problems are happening because God is teaching you something."
When they believed him, they received that "grow worse" image as being from God the Father. Then they couldn't pray in faith. That image held them in bondage for years because they were deceived by the evil one.
All that time, God in His mercy would have loved to heal them or deliver them if they had released faith in God's deliverance.

Image Change

No doubt that "grow worse" image had hold of the woman in the 5th chapter of Mark. Notice what changed this "grow worse" image into a faith image: When she had heard of Jesus ... (v. 27).
What had she heard about Jesus?
No doubt she heard words that Jesus had spoken. He was going about touching people and saying, "Be healed. Be clean. Go and be whole of your plague."
She heard that these people were instantly healed. Most likely she heard what Jesus had said concerning sickness and oppression of the evil one. (Luke 13:12.) I am sure she heard about the Covenant.
We know she heard about Jesus. Jesus was the Word of God. When she heard about Jesus, she heard the Word. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17).

Words Produce Images

This is so important because its true.  Your words will either bless you or curse you, as was said in chapters before.  We have to watch what we say! 
When she heard these things, they produced faith inside her. They began to change her image. Then she started changing the seen and shaping the unseen.  Marvelous!
How did she do it? With her words!
The Amplified Bible says, "She kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health."
She started down the road to where Jesus was and kept saying, "If I can but touch His clothes, I will be made whole. If I can but touch His clothes, I shall be restored to health. I shall be ... I shall be ...."
Then her religious head screamed out,
"When are you going to be healed and restored to health? You don't look any better. You'll go to your grave without ever having been any better. When are you going to be whole?"
She thought about that for a minute and then she said out loud, "When I touch His clothes, I shall be made whole. That's when I'll be made whole." She established a point of contact to release her faith.
She then began the process of building a faith image within her spirit. Keep in mind that The Amplified Bible says, "She kept saying." She didn't quit saying it.
Don't let the Word depart out of your mouth. Meditate therein day and night. Observe to do all that's written therein: Then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Josh. 1:8.)
So she set out to get rid of that "grow worse" image by building an image of health, life, and strength. She did it by speaking faith-filled words.
God created this universe by speaking faith-filled words. The Bible says in Hebrews "When are you going to be healed and restored to health? You don't look any better. You'll go to your grave without ever having been any better. When are you going to be whole?"
She thought about that for a minute and then she said out loud, "When I touch His clothes, I shall be made whole. That's when I'll be made whole." She established a point of contact to release her faith.
She then began the process of building a faith image within her spirit. Keep in mind that The Amplified Bible says, "She kept saying." She didn't quit saying it.
Don't let the Word depart out of your mouth. Meditate therein day and night. Observe to do all that's written therein: Then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Josh. 1:8.)
So she set out to get rid of that "grow worse" image by building an image of health, life, and strength. She did it by speaking faith-filled words.
God created this universe by speaking faith-filled words. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:3 that He framed the worlds by the Word of God. Faith-filled words framed this world. The Word of God will frame your world also, if you will begin to speak it continually.
That woman began to create a faith image in herself by saying, "When I touch His clothes, that's when it will happen." She was changing the seen and shaping the unseen.
When she touched His garment, straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague (v. 29). The last thing that happened was she felt in her body that she was healed. Sometimes we want that to be first. We say, "If I feel it, I'll believe it. If I see it, I'll believe it." That's not the way it works.
You must hear, believe, speak, and then receive

Bad News

Remember, Jairus was with Jesus and the multitude. They were on their way to Jairus' house when all this happened. Verse 35 describes what happened next:
While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
Here is Jairus' opportunity to let the words he has spoken depart and let fear come. But he has already built a faith image in himself by speaking those things in faith.

The Faith of Silence

As soon as Jesus heard what the runner said, He turned to Jairus and said, Be not afraid, only believe (v. 36).
Now look at what Jairus said:
Nothing! Not one word. God will take the things that are not and bring to naught the things that are.
There was Jairus. His little daughter was dead. But Jesus said, "Don't be afraid. Only believe."
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, or desired. Faith is the raw material, the spiritual raw material, from which things you desire are made. Fear is the opposite force of faith. It is the substance of things not desired.
If you have fear, the thing you don't desire will come to pass.
Jairus didn't say anything. At this point, he took things he didn't say and brought to naught the things that were said. The word of faith had already been spoken: She shall live.
Jesus walked into that situation, and there was the little girl, dead. All the relatives were there, weeping and wailing, and He ran them all out—Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Susie, Uncle LeRoy, all of them.
Listen to the words of Jesus: "She's not dead. She's asleep!" (v. 39, paraphrased).
Now wait a minute! She is dead, but Jesus said she's not. That sounds like a lie. But Jairus' words and his silence would not allow the death. Bad news was destroyed by silence.
Jesus is talking and acting in Kingdom principles. We must get an understanding of this if we are going to operate on the same level of faith. He is talking things that are not and speaking as though they were.
What is Jesus doing? He is not trying to convince them she is alive. That would be a lie because, naturally speaking, she is dead. He is effecting something by what He's saying. He is highly developed in the God-kind of faith.
Here is where some people are missing it. They say, "I started saying certain things, and nothing happened. I said it four or five days and it didn't come to pass." They are not developed in it.
Keep saying. Keep speaking. You're shaping the unseen. It doesn't come overnight; it is a process, a way of life.
The first thing your words are doing is causing faith to come. (Faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the Word of God.) You're really not going to effect many things until faith comes.
Speaking words builds an image inside you. It's shaping the unseen. It all goes back to seed-time and harvest. Anyone knows that if you plant today, you don't harvest tomorrow. Speaking words causes faith to come. Your words are like seeds: they will produce a harvest.
Jesus walked in and spoke to that dead girl, and she rose up! That was creative power flowing out His mouth because He was highly developed in Kingdom principles.
I want you to realize this is the way Jesus ministered in the earth. On every occasion when He set out to change the seen, He absolutely would not talk about what was seen. He would not consider the thing that was seen as being permanent, only temporary.

Speak The End Results

I love this one, because I can speak to my mountain, and then see results because I believed, because I saw what I desired and just believed it.  Sometimes when it seem hard, just keep speaking and believeing.
Take, for instance, in the 11th chapter of John, when the runner came and told Jesus, He (Lazarus) whom thou lovest is sick (v. 3).
After hearing that, Jesus said: This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby (v. 4).
He did not say Lazarus' sickness was for the glory of God. Let me show you why you can't interpret it that way.
Jesus said, This sickness is not unto death. In the same sentence He said,... but for the glory of God. You must interpret all of that verse the same way. You can't change rules of interpretation in the middle of the sentence.
Jesus said, This sickness is not unto death. If you interpret that literally, you make Jesus a liar. But Jesus did not lie. He was speaking the end results. He would never let death in His mouth. He would never establish death as a fact upon anyone.
Later on, He said about Lazarus, "He died." (v. 14.) The King James Version states that He said, Lazarus is dead. But, according to the Greek, He didn't say that. It should have been translated, "Lazarus died." There is a big difference in someone who died and someone who is dead. If you don't believe that, look at Jesus: He died, but He isn't dead!
Lazarus had died, but Jesus didn't see him dead. Jesus looked beyond the bad news, beyond human emotions. To all outward appearances, He simply ignored what was presently in existence and spoke the end results.
What is He doing? He is shaping the unseen before He changes the seen.

Listen to His words:

Lazarus sleepeth.
I go, that I may awake him out of sleep (v. 11).
Thy brother shall rise again (v. 23).
I am the resurrection (v. 25).
Though he were dead, yet shall he live (v. 25).
Jesus said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God. In other words, "The ultimate end of this whole matter of sickness will not be death; the ultimate end of this whole matter will bring glory to God." It was the resurrection that brought the glory, not the sickness nor the death.

That's how Jesus shaped the unseen. When you study it, you'll find that all through the New Testament He operated in Kingdom principles. In fact, you will find this true of God from Genesis to Revelation.

In Genesis, chapter 1, God created by the spoken Word.
Revelation 12:11 says:
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.
Someone may say, "I don't understand why some things happen. Why can't I overcome the way others do?"
Some people don't overcome because there is no Word in their testimony.
There is bad news in it, but no Word of God.
When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus' hometown, He was still working on shaping the unseen. When Jesus told the people to roll the stone away, Lazarus' sister said, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days (v. 39).
But Jesus raised His eyes toward heaven and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast But wait a minute! He hasn't said anything yet—or has He?

Yes! Four days before, He said, "This sickness will not ultimately end in death." He has already established this with His own words. Let me paraphrase it:

"Father, I thank You that You heard what I proclaimed four days ago. I established it then. This thing is not going to end with death. And I knew that You heard Me. I know that You always hear Me. That is the reason I said it so boldly four days ago.
"I am saying this for the benefit of the people here so that they will know the principles of the Kingdom that I used to bring about this great miracle. Then they will believe that You sent Me."
He was shaping the unseen and He is about to change the seen. Jesus said, Lazarus, ...
I can just see Peter say, "Oh, dear Lord. What's He doing now? He's talking to a dead man!" (He was embarrassed.)
But when Jesus said,... come forth (v. 43), all the embarrassment left immediately because Lazarus came forth!
You may be a little embarrassed sometimes at things you're saying, proclaiming, or confessing; but when the manifestation comes, the embarrassment will leave.
Your words will change the seen and shape the unseen if you use these principles of the Kingdom

God said:
I create the fruit of the lips (Is. 57:19).

Questions:
1.    What cause "grow worse" image?
2.    What can changed the "grow worse" image?
3.    Did the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5) have to hear only? Explain.
4.    When did she establish point contact?
5.    What will faith-filled words do for you?
6.    How do you cause your faith to be silent?
7.    What is kingdom principles?
8.    Can you give a statement of changing the seen and shaping the unseen?
9.    How can you operate in Kingdom Principles?
10.   What is faith?

 

BIBLE STUDY WEEK 4 (9/17/13) ANSWERS

 
1. In Joseph's story, how did he changed the seen and shaped the unseen?

God did not have to use the devil to get Joseph into a position of authority. His word was capable of doing that. Joseph kept God's Word first place in his life. He changed the seen and shaped the unseen by the Word of God that was revealed to him. He believed it in his heart, and he lived God's Word.

2. How do we give the devil valuable information to hinder God's plan?

We could unwittingly through prayer. Sometimes you give the devil valuable information when you pray. We are not saying be afraid when you pray, but ask for wisdom, and pray in the Spirit.

3. How do we choose between death and life, blessings and cursing?

Proverbs 18:21 tells us: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue. . ." We make the choice between death and life by what we say. Now, I didn't say that God did. Our tongues point us in one direction or the other.

4. Control your mouth, control your life; how do you do this?

James 3:2 tells us: "Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze." We can use our mouth (tongue) to destroy ourselves or make ourselves victorious. We must line up our words with God's Word, our tongue will put us over every time-no matter what comes against us.

5. Explain how your mouth can get you over your circumstances and into the blessings of God.

Proverbs 12:14 tells us: "A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hand shall be rendered unto him." You have a choice between good and evil in life, and that choice is determined by the fruit of your mouth. Also Proverbs 15:4 says, "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. . ." Adam had access to eat from the Tree of Life, and so do we-by making our tongues line up with God's Word.
 

 

BIBLE STUDY WEEK 4 (9/17/13)

 Bible study:    "Changing the Seen & Shaping the Unseen" (By Charles Capps)
Chapter:         (4)
Subject:        Shut Your Mouth

Prayer:
Father God, we praise you and thank you for all the blessings you have blessed us with. Thank you for blessing us with this study in Jesus' name. Help us to control our mouth when speaking about our lives, situations, and circumstances. Help us to continue to learn how to speak the Word into our life. Speak those things which be not as though they were, so we can honor you in all we do. Bless everyone in their soul, spirit, and body. Help us to patient with others. Bless your Word to be our guide daily. Bless everyone member of this community and their families. Bless this little child that will have heart surgery, please guide the doctor's hand. Bless their family to trust you in this. We thank you and praise you for all that you have done already. In Jesus' name we pray amen.

Study:

Well, as you can see this chapter is short too. Look again at the subject!   Shut your mouth!

Sometimes if you're going to change the seen to the unseen, you have to shut your mouth. Take Zacharias, for instance. God sent the angel Gabriel to speak to him.

Gabriel said:

Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John (Luke 1:13).

Zacharias and Elisabeth had been praying for this. But when God sent the angel with the message that their prayers were going to be answered, Zacharias said, "How do I know you're telling the truth? Give me a sign." (v. 18, paraphrased.)

Gabriel probably thought, if we don't get this guy's mouth shut, it's not going to work.

Just picture Zacharias going to Elisabeth. He might have said, "A guy appeared to me who seemed to be an angel and said his name was Gabriel. But he said some strange things, and I just don't know. What if he wasn't from God?"

They would have thought about it, talked about it, got unbelief stirred up, and the birth of their son would never have come to pass.

God pressed the angel to get Zacharias' mouth shut.

Gabriel said, "All right. I'm going to give you a sign. By this sign you'll know that it'll come to pass. (Not only that, but also he was insuring that it would come to pass!) You'll be dumb and not able to speak until it happens."

Here you see the wisdom of God. God said, "I'll take the things that are not and bring to naught the things that are." Words that are not spoken are much more powerful than words that are spoken in unbelief.

　
Keep God's Secrets

Ten years ago the Spirit of God revealed to me some things that are happening to me right now; but I didn't tell everyone about it.

When God reveals some things to you, He doesn't intend for you to tell everybody. If you do, they will probably try to talk you out of it.

 

Joseph's Revelation

Genesis, beginning with chapter 37, describes what happened to Joseph, when he revealed a secret that God had told him. The devil found out about it and tried to stop it from coming to pass; but in spite of all the devil could do, Joseph wouldn't let go of God's Word.

Joseph shaped the unseen things by the Word of God within him. God showed Joseph that he would be above his people; they would be bowing to him. He would be in a position of authority.

His brothers threw him in a well, but he still retained the vision. It didn't look bright down there with the frogs and water moccasins, but he still had God's Word! His brothers sold him into Egypt where his master falsely accused him and put him in jail.

But everywhere they put Joseph; he ended up being the doer of everything that was done. Even though he'd been sold into Egypt, Pharaoh promoted him in the kingdom because he had God's favor. He was a Word man.

Somebody may say, "Yes, it was amazing how God led Joseph through all those trials, tests, and problems to get him to the position where he would be in authority."

God did not have to use the devil to get Joseph into a position of authority. His Word was capable of doing that. But Joseph told God's secret. God revealed something to him that he had no business sharing with other people.

But in spite of it all, Joseph kept God's Word first place. He changed the seen and shaped the unseen by the Word of God that was revealed to him.

 

Some Things Are Better Unspoken

God does not intend for us to tell everything He reveals to us.

I've seen some things in my spirit that God has shown me which I haven't even told my wife; so the devil doesn't know about it. When the devil sure would like to know what it is because he'd try to head it off. He doesn't know and I'm not going to tell him, even though I could unwittingly, through prayer. Sometimes you give the devil valuable information when you pray. Let me give you an example.

A guy walks down the street. All of a sudden, two thugs jump out, stick a gun in his ribs, and say, and "Give us your money!"

He's a man of prayer. Prayer is good for everything, right?

The man throws his hands up in the air and says, "Oh, dear God, don't let them find that hundred-dollar bill I put in my shoe!"

That's dumb! That's not the way to shape things. He's going to get things out of shape. Sometimes silence is more important than prayer.

　

Devotion Sharing:
The Power of Words
Scripture: (Mark 11:23)
". . .Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass: she shall have whatsoever he saith."

Year ago I heard a minister teaching on faith, and he said something that got my attention. Once as he was meditating on Mark 11:23, the Spiritof God spoke to his spirit and asked, Did you notice that in Mark 11:23, Jesus talked about saying three times as much as believing?
The minister said, "Apparently, we need to hear about saying three times more than we to hear about believing. And if we're having trouble in our faith walk, it's three times more likely to be in the saying part than in the believing part."

Why? Because we're a direct result of our words. Our lives today are a direct result of what we've been saying up until now. And what we say today is what we will be or have tomorrow. So as someone once said, "If you don't like what you are, quit saying what you're saying."

This is not "mind over matter" or "mind science"; these are Bible truths. Hebrews 11:3 says, "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. . ." How did God create the earth? By His words. "God said, Let there be light: and there was light," and so on. (Genesis 1:3). How did God bring this to pass? By speaking.

How do we operate in faith? We also believe and say-which ultimately determines our lives.

Confession:
The words I speak today create who I'll be and what I'll have tomorrow. I speak blessings, healing and abundance in my life and all prayer warriors.
Remember, Sometimes silence is more important than prayer.
　
Questions:
1. In Joseph's story, how did he changed the seen and shaped the unseen?
2. How do we give the devil valuable information to hinder God's plan?
3. How do we choose between death or life, blessings or cursing?
4. Control your mouth, control your life; how do you do this?
5. Explain how your mouth can get you over your circumstances and into the blessings of God.
　
Ending Prayer:
Father God, in Jesus' name we ask that You bless each prayer warrior and their families today. We speak blessings over their lives. We say that God shall supply all their needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, with peace and love. Help all Christian to come together and pray against all unrighteousness, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

BIBLE STUDY WEEK 3 (CHAPTER 3 ANSWERS

 

Answers:

1.   Where do you begin changing the seen and shaping the unseen?

This is the way you begin to change the seen and shape the unseen.  Consider Abraham; Abraham called things which were not manifest in the natural realm as though they were-until they were!  He was not weak in faith.

2.  What was Abraham's attitude toward his situation? 

He would not consider anything that contradicted what God had spoken.
 
3.   How did God change their situation?

 God changed the seen and shaped the unseen for Abraham and Sarah by using their own words. When Abraham said, "my name is Abraham," he was saying, "I am  the father of Nations."  Every time Abraham said Sarah, she didn't hear Sarah; she heard "Mother of Nations"

4.   What is the basis of faith?

Faith is walking by what God says instead of what we see, because what God says will change what we see. (2 Corinthians 5:7) "We walk by faith not by sight."

5.  Is there anything you would like to call into existence in your life?

For me, I am speaking my weight loss right now. I am believing God for this, so I speak that I am losing weight and not gaining. I also speak that my sons are following God's plan for their lives right now.  I speak that my patient and I will continue to get sweet sleep at night. I speak that the mission in Pakistan is fulfilled by God using those who have funds to send help. And, the right assignment when this job end; one that is not stressful, I have freedom to do my walking exercises, and able to continue my bible study in God's Word.

6.   What is the first thing to do when you want to change the seen?

If you want to change the seen, the first thing you need to do is consider not  Don't consider what you can see to be eternal. Don't consider what you can see to be established because the Word of God says things which are seen are temporal; They are subject to change by the Word of God and your faith. Wow!

7.   How do you cast down imaginations?

Renew your mind with God's Word, bring those thoughts into obedience to God's Word, so you must have knowledge of God's Word.

8.   How do we receive faith?

Romans 10:17 says, "Faith cometh by hearing God's Word.

9.   Who was going to make Joshua's way prosperous, and how?

The Word says, Joshua was going to make his way prosperous; How? By shaping the unseen with the words of his mouth.

10.   How do you shape the unseen?

First of all, don't get the what-ifs, just speak what is in agreement with God's Word. Speak God's Word over your situations, circumstances, and on your body for good health.

11.   Have you experienced anything during this study that you would like to share?

Yes I have!  I have been speaking God's Word over my health, my weight problem, situation on my job, in my immediate family, and God's will for my life to be established daily.  My weight is what I need prayer on, and what I am speaking into my life now; I desire to lose weight before the Holidays, and to keep it off.  People constantly saying that when you reach a certain age you gain and can't loss it because of that; I speak against that now in Jesus' name! I am calling those things which be not as though they were.  I am the size I desire!!

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BIBLE STUDY WEEK 3 (9/10/13)

Bible   study: "Changing the Seen & Shaping the Unseen" (By Charles Capps)
Chapter: (3)

Subject: Changing the Seen

Prayer:

Father God, we have been studying Your Word, so that we can show ourselves approval unto You, and so we can have a life of faith in You and in Your Word. Help us to utilize Your Word every day. Please bring these studies to our remembrance so we can be what You desire in us today.  Help us to use everything we learn for Your glory, and only for Your glory as we grow in faith in You, and in Your Word. AMEN.

Study:
Well, so far I have enjoyed this study. I hope and pray others are enjoying it too. This study and my book reading "The Prayer of Jabez" have really blessed me.

Our subject for this lesson is "Changing the Seen."

Before I post our book study, I want to say this, Abraham is our father by faith, and by faith we can call those things which are not as though they were. We can call those things in to existence, and we are not lying, but believing by faith, and speaking God's truth. And, that is why we as Gentiles are called the children of God, the chosen generation by faith, the royal priesthood, an holy nation (the nation that God called to be), a peculiar people; that we should show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light; which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  That is God's chosen people! That is deep revelation, but some don't understand and don't want to believe it either. I am the chosen people of God by my faith; Yes, the Jews are His first chosen, but when Jesus came He brought us to God, and we must confess to become the chosen people as spoke of in (I Peter 2:9-10).



Let's continue reading:

An excellent example of changing the seen and shaping the unseen is shown in the life of Abraham.  Yes, I was just talking about him.  A great one! Great example for us in this study now.
Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Romans 4:16, 17
Notice, it is God and Abraham who are calling things that are not as though they were. God said, I have made thee a father of many nations. Abraham didn't have a child at that time, but the Bible says he believed God, and it was accounted unto him for Changing the Seen and Shaping the Unseen righteousness. (v. 22.)
This is the way you begin to change the seen and shape the unseen. Abraham called things which were not manifest in the natural realm as though they were—until they were!
Abraham was the man who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken (v. 18). He was 99 years old, and his wife was 90; but he was not weak in faith (v. 19). He would not consider anything that contradicted what God had spoken.
Let's look at what God did to bring about what He had said.
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
Genesis 17:5, 15
God had promised Abraham something that was absolutely impossible in the natural. Abraham was too old, Sarah was too old; and God does not violate His laws.
So God changed their names! Abraham means "father of nations" and Sarah means "mother of nations." Every time Sarah stuck her head out the tent door and called Abraham! he didn't hear Abraham!—he heard Father of Nations!
The Bible says, Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). God changed the seen and shaped the unseen for Abraham and Sarah by using their own voices!
When Abraham said, "My name is Abraham," he was saying, "I am the Father of Nations." Every time Abraham said Sarah, she didn't hear Sarah; she heard Mother of Nations.
Every time she said, "My name is Sarah," she was saying, "My name is Mother of Nations." She was changing the seen and shaping the unseen with her very own voice.
God's way of changing the seen and establishing the unseen is with words. Words produce images in your spirit and in your mind.
The Bible says Sarah received faith to conceive seed. She did it by hearing God's Word for her. When anyone said Abraham or Sarah, they were saying, Thus saith the Lord.
God said, "I have made thee (past tense) the father of many nations." The Word says that Abraham believed God, and he went about calling things that were not as though they were. This is the way you begin to shape the unseen.

Faith Always Sees
Abraham did not see with his physical eye that he was the father of many nations. When I talk about shaping the unseen, I'm not talking about something that is unseen in your spirit. You can see things in your spirit as well as with the natural eye.

I totally agree with this!

Sometimes people say, "That fellow just had blind faith." But there's no such thing as blind faith. Faith always sees. Faith always knows.
You don't see these things with the natural eye, but you perceive them in your spirit by discerning the Word of God by the Spirit of God within you.
Abraham called things that were not (manifest in the natural realm) as though they were (manifest in the natural realm) until they were (manifest in the natural realm). And the Word says that God did the same thing: He called things that were not as though they were.
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken ... (v. 18).

Notice: according to that which was spoken. Abraham believed in hope when there was no hope.
Abraham could have said, "Here I am—99 years old. My hundredth birthday is not far away, and my wife is 90."  He could have begun to look at what was seen and said, "Oh, no! That could never come to pass. That'll never happen. That must not have been God talking to me. That was just my flesh." (It couldn't have been his flesh because the carnal mind doesn't think that way.) Abraham believed in hope when there was no hope.

Abraham Considered Not His Own Body
"And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead" ... (v. 19).
If you want to change the seen, the first thing you need to do is consider not. Don't consider what you can see to be eternal. Don't consider what you can see to be established because the Word of God says things which are seen are temporal: They are subject to change by the Word of God and your faith.

Abraham believed God: And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. He cast down imaginations and brought them into obedience to the Word of God. Love that!
Sometimes you have to cast down your imagination. (2 Cor. 10:5.) The devil will use your imagination if you let him.

Several years ago my daughter Annette was out late one night. As I was lying there in bed, I began to think. Immediately, the negative began to form in my mind.
The enemy, through my carnal mind, said, "She's had a wreck. There's been a big rain. She ran off in a ditch and turned over. You've seen her alive for the last time."
As those ideas came forth, I saw a mental vision: I saw the car go off the road and turn over in a ditch of water. Then I saw the water come up over the car. That's the devil's way of coming as an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:14.)

I said, "No! In the name of Jesus, that doesn't agree with the Word of God. My children are taught of the Lord, and great is the peace of my children!" (Is. 54:13.)
About that time, I heard the door slam as she came in.
You must cast down imaginations and bring them into obedience to God's Word.

Renew Your Mind
To get rid of the seen, or what seems to be, you must get your mind and spirit so programmed with the Word of God that you will reject all the devil has to offer. Your spirit will scream, Reject! Reject! It doesn't agree with God's Word!   Hallelujah!

Then you begin to shape the unseen by God's Word.  Someone said, "Why should we walk in defeat and in despair when God's Word has been spoken?"

God has already had His say on the subject. The problem is that some don't know what He has said, and that enables the devil to take advantage of them.

We see in Romans 4:20-22 that Abraham wouldn't consider anything except what God said:
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he (God) had promised, he was able also to perform,
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

The word righteousness is an Old English word that means right standing. Abraham's faith was considered or imputed to him for right standing with God.

Some might say, "I don't understand it. I don't have any trouble believing God for finances, but I do have trouble believing Him for healing," or vice versa. The same problem may exist in other areas.
Let's talk about healing now; because in these days people believe the doctor more than they believe God's Word. 

Every morning, I mean every morning I read a devotional that teaches me to believe God for my healing, as well as for my finance and family needs.  This book is called "365 Days of Healing" by Mark Brazee.  Great book to read!

Let me share one of my devotions before we continue………………
Confess, Believe, And Receive:

Scripture:  (Romans 10:9)That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thin heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

My devotional book encouraged me even more this morning when I read it.  It teaches about confessing, believing, and receiving from God.  How awesome that is to know that you can go to the Father and receive from Him!   Listen to this, If getting saved is the biggest miracle and yet, by the way, my devotional book is "Prescription For A Miracle) by Mark Brazee:  Good book!  I have been reading it for eight years now.  I read it over and over again.  It's that good to me.  Well, if getting saved is the biggest miracle and yet the easiest thing you ever did, would a lesser miracle, such as healing, be more difficult to receive?
No, we receive salvation and healing the same way.  They are both part of God's redemption plan.  You'd be amazed at your results if you simply received healing by faith the same way you once received your salvation.  Just say, "Lord, I know in my heart that by Jesus' stripes I was healed.  I receive You as my healer now.  Thank God, it's done!"
Now, don't check to see if you feel healed.  You aren't healed because you feel better.  You're healed because the BIBLE says you're healed.  And if you hold fast to your faith, your healing will come to pass!  Remember Isaiah said in (Isaiah 53:5) "But he 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."  Therefore, we are healed when we pray, confess, believe, then we receive.

My confession for today: 
I confess from a believing heart that Jesus is my Savior.  I also confess from a believing heart that Jesus is my Healer. Thank God, I received my healing. Amen

My Prayer:
Father, I pray that I continue to confess, believe, and receive whatever I need from You just as I received my salvation from You too, Amen

Ok, now let's continue where we left off………………….

When you get your mind renewed to the Word of God concerning prosperity—and realize that it is God's will for you to prosper—then you can operate in that faith. But you can't believe any further than you have knowledge.
You have to get yourself in line with the Word of God in the other areas, too. If you have been taught that healing went out with the apostles and that God doesn't do miracles anymore, then you're inhibited in that area. You're not in right standing with God concerning miracles.
You may be right with God; you may make it to heaven. But in one or more areas you might not be in right standing. It's not imputed to you for right standing because you are believing wrong. You are talking wrong and thinking wrong, because you have been taught wrong. Faith comes by hearing God's Word. (Rom. 10:17.)

Shape the UnseenYour words are shaping the unseen—daily.
That is why God told Joshua:
This book of the law (the Word of God) shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8
The word meditate is interesting. Meditate means "to mutter; to speak to one's self."
In other words, this is saying, "As you confess what God said about your situation, you will make your way prosperous and do wisely in all the affairs of life."
Who was going to make Joshua's way prosperous? Joshua.
How? By shaping the unseen with the words of his mouth.

David's Sword Was In His Mouth:
Wow!  It was in his mouth.  That is awesome!

The 17th chapter of 1 Samuel describes David's encounter with Goliath, the giant sent from the Philistines to defeat the men of Israel.

I love these stories!

David walked out where the battle was supposed to be; but no one was fighting. They were all afraid! He said, "Is there not a cause?"
This was not a man of war; he was a shepherd boy; but he had learned to change the seen and shape the unseen. When he saw the giant, he said, "I'll go fight him. Who is this uncircumcised Philistine? Who does he think he is to defy the armies of the Living God?"
He just filled himself with God's Word until he couldn't see anything but success. To David, that giant was defeat going somewhere to happen because he was defying the armies of the Living God.
Five times before David did anything, he said what he was going to do to the giant!
What was he doing? He was shaping the unseen.
He could have said, "As big as that guy is, just one swish with that sword and I'll be in two pieces!" He could have thought about all the "what-if's." (Have you ever had a bad case of the what-if's? "What if it doesn't work?")

But David didn't get the what-if's. He only spoke what was in agreement with God's Word. He was shaping the unseen. The only sword that he had was the one in his mouth—the two-edged sword of God's Word.

 I pray others are enjoying this study with me.  We have more questions in this study.

Questions:1 Where do you begin changing the seen and shaping the unseen?
2 What was Abraham's attitude toward his situation?
3 How did God change their situation?
4 What is the basis of faith?
5 Is there anything you would like to call into existence in your life?
6 What is the first thing to do when you want to change the seen?
7 How do you cast down imaginations?
8 How do we receive faith?
9 Who was going to make Joshua's way prosperous, and how?
10 How do you shape the unseen?
11 Have you experienced anything during this study that you would like to share?

Ending Prayer:Father God, thank You for the blessing to be able to study Your Word with others, and most of all, in my personal time.  Help us to utilize what we learn, so we can be a witness for Your Word and glory. We give You praise always in Jesus' name. AMEN! 

Why Wait?

 

You can have divine directions and peace in the midst of the storm.

Scripture Reading:     Matthew 14:22-33

“²² And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.²³ And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.²⁴ But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. ²⁷ But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. ²⁸ And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. ²⁹ And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. ³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? ³² And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. ³³ Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God

A Miracle took Place:

Here we see where Jesus had feed the five (5) thousand men beside women and children off five (5) loaves bread and two (2) fish, and then they took up twelve (12) full baskets of left overs.  That is a miracle!

 Notice:

In verses (22-24) tell us that after Jesus had feed the five thousand; after the miracle took place, then the storm came into the lives of His disciples.

In verse (22) it says, “He sent them away, because it was time for Him to pray to the Father “before” the storm came-Jesus knew the storm was coming! 

(Why Wait?) Yes, why wait to pray.  Jesus didn’t.

Verse (24) says, “²⁴ But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.”  The wind (storm) was contrary. 

What do contrary means?  It mean opposite in nature, directions, or meaning.  Wow!  Also there is another meaning, perverse; self-willed, unfavorable, and opposite in position or direction, as said earlier. 

Pray while you have the strength, and chance before the wind of trouble come your way,  before the storm blow into your life; make preparation before it comes (Why wait?)

Jesus is our example:

Scripture Reading:            Psalm 32:6

Be careful of the east wind, Jesus knew a storm was coming, and when it came He was not worrying, but in faith because He had prayed to the Father for strength, directions, power over nature, comfort, and just to be in God’s presence. Because in His presence is fullness of joy, amen. 

Verse (23) “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”  After reading that I knew Jesus was teaching us to fix our eyes on Him, which is God’s Word.

Now let’s look at Peter who was fishing and not praying.  At first Peter was in faith when he walked on that water, but when he took his eyes off Jesus he begin to sink, (this is when all kinds of trouble come into your life) he took his eyes off Jesus.   Jesus knew the storm would rage, and he wind would blow.  And, He also knew they were under His control.  We must know this too!  (Why wait?)

Pray while you have the chance.  Fix your eyes on Jesus.  The storm of life will rage, the wind will blow, but hey will not come near you, and they can be under your control with the help of the Lord.  Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Know that yesterday’s miracle will bring tomorrow’s storm and wind, so make preparation today.  (Why wait?) 

Question:

How do we make preparation before the storm and wind?

1.   A Secret Place:

a.      Go before God for divine directions.  Looking up to heaven in a secret place, find a desert place ( Luke 9:10)

b.      Leave the old associations (Genesis 12:1; Luke 5:16, 6:12).

c.       Go aside privately in your heart, because God hears the heart prayer. (Proverbs 16:1)

2.   Spiritual Preparation:

Ephesians 6:15 “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Our faith has to rest in God, not in our preparations. And above all, we need to love God just as much during and after a crisis as we did before it. These are all reasons why spiritual preparation is so important.

We first need to understand that God is in control of our personal and national destinies. Joseph in the Book of Genesis understood this. He realized that his personal trials—being sold into slavery, wrongfully accused of adultery and sent to prison—were all part of God’s greater plan to place him in a high position in Egypt, where he was able to prepare a nation for famine and save many lives. (Genesis 37, 39, 41; 45:7-8; 50:20)  Preparation precedes blessings.  We must seek God.

Steps required in a spiritual preparation:

Isaiah 7:2 “And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.”

2 Chronicles 19:3 “Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.”

Yes, we must prepare for the blessings in the midst of the storm by

1.   Retirement in God’s presence.

a.    Sit down in God’s presence, depart from everything, be alone with God, rest in His presence (Matthew 15:29) (Mark 6:31-32).

b.    We must give up the ghost (John 19:30).

c.    We must bow our spirit, soul, and body.  Turn completely control over to the Lord.

d.    Return unto the Lord (Luke 1:17).

e.    Turn your face to the wall, and seek God

Isaiah 38:1-2: “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, (Why wait?)

This message was given to me from the Holy Spirit before I faced this particular situation, and I was told to pray now.  After praying I felt strong in the Lord, I felt secured in the Lord, I knew I was about to face a storm, but didn’t know when and where or what it was.  I cried out to God and God heard my cry and answered me with peace in my heart through the whole situation.  God is our peace in the midst of any storm.   When Jesus was sleeping down in the bottom of the ship He was not worried when the storm came (Luke 8:23-26)

“But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.²⁴ And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.²⁵ And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.²⁶ And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.”

Also read (Mark 4:37) “³⁷ And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.³⁸ And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? ³⁹ And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?  Don’t wait to pray.



Prayerfully yours,
Evangelist Claudia Jordan

ANSWERS TO BIBLE STUDY QUESTION WEEK 2

1     How should we look at faith?

First of all, we can’t see faith. Faith is unseen. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

2    Did He (God) have faith in His Word to bring about what He said, or did He   (God) have faith with His Word to bring about what He said?

He had faith in His Word that in using His spoken Word it would be accomplished.

 

3    As God creation, what are we capable of doing?

Man is capable of taking those things which are not and bringing to naught those things which are! He is capable of taking things that are not revealed to the physical senses and bringing to naught things that are revealed to the physical senses.

 

4    When you operate according to God’s law, what will it cause?

Operating according to God’s law causes you to be able to shape things that don’t seem to be-the unseen-into a workable situation. You must cooperate with God’s law.

 

5    What book is you reading now that help you in your faith?

I am read the book of “The Prayer of Jabez”

 

6    Give a biblical story of this principle working.

Abram assured by God that he was in the right place, deserted Canaan for Egypt in a time of famine, and tried to pass off Sarai as his sister, to purchase his own safety at her expense in Gen. 12:10-20.

   He returned to Canaan in Gen. 13:1 at which point Lot (Heb. lot, envelope, covering) and he separated and divided up the Promised Land (13:14-17), well before the name change in 17:5. He opposed all the kings (14:13-16) and then refused the world’s wealth in (14:21-24), confirming his new confidence and faith in the protection of God.

   Although Abram and Sarai followed their own ways and through an Egyptian handmaid, Hagar, and she had Ishmael when Abram was age 86 (Gen. 16:7-16), in gentle grace God picked up the pieces in Hagar’s broken life and reaffirmed his covenant with Abram  in Genesis 17:1.

   In three ways the Lord made his promises more sure.

• First, by making Abram and Sarai into new people (17:3-5, 15-16). This is the significance of the gift of new names: they are themselves made new, with new capacities.
• Second, the Lord restated and amplified his spoken promises so as to leave no doubt of his seriousness in making them (17:6-8).
• Third, he sealed his promises with the sign of circumcision (17:9-14) so that forever after Abraham and his family would be able to look at their bodies and say, "The Lord has indeed kept his promises to me!" This must be accompanied by a "circumcision of the heart."   Out of this experience, and having the promises confirmed and sealed, Abraham’s faith grew to maturity.

   The Lord appeared to Abram for the New Covenant, on the ninth day, with a new initiate, the promise of future sons (8 plus 1 adopted = 9), who is the ninth person from Shem.

   Abram settled in Canaan, where God made a covenant (special agreement) with him. The covenant promised that Abram would have many descendants and Canaan would be their "everlasting possession" if they remained faithful to God (Genesis 17:4-8). As a symbol of His pledge, God changed Abram's name to Abraham, which means father of many nations. God commanded Abraham and all males in his family to be circumcised as a symbol of this covenant.

Now, Romans 4:17 comes into place “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”

I was always taught that God changed Abram’s name way before his son Ishmael was born, so that the people around him could speak those things which are not as though they were into his life as they called him Abraham.  Very wise!