SELFCENTEREDNESS: THE SOURCE OF ALL GRIEF

ANDREW WOMMACK

CONTENTS
Introduction Chapter One: The Root Issue Chapter Two: Angry Brats Chapter Three: o!er "eroes Chapter #our: My Re$igious "u%i$ity Chapter #i&e: e$'ish ou$(Winner Chapter i): *od+s ,nse$'ish -o&e Chapter e&en: A -i&ing acri'ice "ow To Recei&e .esus "ow To Recei&e The "o$y pirit

INTRODUCTION JESUS OR SELF?

/0e ha&e heard how I said unto you1 I go away1 and co%e again unto you2 I' ye $o&ed %e1 ye wou$d re3oice1 !ecause I said1 I go unto the #ather: 'or %y #ather is greater than I/ 4.ohn 56:7892 The night !e'ore "is cruci'i)ion1 .esus con'ronted "is discip$es saying1 /*uys1 i' you rea$$y $o&ed Me1 you wou$dn+t !e depressed right now: These 'ee$ings ha&e co%e !ecause you+re thin;ing1 -oo; what I ga&e up to he 0our discip$e <%y p$ans1 %y hopes1 %y drea%s2 Now %y 'ishing !usiness is ruined: What+s going to happen to %e i' 0ou aren+t rea$$y the Messiah1 and i' I+% not the 'oundation o' 0our Church= Wi$$ they cruci'y %e ne)t= Ear$ier today you were 'ighting o&er which one o' you is greatest and worthy o' the !est seat in the ;ingdo%2 Don+t !e so se$'(centered: Re3oice that I+% going to My #ather:/ e$'(centeredness caused their grie'2 I' the discip$es had tru$y $o&ed .esus %ore than

the%se$&es1 they wou$d+&e re3oiced to hear o' "i% going to the #ather2 Instead they %ourned o&er their i%pending $oss1 thin;ing1 The -ord is $ea&ing %e2 What a% I going to do= The discip$es entered into the %ost cha$$enging ti%e o' their $i&es<Christ+s !etraya$1 arrest1 and cruci'i)ion< %ore concerned a!out what was happening to the% than to .esus2 They were tota$$y consu%ed with se$': The -ord wants to con'ront your se$'( centeredness too: "a&e you e&er conscious$y dea$t with se$' !e'ore= "ow %uch o' your $i'e is characteri>ed !y pride1 anger1 crisis1 and grie'= Do you rea$$y $o&e the -ord %ore than you $o&e yourse$'= Di''icu$t situations ha&e a way o' re&ea$ing what+s tru$y in your heart2 It doesn+t %atter i' your pro!$e% is 'inancia$ pressure1 a re$ationa$ !rea;down1 or the death o' a $o&ed one? you choose whether it turns into a crisis or not2 *od+s a$ready gi&en you e&erything you need to o&erco%e in $i'e1 !ut it+s up to you to use it: Wi$$ you continue in your se$'ish $i'e or !eco%e a $i&ing sacri'ice= .esus or se$'<the choice is

yours:

CHAPTER ONE THE ROOT ISSUE

*rie' is rooted in se$'(centeredness2 When a $o&ed one dies1 we tear'u$$y as; ourse$&es1 /"ow can I go on without the%=/ *i&ing in to strong e%otions1 we 'ocus on the death and $oss1 crying1 /I won+t e&er see the% a$i&e on earth again:/ We then con&ince ourse$&es that our %ourning is 'or the dead1 when in rea$ity1 it+s 'or ourse$&es2 I' the deceased person you+re grie&ing o&er was not $ost and is now in hea&en1 there is %uch to ce$e!rate2 0our $o&ed one now stands in the presence o' .esus1 recei&ing their eterna$ reward: Can you i%agine the at%osphere o' a !e$ie&er+s 'unera$ i' you weren+t so se$'( centered= Instead o' crisis1 what an e)citing ti%e o' than;sgi&ing1 praise1 and re3oicing it wou$d !e: Tru$y1 your grie' co%es !ecause o' se$'ishness2 @ain and $oss see% %ore rea$ to you than the truth o' your $o&ed one+s happiness and peace in hea&en2 top and as; yourse$'1 /Why a% I rea$$y grie&ing= Is this sorrow 'or the% or 'or %e=/ An

honest answer wi$$ re&ea$ the se$'ishness in your heart2 Whether you 'ind yourse$' at a 'unera$ or 3ust in the %idd$e o' e&eryday $i'e1 se$'(centeredness can turn anything into a crisis: Would You Like to T !de Pl!"e#? "a&e you e&er !een depressed a!out your 'inances= I' so1 you rea$$y ha&e nothing %uch to grie&e a!out2 Most o' your crisis situations are on$y a /crisis/ to you2 Whi$e you gripe a!out the pro&ision 'or your /need/ not !eing %ani'est yet1 the peop$e around you wonder1 What+s the !ig dea$= The !ig dea$+s 3ust that se$'(centeredness has %agni'ied your %o$ehi$$ into a %ountain2 /Both o' %y te$e&isions are o$d and !eat up<I need a new one:/ /I+% disappointed !ecause I can+t purchase %y new stereo syste% yet:/ /My car is a$ready a year o$d2 It+s ti%e to !uy another2/ 0our perspecti&e wou$d change i' you reached !eyond yourse$' and your own crisis to he$p so%eone e$se in a %ore di''icu$t p$ace2 0our

pro!$e%s wou$d shrin; 'ast as you pitched in and assisted so%eone who+s !een de&astated 'inancia$$y1 e%otiona$$y1 spiritua$$y1 or physica$$y2 A$$ o' a sudden1 it wou$d dawn on you<I+% rea$$y not as !ad o'' as I thought: $i"ki%& T'e De!d e$'(centered peop$e are easi$y o''ended2 They 'ind ways to get upset o&er the si%p$est and si$$iest things: Then they proceed down that we$$ tra&e$ed path to depression1 discourage%ent1 and de'eat2 Why= They+re tota$$y consu%ed with se$': I' you wou$d ta;e a step !ac; and !e o!3ecti&e when you start s$iding into another crisis1 you cou$d sa&e yourse$' %uch grie'2 As; the hard Auestions1 /Where do I stand in this= Why a% I so de'eated= "as %y se$' !een stepped on=/ I' you dea$ with yourse$' $i;e this when your 'eathers get ru''$ed1 %any o' your /crises/ wou$d cease to !e crises2 Dead peop$e ne&er 'ee$ a thing: 0ou can do a$$ ;inds o' %ean things to a corpse without any response2 Kic; it1 spit on it1 s$ap it1 do whate&er1

!ut it won+t reta$iate2 Why= Because it+s dead: According to the Bi!$e1 you are supposed to !e dead 4Ro%2 B:8 and 7 Ti%2 7:5592 Why1 then1 are you hurt so easi$y when so%eone says or does so%ething to you= Why do you ha&e so %any pro!$e%s in your re$ationships= @$ain and si%p$e <pride is sti$$ a$i&e: It(# You C'oi"e /On$y !y pride co%eth contention/ 4@ro&2 5C:5D92 Are you e)periencing !itterness1 hurt1 or anger= *od+s Word $ea&es no roo% to sidestep your responsi!i$ity2 0ou %ight as we$$ 'ace it sooner rather than $ater !ecause there+s no other reason2 0ou weren+t !orn this way1 it+s not your persona$ity1 and circu%stances aren+t to !$a%e2 Contention ca%e into your $i'e !ecause o' pride: @ride is not a $eading cause? it+s the on$y cause2 Our prototype1 .esus1 $i&ed !y 'aith2 "e ne&er operated out o' pure di&inity whi$e here on earth2 Christ $i&ed "is $i'e !e'ore us as a %an and !y 'aith in *od2 Whi$e !eing cruci'ied1 "e prayed1 /#ather1 'orgi&e the%? 'or they ;now not what they do/ 4-u;e 7C:C692 hort$y a'terward1 tephen de%onstrated %an+s capacity to do the

sa%e2 Whi$e !eing stoned to death1 he prayed1 /-ord1 $ay not this sin to their charge/ 4Acts E:BD92 .esus chose to 'orgi&e and so %ust we: /Be ye ;ind one to another1 tenderhearted1 'orgi&ing one another1 e&en as *od 'or Christ+s sa;e hath 'orgi&en you/ 4Eph2 6:C792 The -ord won+t co%%and you to do so%ething you can+t do2 In "i%1 you ha&e the power to 'orgi&e and wa$; in $o&e toward a$$ peop$e2 0ou+&e !een gi&en the a!i$ity<now e)ercise it !y 'aith: No-F!ult Rel!tio%#'i)# "a&e you e&er heard o' /no('au$t re$ationships/= May!e you+re %ore 'a%i$iar with the ter% /no( 'au$t car insurance2/ -oose$y1 this %eans no %atter who is at 'au$t in a car accident1 the insurance co%pany wi$$ %a;e sure your %edica$ !i$$s are paid 4according to the a%ount o' co&erage purchased92 i%i$ar$y in no('au$t re$ationships you choose to wa$; in $o&e and 'orgi&eness toward a$$ other peop$e no %atter how they treat you2 According to Matthew 58:75( 771 *od+s /co&erage/ is e&en up to se&enty ti%es se&en: 0ou can do this !ecause .esus did1

and now "e+s $i&ing "is $i'e in and through you: The wor$d+s way is to treat others the way they deser&e to !e treated2 It+s 'a%i$iar$y e)pressed as / cratch %y !ac; and I+$$ scratch yours:/ and /Mess with %e and you+&e got another thing co%ing:/ I' we $i&e our $i&es treating peop$e the way they deser&e to !e treated1 we+$$ !e a %ess: Why= @eop$e don+t deser&e to !e $o&ed<none o' us do: Apart 'ro% .esus1 we aren+t e&en worth spitting on: We can co%pare ourse$&es to who%e&er we wi$$1 !ut on our own1 we sti$$ 'a$$ short o' the g$ory o' *od: /Andrew1 you ha&e tra&e$ed a$$ o&er the wor$d teaching *od+s Word1 hea$ing the sic;1 and %inistering sa$&ation to the $ost2 0ou+&e !een 'i$$ed with the "o$y pirit 'or decades and ha&e e)perienced %any power'u$ encounters with *od2 ure$y you ha&e your act together:/ I hate to !urst your !u!!$e1 !ut I+% as hu%an as you are2 As; %y wi'e<she can te$$ you: .a%ie+s seen %e at %y !est1 worst1 and e&erything in !etween2 he ;nows I sti$$ ha&e pro!$e%s: I don+t deser&e to !e $o&ed: In 'act1 i' %y wi'e ga&e %e what I deser&ed1 she wou$d ha&e

di&orced %e %any years ago2 Why= I don+t ta;e per'ect care o' her2 The criptures te$$ %e to $o&e her as Christ $o&ed the church1 and I ha&e yet to co%p$ete$y 'u$'i$$ that 4Eph2 F:7F92 I' she wou$d ha&e ta;en on the attitude 0ou ha&en+t treated %e the way the Bi!$e says you shou$d1 so I+% 3usti'ied in 'ee$ing this way: do you see where this wou$d go= -o&e1 %ercy1 and grace %a;e 'or %uch !etter re$ationships than 3ust gi&ing so%eone other what they deser&e:

CHAPTER TWO ANGRY *RATS

Angry peop$e are se$'(centered: As a young %an1 %y !rother had a pro!$e% with $osing his te%per2 A'ter throwing a 'it1 he+d a$ways say1 /I+% sorry: I' I had ;nown what I was doing wou$d hurt you1 I wou$dn+t ha&e done it2/ I heard that $ine hundreds o' ti%es growing up2 What he %eant was1 /Whi$e angry1 I didn+t consider you or anyone e$se2 I was a$$ wrapped up in %yse$' and how what had happened a''ected %e2/ Ta$; a!out se$'ish: Anger a$so %ani'ests inward$y through se$'(pity1 depression1 and e%otiona$ wounds2 Whene&er hurt1 your '$esh wants to %agni'y the pain and 'ocus on se$'2 "owe&er1 you can stop GD percent o' your depression1 sorrow1 and wounding !y $o&ing others2 "ow does it wor;= -ac; o' concern 'or se$' he$ps i%%uni>e you against hurts: As *od+s redee%ed chi$dren1 se$' pro&ides an in&iting !eachhead 'or the de&i$+s in&asion p$ans2 It+s his pre'erred $anding >one: Where the

Ene%y reigns1 se$' is e)a$ted as a$$(i%portant2 e$'(preser&ation1 e&en at the e)pense o' anyone and e&eryone e$se1 see%s to our '$esh $i;e a &irtue worthy o' respect2 But it+s not so in *od+s ;ingdo%: I' we de'end that !eachhead !y dea$ing with se$'(centeredness1 we+$$ de'eat %any o' the satanic pro!$e%s in our $i&es: Pe #)e"ti+e I# Po,e -ul *od spo;e to %e recent$y in a power'u$ way whi$e watching an anti(capita$(punish%ent te$e&ision progra%2 But !e'ore I share with you what I $earned1 I want to gi&e you a $itt$e perspecti&e on what I !e$ie&e2 @ersona$$y1 I !e$ie&e the death pena$ty is !oth scriptura$ and !ene'icia$ i' proper$y ad%inistered2 .ust as the threat o' war ser&es as a deterrent to rogue internationa$ powers1 the threat o' capita$ punish%ent deters rogue indi&idua$s within society2 As a &eteran who has acti&e$y ser&ed in the war>one during a ti%e o' actua$ co%!at1 I don+t particu$ar$y $i;e war2 "owe&er1 as a citi>en1 I appreciate $i&ing in the !ene'its gained and protected !y our country+s pre&ious &ictories2 I' ci&i$ authorities didn+t %a;e use o' the death

pena$ty1 %any %ore innocent $i&es wou$d !e need$ess$y de&astated through the unrestrained se$'ish actions o' a 'ew %a$icious peop$e: As I watched the progra%1 the spot$ight shined on a certain %an i%prisoned 'or rape and %urder2 The te$e&ision ca%eras >oo%ed in on his sad1 $one$y 'ace !e'ore panning out to re&ea$ the ta$$ ce%ent wa$$s caging hi% there on death row2 @ity rose within %y heart as I saw i%ages o' the actua$ e)ecution roo% and sensed the i%%inence o' his death2 ure$y1 this was a tragic situation: Ba!y pictures and a cute $itt$e !oy riding a stic; horse paraded across the screen2 I wondered1 "ow cou$d such innocence grow up to co%%it these terri!$e cri%es= e)ua$ a!use and %o$estation entered the picture2 At a &ery young age1 he was a$ready %a;ing the rounds at correctiona$ institutions2 It !eca%e increasing$y c$ear 3ust how %any stri;es this ;id had $ined up against hi% ear$y in $i'e2 E&erything had gone wrong<horri!$y wrong: -i;e e&eryone e$se watching1 I was te%pted to 'ee$ sorry 'or this guy2 @arts o' the narration

echoed in %y head</"e ne&er rea$$y had a chance:/ My e%otions had !een s;i$$'u$$y %anipu$ated through the presentation2 The desire to see this %an su''er 'or what he had done had di%inished2 Then the -ord as;ed %e1 /What wou$d happen i' they a$so showed the !a!y pictures o' the gir$ he had raped and %urdered= What i' they to$d the story o' how she grew up1 and then discussed her 'uture p$ans=/ I thought to %yse$'1 @erhaps this gir$ was a Christian who had wonder'u$ drea%s 'or a god$y 'uture2 May!e she e&en p$anned to %arry a who$eso%e guy2 Then so%e per&ert 'orced hi%se$' upon her 'or se$' grati'ication2 A'ter the rape1 he %urdered her trying to co&er things up: My 'ee$ings i%%ediate$y swung 'ro% pity to righteous anger: The te$e&ision progra%+s sy%pathetic audience wou$d ha&e easi$y turned into an outraged &igi$ante posse i' they had seen the gir$+s side o' the story too2 Why= Response is dependent upon perspecti&e: 0our point o' &iew dictates your e%otions: It+s dangerous to $oo; at e&erything 'ro% a se$'ish

standpoint: /-oo; what they are doing to %e: E&ery!ody has done %e wrong:/ *uess what= E&ery day o' your $i'e1 se$' has a%p$e opportunity to get ru!!ed the wrong way2 I' you are %ore concerned a!out others1 then anger can+t contro$ you2 Huit !eing se$'(centered and you won+t get %ad when unp$easant things happen2 Why= 0ou+$$ !e thin;ing o' the other person2 @erspecti&e is power'u$: You We e *o % Sel-i#'. "u%an !eings are se$'ish creatures !y nature2 As a new!orn !a!y1 you ca%e into this wor$d se$'(centered2 Mo% $a!ored se&era$ hours 'or you to sa'e$y arri&e2 he was &ery tired and had !een $i&ing in a degree o' disco%'ort 'or Auite so%e ti%e2 @erhaps e&en a coup$e o' nights had passed since she had gotten so%e good rest22 2!ut hey1 you didn+t care: I%%ediate$y upon arri&a$1 you announced your de%ands through that power'u$ cry<waaaah: This continued as your parents too; you ho%e and got used to you2 Anyti%e you 'e$t you had a need1 Mo%%y had !etter !e there1 or you+d start $etting her ;now: /#eed %e now: I need a new

diaper2 "o$d %e: I don+t want to ta;e a !ath2 I+% tired:/ 0ou were the &ery center o' the uni&erse: No!ody e$se e)isted un$ess they so%ehow %et your needs2 That+s e)pected and accepta!$e !eha&ior 'or a !a!y1 !ut not 'or a twenty(1 'orty(1 or si)ty(year(o$d !e$ie&er2 0ou ought to ;now !y now that there are other peop$e in your wor$d: Ai#le Ni%e Bi!$ica$ parenting in&o$&es dea$ing with your chi$dren+s se$'(centeredness2 -i'e+s not a!out !eing ser&ed a$$ the ti%e: Chi$dren need to $earn that it+s in gi&ing that they actua$$y recei&e2 They %ust !e trained to ser&e others we$$2 Did your parents i%part this into your $i'e= Are you !ui$ding it into your chi$dren= Most parents ha&e a tough ti%e addressing their chi$dren+s se$'(centeredness !ecause they ha&e ne&er rea$$y dea$t with their own2 In the heat o' the %o%ent1 not correcting .unior o'ten see%s easier on Mo% or Dad+s '$esh2 A wo%an is !usy grocery shopping with her todd$er2 Right in the %idd$e o' ais$e nine1 the chi$d !o$d$y dec$ares1 /I want that:/

Ca$%$y !ut 'ir%$y1 Mo% rep$ies1 /No1 son2 0ou can+t ha&e it2/ Bac; and 'orth they go2 "is &oice rises higher and higher unti$ he screa%s1 /I WANT T"AT:/ eeing the need to add %ore pressure1 the todd$er throws hi%se$' on the '$oor and continues his te%per tantru%2 Do you ;now what %ost se$'(centered parents do= They gi&e in to the chi$d !ecause o' their own se$'ishness2 To get unwanted attention o'' o' se$' 4/E&ery!ody+s $oo;ing at %e:/91 the parent satis'ies the chi$d instead o' !ringing god$y correction2 When this happens1 .unior+s se$' has 3ust !een rein'orced2 "e $earns that se$' can get anything i' se$' is wi$$ing to throw a 'it: A e You A% Adult * !t? Are you a thirty(1 'i'ty(1 or e&en se&enty(year(o$d !rat< sti$$ throwing te%per tantru%s to get your own way= Thin; a!out it: Do you pout and withdraw 'ro% re$ationships in an atte%pt to /punish/ others= Do you persecute peop$e unti$

they co%e craw$ing !ac; to you in repentance= Are you a /!$aster/<sound$y gi&ing e&eryone within earshot a piece o' your %ind= Or do s$yness1 patience1 and su!t$ety !etter suit your reta$iatory taste1 since /re&enge is !est ser&ed co$d:/ No %atter how you s$ice it up1 it+s sti$$ se$'( centeredness: 0ou need to recogni>e your anger 'or what it rea$$y is<se$'(centeredness in action2 #ro% the #ather+s perspecti&e1 a$$ these adu$t %ethods a%ount to nothing %ore than your ;ic;ing and screa%ing on the '$oor o' ais$e nine2 #riend1 it+s ti%e to grow up:

CHAPTER THREE SO*ER HEROES

No!ody has 'u$$y conAuered se$'2 In 'act1 %ost peop$e ha&en+t e&en dea$t with it on a conscious $e&e$: *od doesn+t 3ust ;i$$ you and re%o&e se$' out o' "is way2 "e e)pects you to e)ercise se$'( contro$2 -earning to deny se$' and e)a$t "i% on a dai$y !asis is 'oundationa$ 'or your spiritua$ growth2 "a&e you e&er conscious$y dea$t with your own se$'ishness= What do you do when so%eone co%es against you= Who do you thin; o' 'irst= Do you consider the other person1 or are you consu%ed with de'ending yourse$'= W'o(# T'e /eeke#t O- T'e0 All? Moses dea$t with se$'2 When peop$e !$asted hi% with accusations1 he i%%ediate$y 'e$$ to his 'ace and prayed 'or the%2 Why= "e ;new they were in !ig trou!$e with *od: Instead o' de'ending hi%se$'1 Moses ca$$ed on the -ord to show his o''enders %ercy2

1/i i!0 !%d A! o% #)!ke !&!i%#t /o#e# 2e"!u#e o- t'e Et'io)i!% ,o0!% ,'o0 'e '!d 0! ied: -o 'e '!d 0! ied !% Et'io)i!% ,o0!%1 3Nu04 56:574 Moses was Midd$e Eastern1 and his wi'e was B$ac;2 "is !rother and sister spo;e out against hi% !ecause o' this interracia$ %arriage2 /And they said1 "ath the -ORD indeed spo;en on$y !y Moses= hath he not spo;en a$so !y us= And the -ORD heard it/ 4Nu%2 57:792 In other words1 Aaron and Miria% Auit estee%ing Moses and !egan critici>ing hi% !ecause he+d done so%ething wrong in their opinion2 They open$y cha$$enged his $eadership1 dec$aring1 /0ou aren+t the on$y one *od spea;s through2 We are "is &esse$s too:/ The ne)t state%ent is aweso%e: /4Now the %an Moses was &ery %ee;1 a!o&e a$$ the %en which were upon the 'ace o' the earth29/ 4Nu%2 57:C92 The "o$y pirit directed Moses hi%se$' to record in the Word 'or a$$ ti%e this e&a$uation o' his own hu%i$ity: /I a% the %ee;est %an on the 'ace o' the earth:/ Isn+t that a%a>ing= On$y the -ord

;nows how %any %i$$ions o' peop$e were a$i&e !ac; then1 and Moses was the %ee;est o' the% a$$: Moses cried out 'or %ercy on !eha$' o' his two o''ending si!$ings 4Nu% 57:5C91 and the -ord granted his reAuest2 What an e)a%p$e: Moses $i&ed $i'e %ore conscious o' *od and others than o' hi%se$'2 The -ord+s !een !ui$ding this sa%e attitude in %e2 I ha&en+t arri&ed yet1 !ut I $e't years ago: On se&era$ occasions1 I+&e !een so conscious$y o&erwhe$%ed !y "is presence that I !eca%e a$%ost o!$i&ious to the wor$d around %e2 I 'e$t $i;e Moses co%ing down the %ountain with *od+s g$ory on his 'ace2 Where&er I $oo;ed1 a$$ I cou$d see was "i% who% I $o&ed: This 'ocus ena!$ed %e to !e supernatura$$y protected in the %idst o' so%e &ery dangerous situations2 O+e u%. Two decades passed !e'ore I rea$i>ed the %irac$e *od had per'or%ed 'or %e in Iietna%2 I ne&er cou$d re$ate to the trau%a that other

A%erican so$diers e)perienced !ecause o' their in&o$&e%ent in the war2 I was 'ired on and cou$d ha&e !een ;i$$ed in action on %any occasions1 !ut I ca%e ho%e a hundred ti%es stronger inside and a thousand ti%es %ore in $o&e with .esus2 er&ing %y country as a so$dier in Iietna% was one o' the !est e)periences o' %y $i'e: There'ore1 I didn+t !other reading anything a!out it unti$ twenty years $ater2 I was gi&en a !oo; containing the co%!at testi%onies o' twe$&e 'or%er ser&ice%en2 Three o' the guys were in %y di&ision1 two were in Iietna% the sa%e ti%e I was1 and one wrote his account o' a 'ire support !ase that was o&errun !y the Iietcong2 Our -J 4$anding >one9 was a 'ire support station on the !order o' -aos2 -ocated in what see%ed $i;e the %idd$e o' nowhere1 I cou$d see the "o Chi Minh Trai$ 'ro% our position2 The station on$y occupied a!out as %uch rea$ estate as an o$d( 'ashioned ca%p %eeting tent2 We too; an a&erage o' twenty %ortar rounds per hour in this s%a$$ area2 E&ery 'ew %inutes1 the screa% o' an inco%ing pro3ecti$e sent us

scurrying 'or co&er2 I arri&ed 3ust two days !e'ore the hi$$ was o&errun2 As I read this %an+s account1 the -ord opened %y eyes to see %y -J o&errun 'ro% an un!e$ie&er+s perspecti&e2 E&en though I didn+t ;now hi%1 the author and I had !een there at e)act$y the sa%e ti%e2 The star; terror he e)perienced in that %o%ent had caused night%ares to p$ague hi% on and o'' e&er since2 I 3ust re%e%!er !eing head o&er hee$s in $o&e with .esus: E&en though 'ear1 death1 and danger pressed in on e&ery side1 *od+s presence en&e$oped %e in a supernatura$ !u!!$e2 I was and wasn+t there<!oth at the sa%e ti%e: As the F1DDD North Iietna%ese so$diers surrounding us charged1 a$$ I cou$d do was pray1 /#ather1 those guys don+t ;now 0ou: I hope I don+t ha&e to ;i$$ any o' the%:/ My thoughts weren+t1 What+s going to happen to %e= I was too !usy interceding 'or those ad&ancing ene%y troops: I was c$ose enough to see the %u>>$e 'ire 'ro% their weapons1 !ut 'ear cou$dn+t touch %e2 I was out o' %yse$'1 praying 'or so%eone e$se2 /*od1 p$ease touch the%<so%ehow:/

#ear can on$y a''ect you when you+re thin;ing a!out yourse$'2 He oe# "eroes put others 'irst2 An airp$ane crashed into a ri&er se&era$ winters ago near Washington1 D2C2 Di''erent indi&idua$s 3u%ped into the 'ree>ing co$d water and rescued passengers who had sur&i&ed the i%pact2 Reporters $ater inter&iewed these heroes1 as;ing1 /Didn+t you thin; o' yourse$'= What wou$d ha&e happened to your spouse and chi$dren i' you had $ost your $i'e=/ Each one answered1 /I didn+t thin; a!out that2 A$$ I cou$d 'ocus on was sa&ing those peop$e:/ When thrust into an e%ergency situation1 heroes wi$$ing$y ris;s their own $i&es to sa&e others+2 None o' these hesitated on the !an; o' that 'ree>ing(co$d ri&er1 thin;ing1 These peop$e need %e1 hut so does %y 'a%i$y I Concern 'or the passengers in distress outweighed se$'2 I' they had !een %ore 'ocused on the%se$&es than on those who needed their he$p1 they wou$dn+t ha&e done it:

S)i it-Filled A%d Sel-i#' This %essage opposes %uch o' today+s /popu$ar Christianity2/ My heart !rea;s to see so %any pirit('i$$ed !e$ie&ers acting 3ust as se$'ish$y as the wor$d: Drawn into the 'u$$ *ospe$ %essage 'or what they thought they cou$d get out o' it1 their rea$ /god/ is se$'2 It+s ti%e to con'ront wrong %oti&es: *od is no &ending %achine<"e+s -ord and King: 0ou can+t 3ust insert a coin1 push "is !utton1 and ta;e out whate&er you want1 whene&er you want it2 @rosperity wasn+t pro&ided 'or you to consu%e it upon your own $usts2 Don+t tra%p$e the hea$ing !$ood o' .esus !y running right !ac; to the sa%e o$d &ice that destroyed you !e'ore2 That+s 3ust ignorant1 i%%ature1 and se$'(centered: O' course1 the #ather has pro&ided 'or "is chi$dren+s e&ery need<!ut chi$d1 it+s ti%e to grow up and stop treating "i% so se$'ish$y: / ee; ye 'irst the ;ingdo% o' *od1 and his righteousness? and a$$ these things sha$$ !e

added unto you/ 4Matt2 B:CC92 0our necessities are added to you as !yproducts o' see;ing 'irst the King and "is ;ingdo%2 #aith is to !e$ie&e 'or other peop$e+s needs to !e %et through you2 It was ne&er intended to !e used pri%ari$y 'or se$': I' you concentrate on !$essing others1 you+$$ !e !$essed in the process2 The Auestion is1 where is your 'ocus= 8oid O- S)e"ul!ti+e I0!&i%!tio%#? o!riety is one o' *od+s Aua$i'ications 'or %inisters2 /This is a true saying1 I' a %an desire the o''ice o' a !ishop1 he desireth a good wor;2 A !ishop then %ust !e222so!er/ 45 Ti%2 C:5(792 When I !eca%e an e$der1 I sought the -ord 'or what this $oo;ed $i;e in e&eryday $i'e2 ince /not gi&en to wine/ is speci'ica$$y %entioned in the ne)t &erse1 I saw that so!riety had %ore to do with %y attitude2 When I $oo;ed in the dictionary1 /!eing &oid o' specu$ati&e i%aginations/ stood out to %e the %ost2 o1 I as;ed "i%1 /#ather1 what does +!eing &oid o' specu$ati&e i%aginations+ %ean=/ "is answer ca%e one day Auite une)pected$y:

By that ti%e in %y %inistry1 I a$ready tra&e$ed regu$ar$y to preach in &arious cities2 The -ord has a$ways !$essed %e with specia$ 'riends and *ospe$ partners where&er I go2 I' I+% schedu$ed to %inister anywhere near the%1 their attendance can !e counted on2 I praise *od 'or such co%%itted partners and 'riends: @ondering so!riety1 I !egan a series o' %eetings near where one o' these /o$d 'aith'u$/ coup$es $i&ed2 I watched 'or the% the who$e 'irst e&ening1 !ut they didn+t show2 ince their a!sence was out o' character1 %y %ind raced !ac; to the $ast ti%e I+d seen the%2 I re%e%!ered ca$$ing the% out o' the crowd with a &ery speci'ic prophecy2 It wasn+t 3ust a regu$ar1 genera$ ;ind o' word2 I either nai$ed it or !$ew it: In %inistering that prophetic word1 I+d %ade %yse$' rea$$y &u$nera!$e2 Whi$e re'$ecting on this1 the thought ca%e1 K %ust ha&e %issed it with that prophecy2 Those peop$e pro!a!$y thin; I+% a 'a$se prophet now2 I !et they+&e disregarded a$$ o' the good they e&er recei&ed 'ro% %e: By the ti%e se$' was done1 I had &isua$i>ed this coup$e out ca%paigning against %e1 proc$ai%ing1 /Andrew Wo%%ac; is

o' the de&i$:/ I ca%e c$ose to the point o' wanting to punch the% in the nose: The &ery ne)t e&ening1 this coup$e ca%e to the %eeting and e)p$ained1 /We are so sorry we cou$dn+t %a;e it $ast night2 A death in our 'a%i$y ;ept us out o' town a$$ wee; $ong2 We ne&er wou$d ha&e %issed your %eeting:/ At that &ery %o%ent1 the -ord re&ea$ed to %e what /specu$ati&e i%aginations/ are2 I had stirred %yse$' up o&er so%ething co%p$ete$y i%agined in %y head2 ,n'ounded in either rea$ity or truth1 this pure specu$ation had !egun with %y wondering why they hadn+t co%e and spira$ed downward due to se$'ishness2 @raise *od I didn+t punch the% in the nose: Brothers and sisters1 $ay down your specu$ati&e i%aginations and ta;e up a so!er %ind2 "u%!$e yourse$' and !e$ie&e the !est o' others2 @ray 'or those who o''end you2 -o&e *od<don+t 3ust try to use "i%: 0ou are %ore !$essed in gi&ing than in recei&ing1 so i' you use your 'aith to %eet the needs o' others1 yours wi$$ !e a!undant$y %et too: -et+s continue %aturing in "i%:

CHAPTER FOUR /Y RELIGIOUS HU/ILITY

I a% a%a>ed at how easi$y so%e peop$e ta;e o''ense: I+% usua$$y po$ite and 'riend$y to the hundreds o' peop$e I see each wee;1 !ut once in a whi$e1 %y %ind %ay !e so%ewhere e$se when so%eone says /he$$o2/ Annoyed1 they+$$ persist in as;ing %e Auestions $i;e1 /What+s the %atter2 Is so%ething wrong=/ The truth is1 they were o''ended !ecause I didn+t respond the way they thought I shou$d2 I+&e seen peop$e o''ended !ecause their pastor didn+t ca$$ $ast wee;1 or he greeted the person ne)t to the% and 'orgot to sha;e their hand2 This sort o' i%%aturity happens %ore 'reAuent$y than you %ight thin;1 and it+s rooted in se$'(centeredness2 @eop$e who $o&e *od %ore than the%se$&es don+t 3ust 'a$$ apart when situations turn out di''erent$y than they e)pected2 That+s why .esus as;ed the discip$es1 /Why are you so upset=/ 4.ohn 56:781 paraphrase %ine92 They were 'ocused on "is $ea&ing %ore than re3oicing in "is going to the #ather2 The discip$es e%!raced their /crisis/ o&er "is 3oy1 !ecause o' se$'(

centeredness2 Does your %arriage 'ee$ $i;e a crisis to you= 0our spouse isn+t your pro!$e%<you are: Di&orcing that %ate and getting a new one won+t so$&e anything2 0ou+$$ 'ace the sa%e pro!$e%1 no %atter who your %ate is1 !ecause you can+t di&orce yourse$': Where&er you go1 who%e&er you+re with1 se$' wi$$ !e there too2 The de&i$ %ay e&en use your spouse to gi&e you a hard ti%e1 !ut it rea$$y doesn+t %atter what they do2 ,nti$ you dea$ with your own se$'ish state o' %ind1 no!ody can p$ease you2 A Se)! !ted *ut Sel-i#' Li-e I 'ai$ed %isera!$y dea$ing with %y own se$'( centeredness2 The re$igion I was !rought up in taught against se$'1 constant$y rein'orcing dying to se$' and cruci'ying se$'2 A$though there+s so%e truth to what they said1 the reco%%ended /cure/ on$y %ade the /sic;ness/ worse2 I re%e%!er !eing gi&en pen and paper and to$d to $ist e&ery sin I+d e&er co%%itted2 E&en though I+&e ne&er spo;en a cuss word1 s%o;ed a

cigarette1 tasted $iAuor or drun; co''ee in a$$ %y $i'e 4not that drin;ing co''ee is sin<you can stand on Mar; 5B:58 'or that: /I' they drin; any dead$y thing1 it sha$$ not hurt the%/91 it wasn+t $ong !e'ore I+d 'i$$ed up !oth sides o' the paper and as;ed 'or another sheet: eeing a$$ those sins $isted crushed %e !ut did nothing to cure %y se$'ishness2 I+d %ope around a$$ day $ong1 head hung $ow1 con'essing /Woe is %e1 I+% undone/ and singing / uch a wor% as I/ with con&iction2 I 'e$t co%p$ete$y worth$ess and considered %yse$' the &ery scu% o' the earth: By the ti%e I 'inished high schoo$1 I+d %arinated in re$igion 'or si)teen years2 My 'ee$ings o' in'eriority %ade %e 'ee$ so !ad that I cou$dn+t e&en $oo; a person in the 'ace and ta$; to the%: I had the $owest se$'(estee% o' anyone I ;new1 yet I was operating in 3ust as %uch pride as e&eryone e$se2 ince I didn+t e)a$t %yse$'1 I thought I was sa'e2 I didn+t rea$i>e that se$'( de!ase%ent was pride too: Either way1 it+s 3ust se$'(centeredness2 T ul9 Hu02le

Most peop$e who ca$$ the%se$&es /ti%id/ or /shy/ are rea$$y 3ust !eing pride'u$2 -ow se$'(estee% causes se$' to do%inate their thoughts2 E&en the prospect o' testi'ying in 'ront o' others a!out what *od has done in their $i&es causes 'ear to race through their %inds: What wi$$ peop$e thin; o' %e= Wi$$ I %a;e a 'oo$ o' %yse$'= I re%e%!er a %an who spo;e with %e a'ter a ser&ice in @ue!$o1 Co$orado2 "e said1 /I don+t ha&e any pride2 I ha&e 3ust the opposite<$ow se$'(estee%2/ I responded !y te$$ing hi% that his $ow se$'(estee% was rea$$y 3ust another 'or% o' pride2 It+s the resu$t o' 'ocusing on yourse$' as co%pared to others and then co%ing to the conc$usion that you 3ust don+t %easure up1 and e&eryone around you ;nows it2 It+s sti$$ 3ust a$$ a!out you2 I had to wor; through this sa%e thing when I 'irst started %inistering2 *od used a wise %an to set %e 'ree2 "e said1 /Andy1 i' you e&er get %ore concerned a!out the peop$e you are %inistering to than you are a!out yourse$' and what they thin; o' yourse$'1 *od wi$$ use you:/ Today I don+t rea$$y care what anyone thin;s o' %e1 as $ong as I can get *od+s point across c$ear$y2

e$'1 co%pared to .esus1 is a non(issue to the tru$y hu%!$e2 They don+t consider se$' any higher or $ower than what "is Word says2 *od(centered peop$e wi$$ do so%ething to their own detri%ent at the -ord+s direction2 They+$$ a$so !$ess the%se$&es whene&er "e $eads2 Either way1 se$' doesn+t hinder the% 'ro% o!eying the #ather they $o&e: Go%e Fi#'i%( Many peop$e sti$$ !e$ie&e that to de!ase se$' is hu%i$ity and to e)a$t se$' is pride2 .a%es 6:5D contradicts this re$igious notion !y re&ea$ing who *od wants to e)a$t: /"u%!$e yourse$&es in the sight o' the -ord1 and he sha$$ $i't you up2/ What happens when peop$e hu%!$e the%se$&es1 and *od starts to e)a$t the%= The tru$y hu%!$e wi$$ $et "i% do it1 !ut the proud won+t2 They+re too concerned a!out what others thin;2 e$'(centered peop$e can+t hand$e positi&e 'eed!ac; either2 A'ter gi&ing an anointed word or singing an inspired song1 they respond1 /It was a$$ .esus2 Don+t gi&e %e any praise1 !ecause I+%

nothin+:/ Without rea$i>ing it1 they drew a$$ the attention !ac; to se$': A hu%!$e person wou$d answer encouraging words1 saying1 /Than;s2 @raise *od 'or .esus:/ #a$se hu%i$ity a$so 'ishes 'or co%p$i%ents: /I rea$$y don+t ha&e a &ery good &oice1 !ut the -ord says1 +Ma;e a 3oy'u$ noise2+ @$ease pray 'or %e whi$e I try to sing:/ They ;noc; the%se$&es down hoping to hoo; so%eone into $i'ting the% up2 That+s 3ust pride in action: Sti%ki%( T'i%ki%( I resurrected se$' e&ery %orning whi$e trying %y !est to ;i$$ it2 trapping %yse$' into an i%aginary e$ectric chair1 I con'essed a$$ o' the sins I thought I+d recent$y co%%itted</@ride:/ /Arrogance:/ /Not studying the Word:/<on and on it went2 A'ter an hour o' /e)ecuting/ e&erything I cou$d thin; o'1 I+d spent %y entire de&otiona$ ti%e 'ocused on %yse$'2 Re$igious ways o' dea$ing with se$'ishness on$y %a;e you re$igious$y hu%!$e2 A'terward1 you+re sti$$ so 'u$$ o' se$' that when the -ord says /*o

$ay your hands on the sic; and they+$$ reco&er1/ you i%%ediate$y 'ocus on your $i%itations and respond1 /Who1 %e=/ *od+s not a!$e to use you in "is power1 !ecause o' your own stin;in+ thin;in+: 1I Lo+e You: J!0ie.1 -o&e 'or another o&erco%es se$'2 When *od supernatura$$y put .a%ie and I together1 'i&e years had passed since I stopped dating2 The -ord had to$d %e that "is way o' 'inding %y %ate wou$d !e %uch !etter than the wor$d+s2 Out o' $o&e 'or .esus and %y 'uture !ride1 I !e$ie&ed "i%2 When I announced %y engage%ent to the crew at wor;1 they cou$dn+t !e$ie&e I+d re%ain honest1 upright1 and %ora$ whi$e preparing to %arry such a !eauti'u$ young $ady2 It was hard enough on their heads that .a%ie and I were engaged !e'ore ho$ding hands or going on a date1 !ut these heathen 'e$$ows didn+t thin; I+d stay the course2 They 3udged %e according to their party $i'esty$e 4s$eeping with di''erent wo%en each night1 getting drun;1 etc291 ;nowing 'u$$ we$$ I had

ne&er done anything i%%ora$ $i;e that2 Constant$y1 they pro&o;ed %e in atte%pt a'ter atte%pt to /pro&e/ that their distorted perceptions o' %e were true2 The !oss1 %y !est 'riend1 and I 3ust ;ept witnessing to the% whene&er we cou$d2 "owe&er1 a$$ this harass%ent %ade wor;ing as a ce%ent 'inisher downright %isera!$e at ti%es: E&ery %orning upon arri&a$1 the crew sang the sa%e o$d chorus: /Mr2 *oody(*oody1 what did you do $ast night= Were you out p$aying $ic;y( 'ace= What ti%e did you co%e in=/ There'ore1 I decided ne&er again to !ring up the topic o' .a%ie at wor;2 It 3ust ga&e the% too %uch a%%unition: Then one day1 I stood !eside a !ay window watching the re'$ection 'ro% the sun on the 'resh$y poured ce%ent2 The !eauty o' the sun$ight hitting the water in 3ust the right way caused %y thoughts to center on %y wi'e(to(!e2 Te%porari$y o!$i&ious to %y surroundings1 5 started crooning1 /I $o&e you1 .a%ie: I $o&e you1 .a%ie:/ I was wonder'u$$y $ost in the sweetness o' %y !ride(to(!e2 "owe&er1 %y short($i&ed !$iss ca%e to a screeching ha$t as I noticed a$$ these

other s%i$ing 'aces %ateria$i>ing !eside %ine in the re'$ection2 The entire crew stood there $istening as I crooned one $ast ti%e1 /I $o&e you1 .a%ie:/ I%%ediate$y1 they un$eashed on %e with a 'ury: I wou$d ne&er ha&e said that in 'ront o' a$$ those guys i' I+d !een in contro$: But I was s%itten1 and %y $o&ing awareness o' .a%ie superseded %y awareness o' %e2 Because o' that1 I actua$$y did so%ething that was not in the !est interest o' se$'2 -o&e had tru$y o&erco%e: e$'(awareness was gone when I 'e$$ %ore in $o&e with so%eone e$se than %yse$'2 And that is tru$y the on$y way to o&erco%e se$'(awareness2

CHAPTER FI8E SELFISH SOUL-WINNER

I was a'raid to witness !e'ore I tru$y 'e$$ in $o&e with .esus2 I 'orced %yse$' to share %y 'aith out o' re$igious duty2 I e&en pushed %yse$' to %a;e ten e)tra &isits a!o&e the wee;$y &isitation Auota2 I%pressed1 the church as;ed %e to ta;e others on %y rounds and discip$e the% in /sou$ winning2/ E&en though I did this with so%e degree o' success1 'ear o&erwhe$%ed %e inside !ecause I was an intro&ert2 Basica$$y1 I was se$'( centered and scared to ta$; with peop$e2 On the way up to the door1 %y si$ent prayer consisted o'1 /O *od1 p$ease $et there !e no one ho%e:/ "ow did I do it= I re%inded %yse$' what it 'e$t $i;e to recei&e recognition1 honor1 and awards 'or $eading peop$e to the -ord2 At se&enteen years o$d1 I regu$ar$y saw %ore /decisions 'or Christ/ than %y pastor: E&ery unday1 the church $eaders reported %y wee;$y /head count/ and congratu$ated %e in 'ront o' the who$e congregation2 I used this as %oti&ation during the hours I spent praying and psyching %yse$' up !e'ore witnessing2 e$'ishness ena!$ed %e to

o&erco%e %y 'ear2 /!%i)ul!ted. Most churches %anipu$ate you to witness !y appea$ing to se$'2 They sing these o$d hy%ns a!out standing !e'ore *od with !$oodstained hands and no sou$s to present "i%2 @reachers warn o' a /.udg%ent eat/ where your unsa&ed neigh!or wi$$ stand !eside you stic;ing his !ri%stone(scorched1 sti$$ s%o;ing 'inger in your 'ace and de%anding1 /Why didn+t you te$$ %e a!out the -ord=/ When these songs and stories are used1 a$tars o&er'$ow with peop$e desiring to /witness2/ Why does this wor;= e$' doesn+t want to su''er e%!arrass%ent: /I+% not going to stand !e'ore A$%ighty *od e%pty handed on that day:/ o1 what do you do= 0ou witness to peop$e not !ecause you $o&e the% !ut !ecause you $o&e yourse$'2 Re$igion pro%otes se$'2 "ow o'ten ha&e you heard1 /*i&e so se$' can recei&e: Do you want to prosper= *i&e generous$y into %y o''ering and the -ord wi$$ !$ess it !ac; to you a hundred'o$d/= o%e o' you ha&e p$un;ed down hundreds1

e&en thousands1 o' do$$ars into o''erings and ha&e yet to see the return2 Do you ;now why= 0ou ga&e apart 'ro% *od+s se$'$ess1 unconditiona$ $o&e2 0our true %oti&ation was se$'(centered !ecause your heart attitude depended so$e$y on whether or not you saw the return2 The Word says that e&en i' you gi&e a$$ your goods to 'eed the poor1 without $o&e1 it pro'its you nothing 45 Cor2 5C:C92 The %oti&e !ehind your gi't is %ore i%portant than your gi't2 *od+s ;ind o' $o&e is not se$'(centered: O+e ,'el0ed *9 Hi# Lo+e On March 7C1 5GB81 5 had an encounter with *od that changed %y $i'e 'ore&er<I 'ound out how %uch .esus $o&ed %e: I%%ediate$y1 %y wor$d turned upside down 'or 'our(and(a(ha$' !eauti'u$ %onths as the -ord co%p$ete$y occupied %y thoughts2 I 'orgot a$$ a!out the horse that I rode e&ery day2 Whether it had !een 'ed or was sti$$ a$i&e1 I didn+t ;now2 I a$so 'orgot a!out the te$e&ision progra%s that I watched 'our to 'i&e hours a day2 They ne&er e&en crossed %y %ind: E)cept 'or an hour or two each night1 %y e)cite%ent a$so ;ept %e 'ro%

s$eeping2 I+d stand and read unti$ I passed out and hit the '$oor2 Then I+d wa;e up and do it again2 I 'e$$ so in $o&e with *od that "e re&o$utioni>ed %y entire $i'e: I started witnessing to e&erything that %o&ed: *one were the prayers o' /O *od1 $et there !e no!ody ho%e:/ I Auit those &isitations on Thursday nights and started ta$;ing to peop$e where&er and whene&er2 Knoc;ing on o&er one hundred doors a day1 I shared Christ in ho%es1 stores1 gas stations1 and restaurants2 Not once did I 'ear what they %ight say a!out %e1 !ecause now I genuine$y cared a!out $ost peop$e2 I wanted e&eryone to ;now and e)perience the -ord+s aweso%e $o&e: -o&e .esus %ore than yourse$': #a$$ in $o&e with "i%1 and you+$$ Auit thin;ing a!out se$'2 When you witness to peop$e1 you+$$ !e !o$d and 'u$$ o' "is $o&e 'or the%2 Con'idence wi$$ rise in your heart as you recogni>e what "e+s done in your $i'e2 *od+s $o&e changes e&erything: *e,! e O- Do&# hort$y a'ter this1 we di&ided our city into

sections and !egan ;noc;ing on hundreds o' doors2 I started in the wea$thiest part o' town1 which wasn+t s%art1 !ut I didn+t ;now any !etter2 Doors s$a%%ed in our 'aces one a'ter another2 We started !y as;ing the si%p$e Auestion /Are you a Christian=/ !ut disco&ered &ery Auic;$y that peop$e didn+t ;now what a Christian was2 They answered1 /O' course I+% a Christian: I+% not Buddhist or "indu1 so I %ust !e a Christian2/ o%e actua$$y pu$$ed coins out o' their poc;ets and e)p$ained1 / ee right there= It says1 +In *od We Trust2+ I+&e got to !e a Christian:/ They didn+t understand a!out a !orn(again e)perience2 One day I deter%ined in %y heart to ta$; to the $ady in a particu$ar house2 ince I was tired o' doors s$a%%ing in %y 'ace1 I decided to change %y approach2 When she answered the door1 I $oud$y dec$ared1 /@raise *od1 I+&e 'ound a Christian:/ he $oo;ed straight at %e and as;ed1 /What %a;es you thin; I+% a Christian=/ ei>ing %y opportunity1 I continued1 /We$$1 you ha&e a scripture out here hanging on your 'ence2/

he opened the door1 stepped out onto the porch1 and inAuired1 /What do you %ean=/ I%%ediate$y turning to @hi$ippians C:71 I read1 /Beware o' dogs222/ and 3ust ;ept right on going: I 'inished the rest o' that chapter !e'ore she shut the door in %y 'ace2 What a di''erence in %e: I was using gi%%ic;s and doing anything I cou$d 3ust to ta$; to peop$e a!out the -ord2 Why= I was %ore concerned a!out the% than %e2 The !est things that ha&e e&er happened to %e occurred when I $aid se$' aside and 3ust ga&e %y $i'e 'or so%e!ody e$se2 o what i' they hate you2 o what i' your spouse is upset2 acri'ice yourse$': It+s %ore !$essed to gi&e than to recei&e2 #inding out that you aren+t the center o' the uni&erse is 'un: You( e *ette O-- T'!% You T'i%k. -i&ing in the ,2 2A21 you are !etter o'' than you thin;2 I &isited a %i$$ionaire+s ho%e in India and was surprised to 'ind that a$%ost e&ery A%erican

house I+d seen was c$eaner and nicer2 "ow %uch %ore do you need= Is *od rea$$y the one $eading you to !uy that !igger1 newer1 %ore e)pensi&e house= .ust chec;ing: o%e A%ericans ha&e de&e$oped a we$'are %enta$ity1 saying /This go&ern%ent owes %e a $i&ing:/ Wrong: @eop$e don+t owe you anything2 @ardon %e i' that ru''$es your 'eathers1 !ut you+re a$i&e to !e producti&e and to gi&e2 0ou aren+t here 3ust to $i&e o'' society2 Change your %indset: Huit !eing so se$'(centered2 top sitting there soa;ing up other peop$e+s resources and start !eing producti&e: o%e peop$e %ay need go&ern%ent assistance 'or a short period o' ti%e1 unti$ they can get !ac; on their 'eet1 !ut not generation a'ter generation2 I' you are capa!$e o' wor;ing1 you shou$d: I re%e%!er %a;ing o&er LFDD a %onth in the $ate 5GBDs as a high schoo$ ;id de$i&ering newspapers2 I' you can+t pro&ide 'or yourse$' !etter than we$'are1 you+&e a$ready got one 'oot in the gra&e2 Any!ody can !eat we$'are when *od is your source2 "e+$$ $ead you step !y step into a %ore prosperous $i'e:

Gi00e: Gi00e. e$'(centered peop$e constant$y thin;1 What can I get= What can I recei&e 'ro% this re$ationship= What can this church do 'or %e= Why ha&en+t they done this= Why ha&en+t they done that= Instead1 peop$e shou$d !e thin;ing1 "ow can I !e a !$essing= "ow can *od %eet their need through %e= "ow can I he$p %a;e this church what *od wants it to !e= What do I ha&e to contri!ute= top pointing the 'inger at your 'a%i$y and start as;ing1 /What can I do 'or %y spouse= "ow can I !e a !$essing to each %e%!er o' %y househo$d=/ Huit thin;ing1 They don+t deser&e it1 !ecause you don+t either: ett$e the score1 ca$$ it e&en1 and start o&er2 Try to out(gi&e each other: er&e your church and !$ess your 'a%i$y1 !ut don+t do it with se$'ish %oti&es2 Treating your spouse $i;e roya$ty in order to !e treated $i;e roya$ty is se$'(centeredness a$$ o&er again: Where&er you are1 who%e&er you+re with1 as; yourse$'1 /"ow can I !e a !$essing=/

CHAPTER SI; GOD(S UNSELFISH LO8E

*od is $o&e: .esus Christ ga&e "is $i'e as %uch 'or Ado$' "it$er as "e did 'or you2 Ado$' %ay not ha&e accepted the -ord1 !ut .esus $o&ed hi%2 In 'act1 .esus doesn+t $o&e pirit('i$$ed !e$ie&ers any %ore than those who aren+t2 pirit('i$$ed !e$ie&ers %ight e)perience "i% in greater ways1 !ut "e wants to !apti>e a$$ those other Christians in the "o$y pirit too: The sa%e $o&e is a&ai$a!$e to a$$ !ecause $o&e is "is &ery nature2 *od is an e)tra&agant gi&er: "e didn+t ha&e to $ay down "is $i'e 'or us2 The #ather1 on1 and "o$y pirit weren+t going to 'a$$ apart i' %an;ind wasn+t redee%ed2 "e cou$d ha&e chosen to wipe us a$$ out and create a !rand(new race1 !ut "e didn+t2 Christ generous$y sacri'iced "i%se$' 'or us <the he$p$ess1 pathetic sinners that we Were2 What an aweso%e disp$ay o' unconditiona$ $o&e: Carna$ $o&e pa$es in co%parison2 When we /$o&e/ others !ased on their per'or%ance1 we !etray our sha$$ow understanding and e)perience o' *od+s ;ind o' $o&e2 "is attitude

says1 /I choose to $o&e you2 I don+t care i' you hate Me1 spit on Me1 or despite'u$$y use Me2 My %ind+s %ade up2 I $o&e you:/ As the $ight o' this re$ent$ess $o&e 'irst dawned on %y sou$1 I prayed1 /-ord1 $et 0our unconditiona$ $o&e '$ow through %e:/ I had no idea how $i!erating the answers to this prayer wou$d !e: Fo &i+e%e## I% P it"'ett I used to pastor a s%a$$ church in @ritchett1 Co$orado2 At that church1 the congregation and I grated on each other+s ner&es2 Bac; in those days1 I+d 'ight at the drop o' a hat and drop %y hat to get to 'ight2 My pastora$ %otto was si%p$y /This is the way it is1 and i' you don+t $i;e it< there+s the door:/ I rea$i>e now that we shou$d ha&e used %ore wisdo% in dea$ing with each other1 !ut we didn+t2 E&en though we had our pro!$e%s1 *od sti$$ con'ir%ed "is Word through %any nota!$e %irac$es1 inc$uding a %an !eing raised 'ro% the dead2 -ess than a year a'ter I arri&ed1 se&era$ peop$e in the church tried to run %e o''2 Di''erent indi&idua$s $ied and pu!$ic$y opposed %e in

&arious ways2 They accused %e o' stea$ing %oney 'ro% the church1 when I wasn+t e&en recei&ing a sa$ary: To this day1 a certain person has threatened to ;i$$ %e i' I e&er set 'oot on their property2 Without discussing the detai$s o' a$$ the other %atters1 these peop$e !asica$$y chose to turn around and sta! %e in the !ac; a'ter a$$ I tried to do 'or the%2 I 'orga&e and decided to wa$; in $o&e anyway2 The 'e$$ow who had !eco%e one o' %y !est 'riends ended up doing e&erything he cou$d to hurt %e2 I caught hi% on the te$ephone once te$$ing so%eone that I was o' the de&i$ and other terri!$e things2 When con'ronted1 he accused %e o' !eing a croo; and wou$dn+t agree with anything2 As an e$der1 he stirred things up and $ed the group who tried to run %e out o' the church2 I 3ust ga&e a$$ this to the -ord and 'orga&e hi% 'ro% the !otto% o' %y heart: Bare$y a wee; had passed when .a%ie and I went 'or a dri&e2 I was in the ha!it o' stopping in and chatting with this !rother at his ser&ice station2 It was so%ething I en3oyed1 so I par;ed1 went inside1 and tried ta$;ing with hi% 'or a whi$e2 *etting !ac; into the car1 I to$d .a%ie1

/ o%ething+s wrong: I don+t ;now what it is1 !ut he+s 3ust not the sa%e:/ .a%ie $oo;ed at %e and e)c$ai%ed1 /What are you ta$;ing a!out=/ /We$$1 so%ething+s wrong with hi%1/ I answered2 /"e didn+t treat %e nor%a$2/ Incredu$ous$y1 she $oo;ed at %e and as;ed1 /Don+t you re%e%!er=/ .a%ie had to rehash the entire situation 'ro% the wee; !e'ore: I had 'orgi&en hi% to such a degree that a'ter spending 'i'teen %inutes with this guy1 I was sti$$ tota$$y perp$e)ed o&er his $ac; o' 'riend$iness: -itera$$y1 I had $et the issue go and had 'orgotten a$$ a!out it1 choosing instead to $o&e hi% with *od+s unconditiona$ $o&e2 Now1 that+s 'reedo%: You( e O%l9 Hu ti%& You #el0ou+re on$y hurting yourse$' !y staying %ad1 ho$ding grudges1 and har!oring !itterness2 It+s not har%ing the other person or i%pro&ing your situation2 *od didn+t create you with a capacity

to carry such things2 Nursing wounds and using your i%agination to /punish/ others on$y wrec;s your re$ationships and wi$$ e&entua$$y ;i$$ you2 /To %e !e$ongeth &engeance1/ says the -ord 4Deut2 C7:CF92 0our hea&en$y de'ender has %uch !etter ways to ta;e care o' what concerns you2 Don+t try to a&enge yourse$'<'orgi&e: I+&e had a nationa$$y ;nown %inister accuse %e o' $eading a cu$t2 Throwing the 'u$$ weight o' their organi>ation against %e1 they passionate$y dec$ared that I was /s$ic;er than .i% .ones:/ Apparent$y1 this cu$t $eader was the !est /'aith/( type preacher they had e&er heard o' !ac; then2 Both the %inister and their 'o$$owing used a$$ o' their power and in'$uence in a concerted atte%pt to su!&ert %y %inistry2 I 'orga&e and $o&ed this person2 ince then1 we+&e %inistered on the sa%e radio station1 he$d %eetings together1 and e&en hugged2 More than once1 I+&e sent peop$e to their church and gi&en %oney toward their pro3ects2 I can honest$y te$$ you that I+% not ho$ding anything against this person or their %inistry2 Instead o' !eing !ound !y un('orgi&eness1 anger1 and !itterness1 %y 'u$$ attention re%ains unhindered and 'ocused on

the -ord: God-Co%#"iou#%e## Re#to ed *od created you to $i&e $i'e 'ocused on "i%2 "e purposed 'ro% the &ery !eginning that your /*od(consciousness/ shou$d a$ways supercede your /se$'(consciousness2/ Ada% and E&e en3oyed constant awareness o' their Creator unti$ they ate the 'or!idden 'ruit2 That+s when their attention 'e$$ 'ro% "i% to the%se$&es2 Through the -ast Ada%+s sacri'ice and the outpouring o' the "o$y pirit1 e&erything you need to $i&e in continua$ *od(consciousness has a$ready !een pro&ided2 0ou can choose to $ea&e se$'(centeredness !ehind and return your 'ocus to the one you were created 'or<-o&e "i%se$'2 Who wi$$ you choose<*od or se$'= On$y you can decide:

CHAPTER SE8EN A LI8ING SACRIFICE

/I !eseech you there'ore1 !rethren1 !y the %ercies o' *od1 that ye present your !odies a $i&ing sacri'ice1 ho$y1 accepta!$e unto *od1 which is your reasona!$e ser&ice/ 4Ro%2 57:592 @resent yourse$' a $i&ing sacri'ice today !y hu%!$ing yourse$'1 re3ecting se$' as /$ord1/ and $aying on *od+s a$tar2 Then1 ca$$ 'or "is hea&en$y 'ire to co%e and consu%e you: In $ight o' a$$ "e+s done 'or you1 this is your reasona!$e ser&ice2 The on$y pro!$e% with $i&ing sacri'ices is they tend to craw$ o'' the a$tar2 E&en i' you %a;e this co%%it%ent in your heart right now1 you+$$ ha&e to renew it again to%orrow1 ne)t wee;1 and ne)t %onth2 Choosing to $o&e .esus %ore than se$' is a continua$1 $i'e decision2 0ou can+t pray once and dea$ with se$' 'ore&er2 It 3ust doesn+t wor; that way2 As $ong as you+re here on earth1 you %ust continua$$y choose to /stay on the a$tar/ !y rec;oning se$' as dead and su!%itting to the authority o' the "o$y pirit2 I' you don+t1 se$' wi$$ 'ind a way to rear its ug$y head again rea$ soon:

The -ord wants you &oid o' se$' e&en %ore than you do2 "e+s in&iting you to conscious$y !egin this $i'e co%%it%ent today2 Throw yourse$' wide open to *od1 and $et the "o$y pirit %inister this truth deep in your heart: /!tu ed *9 Hi# Wo d In "is goodness1 *od sends "is Word<not sic;ness1 disease1 or po&erty<to correct and %ature "is !e$o&ed chi$dren2 By "is Word1 you are thorough$y 'urnished unto a$$ good wor;s 47 Ti%2 C:5B(5E92 *od+s Word has co%e to you today: Wi$$ you hu%!$e yourse$' and act in 'aith on what "e+s spo;en= The &ery 'act that you ha&e read this 'ar te$$s %e so%ething: 0ou are pro!a!$y so%eone who% other peop$e ca$$ /good2/ Most o' the ti%e1 you ha&e good attitudes and good desires2 0ou %ay e&en !e acti&e in your $oca$ church in %any ways2 "owe&er1 !e honest with yourse$': Are you winning the day(to(day !att$e with se$'= I+% 'u$$y aware that you ha&en+t /arri&ed/ yet1 !ut ha&e you $e't=

Most peop$e ha&e ne&er conscious$y dea$t with se$'2 Is that true o' you= @erhaps this is the 'irst ti%e a %essage 'ro% *od+s Word on this topic has e&er !een presented to you2 May!e you ha&e denied yourse$' a $itt$e in so%e areas1 !ut o&era$$1 se$' has re%ained your true ;ing2 Deep down in your heart1 are you sti$$ the center o' the uni&erse= Are you an adu$t !rat who throws te%per tantru%s<sophisticated or not= Do you consu%e upon yourse$' e&ery resource that co%es your way= "as it rea$$y sun; into your heart that there+s so%eone %ore i%portant than you= The "o$y pirit is $eading you to %a;e a particu$ar response right now in $ight o' what "e+s !een re&ea$ing2 Whether you ha&e conscious$y done this !e'ore or not1 *od wants you to dea$ with se$' 'aith'u$$y 'ro% now on2 It+s a process that wi$$ continue 'or the rest o' your $i'e: I used to thin; that the Apo$$o spacecra't tra&e$ed direct$y to the %oon in a straight $ine2 Then I %et .i% Irwin1 one o' the astronauts who wa$;ed on the %oon2 "e said1 /We %ade course corrections e&ery ten %inutes 'or the entire '$ight2 We 3ust ;ept chec;ing where we were

against where we were going and ad3usted according$y unti$ we arri&ed2/ Conditions and circu%stances are a$ways changing1 gi&ing opportunity 'or se$' to rise up and gain contro$ again in your $i'e2 When you !egin to dea$ with se$'(centeredness honest$y1 you+&e $e't the $aunch pad2 "owe&er1 as conditions change1 there wi$$ !e %any course corrections you %ust %a;e to ;eep se$' in su!%ission2 "a&e you $e't yet= Are you %a;ing regu$ar course ad3ust%ents= A H9)o" ite Hu02led On aturday night1 March 7C1 5GB81 I had an encounter with *od that changed %y $i'e 'ore&er2 0ou %ay ha&e heard %e te$$ this !e'ore1 !ut I !e$ie&e it wi$$ he$p you o&erco%e se$'( centeredness in your $i'e2 I was raised in a Christian ho%e and !orn again at the tender age o' eight2 I a&oided going through the re!e$$ious phase associated with ado$escence !ut went the opposite direction and !eca%e a %odern(day /@harisee/ instead2 I actua$$y !e$ie&ed that through %y own righteousness and good wor;s1

I cou$d de&e$op a c$oser re$ationship with the -ord2 As usua$1 I %et with %y 'riends 'or intercessory prayer on what I thought wou$d !e 3ust another aturday night2 "owe&er1 as I $istened to %y 'riend pray1 !itterness rose up strong in %y heart: "e s ta$;ing to *od as i' "e were his 'riend: Why can+t I do that= Right then1 the -ord he$d a %irror !e'ore %e1 and I saw %y re'$ection c$ear$y 'or the 'irst ti%e2 I didn+t $i;e what I saw2 The person in the %irror was a hypocrite<%uch $i;e the re$igious $eaders .esus re!u;ed2 I was doing good things 'or %an+s appro&a$ and to earn *od+s $o&e2 I%%ediate$y1 I !egan to con'ess %y se$'( centeredness a$ong with any other sin I cou$d thin; o'2 I 'u$$y e)pected the wrath o' *od to 'a$$2 Instead1 "is presence '$ooded %e with unconditiona$ $o&e: When I was at %y a!so$ute worst1 *od+s $o&e consu%ed %e: Instant$y1 I 'e$$ deep$y in $o&e with the -ord and 'orgot a$$ a!out %yse$' 'or the ne)t 'our %onths2 During that ti%e1 I wasn+t e&en aware o' %y eating or s$eeping !ecause I was so co%p$ete$y ta;en up with "i%:

When you !eco%e %ore conscious o' *od than yourse$'1 se$'(centeredness disappears2 "u%!$e yourse$'1 !eco%e a $i&ing sacri'ice1 and %uch o' your grie' wi$$ co%e to an end: P e#e%t You #el-. Pray this out loud in front of God, yourself, and the devil. For maximum effect, ask your spouse or someone close to listen and agree as you pray (self won't like that, but it s good for you . !umble yourself re"ect self as #lord, # and lay upon God's altar. $hen call on the %ord's fire from heaven to consume you&a living sacrifice' Father, ( choose to humble myself today. ( want to be more conscious of )ou than ( am of me. ( see now how selfish ('ve been. $herefore, ( wholeheartedly renounce self*centeredness and choose to turn from it now' Forgive me for blaming circumstances and other people, for being depressed because ( didn't get something, and for being so

consumed with myself. Father, ('ve allowed #self# to be #god# in my life&please forgive me' +hange me from within so only )ou are God' ('m not sure how, but Fm willing' ( want )ou to be %ord over every part of my life. Father, ( place myself upon )our altar as a living sacrifice. ('ll obey anything )ou ask me to do. Please help me love )ou more than ( love %yse$'2 +onsume me in the fire of )our heavenly love from this day forward, in the name of ,esus +hrist, my -ing' .men. I' you prayed this 'ro% your heart1 *od has 'aith'u$$y !egun "is wor;2 *o ahead and e)press your $o&e to .esus2 ,se your own words to praise and e)a$t "i%2 Consider "is goodness in your $i'e1 and than; "i% 'or changing you 'ro% the inside out2 Begin practicing "is presence where&er you are and ac;now$edging "i% throughout the day2 0our $o&e 'or and awareness o' the -ord wi$$ increase2 Then what used to !e a /crisis/ won+t

e&en 'a>e you as you pass through $i'e+s ad&ersities a$i&e and prospering in "i%: *$ory to .esus:

HOW TO RECEI8E JESUS

Choosing to recei&e .esus Christ as your -ord and a&ior is the %ost i%portant decision you+$$ e&er %a;e: *od+s Word pro%ises1 /That i' thou sha$t con'ess with thy %outh the -ord .esus1 and sha$t !e$ie&e in thine heart that *od hath raised hi% 'ro% the dead1 thou sha$t !e sa&ed2 #or with the heart %an !e$ie&eth unto righteousness? and with the %outh con'ession is %ade unto sa$&ation/ 4Ro%2 5D:G(5D92 /#or whosoe&er sha$$ ca$$ upon the na%e o' the -ord sha$$ !e sa&ed/ 4Ro%2 5D:5C92 By "is grace1 *od has a$ready done e&erything to pro&ide sa$&ation2 0our part is si%p$y to !e$ie&e and recei&e2 @ray out $oud1 1Je#u#: I "o%-e## t'!t You ! e 09 Lo d !%d S!+io 4 I 2elie+e i% 09 'e! t t'!t God !i#ed You - o0 t'e de!d4 *9 -!it' i% You Wo d: I e"ei+e #!l+!tio% %o,4 T'!%k You -o #!+i%& 0e.1 The &ery %o%ent you co%%it your $i'e to .esus Christ1 the truth o' "is Word instant$y co%es to

pass in your spirit2 Now that you+re !orn again1 there+s a !rand(new you: @$ease contact %e and $et %e ;now that you+&e prayed to recei&e .esus as your a&ior or to !e 'i$$ed with the "o$y pirit2 I wou$d $i;e to re3oice with you and he$p you understand %ore 'u$$y what has ta;en p$ace in your $i'e2 I+$$ send you a 'ree gi't that wi$$ he$p you understand and grow in your new re$ationship with the -ord2 We$co%e to your new $i'e:

HOW TO RECEI8E THE HOLY SPIRIT

As "is chi$d1 your $o&ing hea&en$y #ather wants to gi&e you the supernatura$ power you need to $i&e this new $i'e2 1Fo e+e 9 o%e t'!t !#ket' e"ei+et'< !%d 'e t'!t #eeket' -i%det'< !%d to 'i0 t'!t k%o"ket' it #'!ll 2e o)e%ed444'o, 0u"' 0o e #'!ll 9ou 'e!+e%l9 F!t'e &i+e t'e Hol9 S)i it to t'e0 t'!t !#k 'i0?1 3Luke 55:5=-5>74 A$$ you ha&e to do is as;1 !e$ie&e1 and recei&e: @ray1 1F!t'e : I e"o&%i?e 09 %eed -o You )o,e to li+e t'i# %e, li-e4 Ple!#e -ill 0e ,it' You Hol9 S)i it4 *9 -!it': I e"ei+e it i&'t %o,. T'!%k You -o 2!)ti?i%& 0e4 Hol9 S)i it: You ! e ,el"o0e i% 09 li-e.1 Congratu$ations: Now you+re 'i$$ed with *od+s supernatura$ power2

o%e sy$$a!$es 'ro% a $anguage you don+t recogni>e wi$$ rise up 'ro% your heart to your %outh 45 Cor2 56:5692 As you spea; the% out $oud !y 'aith1 you+re re$easing *od+s power 'ro% within and !ui$ding yourse$' up in your spirit 45 Cor2 56:692 0ou can do this whene&er and where&er you $i;e2 It doesn+t rea$$y %atter whether you 'e$t anything or not when you prayed to recei&e the -ord and "is pirit2 I' you !e$ie&ed in your heart that you recei&ed1 then *od+s Word pro%ises that you did2 /There'ore I say unto you1 What things soe&er ye desire1 when ye pray1 !e$ie&e that ye recei&e the%1 and ye sha$$ ha&e the%/ 4Mar; 55:7692 *od a$ways honors "is Word<!e$ie&e it: @$ease contact %e and $et %e ;now that you+&e prayed to recei&e .esus as your a&ior or to !e 'i$$ed with the "o$y pirit2 I wou$d $i;e to re3oice with you and he$p you understand %ore 'u$$y what has ta;en p$ace in your $i'e2 I+$$ send you a 'ree gi't that wi$$ he$p you understand and grow in your new re$ationship with the -ord2 We$co%e to your new $i'e: