I have read some comments posted online regarding Dr. Bill Winston. While I do not know him personally, I am a member of Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, IL.
Dr. Winston teaches on topics that many preachers are afraid to address. He is a visionary. He believes in helping people without regarding to race, gender, religion, etc.
He teachings are straight from the bible. All you have to do it pick it up and go the verses. He is not twisting the words; they are there in black and red.
There was a comment made on one of the boards that mentions the start of the service is like a Las Vegas show. That is so far from the truth. Our services begin with praise & worship which includes 5-6 singers, our sanctuary choir and our praise dancers. Not much different than most churches I have visited. God wants us to praise him, magnify him and lift his name up in song.
The next section of the service is our announcements which are usually given by the Associate Pastor. This usually includes information on things happening at the church, community, mission trips; etc. During this time we also welcome all guests who are visiting the church.
Dr. Winston usually steps up to the podium and welcomes the guest. At this point he reiterates some of the announcements.
Dr. Winston them proceeds with the giving message. There are many who do not fully understand tithes and offerings and why it is important to give. Pastor uses scripture to highlight the reasons we should give cheerfully and what giving will allow us to do. These are not his words but scriptures from the bible. Anyone that comes against this is really coming against the Word of God.
After the giving message the tithes and offerings are collected. Either the choir or a special guest provides a praise and worship song for the congregation. Again, no Las Vegas Show; just praising God.
After the tithes and offerings are collected Dr. Winston delivers the message. Dr. Winston is a teacher. If you want hooping and hollering you won't get that with Dr. Winston. You are going to get fed meat. Again, what he teaches is from the bible, not something he has made up.
There was a comment that his sheep are misguided. All I can say to this is I have grown as a Christian and believer under his leadership in so many areas of my life. Dr. Winston has a spirit of excellence. The type of relationship Dr. Winston has with God is the same relationship I want with God. I wake up early in the morning to give God praise, to pray and read the Word of God. I want God to direct my life. Many of us have failed because we are doing this our way. God wants us to develop a relationship with Him whereby we come to Him for EVERYTHING!
After his messaage; Dr. Winston calls for anyone who wants to accept Christ as their savior. He also calls fo back sliders (people who have fallen out of fellowship with God). One of the ministers takes the individuals to another room where he explains the next process in developing their relationship with God (baptism, speaking in tongues, etc.)
There is not a Sunday that has gone by where I did not receive a Word to help me in my situation from Dr. Winston. My husband and I are glad we joined Living Word Christian Center.
Theresa Johnson
Member of Living Word Christian Center in Forest, Park, IL
For more information on Bill Winston Ministries and Living Word Christian Center please visit http://www.bwm.org.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
Speak the Word of God Only and Get Results
Many of us talk about how broke we are or how sick we are; not realizing that the words that are coming out of our mouth is the root cause as to why we are still in the same situation.
Many of the afflictions plaguing Gods people are the results of the words we are speaking over our lives. The connection between what we say and what we have has not been established.
We all listen to commercials and read ads in newspapers. When we hear or read that a major appliance store is giving away free 40 inch screen televisions most of us would not question this. We would take this advertisement at its word. We would not question the person who wrote the ad nor would we call the store to see if this is true. Many of us base our actions on someone else’s actions. People act based on someone else’s word without a hesitation.
If God says “by his stripes you are healed” or I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health; why do you not trust Gods Word? Many of us say we believe but doubt this in our heart. If his Word says these things then all you need to do is confess it, believe you have received it and act on it.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof [Proverbs 18:21].
I’ve heard so many people say that the government is holding them back or they can not move ahead because somebody or someone is in their way. In reality, you are the only person that can hold you back. The words that you are speaking over your life are the cause of your problem. This will be a hard pill for most to swallow, but it is the truth.
God gave us the right to have what we say. His Word tells us to call things that be not as though they were. To call something means to speak it into existence.
His Words says if God be for us, who can be against us” [Romans 8:31].
We must learn to confess the Word of God over our situation. Everything Gods made on this earth was spoken (Book of Genesis). His Words moved things into existence. We are created in the image and likeness of God. His Word says: “the things that I do, you shall do also.” Jesus understood this principle when he spoke to the fig tree and it obeyed his Him. When Jesus spoke to the storm, it obeyed Him. As a child of God you can also speak to your situation; say what God says and it must obey your words.
The increase or decrease in our lives starts with the words we speak. Find a scripture regarding your situation and learn to say what God says about it. Don’t speak the problem. Speak the Word only.
Many of the afflictions plaguing Gods people are the results of the words we are speaking over our lives. The connection between what we say and what we have has not been established.
We all listen to commercials and read ads in newspapers. When we hear or read that a major appliance store is giving away free 40 inch screen televisions most of us would not question this. We would take this advertisement at its word. We would not question the person who wrote the ad nor would we call the store to see if this is true. Many of us base our actions on someone else’s actions. People act based on someone else’s word without a hesitation.
If God says “by his stripes you are healed” or I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health; why do you not trust Gods Word? Many of us say we believe but doubt this in our heart. If his Word says these things then all you need to do is confess it, believe you have received it and act on it.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof [Proverbs 18:21].
I’ve heard so many people say that the government is holding them back or they can not move ahead because somebody or someone is in their way. In reality, you are the only person that can hold you back. The words that you are speaking over your life are the cause of your problem. This will be a hard pill for most to swallow, but it is the truth.
God gave us the right to have what we say. His Word tells us to call things that be not as though they were. To call something means to speak it into existence.
His Words says if God be for us, who can be against us” [Romans 8:31].
We must learn to confess the Word of God over our situation. Everything Gods made on this earth was spoken (Book of Genesis). His Words moved things into existence. We are created in the image and likeness of God. His Word says: “the things that I do, you shall do also.” Jesus understood this principle when he spoke to the fig tree and it obeyed his Him. When Jesus spoke to the storm, it obeyed Him. As a child of God you can also speak to your situation; say what God says and it must obey your words.
The increase or decrease in our lives starts with the words we speak. Find a scripture regarding your situation and learn to say what God says about it. Don’t speak the problem. Speak the Word only.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Manifesting God's Abundance
We spend every waking hour chasing after money. From the time we wake up in the morning until the time we go to bed we are seeking after money.
However, from the beginning of time Man was never meant to struggle after provision. In the beginning God provided Adam and Eve’s provision, assignment and fellowship.
In the Book of Genesis it states that Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God spoke everything on earth into existence. Whatever was needed, God spoke it and it was done.
Everything on earth was made in 6 days. At the end of the 6th day God made Man (Genesis 1-26-31). Read that carefully. It didn’t say that God made Man on the first day in order to help God make the fish of sea, the fowl of the air or every living and breathing thing. God made Man at the end of the 6th day. On the 7th day, God rested. It doesn’t say that God told Adam to pickup were God left off. Man stepped into the earth in rest (Mark 2:27).
God made every provision for Adam and Eve. They wanted for nothing (food, shelter, money* (*Gold – Genesis 2:11-12). God gave Adam dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). Dominion means supreme authority or absolute ownership (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). God put Adam into the Garden of Eden to dress and keep it (Genesis 2:15) – Inheritance/Provision. Provision means a measure taken beforehand to deal with a need or contingency - (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
God gave Adam specific instructions in regards to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam could eat of every tree, but not of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17).
In Genesis 3:8 it says that Adam heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden. You can only hear God if you have a relationship with God. Adam fellowshipped (had a relationship) with God.
In the next verses is where you see Man’s fall from having provision to working and toiling, to Adam losing his assignment in the garden and losing his relationship with God. Adam lost the ability to communicate with God. Adam fell from faith to fear (Genesis 3:15-24).
All looks hopeless but God has mercy. He gave up his only son, Jesus. Christ redeemed us from the curse of this law (Galatians 3:13-14).
To receive all God has for us we have to go back to the way God intended. He never intended for us to toil and sweat for things (provision). We get so caught up in the things of this world that we forget that we are heirs to the blessings God bestowed onto Abraham (Deuteronomy 28, Galatians 3:29, Romans 4:13) and we only have to call things into existence. We can’t hear God because we are too busy chasing after provision (money).
We have tried to meet our needs using our job(s), but God never intended for us to use our jobs as our source. God should be our source. Your paycheck should be your seed and you should be living off your harvest not trying to live off your seed. No wonder there is more month than money left at the end of the month.
Now, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to work; but you are not working for a living. Stop living off your seed and start living off your harvest.
Proverbs 10:22 says the Blessing of the Lord; it maketh rich (well supplied) and addeth no sorrow with it. No sorrow means no hard labor, no toiling, no sweating to get your needs met. The Blessing is the covenant of God that over-rides the earths curse.
A relationship with God is paramount to your needs being met by God. This means spending time with God. This can be 10 minutes or more daily. Reading scriptures, meditating his Word or just having a conversation with God will develop your relationship with God. Don’t make this too complicated. God wants us to fellowship with Him.
Getting your needs met by God also means having faith; believing and acting on your faith (call things that be not as though they were). Faith is substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:16); therefore it will be impossible to receive from God.
Getting your needs met (Philippians 4:19) by God also means sowing seeds into the Kingdom (tithes and offering - Malachi 3:10). Your tithe should be 10% of your gross earnings. This is what you owe. Many miss this because we are so worried about not having enough. “If I give God the first fruits of my increase I will be short at the end of the month.” If God is supplying all your needs you will have enough. If your job is supplying all your needs you will never have enough. Read that again.
Your offering is your seed. When you sow a seed expect a harvest. Farmers don’t plant seeds not expecting a harvest. Neither should you.
If we are made in the likeness and image of God we should also be calling things into existence. Evidence of God calling things into existence can be found in the first chapter of Genesis. Whatever you need, make a confession for it today. Start speaking to your situation. Anything asked in the name of Jesus must obey. Don’t pray that God gives it to you. God has done all he is going to do about your situation. You already have it; now pray that it is revealed to you then thank God for the revelation.
We also must begin to speak the Word of God and not the situation. If God is supplying all your needs then don’t talk about how you don’t have enough money. Remove the spirit of sickness, poverty and lack off your life today by saying what God says. Find a scripture about your situation and confess it.
Theresa Johnson is a member of Living Word Christian Center under the leadership of Dr. Bill Winston. For more information please visit http://www.bwm.org/store/
However, from the beginning of time Man was never meant to struggle after provision. In the beginning God provided Adam and Eve’s provision, assignment and fellowship.
In the Book of Genesis it states that Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God spoke everything on earth into existence. Whatever was needed, God spoke it and it was done.
Everything on earth was made in 6 days. At the end of the 6th day God made Man (Genesis 1-26-31). Read that carefully. It didn’t say that God made Man on the first day in order to help God make the fish of sea, the fowl of the air or every living and breathing thing. God made Man at the end of the 6th day. On the 7th day, God rested. It doesn’t say that God told Adam to pickup were God left off. Man stepped into the earth in rest (Mark 2:27).
God made every provision for Adam and Eve. They wanted for nothing (food, shelter, money* (*Gold – Genesis 2:11-12). God gave Adam dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). Dominion means supreme authority or absolute ownership (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). God put Adam into the Garden of Eden to dress and keep it (Genesis 2:15) – Inheritance/Provision. Provision means a measure taken beforehand to deal with a need or contingency - (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
God gave Adam specific instructions in regards to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam could eat of every tree, but not of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17).
In Genesis 3:8 it says that Adam heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden. You can only hear God if you have a relationship with God. Adam fellowshipped (had a relationship) with God.
In the next verses is where you see Man’s fall from having provision to working and toiling, to Adam losing his assignment in the garden and losing his relationship with God. Adam lost the ability to communicate with God. Adam fell from faith to fear (Genesis 3:15-24).
All looks hopeless but God has mercy. He gave up his only son, Jesus. Christ redeemed us from the curse of this law (Galatians 3:13-14).
To receive all God has for us we have to go back to the way God intended. He never intended for us to toil and sweat for things (provision). We get so caught up in the things of this world that we forget that we are heirs to the blessings God bestowed onto Abraham (Deuteronomy 28, Galatians 3:29, Romans 4:13) and we only have to call things into existence. We can’t hear God because we are too busy chasing after provision (money).
We have tried to meet our needs using our job(s), but God never intended for us to use our jobs as our source. God should be our source. Your paycheck should be your seed and you should be living off your harvest not trying to live off your seed. No wonder there is more month than money left at the end of the month.
Now, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to work; but you are not working for a living. Stop living off your seed and start living off your harvest.
Proverbs 10:22 says the Blessing of the Lord; it maketh rich (well supplied) and addeth no sorrow with it. No sorrow means no hard labor, no toiling, no sweating to get your needs met. The Blessing is the covenant of God that over-rides the earths curse.
A relationship with God is paramount to your needs being met by God. This means spending time with God. This can be 10 minutes or more daily. Reading scriptures, meditating his Word or just having a conversation with God will develop your relationship with God. Don’t make this too complicated. God wants us to fellowship with Him.
Getting your needs met by God also means having faith; believing and acting on your faith (call things that be not as though they were). Faith is substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:16); therefore it will be impossible to receive from God.
Getting your needs met (Philippians 4:19) by God also means sowing seeds into the Kingdom (tithes and offering - Malachi 3:10). Your tithe should be 10% of your gross earnings. This is what you owe. Many miss this because we are so worried about not having enough. “If I give God the first fruits of my increase I will be short at the end of the month.” If God is supplying all your needs you will have enough. If your job is supplying all your needs you will never have enough. Read that again.
Your offering is your seed. When you sow a seed expect a harvest. Farmers don’t plant seeds not expecting a harvest. Neither should you.
If we are made in the likeness and image of God we should also be calling things into existence. Evidence of God calling things into existence can be found in the first chapter of Genesis. Whatever you need, make a confession for it today. Start speaking to your situation. Anything asked in the name of Jesus must obey. Don’t pray that God gives it to you. God has done all he is going to do about your situation. You already have it; now pray that it is revealed to you then thank God for the revelation.
We also must begin to speak the Word of God and not the situation. If God is supplying all your needs then don’t talk about how you don’t have enough money. Remove the spirit of sickness, poverty and lack off your life today by saying what God says. Find a scripture about your situation and confess it.
Theresa Johnson is a member of Living Word Christian Center under the leadership of Dr. Bill Winston. For more information please visit http://www.bwm.org/store/
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