"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward [crooked] mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee" (Prov. 4:20-24).
I had been a Christian for many years when Happy got saved on February 11, 1972. However, my walk as a Christian was anything but joyous! It seemed like when everything was going well, a catastrophe would be just around the corner. And I didn't always know how to deal with these catastrophes according to the Word.
In fact, I had never been taught how to overcome in this life. I thought, "Well, Satan did that," or "This is God's will," but I never knew there was anything I could do about it.
After Happy got saved, we started attending a home Bible study every Friday night. In this meeting, there were wonderful charismatics, full of the love of God. We started studying E. W. Kenyon's Basic Bible Study.
While Happy was learning God's Word, I was relearning. Although I had been taught a lot of good things, I had many traditions and doctrines of men that I had to deal with. It was a real awakening, to say the least.
There were other books that were introduced to me: Kenneth E. Hagin's books Authority of the Believer (I never knew I had authority), Right and Wrong Thinking, and his writings about demons which forever changed my life.
Of course, Charles Capps' books on the confession of the tongue and Kenneth Copeland's books on faith and prosperity just had me walking on cloud nine. For the first time in my Christian life, I was walking in a joy and freedom I had never known. I said one day, "God, you are just too good to be true!"
During this time, however, the Word of faith and the prosperity message was not being received in denominational churches. I began to hear many negative things about what I was learning. People were telling me that this teaching was off balance and not the truth. They even said that it was of the devil. You name it, they said it.
Eventually, I became really disturbed about all I was hearing, for most of it was coming from good Christian people. So I got on my knees beside the bed and earnestly prayed, "Lord, are we on the right track? We don't want to get off on any kind of false doctrine, so please God, direct us in the way we should go. Please God, direct us in the way we should go. Please don't let us get off balance."
All of sudden the Holy Spirit rose up in me and began asking me questions. He said, "Jeanne, have you ever loved Me like you do now?" I said, "No, Lord, You know I had to learn to love You because I didn't know you."
He said, "Have you ever been as healthy as you are right now?" I said, "No, Lord. You know I always had colds or the flu every year. I've never known such health." He said, "Have you ever known such peace?" I said, "Oh no, Lord. Never have I walked in such peace.
He continued, "Have you ever known such joy?" I said, "Oh my no, Lord. I've never been so happy in my walk with You." He said, "Have you ever read My Word like you do now?" I said, "No, Lord. You know it used to be a real effort to read Your Word, but now I devour it!"
He said, "Have you ever been as prosperous?" I said, "No, Lord. I can honestly say You have blessed me like I've never been blessed before." Then He said so profoundly, "Well, wouldn't you say you were on the right track then?"
I jumped up and said, "Yes! Praise God, and never again will I ever doubt that You are all the Word says You are, and that You will keep me on the right track. I long for truth above all things. I will not be double-minded about Your Word or tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. I will be established in Your Word."
That was many years ago, and I'm still walking in the joy of the Lord. All His blessings are mine - and they are yours as well! He has never failed me, and He will never fail you either.
Set a goal to be a success according to God's Word, knowing that He wants you to be a success. He is your source. Seek Him instead of things. Obey Him. Don't take anxious thoughts or say wrong things. Don't grieve your spirit by speaking words that are contrary to the Word of God that is hidden in your heart.
It may take awhile to change the image you have of yourself. But seeing yourself the way God sees you will build you up and give you strength.
Don't be afraid to step out and believe God for all He has made available to you. You will be surprised at how your life will change. You can have a little preview of what heaven is all about - a little heaven on earth.
Yes, God is too good to be true...but He is!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers