Num 13:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (KJV)

Num 13:2 Send thou men, that they may search the land

of Canaan, which I give unto the children of

Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall

ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.

Num 13:3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent

them from the wilderness of Paran: all those

men were heads of the children of Israel.

Num 13:17 And Moses sent them to spy out the land of

Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this

way southward, and go up into the mountain:

Num 13:18 And see the land, what it is; and the people

that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong

or weak, few or many; (KJV)

Num 13:19 And what the land is that they dwell in,

whether it be good or bad; and what cities

they be that they dwell in, whether in tents,

or in strong holds; (KJV)

Num 13:20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or

lean, whether there be wood therein, or not.

And be ye of good courage, and bring of the

fruit of the land. Now the time was the time

of the firstripe grapes. (KJV)

Num 13:21 So they went up, and searched the land from

the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.

Num 13:22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto

Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai,

the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was

built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Num 13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and

cut down from thence a branch with one

cluster of grapes, and they bare it between

two upon a staff; and they brought of the

pomegranates, and of the figs. (KJV)

Num 13:24 The place was called the brook Eshcol,

because of the cluster of grapes which the

children of Israel cut down from thence.

Num 13:25 And they returned from searching of the land

after forty days. (KJV)

Num 13:26 And they went and came to Moses, and to

Aaron, and to all the congregation of the

children of Israel, unto the wilderness of

Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto

them, and unto all the congregation, and

shewed them the fruit of the land. (KJV)

Num 13:27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the

land whither thou sentest us, and surely it

floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.

Num 13:28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell

in the land, and the cities are walled, and

very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

Num 13:29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the

south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites,

and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and

the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.

Num 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses,

and said, Let us go up at once, and possess

it; for we are well able to overcome it.

Num 13:31 But the men that went up with him said, We be

not able to go up against the people; for

they are stronger than we. (KJV)

Num 13:32 And they brought up an evil report of the

land which they had searched unto the

children of Israel, saying, The land, through

which we have gone to search it, is a land

that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and

all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

Num 13:33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of

Anak, which come of the giants: and we were

in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we

were in their sight. (KJV)

IN THE CONQUEST FOR VICTORY OVER GUILT IT IS VERY IMPORT- ANT THAT WE SEE OURSELVES AS GOD SEES US. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR SUCCESS AS WELL AS THE SUCCESS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD THAT WE HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-VALUE AND SELF-WORTH. THERE WERE TWELVE SPIES THAT WERE SENT INTO THE LAND, TEN CAME BACK WITH AN EVIL REPORT BECAUSE THEY SAW THEMSELVES AS GRASSHOPPERS. THEY HAD THEIR EYES FOCUSSED ON THIER INABILITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE CONQUEST OF THE PROMISED LAND. TWO OF THEM HAD THEIR EYES, NOT ON THE GIANTS, BUT ON THE PROVISION OF JEHOVAH. THEY SAW THEMSELVES NOT AS GRASSHOPPERS BUT AS GIANT KILLERS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SEE OURSELVES AS GOD SEES US OR WE WILL BE GRASSHOPPERS INSTAED OF GIANT KILLERS.

1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the

truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater

than our heart, and knoweth all things.

1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then

have we confidence toward God. (KJV)

1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him,

because we keep his commandments, and do

those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old

serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which

deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out

into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,

Now is come salvation, and strength, and the

kingdom of our God, and the power of his

Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is

cast down, which accused them before our God

day and night.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the

Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward

you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and

not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go

and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the

unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him

return unto the LORD, and he will have

mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will

abundantly pardon. (KJV)

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the

earth, so are my ways higher than your

ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow

from heaven, and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth, and maketh it

bring forth and bud, that it may give seed

to the sower, and bread to the eater:

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out

of my mouth: it shall not return unto me

void, but it shall accomplish that which I

please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

ALMOST EVERYBODY WANTS TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES BUT PROBABLY VERY FEW PEOPLE ACTUALLY EVER ALLOW THEMSELVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES. THERE IS SO MUCH NEGATIVE FEEDBACK THAT WE HEAR ABOUT OURSELVES FROM PARENTS, SIBLINGS, FRIENDS AND EVEN OUR OWN CONSCIENCE THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO EVER HAVE A POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE. IF WE ARE EVER GOING TO HAVE A SENSE OF SELF- WORTH WE MUST BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE SOURCE OF THIS NEGATIVE FEED BACK AND DEAL WITH IT APPROPRIATELY. IF WE BEGIN TO MEDITATE AND THINK UPON THOSE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS WE WILL INEVITABLE LOWER OUR SELF-ESTEEM. FEELINGS ARE ALWAYS PRECEDED BY THOUGHTS AND IF WE ARE EVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES THEN WE MUST BE THINKING RIGHT THOUGHTS. I THINK THIS IS WHAT THE APOSTLE PAUL HAD IN MIND WHEN HE WROTE TO THE CHURCH AT PHILLIPI BECAUSE AS A MAN THINKS IN HIS HEART SO IS HE. OUR THINKING CONTROLS THE WAY WE FEEL ABOUT OURSELVES, THE WAY WE FEEL ABOUT OTHERS; OUR THINKING CONTROLS THE WAY WE FEEL ABOUT OUR PROBLEMS AND THE WAY WE FEEL ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever

things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever

things are of good report; if there be any

virtue, and if there be any praise, think on

these things. (KJV)

HONEST: Strong's # 4586 semnos (sem-nos');

from 4576; venerable, i.e. honorable:

KJV-- grave, honest. (DIC)

JUST: Strong's # 1342 dikaios (dik'-ah-yos);

from 1349; equitable (in character or

act); by implication, innocent, holy

(absolutely or relatively):

KJV-- just, meet, right (-eous). (DIC)

PURE: Strong's # 53 hagnos (hag-nos');

from the same as 40; properly, clean,

i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect:

KJV-- chaste, clean, pure. (DIC)

LOVELY: Strong's # 4375 prosphiles (pros-fee-lace');

from a presumed compound of 4314 and

5368; friendly towards, i.e. acceptable: KJV-- lovely. (DIC)

VIRTUE: Strong's # 703 arete (ar-et'-ay);

from the same as 730; properly,

manliness (valor), i.e. excellence

(intrinsic or attributed):

KJV-- praise, virtue. (DIC)

THINK: Strong's # 3049 logizomai (log-id'-zom-ahee);

middle voice from 3056; to take an

inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):

KJV-- conclude, (ac-) count (of), +

despise, esteem, impute, lay, number,

reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).

Prov 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his

heart is not with thee. (KJV)

Prov 23:7 For as he thinketh within himself, so is he:

Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his

heart is not with thee. (ASV)

THINKETH: Strong's # 8176 sha` ar (shaw-ar');

a primitive root; to split or open,

i.e. (literally, but only as

denominative from 8179) to act as

gate-keeper (see 7778): (figuratively) to estimate:

MIKE MURDOCK HAS DEFINED HAPPINESS AS FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF: HE SAYS, "DON'T CONFUSE FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF WITH POPULARITY WHICH SIMPLY MEANS

OTHERS FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOU. WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR CHARACTER AND YOUR ACCOPLISHMENTS DETERMINES YOUR REAL SENSE OF WORTH AND VALUE. HAPPINESS DOESN'T START AROUND YOU, IT BEGINS INSIDE OF YOU. YOU DON'T NEED THE APPROVAL OF OTHERS TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF, YOU ONLY NEED THE APPROVAL OF GOD.

HAPPINESS SI FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF. YOUR SENSE OF WORTH AND VALUE DETERMINES HOW GOOD YOU REALLY FEEL. FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF, OR HAPPINESS, DEPENDS ON TWO THINGS:

THE FIRST OF THESE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. GOD CREATED US WITH THE NEED FOR CONNECTION--OUR HEART REQUIRES FELLOWSHIP. THE CREATOR ESTABLISHED THE NEED FOR RELA-

TIONSHIP. RELATIONSHIPS SATIFY TWO HUGE NEEDS OF THE HUMAN HEART:

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SOURCE BY WHICH WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES iS NEVER THE RESULT OF OUR OWN WORK OR INITIATVE. WHAT IS IMPORTANT HERE IS NOT WHAT WE DO TO MAKE US FEEL GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES BUT RECOGNIZING AND ACCEPTING WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US IN THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST. WE WILL NEVER MERIT SELF-ACCEPTANCE MUCH LESS GOD'S ACCEPTANCE BY OUR OWN WORKS. WE CAN ONLY HAVE A SENSE OF SELF-WORTH AS A RESULT OF GOD'S LOVE THAT RAISES US UP OUT OF THE MIRY CLAY. JESUS WAS NOT AFRAID TO TOUCH THE LEPER, A DISEASE THAT WAS TRANSMITTED BY TOUCH AND HEAL THEM. NEITHER IS HE RELUCTANT TO TOUCH THE SIN IN YOUR LIFE AND MINE AND ACCEPT US IN HIS LOVE. THE MOST IMPORTANT RELALATIONSHIP THAT WE CAN HAVE IS THE GOD-RELATIONSHIP. WE NEED TO KNOW AND RECEIVE THE LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR US IN WHAT THE BIBLE CALLS SONSHIP.

Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in

bondage under the elements of the world: (KJV)

Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God

sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we

might receive the adoption of sons. (KJV)

Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth

the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father.

Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a

son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a

man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I

command you. (KJV)

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the

servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but

I have called you friends; for all things

that I have heard of my Father I have made

known unto you. (KJV)

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen

you, and ordained you, that ye should go and

bring forth fruit, and that your fruit

should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask

of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before

the foundation of the world, that we should be

holy and without blame before him in love:

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of

children by Jesus Christ to himself, according

to the good pleasure of his will, (KJV)

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of

bondage again to fear; but ye have received

the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry,

Abba, Father. (KJV)

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our

spirit, that we are the children of God:

which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV)

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in

Christ Jesus. (KJV)

AND PRECIOUS TO HIM. OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE DOCTRINE

OF ADOPTION WILL GIVE US VICTORY OVER FEELINGS OF LOW

SELF-ESTEEM THAT IS ASSOCITATED WITH GUILT.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to

them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not

after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

OF CONDEMNATION AND A FEAR OF PUNISHMENT. WE CAN FEEL

GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES BECAUSE GOD IS NOT JUDGING US HE

IS ACCEPTING US. HE HAS PLACED THE JUDGEMENT FOR OUR

SINS AND FAILURES ON CHRIST AT CALVARY. WE ARE

ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVES!

ADOPTION: HUIOS: A SON, THESIS: A PLACING; HENCE THE PLACE AND CONDITION OF A SON TO ONE IN WHOM IT DOES NOT NATURALLY BELONG. THIS TERM IS TAKEN FROM THE ROMANS AND TECHNICALLY DESCRIBES THE LEGAL TRANSITION OF PUTTING INTO THE POSITION AS A SON, AND HENCE POSSESSING ALL OF THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF A NATURALLY BIRTHED SON. IN BIBLE TIMES THERE WAS NO DISCREMPENCY BETWEEN NATURAL OR ADOPTED CHILDREN: THEY ALL POSSESSED THE SAME RIGHTS.

OLIN ALFRED CURTIS: THE STANDPOINT FROM WHICH ST. PAUL IS NOW SPEAKING IS NEITHER THAT OF THE WITNESS OF JUSTIFICATION NOR THE WITNESS OF REGENERATION, BUT DEFINITELY THE WITNESS OF ADOPTION. THE ASSURANCE IS NOT THAT THE SAVED SINNER HAS FORGIVENESS AND THE FAVOR OF GOD, BUT THAT HE IS IN THE FAMILY OF GOD. A MAN MAY COME TO FULL SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS, MAY LAY HOLD OF EVERY ITEM IN THE VISION, MAY HAVE THE PROFOUNDEST PEACE AND YET HAVE NO FILIAL (FAMILY) SENSE WHATEVER. IT IS ONE THING TO THINK, "GOD IS MY FATHER" AND QUITEANOTHER THING TO FEEL IT INSIDE."

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our

spirit, that we are the children of God:

from 4862 and 3140; to testify jointly,

i.e. corroborate by (concurrent)

evidence:

KJV-- testify unto, (also) bear witness

(with). (DIC)

middle voice from 4862 and 3307; to

share jointly, i.e. participate in:

KJV-- be partaker with. (DIC)

OLIN ALFRED CURTIS: WHAT TAKES PLACE IS ESENTIALLY THIS: THE MOMENT THE HOLY SPIRIT BEGINS THE REORGANIZATION OF A MAN HE BEGINS TO HELP THE PERSON TO RECOVER THE FILIA SENSE WHICH MAN LOST A DEPRAVITY. THE PERSON, NOW LOYAL TO CHRIST, STRUGGLES TOWARD THE REALIZATION, BUT CANNOT FULLY ACHEIVE IT, NO, NOT EVEN IN HIS LOFTIEST MOOD. THEN THERE COMES A CRISIS (NOT NECESS ARILY AN EXTERNAL CRISIS) WHEN WITH A DEEPER SENSE OF NEED, OR WITH A MORE THOROUGH CONSECR-ATION, OR WITH A GREATER PURPOSE TO KNOW THE LORD, THE MAN OPENS HIMSELF ENTIRELY TO THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. IN THIS NEW OPPORTUNITY THE HOLY SPIRIT RUSHES IN AND COMPLETES THE BROKEN INTUITION; AND NOW THE SELF-CONSCIOUS PERSON HAS THE GLORIOUS FILIAL SENSE, AND HIS HOME LIFE IN THE FAMILY OF GOD IS AS REAL TO HIM AS THE PEACE OF GOD IN HIS CONSCIENCE. I MYSELF DEEM THIS INTUITIVE GRASPING OF THE FACT OF ADOPTION AS THE CROWNING EXPERIENCE IN THIS WORLD. I DEEM IT SO BECAUSE IT LIFTS THE SAVED SINNER OUT OF THAT EXTREME EMPHASIS UPON HIS SINGLE SELF, UPON HIS SALVATION, UPON HIS LIFE WITH GOD, AND MAKES HIM ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE WHOLE FAMILY OF GOD.

YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE FILIAL OR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE SUBJECTIVE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. NOW THE WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE MANIFESTATION OFTHE SPIRIT.

1 Cor 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given

to every man to profit withal. (KJV)

MANIFESTATION: Strong's # 5321 phanerosis (fan-er'-o-sis);

from 5319; exhibition, i.e.

(figuratively) expression, (by

extension) a bestowment:

KJV-- manifestation. (DIC)

MOST OF US STRUGGLE IN KNOWING GOD AS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER BECAUSE WE WANT TO KNOW HIM ON THE BASIS OF OUTWARD MANIFESTATION OR EXHIBITION OF HIS POWER TO HEAL, TO PROTECT AND TO PROVIDE. NOW OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL DO ALL THOSE THINGS BECAUSE IT IS HIS NATURE AS A FATHER. MOST OF US ARE SIMPLY CONTENT WITH GOD DOING THINGS FOR US BUT WHAT HE REALLY DESIRES IS AN INWARD, SUBJECTIVE RELATIONSHIP OF KNOWING HIM APART FROM ANY OUTWARD MANIFESTATION. YOU SEE, THE ABSCENCE OF OUTWARD MANIFESTATION MANY TIMES TRIGGERS A GUILT COMPLEX IN OUR LIVES. GOD IS NOT BLESSING ME BECAUSE I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH. GOD IS NOT PRO TECTING ME BECAUSE I HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO DESERVE HIS ANGER, WRATH AND RETRI BUTION. ALL OF GOD'S DEALINGS WITH US ARE BASED ON HIS LOVE FOR US AS HIS PRECIOUS CHILDREN. ONCE WE HAVE THAT WITNESS WE CAN GROW IN GOD AND ACCOPMLISH GREAT THINGS FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. LET'S OPEN OUR HEARTS THIS MORNING AND RECEIVE THE SPIRIT OR WITNESS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD AND HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AS THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD WORTHY OF HIS GRACE AND ACTS OF KINDNESS AND BENEVOLENCE: THE REALIZATION OF SONSHIP IS THE FIRST ESSENTIAL STEP IF YOU WANT TO OVERCOME GUILT IN YOUR LIFE.