Author: Billy Conrad

January 13

He…gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry…till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. — Ephesians 4:11–13

Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:7–5:1

A man traveled with me from Montreal to Vancouver and then on ship to New Zealand. He was a dealer of racehorses. It seemed he could not leave me. He was frivolous and talked about races, but he could not keep up his end of the conversation. I did not struggle to keep my end up because mine is a living power. No person who has Jesus as the inward power of his body needs to tremble when Satan comes around. All he has to do is to “stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD” (Exodus 14:13).

This man entered into a good deal of frivolity and talk of this world. Coming upon a certain island of the Fiji group, we all disembarked, and God gave me wonderful liberty in preaching. The man came back afterwards; he did not go to meet his racing and card-playing chums; instead, He came stealing back to the ship. With tears in his eyes, he said, “I am dying. I have been bitten by a snake.” His skin had turned to a dark green, and his leg was swollen. “Can you help me?” he asked.

If we only knew the power of God! If we are in a place of substance, of reality, of ideal purpose, it is not human; we are dealing with almightiness. I have a present God. I have a living faith, and the living faith is the Word. The Word is life, and the Lord is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Placing my hands upon the serpent bite, I said, “In the name of Jesus, come out!” He looked at me, and the tears came. The swelling went down before his eyes, and he was perfect in a moment.

Yes, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is what came into me when I believed. I was born of the incorruptible Word by the living virtue, life, and personality of God. I was instantly changed from nature to grace. I became a servant of God, and I became an enemy of unrighteousness.

The Holy Spirit wants us to clearly understand that we are a million times bigger than we know. Most Christians have no conception of what they are. Oh, that God would bring us into divine attractiveness by His almightiness so that all our bodies would wake up to resurrection force, to the divine, inward flow of eternal power coursing through our human frames.

God took you into His pavilion and began to clothe you and give you the gifts of the Spirit. He did this so that in that ministry, by the power of God, you would bring all the church into the perfect possession of the fullness of Christ. Oh, the wonder of it! Oh, the adaptability of His equipment!

I believe God wants something to be in you that could never be unless you cease to live for yourself. God wants you to live for Him, to live for others. But, oh, to have the touch of God! Beloved, the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. The Holy Spirit did not come to speak of Himself, but He came to unveil Him who said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). The Holy Spirit came to thrill you with resurrection power, and He came so that you would be anointed with fresh oil that overflows in the splendor of His almightiness. Then right through you will come forth a river of divine anointing that will sustain you in the bitterest place. It will give life to the deadest formality and say to the weak, “Be strong,” and to them who have no might, “The Lord of Hosts is here to comfort you.” (See Isaiah 40:29; Zechariah 1:17.) Possibility is the greatest thing of your life.

Thought for today: God wants us to be like the rising of the sun, filled with the rays of heaven, all the time beaming forth the gladness of the Spirit of the Almighty.

January 12

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. — Hebrews 11:1

Scripture reading: Hebrews 11:1–10

We may be in a very low ebb of the tide, but it is good to be in a place where the tide can rise. Everything depends on our being filled with the Holy Spirit. If He can only get us in readiness for His plan to be worked out, it will be wonderful.

Everything depends on our believing God. If we are saved, it is only because God‘s Word says so. We cannot rest upon our feelings. We cannot do anything without a living faith. It is surely God Himself who comes to us in the person of His beloved Son and strengthens us so that we realize that our bodies are surrounded by His power. All things are possible for us in God.

God purposes that we might be on the earth to manifest His glory, that every time satanic power is confronted, God might be able to say of us as He did of Job, “What do you think about him?” (See Job 1:8.) The joy of the Lord can be so clearly evidenced in us that we will be filled with God and able to rebuke the Devil.

God has shown me in the night watches that everything that is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). God wants to bring us into harmony with His will so that we will see that if we do not believe all of the Word of God, something in us is not purely sanctified to accept the fullness of His Word. Many people put their human wisdom in the place of God, and God is not able to give the best because the human is confronting God in such a way. God is not able to get the best through us until the human will is dissolved.

People say, “I want things to be tangible. I want something to appeal to my human reasoning.” My response is that everything that you cannot see is eternal. Everything you see now will fade away and will be consumed, but what you cannot see, what is more real than you, is the substance of all things: God in the human soul, mightier than you by a million times.

Thought for today: There is nothing we can come short of if the Holy Spirit is the prime mover in our thoughts and lives, for He has a plan greater than ours.

January 11

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” — John 6:29

Scripture reading: Luke 9:1–11

I remember a person who had not been able to smell anything for four years. I said, “You will smell now if you believe.” She went about smelling everything and was quite excited. The next day she gave her testimony.

Another came and asked, “Is it possible for God to heal my ears?” The eardrums had been removed. I said, “Only believe.” She went down into the audience in great distress; others were healed, but she could not hear. The next night she came again. She said, “I am going to believe tonight.” The glory fell. The first time she came feeling; the second time she came believing.

At one place, there was a man anointed with oil for a rupture. He came the next night and rose in the meeting saying, “This man is an impostor. He is deceiving the people. He told me last night I was healed; I am worse than ever today.” I spoke to the evil power that held the man and rebuked it, telling the man he was indeed healed. He was a stonemason. The next day, he testified to lifting heavy weights and that God had met him. “By His stripes we are healed.…And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah53:5–6). He was against the Word of God, not me.

“‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?‟ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent’” (John 6:28–29). Anything else? Yes. He took our infirmities and healed all our diseases. I myself am a marvel of healing. If I fail to glorify God, the stones will cry out. (See Luke 19:37–40.) Salvation is for all. Healing is for all. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all.

Consider yourselves dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God (Romans 6:11). By His grace you will get the victory every time. It is possible to live a holy life.

Thought for today: The Holy Spirit has the latest news from the Godhead and has designed for us the right place at the right time.

January 10

He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. — Philippians 3:21

Scripture reading: Matthew 4:16–25

I have come across several mental cases. How difficult they are naturally, but how easy for God to deal with. One lady came saying, “Just over the way there is a young man terribly afflicted, with no rest day or night.” I went with a very imperfect knowledge as to what I had to do, but in the weak places, God helps our infirmities. I rebuked the demon in the name of Jesus, and then I said, “I‘ll come again tomorrow.” The next day when I went, he was quite well and with his father in the field.

Fifty miles away, there was a fine young man, twenty-five years of age. He had lost his reason, could have no communication with his mother, and was always wandering up and down. I knew God was waiting to bless. I cast out the demon power and heard later that he had become quite well.

Thus the blessed Holy Spirit takes us on from one place to another. So many things happen; I live in heaven on earth. Do not wait for inspiration if you are in need; the Holy Spirit is available, and you can have perfect deliverance.

I was taken to three persons, one in the care of an attendant. As I entered the room, there was a terrible din and quarreling. It was such a noise it seemed as if all the powers of hell were stirred. I had to wait for God‘s time. The Holy Spirit rose in me at the right time, and the three were delivered. That night, they were singing praises to God.

Christ is the same today. When He reigns in you, you know how to obey and how to work in conjunction with His will, His power, His light, and His life. When we have faith based on knowledge, we know He has come. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). God is with the person who dares to stand upon His Word.

Thought for today: How bountiful God is when we depend on Him! He gives us enough to spare for others.

January 9

“What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” — John 6:28–29

Scripture reading: Psalm 4

I was healed of appendicitis, because of faith based on the knowledge of the experience of faith. When I have ministered to others, God has met and answered according to His will. We know that God will not fail us when we believe and trust in His power. The centurion had this faith when he said to Jesus, “Speak a word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). Jesus answered him, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.‟ And his servant was healed that same hour” (v. 13).

In one place where I was staying, a young man came in telling us that his sweetheart was dying; there was no hope. I said, “Only believe.” This was faith based on knowledge. I knew that what God had done for me He could do for her. We went to the house. Her sufferings were terrible to witness. I said, “In the name of Jesus, come out of her.” She cried, “Mother, Mother, I am well.” Then I said that the only way to make us believe it was for her to get up and dress. Soon she came down dressed. The doctor came in and examined her carefully. He said, “This is of God; this is the finger of God.” It was faith based on knowledge.

If I were to receive a check for a thousand pounds and knew only imperfectly the character of the man who sent it, I would be careful of him. I would not rely on the money until the check was honored. Jesus, on the other hand, did great works because of His knowledge of His Father. He knew He could count on the character of God. Faith begets knowledge, fellowship, and communion. If you see imperfect faith, full of doubt, a wavering condition, it always comes because of imperfect knowledge.

Thought for today: God is more eager to answer than we are to ask.

January 8

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. — Hebrews 11:1

Scripture reading: Psalm 20

Paul related his conversion many times over, and I believe it is good to rehearse what God has done for you. I have been privileged to travel to every part of the world and have seen that God has arranged a plan for me. I said to my congregation, “The Lord is moving me to go out through the States and Canada.” When the Lord told me, I said, “Lord, You have three things to do: You have to find money for home and find money to go, and You have to give me a real change, for You know that sometimes my mind or memory is no good at all to me.”

Right away money came from all over, and I said, “It is true God is sending me. I already have fifty pounds.” My son George said, “Father, Mother‘s gone to heaven, and you are leaving us; what will we do?” I said, “George, you open the next letter.” In it was twenty-five pounds. He saw that God would provide.

I went to Liverpool, and a man said, “Here is five pounds for you.” When I was on the ship, a poorly dressed lady gave me a red sugar bag, and there were twenty-five gold coins in it. Just as I was getting on the ship, a man came and gave me a book and said, “There is a page for every day in the year.” And the Lord said to me, “Put down everything that takes place in the month.” I did so, and I had a memory like an encyclopedia. You see, I never learned geography, and God sent me all over the world to see it.

Do not fail to claim your holy position—the commanding position of faith—so that you will overcome the power of the Devil. The best time you have is when you are in the most difficult position.

Thought for today: Ask God to give you the grace to use the faith you have. God will work the miracle if you dare to stand upon the Word.

January 7

When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. — Matthew 8:1–3

Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:1–11

When I read these words, my heart is moved, for I realize that Jesus is just as much present with us as He was in Jerusalem when He walked the earth. How it changes our whole nature as we comprehend what Jesus meant when He said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). This living Word is not given to us just because of the narratives or the wonderful parables that Jesus taught, but so that we, through it, might be changed. Beloved, His presence is so remarkable that if we will but call on Him, believing that He has the power to give eternal life at His command, we will be changed in body, soul, and spirit.

When Jesus was on earth and beheld suffering humanity, He was moved with compassion. He met the most difficult problems; one of the hardest conditions to meet was leprosy. The moment that leprosy was pronounced upon a person, it meant that he was doomed. Just as there was no remedy at that time for a leper, there is no earthly power that can deliver us from sin. Leprosy was the disease that had a death sentence, and sin means death to the spiritual man unless it is cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Here was a leper with the seal of death on him, and there was only one hope. What was it? If he could come to Jesus, he would be healed. But how could a leper come to Jesus? When a leper came near other people, he had to cry out: “Unclean! Unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45)—so how could a leper ever get near to Jesus?

The difficulty was tremendous, but when faith lays hold, impossibilities must yield. When we touch the Divine and believe God, sins will be forgiven; diseases will go; circumstances will change. I can almost read the thoughts of the people as they passed by the leper: “You poor leper! If you had been where we were, you would have seen the most remarkable things happen, for people were delivered from all kinds of diseases today.” The leper might have asked, “Where were you?” They would have answered, “We have been with Jesus!” Oh, the thrill of life when we have been with Jesus.

Let me give you a little picture. Every night when Jesus left the disciples and made His way up the mountainside, they would watch Him as far as the eye could see, until He disappeared. On the next day, the crowds would gather and watch for His appearing. They were so taken up with watching for Jesus that when they saw Him coming down the mountain, they could not keep quiet. Their hearts were full of the thought of seeing Him, but where was the leper? The leper, too, had come, but the eyes of the people were not on the leper now. They were watching for Jesus. The leper kept close to the crowd, and as Jesus drew nearer, he began his chant, “Unclean! Unclean!”

The crowd immediately moved away from him, leaving the path clear for the leper to be the first to get to Jesus. No one could turn him back. No one could stop a man whose heart was set on reaching Jesus. No power on earth can stop a sinner from reaching the side of the Master, if he has faith that will not be denied. Perhaps some have awful diseases in their bodies, or their souls are far away from God. They have been prayed for, and have prayed themselves, but the thing is not removed, and they are in the place where the leper was. He knew that Jesus could heal him. All he had to do was get close enough to Jesus.

Jesus makes one great sweeping statement from that day to this as He says, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately, the man‘s leprosy was cleansed.

Thought for today: When you are in the place God wants you to be, you will be healed.