Only Believe: Drawing Closer to God

By Dr. Keith W. Kimball

Where is the church now compared to fifty years ago? Is our faith stronger or weaker? Is the churchs influence what it used to be? If not, why? We need to understand that as goes the church, so goes the nation. God has called the church to be the headnot the tailleading society to His throne of grace.

Only Believe is dedicated to revealing the heart of God according to the Bible for revival, a stronger personal relationship with Christ, and more effective church growth. The reason for our national dilemma, how to have a personal relationship with Jesus, and the biblical answers to other questions are included and backed up by the authority of Scripture. I pray that Only Believe: Drawing Closer to God will lead you to personal spiritual introspection as you take this spiritual journey.

Keith Kimball has combined his vast Bible knowledge with many years of experience to compile one of the most practical and pertinent books for our day: Only Believe. His premise is so basic, and yet so overlooked by a generation which seems to be on a quest to sensationalize the message at the risk marginalizing the truth. New believers as well as seasoned saints will be blessed as they are challenged to simply believe the life and work of Jesus and to simply obey His commands.
Royce E. Williams, evangelist, Missions Evangelism Ministries

Keiths book carries out a word he uses in one of his chapters: simplicity. He uses the great truths of the Bible to challenge the reader to apply them in their quest to draw closer to God. A good read.
Dr. Jim Henry, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspiring Voices
• Release date: Feb 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781462409037

Dr. Keith W. Kimball

Reverend Kimball holds a doctorate in pastoral counseling. He serves as director of Kimball Ministries, vice president of the NC Vocational Evangelist’s Fellowship. He has twenty-three years of ministry experience and a passion for the lost. His experience includes revivals and crusades abroad and in several states here at home.

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Copyright © 2014 Keith Watson Kimball.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Inspiring Voices books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

Inspiring Voices

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.inspiringvoices.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

All scripture in this book is taken from the

King James Bible, copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Inc.

ISBN: 978-1-4624-0903-7 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4624-0902-0 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014901648

Inspiring Voices rev. date: 2/20/2014

Contents

Foreword by Alex McFarland

Author’s Foreword

Introduction

Have We Lost Something?

Understanding Salvation

Who is this Jesus?

The Greatest Needs

The Power of Forgiveness

Occupy Till I Come

Mercy in Action

Only Believe

Be Not Deceived

Be the Church

Under Authority

The Power of Submissive Prayer

Facing Your Own Crisis of Belief

Christ’s Laodicean Letter

The Eternity of Hell

Christianity or Churchanity?

What is our Response to Jesus?

Conclusion: Putting it All Into Action

The chapters of this book are strictly based on the

God’s Holy Word, the Bible,

for there is no greater authority

on which we can stand.

Foreword by Alex McFarland

W e hear many negative reports these days, documenting the state of our nation and the breakdown of culture. So when something encouraging comes along we like to, ‘spread the news.’ Such is the case with the ministry and writings of Keith Kimball. A few years ago as I began to learn of Keith’s ministry, I was not only impressed but also deeply encou raged.

Keith brings to the table not only extensive biblical knowledge, skill as a communicator, but also years of ministry experience. Today he is successfully helping people through some of life’s valleys with a message of truth and hope that all need to hear.

I believe God has positioned Keith for perhaps his most fruitful endeavor yet: Release of the book Only Believe: Drawing Closer to God. Let me explain why a book like this is needed at this time. Current statistics about knowledge of God’s truth is troubling. How much do Americans (church members included) know about the most important book in history, the Bible? Researcher and scholar George Barna reports:

•   Fewer than half of all adults can name the four Gospels.

•   60 percent of Americans cannot name even five of the Ten Commandments.

•   82 percent of Americans believe God helps those who help themselves is a Bible verse.

•   12 percent of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife.

•   Four out of ten Americans believe that when Jesus Christ was on earth He committed sins.

•   Five out of ten believe that anyone who is generally good or does enough good things for others during their life will earn a place in Heaven.

•   Only one out of ten Christians base their moral decision-making on the principles taught in the Bible.

These graphically reveal that our nation is more uninformed about the content of the Bible than ever. But they also illustrate the need for great resources like the one you are holding. Keith has created a tool that is equipping churches and individuals to know not only treasures from the Bible, but also the simple path to having a relationship with God Himself. Our nation urgently needs this message today. Perhaps even you, reading this right now, need clarification about where you stand with God. Would you like to be at peace with God? Wouldn’t it be great to have assurance and real certainty about one’s relationship with Christ? Wouldn’t it be encouraging to be confident and well-equipped in helping others with spiritual needs?

If these questions stir your heart, then Keith’s book is for you! People need all the help they can get in navigating the murky waters of a culture that no longer affirms truth or morality. I applaud the work of my trusted colleague, Keith Kimball, and I highly recommend his research and ministry.

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Alex McFarland

director, Apologetics and Christian worldview

North Greenville University, SC

www.alexmcfarland.com

Author’s Foreword

F or some time I have had the urging of the Holy Spirit on my heart to write a book that expresses the simple need to believe in all that Jesus said and did. After all, faith is the foundation of our relationship with Him. In fact, Hebrews 11:6 says, " But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for him that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently see k Him.

Seeking God involves far more than going to church. It requires a faith, which is a continual, deep desire to know Him personally, not just knowing what someone else says about Him. Faith is a personal experience with the personal God who loves us enough to sacrifice His own Son as a payment in full for all our sins.

My prayer is that someone will find this book helpful in developing a close, personal relationship with Jesus, that they will start a journey that will bring them into the greatest relationship a person can ever have: that of being a child of the living God, and that the joy of the Lord may prevail over everything else in their lives.

John Wesley is quoted as saying, "Catch on fire (for the Lord) and others will love to come to watch you burn." It is true. Once a few people start to catch on fire for the Lord churches will see a difference. I believe others will desire what has made a difference in their lives, and seek the flames of faith again.

The key is not in the complexity of teaching or writing, but in the simplicity of the Word and faith. After all, the only way to come to Him is through having faith like a little child. Some chapters of this book have been taken from sermons preached through the years at revivals and evangelistic gatherings. I pray the truths contained in them makes as much difference in your life as they have in mine. God bless you all and enjoy the reading.

Introduction

H ow do you successfully reach people for the cause of Christ today? As we face stronger social and economic difficulties, and as we draw closer to the time of Christ’s return, the population seems to be growing more polarized, becoming radically entrenched against the church. But at the same time, society seems to have an understanding that we are at the brink of something great. This is one of the most important moments in the history of all mankind. Even though many people are rejecting the church and organized religion, they seem to be very interested in Jesus Christ, and in matters of faith, attempting to see which faith (and which God) is real. Going to them with just an invitation to go to church will turn them off. But if we approach them with the love of God, we just might make a diffe rence.

There is a problem: It is impossible to separate Christ from the church because we go to church to worship Christ, and the church is supposed to be the Body of Christ. We are supposed to be His emissaries, His witnesses, and His voice of hope to a lost and dying world. In truth, we are facing problems no different than Paul and the apostles faced almost two thousand years ago. How did they handle the problem? Did they write the book of successful outreach and evangelism? Did they blaze a new trail into the wilderness of lost souls and hell-bound sinners? No; they simply did things like Jesus did.

As we look through Scriptures there are four basic things Jesus did.

•   He loved the people

•   He met their needs

•   He taught them the secrets of the Kingdom and the way of salvation

•   And He spent large amounts of time in prayer.

Sometimes we try to teach people the Word of God and the way of salvation without the other three basic elements of evangelism; the most important of which is prayer.

So how are we to pray? Don’t try to be fancy or formal in your prayers. God the Father knows who you are, what you are, and what you are thinking at any and every moment of your life. Be real with God. Tell Him what is on your mind and what you are feeling. In order to do that, you must first be real with yourself. Ask God to let you see what He sees in you. Humble yourself before Him and let Him expose the real self to you. Then make sure you are working to submit what you see to Christ.

How are we to do that? First, recognize it and take it to heart. Remember, according to 1 Corinthians 2:16 we are supposed to have the mind of Christ. The Lord God and Christ His son love you. He already knows your mind, and here’s the secret: He wants you to know His mind as well. He wants to be able to reveal His thoughts, desires and ways to you. That is why we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost to dwell within us, that we might know the mind of Christ and live accordingly.

I pray that you will not just read over this book, but take the things contained herein to heart. Everything is supported by Scripture and I pray will be found useful for drawing closer to the Lord, in reaching others for Christ, and for growing the church and the Body of Christ. And I pray for pastors to be leading the church in the ways of the Lord, to gain insight to the work, growing in faith, humility and love.

As a Christian, I want to remind you that ultimately each of you is responsible for your own spiritual growth. As Philippians 2:12 says, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Working out your own salvation involves making sure that everything you take into your heart and soul is biblical, and making it a working part of your life. Check out everything your pastor says with Scripture. Try the spirits to see if they are of God or not. Pay close attention to that which is of God, and cast out that which is not. Pray for the Lord’s leadership and guidance as you read, and listen for whatever He says, then take what He has given and put it to work in your everyday life.

My prayers are that this book will help you and your church to have a closer, more effective walk with the Lord.

Have We Lost Something?

H ave we lost something? That is a question of great importance for the true Christian believer today. It’s not like we have lost our car keys or billfolds. They are things that can be easily found or replaced. What we have lost is far more difficult to see because it has been lost generationally; that is, we have been steadily losing something of such great importance over the past generations till we have forgotten that we are even supposed to have it. And it has been lost so slowly that we have not noticed the dow nfall.

What is this thing I am talking about and how does it affect us today? The thing is the understanding of our God-given authority and our responsibility to Him. We were never meant to be helpless, lifeless Christians. No one was ever called by God to simply warm a pew. We are called through salvation to be powerhouse believers in Jesus Christ, able to do whatever the Lord commands us to do.

In my own Christian walk I have taken several trips overseas to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others in far less privileged areas than we have in the United States. In doing so I discovered far more about Christ and myself than I could share with the wonderful people to whom I was going to share Jesus. I saw something extremely rare in the people, something we don’t find in our nation: that is a true, working faith. I know that this statement is going to make some people angry at the start. Before you blow your top consider this. In many third world nations Christians have one chance for survival: prayer. They pray for their next meal. They pray for healing. They pray to see another day. They pray for an opportunity to minister to others. And they pray for us. They have learned to live by faith at a level that Americans simply cannot understand because we haven’t been there for so many years. Why have we not been there? Simple: we have never needed to be there.

Did you know that even the poorest American, the homeless souls on the streets; those who are outcast and seemingly hopeless in our nation have it better than the vast majority of people in this world? How can I say that? In our country