A Desire to Go Deeper: It's Time to Go Deeper

By Dr. M. Varnado-Jamison

This book is designed to educate believers and non-believers that the power of God is real and having a relationship with Him is real. This book is designed to educate people that you can only succeed in life when we keep God in the center of our lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664255166

Dr. M. Varnado-Jamison

About the Author Maxine D. Varnado was born in Franklinton, Louisiana. She grew up with 12 siblings in a small town. Her mother and father raised them in the fear of the Lord. Took them to Sunday school and church every Sunday and learned more about Jesus Christ and His saving power, being baptized by water and was converted. At an early age she gave her life to Christ and has been on the road of salvation for many years. She married and became the mother of six children which she also raised them in the fear of God. She moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1975 and first joined a Pentecostal church then decided to go back to the Baptist faith after a few years. She was called to carry the message of Jesus Christ in 1994. She studied at various Bible colleges. She received her Master’s in Biblical Counseling at Grace Bible College located in Loris, South Carolina. Maxine was licensed by Rev. E. Jones of United Christian Church in Milwaukee, WI, and later ordained by her current Pastor Dr. L. Burnside at Holy Temple Firstborn MBC in Milwaukee, WI. The power of God manifests His Spirit in the services and meetings as the spirit of God leads and enables her to preach and teach His Word. Maxine teaches a BA bible course at Yahweh Bible College located in Milwaukee, WI under the leadership of Dr. L. Burnside and Dr. Tracy Burnside. She received her BA and Master’s degree in Theology from Midwest Bible College in 2009 in Oak Creek, WI. Her Doctrinal studies were done at Agapa Bible College in Milwaukee where she graduated in 2013. Maxine is a dedicated servant of the Lord and she loves Him with all her heart and will not compromise for the worldly deeds of the flesh. She also has a heart and compassion for His people. She is also a prayer warrior making intercessory pray for all saints and people that has a need to know the Lord in the pardon of their sins. She reaches out on social media to people that asks for prayer for them and their families and friends. God has given her also a video ministry called “Word of Life Ministries” on facebook and soon to be on Youtube.

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A DESIRE TO GO DEEPER:

IT’S TIME TO GO

DEEPER

DR. M. VARNADO-JAMISON

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Copyright © 2022 Dr. M. Varnado-Jamison.

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 author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

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.

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

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLV are taken from the New Life Version, copyright © 1969 and 2003. Used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-5517-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-5518-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-5516-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022900529

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/19/2022

CONTENTS

PART I: SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Chapter 1 The Battle Is Not Yours

Chapter 2 Come Out from among Them

Chapter 3 God’s Calling

Chapter 4 God qualifies who He calls

Chapter 5 Hold Fast

Chapter 6 Do not Be Deceived

Chapter 7 Stay On the Battlefield

Chapter 8 Fight or Flight

Chapter 9 Fight On Your Knees

PART II: THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST

Chapter 10 Empowerment of The Holy Ghost

Chapter 11 Operating In the Holy Ghost

Chapter 12 What The Holy Ghost Is Not

Chapter 13 Advancing In the Spirit

Chapter 14 Advancing In the Spirit

Chapter 15 Can You Hear the Holy Ghost Speak?

Chapter 16 Does He Speak Audibly?

Chapter 17 Praying For God’s Power

Chapter 18 The Supernatural Powers of God

Chapter 19 The Greatness of God’s Power

Chapter 20 The Power to Endure

Chapter 21 Where Is the Power?

Chapter 22 Can You Handle It?

Chapter 23 What Will You Do with God’s Power?

PART III: THE CHURCH TODAY

Chapter 24 Seek Peace

Chapter 25 Blessed To Be a Blessing

Chapter 26 Do not Be Double-Minded

Chapter 27 Loving Difficult People

Chapter 28 Love Hides a Multitude of Indifferences

Chapter 29 Patience Is a Virtue

Chapter 30 We Have to Be Transformed

Chapter 31 Competition In the Body of Christ

Chapter 32 In The World but Not of The World

Chapter 33 Christian Maturity

Chapter 34 Bring All Your Burdens to Jesus

Chapter 35 A Soulish Christian

Chapter 36 Calamities Bring You Closer to God

Chapter 37 Paul’s Explanation of Tongues

Chapter 38 Idleness

Chapter 39 Our Logic Will Get Us in Trouble

Chapter 40 Learn To Act, Not React

Chapter 41 Guard Your Heart

Chapter 42 Guard Our Hearts and the Gospel

Chapter 43 Strength For the Weary

Chapter 44 Show Mercy

Chapter 45 Discernment and Deliverance

Chapter 46 When A Brother or Sister Falls

Chapter 47 God Will Show Up

Chapter 48 Crucifying The Flesh

PART IV: SEEKING GOD

Chapter 49 What It Means to Seek God

Chapter 50 Losing to Gain

Chapter 51 A Desire to Go Higher

Chapter 52 Seek the Word of God

Chapter 53 Seek God for Your Life

Chapter 54 Be A Willing Worker

Chapter 55 Humbling Yourself

Chapter 56 Make Sacrifices That Please God

Chapter 57 Why Until Trouble Comes

Chapter 58 God’s Grace

Chapter 59 Whatever You Find Your Hands to Do

Chapter 60 Be Sure of Your Salvation

PART V: VICTORIOUS LIVING IN CHRIST

Chapter 61 Obey God

Chapter 62 Wait On the Lord

Chapter 63 Pray Without Ceasing

Chapter 64 Abundant Life in Christ

Chapter 65 Charity Suffers Long

Chapter 66 Enduring Our Cross

Chapter 67 Esteem Others

Chapter 68 Edification Is Important

Chapter 69 Rooted and Grounded

Chapter 70 Envy Will Hinder Your Progress

Chapter 71 Spiritual Droughts

Chapter 72 We Need God’s Anointing

Chapter 73 Meeting God in a Secret Place

Chapter 74 Finding That Secret Place

Chapter 75 Thank God for Secret Places

Chapter 76 Testing Times

Chapter 77 Stand Anyhow

Chapter 78 Reaching Up for Strength

Chapter 79 Strength For the Weary

Chapter 80 God Wants Our Attention

Chapter 81 Find Time for God

Chapter 82 Building On a Solid Foundation

Chapter 83 Staying Connected to God

Chapter 84 A Good Relationship with God

INTRODUCTION

I am being led by the Holy Ghost to sit down and write on what it means to have a true relationship with the Lord. Many Christians have a relationship with Christ, but how true is it? Many have never even thought about it because all they ever heard was that you need a relationship with the Lord. Though it is not complicated, it is a very essential aspect for this Christian life. I believe this book will equip you to go to the next level in your spiritual walk with Christ.

As Christians, we sometimes take things for granted and get slack on our journey as time passes by. There is a level that we can reach in Christ Jesus that we all should strive for, that our lives will be full of new experiences every day. The Apostle Paul spoke to the effect that we can know Him, not just to know about Him. Paul’s writings to the Philippians in the third chapter (see 3:9-10 KJV … helps us to understand that we should be found not having our own righteousness; but that we may know Him, and the power of His Resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering.

God did not give us His salvation just to be mediocre and let our gifts lie dormant. He may be calling us to a higher expectation for His glory, and for the up building of His Kingdom. Only by the power of the Holy Ghost can we obtain what God has for us; therefore, we need to seek Him with all our heart. We already have potential to further the gospel because He called us with a Holy calling, not because of our works, but for His own purpose (2 Timothy 1:9 KJV).

We must seek God with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding. When we do that, He will direct our path; ask Him to show you what to do and tell you what to say; in that way you will feel a sense of density and it will cause you to be determined despite what you must go through, tell yourself.

I am a witness when you totally make up in your mind to reach higher heights and deeper depths in God, the enemy will try to deter you in every way he can to stop you from achieving your goals. I learned over many years from experiences I faced in life that it is not an easy road, but God makes your burdens lighter when you are seeking Him for directions.

My goal is to have a closer walk with the Lord, go deeper in my spirituality. I know there is a place in the Lord that Christians can go higher if they seek Him with a desire. In these last days before Christ makes His return, we need to seek God with a sense of urgency as we see the day approaching as the Word of God says Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10: 25 KJV).

Do not listen to what everyone who tries to give you spiritual advice but ask God for guidance. 1 Corinthian 14:1 says, "follow charity, and desire spiritual gifts.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

AND DEDICATION

I want to thank God for allowing me to sit down and author this book during the time of uncertainty and through this pandemic.

I also would like to thank God for my son Kendrick R. Varnado for his assistance and his time guiding me through setting up the format and graphics in the book. I want to thank his wife for allowing him time that he spent after his daily job to come by my house and share in my ministry.

This book is dedicated to all Christians that love to read the Word of God. All the writings and quotes are from the Word of God and my heart. This is considered a spiritual book that will help enlighten and strengthen Christian’s walk with the Lord.

I want to acknowledge my Pastor Dr. Lezar Burnside and his wife Copastor Lady Burnside as great leaders of Holy Temple Firstborn MBC Church. I have been a member and in the ministry for 20 years and have learned and grew my spiritual journey with them.

May the Lord continue to bless the Church and cause many more souls to give their lives to Jesus Christ. I pray that everyone that reads this book will be blessed beyond measure.

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PART I

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

CHAPTER 1

The Battle Is Not Yours

Christians often try to fight their own battles, and they do not realize that God declares I will fight for you (see 2 Chronicles 20:15 KJV). The only thing God requires from us when we are in a battle is to take our positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord according to 2 Chronicles 20:17. He told Jehoshaphat You shall not heed to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah, and Jerusalem; fear not, nor be dismayed. tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you (2 Chronicles 20:17 KJV). The Lord is telling you to take your stand, stand on solid ground, and watch Him move. Only with your own eyes will you see the Lord take vengeance. You will not just hear about it, but you will see it happen. We are Christian soldiers in God’s holy army, and we must trust God enough to fight our battles, because the battle is not ours to fight. You won’t have to strike a stroke (see 2 Chronicles 20 KJV).

The Lord has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV). We do not have to engage in arguments, physical fighting, profanity, and cruel words when our trust is in the Lord. We trust the Lord to fight our battles for us. He is stronger and mightier than any weapon that we may choose to use. For the weapons of our warfare is not carnal, but mighty through God (see 2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV).

Even though the army of enemies that you are facing might seem greater and bigger than you, do not fret, because you will have divine interventions. Psalm 37:1–2 (KJV) says, Fret not your-selves because of evildoers, neither be envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall be soon cut off and wither as the green herb. When we get on our post and pray like Jehoshaphat did, we do not ever have to worry, neither will we have to lift a finger to fight. Jehoshaphat fell and worshipped before the Lord and prayed. This awful pandemic that has taken the world’s attention is bigger than you and me, but it is not bigger than God. We as Christian leaders of the gospel of Jesus Christ should pattern after Jehoshaphat, fasting, praying, and praising God. He appointed worshippers to go out ahead of them, saying, Give thanks unto the Lord, for His love endures forever (2 Chronicles 20 NIV-MIT). Our focus should be on praising and worshipping the Lord and not on the pandemic, because we can’t see where the enemy is, but God can direct it away from us. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters (see Psalm 93:4 KJV).

Life sometimes overwhelms us, and it seems scary to move around to do the things that we need to do. But remember that God watches over His processions and will not allow our enemy triumph over us. David writes in the forty-third book of Psalms, Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why are thou disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God (Psalm 43:5 KJV). David is saying here, Lord, I am overwhelmed. I am not happy right now. My life is miserable, and I feel that My living is in vain. He was depressed and felt as if there was no hope for his situation.

Sometimes Christians feel that same way at certain points in life when they are overwhelmed. But remember when we think that way, it does not make the problem go away; instead, it tends to grow even bigger. We have unanswered questions when we do not understand what is happening to us. But God has the answers and will answer in diverse ways and times. God’s Word is saying to us Trust my lead because I have already worked it out (see Proverbs 3:5–6 KJV). God can do for us what He did for Judah and Jerusalem in the battle where a vast army was coming against them. You must position yourself and praise Him with a loud voice, and He will cause your enemies to become confused and fight among themselves. So, remember that no matter how many adverse situations are approaching you in life, you have someone who is stronger than you can imagine. Most things that are approaching you look bigger than they really are, but God is bigger than your present situation.

CHAPTER 2

Come Out from among Them

Main Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:17

When you have a greater desire for God than you do for worldly things, then you will give up those things that eventually will destroy your testimony of Christ. The world is the devil’s domain. Jesus called him the prince of the world (see John 14:30 KJV). He is called that because God does not have anything to do with the things Satan has to offer. God is a holy God, and His domain is heaven. He does not need the things that glorify the flesh.

The Lord wants us to come out from among them and be separated. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV) says, Therefore, come out from among them and be separated, says the Lord; and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. Christians do not have any agreement between God and the devil. But God has given us this promise: I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people (2 Corinthians 6:16b KJV).

Satan is also called the prince and power of the air according to Ephesians 2:2, Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience meaning that he is ruler of this world system of things, (see John 12:31 KJV). These are titles that he possesses, and others signify his capabilities. But God has not given him complete rule over everything that is in the world. For example, he cannot control what God does with His own children. Believers are not under the rule of Satan. God gives him the opportunity to work within boundaries.

Some of the devil’s schemes include promoting false philosophies in the world, philosophies that blind believers from believing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Signifying salvation is a gift from God. One of the lies that Satan thrives on is that a person can earn God’s favor by works. Pride is also on his agenda; he has tempted humankind to follow his lead to become unbelievers. Unbelievers think that they can be good people, and God will let them in heaven by just following man-made rules.

Speaking of being fooled by the devil’s philosophy, I remember having this discussion with a nurse whom I worked with at a hospital. She proposed a question to me: Do you believe that there’s only one way you can get to heaven? I told her yes and explained that there is only one way according to scripture. Jesus said, in John 14:6–7 (KJV), I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my father also; and from henceforth you know Him and have seen Him.

The devil tells many lies to people to try to get them to follow him. He wants to have control over their minds. Another one of his lies is that everybody is going to heaven no matter how they live or what they believe. Some Christians also believe that if they show up at church services every Sunday, then they are saved. Some live outside God’s providence, serve the devil and the world, and disobey God in every way, yet they say, I am on my way to heaven.

Our Lord desires that every soul be saved; He does not want any to perish. The Bible declares, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but he is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). We need to be persistent in sharing the gospel with sinners and with people who have bought the devil’s lies. We do not do so because we want to be popular or to think we know everything. We do so because we do not only want to be saved ourselves, but we desire to see others escape hell, especially our loved ones and families.

It is in your best interest to find out what your loved ones believe. Are they still living outside of God’s will, lost without hope? Have they taken up with some religion that rejects Jesus? It is so important to check on their salvation because we do not want them to be lost without Christ. A couple of years ago, my family took a trip together in the northern part of Wisconsin for a family getaway. It was late, so I decided to lie down, but I was awakened by loud talking. Some of the families were discussing religion and beliefs, so I listened for a brief time then got into the discussion because I heard one of my sons say that he had changed his beliefs from the way he had been taught about Jesus and the Bible’s teachings.

He mentioned that he had been studying with a group that called themselves Black Hebrews. He said that they believe that God is Black, that Black people are the original people, and that he should not follow the Bible because it contains false teachings. But he did not feel too good about some of the group’s teachings when it came to loving everybody regardless of race, creed, or color. He said that they are supposed to find a way to get rid of all Caucasian people. The group have people stationed everywhere. I picked up my Bible which I take everywhere I go and began to minister to Him sincerely through scripture, at that point I totally forgot about sleep at that time because his soul was at stake, and I love my children and I am concerned about their souls.

We must make sure our families are on the