|
By Pastor Eric
We have the power to control our thoughts. A lot of our time is spent with random thinking and what happens is we never reach our full potential. Much of what the Lord wants for us is to change our thinking. Everything we say or do starts with our thoughts. How we think, not just what we think. What is the process behind our decision-making? Many times negative emotions, or bad experiences can shape our thought-process. We must be aware of those things and cut them off as soon as they show up. Philippians 4:8 says it this way, “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”. This shows us that we can choose our thoughts and control them. “But how?,” you might ask. Through the Word of God. Look at Ephesians 4:23 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” also in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” In other words, get ahold of God’s word and read it, listen to good teaching, and pray in the spirit. Then make a quality decision that you’re going to change and improve your thought-life. Yes, it’s that simple. God has already given us the power to change. In 2 Timothy 1:7, it says “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” We already have it on the inside of us! Now it’s up to us to put it into action!
0 Comments
By Pastor Eric
As Believers, we are part of the Kingdom of God. We have been moved out of the kingdom of darkness, the world system, and into His Kingdom. Colossians 1:12-14, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” This is where we are now and we’ve been given the authority of His Kingdom. The Kingdom in which we operate is not a place. It’s a system of government. In 1Corinthians 4:20 AMP, it says “For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power.” That power is what backs our authority. We move in that authority to bring healing, deliverance, and freedom to those in bondage. When we use The Name, which is above all others, we are standing in the place of authority that He has given us. In His Name, we cast out demons. In His Name, we heal the sick. In His Name, we bring freedom to those in bondage. Note that in His Name is not just a way to end a prayer. Another way of saying it is, “In the Authority of His Kingdom and Power.” That’s the perspective we should have. Just as the police officer has the authority to stand in the street and stop traffic. Use the power that’s been given to you! By Pastor Eric
Jesus glanced around at them and said, “With men [it is] impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27) How many times have you heard “That’s impossible?” It’s so easy for people to have little faith or unbelief. It is “normal” thinking that keeps us from accomplishing the mighty exploits God wants for our lives. “Normal” says you can‘t own a business without some type of higher education. Nothing wrong with education, however, that is not the standard we as Believers are to live by. “Normal” says it would be impossible to feed five-thousand men plus women and children with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. Jesus didn’t think so. He expected it! Don't think of yourself as “normal” according to the world’s standards. Be “normal” according to Kingdom standards! By Pastor Eric
Had an interesting conversation with close friends this evening. We were discussing “vision and dreaming.” Talking about the things we want for our lives. Having a proper perspective is really important when it comes to our desires. During our conversation, I noticed that some people aren’t really convinced that God wants to do great things for us. We can fall into dreaming “cheap.” We see things as what we could possibly do and not what the Lord can do. Ephesians 3:20 (NIV), “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” There are no limits to our imagination. God put the power in us to dream bigger than ever! We’re now in a new season, a new year! Put on a new perspective and Don’t Dream Cheap! By Pastor Eric
We don’t have to work for our righteousness. This is what Paul was saying in Romans 4:1-3, “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Somehow we’ve gotten off track. We may say “Yes, we are saved by grace" and yet we have to work to become righteous. This is not a process for us to work out. It is, rather, a part of our salvation. We are made righteous through our believing and receiving Christ. Once we have corrected our mindset, we can now live our lives from that perspective. No longer being led or controlled by our carnality. No longer needing to be concerned with whether God accepts us or not. You and I have been made righteous through Christ. By Pastor Eric
Yep, we all have some. What? Junk. Every one of us has some remnant of the former man. The link to our flesh or carnality through Adam. So, what do you do with it? First of all, we have to admit to ourselves that we’re not perfect. Understand this, our Spirit-man is perfected in Christ, yet our carnal-man is not. This is what the apostle Paul was talking about in his letter to the Romans in chapter 7. He was wrestling with the fact that his flesh didn’t act right. Fortunately, he didn’t stop there, which a lot of preachers do. The “I’m just a filthy sinner syndrome.” Paul went on in chapter 8 and proclaimed that we, that are in Christ, are not under condemnation. Thank you Lord! God never leaves us in a condemned state. His grace is more than enough. No, this does not mean we can just carry on in sin. By grace, we have the strength, through the Holy Spirit, to fight off and shut down that sinful nature. It’s the carnal part of us that pushes us towards self-centered, self-indulgent, self-reliant actions. As Paul said, “Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” Romans 7:17 He understood that our carnal nature is what the real issue is. It’s not the external circumstances or challenges, it’s human nature. You and I need a Savior. We can’t fix ourselves. The answer is simple. Transform your thinking through the Word of God. The more you dwell or meditate on His Word, the less you’ll be pushed towards your junk. Take a deep breath and rest in The Lord’s Salvation. By Pastor Eric
It amazes me how many Christians see themselves. Some say we are just sinners trying to do better. Others say we’re lowly creatures that aren’t worth God’s love. Of course, they’re both wrong. In the book of Galatians 3:26 it says, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” That’s right, you’re a child of God and He doesn’t make mistakes. He didn’t send Jesus to the Cross just so you could barely get into Heaven. You’ve been adopted in to the family of Heaven. Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;” Get a hold of this. This is part of who you are and what you have available to you. You were a sinner but not any longer. Thank God for His salvation through Christ. Stop and take time to remember who you truly are in Christ Jesus. By Pastor Eric
How many times have we said that? Seems like something happens and we think things are getting better, then something else comes along. A new challenge, an illness, a financial situation, kids aren’t acting right, etc. Truth is, life is full of challenges. It’s how we react that makes the difference. We have the option of choosing how we react. We don’t have to be subject to our emotions. Here’s what it says in James 1:2 (TPT) “My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!” And then verse 3, “For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things.” When we choose to have joy, we turn on the power to take us through anything we’re faced with. By Pastor Eric
The Word of God says in Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” This is a promise from God, the Father to all who are open to receive. These are those days on the earth. On the day of Pentecost, His Holy Spirit came to us. He made Himself available for all mankind to receive power from on high. He did His part. Now what do we do with it? We receive just as we did our salvation. By grace through faith. Simply by asking Him to fills us with His Holy Spirit. Yes, it’s that simple! We need the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us through life and into our destiny, in order to fulfill our assignment here on this earth. The book of Acts 1:8 tells us, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This is for all who believe, not just a handful of people nearly two thousand years ago. We need the power in order to go into all the world. You may not be called to travel around the world preaching, but you’ve been given an assignment to be a witness wherever you are. You need the leading, strength and comfort of the Holy Spirit to accomplish it. If you haven’t received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, now is the time to do so. Just ask, by faith, to be filled to overflowing with His power and with a heavenly prayer language. Your life will never be the same! By Pastor Eric
To reconcile is to restore to friendship or harmony. Another way of saying it is, to restore true relationship. This is what God did through Christ and the cross. He restored the relationship between man and Himself. Look at 2 Corinthians 5:18,19 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” Notice that the Lord didn’t stop at reconciliation between Himself and mankind. He took it a step further and gave us a ministry of reconciliation. We are expected, through Christ in us, to restore relationships towards one another, our fellow man. It is through Him and not of ourselves that we can accomplish this. With all this being said, there is yet another area that must be dealt with. That area lies within the inner man. To reconcile with yourself about yourself. Yes we all have junk, baggage, stuff, whatever you want to call it. Sometimes our greatest challenge is with ourselves. We can’t truly reconcile with others when we haven’t done it for ourselves. How does that work, you might ask? There are a few simple steps. One is to know and understand that God loves you and has forgiven you of all sin. Secondly, recognize that you, in your own strength, cannot fix you. Only through Christ and His strength can you be fixed. Thirdly, is to know who you are in Christ. Be reconciled with God the Father, then yourself and others. Recognize the power that is in you to accomplish this. |
Author Occasionally Pastors Eric and Laura will write as the Lord leads them. There may be prophetic words or insights and revelation that have come to them. They share these with the intention that someone would be blessed and encouraged or admonished, something we all need once in a while. Archives
February 2019
Categories |
RSS Feed
