By Pastor Eric
Let me start out by saying I’m not going to spend time talking about how bad things are in the world today. We see that all around us. Instead, I want to focus on the solution, not the problem. Pointing fingers and speaking negativity will not change anything. With that being said, let’s turn our attention towards God. We are in a time now where we must trust, lean and rely on the Father’s Kingdom and His way of doing things. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.“ God wants to be our complete source, not just when we are in need of a miracle breakthrough. I believe in the miraculous power of the Lord, yet I see Him as my provider of all things. In the gospel of Luke, chapter 12:22-25 (AMP) Jesus said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; or about your body, as to what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the crop]; they have no storehouse or barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add one hour to his life’s span?” God sees you as more valuable than any bird or tree or animal. He sees you as His own descendant. You and I are made in His image and His likeness. He put everything else on this planet to serve us, not the other way around. Though that has become a very popular misconceived theology, there is no “mother earth”. When we come into fully trusting our loving Father, we then are able to rest in Him. That’s really what faith is, resting, relying, leaning and trusting that He, God has and will continually provide for every need we have.
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By Pastor Eric
All of us have done things that we need to be forgiven for. None of us are immune from this fact. So many times though we get bogged down with feelings of guilt or struggle with accepting the Father’s forgiveness. 1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. How simple is that? Just go to God and say, “I messed up, I know it, I confess it, and I thank you for forgiving me.” Now part two of this is to repent, change your mind, thinking and decision making. I’m not going to do that again and move forward. There has been some misconceived teaching in the Church. Have you ever heard this? If a person sins and then dies before they could confess, will they go to hell? This is contrary to what the Word says. Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. He has already taken care of all our sin. Past, present and future. Hebrews 10:16-18 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Stop beating yourself up and seeing yourself as unworthy. God loves you and He took all your sin at the cross. No more sin can or will be held against you. That’s good news! When we receive this revelation of forgiveness we can walk free in all that God, the Father has for us. By Pastor Eric
When God created everything in the universe, He did it by His words. He said "Light be!", He said "Let the earth be formed," He said, He said, He said! When it came to man (humanity), He spoke to Himself and made man to be just like Him. Gen. 1:26 and in chapter 2:7, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” In the original text, the word is speaking spirit. We are His image and likeness and we have been given creative power through our own words. Proverbs18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” What are you speaking concerning your situation, your circumstance, or even your future? Are you speaking what God’s word says or just whatever comes into your thought? These are questions we all must ask ourselves. When we allow the outside situation surround us to dictate what we say, we are not speaking life. We should be speaking our results from God’s perspective. We have already been redeemed according to Galatians 3:13. We have already been set free from doubt, emotional hurts and insecurities, etc. Look at Isaiah 53:4,5, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” It’s already been accomplished and we just need to agree with that and speak it. Guard your words and think before you speak. Everything will begin to work out for you. By Pastor Eric
When we come into the understanding of who we are and what has been done for us, we then can experience the freedom Christ has given us. We have been redeemed, the price for our freedom has been paid. Galatians 3:13 “Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS [crucified] ON A TREE (cross)” and again over in chapter 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” No longer are we captive to our emotions but set free, free in Christ. Lately, it seems as if everyone is offended or upset about something. Just look at social media and how people post. Everything is bad or going to get worse and there’s no hope or everything that happens is someone else’s fault. This is not Kingdom thinking. This is worldly, secular human, carnal thinking. As we change our thinking, through better understanding of who we are, will have a better perspective. This will produce emotional stability and health. Remember we are in this world but not part of it. Get your identity from Heaven, not what you see around you. By Pastor Eric
Every one of us has the opportunity to get upset, frustrated and even angry. We’re in this world and there are problems that come our way. The real challenges aren’t the problems themselves; it’s how we react to them. James 1:2,3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” The NIV says it this way… “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” The word patience or perseverance does not mean just put up with the situation. Really it’s saying, be constant and consistent in your faith. Everything we go through is to point us to the reality of the Kingdom of God. We can’t fix ourselves and we need a Saviour. We need a change in our thinking, and a change in our attitude. The carnal man/mind is where the issue is. Our spirit-man is complete and totally changed. Our carnal-man is not! That’s where our emotions, baggage, hurts, insecurities, etc., are. Therein lays the challenge. 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.” When we align our thought processes with the Word of God, we will see a change in our reaction to the situations in our lives. Understand that doesn’t mean we are complacent in our believing. We stand on the Word which is God’s promise that He will take care of us, even in the middle of that challenge. We can be joyful knowing that the Lord will take us through. By Pastor Eric
So many things influence our lives, both positively and negatively. What’s important is what we do with those influences. Do we allow everything we see around us to take root in our minds? Proverbs 23:7 says “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” Your heart is your core being. It’s not your spirit man, it’s where your core values, self perception, and how you see things and your philosophy are held. What you allow down in your core/heart is what will determine your thinking. Most of us are influenced by our past experiences. We’ve been hurt possibly by other people’s words or actions. Perhaps we’ve experienced positive people that have impacted our lives. Those experiences can affect how we live today. We choose what we do with them. We also are influenced by what we put in front of our eyes and in our ears on a consistent basis. 1 Corinthians 15:33 “ Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” When we have a steady diet of death and destruction, drama, adultery, etc., through the programs we watch, it will take root in our core. You say, “No I’m good, I can watch whatever and it doesn’t affect me.” What do you find your mind wandering to? See, that’s what’s influencing you most. We have to consider what we watch, who we hang with, what we listen to on a regular basis. If it isn’t Godly, we need to at least be aware of it, if not, cut it out entirely. I’m not saying don’t watch TV or movies. I’m saying step back and think first. Do I need to watch this or is there something more constructive I could be listening to? By Pastor Eric
As I was praying recently, a word from the Lord came to me. Many people look to me. Yet, they continue to operate as if they have no power, as if there is no connection to the source, Me, says the Lord. This disconnect comes from a carnal mindset. The carnal cannot connect to the Spirit-man. So, turn towards the Source in your thinking. You have ALL you need for your life, for your destiny. We have everything in us. It's part of our salvation. We can rely on what the word of God says. 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Ephians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Remember He is the source for all things and He has already given them us. Our responsibility is to believe and act on what His word promised. By Pastor Eric
We’ve all had times when we needed peace more than anything else. Life’s challenges, trials and troubles can seem overwhelming at times. Jesus gave us instruction on what to do. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Don’t let your heart, your innermost emotions, be troubled over the things that come at you. Yes, trouble comes. Yes, we all have challenges, bills to be paid, relationships need mending, physical health, and emotional health. We can’t avoid ever having a problem, it’s what we do with it. 1Peter 5:7 (Amplified) says it this way… “casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” He is watching over you, however it’s up to you to cast all your care. You have the authority to speak to your issue and give it to the Lord. Just trust God. One last thing to look at in Philippians 4:6,7 (Amplified)… Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Bring your petitions to the Lord and be thankful. Give Him the problem and receive His peace. By Pastor Eric
God has a plan for every believer. Jeremiah 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.” There is an expected end to His plan that is available to you. Notice the Lord didn’t say He has plans to beat you up or make your life miserable so you can suffer in this life. Bad stuff happens, there’s no denying that, however that’s not God’s plan. This world that we are in presently is fallen and full of turmoil, however we don’t have to be part of that. We are in the world but not of it. When we pray “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth just like it is in heaven,” we should have an expectation of whatever is in heaven we can have right here on earth. Good things and not evil. This is the Kingdom's way of operating. Get your expectation up and in line with what the Word of God says about you and you will see His plan for you come to fruition. By Pastor Eric
Now there’s a word that most Christians don’t like hearing. Let’s face it, no one likes to face challenges in life. However, they are absolutely necessary to our spiritual growth. Without challenge there can be no growth in our faith, yet that’s what most people strive for. Growing from faith to faith as it says in (Romans 1:17 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”) is part of our process. We learn to show the glory of God in our lifestyle. We live by our faith. The greater glory comes as we face challenges to our faith. Jesus showed us in the book of John chapter 11. Lazarus brother of Mary and Martha got sick, and they wanted Him to come and heal him. That didn’t happen as you know. Jesus waited until Lazarus had been buried and it looked like nothing could be done. Martha saw Jesus and said if you had only gotten here sooner, my brother wouldn’t died. See, they knew about healing. They had seen that level of glory. Look at verse 15 “ And I (Jesus) am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.” He wanted to show them another level of glory. This is what the Lord is wanting to accomplish in us, bringing us from one level of faith, one level of glory to another. You believe and have seen Him heal your sore throat, now see Him raise the dead. See Him get that promotion for you. See your relationships get better. Let Him take you way beyond this level of faith to the next and the next. Don’t be satisfied with where you are now, allowing yourself to become complacent in your faith. When the challenges come, face them and grow from glory to glory! |
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
May 2023
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