UNRESOLVED ISSUES BLOCKING YOUR PROGRESS?

 
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Have you ever found yourself going in circles and wondered why?  HAVE YOU TRIED REACHING FOR GOALS THAT SEEM UNOBTAINABLE?  Are you searching for answers to reasons for past failures?

In Mark 5:25-34, there was a woman who searched for an answer to her issue for twelve years. She had an issue of blood and had seen many physicians to resolve her problem.  She was literally bleeding to death.  The scripture says that she spent all of her money trying to find a solution and yet she grew worse.

It seemed that no man could help her.  She had probably tried every remedy known to man without success.  The fact that she tried all of these remedies demonstrated her determination to move forward.  Since the issue was not resolved, she continued to grow weaker.  It is as if she wasted her money and her time for all these years in search of an answer.

I am sure that all of us can relate to this woman.  We have all seen glimpses of our destinies and yet we don't understand fully the issues we carry that keep us from seeing the manifestation of these phenomenal dreams.

The issues we face today can no longer be prolonged, or remain unresolved.
Unresolved issues are like termites that gnaw at your joy, peace and your ability to make sound decisions.  Ignoring them causes hemorrhaging in your spirit.  Proverbs 13:12 says "Hope deferred makes the heart sick but desire fulfilled is a tree of life." The Good News is: YOUR ISSUES CAN BE RESOLVED RIGHT NOW.  Let's look at the methodology this woman utilized to receive her answer. 

First of all, she did not pretend to be without issues. She understood the importance of identifying her specific issue and was determined to receive her healing.  When she heard about Jesus, she received a revelation of His power to heal all issues.  She stopped looking to men and looked to Jesus, the Living Word.  This revelation changed her day and her year!  This revelation caused her to declare "If I touch the hem of Jesus' garment, I shall be made whole." The hem of His garment represented the promises of God.

This revelation caused her to make a personal declaration of faith which directly resulted in her healing.  She was in full expectation of healing.  Her strong desire to experience the bright future that she had always envisioned in her heart compelled her to quickly get to Jesus.  She was desperate for change.  She did not wait for a special healing meeting or for Jesus to discern her condition and then call her to himself; she instead grabbed his hem.  She acted on the promises of God.    

2015 is a New Year and a New Season.  You cannot move forward into the New Year with old issues.  You have to be honest with yourself and first identify the issues that have held you back.  Search the Bible to find Scriptures that pertain to your issues. 

Like the woman with the issue of blood, declare the Word over your life remembering I John 5:4..."and this is the victory that overcomes the world: even our faith."  The Word has the power to heal old issues if you will just receive it.
Receiving the Word often requires repentance and a willingness to follow  instructions from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

Faith always works by love!  Walk in love with God, your spouse, family members and everyone.  Ask God for a fresh revelation of the Scriptures you are standing on. Boldly decree these blessings out of your own mouth and then praise God for the manifestation of these promises.

As we are faithful to do these things , I know that we will all experience a prosperous and Happy New Year!!!

Holding Your Spiritual Ground

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Today I want to talk to you about a very important principle and that being "holding your spiritual ground". What this means is holding steadfastly to the Word of God in lieu of factual truths that may be present. It is essential that the definition of facts and/or factual be defined in hopes of clarifying and the solidifying the important use this principle. 

The definition of facts as Merriam-Webster defines the term is “something that truly exists or happened.” In other words, facts or factual is something real; evidence that something real occurred. It presents a side of truth that suggests the issue before you is insurmountable or finished; absolute. It may be a situation that it’s past time for believing any further that any action taken can greatly the situation - death would be an example of this. Evenso, the time frame in which you have told others what you are believing for, no change has occurred in the physical and seemingly, all the bottom has fallen out of any hopes of the manifested desire. 

Today’s discussion centers on the Word of God bringing life to your situation thus, causing a resurrection restoring full life to the issue. 

If the historical roll was taken to those in spite of naysayers and impossible feats surely the names of Orville and Wilbur Wright (inventors of the first passenger airplane) would lead out on this role of changing the odds to their favor. Society benefit greatly beause of their undying will to “fly”. call in history and look at the Wright brothers who were told that man can not fly. 

Other names that have made this list of unwavering believers in the quest to go beyond facts and move into the supernatural are: Thomas Edison who tapped the current of electricity brought to household use by Benjamin Franklin to bring us lighting and many more inventions. The great scientist, George Washington who reputedly discovered three hundred uses for peanuts and hundreds more for soybeans changed the world of agriculture, farming and medicine. Dr.Charles Drew was a scientist and physical surgeon and medical researcher. His medical research in the area of blood was a major breakthrough in medical surgery causing changes in surgery, blood storage, transfusions, and blood donations the world over. he developed an improved techniques for blood storage, and applied his expert knowledge to developing large-scale blood banks early doing World War II. His research saved thousands of lives of solders, who would have died. He like all of the other people we have mentioned overcame great odds to produce what they were told could never happen. They held their spiritual ground believing that what they held in their guts was true even though facts didn’t support it. This is what our lesson is about this week - holding your ground in the spirit. 

Looking into the Gospel of John, chapter 11, the story of the Death and Resurrection of Lazarus centers on the message of holding your spiritual ground. Paraphrasing the scriptures we read were Lazarus had fallen deathly ill and even after being summoned Jesus tarried, foreknowing that Lazarus, his friend would die. Our Lord indeed allowed the platform to be developed in order to teach by precept and example the principle of holding your spiritual ground for indeed He, Himself had to hold His spiritual ground in order to resurrect Lazarus in the face of great scorn, mocking and disbelief.

The same was true as in the case of Jairus (Matthew 9: 18-26 and Mark 5: 21-43) who sought out Jesus for the healing of his daughter who eventually died prior to Jesus arriving. Jesus knowing full well that this occurrence was not permanent yet, His words to Jairus in the face of unbelievers, scoffers and professional mourners was simply, "Just believe."

Herein is the spiritual revelation: If one can only center their mind on the spiritual principle over what we see naturally - any fear can be conquered bringing forth supernatural occurrences. 

Jesus' words overpower any of those we speak outside of God's word. In both the aforementioned cases, Jesus had to deal with what was being said about Him, the issue at hand, and what had never been done before. He had to speak life into a dead and decayed situation and He has taught us this principle - that when ye stand believing even in the face of a decaying situation, when you refuse to move off the Word of God supernatural (divine) manifestation occurs.

Natural principles present facts, but not they don't present the finished work of God. The spiritual things are held together through faith! Therefore, when our faith is steadfast and unwavering we hold our spiritual ground reaping victoriously in both the natural and spiritual.

Jesus' example to us is to hold our spiritual ground even in the face of a decaying or seemingly decayed situation. He is truly the Resurrection and the Life.

Pastor Jasper

Afterthought: Proverbs 6:2 You are snared by the words of your mouth.

Forgetting About the Power Within - Speak To Your Goliath (Part II)

In my last post, I spoke of forgetting about the power within each of us to come against the Goliaths that often challenge us. That conversation began with me speaking with a co-worker regarding her son facing imprisonment and his drug use that eventually got him in that spot. While listening to her discouraged heart - the Lord reminded me of this scripture regarding the "storm" that will arise
from time to time in our lives.

When we consider the event in Mark 4:37-38,  in which the disciples along with Jesus (being fast asleep down in the bow of the ship) encountered a great storm which seemingly overthrew them because of the greatness of the waves, the wind and the rain. The disciples forgot about the power that was given to them from Jesus. They were hit psychologically as well as physically because the greatness of this storm made them to feel powerless.

Fear gripped their hearts and thus controlled them rendering them bound. Storms blind us against seeing and hearing. In this mindset, nothing seemingly works right when it comes to the things of the Spirit. The focus yields everything negative because you're no longer believing by faith but by sight. These things make us feel as though we are powerless, but the Word of God teaches that we speak those things of power through faith, trusting that God will perform what we ask and believe. The Word declares "that before one jot or tittle of God's word passing away the whole world will come to end." (Paraphrase)

 In this session I want to look at the book of James chapter 1:1-8  King James Version (KJV): 

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

⁶ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

⁸ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

A lot of Christians don't know that their prayer is just as powerful as their confession of Faith.  In fact, your prayer is apart of your confession of Faith, but when you doubt what you have been praying, you are allowing the storm (this Goliath) to affect what you are confessing and believing. James talks about your faith being tested by temptations.  The temptation is always there to get you to not believe the word of God.  

The first feat of temptation is to make you believe that what you are praying in your confession prayer is a myth. The devil wants you to speak against your own prayer by saying, "God did not really intend for my prayer to come to pass".  He wants you to believe that your prayer is not a conquering weapon and that it is an impossible thing to bring about. 

It is your mindset that will cause you to be either defeated or be victorious. The mind understands facts. Facts seemingly is truth yet, facts are subject to the word of God. Facts will cause you to have a mindset change to stop from believing the word of God. It will get you to complaining about the things that are happening in your life. 

The solution is not to complain about these things even though the the storm is real our Creator is more powerful than the storm. The word of God will fix all of the things that created the storm and the damages of it. It will not only change the course of the storm but also change the effects of it. What you and I both need to know is the ability we have in Christ and recognize that we are more than conqueror's in Him. He is in us. That is the Christ man which gives us the ability to affect things with our words, and our words have the ability to affect the world. It's not that we are so great but it's the Christ in us that has made us the sons of God. 

The second and final part of this addresses complaining. When you complain you feed into the doubt the enemy  is challenging you with in regard to the storm. Your faith becomes doubt when you begin to believe and say what the devil is showing you as truth. So don't rehearse it! You give the situation the power over your faith which causes you to not receive the power God wants you to use. 

You begin to waver in your thinking and that doubt coupled with fear begins to drive, distract and destroy you because now you are reacting to what you see and hear - not in what you believe! Believe what is coming out of your mouth making sure it first and foremost God's word. If He said it - the storm is just that, a storm that will pass over, but you will unaffected by it and with every storm that's run its course - you find peace.

God bless you to really love, learn and lean on the Word of God.

Pastor J

Forgetting About the Power Within - Speak To Your Goliath (Part I)

On speaking with a co-worker regarding her son facing imprisonment and his drug use that got him in that spot and listening to her discouraged heart - the Lord reminded me of this scripture regarding the "storm" that will arise from time to time in our lives . When we consider the event in which the storm the disciples along with Jesus (being fast asleep down in the bow of the ship) forgot about the power that was given to them. They were hit psychologically and physically yet the greatness of this storm made them feel as though they could not get a handle over it and therefore felt powerless.

 

 Fear gripped their hearts and thus controlled them; bound by fear. Storms blind us against seeing and hearing. Nothing seemingly works right when it comes to the things of the spirit. The focus yields everything negative because you're no longer believing by faith but by sight. These things make us feel as though we are powerless, but the Word of God teaches that we speak those things of power through faith, trusting that God will perform what we ask and believe. The Word declares that before one jot or tittle of God's word pass away the whole world will come to end.

 

God has already placed in us the power to speak. The price has already been paid and all that is left is that we step in the path that God has ordained (walk in the way of the kingdom -mind perspective of Christ). God told Joshua to meditate on my Word day and night so that you will have success. Also, I will keep you in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee. Therefore our issue(s) must align with the Word of God.

 

The "Truth" is what God has said what we can have, as well as what we can do.

 

(Stayed tuned for Part 2 of this series coming next week)

Having Courage In The Face Of Defeat

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Did you know that the Father cares about what you think? The Word of God is powerful in your mouth!

Today I would like to talk about one of my heroes Elijah.  He had courage in the face of defeat. In 1 Kings 17:1, Elijah speaks a word of judgment to the earth, and God honored his words: "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word."

Now I want to start off by saying God didn't need Elijah to speak that word as He could have just shut the heavens up. The point of focus here, as a son of God, I want to show that the father cares about what you think.

Elijah was concerned about the times he was living in and the state of the affairs in the nation of Israel. King Ahab was more evil than all of the wicked kings of Israel.  He built an alter to Baal, he even married Jezebel who was the daughter of Eth-baal, who was the King of the Zidonians who served Baal and worshipped him.

Elijah was grieved about the times, especially when Ahab made a grove of idols. Ahab provoked the Lord to anger more than any other king. Elijah was tired of what was going on in the land (idol worship) and it moved him in anger and indignation against the Children of Israel and King Ahab. He was the one prophet who stood up and spoke a word in season against the wicked practices and God bearing witness of Elijah's actions and courage backed it up because of who Elijah was.

As sons of God we should get tired of seeing the enemy using and controlling God's people. Although it seems like a losing battle it's not - it just takes courage on our part to stand in the face of defeat. We have to know that our word is powerful and that God honors it  because we are his sons and His Spirit dwells in us.

We have to be like Elijah and be fed up enough to step out and speak a word in season that is true and it brings change.  Paul  gave us a clue as to what the sons of God are to be doing in the earth; the things that are taking place in the earth that are not apart of the kingdom should be judged. But we have to know how to judge (not attacking one another).  We have allowed sin to control us and keep the promises of God just out of our reach. I'm not saying you are in sin but the power and effect of sin has a devastating effect on the land. We are to have control over it. God has given us the power to have control over the earth and to subdue it.

1 Corinthians 6: 2 tells us that the saints shall judge the world. When you back up to chapter 5:1-5, Paul addresses a situation about fornication. The Christians were condoning this immoral act and rather than be sorrowful or grieved because of this issue that seemingly was prevalent among them as Pail was, instead they were puffed up about it. He wanted them to know that they had power in the spirit to deal with this problem. In comparing this instance to Elijah, the bible does not say this but I believe he was mourning about what was going on in Israel at that time. Because the spirit of Baal had taken over in the land introduced through Jezebel (the king's wife) the spirit of false worship and corruption spread throughout the land and the people of God would not withstand it. Here one can only empathize with Elijah in that sometimes we feel like one against all this ungodly stuff and often times contemplate what can one man do?

This happens when we forget who we are and that our voices don't matter cause the enemy wants us to feel as though our voices cannot and will not be heard. We become fearful and we loose courage as we face defeat. I believe if we allow ourselves to feel what God feels as His word states that we have the mind of Christ, we know it is not impossible only that we must tap into it. That's how a son of God does it.

This is what Elijah did he spoke the mind of God and he didn't even have the Holy Spirit in him, it would come up on him. The word he spoke caused the heavens to be shut up and it cost him something. Their was a death sentence declared on him and all of the prophets in the land. God gave him a word and a place to go for safety. And just like He performed for Elijah, He did for the ones that gave their lives because it was a matter of obeying the Word.

When we look into 1Kings 18, God gives a word to Elijah stating that the drought was over and he was to show himself to Ahab. Here is a man that was commanded to go right to the same authorities who wanted him dead. He uses this opportunity to call for a show down between the Living God and Baal to stop the effects of sin that had prevailed over the region. He knew the timing of the Lord and he had a word for the season.  He used timing to call for a show down for the people in order to show the powerlessness of idolatry and point the people to the true and living God.

Conclusively, Elijah was used of God to demonstrate his power as a son of God. It was not to puff himself up, but to testify (witness) to us the ability we have as the sons of God to speak out against sin and the moral depravity that comes when a notion turns against God's word. It takes courage to stand against all others that walk contrary to God's law - but when you take courage and speak the mind of Christ, God will allow great demonstrations to be done through you for drawing others back to Him.

Your Word Is the Weapon!

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Have you ever thought about how powerful you are? Have you paused your busy schedule long enough to consider the tremendous impact your words are having in your own life? What are you saying? In today's post, let's focus on the words we speak and how they positively or negatively affect our outcomes.

As a son of God you realize that your weapons of warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.  The strong holds are the giants that present themselves as impossible and impassable to you.  They show themselves as a mighty force that can not be stopped or conquered. The Word of God says that we are more than conquerors through Christ -[paraphrasing Romans 8:37] which you can meditate on.

The negative words out of your own mouth is what knocks you out of the game when you speak them. Why? Because what you say will appear. The Bible teaches that "We are snared by the words of our mouths" (Proverbs 6:2).  You don't realize this but the very thing you are speaking about or into is what the enemy is using to snare you.  He causes you to abort what you are believing, so that he can inflict a wound in your spirit - causing you to disbelieve God. The enemy's sole purpose is to get "you" to believe that Jesus cannot do what He says He can do. Warriors know that during a fight they are going to get hit and that is precisely why they use a shield or rather or equipped with a shield before engaging in battle. We then the Saints of God understand that we are called into a spiritual battle and we carry the shield of faith.

You must have confidence in the word that you are speaking and that it is working for you.  I'm reminded of these scriptures in Mark 11: 12-14; 20-21 and Matthew 21:18-20. Although these speak of the same parable [The Fig Tree] they depict a strong flourishing vibrant tree bearing much fruit only to be found to be a facade; resembling something strong and flourishing but bearing nothing. Jesus cursed the tree and that tree withered and everyone saw it. The other scripture said that it was the next day when they saw it. The point is that the moment the word was released something happened.  The Bible says the tree spoke. It's facade is similar to that which giants portray; big and lofty but bearing nothing.

Now I believe this is where their spiritual eyes were  opened in Matthew and later in Mark they did not see it (fully comprehend ) until the next day. They heard the Word but they couldn't and would not believe it. Like most Christians they have to have a manifestation. When you are a  skilled warrior you know your words have an impact, there is an immediate impact in the spirit.  As a skilled fighter you take control over your opponent. These giants are the things that are out of order and out of season in your life.

Giants present themselves because of the plans that God has for your life. They are not from God, but He allows them to come so He can show His power through you. Let us follow Jesus' example and speak life to the things we want to see flourish, likewise we have the power to speak to the things that need to die. Your Word is Your Weapon!    

Which Goliath(s) Will You Destroy in 2014?

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Happy New Year to you!  I am using the word "Happy" on purpose because this year we are defeating our enemies.  Some of these specific enemies have harassed, humiliated, frustrated and even embarrassed us for many years.  NO MORE! Can you say NO MORE?  This is the year where we will focus our attention on taking down every Goliath (negative and seemingly impossible situations) that have been in our way!

Are you ready?  I can already hear them falling dead from the fatal wounds of the sword of the Spirit which is the omnipotent Word of God. This year, we refuse to be overwhelmed by what we see.  We are walking in the King's ability with divine authority to evict and destroy every enemy of our vision, our families, our health and our lives.  Take a deep breath; we are going to take down one Goliath at a time.

It 's our fight, so we will choose our opponent.  We are going to fight, win, rejoice, rest and then start the next fight.  For Kingdom Gladiators, the "good fight of faith" is the KINGDOM SPORT. II Corinthians 10:4 says "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds."

Our mindset is changing from "Woe is Me" to "I love to Fight because I love to Win".  Jesus has already given us the victory.  For the next few moments, let's meditate on what I would call a "Winner's Principle":

You have already been given the ability by God to change your outcome(s).

As a son of God, you are an overcomer.  I John 5:4 says "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. The thought processes of your enemy are far inferior to the wisdom of God which is available to you as you have need.of it. The first step in turning things around is to acknowledge that you now  have the wisdom, the resources and God's ability to change previous outcomes.  Where you have lacked the boldness and confidence to stand in your authority in prior years, let courage and the faith of God arise in your heart right now!

Take whatever time you need to read, study and meditate on the Word of God in the area where you have been weak.  Make sure that you implement the directives that you receive from the Holy Spirit regarding your victory.  It would be good for you to also gain as much natural wisdom in these areas as possible by studying successful strategies from people who have succeeded in the arenas you are planning to engage in.

What have you tolerated that has hindered or discouraged you?  Have you noticed cyclical attacks? Identify specific situation(s) which you will address this year.  Which one are you going to defeat first? Make your decision and then inquire like David did "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine who has come to defy the army of the Living God?" I will no longer tolerate what I have tolerated from the devil in the past! This is my new day. God is restoring and strengthening me.  I am being anointed with fresh oil to open prison doors in my own life first and then in the lives of others.

You are going to need to focus on your victory more than you ever have before.  As you make up your mind that your time has come, you will experience victory after victory!  You are not alone.  I am encouraging every reader to begin to intercede for each other.  Go ahead Kingdom Gladiators, TAKE THEM DOWN! As a son of God, you have already WON!   

Pastor Jasper