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Cast Down or Get Cast Down!
When we entertain or meditate on thoughts from our past that give birth to negative emotions within us, and we do not cast them down as Scripture instructs, those thoughts can cause us to disconnect from our true identity in Christ. We take these negative thoughts captive so they don’t capture us.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
The knowledge of God reveals who we are in Christ. Understanding our identity empowers us to take negative thoughts captive and reject them–casting them down because they are contrary to what God’s Word declares about who we are and what we possess in Christ.
Ed Elliot
GOD BLESSES YOU, THE RIGHTEOUS
Blessings are on the head of the righteous.
Proverbs 10:6
Whenever you find a promise or blessing for the righteous in the Bible, grab hold of it by saying, “Father, I receive this blessing in Jesus’ name!”
Let me show you how to practice this. When you read in Proverbs 10:6 that blessings are on the head of the righteous, say, “Thank you, Father, this promise is for ME because I have been made righteous through faith in Jesus and His finished work!”
So every day, instead of fearing that lack will devour you, expect God’s provision and blessings to hunt you down and surround you! Expect good things to happen to you. Say, “Father, I thank You that Your blessings crown my head. Your bountiful provisions are upon me and my household!”
Beloved, the more you begin to believe and speak words of abundance, provision, and increase, the more you will experience the full blessings of the righteous!
The Local Church as a Place of Refuge
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
The Old Testament cities of refuge reveal a beautiful picture of Christ as our protection. Now let me show you another type hidden in the teaching on the cities of refuge, and that is the picture of the local church.
The six cities are scattered across the land so a person can flee to the nearest one to take refuge. It is a picture of local churches scattered all around the world. The local church, my friend, is a place of refuge.
The church is not man’s idea; it is God’s idea. It is a place where all the guilty, those who are suffering from condemnation, and those who are being pursued can come and take refuge.
You see, it is not God’s heart for you to take this journey of faith on your own. Certainly, you can learn a lot by reading books or watching sermons online, but God’s heart is for you to be part of a community of faith.
In the Father’s house, people experience healing, breakthroughs, protection, and other blessings. God the Father raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named (Eph,. 1:21). This means that Jesus is far above all sicknesses, all diseases, all terror, all snares, all cancers, all depression, and all addictions.
We all agree that our Lord is above every name, but on this earth, where does this power and dominion reside? The apostle Paul declares, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23).
Where is this power today in our broken and fallen world? It is found in the church! His power, His authority, and His fullness are all found in the church–our city of refuge, where we can run to and find divine protection!
Joseph Prince
Anoint My Head with Oil
A good friend of mine shared this recently and I thought it was too good not to share it with you.
“Thou anointest my head with oil” (Psalm 23:5).
Sheep can get their heads caught in barriers and die trying to get untangled. There are horrid little flies that like to torment sheep by laying eggs in their nostrils, which turn into worms and drive the sheep to beat their heads against a rock, sometimes to death. Their ears and eyes are also susceptible to tormenting insects. So the shepherd anoints their whole head with oil. Then there is peace. That oil forms a barrier of protection against the evil that tries to destroy the sheep.
Do you have times of mental torment? Do the worrisome thoughts invade your mind over and over? Do you beat your head against a wall trying to stop them? Have you ever asked God to anoint your head with oil? He has an endless supply!
His oil protects and makes it possible for you to fix your heart, mind, and eyes on Him today and always! There is peace in the valley! May our good Father anoint your head with oil today so that your cup overflows with blessings! God is good, and He is faithful. Ed Elliot
I Touched God Today
I touched God today.
She sat across from me in a chair,
despair on her face, dye in her hair,
An unborn child in her womb,
and her hopes in some forgotten tomb.
I touched God today.
He wore a baseball cap.
It was red, I think.
He had sad blue eyes and dingy blonde hair.
His wife had left, and he wondered…
Who cares?
I touched God today.
He smiled at me with a missing tooth.
He was nine years old and aloof.
In his jeans was a little hole, and
There were freckles on his nose.
I touched God today.
Many times, I’m sure.
At the school where I work,
On the street, in the department store.
Yes, I touched God today,
And tomorrow–
I’ll touch God some more.
“For as you have done it unto the least of these…you’ve done it unto me.”
By Darlene Campbell
(dedicated to Pastor LaVerne years ago)
WE BECOME WHAT OUR HEARTS FOCUS ON
The purpose of religion is to keep you focused on your sins and failures. Whereas the goal of the gospel is to keep you focused on Jesus. We live and have a relationship with God from the context of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is from this reality that we can have boldness and unwavering confidence in God’s goodness toward us. Whatever you focus on becomes your identity.
In Matthew Chapter 14, Peter was only able to walk on water when he kept his focus on Jesus. The moment he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm, faith was replaced by fear that reminded him of his own mortality. Thus, he lost the ability to live in the supernatural. Truth is, storms in life will come and go, but we should never let them rob us of our focus.
Our source of faith, supernatural strength, and ability is determined by how we see Jesus today. “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness on the day of judgment: because AS HE IS, SO ARE WE in this world” (1 John 4:17).
Like Peter, we all fail in our lives at times. However, when we lose our focus, it is important to always remember that Jesus doesn’t ever lose His focus on us. Peter might have momentarily taken his eyes off Jesus, but Jesus never took His eyes off Peter. I would rather be a wet, water-walking believer than a dry boat-sitter who was too cowardly to leave the boat. Failures in life are part of what living is all about. Don’t condemn yourself for missing it in life because the One who gave His life and blood for you has never turned His back on you or taken His eyes off you. He can recover, restore, and strengthen you when you place your focus back on Him. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matt. 6:22-23 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7
Ed Elloitt
We Become What Our Hearts Focus On
The purpose of religion is to keep you focused on your sins and failures. Whereas the goal of the gospel is to keep you focused on Jesus. We live and have a relationship with God from the context of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is from this reality that we can have boldness and unwavering confidence in God’s goodness toward us. Whatever you focus on becomes your identity.
In Matthew Chapter 14, Peter was only able to walk on water when he kept his focus on Jesus. The moment he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm, faith was replaced by fear that reminded him of his own mortality. Thus, he lost the ability to live in the supernatural. Truth is, storms in life will come and go, but we should never let them rob us of our focus. Our source of faith, supernatural strength, and ability is determined by how we see Jesus today. “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness on the day of judgment: because AS HE IS, SO ARE WE in this world” (1 John 4:17).
Like Peter, we all fail in our lives at times. However, when we lose our focus, it is important to always remember that Jesus doesn’t ever lose His focus on us. Peter might have momentarily taken his eyes off Jesus, but Jesus never took His eyes off Peter. I would rather be a wet, water-walking believer than a dry boat-sitter who was too cowardly to leave the boat. Failures in life are part of what living is all about. Don’t condemn yourself for missing it in life because the One who gave His life and blood for you has never turned His back on you or taken His eyes off you. He can recover, restore, and strengthen you when you place your focus back on Him. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23)
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:10–11
She never expected to be caught in the act of adultery, much less be dragged to the Teacher and flung at His feet. Those who did it smugly expected Jesus to condemn her. None of them were prepared to hear Him say, “Let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!” Their consciences pricked, they left, one by one. Alone with Jesus, she heard Him say to her, “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” Jesus knew how important it was for this woman to realize and say, “No one condemns me, Lord.” The only one who could condemn her did not, because He was going to the cross to be punished and condemned in her place. Something happens when you know that God does not condemn you today because of the cross. The woman received the power to “go and sin (which was her problem) no more.” Likewise, you will receive the power to overcome sin and even rise from your bed of sickness and be sick no more! Joseph Prince
Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Some years ago, a Christmas musical included Mary saying, “If the Lord has spoken, I must do as He commands. I will put my life into His hands. I will trust Him with my life.”
That was Mary’s response to the surprise announcement that she would be the mother of the Son of God. Whatever the consequences, she was able to say, “May Your word to me be fulfilled.”
Mary was ready to surrender her life to the Lord, even if it meant that she might be disgraced in the eyes of everyone who knew her. And because she trusted the Lord with her life, she became the mother of Jesus and could celebrate the Savior’s coming. Mary took God at His word, accepted God’s will for her life, and placed herself in God’s hands.
That’s what it takes to truly celebrate Christmas: to believe what is completely unbelievable to many people, to accept God’s will for our lives, and to place ourselves in God’s service, trusting that our lives are in His hands. Only then will we be able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
Ask the Holy Spirit today to help you trust God with your life and to turn the controls of your life over to Him. When you do, your life will never be the same.
Lord, our God, please give us faith to believe that the child we celebrate on Christmas is your Son, our Savior. Help us to acknowledge Him as Lord and to trust Him with our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Arthur J. Schoonveld
How Faith Really Works!
The Apostle Paul writes, “faith works by love.” This simple, profound statement by Paul has been misunderstood by many believers. Some believe that for your faith to work, you must walk in love. If that is true, then no one could ever be saved, because to receive God’s grace, they first have to walk in love, to have the faith to be able to receive God’s grace. How can people who don’t know God walk in His love so their faith might work? The truth is, it isn’t our love or ability to walk in love that causes our faith to work; it is knowing and believing in the ONE who loves you perfectly and completely that does.
Knowing God’s character is what empowers you to trust Him! The ability to trust someone isn’t based on your character but on theirs.
Faith isn’t a reward for good behavior; it is a response to knowing the love God has for you.
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, but faith working through love,” Galatians 5:6
“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
I John 4:16
Persuade your heart to this one truth, and you will always live in victory.
If you believe that your sin condemns you before God, then you don’t understand or believe that as a believer, you are in Christ!
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Roman 8:1
Walking after the Spirit simply means to agree with God’s word.
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12
We all make mistakes and sin from time to time, but your Heavenly Father never wants you to believe that your sin disconnects you from God or experiencing His love He has for you. It is ONLY His love for you that helps you to live as an overcomer in life!
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39
When your heart is persuaded that “absolutely” nothing can ever separate you from God’s love, then you can never be separated from victory in knowing His love for you. Ed Elliot
When the Storms of Life Rage
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Storms of life. You know them well. They overwhelm you. Wave after wave of relentless battering that knocks you off your feet till you don’t know which side is up. Till every ounce of energy is used up and you feel weak, abandoned, and lonely. Perhaps you’re caught in one of life’s storms right now.
When the disciples of Jesus were out at sea, caught in a turbulent tempest, and tossed by the waves, who came to them in their darkest hour? It was Jesus Himself (Matt. 14:22-33). Jesus came in style, walking on the raging waters. The loving Savior came to them at their exact point of need to rescue them.
What does this tell you? That He is above the storms. He walks above–He is greater than–every adversity and opposition that you may be facing right now, and He comes to you to rescue you!
With the billowing waves beneath His feet, His first words to His disciples were, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!” (Matt. 14:27 NLT). What a comfort those words must have brought to the disciples who were exhausted and shaking with fear for their lives.
My friend, when the storms of life rage, don’t go by what you see and hear all around you. Don’t go by your negative feelings and emotions. Live by the truth of God’s Word, which encourages you to “be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic…For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deut. 31:6 NLT).
Our God is a personal and loving God who is with you in your boat right in the midst of the howling storm. He knows how to lead you to victory every time. He cannot fail you! Joseph Prince
GRACE IS THE CATALYST THAT BRINGS REPENTANCE
“Neither will I condemn you,” said Jesus to the woman caught in adultery in John 8. Jesus tells us in John 5:19 that He only does what He sees His Father doing. In fact, the first thing he let the woman know was that he did not condemn. Equally important, He would not let anyone else condemn her either. Then He told her, “Go and sin no more.”
The absence of condemnation from God is what empowers us to repent and motivates us to turn from our sins. Repentance does not bring grace. Rather, grace is the catalyst that brings repentance! The idea that if we repent, God doesn’t condemn us totally contradicts what the Bible teaches. The Prodigal was embraced, loved, and accepted before he made it home and before he even acknowledged he had sinned. The truth is that God does not condemn us. Period. Jesus said He wasn’t sent to condemn the world (John 3:17). Paul said there is no fear in judgment for the believer. (Romans 8:1) It is this powerful and life-changing truth that enables us to turn from sin. We have access 24/7 to a throng of mercy and grace–not a throne of judgment (Hebrews 4:16). Ed Eliott
The Power of Redeeming Thoughts
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT
What mental movies are you playing in your head today? Are they thoughts of defeat and despair or thoughts of victory and favor? Faith is simply saying what God says about you and seeing what God sees in you and your situation.
It takes a thought to heal a thought. Unlike the world, which teaches you to empty your mind to achieve peace, God’s way is to fill your mind with fresh, powerful, and redeeming thoughts.
The apostle Paul tells us, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Phil. 4:8 NLT).
So it’s not just trying to blot out bad thoughts with your willpower. It takes the right belief to replace the enemy’s lies that have kept you in bondage.
My friend, if a wrong, bad, or negative thought is lodged in your mind today and you can’t seem to shake it, stop trying! Perhaps you’re lying in a hospital bed and can’t help but think of the worst-case scenario. You’re attempting to suppress it, but it’s not working.
Well, stop! Stop trying to erase it from your mind. That just won’t work. What you need to do is replace that destructive thought with a thought that‘s from God. That’s the only way to deal with wrong thoughts and begin the healing process.
Start to meditate on truths such as, “Surely Jesus has borne my sicknesses and carried my pains. The chastisement for my wholeness fell upon Him, and by His stripes I am healed. With long life He will satisfy me” (Isa. 53:4-5, Ps. 91:6). Begin to play mental movies of yourself getting well, being discharged from the hospital, having fun with your kids, or going on a nice holiday!
How to Be Kept in Perfect Peace
You need the truth of God’s Word to uproot any wrong belief. This is why it’s so important to get into His Word and take time to meditate upon verses that reveal God’s unwavering and unfailing love for you.
For instance, if you find your mind drifting into anxiousness over the smallest things, I encourage you to memorize and quote today’s scripture: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind stays on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).
Whenever I feel stressed or worried about something, I pull away from life’s hustle and bustle and simply meditate on God’s promises. Sometimes I like to drive to a quiet park, and as gentle, anointed music plays in my car, I feed on and speak His Word, allowing it to permeate my spirit. “God’s Word declares, ‘You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.’”
And I tell the Lord, “Yes, Lord, it is You who will keep me in perfect peace. Perfect peace comes from You. I just need to rest in Your grace and keep my mind on You. I don’t need to think about what to do about this challenge. As I trust in You and keep my mind on You, You will lead me and guide me. My trust is not in my own strength, but in You and You alone, Jesus.”
What am I doing here? Instead of allowing stress and worry to get to me, I’m training my heart to see how God sees my challenges.
The bigger God becomes in my heart, the smaller my challenges become. In fact, many times when I just relax and keep my mind on the Lord, His peace and wisdom begin to flow in me, and the challenge that I was previously so worried about becomes minute and inconsequential in the presence of Almighty God.
Are you faced with an insurmountable circumstance today? Learn to see what God sees by meditating on His Word, and let His peace drive out your anxiety. Let His wisdom direct your paths. Joseph Prince
Start the Day Expecting Good
As you believed, so let it be done for you. Matthew 8:13
Wake up every day expecting good. Keep your thoughts and mind positive, full of joy, full of hope, and full of anticipation of all the good things God has in store for you, His beloved!
Spring up from your bed, stand in front of your mirror, and boldly declare, “I am the disciple whom Jesus loves. I am the apple of His eye. Everything I do and touch shall be blessed! The Lord’s wisdom, favor, and provision flow mightily in and through me. Amen!”
When you do this, you are accessing the Lord’s abundant provision for you, and all the stress, worries, negative emotions, and anxieties will fade away.
Perhaps today, you have to make an important presentation to your biggest client, or go for the final interview for a job you really want. Perhaps you are way behind the curve in completing an important project at work. Whatever the demands on you, start the day expecting good and to see His provision flow!
Joseph Prince
The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory. . . give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power. Ephesians 1:17-19
The solution to all your problems can be found in the person of Jesus.
My friend, if you are worried about your daily provisions, see Jesus as your provider–the One who multiplied five loaves and two small fish to feed more than 5,000 people with 12 baskets full of leftovers.
If you need wisdom for a particular situation, see Jesus as your wisdom–the One who always has the right answer and response to every challenge. And know that He is in you and with you to guide you in your decision-making.
Beloved, ask the Holy Spirit to give you a personal revelation of Jesus in the area of your need. He Himself is the solution for your every need.
Joseph Prince
Forgiving Others is to Your Advantage
‘And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have fought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.’
There are qualifications for believing and receiving as well as restrictions for receiving answers to prayer.
Unforgiveness in our hearts will keep our prayers from being answered.
We should forgive others as quickly as it takes to make the decision to pray. The Greek word for ‘when’ means ‘whenever, as soon as, or while.’ When we stand praying, we must forgive if we have fought (anything at all, the least little part; whatsoever’) against anyone.
When we are offended or hurt, we often feel justified in holding a grudge.
The Old Testament law expressed this when it stated, ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth’ (Ex. 21:23-25). Until the offense was paid, we did not feel free to forgive. However, God dealt with all men’s offenses by placing sin upon the perfect Savior who was judged in place of every sinner of all time. To demand that others must earn our forgiveness is not Christlike. Jesus died for every man’s sins, extending forgiveness to us while we were yet sinners, and we should do the same.
It is doubtful that a person who refuses to forgive has ever experienced forgiveness himself. This is comparable to the servant that Jesus talked about in Matthew 18:23-35. He was forgiven a debt of over $3,000,000,000 and yet he refused to forgive his fellow servant who owed him $3,000. The forgiveness that we have received from the Lord is infinitely greater than any forgiveness we will ever be asked to extend to others.
Freely forgive as you have been forgiven.
Andrew Wommack
The Heart of Worship – Song by Matt Redman
When the music fades All is stripped away And I simply come Longin’ just to bring Something that’s of worth That will bless Your heart I’ll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within Through the ways things appear You’re looking into my heart I’m comin’ back to the heart of worship Every single breath I’ll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within I’m comin’ back to the heart of worship And it’s all about You Jesus I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it Cause it’s all about You It’s all about You, Jesus, it’ll bring You more than a song You’re looking into my heart…..
THE ONLY BIRD THAT DARES TO ATTACK AN EAGLE IS A CROW, BUT THE EAGLE NEVER FIGHTS BACK. HERE IS WHY:
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The crow is the only bird bold enough to sit on the eagle’s back and peck at its neck.
Relentless. Annoying.
But the eagle… stays calm.
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The eagle doesn’t flap. Doesn’t fight. Doesn’t waste energy. It does one thing: It rises.
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The higher the eagle soars. The thinner the air becomes. The crow? It can’t handle the altitude.
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Eventually, the crow gasps. Loses strength…And falls off.Not because the eagle attacked
But because the eagle ascended.
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Let the crows talk. Let them peck. You don’t have to respond. Just keep going higher.
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They can’t follow you forever. Your growth will suffocate their noise. So don’t engage. Elevate. Copied
Isaiah 40:28:31 “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” Amplified
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