That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Putting off and putting on are terms Paul used to describe the change in a believers life after salvation because of mind renewal. Before salvation, we’ve trained our bodies to yield to certain appetites, we’ve trained our minds to think in certain ways, and we’ve trained our emotions to act and react certain ways.
Stopping these learned behaviors is called putting off the old man with his deeds. The sin nature that produced appetites, thoughts and emotional responses has been removed by the new birth! We have become new creatures in Christ, and our daily lifestyle must be retrained to yield to this new person that we’ve become inside.
Developing new habits that reflect the new person that we’ve become within is called putting on the new man. This process occurs in us as we feed on the word and purpose to live a life of obedience to God. A key to putting off and putting on is in understanding the fundamentals of how behavior changes. We can’t stop a habit by constantly refusing to act it out. That keeps the attention on the habit.
Habits change by being replaced. When we make the decision to renew our minds with the Word, we decide to act on what we read and meditate on in scripture. For instance you read in Ephesians 4:29 that you are to refuse to allow yourself to speak any hurtful words to or about others. You meditate and think on this scripture over and over again for a period of time. And you may find that you still slip up and say things that shouldn’t be said and you repent. Just keep that process up, and the habit of hurtful speech will be broken and replaced by a habit of blessing with your words.
At first, it’s hit and miss. You may take a step forward and then a step backward. The key is persistence. Just keep on meditating in the word, and acting on it by repenting when you miss it with your words, and soon you’ll be catching yourself just before you begin the tirade of negative speech.
Putting off the old man and putting on the new man is a process that continues throughout our lives as we grow in Christ. His plan is that by the time He comes for us, we act just like Him in our thoughts, our words, and in our responses to others!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Putting Off and Putting On
Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 2:25 PM by Pastor Mitch
Monday, July 21, 2008
The foolishness of God
Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 9:24 AM by Pastor Mitch
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:25-29).
It’s not talent, skill, mental acumen, or social standing that causes God to place His anointing upon our lives. It’s faithful, obedient hearts that catch His gaze. Regardless of what “side of the tracks” we come from, there are no special privileges due to social or financial standing, or even natural abilities in the kingdom of God.
What the Father does in us and through us is all a work of His grace of which we cannot boast. He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.
God has a purpose for you as a member of the body of Christ. That purpose is not rooted in your natural heritage or background, and does not depend on natural strengths. That purpose was programmed into you from eternity past when God planned your life.
Moses was a murderer with a stuttering problem at age forty and years later was called by God to lead his generation. David was a shepherd little known by his fellow man. Joseph was ridiculed by his brothers and sold as a slave and did prison time. Amos was a farmer. Elisha was called from the back of a plow to lead a nation spiritually. Peter was unstable, but used by God to lead the church after the resurrection of Jesus. Paul was one of the most educated men of his day but counted his education as a pile of trash compared to knowing Jesus.
When God called me, I was an awkward introvert with no plan for my life. None of us can trust who we are in the flesh, talented or unskilled. It’s the power and grace of God that make us what we are in the family of God. So we can’t boast of anything God does through us. We’re merely the pipeline for the glory of God to be revealed to our generation through the good news of the gospel.
Don’t allow who you are naturally, good or bad, strong or weak, keep you from the glorious things that the Father has called you to do. You’re His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has planned for you to fulfill. Don’t look at yourself or you’ll get discouraged; don’t look at others or you’ll envy and compare; but look unto Jesus. He’s the beginning and ending of all you are and all He’s called you to do.
that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:25-29).
It’s not talent, skill, mental acumen, or social standing that causes God to place His anointing upon our lives. It’s faithful, obedient hearts that catch His gaze. Regardless of what “side of the tracks” we come from, there are no special privileges due to social or financial standing, or even natural abilities in the kingdom of God.
What the Father does in us and through us is all a work of His grace of which we cannot boast. He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.
God has a purpose for you as a member of the body of Christ. That purpose is not rooted in your natural heritage or background, and does not depend on natural strengths. That purpose was programmed into you from eternity past when God planned your life.
Moses was a murderer with a stuttering problem at age forty and years later was called by God to lead his generation. David was a shepherd little known by his fellow man. Joseph was ridiculed by his brothers and sold as a slave and did prison time. Amos was a farmer. Elisha was called from the back of a plow to lead a nation spiritually. Peter was unstable, but used by God to lead the church after the resurrection of Jesus. Paul was one of the most educated men of his day but counted his education as a pile of trash compared to knowing Jesus.
When God called me, I was an awkward introvert with no plan for my life. None of us can trust who we are in the flesh, talented or unskilled. It’s the power and grace of God that make us what we are in the family of God. So we can’t boast of anything God does through us. We’re merely the pipeline for the glory of God to be revealed to our generation through the good news of the gospel.
Don’t allow who you are naturally, good or bad, strong or weak, keep you from the glorious things that the Father has called you to do. You’re His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has planned for you to fulfill. Don’t look at yourself or you’ll get discouraged; don’t look at others or you’ll envy and compare; but look unto Jesus. He’s the beginning and ending of all you are and all He’s called you to do.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Signs of Jesus’ Return
Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 9:21 AM by Pastor Mitch
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it (Zechariah 12:2-3).
We need to be very careful as a nation to be a friend and not an enemy to Israel. Though in unbelief, they still are heir of the promises of God through Abraham. In 1948 they became a nation again as prophecied and have been gathered by God back to their land.
With our nation pushing the creation of a Palestinian state, we are coming very close to siding against Israel. If we do this as a nation, we will receive a curse and not a blessing. Those who harm Israel will be harmed. Things will not go well for those nations that trouble her.
This is a time to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Their choices with respect to Israel will determine what happens to our nation. The elections of 2008 will be defining for America and our standing in the world. Let’s believe God now for wisdom as we vote next year.
We’re living in the season of the rapture and Second Coming of Christ. The signs are everywhere. God’s word is being fulfilled. Notice the following:
Israel has been regathered to their land; Israel occupies Jerusalem for the first time in 2000 years; Iran and Russia are working closely together now as Ezekiel foretold (Ezekiel 38-39), and one day will seek to destroy Israel; Ethnic conflicts abound worldwide (Matthew 24:7); weather patterns have become extreme and difficult worldwide creating floods, huge storms, drought, and fires (Luke 21:11); epidemic diseases are on the rise worldwide (Luke 21:11); seismic activity has become a regular pattern (Luke 21:11, Matthew 24:7); mankind has become self-centered, sexually loose, greedy for money, cold and resistant to Christianity and true godliness (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Conditions are ripe on earth for the Anti-Christ to introduce a peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians. That will signal the beginning of the tribulation, which I believe will occur either just before or right after the rapture of the church (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Daniel 9:27).
We are living in a time of tremendous change. Now is the time to seek first the kingdom of God, to wear our spiritual armor daily, and to fight the good fight of faith. God has promised that His glory would be poured out on us when things get really dark on earth (Isaiah 60:1-3). Let’s spend extra time in prayer and in the Word and position ourselves to be used by the Father to bring hope, blessing, and deliverance to those bound by sin all around us. Let’s keep ourselves clean spiritually and be the salt and light that Jesus’ has destined us to be in this hour!
As Andrea Crouch sang years ago, soon and very soon, we are going to see the King! Stay ready!
We need to be very careful as a nation to be a friend and not an enemy to Israel. Though in unbelief, they still are heir of the promises of God through Abraham. In 1948 they became a nation again as prophecied and have been gathered by God back to their land.
With our nation pushing the creation of a Palestinian state, we are coming very close to siding against Israel. If we do this as a nation, we will receive a curse and not a blessing. Those who harm Israel will be harmed. Things will not go well for those nations that trouble her.
This is a time to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Their choices with respect to Israel will determine what happens to our nation. The elections of 2008 will be defining for America and our standing in the world. Let’s believe God now for wisdom as we vote next year.
We’re living in the season of the rapture and Second Coming of Christ. The signs are everywhere. God’s word is being fulfilled. Notice the following:
Israel has been regathered to their land; Israel occupies Jerusalem for the first time in 2000 years; Iran and Russia are working closely together now as Ezekiel foretold (Ezekiel 38-39), and one day will seek to destroy Israel; Ethnic conflicts abound worldwide (Matthew 24:7); weather patterns have become extreme and difficult worldwide creating floods, huge storms, drought, and fires (Luke 21:11); epidemic diseases are on the rise worldwide (Luke 21:11); seismic activity has become a regular pattern (Luke 21:11, Matthew 24:7); mankind has become self-centered, sexually loose, greedy for money, cold and resistant to Christianity and true godliness (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Conditions are ripe on earth for the Anti-Christ to introduce a peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians. That will signal the beginning of the tribulation, which I believe will occur either just before or right after the rapture of the church (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Daniel 9:27).
We are living in a time of tremendous change. Now is the time to seek first the kingdom of God, to wear our spiritual armor daily, and to fight the good fight of faith. God has promised that His glory would be poured out on us when things get really dark on earth (Isaiah 60:1-3). Let’s spend extra time in prayer and in the Word and position ourselves to be used by the Father to bring hope, blessing, and deliverance to those bound by sin all around us. Let’s keep ourselves clean spiritually and be the salt and light that Jesus’ has destined us to be in this hour!
As Andrea Crouch sang years ago, soon and very soon, we are going to see the King! Stay ready!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Prepare Now
Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 11:14 AM by Pastor Mitch
Anyone familiar with what the scripture says the world will be like just prior to the return of Christ knows that we’re living in the last of the last days. 2 Timothy 3:1 reminds us: But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].
Let me urge you today to not allow yourself to coast spiritually. This is a time to sharpen yourself spiritually and stay focused. Jesus literally could come back at any time. Keep your heart and your mind pure from the defilement of the flesh and of the thinking of the world.
Keep your faith in God’s Word built up. According to 1 John 5:4, the victory that overcomes the world is our faith! Take time every day to meditate on the promises of God concerning answered prayer and faith. Meditate on the Word concerning healing and health, and keep your faith built up on the Lord being your provision and safety. If you’ll do this, then you will be ready when the enemy seeks to attack and won’t be caught unprepared.
It’s difficult to get faith when crisis hits. That’s when you need to have your faith already built up strongly on the Word. Prepare now for the day of adversity. Today I want to leave you with some scripture that I meditate on daily to keep my personal faith in the Word and in answered prayer strong.
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive (Matthew 21:22). Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them (Mark 11:24). So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Luke 11:9-10). If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you (John 15:7). And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:23-24) And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (1 John 3:22). Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15). God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19).
Let me urge you today to not allow yourself to coast spiritually. This is a time to sharpen yourself spiritually and stay focused. Jesus literally could come back at any time. Keep your heart and your mind pure from the defilement of the flesh and of the thinking of the world.
Keep your faith in God’s Word built up. According to 1 John 5:4, the victory that overcomes the world is our faith! Take time every day to meditate on the promises of God concerning answered prayer and faith. Meditate on the Word concerning healing and health, and keep your faith built up on the Lord being your provision and safety. If you’ll do this, then you will be ready when the enemy seeks to attack and won’t be caught unprepared.
It’s difficult to get faith when crisis hits. That’s when you need to have your faith already built up strongly on the Word. Prepare now for the day of adversity. Today I want to leave you with some scripture that I meditate on daily to keep my personal faith in the Word and in answered prayer strong.
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive (Matthew 21:22). Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them (Mark 11:24). So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Luke 11:9-10). If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you (John 15:7). And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:23-24) And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (1 John 3:22). Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15). God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19).
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Authority
Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 5:49 AM by Pastor Mitch
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:19).
No one has more authority over satanic forces than you, the child of God. The lowest member of the body of Christ has just as much of this authority as the most spiritual.
Serpents and scorpions in the above verse are referring to the demonic forces that are seeking to hinder the purposes of God in the earth.
Exercise your authority over these forces today that are seeking inroads into your home, your family, finances, your church, your nation, the purposes of God at large, and that are seeking to hinder your walk with God.
Jesus has given the church the exclusive use of His name against these diabolical forces. Walk in purity and holiness, and command these forces to stop in their maneuvers against you and the kingdom of God of which you are a part.
Satan wants us to get so busy that we don’t take the time to be proactive in the exercise of our rights in Christ against him and his kingdom. As a result we can see darkness increasing in our communities, nation and world. If we believers don’t take our place and stand against the forces of Satan then who will? We have been commissioned with authority, and the Father is looking to us to take our place. He wants us to work with Him in the salvation of the lost, and in the advancement of His kingdom all over the world.
The Father is depending on you and me today to pray and ask Him to manifest Himself and His kingdom all over the earth. We have not because we ask not. Let’s take our place and push back the forces that are seeking to destroy all that is holy and pure.
Remember that God gave authority over the earth to Adam when He created Him. When Adam sinned, he transferred that authority to Satan and his kingdom. Jesus returned to the church the authority that Adam gave away! God needs you to take your place in His family today. Don’t sit back. Don’t remain idle spiritually. Be aggressive. Let’s push together, walking in the light, and pushing back the darkness with the name of Jesus, the force of our praying (praying in the spirit too!), and with the power of a godly life!
No one has more authority over satanic forces than you, the child of God. The lowest member of the body of Christ has just as much of this authority as the most spiritual.
Serpents and scorpions in the above verse are referring to the demonic forces that are seeking to hinder the purposes of God in the earth.
Exercise your authority over these forces today that are seeking inroads into your home, your family, finances, your church, your nation, the purposes of God at large, and that are seeking to hinder your walk with God.
Jesus has given the church the exclusive use of His name against these diabolical forces. Walk in purity and holiness, and command these forces to stop in their maneuvers against you and the kingdom of God of which you are a part.
Satan wants us to get so busy that we don’t take the time to be proactive in the exercise of our rights in Christ against him and his kingdom. As a result we can see darkness increasing in our communities, nation and world. If we believers don’t take our place and stand against the forces of Satan then who will? We have been commissioned with authority, and the Father is looking to us to take our place. He wants us to work with Him in the salvation of the lost, and in the advancement of His kingdom all over the world.
The Father is depending on you and me today to pray and ask Him to manifest Himself and His kingdom all over the earth. We have not because we ask not. Let’s take our place and push back the forces that are seeking to destroy all that is holy and pure.
Remember that God gave authority over the earth to Adam when He created Him. When Adam sinned, he transferred that authority to Satan and his kingdom. Jesus returned to the church the authority that Adam gave away! God needs you to take your place in His family today. Don’t sit back. Don’t remain idle spiritually. Be aggressive. Let’s push together, walking in the light, and pushing back the darkness with the name of Jesus, the force of our praying (praying in the spirit too!), and with the power of a godly life!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Healing is a Covenant Right
Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 6:40 AM by Pastor Mitch
Christians have a covenant right to be healed! Jesus took out sicknesses and sins on the cross of Calvary! Make sure that you avail yourself to this benefit of healing power for your body.
Notice Isaiah 53: 4-5: Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains — he hath carried them, And we — we have esteemed him plagued, smitten of God, and afflicted.
And he is pierced for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace is on him, and by his bruise there is healing to us (Young’s literal translations).
Healing is not automatic, just as forgiveness of sin is not automatic. To be forgiven of sin, you must exercise faith and believe that Jesus died for you, and then confess with your mouth that you are forgiven and that Jesus is your Lord. You have to be proactive!
It’s the same with healing of sickness. At the first symptom, don’t let anything come out of your mouth but what the Word of God says about you. When a symptom appears, speak to the mountain according to Mark 11:23; command the symptoms to go from you in the name of Jesus. Tell Satan that Jesus took your sicknesses and diseases when He took your sins and that he can’t put that on you. Then, ask God to heal you and thank Him for Jesus taking your sicknesses when He took your sins. Tell the Lord that you believe you receive healing for your body.
Continue to walk in thanksgiving and voice your praise for the Father healing you even while the symptoms persist or get worse. Satan has the ability to put a thought in your mind and a feeling on your body. Walk by faith and not feelings. Confess what you believe in the face of the thoughts and feelings. Side with the Word of God and not with your feelings and symptoms.
I’ve been healed hundreds of times from symptoms all over my body through the years by simply acting on the Word of God in this manner. He sent His Word and healed us!
Glorify God in your body today by availing yourself to the healing that Jesus provided for you. It gives God no glory for you to be sick. His will is for you to be healed and whole. Let your thoughts and Words agree with God’s Word about your healing today. Resist the thoughts that the enemy brings. Healing is yours. Walk in your covenants rights. The same faith that cleanses sin will heal sickness. Healing belongs to you!
Notice Isaiah 53: 4-5: Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains — he hath carried them, And we — we have esteemed him plagued, smitten of God, and afflicted.
And he is pierced for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace is on him, and by his bruise there is healing to us (Young’s literal translations).
Healing is not automatic, just as forgiveness of sin is not automatic. To be forgiven of sin, you must exercise faith and believe that Jesus died for you, and then confess with your mouth that you are forgiven and that Jesus is your Lord. You have to be proactive!
It’s the same with healing of sickness. At the first symptom, don’t let anything come out of your mouth but what the Word of God says about you. When a symptom appears, speak to the mountain according to Mark 11:23; command the symptoms to go from you in the name of Jesus. Tell Satan that Jesus took your sicknesses and diseases when He took your sins and that he can’t put that on you. Then, ask God to heal you and thank Him for Jesus taking your sicknesses when He took your sins. Tell the Lord that you believe you receive healing for your body.
Continue to walk in thanksgiving and voice your praise for the Father healing you even while the symptoms persist or get worse. Satan has the ability to put a thought in your mind and a feeling on your body. Walk by faith and not feelings. Confess what you believe in the face of the thoughts and feelings. Side with the Word of God and not with your feelings and symptoms.
I’ve been healed hundreds of times from symptoms all over my body through the years by simply acting on the Word of God in this manner. He sent His Word and healed us!
Glorify God in your body today by availing yourself to the healing that Jesus provided for you. It gives God no glory for you to be sick. His will is for you to be healed and whole. Let your thoughts and Words agree with God’s Word about your healing today. Resist the thoughts that the enemy brings. Healing is yours. Walk in your covenants rights. The same faith that cleanses sin will heal sickness. Healing belongs to you!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Precious in the Sight of the Lord
Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 9:14 AM by Pastor Mitch
I'm posting this blog today from my Palm Treo. I'm in Heath Springs, SC attending the funeral of an uncle that died Saturday night in his sleep at age 82. He was studying to teach his Sunday school class before retiring for bed on Saturday night. He didn't get up at his normal time on Sunday morning, his wife went to awaken him. He looked to be sleeping peacefully. She found that he had went to be with Jesus during the night!
Psalm 116:15 reads: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. My uncle saw the Lord for the first time face to face early Sunday morning.
If a person has lived a long satisfying life as my uncle David had, this is certainly a wonderful transition from earth to heaven!
His funeral is today at 3 and I'll be driving home later tonight!
Psalm 116:15 reads: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. My uncle saw the Lord for the first time face to face early Sunday morning.
If a person has lived a long satisfying life as my uncle David had, this is certainly a wonderful transition from earth to heaven!
His funeral is today at 3 and I'll be driving home later tonight!
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