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Posts by Gaspar Anastasi

When the battle is bigger than you

April 18, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
2 Comments
Faith, Finding direction, Success & victory

King Jehoshaphat was blind-sided by the enemy. They were bigger and stronger than him, and they were coming from behind, according to all the news reports of his day. But Jehoshaphat was wise because he let his fear force him to focus on God. He cut off all the voices that were speaking fear. The Bible says “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3).

Men, women and children from all over the country came together to seek God’s counsel and this king of Judah bared his heart to the Lord. Then the word of the Lord came to them:

 “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them.… You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)

Turn off the voices

As in Jehoshaphat’s day, today all the news is prophesying gloom and doom; and I think we should respond the same way he did. Cut off all the voices that are speaking fear. This is not a battle you should fight in your own strength. Instead, position yourself, stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf. 

There are many rules and even facts that have changed since the Coronavirus pandemic started. But the word of God is unchanging. The only way for us to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord is by positioning ourselves on God’s mighty, unchangeable Word. 

When you find yourself struggling between two opinions, turn off the media and turn on the Bible. Don’t just sit and focus on the facts that you see with your eyes and comprehend with your mind. Use your imagination to see all the health and protection God’s promises say He has for you. Lay down your own plan and strategy, and pick up His. 

Know the nature of the battle

If you don’t understand the nature of the battle, you’ll never understand the strategy. It’s a spiritual battle. We’re fighting against principalities and powers and the darkness of this world. Therefore, our strategy, like the one God gave King Jehoshaphat, must be spiritual.

When you’re filled with anxiety and fear, you’re fighting the wrong battle. Instead, choose to believe in the Lord your God, that He’s on your side. The strategy God gave this ancient king will work for you and me, if we’ll employ it.

Let’s face this pandemic battle praising God and prophesying His truth. Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever. In so doing, we loose confusion in the enemy’s camp. 

“ As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated” (2 Chron. 20:22). 

What was meant to be Judah’s demise turned into their double portion blessing as they collected the spoils of a battle they didn’t even need to fight (v. 25). There was so much plunder, it took them three days to collect it all. Then they really had a praise party!

Armor up

You are essential to the region in which you live because you release the power of God into it. You were placed in your neighborhood, your family, your job, and other spheres of influence on purpose with a purpose.

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). Put on the full armor of God so that when the evil day comes (like now) you will be positioned to triumph like Jehoshaphat’s army. Don’t fight in your own strength. Instead, position yourself, stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.

As God told Judah, don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged. Put on the full armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18 and stand firm in it. Put on truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and use the Word of God to cast down anxious thoughts. Then, when you have done all to stand, stand some more ( v. 13). That’s how we—not only stand, but—triumph in a battle too big for us.…

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How to live a life that matters

April 11, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Finding significance in life, Success & victory

We’ve heard that the very definition of insanity is doing the same things you’ve always done, but expecting different results. The bottom line is: You and I can’t arrive at a place of productivity and destiny in our lives without making adjustments (changes) along the way. New and different results require change.

I guess that puts most of us in the insane category because we do just that. Even if they don’t work, we repeat the same patterns of behavior in our marriages, relationships, job, finances and our personal and even spiritual growth.

Then we wonder why we aren’t successful. But the truth is: We will never reach true success unless we embrace a lifestyle of change.

Change is here to stay.

We need to accept that we’ll never reach a point where we’re no longer confronted with it. Many of us reply, “But I’ve already changed!” Well, I have to tell you, but change is not a once-in-a-lifetime event. If you want to grow and advance, you must embrace it as a way of life.

The Journey to Significance.

You and I, every one of us, is on a journey to significance. God created us on purpose and with a purpose. For that reason, He is forever leading us into opportunities to change so that we will fulfill the destiny for which He created us. In fact, what you are going through right now is all about your need to change. These “bumps in the road” are giving you the perfect opportunity to see the areas where God wants you to make adjustments.

Sure, we talk a lot about change—the need for it, the promise to do it—but in reality we seldom really do. You and I are way too busy defending the status quo—even if only to ourselves. But this is how I’ve always done it… or I just want to hang on to what I have left… or I’m okay. I can make this work….

I’ve said many times: Change is not change until you change! People are in love with the image of success but they aren’t interested in the process of success. Success always includes change, so we have to break free from our old wineskins if we want God to give us His new wine. New revelation of who God is won’t fit into our old habit patterns.

I believe that by changing just one core habit for one month, we can radically change our lives. Change will lead to more change…it creates a chain reaction. We’ve talked about the negatives of change. Now let’s discuss the benefits.

An action plan to a life that matters:

1. Ask God what He created you for. It’s not a rude question. He had something very specific and significant in mind when He made you. And it wasn’t to just mindlessly mimic what other people are doing. Real change must be tied to God’s purpose and vision for your life—not someone else’s. Once you discover His destiny for you, you won’t just be a cheap copy of a great original!

2. Learn to color outside the lines. Many of us are so used to conforming, that we shut down our God-given creativity. Dare to dream again. Think outside the box that you have been forced into over the years. Get out of that stinking rut to which you’ve conformed.

3. Don’t fear the unknown. Be courageous enough to walk off your map. The fact that something is uncharted territory doesn’t make it impossible or even unrealistic. Like the fisherman who would later become the Apostle Peter, be willing to launch out into the deep at God’s word. The Lord is attracted to faith, not your feelings. Besides, your feelings will resist the unknown every time.

4. Take a Risk. Nothing significant ever happens without the possibility of failure. No significant change ever occurs without risk. Before David confronted Goliath, he stood face-to-face and toe-to-toe with the very real possibility that he would die. When Abraham left the comfort, familiarity and safety of his homeland to follow the Lord, he took a tremendous risk—to his own well-being and that of all the people who followed him.

Sure there’s a risk factor in every opportunity to change. However, if we continually avoid risk and try to maintain the status quo, we end up living a mediocre life. Simply put: The fear of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of making a mistake will keep you away from your destiny. You were created for more.

You’re on a journey to significance. Don’t miss your opportunity to be a champion and world changer for Jesus. Don’t resist change. CHANGE IS A CHOICE! Choose it!…

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Recapturing lost opportunities

April 4, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Faith, Finding direction, Making positive change, Success & victory

The Lord says that He will restore lost opportunities. He spoke this very strongly to my spirit. You and I have had many opportunities that we passed up or messed up or realized too late. But fortunately for us, God’s promises have no expiration date. Just because you missed chances in the past, they are not gone forever.

Many times when God presents an open door before us, we back out saying, “No, I’m too old now… I’m not smart enough… I’m not strong enough…” You may have settled in to a minimum wage job because you’re afraid to believe for more. But God is opening supernatural doors this year—even for a new career.

Maybe you made bad parenting decisions and your kids are grown now. It’s not too late to be a good father or mother. Look for that phone call, that text message, that open door and walk through it.

“The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts… (Joel 2:25).” Now, you’ll still have to battle fear, but FAITH is the antidote to False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear binds you to the present and to what you can see right now; but faith peers into the future and gives you the courage to step out even when you can’t see the end result.

  1. Opportunity often comes disguised as a problem. Instead of walking away from an open door because you think it’s impossible, believe God. Instead of seeing a wall, trust Him to create a steppingstone! Don’t wait until you figure it out. God will give you everything you need to walk through the problem. Put fear under your feet and let faith arise.
  2. Opportunity is tied to your destiny. God’s not here to please you. You’re here to please Him. Look for ways to bless the Lord and live for Him. And, when opportunity arises, you’ll be ready for it.
  3. Opportunity is time-sensitive. That’s why we usually describe it as a window. You’ll suddenly develop faith for something you had long given up on. Moses’ dream was delayed but, at just the right time, that window opened again and he led 4 million people out of slavery and into a new life. This is your year. Step out! Don’t hesitate. Don’t waste time in fear.
  4. Opportunity requires the right mindset. If you’re closed-minded or still dealing with an old belief system, it will hinder what God wants to show you. Use what you have in your hand. A rod in the hand of Moses opened the Red Sea. A slingshot in the hand of David brought down Goliath. Give Him what’s in your hand, no matter how small it is. In the hands of God it will do exactly what God intends.

Be eagle-eyed, looking for and expecting God to restore lost opportunities. Don’t let fear hold you back. And don’t wait until you understand how it can happen. Step out and leave the result to God.

If this blog has been a blessing to you, please let us know by leaving a comment below.…

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How to receive a right-now miracle, pt. 2

March 28, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Uncategorized

Last week, I said that our present way of thinking is at war with the way God wants us to think. If what you need is a right-now miracle, the way we live now cannot attain it! Why?

  1. Our motives are wrong.
  2. We pray about things we should be speaking to. (See last week’s message for a fuller explanation.) Therefore, we need to:
  3. We must get fully persuaded. Do you see yourself healed? Your marriage restored? If you can see it, you can have it! Belief is what catapults your faith to tear down the strongholds of the enemy. Many times, we confess things with our mouths that we don’t really believe. So how do you bridge the gap?

Your worship applies salt to the source of the problem.

Find one or two scriptures that promise what you need and soak in them. Meditating on the Word of God helps you to absorb it. The more you absorb, the more you believe. Begin to see yourself in that promise. You should be able to close your eyes and see it taking place in your life.

  1. Take the limits off God. Get rid of the pre-conceived idea of how God is going to bless you. Rather, work on falling in love with Jesus all over again. Do you remember what it was like to be in love? Spend time thinking about Him. Magnify His beauty and power instead of what you’re facing.
  2. Admit that you have a problem. Look back at 2 Kings 2:19-22. The city looked good outwardly, but its people were dying and barren. You and I can look good on the outside but be filled with barrenness. You go to church, shout Hallelujah. But something’s not right. You have a nice house but you have to work five jobs. You’re in a relationship now, but it’s your fifth marriage. You’re hanging on healthwise, but it’s the medication that keeps you going. And you don’t remember the last time someone came to Christ because of you. On the other hand, if you’re losing your life for Christ’s sake, there will be great fruitfulness seen in your life.
  3. Get to the source of the problem. In order to heal the water, Elisha went to its source and cast in salt. The source is your spirit, and we “salt” our spirits through worship. Worship aligns our spirit with God. He is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.

In Florida, dehydration can cause all kinds of health issues. Your organs can shut down. People get heart attacks because they don’t drink enough water.

Worship hydrates us and restores fruitfulness. But worship is so much more than singing songs on Sunday. It’s meditating on His Word, pressing into God, praying, digging into the artesian well of His presence. Forgiving those who offend us is a powerful act of worship. Bless those who hurt you, and you’ll begin to notice your land is no longer barren.

Worship applies salt to the source of the problem, like Elisha did. And it’s not just for you. Your worship today will bless generations to come.

If you want a miracle right now, get into the presence of God. Absorb His Word and fall in love with Him all over again.

If this blog has been a blessing to you, please leave a comment below. We love to hear from you!…

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How to receive a right-now miracle, pt. 1

March 21, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Uncategorized

The men of a certain city called on Elisha the prophet to heal their water supply saying, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren (2Kings 2:19).” Many Christians are like that city. We look pleasant from the outside, but we are barren and fruitless. We come to church and shout Hallelujah!, but something is not right.

We trust a god of our imagination—not the true and living God of the Bible. God gives us His Word but, like the tribes of Israel who molded a golden calf while Moses tarried on the mountain, we have created a faulty image of God that cannot help or save us.

The Bible says. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Yet, we wake up in the morning and the first thing we think of is the problems and people we must face that day. We bellyache and complain all day and, if anything, we give Him the leftovers. When it comes down to it, we believe the world system more than God.

If you don’t speak to the mountain, the mountain will speak to you.

With the devil’s help, we’re missing out on God’s great and precious promises. Satan blinds our minds to the light of the glorious gospel. The truth is we can be free. The Book of James tells us: “ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church… And the prayer of faith will save the sick… (James 5:14, 15).” Instead of calling the elders, today’s Christians call for the ambulance!

If what you need is a right-now miracle, the way we live now cannot attain it! Why?

1. Our motives are wrong. Our prayers are more about us than about God and His kingdom. Therefore, they don’t touch God’s heart. It’s really about His kingdom and His glory. God loves you, but He won’t bless you just because He loves you. He will bless you because of His word. The way of escape is in His word.

2. We pray about things we should be speaking to. The Bible tells us to speak to the mountains in our lives (Mark 11:23). Meanwhile, we pray: “Oh, God take this sickness away from me,” when we should be saying, “By Jesus’ stripes I’m healed. Mountain of cancer, be gone!” If you don’t speak to the mountain, the mountain will speak to you. Poverty will say Forget it. You’ll never get ahead. Your marriage says It’s all over. File for divorce. Sickness says There’s no hope. You might as well plan your funeral. You and I need to:

3. Get fully persuaded. Do you see yourself healed? Your marriage restored? You are at war—but it’s not with the devil. The war is between the belief system you now have and the one God wants you to have. If you can see it, you can have it. Belief is what catapults your faith to tear down the strongholds of the enemy.

Next week, I’ll give you the final 3 tips to getting your right-now miracle.…

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How to overcome anxiety, pt. 2

March 21, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Faith, Making positive change, Overcoming depression, Success & victory

See good.

If you have a negative neural pathway, even the good that you hear or receive you interpret as negative. We can blame the doctors, blame the virus, blame God. But, how much time do you spend with God. Pray like David, “Search me Lord, try me. See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”

We all need more of God’s presence in our life. God can come in and give you right alignment. We are called to be disciplined Disciples. Ask yourself, how big is my God? You’ve got to know your God. Remember what He has done in the past. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. If he was great yesterday, He is great today and will still be great tomorrow. And don’t just listen to Christian music. Most of the worship songs today are more soiling than sanctifying. Disciple, discipline yourself to get into the word. Let’s take our focus off the wrong things.

Jezebel just spoke words to Elijah “I’m gonna kill you tomorrow.” Then I Kings 19:3 says, “And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life…” The Bible says Elijah saw what Jezebel said.He didn’t just hear it he saw it. Her words became visual to him. He pictured the negative thing and he got up and ran. He lost focus of what God had done just days ago.

How big is your God?

But, pastor, you don’t know what they’ve been saying. Are we disconnected from the truth? If you see it you can have it. Once we begin to picture evil and wickedness we can’t receive from God. Anxiety has reached maximum capacity. 

Elijah was in a bad place, but not because of where he was physically situated. It’s because of where his mind was. A cave can be a grave where you die, or it can be a womb for rebirth. God called Elijah out of the cave just shows off to remind Elijah of all he could do.

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (I Kings 19: 11, 12)

God wasn’t in the wind, the fire or the earthquake. He was in the still, small voice. That’s the same place where we’ll find Him when we search for Him, when we get into the Word of God. Don’t do something permanently foolish because you’re temporarily anxious or upset. Instead, search the scriptures and get into the wisdom of God’s Word.

Keys to overcoming temporary anxiety

  1. Fill yourself with God’s Word. As I’ve already covered, fill yourself with God’s Word. Spend time with Him.
  2. Look inside. Take inventory of what’s in your heart as King David asked God to do for him. It’s the things we’re most devoted to that cause fear and anxiety. Anxiety is a sin. It’s an open door for Satan to come into your life.
  3. Let go. Live with an open hand. We often take God’s gifts and make them idols. Release them. Don’t keep your eyes on the wrong things. Let them go and don’t let them keep coming back
  4. Be diligent to understand the message behind everything you hear. Don’t just listen or read superficially. Go deep. Jesus says in Mark 4:24, The Passion Translation:
    “…Be diligent to understand the meaning behind everything you hear, for as you do, more understanding will be given to you. And according to the depth of your longing to understand, much more will be added to you.” (Mark 4:24, TPT)
  5. Let joy unspeakable and full of glory overtake you. Be devoted to God and nothing else. Have the confidence that everything’s going to be okay. Give the things you’re worried about to God and refuse to take them back.

God is asking, “Where are you, Joe…Mary…Susan,…Gaspar? What are you doing here?” Go back to the place God called you to in the beginning. Return to your first love. Be diligent to keep your shalom. Go back and make sure your mindset is right and positive. That’s how you overcome anxiety. …

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