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Posts by Gaspar Anastasi

How to overcome anxiety, pt. 1

March 14, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Faith, Making positive change, Overcoming depression, Success & victory

How big is your God? If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ve heard that question many times. I ask because—depending on the circumstances we’re facing at this moment— the God we say we trust may not be up to the challenge, leaving us filled with anxiety, envy and hatred. We’re apt to focus on people and circumstances rather than the Prince of Peace we claim to trust. It happens to all of us.

Even the great prophet Elijah once found himself filled with anxiety and hiding in a cave. You see, he had boldly slain the prophets of Baal— a tremendous victory— and now Jezebel the queen had put out a contract on his life. She said, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them,” (I Kings 19:2).

Anxiety is about tomorrow.

It’s always tomorrow that the enemy has plans for. However, just like in Elijah’s case, most of our enemy’s “tomorrows” never come. We just worry needlessly and allow anxiety to steal our precious peace. He had just called down fire from heaven and now he’s running for his life because Jezebel said. So when the Lord comes to the man of God and asks him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (v. 9) he blames all of Israel and their idol worship for his circumstances.

The question I want to ask you today is “How big is your God?” Oh, you may hear a good Word on Sunday, but do you really believe it? Is He bigger than the threats of the enemy? Is He bigger than Corona Virus? And what do you really believe about Him? If you and I want to triumph over the enemies in our lives, we must spend more time in God’s Word than in the social media wisdom of this age. We Christians must be wise.

What are you full of?

Here’s another question to consider: What are you full of? The news of the day or the Word of God? Anxiety? There’s more to anxiety than meets the eye. It opens the door for sickness, disease and all kinds of negative things. It causes us to filter everything through a negative lens. Like Elijah, the great King David started out blaming his enemies before he came to the real crux of the matter. He asked God to search his heart and deal with his “anxious thoughts”.  

Psalm 139:19-24 says “If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!…I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.”

Then suddenly in verses 23 and 24, David shifts his focus.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Suddenly, David stopped blaming other people and looked inside himself. He asked God to fix what was broken inside his heart. [Continued next week]…

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Take Another Look.

February 29, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Success & victory

Are you missing out on the blessings God planned for you because you’ve put Him in a box? We tell God how to bless us, when to do it, and who to use. But Isaiah 55:8 tells us God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways.

It’s dangerous to trust the methods of God instead of the God of the methods! Why? Because God’s ways are often unorthodox and illogical.

If you want to start living in His abundant grace and blessings, take the following steps.

1) Lose preconceptions about how God will bless you.

Just because the boss didn’t give you the promotion you deserve, doesn’t mean it won’t happen. When God closes one door, He opens another.

However, your pre-conceived ideas of how, when and through whom God will bless you box Him in. Take another look! There’s a good chance the blessing is in front of you, but you can’t see past your own self-imposed limitations.

Jesus met a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years (John 5:6-8). The man expected God would heal him if only he could be the first person into the pool when the angel stirred the waters. Yet, here was God the Healer standing right before him! This man almost missed his blessing because he was looking the other way.

I myself lived in excruciating pain for 6 months from a running accident because I thought someone needed to lay hands on me and pray. Then I went to a chiropractor and got healed immediately! I had boxed God in with my idea of who He would use to heal me and how.

The children of Israel almost missed God’s blessing when He sent them bread. But because it looked different from the bread they were used to eating in Egypt they said, “Manna? What is it?” Your blessing could be right at your feet, but in an unexpected package.

2) Get rid of narrow-minded thinking.

God may remove longtime acquaintances and, instead, give strangers the solution to your problem. Open your inner circle to new people and new ideas.

For example, God used me to speak something specific to a couple I had just met. It changed their whole outlook and sparked healing in their marriage. Take another look. The person you least expect just might carry the key to the blessing you’re praying for.

3) Guard against discouragement.

A closed door isn’t a “no” from God. Either He has something better for you, or the timing isn’t right just yet. Remember, God wants to develop character in you and that takes time and a will to change. Stay open to God’s unconventional ways of doing things. He uses different methods, people and perfect timing to get to you His already-purchased blessings.

Maybe God is answering your prayers, but not in the way you expect. Let’s open our eyes and take another look!

If this blog post has been a blessing to you, please take a moment to let us know. Comment below.…

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more than willpower

It Takes More Than Willpower

February 22, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Getting past the past, Making positive change, Success & victory

Some people are more prone to addictive behaviors than others because of traits passed down from their ancestors or their own personalities.

The definition of addiction is: a compulsive overpowering dependency on an object, feeling, or action; habits that cause us to act against our own will. My focus in this blog is to give you some steps to break those controlling addictions in your life.

As stated in the title, will power alone (our inner desires) is not enough. Although God stirs up our willpower to desire a breakthrough, there must be a “supporting team” along with our will power to break those addictions and replace them with godly habits.

All addictions come down to idol worship because they have taken the place of the Lordship of Jesus.

Get out of denial. Too often we make excuses for repeated bad habits, implying that we have control over them. But we have to admit we are out of control, that we can’t stop it and admit we need help.

Deliverance is necessary. There are no shortcuts to breaking addictions. They are demon spirit-influenced and controlled. The length of time you have had that addiction will dictate the strength of the demonic influence. The good news is there are ministries like Stop Hurting Start Healing with prayer ministers who are trained and equipped to help get people set free.

Discover the cause. To every fruit (addiction) there are roots. By researching your history—the way you have been brought up and the traumatic things that occurred in your life—you can discover the root causes of your addictions. Willpower can give you temporary relief, but eventually the cycles of addiction will start over again. For that reason, too many of us have given up trying to get free.

Replace the bad habits. Certain habit patterns open the door to addiction. So replace them with good habit patterns. This takes discipline and a source of accountability.

With severe cases of addiction we need other people or programs to intervene in our lives. Joining a healthy-living group like our 3S Program or entering a substance abuse program like the New Life Dream Center are effective tools to help us find the discipline we need to change our current habits and give us the accountability to stay on track.

Give God first place. All addictions come down to idol worship because they have taken the place of the Lordship of Jesus in our life. We depend on them to meet our needs, fill the void in our heart, give us the much needed self-satisfaction, etc. But God needs to be our source, strength and our all in all—nothing else! Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33 KJV “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Will power is needed and is the first step in the process of breaking addictions (God stirs our desire for a breakthrough). God initiates it, but we have to follow His steps if we want to be free. You don’t have to live your life under demonic influences any longer! “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

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

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moody valley

How to Handle the Unexpected

February 15, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Success & victory

Regularly, we face unexpected happenings that either make or break our day. But if you think about it, many unexpected things could have been avoided if we had taken God’s spiritual law of sowing and reaping seriously.

Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” What you sow today determines what you reap tomorrow.

Matthew 13:24-30 tells us that, while the farmer slept, an enemy sowed tares in his wheat field. The parable is meant to show that the tares were sown because he didn’t pay attention.

Your life is the sum total of all the words you’ve spoken.

Although this parable is in the context of an agricultural society, it’s also true for us. We’re “sleeping” if we don’t watch the seeds (words) we sow. Proverbs 18:20 says words produce fruit: “A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.”

Your life right now is the sum total of all the words you’ve spoken about yourself and your destiny. Words from your heart and out of your mouth release life or death over your destiny, as it says in Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Seemingly unexpected events really aren’t, and can be avoided in the future by disciplining your tongue. Release today what you want to see happening in the future, because what you sow today, you’ll reap tomorrow.

Now what about the truly unexpected events in your life for which you aren’t responsible? Here are a few points to consider:

GOD IS SOVEREIGN Not every problem will be removed, but can be used for your good.

God’s desire isn’t to kill you or even let Satan do it. He’s in the character-building business, building the character of Christ in you. Trust His sovereignty because He loves you and ultimately controls your destiny. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

KNOW WHEN TO RESIST If what you’re going through is outside of the will (word) of God; if it’s contrary to His purposes for your life and has Satan’s fingerprints all over it, you MUST resist! If you’re not sure and fear you’ll miss God, trust the Holy Spirit to show you for sure in the Word.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. “ (James 4:7)

TRUST IN GOD In the parable of the wheat and tares, the tares were allowed to grow until harvest season, when they would be separated and burned. Some unexpected things can’t be changed, like the death of a lost loved one or something important being taken away from you. In those cases we can only trust in God and let Him use it for our good. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5)

THANK GOD IN ALL THINGS “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18b). Notice it says to thank God IN everything, not FOR everything. GOD is there with you even in the unexpected, and if God is with you, no weapon formed against you will prosper!

Unexpected events will always occur. They’re part of life itself. But they don’t have to stop God’s destiny from being fulfilled if we handle the unexpected correctly.

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

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how to confront

How to Confront

February 8, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Finding significance in life, Making positive change

Most people hate confrontation and will do anything to avoid it. When push comes to shove and they’re forced to confront, it is usually a negative experience. This leads to the ungodly belief that it’s better to just avoid conflict than to confront issues. But that is not true.

Unresolved conflict creates anger, which leads to bitterness. It ultimately poisons our marriages, friendships, church relationships, even employer/employee relations.

Words seasoned with God’s love become weapons that destroy Satan’s attempts to separate us.

Scripture strongly exhorts us to resolve conflict by confronting: “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother, (Matt. 18:15).” Biblical confrontation fosters healthier, more successful relationships. Here are a few steps I take to confront those who hurt me.

1. Have the right motives. Ask, What is my goal in confronting him/her? Is it to show that I’m right and they’re wrong? Is it to hurt them like they hurt me? Is it to control, intimidate, humiliate and dominate them? Your goal must be bigger than your personal differences.You should seek to love and honor him or her because they are as valuable and precious to God as you are. Seek to save your relationship and identify stumbling blocks in the way. The right motive will determine your success. Let the Holy Spirit cleanse you of selfish or faulty motives beforehand.

2. Own the problem. Since reconciliation is the goal, try to become the solution to the conflict. What can you do differently to help the other person react the same way? Even if that person’s actions were absolutely wrong, find a way to help them overcome their bad reactions. Listening to them, acknowledging their feelings and correcting their misperception of your intentions will go a long way toward resolving the conflict. Empathize with them and avoid being defensive or assigning blame.

Now here is the biggest part of owning the problem: Ask forgiveness for your part of the disagreement. This opens the door for the other person to acknowledge his/her wrong as well and reciprocate by asking your forgiveness.

3. Speak words of reconciliation. Make sure your words aren’t condemning, blaming, ridiculing or belittling, but healing. That disarms Satan, who was at the root of the conflict from the beginning. That person isn’t your enemy. See the real culprit and you’re well on your way to resolution. Words seasoned with God’s love become weapons that destroy Satan’s attempts to separate us. Guard your mouth.

4. Be a good listener. Listening attentively tells the other person you care. Let them tell their part of the story without interruption. Then ask him or her to listen to you.

Without the Holy Spirit’s guidance you won’t accomplish the right results. We need His presence to resolve any conflict. Before initiating the confrontation, ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to defeat Satan and give you His strategy to resolve the conflict. Don’t leave barriers between you and the people God has put in your life. Through confronting, unity is restored and releases God’s glory!

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

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Discovering Your Destiny

February 1, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi
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Finding significance in life, Success & victory

Every person and every people group has a destiny. God created us with a destiny individually, but as we connect with one another, we become a “people group” such as a family, business, city, nation or church. God brings together like-minded people. He takes the different aspects of our individual calling and, out of it, He forms a group destiny.

As we identify our personal destiny, we help to advance the call of the “people group” known as the local church. This, in turn, affects our local community, city, state, nation and even the world. The sky’s the limit concerning God’s ability to work in and through us. But unity is the key.

In the days of Babel, God was attracted by the unity of men with evil hearts. So He came down to see what they were doing. “And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them,” (Genesis 11:6).

When you identify your passion, you identify your destiny.

We will never truly be part of a group until we discover what our individual destiny is. You and I are one small part of the whole, but it’s an important part. Like our body, each cell structure is individual and distinct, but must connect with other cell structures to form a healthy, functioning body. The cells need to work together with others to frame a bigger picture.

If we don’t understand our individual call, we will slow down the process of unity. When we are united, God can use us to accomplish great and amazing things, even if we are small in number. (One chases a thousand and two will put ten thousand to flight!)

It will take quality time to think about our lives and discern what God’s plan is for us. But it’s worth it to discover His plan and connect to the local church to become effective members of the body of Christ.

  1. Look at the things you are very passionate about (and not just emotionally). I mean things you’re willing to lay down your life for! That passion goes deep inside and really makes up who you are. The Holy Spirit will help identify those things, but give Him time.
  2. You might be passionate about several things, so find the one you are the most passionate about. It doesn’t mean you’re not effective in other areas or God doesn’t use you other places, but the other passions will support your one major passion.

When you identify your passion, you identify your destiny. Now you need to connect with a local church that cares for your destiny. The right church will have a purpose and vision that clearly indicates its future. You will know how you fit, where you fit and how to take part in the church destiny.

The local church is only as strong as the individual person but, when we are united, our power and influence increases, affecting everything around us. Through the local church, the body of Christ can fulfill God’s heart here on earth. Remember, He is the Head, we are the body, we have a group destiny, and He has placed all things under our feet! Discover your destiny!

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

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