Declare your independence

July 3, 2021 Gaspar Anastasi

The greatest battle ever fought on the face of the earth was waged—not for the freedom of any one nation or people—but for the liberation of all mankind. This battle of all battles took place on a lonely hill in a small corner of the world. Not a single weapon was fired, and just one Man died.

The war that was won

Now 2,000 years later, the events of that afternoon continue to shake the universe. Jesus, hanging on a cross against a darkened sky, cried out one final time and yielded up His spirit. A massive, rock-splitting earthquake shook the planet. The veil that had hung quietly in the temple for hundreds of years, symbolically separating a Holy God from sinful man, suddenly tore in half from top to bottom. Graves were ripped open and the dead rose and walked out alive.

Jesus’ death was so catastrophic that the soldiers who guarded Him —men who moments before mocked Him and gambled for His clothes —“feared greatly saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matt. 27: 45-54)

An eternal triumph

Jesus descended into hell, triumphed over satan in his own domain (Col. 2:15), took the keys of death and the grave (Rev. 1:18), rose from the dead the third day and gave you and me the freedom to inherit eternal life (Rom. 8:17). This was no small fistfight. It was a thorough, humiliating defeat that still sends satan reeling every time a man or woman of God speaks the name of Jesus in faith.

What Jesus won for us was independence from satan’s domination and the freedom to choose heaven or hell, eternal life or eternal death. Up to that point, satan had held all of humanity captive. He had narrowed our choice of eternal destiny down to one: Hell and everlasting damnation.

Have everlasting freedom

The freedoms we Americans celebrate on July 4th are great and they came at the price of much bloodshed. But the freedom to vote, the freedom of speech, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are only temporary, earth-bound privileges with no eternal value. The freedom for which Jesus shed His precious blood is available eternally. But like any other freedom or right, we must exercise it.

So how do we exercise our right to eternal life? You must choose whom you will serve: satan or Jesus Christ. Understand this: If you have never accepted Jesus Christ, you are still in bondage to satan. Confess that Jesus paid the price and defeated satan, that Jesus overcame death and rose from the dead and believe it in your heart.

By confessing Jesus as your Lord and your Savior, you effectively declare your independence from satan and from sin (Rom. 10:9). You have a legal right to heaven and all the blessings of God. Don’t let satan trick you out of it. Let today become your Independence Day from sin, sickness and death!

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

It’s not what it looks like

June 26, 2021 Gaspar Anastasi

0 Comment

Making positive change

We live in a two dimensional world. The two dimensions I am referring to are the spirit realm and the natural realm. Although the spirit realm is hidden from the natural eye, both realms coexist and are equally real. The forces and influences that affect our everyday life such as our perceptions, thoughts, attitudes and passions flow out of the unseen spirit realm. How we judge and react to the spirit realm will determine our success or failure in the natural realm.

Open your eyes to the unseen

Unseen forces influence our decision-making and consequently our destiny. For example, you may have a conflict with someone, get offended or suffer great rejection. This scenario can even permanently destroy marriages or close friendships. The extreme conclusion of this negative process can be a raging anger taking control of us. Some could even end up committing the unthinkable—taking a life!

Once you grasp the bigger picture and get the revelation that you live in two dimensions, you will no longer be a victim—but an overcomer. Most people are like a puppet on a string, controlled by the spirit realm. You need to get equipped and control these forces before they control you.

Know your real enemy

Ephesians 6:12 says “ For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” In other words, our fight isn’t against people whom we can see, but against spiritual forces that we can’t see.

It’s not always what it looks like! Don’t jump to conclusions. The quicker you realize that the battle is spiritual, the greater success you’ll have in this life. Ignorance of this truth will be your demise.

Choose victoriously

1. To live victoriously in both worlds simultaneously, Jesus must live in you. His Spirit equips you to deal with the spirit realm successfully. It’s not just about going to heaven. It’s about defeating the evil forces in the unseen realm, just like Jesus did. Jesus alone makes that possible.

2. You must develop the habit of waiting for and listening to God’s voice. Psalm 46:10a says “Be still, and know that I am God…..” Most of us are conditioned to make decisions based on what we see, feel and what makes sense to us. If you can discern the source of an issue before jumping into life-altering decisions, you can avoid future failure.

Ask yourself: Why do I feel this way about this person, my life, my job…? If I make this decision based on how I feel now, will it get me closer to God and His destiny for me? Will it bring long lasting peace and healing in my relationships? What does God’s word say about my circumstances?

Based on your answers to these questions you can determine the source of your decisions—God or satan. As I said, you can know the right choice to make by understanding the two dimensions in which we live.

The key to success in our relationships, businesses, careers… depends on which spiritual force is controlling the decisions we make in the natural world. Remember, it’s not always what it looks like!

If this blog has been a blessing to you, please take a moment to comment below.

…

You must go back to go forward.

June 19, 2021 Gaspar Anastasi

1 Comment

Finding significance in life, Making positive change, Success & victory

Our past influences us in one way or another: How we were raised, our parents’ weaknesses and strengths, the culture we were raised in, our past memories, the belief systems we were taught, etc. Of course some of those influences were positive. On the other hand, others were destructive. They may have already sabotaged relationships, finances, lifestyles and especially our walk with God!

Understanding this fundamental truth equips us to begin breaking out of the boundaries set by past influences. These hindrances keep us from experiencing the kind of success for which God created us.

Sins of our fathers

The Bible has a lot to say about these things. It teaches us in Exodus 34:7 that the iniquities of our fathers are carried down from generation to generation, even up to the fourth generation. Have you ever said, “I never want to be like my father or mother” because of their destructive habit patterns? But then you wound up doing or saying the same things? Do you realize you probably think, cook, keep house, work, act, believe and relate to others the same way your parents did?

Two things from my childhood stand out to show me the need to go back… in order for me to go forward.

My backstory

Because my father, his father and his 3 brothers operated a 24-hour, 7 days a week family business, our family life was completely enmeshed with our work life. Everything in our lives was intertwined with operating the business. Holidays, birthdays and everyday life incorporated work. There was no separation. I learned early in life that family and work were one and the same.

As a result, I became a workaholic. That didn’t change even after I was born again. I sought to keep every family member involved in the work of the ministry. It just seemed natural to tie together family and work. I embraced this way of life as a child—along with many other faulty beliefs. It pulsated in my DNA, affecting me even after I accepted Jesus as Lord.

My mother was a great woman, but an absolute perfectionist. Therefore, mom unknowingly instilled in me a performance mentality. She showed me great love when I performed in ways that pleased her. But she withheld love when I didn’t live up to her expectations. (My mother thought she was helping me by controlling me in this way.)

Because of this, I became not only a workaholic, but one who worked hard for approval and acceptance. I was one driven, performance-oriented person! You can imagine the trouble that caused in every area of my life—including my family and my marriage.

Stuck in the past

When I gave my life to Jesus, I still lived under the same influences and suffered the same problems as I had before I became a Believer. Unfortunately, I was taught early in my Christian walk that if I wanted to move forward I should never look back. I was stuck!

You probably have a similar story. We need to break that religious tradition by having the courage to look back and honestly examine our family and cultural upbringing. Our emotional healing and future success as children of God depend on it.

Free yourself to go forward

We have to go back before we go forward and here’s how:

Get out of denial and break the religious myth that after we’re saved, we don’t have to deal with our past. 2 Corinthians 5:17 is talking about our spirit, not our soul.
Don’t deny your feelings. Listen to them because they reveal where and who you are on the inside.
Break ties to your family culture. Remember, you’re in God’s family now. So adopt His culture. Jesus said if you don’t love Him more than your mother and father, you aren’t one of His.
As the Holy Spirit reveals past things, crucify them by repenting and denying them access to your life again.
Finally, embrace your new family’s culture and beliefs. YOU CAN’T GO FORWARD UNTIL YOU FIRST GO BACK!

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog. If this is your first time; welcome to our blog family. If our articles have been a blessing to you, please share them with others. Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Feel free to comment below.

…

Faith or fear: you choose

May 29, 2021 Gaspar Anastasi

1 Comment

Making positive change, Success & victory

Whether or not you realize it, every day you choose Fear or you choose Faith. You either decide to believe that God is in control, (taking care of you, planning good things for you) or you go around worried about every circumstance you face, expecting the worst!

Faith and fear have one important thing in common. They both ask us to believe something we can’t see and that hasn’t happened yet. Knowing this can revolutionize your life!

Fear asks us to believe, for example: I’m not going to make it; I’m going to die; I’ll be alone for the rest of my life; God can’t help me so I’d better do something immediately….

Faith, on the other hand, asks of us: Keep trusting God; my breakthrough is right around the corner; this too will pass; I shall live and not die; the best is yet to come….

Who to believe

Notice that both faith and fear have a voice. Fear speaks negative things and faith speaks positive. You choose which voice you listen to, but remember that faith and fear can’t live in the same house. One will cancel out the other.

Hebrews 10:38 says, “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” When we stop trusting God to care for us and deliver us from our problems, we displease Him. He withdraws from us. Faith attracts God’s presence, but fear repels it and attracts Satan’s demonic presence instead.

In choosing faith or fear, you choose who has greater influence in your life: God or Satan. Keep in mind that, in Luke 12:32, Jesus commands us not to fear.

What to do

• Give faith the last word! When you speak negative words over yourself or others, you prophesy bad results and seal your destiny. Counter what fear predicts with God’s promises and plans. Prophesy your godly, positive future by choosing to believe and speak the voice of faith.

• Meditate daily on what God promised — not on what the devil shows you. Thoughts we dwell on day and night become a reality. Constantly thinking and expressing fear will bring them into existence (Mark 11:22). Fear works like faith, but in reverse!

• Choose your friends wisely. Fear is contagious. People who worry constantly and talk negatively about their marriages, finances, children etc. are very dangerous to your spiritual health. Listening to their rhetoric will infect you with fear and will produce worry and anxiety in those same areas of our life. Be honest and help them by telling them the truth. But avoid close relationships with people like that like the plague!

• Faith your fears to death! What I mean is: Constantly talk to your fears with the promises of God. Learn and consistently talk the language of God, which is faith. Remember, let faith have the last word and eventually let faith be your ONLY word, no matter what fear shows you or says to you!

Faith your fear

Now, take the time to write down the things fear has been saying. Present them to God and ask Him to forgive you for listening to and believing them. Crush the paper in your hand and throw it in the garbage. Then start releasing your faith talk and commit to “faith-ing” your fears to death from now on!

…

Get out of that pit!

May 22, 2021 Gaspar Anastasi

2 Comments

Getting past the past, Making positive change

Pits. Sometimes you fall into one. Sometimes you’re pushed in by others. Sometimes you just plain old jump in! Regardless of how you got there, you can get out!

The pit is where your dream no longer seems possible; your marriage is destined for failure; your heart is broken and your life seems hopeless. It’s a place of debt, sickness, addiction, depression. Pits come in all forms and they do not discriminate.

Joseph was favored by his father, anointed by God and destined for greatness. Despite this winning combination, he found himself in a pit, thanks to some jealous brothers (Genesis 37).

Poised for a turnaround

Maybe that’s you. Changing seasons of life always provide new opportunities for failure. For those of us who center our lives on Jesus, there are also opportunities for a suddenly! In one moment, everything can turn around!

Sound too good to be true? Read the Bible and you’ll realize that we serve the God of the suddenly, the God of the turnaround.

Joseph: suddenly taken from the pit to become second in command over the greatest nation of the world (Gen. 41). Daniel: suddenly delivered from the lion’s mouth (Daniel 6). The three Hebrew boys: suddenly delivered from a fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Jonah: suddenly released from the fish’s belly (Jonah 2). The disciples: suddenly catching a net-breaking, boat-sinking load of fish. And who can forget the classic story of Paul and Silas: suddenly set free from prison …by an earthquake (Acts 16).

Yes, yes and yes

What is the secret to their suddenlies? Can you experience a turnaround, a suddenly from your pit? The answer is absolutely yes, yes and yes! Here’s how:

1. Evaluate your situation and forgive yourself if you jumped in the pit by not trusting God or by your sinful actions. Forgive those who pushed you in. A pure heart (free from bitterness) invites God to bring a suddenly. While enslaved and in the pit, Joseph worked out forgiveness for his brothers. The condition of your heart can determine the length of time spent in the pit!

2. Obey God’s word. One act of obedience can open the windows of heaven and release your instantaneous turn around. Peter, the commercial fisherman, knew better than to fish in daylight because the nets cast a shadow that scare the fish. Nevertheless, Jesus spoke, Peter obeyed and suddenly!

3. Praise through the pain. Reuben was the brother that put Joseph in his pit, but Judah (meaning praise) got him out. Over and over we see the power of praise causing a suddenly to take place. Despite being mercilessly beaten and chained to a prison wall, Paul & Silas praised God so loudly their fellow prisoners heard them. Their praise wasn’t out of joy. It came out of their pain.

Desperation can be a good thing

A sudden instantaneous turn around is still God’s will for you. With these three steps you can and will experience a suddenly and come out of the pit. How desperate are you to come out? Oh yes! I need to add a fourth step and that is:

4. Get desperate. Believe it or not, there are people in a pit today that aren’t ready to come out because they’re not sick and tired of being sick and tired. So ask yourself Am I desperate enough to be delivered?

Now that you know the steps to take, stop being pitiful and put on praise!…

Let go of destiny killers

May 8, 2021 Gaspar Anastasi

4 Comments

Making positive change

Who are you connected to emotionally, spiritually and physically? Some of these people may be in your life by choice and others—maybe not. Ecclesiastes 4:9 tells us, “Two are better than one” because we benefit greatly from each other’s gifts and talents. However, not everyone will help you reach your God-given destiny. Some may actually kill your destiny!

Celebrate, but don’t idolize people

But I want to point out two things that are important to remember regarding our associations: 1). God divinely appoints people to help you, but 2). Wrong associations will kill your destiny.

1. God divinely appoints people in certain seasons of life to help you fulfill your destiny. Don’t be surprised if some of those in your life today don’t remain to finish the journey with you. They are intended to be with you for just that season. Knowing this will save you much grief. Trying to hold on to or reconnect with people God is removing from you wastes time and energy.

Be at peace. God knows what He is doing. He will divinely connect you with new relationships that will help you fulfill His destiny for you in the next season. So celebrate the people with you now, but don’t make idols out of them. God is your source, not man.

Let go of those divine assignments when the time comes. Don’t grieve over them. On the other hand, make room for, embrace and celebrate those who are newly assigned to you. Celebrate them as the Godly gift they are.

God prunes the fruitful

John 15:1-2 says, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” God prunes us, even when we’re already fruitful, so we can bring forth more fruit.

Holding on to old relationships will close the door to the new. If they can live without you, then you can live without them. (However, let me make it clear right now: I am not referring to marriage relationships!)

2. Wrong associations are destiny killers. Holding on to people God is trying to remove from your life opens the door for Satan to deceive and misdirect you. You and I exert tremendous influence over each other. That’s why you need to make sure you are under godly influences. Know that God is doing His best to help you remove ungodly ones. But it’s your choice to decide whom to let in.

Let go and let God

Many years ago, I kept running after someone whom God was removing. I believed I needed this person. I would always pursue them and talk them into coming back because my understanding of divinely-appointed relationships was zero at that time! I didn’t realize I had placed my trust in man, not God. Many things couldn’t happen in my life until I finally let go of that relationship.

Wrong associations can truly be destiny killers. So in conclusion I say: Fear God—not man. Let go and let God!

If this blog has been a blessing to you, please take a moment to comment below.…