Lessons in Rebellion

August 8, 2020 Michele Anastasi

Anger management, Rejection, Success & victory

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my struggle to overcome rejection. I’d like to share the flip side of rejection: Rebellion.

Rebellion: the result of rejection

Rebellion often results from rejection. If you get hurt in some way—any kind of emotional, physical, sexual abuse, or abandonment—it opens the door to rejection in your life. If you don’t turn to God and let Him heal you, you sink deeper and deeper into pain and depression; and, eventually, rebellion kicks in.

You can even see this in some children who’ve been hurt over and over again. One day something snaps inside of them, and they vow: “I’m never going to cry again…. You can beat me to a pulp, but I won’t shed a tear.” A hardness grows inside of them.

That’s what I did as a child and, over the years, the anger and rebellion grew. I used my anger and defensiveness as a form of protection. It wasn’t until I came to Christ, that I started to realize what was going on inside of me.

Destruction: the result of rebellion

God tells us in Proverbs 29:1, “Whoever remains stiff-necked [rebellious] after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.”

It’s not that God’s grace doesn’t extend to you anymore, or that He wouldn’t forgive you if you turned to Him. Rebellion hardens your heart until you can’t hear Him anymore.

That’s what happened to the children of Israel in the Old Testament. God would tell them what to do, and they wouldn’t do it. Of course, they felt they had good reason for refusing: They were full of fear and unbelief. They actually believed if they did what God said, they would be destroyed. They didn’t trust Him.

“I just can’t do it, God… It’s too hard… I hurt too much… You don’t understand… I’m so lonely… Yes, I know but….” It doesn’t matter how good you think your excuses are. Rebellion is going to cost you big time. It will harden your heart.

Wandering in your own personal wilderness

The children of Israel ignored God’s leading so often, that finally He just sent them into the wilderness. They were so rebellious He couldn’t lead them into the blessings He had planned for them. We need to learn from that. When God tells you what to do, don’t put it off, just do it.

The longer you stay in sinful habits, the more they become a part of you; the more your heart becomes calloused to the fact that it’s sin. The first time you blow up in a rage, you know it’s wrong and you’re sorry. The second time, it doesn’t bother you quite so much. The sixth time, you’re pretty sure you’re justified. Your heart hardening. That’s how strongholds form in people’s lives.

Wrong choices, wrong results

If you go against what God says, it won’t go well for you. You’re headed for destruction, because wrong choices always bring wrong results. God can’t bless what’s contrary to His Word.

The root sin of rejection is unbelief, a lack of trust in God. That’s why rejection will eventually lead to rebellion. If you believe that God cares about you, if you know He wants to bless you, then you’ll obey Him. But if you don’t trust Him, you’ll rebel.

I Samuel 15:23, tells us that rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft. Why? Because you’re making something else God, namely yourself. You’re saying, “I’ll do it my way, I’ll be the god of my life.… Yes Lord, I know what You want me to do, but I’m going to do it my way.” That’s rebellion! The thing that guides your life–even if it’s you–is your god.

Do you have these traits of rebellion?

Faithlessness. You have trouble being loyal to God, so you keep falling away.
Hostility. You have a chip on your shoulder. You cause turmoil and strife wherever you go.
Superiority. You think you know it all. You’re arrogant.
Controlling. You’re strong-willed; it’s got to be your way.
Rigid. You won’t bend or compromise.
Bitter and resentful.
Critical. You always have something negative to say, always find fault.
Unteachable. You know it all, so you set yourself up as judge and final
authority…as God. No one can teach you anything.These aren’t very nice qualities. Hopefully, if you see yourself in them, it will give you the desire to repent, and ask God to forgive you and change you.

P-R-I-D-E

The root sin of rebellion is pride. You have so much pride you don’t think you even need God. If you look at the word P R I D E, what’s in the middle of it? ” I “. That’s exactly what’s in the middle of S I N, ” I “……..”SELF.” “I’m going to do it my way.”

Rebellion and pride go way back to the Garden of Eden, to the first couple. Satan has been using the same old tricks since the beginning of time–trying to convince us that God is holding out on us. God can’t be trusted. He doesn’t have your best interest at heart. Satan made Eve feel like God was holding out on her. That caused her to rebel, and Adam went along with her.

Adam blamed Eve, said it wasn’t his fault. Eve blamed the serpent, said she was deceived, said “It’s not my fault.” If you’re deceived, it most certainly is your fault, because you should know what God’s Word says!

Don’t let rebellion destroy you. Get help.

Instead of blaming someone else, we need to take a long, hard look at ourselves. Are you rebellious? Are you bitter? Critical? Stubborn? Hard-hearted? Holding unforgiveness in your heart? Are you doing things your way, instead of God’s way? Because if you are, you’re deceived and it is your fault.

Rebellion brings destruction! The only way to prevent destruction is to admit the rebellion and quit it. Stop blaming others. Maybe others have sown a lot of bad seeds into your life. You’ve been hurt, rejected, abused… but God is saying today, “This is about you. You need to repent. Just do it.” So get alone with God and just do it.

Are you struggling with rejection, rebellion or another area of your life? Don’t go it alone. Seeing a trained prayer minister doesn’t mean you’re messed up. It means you’re wise enough to get help to become emotionally healthy. Growth comes when things are brought out of the dark into the light. Let there be light!

We love to hear from you! If this message has been a blessing to you, please comment!…

The Unspoken Addiction

July 25, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi

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Finding significance in life, Success & victory

When we think of addiction we generally think of alcohol, drugs, pornography, etc. But there is an unspoken addiction that is even more common and just as destructive as all the others. It’s the need for approval. This addiction controls many people and impacts their behavior across all relationships.

People suffering with this addiction need a positive response to everything they do (or don’t do). Without this approval fix they go into withdrawal, resulting in angry outbursts, sulking, criticism, sarcasm or even violence. This need for approval, affirmation, a pat on the back… drives a person to become a people-pleaser. He or she says “yes” to every request in order to get their drug.

Clear-cut signs to look for

As in all addictive behavior, denial is the biggest hindrance to deliverance and healing. Our addiction is often obvious to others, yet invisible to us. But here are some clear-cut signs to look for:

You often do nice things for people but feel resentful afterwards when they don’t shower you with appreciation or love or affection.
You are controlling with your friends, wanting to keep them for yourself; and you get jealous of anyone else who enters the equation.
Your friendships are a revolving door. Friends feel pressured by your need for constant affirmation, so eventually they move on. Then you start all over with new friends, only to repeat the cycle.
Like most approval addicts, you tend to feel lonely and isolated. Isolation may even be your lifestyle. You feel rejected when you don’t receive the needed approval, so you give up trying.

What can you do about it?

Be honest. Admit that you need help. (Like so many of us, you may have developed this excessive need in childhood. You longed for the approval of your father, mother or someone important to you. Without it, you felt unwanted, unaccepted and incomplete, so you’ve spent the rest of your life looking for it. Yet, it always seems just out of your grasp.)
Recognize that only God can meet your need–not your friends, children or spouse. Take the pressure off of people and start trusting in God to meet all of your needs.
Check your motives. Why is it that you’re kind and generous to some people and cold and standoffish to others. Stop discriminating and give love, kindness and respect to everyone without expecting anything in return.
Get inner healing prayer to deal with the root of your addiction. For many people, their whole life is a vicious cycle of returning to the addiction again and again. Unfortunately, each new cycle of addiction is worse than the time before. That’s why I recommend the Stop Hurting Start Healing Ministry (more on that later).
You need to be sick and tired of being sick and tired. You have to really want to be made whole and not be dependent on other people to give you what only God can give.
Be patient with yourself. You are changing habit patterns that you probably developed in childhood.

Change is possible!

Don’t let this unspoken addiction control the rest of your life. You can be set free by facing your problem, being diligent in your efforts and being obedient to God and His word.

If you are dealing with approval addiction, I highly recommend the Stop Hurting Start Healing ministry because of its great success in freeing people from addictions. This program gets to the root of the problem and releases you to be free. It also equips you to live well for the rest of your life. Click the link above to go to the website and learn how this powerful ministry can bring restoration and wholeness to your life.

I love to hear from you! If this blog has been a blessing to you, please leave a comment and let me know.…

Your purpose will outdistance your mistakes

June 13, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi

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Finding significance in life, Getting past the past, Making positive change, Overcoming depression, Success & victory

Everyone makes mistakes in life. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be human. But our mistakes are really not the problem. The problem is that we let our mistakes blind us to our God-given purpose. Then depression sets in, and we lose sight of what God has planned for us. We begin to see ourselves and our future the way the enemy wants us to instead of the way God sees us.

Matthew 6:22 and 23 says that if our heart (imagination) sees nothing but failure and defeat, every aspect of our spiritual, emotional and physical life will be negatively affected.

Proverbs 13:12 puts it this way: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Hopelessness is a negative, devastating force. It always depresses and always makes your spirit sick. That’s important because, as your spirit goes, so goes your whole life!

But depression hides. Many people don’t realize that they are depressed and spiritually sick. Worse yet, they do know it, but instead of treating the root of their depression, they treat the symptoms with solutions that can’t offer permanent relief. We have to deal with the roots to get free from its fruits. Take pointers from someone who was bound by depression and is now set free—me.

You have God’s nature inside you and, when it flows out, it will change your world.

Stay focused on the reason you’re still here. Fight the temptation to think it’s too late for you. God has kept you for such a time as this! You’re not disqualified from fulfilling His purpose for your life in spite of what you feel, have done or been through. You have God’s nature inside you and, when it flows out, it will change your world.

Get God’s vision up and running again in your thoughts and imagination. It takes courage to believe God’s big plans for you, but start to dream again. God uses your dreams to accomplish His plan. He has not changed his mind about what He wants to do in and through you.

Depression is an enemy that has already been defeated by Jesus. You don’t have to live in hopelessness and despair. And don’t dare accept it as your life sentence.

Your mistakes never disqualify you from God’s purpose. Some people never get over their past failures, and they are consumed by them. God specializes in impossibilities! Dismantle the false boundaries you’ve erected in your mind because of your past. You are never beyond God’s reach.

Finally, place your hope in His promises—not the circumstances or the natural boundaries that surround you. God is not limited by temporary circumstances or even natural law.

Dream BIG. Hopelessness often comes because we have set our sights too low. God’s purposes are incredible! If your dream is attainable by your natural efforts, then it isn’t from God. Why? Because He reaches way beyond the normal and the attainable into the impossible and supernatural!

Break the spirit of depression today by daring to dream BIG. Let hope arise in your heart. Your past mistakes can never cancel God’s awesome purposes for your life. Start living your dream today!…

Unlock God’s blessings every day

May 23, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi

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Getting past the past, Making positive change, Success & victory

If you’re like me, at times you’ve wondered why you haven’t seen more of God’s blessings manifested in your everyday life. Things like healing, peace of heart, freedom from bad memories and even financial blessings seem illusive.

I want to share a key I’ve discovered that is guaranteed to unlock these blessings— starting today. The word of God tells us, His children, that we have been given the keys to lock or unlock blessing from heaven’s storeroom (Matthew 18:18). You may have locked away your own blessings.

God desires that we release His blessings from His heavenly treasure chests. In spite of what our religious upbringing taught us, we are not waiting for God to release the blessing we so desperately need. He said in Ephesians 1:3 that He has already given us every blessing we need.

So how do we unlock these stored up blessings? Just having the keys is not enough. We must know how to use them to unlock heaven’s treasures.

The Bible describes a few keys, but I want to share the one I call the “master key” and give you steps on its correct use. Without this key, God’s treasure chest will stay locked. The master key to unlock every door holding God’s blessings is the KEY OF FORGIVENESS!

The master key to unlock every door holding God’s blessings is the KEY OF FORGIVENESS!

Use this key and your life will lack nothing. Here is how you start:

Step #1. Determine to forgive others or yourself according to God’s will. The forgiveness that flows out of your life shows the world around you who God really is—a forgiving God.

Remind yourself that God forgave all your sins 2,000 years ago, long before you even existed! In Matthew 6:9-15, God says forgiveness unlocks heaven’s windows so He can pour out His blessings.

Step #2. Turn the key by getting rid of any offense. The moment someone offends you, make sure you’re already in the forgiveness mode. Don’t wait for them to ask forgiveness. Instead, release forgiveness by freeing them from the offense.

Matthew 5:23 and 24 says, when you’re worshipping God, if you remember that someone has something against you, don’t wait for them to make it right. Stop what you’re doing, go and make it right with them first. Notice how different that is than what today’s culture says, which is to wait until they come to you.

Step #3. Turn the key all the way. Search your heart for any past un-forgiveness towards anyone who hurt or disappointed you, or even towards yourself. Confess that holding unforgiveness is a sin. We often overlook this sin because it is so acceptable in the body of Christ. We tend to look at the outward, fleshly sins instead of the inward spiritual sins like resentment.

This master key unlocks the blessings God already purchased for you. By failing to forgive, you keep God’s blessings from being released in your life. Your unforgiveness even hinders other people from forgiving you! Have you been wondering why people stay mad at you? It could be because the heavens are locked up.

Unforgiveness also locks up:

God’s divine favor that opens doors of success.
God’s wisdom to help you wisely steward the blessings you do have.
Healing from sickness like arthritis, cancer, depression, mental illness, etc.
Unforgiveness also blocks the body’s natural defenses against new sicknesses that can attack you.

It may seem like this master key is difficult to use. But if you are a child of God, it’s not difficult because God’s nature to forgive is already inside you. But what good is a master key if you never use it?

Right now, make a list of people with whom you are angry or offended. Ask God to forgive you and make a decision to live a life of forgiveness. When you claim the blessings God promised, expect them to begin to flow because you have the master key. Use it! Start unlocking your blessing today!…

Mother’s Day Thoughts

May 9, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi

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Getting past the past, Making positive change, Success & victory

I believe out of all the holidays we celebrate in this nation, there is none more important than Mother’s Day. I miss my own mom terribly and I would love to have another chance to tell her how much she meant to me.

I admit (un-ashamedly) that without having had a mom like mine, I would have never made it to where I am today. And I have been so blessed in my life to be surrounded with women like her.

My wife, the mother of our five children, is not only a great mother but also has been an awesome wife to me for the past fifty-plus years. There are not enough words in the English language to express how truly thankful I am for not just my mom, but also for my wife.

I celebrate all mothers because I know the great price and the personal sacrifices they have made for so many.

But I celebrate all mothers because I know the great price and the personal sacrifices they have made for so many. Motherhood is one of the most thankless jobs in the world. Yet none of us could have life without having a mom.

I want to encourage you mothers who are struggling as widows or have been abandoned by your husband or even by your own children and let you know I appreciate you.

I also want to encourage you “mothers” who never formally became mothers… but every day you are filling in for those who have not understood their gift of motherhood. Thank you for sharing your “mother’s heart” with others. I honor you.

Know today that God is aware of all your pain and quiet suffering over these many years. But He also wants you to know how well pleased He is with you for being a great vessel of love and compassion to the ones He’s placed in your midst.

I say to everyone else: Don’t be sorry later for something you should be doing now. Don’t let this Mother’s Day (and every day) pass without sharing your gratitude and appreciation for her.

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

Break Free. Live Well.

May 2, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi

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Success & victory

These two statements are totally dependent on each other! You can’t live well unless you break free from the bondages that hinder you from a life of success and prosperity. And… you’ll never break free from those bondages and live your God-given destiny unless you learn to live well on a consistent basis.

Here are some suggestions that have helped me to accomplish both:

1. Know your purpose in life. I believe the greatest tragedy is not dying before your time, but living your life without knowing your life’s purpose.

You can’t know your purpose in life apart from knowing God. He created us for His purpose and discovering that only happens when you discover who God really is and how important He is in your life (Ephesians 2:10).

When I was around 27 years old I invited Jesus Christ into my heart and I discovered why I existed, beginning my journey of breaking free and living well!

Know your purpose in life. I believe the greatest tragedy is not dying before your time, but living your life without knowing your life’s purpose.

It took me 27 years to discover who God really is, to have a personal relationship with Him and then begin my journey of living my life with God’s purpose in mind. Make sure Jesus is in your heart and not just your head.

2. Know you are valuable. What I mean by that is that you are unique and different from everybody else. You don’t have to try to be like them. Remember, you don’t want to be a cheap copy of a great original. You’re not in competition with others… you’re uniquely made with God’s fingerprints all over your life.

Your value isn’t based on what other people think of you. The only opinion that counts is God’s.

Celebrate your differences and God-given uniqueness instead of hiding or denying them. When I accepted that truth it liberated me from the boundaries I and other people had placed on me.

3. You have what it takes to finish the race. God has already placed in you everything you need to succeed and fulfill His purpose in your life. When I discovered that, my success wasn’t something I was waiting for in the future. Instead, I recognized it was already in me and it changed the way I live.

God always starts with the end first and then backs up and starts at the beginning. He already placed in you everything you need to fulfill the purpose He created you for.

I began looking inside myself for success instead of looking on the outside for other people to make me successful. (Ephesians 3:20) How liberating it is to know you’ve got what it takes to finish the race, to fulfill your reason for existence!

4. It’s all up to you. I had to take responsibility for my own choices and decisions instead of blaming God and others for what was going on in my life. I stopped looking to other people to give me what God had already deposited in me…my success was waiting to be released.

Start discovering the treasures God has already placed in you by believing what He says about you. You and I were created for success, not failure. And, if we’re going to break free and live well these 4 steps are essential.

Stop living in bondage, break the cycles of defeat and start living out God’s potential in your life. The best is yet to come!

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