Pastor Josh's Thoughts

Power that's in us

2012-01-30T09:34:00.000-08:00

Wow it's been a while since I've written something. How time flies. Well it looks like winter is coming to a wrap around here. It's been one of the warmest winters. I sure love global warming. Enough of the small chat let's get to the good stuff.

Romans 8:11 is one of my favorite scriptures in the bible. It's so powerful and true.

Romans 8:11 says,but if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

The spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in all Christians.

The same power and authority that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. The same power that defeated every demon, devil, satan, sickness, disease, etc. Lives in us. So why do christians run around with there heads cut off like we have no power. We have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead in us. We need to be running right at the devil. Instead of running away from him. Who is the devil anyway. He's nothing, but a coward and a liar. My Father is a Father of truth. So if He says that I have the power in me. It means I have the power in me. To use at my own will. Not to be fearful, but strong and courageous. I fear nothing, because fear comes from the devil.

The word of God says that the Holy spirit is our helper. Did you hear that. Jesus said he was sending a helper. Not a do'er. We have to do the doing for the Holy Spirit to do the helping. If you never step out on the word then the Holy Spirit can never help you put the word into action. How can you save someone if you never witness? How can you heal someone if you never pray with someone? As soon as you step out and do it. Then the Holy Spirit has to do it. It's as simple as that. The spirit that lives in us has no limitations. So why do we put limitations on the Holy Spirit. Just think what he could do through you? Nothing is impossible to him that believes.

John 14:12-13 says verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works that these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Such a powerful scripture. We should be doing the samethings that Jesus did while he was on earth. That's right the samethings. We should be healing the sick, raising the dead, and saving the lost. It didn't say some should do it. He said all that believes in Him. That means every Christian. Let's stop making excuses and start doing what He told us to do. You want a revival. Get out and start one. You want God to turn your town around. Get out and starting turning it around. It starts with each one of us. Not the pastor's, not the church, not someone else. It starts with you. Don't wait for someone else to start something. You need to start it. As soon as you step out in faith. The Holy Spirit will take over the rest.

Good and Bad Zuccini

2011-05-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

A few years back my wife and I were able to have our first garden. So we were wondering what to plant. We planted the normal veggies. Like tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, etc. I told my wife that there was one thing I really wanted to plant. zucchini!! I don’t like it fried, baked, or in any other way than in bread. My wife makes a killer zucchini bread. She puts brown sugar and cinnamon on top. WOW!! I’m getting hungary. So here we are gardening virgins. We wondered how many zucchini plants to buy? We we ended up getting 10 plants. Ok, ok, stop laughing. We didn’t know how much they grew, and grew, and grew. We couldn’t give them away fast enough. In 2 weeks of the beginning of harvesting we had 50 bags filled with zucchini to make bread. Lucky we had some hungary chickens. Those suckers ate them up like it was nothing. Our life is just like these zucchini plants. Either sin is gonna grow crazily or the word of God is in our hearts. When we sin. It starts a plant of sin in our hearts. The more we do it the bigger it gets. Then it starts to produce fruits that are rotten and smelly. You start to affect everyone around you by your bad attitude, lying, drunkenness, cursing, or even your laziness. It grows rampant in your life to were it overcomes you. You also can grow good fruits. The more you read the word and pray, and do what the word says. Your plant starts to grow bigger and bigger. It starts to produce good fruits. Which affects everyone around you by you caring, love, kindness. long suffering, gentleness, and with the righteousness of God. The good and bad fruit is contagious. If you have bad fruit. You will pass it along to people around you. Ever been around someone that complains or gossips. It is also true about the good fruit. Ever been around someone that is always happy and positive. If your life isn’t going so good. Look at yourself and see what kind of fruits you are producing. If your heart smells like manure. You might not have anyone around you that doesn’t smell like manure. Manure likes the smell of manure. If your heart is filled with God’s word and love. You will be around people that are filled with love and joy. God’s love is contagious.

Luke 6:44-45 (New International Version, ©2011)

44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Getting on my nerves

2011-04-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

Had a fun time this morning. Was able to talk about God on the job. Don't get much of a chance to do that. I drive a bus for the Northstar Link here in Minnesota. It's a fun job, but a challenging one to. Just like anyother job it has it's ups and downs. Mostly the downs are all the snow storms we get. I don't have a choice to be late. All the riders depend on me to get them to there destination on time every time. Kind of like God depends on us to get his Word out to the world. The world is the world that you live in. It doesn't have to be in Africa, Mexico, or anyother place. It's your community. We don't have that choice not to spread the Word. He told us to do it. We don't disobey our Father's do we? We also need to be on time with His word. When He tells us to go. It means it's time to go. It's not our choice it's His. He's the boss.

Everyday isn't always a pleasant day. You get those college students that well can drive a person crazy within minutes. You know the know it all, the curses, and your not my parent. It used to get me just riled up. The steam would just start to come out of the ears. I wondered how they could act that way or say those things. The truth is. That's all they know. Sinners only know how to do one thing right. Which is sin. So who am I to get mad at them for not knowing any better. Who am I to judge them unless I want to get judged. These are the people that God wants us to reach out to. Not to get mad at, but to love with arms opened wide. Isn't that what Jesus did for us. We used to be just like them. I think we forget that sometimes. Where we came from, and how much God has changed us.

I am so happy that I have a loving Father in Heaven that never gave up one me. No matter what I did or said He was always there. He never gave up. So why do we sometimes. We look at certain people and don't even bother talking to them, becuase the way they look. Jesus went to the most disgusting people and talked to them. We need to follow His lead. We all need to live today as it was our last. Never know when the rapture is going to happen. We are so eager to help an animal that is hurt. Then to help someone going to hell. The ones you talk to today may not be here tomorrow. Let's make sure everyone around us get a chance to make a decision on where they want to go. Let's change today for the better.

God Our Healer

2011-02-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

We are in interesting times now. There’s more disease and cancers going around. As Christians we don’t have to accept any sickness or diseases in our lives. We have to remember that the devil comes to kill steal and destroy. He does this easily with sickness in the family. He steals your life from you and your family. He kills you and steals you from the life you were supposed to have. That’s why Jesus went to hell and defeated the devil. So he couldn’t do those things to us anylonger. We have victory and authority over everyday of our lives. If you do have a sickness in you or a cancer, and you’re overwhelmed by what’s in front of you. Don’t worry. Give it to God. Confess these scriptures and believe what you say.

Psalm 118:17 – I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

Psalm 107:20 - God sent His Word and healed me.

Psalm 91:9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

Matthew 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

John 6:63 - 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[a] and life.r of my being.

Jeremiah 29:11 - 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God knows the plans that He has for you, and the devil doesn’t want you to get there. The devil is fearful of what you will accomplish. So now is the best time. To show the devil who you are in Christ. If God can turn water into wine. Part the red sea, and raise the dead. The problem you have right now will be a piece of cake. Just like from my last post. God can do the impossible. He’s given us the authority to accomplish the impossible thru his word. So when you say these scriptures make sure you take it as the word. Don’t let doubt come in, but authority abound in you. Here’s an awesome song. Play it over and over again. Just praising God. When you praise God your faith builds up in God and his word.

Nothing is Impossible

2011-02-13T17:29:00.000-08:00

I Love this scripture. It just shows when you are humble. You get to that point in your life. When you realize that nothing is impossible for God. He gives us the power and authority to do all things.

Philippians 4:13 (The Message)

10-14I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

We look at the things we have or don’t have to label the happiness in life. We have to realize that earthly materials will come and go, but God’s word will never change. When we realize that Everything is Possible thru Jesus. That our minds will be freed from mental bondage. Just because you can’t comprehend or grasp of what’s going on. It doesn’t mean that it’s impossible for God. It just let’s you know how much you are limiting God. On what He wants to do for you.

Look at your problem right in its face. Remember Jesus said that we have authority over everything. That we can throw any mountain into the sea. That problem that you are letting control your life is no problem at all, but a road block. All we have to have is a mustard seed size faith. Pretty much saying you don’t have to put that much effort into it. Just believe and let God do the work.

If you need healing your healed. Why? Because the word says so. That’s it. It’s that simple. Don’t let the symptoms stop you from believing that you are healed. Everyone that was healed in the bible showed some faith. Some of them didn’t even get healed right away. They were walking to were they needed to go. Before they got healed. So right now don’t let the Devil steal anymore of your healthy days. Confess right now that you take your health back by the name of Jesus and walk and talk that way.

Same goes with finances or your job. Now finances you really have to look at yourself first. For the most part we mostly spend too much and then we beg to God to get us out of that mess. He will, but it might take time. He’ll give you extra hours at work or even an extra job. Yes you will probably have to work extra to get out of your debt. The reason is.What a better way to believe in God’s blessings by working through them. Next time you might listen to God when He tells you not to buy something. Your job is the job where God wants you to be. So make the best of it. Go to work with a positive attitude. Let God show you why He has you there.

Through everything you go through. Always remember that God is there ALWAYS. He’s waiting for you to bring the problem to Him. Don’t worry how big the problem might be Nothing is impossible to God. He’s going to give us every answer we need. When he gives us something. Which might look to big with your own eyes. Always remember that through Jesus and the word of God we can and Will do all things. That means the dead will rise, sick will be healed, money will flow, marriages will be wonderful, and every storm will disappear. Just let him take care of all your problems. He’s the one with the answers.

Life's Storms

2011-02-12T14:21:00.001-08:00

What a gorgeous day out today. High’s in the 30′s. No more winter jacket!! God is good. The snow is melting away. Soon and very soon we will have grass again.

The flu is out of our house. Thanks goodness. Something great about smelling fresh air again it is so great.

Have you ever come to a place in your life. Where you don’t know where you’re going? The thing is you are exactly were you are supposed to be. The job that you have is from God. The places were you live is from God. The situation you are in is from God. Good or bad. It’s time to accept who you are and were you are. It is from God. God never said that life was going to be a piece of cake. He said he would give us the answers to get through all our problems. You can say He blesses us during our most biggest storms.

I look back about 5 years ago. We were in one of these big storms. We had a house with 5 acres. We loved it to death. Do to some job changes the house that we lived in was becoming way to much for us to live in. Let’s say we were right in the middle of a hurricane. We were barely making by. We were at times counting the pennies in the vehicles and the couch. We thought how in the world were we going to survive. The worst of the storm was still to come. September hit and our water boiler caught on fire. So now we don’t have heat. It was going to cost us 8,000.00 to replace the thing. Some might say well it’s only Sept. Well we live in Minnesota. The low’s start to get in the 30′s then. So we were dead in the water. With no paddle. Our house temp in the morning was in the 30′s at the beginning and then the upper 20′s by the end.God was in the middle of teaching us how to have faith in Him. Just like Abraham. When God told him he was going to have a child. It took a little while before he came around. It also took us a little while too. Our attitudes had to change for the better. In the end of October God was showing us the change. An old boss of mine gave me a call and asked me to come back to work for him. Better pay and benefits. Then we found out that I could cash in my plan from my old job. Which turned out to be exactly 8,000.00. So by Dec we had heat again. Just in time before the big time cold weather hit.

We had to go through that storm to learn to trust in God more. If we didn’t we wouldn’t be were we are now. We’ve had more storms after this one, but haven’t worried through any of them. We knew God had his plan and His plan was better than anything we could do. So we leaned on him even more.

If you would look at what we make every year. You would say there’s no way we could have what we do. I tell you we have what we have because of our faith in God. His word is packed with the answers we need to get through life. All we have to do is read it and accept it for the truth. The truth will set you free. If you believe it will be. If you are in that tough time right now. Don’t sweat it. God can get you through it. Just trust in Him. Put all your wants to the side, and put His wants in the foreground.

I need warm weather!!!

2011-02-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

Well it seems like this winter keeps going and going. Some day it will warm up again. I hope!!! Well we have a new addition to the family. Alexia was born on January 10th. Weighing in at 7lbs and 12 oz. Isn’t God so awesome. I just love watching her and seeing God through her. Well I’ve been drilling my son on what love is lately. It seems that kids at his school have that love issue. There making fun of other kids because the way they talk or look. So I brought up to him about that we need to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Hinting to him that we need to love ourselves first. Then loving his neighbor won’t be a problem. When we make fun of a person because the way they look or talk. You’re just letting everyone know that you don’t love your self that much. We need to realize that God is in all of us. He made each one of us in His image. So in short to love yourself. You are loving God to the fullest. When you love God. You are full of love. because God is Love. So let’s stop and search our hearts. To see where we need more of God. When we do. We will be full of God’s kind of Love.

There's someone waiting for you!!!

2010-09-19T17:35:00.001-07:00

I have to give credit to my parents for taking me to church. Because of them I was able to get saved. Now I get to live my life in heaven. Some of you might have been influenced by a neighbor, friend, relative, or just showing up in church. All of us are grateful for those people taking time out of there lives to influence us. A life changing experience. That changed our lives forever. Now it's time to pay it forward. It's time to pick out a person in your life to change. It might be someone you know or don't know. It doesn't matter. Someone years ago did it for you. See how it changed your life, and now it's time to do it for someone else. Be that person that changes lives. Be a life changer for Christ. It's easy to do nothing, and that is what you'll get out of it. Nothing!! When you do something you will reap the rewards of it. Just think. When you get someone saved. All of Heaven rejoices. That has to be an awesome sound. So let's get heaven into a party mode. Where it's a non-stop rejoicing. So this week. Take time out of your life and get into someone else's.

Letters to God Movie

2010-09-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

What a great movie. Bring the tissues!!!! Letters to God

Don't Hold Back!!! God Doesn't!!

2010-08-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

Don’t hold back! God doesn’t!

We run through our lives with up and downs. We go one way than the other. To find that we are no closer getting to our destination than before. Kind of sounds like the Israelites. They were in the desert for 40 years. None of the original never found there destination. Only the 2 that believed made it to the other side. God never said life was going to be easy. Look at the people in the bible. Joseph didn’t have it easy. David didn’t have it easy. Actually they had it rougher than any of us will. God did say, He’ll give us the answers to everything. He has given us the ability and skills to do the things He’s asked us to do. The thing is that most of us shy away from what God is telling us to do. We convince ourselves that there is no possible way that I could do that. Even though His word says that we can do all things!! It doesn’t say some things it says all things. God doesn’t hold back on us. So we shouldn’t hold back on Him. He’s a father that wants us to succeed, and not to fail. Even though you might think you can’t do what God is telling you. You actually can, and you will succeed at it. Because God is telling you to do it. You just have to step out in faith and go for it. We need to stop saying I can’t, or there’s no way that I could. We need to start to talk like God does. I can and I will do it. I won’t only do it. I will flourish and succeed above all others at it. We need to start believing in ourselves like God does. Our God always gives us confidence in every thing that He tells us to do. I’m not saying it will be easy just because God told you to do it. I will tell you. If you do go through rough times. God will always be there. Encouraging you through it all and through it all your faith will flourish. When God tells us to do something. He wants us to lean on him, and not our own emotions. So let’s stop kicking ourselves for not doing something, and start doing those things. Let’s see those things flourish for God!!!

New Addition

2010-05-23T11:56:00.001-07:00

How awesome is our God!! Our God is the Father of life and not death. How special children are. They are a gift from God. Everyday I look at my children and thank God for giving them to us. I'm able to see the love of God at work in my children, and there gifts starting to mature. God has trusted my wife and I on raising these children in a Godly home. To instruct them in good manors, honor, loyalty, virtues, and His word. In which we are doing. Now God has blessed us again. We are adding to this family. We found out this last week that we will be having another child. Isn't God great. Another vision of God coming into this family. On top of that. Another me coming into this world. This world is soooo lucky. Can't wait to see what God has in mind with this new child of ours. Thank you God for blessing us again. We will raise this child up as you instruct, because this child is yours. Not ours. You have just in trusted us to raise him. In that we will do to the fullest!! Thanks God.

Lover of Money

2010-05-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

1 Timothy 6:6-10
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

This scripture is so important in this time of day. Where more and more people are striving for money. Than striving after God. This scripture isn't talking about sinners, but Christians. As we turn on the TV and watch one pastor to the next asking for more and more money. Which is nothing wrong with it. A church needs to survive and run things. It's when they get off. They say by sending in 100.00 you'll get your healing, or miracle. Which is far from the Truth. There mind is on money and not the will of God. They are no longer scriptural based.

This scripture states we need to be satisfied with what we have. We shouldn't worry about what other people have, or seek after what other people have. We also shouldn't take a job just because it makes more money either. If it isn't in God's plan and you take the job. Then you are out of God's will. God's word says that he will always supply our needs. So don't worry about it. He will supply our needs. He's always has and always will take care of His people.

Don't get caught up with the worldly hunger for more things. Don't fall into the temptation to charge things. When you fall into the worldly things you will surely fall. You will find that instead of those things making you happy it will make you stressed out. That's exactly what happens when you start to love money and things. You loose the Joy of Christ, and you bring on worries and stress. That's exactly were the devil wants you.

We find these kind of stories throughout the bible. When they did the things of God. They had comfort and peace, but when they got off. They had doubt, stress, and destruction. We need to stay focused on the real issue at hand. That is what God wants us to do. When we do we can't go wrong. God will always provide.

Love the message version of this scripture:
6-8A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough.

9-10But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.

Living a Life of Joy

2010-05-17T07:18:00.000-07:00

Some days it is so hard to be happy. A person might wake up with a grumpy attitude, or it just doesn't start off right. That is the time that we need to put our flesh under. God is a God of love. He's love inside and out. So where God is there is Joy and happiness. As long as we listen to our flesh. The further we get from that joy. So when your flesh puts you in a bad mood. We need to tell our flesh that we aren't going there. We have to make the choice to be joyful. Even though we might not fill like it. When we make that choice God will enter in with his love and start to change our attitude. So don't be a crab. Be a joy to be around.