The "I Can" Attitude

The “I Can” Principle

As a child, when I would say I couldn’t do something, my mom had a favorite saying. It was, “can’t never could do nothing.” While perhaps not grammatically correct, the saying still rings true today. “I can” and “I can’t” are both mindsets. It has been observed that both are always true. If you decide you can, you will find a way. If you decide you can’t, then you won’t even try.

It is said that Thomas Edison, while working on a new invention, was asked why his failures didn’t discourage him. He replied that he had not failed. He had simply found several thousand ways that didn’t work. What a revelation!

The simple truth is that we all get discouraged. Discouragement will rear its ugly head at different times. In itself, discouragement is simply an emotion. It’s kind of like the sudden rush of adrenaline and fear when someone sneaks up behind you. You can’t help but to be frightened and jump; it is a survival instinct. In the same way, discouragement is an emotion that can come unbidden. But if one gives into the discouragement it can take root in the heart, mind, and soul and become depression.

You might be thinking that there is nothing you can do about the ugly thoughts that are swirling through your mind, the dark spiritual clouds that seem to envelope your soul. Perhaps you have bought into the lie that you cannot help but be depressed. The enemy of your soul wants you to believe that this depression is simply a physical thing. You can’t overcome it; you just have to learn to live with it.

But it isn’t just physical and you don’t have to live with it. It is an attack of hell sent to rob you of your joy, and if possibly your very life. I have seen children of God so far in depression that they have even thought of taking their own lives. The blood-bought child of God does not have to give into this. You can tell the devil that he can’t have control of your mind. Speak aloud in Jesus name, reminding God and the devil that you know to whom you belong.

I thank you Lord that I am your child. I thank you for covering my mind with the blood of Jesus. Spirit of discouragement and depression you have no authority here. I rebuke you by the power of the name of Jesus.

You can beat back those ugly thoughts with the word of God. You can quote scriptures such as “The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Say the verse over and over again until you begin to feel it. The word of God is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). This is not just a mental exercise. When you do this you are speaking life-giving virtue into your soul and mind.

When you begin to mention the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus the enemy will flee. You have victory in Jesus Christ. Your body, mind, and soul are the very temple of the Holy Ghost and those dark, brooding thoughts have no right to be there. Kick them out in Jesus name.

The enemy wants you to believe that you are a failure. He wants you to buy into the “I can’t” attitude. I speak to you today, my brother or sister, in the name of Jesus. “All things are possible to him that believes (Mark 9:23). This is not just any belief. You are confessing faith in the one who made the universe and calls the stars of heaven by name. This God knows where you are right now and wants to help you. If you will call to him right now, he will answer. Say it with me now, “I can because I believe in Jesus.”

Blessings,

Sullivan Jones

Bible Based Counseling

The word of God contains all the answers. In this secular age pastors are told that they do not have the education to offer counsel. When confronted with difficult situations,we are told that we should refer people to licensed professionals who know how to deal with such things. While I have the utmost respect for the counseling profession, the only true counsel must be based on the word of God. One of my instructors was sharing this with us tonight via video. If we counsel someone, but have not led him to admit his need for Jesus, then we have really offered him nothing. Part of the gospel message is that man must admit his two-fold sin, both the original sin of Adam and Eve, and then each person's individual sin. Every human being is born a sinner and needs forgiveness through Jesus Christ. All of life's problems can be traced to one of those two things. Either our troubles are the product of Adam and Eve's sin or they are a product of our own sin. Many problems are a result of the fact that we live in an imperfect, broken world. Through no fault of our own, Adam and Eve's sin introduced sickness, disease, and death to the world. I am in no way saying that one's problems are a result of his own sin. Most problems come from the fact that the world and everything in it is out of touch with God's original order. Each of us has to live with this reality. However, God's grace offers hope and his word offers direction in an uncertain world.There are times, however, when one's problems are the result of poor choices and perhaps even blatant sin. If one's problems are the result of personal mistakes, then each person must repent for himself and ask God to help. In either case God's grace is sufficient and the Bible has the answer. The Bible tells us what to do for depression, for PTSD, for anger, you name it. All the answers to life's difficult situations are found in the word of God. While counseling is good and often necessary, secular psychology does not hold the answers. The only true and wise counsel is found in the word of God. To all my pastor friends, Sunday school teachers, and even church members on the pew: Don't be afraid to give advice that is based on the word of God. It will always stand the test of time.

What is the Church?

I was thinking this morning about the church and how much I love it. I don’t mean just my local congregation, although I do love my immediate church family more than I can express with words. I was thinking more of the church as a whole, the body of Christ on location in the earth.

What is this church of which I speak? The writer of Hebrews calls it the general assembly and church of the firstborn, the spirits of just men made perfect (Hebrews 12:23). The general assembly is the part that best defines what the church is. It is a group of people who have been called out of the world and assembled together under the banner of Jesus Christ. We have a common salvation (Jude 1:3), a common hope of heaven, one common holy book, and a common love for Jesus Christ, our Lord.

We are made of up of many different nationalities, language groups, and backgrounds but God has made us all of one nation through the blood of Jesus Christ, His son (Acts 17:26). All of us come from different walks of life; we see things differently based on our own experiences and family values. These differences can be cultural, social, philosophical, and political. The one thing we have in common, salvation through Jesus Christ, is more powerful than all the things that might serve to divide us.

The church is somewhat of a mystery in the Bible (Ephesians 7:13). Throughout 4,000 plus years of Old Testament Jewish history the New Testament church is never really foreseen. There are illusions to it perhaps, but none that specifically identify it. The Jewish prophets never saw a time when God would turn from his covenant people and open his spirit to a group of gentiles from every other ethnic group on the planet. It would have been inconceivable to them. Yet that is exactly what God did.

The Jews were very territorial. They saw God as their God, the prophets as their prophets, the law as their law, and the future Messiah as their Messiah. It is absolutely amazing that, though Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, it is largely gentiles who worship him. This certainly was not foreseen by the Old Testament prophets. That God would set aside a time in history (more than 2,000 years and still counting) to open his arms to the rest of us was something they just could not have anticipated.

Truly this church is amazing. It is the church that encourages me when I’ down. It is the church that prays for me when I’m sick. It is the church that preached the gospel to me. It is the church to which I run in time of need. I have spent my happiest and saddest moments in the church. The church has been there for me when I needed direction, consolation, rebuke, and love.

There are people who don’t understand my need for the church. Personally, I don’t know what I would do without a church family. I am strengthened every time I go to the house of God. I would be lost without my church family to connect with. It is more than just a building or a meeting place. The church is my very lifeline to God. Sure I can pray alone. But when I pray with other believers it is so much more powerful. The church is a constant reminder to me that I am not alone in my pursuit of God. We are a unified body of people with a common goal: we want to please the Lord and call heaven our home.

We church members are human. We laugh together, cry together, and sometimes fight amongst ourselves. We need constant guidance from the pulpit. We would certainly be lost without God’s patience. None of us have made it to a place of perfection yet. But we are the Body of Christ on location in the world and when we come together in prayer we are a force that hell cannot reckon with. We are the church!

If you are not a part of us, we welcome you with open arms. Perhaps you were once with us and have wandered away; we welcome you back. Perhaps you have been disillusioned; we encourage you to try again. We will forgive your faults if you will forgive ours. Come one, come all and be a part of the church! Everyone is welcome!

Blessings,

Spanish Pastor Jones