The Church of Today

 

The church of today does not resemble the church of Jesus Christ in the first century. Why not?

There are two main groups of churches. Denominational and non- Denominational.  What is the difference?

Denominational Church - A Christian denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity that comprises all church congregations of the same kind, identifiable by traits such as a name, particular history, organization, leadership, theological doctrine, worship style and, sometimes, a founder.  They all have a governing body.

Non-Denominational Church – A non-denominational church is a Christian church that does not affiliate with any established denominations or mainstream churches, such as Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, or Methodist. Church denominations are larger entities that possess a distinct identity, set of beliefs, and traditions.  Each church has a governing body in the form of pastors and elders.

Looking at these definitions, one could surmise that they are very similar.  Both have a distinct worshiping body and both have a governing body.  Would a non-denominational then be considered a denominational church by definition?

Unfortunately, the church of today does not resemble the church of Jesus Christ as was taught to the disciples in the first century church.  Again, I ask, why not? The Bible is very clear as to how the church must conducted.  I will outline a few points that are concerning to us all.

1.       Nowhere in the Bible does it say to worship at a church building.  The original place of worship was mostly in a person’s house.  We have been programed to meet at a building and if we do not make it to the church building, we most often feel guilty for not attending. 

2.      The church has a hierarchy with the pastor at top of the hill, followed by elders or a governing body.  The pastor has been put on a pedestal as being more important than the flock. Yet, Scripture tells us different story.  Ephesians 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.  Nobody is greater than the other in the body of Christ.  We all have an assignment in God’s church.

3.      What is being taught in church service of today?  Pastors have become story tellers, counselors, and in many cases, jokesters. Yet, we still are sick and diseased before, during, and after service.  Ask yourself, others, and your pastor why?  God has given us all the answers in His Word.

4.      The children are separated from the church service.  This is not Biblical.  Jesus taught all ages at the same time. The Bible is for all ages.  Does the Word of God say to separate the children from the mothers and fathers?  So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it Isaiah 55:11.

5.      Very few times have I seen the pastor or worship leader call on the Helper/Holy Spirit, John 14:16, 26 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things.  The Holy Spirit is the most powerful entity here on earth sent by God himself.  Why is the Holy Spirit left out of any gathering of God’s saints, especially at church services?  Why do we fail to call on the Holy Spirit before any decision we make?  We make bad decisions all the time, but the Holy Spirit makes all the right decisions every time if we only call on the Holy Spirit.  Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Luke 11:13 You are sinful and you know how to give good things to your children. How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”  Why are we not having on ongoing conversation with the Holy Spirit throughout the day?   Why is this not being taught and why are we not calling on the Holy Spirit? 

6.      I have never seen a pastor put a prayer on the screen and had the congregation pray out loud in unison.  Prayer is very powerful spiritual declaration against the dark kingdom.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Ephesians 6:12 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.

7.      Why do you think people come into church service sick and diseased and leave sick and diseased when God promises healing?  Ask yourselves, pastors, leadership why?

8.      Where does sickness and disease come from?  Have you ever had anyone show you what causes sickness and disease in the Bible?  Deuteronomy 28 tells us sickness and disease comes from disobedience. Disobedience definition: The failure or refusal to obey rules or someone in authority.  In our case, it is God.  Disobedience is another word for sin.  Adam and Eve were sin free until they disobeyed God.  Jesus healed a man who had an infirmity (physical or mental illness).  Jesus identified the cause of the infirmity (illness) as sin.    John 5:5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.  And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk. ” 12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” Again, in John 8:3-11 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.  7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being[g] convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”  Her illness was an emotional issue and Jesus healed her of adultery.  This confirms what Deuteronomy 28 tells us about the causes of sicknesses and diseases.

9.      Why isn’t there effective prayer for the sick and diseased in church service? James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  Effective prayer is not praying for the symptoms.  Rather, we must look at the causes the symptoms.  Example: Would you pray for depression which is a symptom of anxiety (stress and fear) or would you pray and cast out the cause?  Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression.  Which is more effective?  Going to the doctor who gives drugs for the treatment of depression or simply casting out the anxiety/stress/fear?  Doctors cannot heal depression.  God through His children heals depression.  Key is finding the causes of sickness and disease.  Science and doctors are very good at diagnosing symptoms, but batting zero when it comes to healing.

10.  After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus spent forty days with his disciples. Before ascending to heaven, he gave the apostles important instructions before He left to be with His Father.   This is referred to as “the Great Commission.”  Mark 16:15-18 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  Key points for them and us is to spread the gospel, cast out demons (evil spirts), and lay hands (pray) on the sick so they will be healed. Is this commission being taught by your church? Have you seen pastors, leadership, elders, or anybody cast out demons?  Jesus did (When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, Matthew 8:16).  Demons are evil spirits.  Fear, bitterness, and anger to name a few are evil spirts.  They need to cast out until they are not an issue. 

The Great Commission has been my ministries’ backbone for the past 20 years.  I challenge all of you to go deeper in the Word of God and do what He calls us to do which is to bring people out of captivity, especially yourself and your family. Let us all be accountable before our Lord God, Amen!

Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me (Us) To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn. To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (depression); That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power (authority) and of love and of a sound mind.

Folks, when are we going to wake up?  Let us all bring those in captivity out of captivity in Jesus Name.                                                                 Tony Sanchez, 5-18-2024

Sorrows and Regrets

Prolonged sorrows and regrets are some of the major issues I come across in ministry.  It is very damaging to the soul and the health of your emotional/physical health.  Regrets cause a person to beat up on themselves leading to bitterness of self and causing a multitude of sicknesses and diseases especially to your immune system. 

Sorrow definition – a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others. Like words: sadness, dejection, regret, depression, misery, despair, gloom, heartache, grief. 

Regret definition – feeling of sadness, or disappointed over (something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity).  Regrets will lead to guilt, shame, self-bitterness, and self-hatred.  It magnifies past failures   Not being a better person, son, daughter, mother, or father. We dwell on our mistakes and carry them our entire lives.  We continue to beat up on ourselves, but God in His mercy will forgive you.  Let the past be the past!

What does the Bible say about sorrow? Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death, 2 Corinthians 7:10.  Repentance means to change your ways in how you have lived your life, the decisions you made, and how you think. It leads to salvation which is deliverance.  Doing this takes away the regrets in your life and your perceived failures.  Worldly sorrow is based on mankind’s way of doing things which is contrary to God’s way.  The result is death because of prolonged sorrow and regrets if we do not receive effective prayer.

A like word of sorrow is distress which is extreme anxiety.  Anxiety causes depression, Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, Proverbs 12:25.  A like word for distress is anguish (Severe mental or physical pain or suffering).  Anxiety and stress lead to fear.  God mentions fear 365 times in the Bible.  God is trying to tell us that anxiety/stress/fear is a huge issue as it pertains to sorrow and regrets.

Broken Heart – A state of extreme grief or sorrow, typically caused by the death or a loved one or an unfortunate occurrence.  Key to understanding a broken heart what it does to us in the emotional and the physical.  We are responders to how we think. In other words, our mental and physical heath is based on how we think. Scientifically, a broken heart (sorrow) can cause physical damage to the heart.  Broken heart syndrome is a heart condition that is often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions.  There are many stories of elderly couples where one passes away and the other dies soon after because of a broken heart. 

Every sorrow and regret can be traumatizing. Every trauma will have anxiety, stress, and fear, tied to it.  Fear is an evil spirit and its not from God, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7.  God give us power (authority) and a sound mind.  Sorrow and regrets are not of a sound mind because it can make us ill.

Sorrow and regrets are inevitable, but prolonged sorrows and regrets will lead to sickness and disease. Therapists will counsel your symptoms.  Doctors will treat the symptoms with drugs. All fail to heal. The body of Christ will most often pray for the symptoms which is not effective prayer.  Unfortunately, God is not mankind’s first choice because they do not believe and do not make themselves available for prayer.  So, they remain sick and diseased.

Effective prayer will address the causes.  Below is a basic prayer for anyone who is suffering from sorrow and regrets.   Understand that healing like any sickness and disease is a process.  We can pray deliverance from sorrow and regrets, but we have a propensity to relive sorrows/regrets and bring sorrows/regrets back into our lives, so we must start over with prayer.  This prayer must be repeated over and over until it is minimized or is not an issue.

Father God, in Jesus Name, I pray out the trauma, anxieties, stressors, fear, guilt, shame, failure, self-bitterness, and self-hatred causing unhealthy sorrows and regrets.  I pray healing of sorrows and regrets.  Amen!

We have sorrow and regrets throughout our lifetime and we do not need to in be captivity to it any longer.   Prayer is a powerful spiritual proclamation for us and to the heavenly realm.  Prayer gives us healing and peace. 

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. And He saves those who are broken in spirit, Psalm 34:18

Bitterness Part 2

 

Bitterness is a principality; under it and answering to it are eight evil spirits working in people that reinforce bitterness.  It can destroy nerve sheaths, connective tissue, and soft tissue.

1.      Unforgiveness

2.      Resentment – Anger or annoyance

3.      Retaliation – Getting even who offended you

4.      Anger – A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility

5.      Hatred – Extreme dislike of someone or something

6.      Slander – Words damaging to a person’s reputation

7.      Violence – Physical and mental attacks

8.      Murder – Most often it is murder of the tongue

Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 

Proverbs 14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy.

Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is life to the body, but envy (resentful/spiteful/bitterness) is rottenness to the bones (Destroys the bone marrow). 

Proverbs 17:22 A merry (happy) heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones (marrow that produces white T-cells for your immune system).

Anger is mentioned 230 times in the Bible (NKJV) –

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth Colossians 3:8.

Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Ephesians 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Nerve Fiber – A whitish fiber or bundle of fibers that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord, and impulses from these to the muscles and organs. A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons. This pressure can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.  A pinched nerve can occur in many areas of the body.  Shoulders, herniated disks, and pain in the lower back that can put pressure on a nerve. Lower back pain in many cases can cause pain that radiates down the Saitic nerve. A pinched nerve in the wrist can lead to pain and numbness in the hand and fingers, known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Self-bitterness can destroy the nerve sheath.

Connective tissue

Connective tissue disease is any disease that affects the parts of the body that connect the structures of the body together. Connective tissues are made up of two proteins: collagen and elastin. Collagen is a protein found in the tendons, ligaments, skin, cornea, cartilage, bone, and blood vessels. Elastin is a stretchy protein that resembles a rubber band and is the major component of ligaments and skin. When a patient has a connective tissue disease, the collagen and elastin are inflamed. The proteins and the body parts they connect are harmed.

Soft Tissue

Soft tissue is a body tissue that is not hardened or calcified.  Specifically: tissue (such as tendon, muscle, skin, fat, and fascia/foot) that typically connects, supports, or surrounds bone and internal organs (Brain, heart, lungs, stomach, spleen, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, colon, intestines, eyes, ears, and nerves.  Perhaps, we must consider hearing damage as being attributed to soft tissue damage.

Self-loading (Intense dislike of self), self-criticalness, and disgust of self destroys nerves, connective tissues, and soft tissues. Self-hatred does the most damage to our physical.  God tells us to love ourselves.  Not hate ourselves.  How do we reverse self-loathing. First, stop cursing yourself with how terrible you are.  Stop looking in the mirror and telling yourself how terrible you look.

Prayer: Father God, I know how much you love me because you sent your only Son to die on the cross for my sins.  Therefore, I want to declare how much I love myself.  I forgive all those who have offended me or hurt me.  Little by little your health will improve.  It is God’s promise of healing.  Do you believe God’s promises?

Lastly, doctors cannot be our first option when we get sick and diseased.  How about identifying and praying for your causes of sickness and disease before it gets too serious?  Understand, doctors treat the symptoms. Doctors do not heal.  We have been programed to seek doctors first and ignore God who is the Healer. We must seek God first and “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much, James 5:16.  Tony Sanchez 3-20-24

 

 

Back Pain

 

Lower Back Pain in Ministry

In a healing ministry, one must combine science/medicine, the Word of God, and experience with people and their sickness and disease symptoms. Going deeper, we look at their life experiences including hurts/offenses, feeling unloved, emotional/physical trauma, and their relationship with their father (to a lesser degree, their mother) and many more. So, we began to see characteristics that allow us to identify causes that lead to sickness and disease.  With this information we can pray effectively to deliver them from the symptoms.  All the above-mentioned bring stress and anxiety, which is fear.

One of the most common issues in ministry is lower back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain. I would say that 80% is lower back pain.  First thing I ask about is their stress levels to get them to share their fears as part of spiritual therapy. 

How do the bones of the human skeleton move? Skeletal muscles contract and relax to mechanically move the body. Messages from the nervous system cause these muscle contractions. The whole process is called the mechanism of muscle contraction (tensed muscles) and it can be summarized in three steps:

(1) A message travels from the nervous system to the muscular system, triggering chemical reactions.

(2) The chemical reactions lead to the muscle fibers reorganizing themselves in a way that shortens the muscle--that is the contraction. Tense muscles expand, or get bigger.

(3) When the nervous system signal is no longer present, the chemical process reverses, and the muscle fibers rearrange again and the muscle relaxes.  This is key when we pray for lower back pain.

­­­Back pain commonly stems from strain, tension, or injury. Frequent causes of back pain are:

Strained muscles or ligaments – A muscle strain is an injury to a muscle.  Sometimes called pulled muscles, strains commonly occur in the lower back

Muscle spasm – A muscle spasm, also known as a muscle cramp, refers to the involuntary and forceful contraction of a muscle.  It is very painful.

Muscle tension – Muscular tension refers to the condition where one or more muscles remains semi-contracted for a prolonged period.  This is quite evident with athletics.  They are under intense pressor to perform.

Injuries, fractures, or falls – These are all traumas and every trauma has a stressor (fear) tied to it.

Strains – Activities that can lead to strains or spasms include:

Lifting something that is too heavy or improperly (trauma/stress).

Making an abrupt, awkward movement (trauma/stress).

Structural problems – Several structural problems may also result in back pain:

Ruptured disks: Each vertebra in the spine is cushioned by disks. If the disk ruptures, there will be more pressure on a nerve (pinched nerve), resulting in back pain.

Bulging disks: Much in the same way as ruptured disks, a bulging disk can lead to more pressure on a nerve.

Degenerative disk: is when your spinal disks wear down. Spinal disks are rubbery cushions between your vertebrae.  My latest teaching linked being bitter to the deterioration of the soft tissue.  Especially bitterness of self.

Sciatica: A sharp and shooting pain travels through the buttock and down the back of the leg. This may occur when a bulging or herniated disk presses on a nerve or when a muscle pushes specifically on the sciatic nerve.

Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can cause problems with the joints in the hips, lower back, and other areas in the body. In some cases, the space around the spinal (nerve) cord narrows (this is spinal stenosis).  Arthritis is inflammation of the joints which can rub against the nerves in the fingers, hips, knees, and feet (gout which is a complex form of arthritis). 

Unusual curvature of the spine: If the spine (nerve) curves in an unusual way, back pain can occur. An example of this is scoliosis, in which the spine curves to the side. 

Osteoporosis: Bones, including the vertebrae of the spine (nerve), become brittle and porous, making compression fractures more likely.

A pinched nerve occurs when there is pressure or compression of a spinal nerve from the many things mentioned above. A pinched nerve is a trauma and every trauma has an anxiety/stressor tied to it, which is fear in the Bible.  We must look at the anatomy of the lower back to understand scientifically what causes pain in the lower back.  The same can apply to other parts of the body.

 Nerves run through the skeletal system. The nerves are very close to the skeleton and are surrounded by the muscles.  Stress/anxiety/fear causes the muscles to contract/expand against the nerves which compresses against the nerves which compresses against the Skeletor system. In general, the nerves are pancaked between the muscles and bones causing pain. This is the cause of the lower back pain.

In ministry, we know that fear causes lower back pain.  We call it fear nesting in the lower back.  Satan knows that this is a very sensitive area of our body and is a key area to attack.  Fear is an evil spirt and it does not come from God, For God has not given us a spirit of fear 2 Timothy 1:7.  Fear is mentioned in the Bible 365 times and it does much damage and especially to our lower back.

What Can We Do?

This is not a complicated answer. Mankind makes healing very complicated.  God in His Glory is very basic and uncomplicated.  Scientifically and physically, we know the cause of lower back pain.  Science can only explain the symptoms and doctors only treat the symptoms.  Yet, we remain in pain and doctors only prescribe pain medications.

The remedy or healing in ministry is very basic as I said.  We have identified what causes muscles to expand and what it does to the nerves.  The cause is fear nesting in the lower back.  Fear is an evil spirit and we have authority to cast out fear in Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons (fear). 

We have prayed for thousands with lower back pain and the pain is minimized or healed completely within 24 hours in most cases.  Understand this: When we allow anxiety/stress/fear back in, the pain most likely will come back.  So, we must pray again. Luke 11:24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’

Prayer For Healing Lower Back Pain:

Father God, in the Name of Jesus, I cast out the fears nesting in _______ lower back causing pain and send these evil spirits to the dry places.  I pray healing and restoration for _______, Amen.

Bitterness At Three Levels

Bitterness At Three levels

Bitterness definition – anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment.  Like words: disgruntlement, grudge, spite (a desire to hurt, or offend someone verbally and physically).

What does the Bible say about bitterness?  One of the most well-known stories of bitterness in the Bible is the tale of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16). Cain becomes consumed by envy, jealousy, anger, and bitterness towards his brother and God when he feels unjustly treated.  Abel kills his brother out of hatred.

What is bitterness and how does it affect your health? The definition of bitterness is the emotional state of feeling distressed disappointment from unmet expectations, being treated unfairly, or having the perception of being treated unfairly. When a person allows this feeling to fester, the negative emotional mood can spill over to create health problems.

The three levels of bitterness are as follows:

I wanted to look at the three levels of bitterness because it is very detrimental to our health mentally, emotionally, and physically. Offenses causes hurt, anger, and leads to un-forgiveness and bitterness at three levels.

BITTERNESS AT SOMEONE WHO HAS OFFENDED YOUR OR HURT YOU.  This can be family, friends, pastors, bosses, coworkers, spouses/ex boyfriends/girlfriends, neighbors, people in politics, and sport figures to name a few.  This is separation from others – breaches in relationships, hatred, bitterness, envy, jealousy, competition, lack of nurturing, lack of love, and the list goes on.

BITTERNESS OF SELF.  This is quite destructive and people began to attach and beat up on self spiritually, mentally, and physically causing many medical issues including soft tissue issues.  This is a separation from self – not accepting yourself, not loving yourself, not feeling worthy, having guilt, self-condemnation, self-criticalness, and self-hatred. Note: When you beat up yourself, you beat up your mental and physical health.

BITTERNESS AT AN ORGANIZATION. It can be churches, schools, government, political parties, media, employers, corporations, and other organizations.  One can surmise that hatred against organizations are getting increasingly worse.  Our trust has been compromised and people are very angry.

Bitterness Observations to Consider

Compromised Immune System – One could conclude that most autoimmune diseases are primarily the result of an unloving spirit producing feelings of not being loved, not being accepted, self-rejection, self-hatred, lack of respect, and self-bitterness couple with anxiety/stress/fear.  It could be said that autoimmune diseases are primarily a self-hatred, disease with a fear-anxiety-stress rider attached to them. Hatred of bitterness of others and organizations can produce the same autoimmune diseases.  The bible talks about dry bones in Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.  Bone morrow produce white T cells to ward off sickness and disease.  Bitterness is a broken spirit and dries the bones.  Does science or doctors tell you this? 

Arthritis – Basic simple arthritis is inflammation of a joint usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and frequent changes in structure.  It might be noted this differs from osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis by the type of manifestation.  There is a different spiritual root behind each of the types.

The spiritual root for simple arthritis involves bitterness of others, self, and organizations.

Note: I have found in ministry that bitterness against others results in arthritis in the fingers.  Bitterness against self can result in arthritis in knees and hips.  Bitterness against an organization can result in arthritis in the form of gout in the foot.  It seems when you have bitterness against yourself, it involves degeneration of soft tissue.  If you have bitterness against others, it involves swelling and inflammation.  It is the swelling and inflammation which produces the deformity like when you see deformed knuckles.

Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is a progressive cartilage degeneration in the joints and vertebrae and usually does not involve inflammation.  The cartilage is the other material between the vertebrae. Osteoarthritis is the result of self-bitterness and not forgiving one’s self.  It is holding a record of wrongs against yourself and can also involve an element of regrets and guilt.

Interstitial Cystitis – Interstitial cystitis is a swelling and inflammation of the bladder tissue of females.  It is very painful, nonbacterial and the current treatment for it is to give an antibiotic not because of bacteria, but a certain antibiotic has been developed to bring down the inflammation.  In interstitial cystitis, you have the over-secretion of histamine, producing swelling and proliferation of white corpuscles, also producing inflammation and swelling.  In males, it is called Prostatitis.

Prostatitis – This disease involves nonbacterial inflammation in males later in life.  It can be serious because at some point it can lead to prostate cancer.  It involves two dimensions and those are excessive secretion of histamine and proliferation of white corpuscles. In these nonbacterial inflammation disease, the spiritual root is fear and anxiety, which causes excessive histamine secretion, self-rejection, and self-hatred coupled with some guilt to produce the proliferation of white corpuscles.  Excessive histamine produces itching (Deuteronomy 28:27) in the back, face, head, and other parts of the body.

Immune diseases – All cancers, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Celiac disease (reaction to gluten), Sjogen’s syndrome (dry eyes and mouth), MS, Crohn’s disease (attacks healthy tissue), Fibromyalgia disease (although not classified as an immune disease, the characteristics are similar) Polymyalgia rheumatica (muscle pain and stiffness around the shoulders and hips), Type 1 diabetes, Vasculitis (swelling and narrowing inside vessels), Inflammatory bowel disease, Addison’s disease, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (Specific to women, wight gain, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, hair loss swelling of the thyroid), Autoimmune vasculitis (immune system attacks blood vessels. The inflammation that results narrows your arteries and veins, allowing less blood to flow through them) Pernicious anemia (fatigue, lethargy, weakness, headaches), to name a few.  All because of bitterness at three levels. 

Soft tissue damage from a ministry standpoint.

When we see damage or deterioration of soft tissue, we look at two things:

1.       Traumas and the anxiety/stress/fear tied to the trauma such as injuries, surgeries, and emotional hurts and offenses.  Surgeries are a trauma to the physical mental temple

2.       Bitterness, self-loathing, and pronouncing curses on self, can damage and destroy soft tissue including the nerve sheath (beating oneself down).  Bitterness toward self, others, and organizations can lead to degenerative tissues .  Curses towards self and fear are a mind/body connection.  What you think, can affect every part of the body and soul.

Soft tissue issues will affect male and female.  A female with self-hatred had to have section of the colon removed, issue with the uterine wall, and a hysterectomy.  One must consider macular degenerative, ear degeneration, nerve damage, disc degeneration, and even brain degeneration (Dementia), when ministering to people with bitterness. Many times, we must ask the Holy Spirt for discernment and how to pray.

We have determined in this teaching that there can be many sicknesses and diseases caused by bitterness.  We always try to determine the root causes of sickness and disease and minister to the causes, not the symptoms.  This is effective prayer James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander…. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Prayer:  Father God, in the name of Jesus, I/we cast out the bitterness causing sickness and disease. I forgive others, myself, and organizations.  I/we pray complete healing and restoration of my/their health as you promise in Your Word.  I declare my love for others, myself, and organizations.

Matthew 18:21-22 Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to 70 times seven.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:34-35

God promises healing and we can be healed. When a sickness and disease reoccur, it is because we let the bitterness back in. We must forgive over and over until the hurt and bitterness goes away.  

Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled, Hebrews 12:15brews 12:15.                  

Fatigue and Lethargy

Fatigue and lethargy – Type A behavior, overeating, depression, and insomnia are all caused by fear, anxiety, and stress according to science. 

 Fatigue and Lethargy

 Fatigue and lethargy can be found as a third state called exhaustion under the General Adaptation Syndrome of fear, anxiety, and stress (GAS describes the process your body goes through when you are exposed to any kind of stress). Fear, anxiety, and stress are great contributors to fatigue, lethargy, exhaustion and many other sicknesses and diseases.

 The number of people struggling with fatigue, exhaustion, and lethargy in America today is extreme.  Most can agree that fear in this world is an all-time high, especially in America.  The medical community does not attribute this necessarily to a virus, over working, or exposure to chemicals, but in the medical manuals they attribute it to fear, anxiety, and stress.  In fact, the third stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome of fear, anxiety, and stress is exhaustion. In the case of hypoglycemia, which is a reduction in glucose levels, exhaustion is part of the profile. However, as discussed previously, hypoglycemia is primarily a fear, anxiety, and stress disorder with an autoimmune rider attached to it of fear, self-hated, and guilt.  But again, fatigue, exhaustion, and lethargy are by-products of the root problem (fear).  

 

We now know what causes fatigue and lethargy.  It is fear.  Continuous and extreme stress and anxiety every day takes its toll on us.  Nobody is exempt.  Fear is an evil spirit (2 Timothy 1:7).  Most of us have thousands of fears in our temple that have not been prayed out.  We are exposed to many additional fears each day which add to the thousands and thousands of fears already present in us.  Fatigue and lethargy are only one of many caused by fear.  God gives authority and power in Jesus’ name to cast or pray out fears that have been in our temple since birth and even in the womb and from past generational fears.  Get rid of the fear and the symptoms of fatigue and lethargy must go. 

 Fatigue and lethargy are just one of many healthy issues caused by fear.   Migraines, IBS, fogy brain, cramps, narrow vessels, lower back pain, breathing issues, blood circulation, nerve damage, soft tissue issues to name of few.

 Why Do You Beat Up on Yourself?

 Guilt, shame, feeling unloved, feeling unworthy, thinking you are a failure, self-condemnation, self-loathing, bitterness, self-bitterness, and spoken curses at self are key factors when ministering to people.  I call all these as “beating up on self” spiritually which will result in sickness and disease in the physical/mental/emotional.  It affects your immune system metabolism, and will cause fatigue and lethargy.

Prayer:

Father God, in the name of Jesus, I cast out all fear causing fatigue and lethargy and send it to the dry places (Matthew 12:43 When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none).

James 5:15-16 and the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Prayer works because of God’s promises of healing in the Bible.                                          

The Great Commission

In Christianity, the Great Commission is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples to spread the gospel to all the nations of the world. The Great Commission is outlined in Matthew 28:16–20 and in Mark 16:15-18, where on a mountain in Galilee Jesus calls on his followers to make disciples of and baptize all nations. We do this in the name of Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God Almighty.

All of Matthew’s gospel account culminates in this short passage. The Great Commission is Jesus’ final command recorded in Matthew’s and Mark’s account, but it is very import because it defines the purpose of His disciples and the disciples to this current age.  He came to set the captives free and expects us to do the same thing.  It is not an option.  Unfortunately, the current church of Jesus Christ is not teaching or carrying out The Great Commission in its entirety.  Otherwise, we would see a multitude of people healed.

Ask your church leadership why people are coming into service sick and diseased and leave sick and diseased?

Ask leadership and members why they do not pray prior, during, and after service for healing?

Ask your church leaders why they do not have a healing and deliverance ministry?

Ask leadership why they are not carrying out the Great Commission in its entirety? 

 The Great Commission – Mark 16:15-18

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Preaching means to declare or proclaim. It is teaching the gospel.  Jesus was called Teacher, John 13:13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Belief is the inward reception of Jesus Christ and baptism is the outward testimony of that belief. Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; The signs recognize the gospel message and cannot be limited to the apostolic age, any more than the Lord’s commission to carry the gospel throughout the world.  The signs therefore, confirm the ministries of Jesus Christ’s ambassadors in every generation to this present age.  Casting out demons is casting out evil spirts. Fear is an evil spirt and it does not come from God, 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  There are countless evil spirts afflicting God’s children.  Speaking in tongues refers to supernatural prayer language.

18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Taking up serpents does not refer to handling snakes, but casting them away without being harmed. Although, the serpent is not explicitly identified in the Book of Genesis, he is identified with Satan in the last book of Reveltion 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast out to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.  One must consider “if they drink anything deadly” refers to protection from eternal harm.  Laying hands on the sick means they will pray for the healing of the sick in Jesus Name.  James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.   

Question for the Body of Jesus Christ:  What steps are we going to take to carry out the Great Commission?  People are suffering!                                                                        Tony Sanchez 1-30-2024

Complaining

 Murmuring and Complaining

Murmuring definition – indistinct sound produced by a person or group of people, speaking quietly or at a distance, a subdued or private expression of discontent or dissatisfaction.  It can escalate to loud complaining.

Complaining definition – the expression of dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.  It can escalate to loud complaining producing anger.

Phil. 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

To complain means to grumble and whine.  It leads to arguing. Make no mistake, complaining and murmuring is sin and it has been an issue with us all the way back to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” And again, with Cain in Genesis 4:9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Later in the Bible we see the children of Israel complaining in Numbers 14:1-3 So all the congregation lifted their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!  Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?”  In the text the Israelites murmured against Moses and displeased God.

Sadly, most if not all Christians are murmurers and complainers. In the home, on the job, with family, with friends, against self, against the government, and in the church.  They grumble, murmur, and complain. They can see little that is good. To them, everything can be bad—their life can be miserable and they want to make it that way for everyone else by complaining.  Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

To murmur or complain means to grumble or whine. 

Topics of complaining:

Politics and politicians                  Governments-at all levels            Spouses               Children              Parents                 Family  

Self        Jobs/employers/co-workers       Economy             Envy and Jealousy           Large corporations          Migrants               

Inflation               The Church         The Planet          Yourself               Doctors/hospitals/health care          Traffic

Your sickness and disease            Weather              Inflation               The homeless                   Corporate Greed at all levels               

I saved the number one complaining topic for last.  This topic is called a “record of wrongs.”  It is a list of wrongs committed against you that can go back decades and you continually bring it up constantly like it happened yesterday.  It becomes one with you and you take on a personality of complaining, bitterness, hatred, and unforgiveness. It can dominate your daily life and it can keep you in captivity.  “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15.  There great consequences if you do not forgive others and even yourself.

Murmuring and complaining towards self are negative proclamations that do great damage to our temples, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.  Through your proclamations come blessings and curses, James 3:9-10 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings (especially self), who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 

Sadly, murmuring is one of the most prevalent sins among most people. What is one of the roots or causes of murmuring?  Anger!  What causes anger?  It can come from a multitude of things, but one can consider, feeling unloved, not feeling worthy, hurts/offenses, and not liking what they see in the mirror to name a few.

Being discontent and selfish, one murmurs and brings discord to others. Proverbs tells us that one of the seven things God hates is "one who sows discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:19).

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Note: One must beware of the critical spirit working together with murmuring and complaining.  It is a trait of the Jezebel spirit.  The Jezebel spirt is not gender specific, but in ministry and the world I see it mostly manifesting in women.  It is a very controlling spirit that is becoming more and more prevalent in the world.  I have a teaching on the Jezebel spirit and I will send to those who would like a copy.

Addictions

Addictions Definition – the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. Like words: dependency, craving, habit, weakness, compulsion, enslavement

The root cause and progression of addictions.

·         Failure of the parents, especially the father failing to say “I love you” in the womb, as children, and beyond.  May have not wanted the pregnancy or the timing was wrong

·         Unloving spirit enters the child

·         Immediate rejection and abandonment

·         Feeling unloved, not worthy to be loved

·         Angry because they do not feel like they are loved by father or parents

·         Turn to addictions to fill the unloving void that can never be filled with addictions

Addictions Part 1

If you do not know how to deal with the stresses of life that can bring hopelessness and despair (depression, Proverbs 12:25), you can develop an addiction by continually attempting to soothe or comfort yourself rather than resolve the source of pain.  If you cannot stop a behavior by simply choosing to lay it down, you may have an addiction.  It does not matter what it is.  It might be pornography; it might be drugs; it might be food; it might be gossip or television.  It might be an ungodly relationship.  Many people are in relationship with someone, not because they are best friends, but because they have a need.  Almost anything you can think of can be an addiction.  The enemy's kingdom uses many mechanisms and knows how to control you with your needs.  Addictions are common to every nation, every race, every culture, and every economic status. 

 The foundational root of all addictions is the unloving spirit.  Most often it is the result of the father not saying “I love you” as we were growing up.  God appointed the fathers to be the spiritual head of the family, 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.  This is a great responsibility of the father who are tasked in the Bible to nurture their wives and children.  Most of the husbands/fathers put this responsibility on the wife/mother.  At this point, fathers/ husbands are out of God’s order and the family is out of order.  This is exactly what satan wants.  Men, who is the go-to parent in the household?

Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Addictions are rooted in the need to be loved.  You stand complete in the gospel by accepting God's love and receiving the love you need for yourself.  Accept who you are in the new birth once and for all.  Love God, love yourself, and love others.  Be complete in that love and you will never need to find love in any of the wrong places.  But because your enemy knows that if he can get you into a place where you do not feel like you are loved by God, or that you do not love or like yourself, and you are not sure about your neighbor, then he can get you to start looking outside for a "fix." 

 When you do not love yourself or when you do not except who you are, the first thing that happens in your body chemistry is a dip in your serotonin levels.  When you have a serotonin deficiency, you do not feel right physically or spiritually. The enemy knows there is no way you can increase your serotonin level unless you take a drug because you are in chemical imbalance.  Doctors and pharmacist know you can take a drug that is a serotonin enhancer to make you feel good.  Then you become addicted to the drug which serves to create a chemically altered state of consciousness or false peace.  Your enemy caused the problem without your realization or consent.  He will begin to engineer thoughts to ensure you will take steps to enter the various areas of counterfeit fulfillment.  If you take your peace with God, yourself and others, the hypothalamus will recognize your fulfillment and signal the brainstem to release and increase serotonin values.   This causes your spirit and your body to come into balance again so you feel more complete.  Addictions are found in people that are separated from love.  When someone is struggling with any type of addiction, that person has been spiritually bewitched away from the simplicity of the gospel, which is love.

The force behind addictions, every single time, regardless of the type of addiction, is the need to be loved...the need for a dopamine rush, or a chemical adjustment that is not from God.

 Addictions Part 2

God has created you so that when you love Him, love yourself, and love others, your body releases the proper hormones and neurotransmitters to make you feel good.  God gives you a chemical "fix" coming out of obedience to Him.  That is why pharmakeia and drunkenness are called works of the flesh.  It is a substitute for your relationship with God and the peace that comes from that relationship.  That is why it is a sin.  It is an altered state of consciousness to avoid pain.  I would like to help you understand the invisible kingdom that is behind addictions and how to begin to get free.

 Luke 11:21-22 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.

This is talking about some type of individual who is strong, who is armed, and who is in control of his house or his palace, so thereby his goods are protected.  This is a statement of Satan's control over a human by a kingdom.  Understand that the "palace" is a human being.  Understand that the strong man, in the case of addiction, is the principality of the Unloving spirit that is controlling that human's life.  Answering to this principality are countless other spirits reinforcing its power in that life.  People in addictions have another kingdom operating through them and they are not in control of their "palace."  They have another lord working within them that is stronger than they are. 

Some of the armor in the addiction personality profile are the addiction itself, craving which draws you to what you are addicted to, forgetfulness, and a refusal to face reality.  People who are in denial and will not face their problems are highly addictive or addiction prone. The alcoholic has more denials, more cruelties, more hardness, more pride, more arrogance, more self-guilt, more self-hatred, more shame, more self-pity, and suicide then the non-alcoholic, and many of these addictions are inherited in the family tree.  There is also a pre-disposition to fornication, adultery, pornography, incest, and molestation.  This is the armor of Luke 11.  This is the stuff that the strong man of addiction is counting on to keep him in place in the person's life so they cannot overthrow him, and he controls them in their need to be loved.

 What is behind the addiction personality?  The need to be loved!     

Addictions Part 3

Some of the spiritual, and eventually psychological, battles of the soul can foster addictions.  Addictions do not occur just because a person has taken a drug.  They have taken the drug because they have a problem.  There is a kingdom set up to bind them.  Many people have made quality decisions to stop the addiction, but they have not been delivered from the spirit of addiction.  They still have the same spiritual problems.  It is an unloving, unclean spirit that will not let them accept God's love, will not let them be at peace with themselves on this planet in the new birth and will not let them give and receive love from others like they need to.  The armor that feeds it must be dismantled.  It is not just a matter of conversion; it is a matter of restructuring their entire spiritual personality by removing the armor that has become part of their lives spiritually and psychologically.

 The need to be loved is built within us from creation.  The ability to give and receive love is part of our creation.  But because of the breakdown in our families, we have not loved God, ourselves, or each other. We try to nurture ourselves and it is being driven by the need to be loved.  The sucking reflex of eating, of something touching the lips, has a nurturing effect.  Not many people understand the depths of this need.  It is difficult to walk away from addictions while still feeling unloved.  When a person tries, there is something called cross addiction, where they lay one addiction down and pick up another addiction.

 A person must choose their freedom or their bondage.  God has given us the ability to choose so we must understand how to defeat the strong man behind addiction.  A person must understand that it involves recognition, taking responsibility, repentance, and they are going to have to take a stand no matter how much their body is pitching a fit.  It takes 28 days and a change in a person's heart.  We can get rid of bad habits by making new good habits.  The Bible says choose this day what you shall have, blessings or curses, life, or death.

Addiction Prayer:

Father God, in the name of Jesus I pray out the unloving spirit and fear of not feeling loved.  God loves me; therefore, I will love myself.

This prayer must be declared out loud throughout the day and God’s promise of healing will bless you.

For God so loved the world (us) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

Hopefully some insight has been gained through this teaching so that God can provide a foundation for people to walk away from their addictions and be of service to others to help them walk away from their addictions.