Christ Gospel Church

Thought of the Day – Keep your feet on the promised land

Posted on February 22, 2012 by drjlgodbolt

Ephesians 6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

First of all, this scripture makes it plain that we must wrestle. The challenge is remaining focused on the real warfare. We should not spend our wheels looking, auguring, becoming frustrated at the physical side of the issue. The real battle is in the spirit realm.

Jacob had to wrestle with the Angel of the LORD for a blessing that was greater than his many possessions. This man had a revelation that we need as our anthem. The LORD told him to go back to the promise land and yet, He wrestled with Jacob when he reached it.The art of wrestling is an attempt to lift the opponent’s feet off the ground. Jacob was determined to keep his feet on the promised land. His determination got him a nature (name) change.

Don’t let your prayers become a pity party. keep your feet on the promised land and stay with it until your nature is changed.

Pastor J. L. Godbolt PhD

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Thought of the Day – God will get His!

Posted on February 19, 2012 by drjlgodbolt

II Chronicles 20: 15 – He said: “listen” King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem. This is what the LORD say unto you. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God’s (NIV)

This story goes back to the days when the Children of Israel where coming out of Egypt and crossing over into Canaan’s Land. There were certain nations (namely the same ones in this lesson) that would not let them cross peacefully.

It looked like God was about to allow the enemy to live and get away scott free. However, it was in His plan to allow them more time to gather more goods. They owed God and they were about to pay up.

Sometimes, God allows your enemy to accumulate enough items so He can get His due with interest. When you have an enemy that seems to follow you, blocks your path, impedes your way, go to your secret place, pull out your best song and sing, “The battle is the LORD’s”. He is storing up for your big miracle.

Pastor J. L. Godbolt, PhD

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Thought of the Day – Taking care of your walk

Posted on February 13, 2012 by drjlgodbolt

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared unto Abram and said unto him, I am the Almighty God, walk before me and be thou perfect.

It is natural for us to develop a value system in the Earth.Things such as; furs, automobiles, entertainment and other treasured possessions can be your greatest hinderances to your spiritual stature.

There are athletes that carry special insurance on their body parts. Others purchase coverage for pets, paintings, etc. But how about your walk with God? Do you know the value of it?

Abram was challenged to walk before the LORD with a perfect heart.

Where are your feet in this journey?

Pastor J. L. Godbolt, Ph.D

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Thought of the Day -The Invisible Way

Posted on February 12, 2012 by drjlgodbolt

Proverbs 30:18,19 there be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air: the way of a serpent upon a rock: the way of a ship in the midst of the sea: and the way of man with a maid.

In a meeting with our single young adults, we discussed the importance of praying for the invisible way for your future mate. I believe that millions of couples missed their “ordained” spouse because the invisible way was intersected by a visible path of selfishness and immediate gratification.

Solomon described these four things as too wonderful, meaning, hidden, miracle, marvelous and difficult. It is awesome watching an eagle find the air current that keeps it soaring; admiring a ship charting its way through the waters; and watching two people catching each other’s eye and finding the invisible path of love.

We should pray to our heavenly Father for His divine guidance and protection of His invisible way for our life, our spouse, our children, and all those who are called to cross our path in this life. And for those of us in our latter days, let’s pray for God to keep His invisible way before our eyes.

Pastor J.L. Godbolt

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Thought of the Day – Phantom Pain

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Darius

Romans 5:8,9 – But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Some time ago, I injured my knee in a sporting event. The process of stretching and icing it down was helping, but it was taking a long time to get back to pain free. I continued the process so long that unconsciously, I would grimace with an expression of pain when in reality there was no pain. I had lived with the discomfort and the regiment of compensating and ice packs so long that my mind could not conceive the truth. I was pain free!

Too often, the hurts of the past keeps good Christians grimacing in the present with phantom pain that does not exist. If you take that issue to the Cross of Calvary and lay it at the feet of Jesus and ask for the Water and the Blood that flowed from His side, you will experience a deliverance like never before.

There is power in the Blood. It washes away the pain of the present and the past.

Pastor J. L. Godbolt, PhD

Posted in Deliverance | Comments Off

Thought of the Day – Change of command

Posted on February 5, 2012 by drjlgodbolt

Ephesians 6:18 – praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints,

Some time ago I was invited to attend a “change of command” ceremony. A member of our church congregation was taking over the unit. The ceremony was well underway when I spotted a soldier in formation on the front row pass out. Two of his comrades caught him and stood him up before he hit the ground.

I watched him because he never quite got it together. The next time his knees buckled, one soldier caught him, pulled him out of formation and without a word another stood in his place. In one smooth motion a soldier was moved and the vacancy filled.

As believers, we are warriors in the army of the LORD. We have to be on guard to cover our brothers and sisters on the front line and in the trenches. No matter the circumstances surrounding their fall, be ready to step up and cover their spot. Watch and pray!

Pastor J. L. Godbolt, PhD

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Thought of the Day – Bearing the Cross

Posted on February 3, 2012 by drjlgodbolt

Luke 14:27 – And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

I have seen a lot of Christians try to excuse themselves from the trials and tribulations of this spiritual journey. They gather scriptures and fellow believers to support their theory of bypassing the challenges of carrying a cross.

The apostle Paul made it clear about how we will get to know the Lord. It comes through (1) fellowshipping his suffering, (2) being made conformable to His death, and (3) the power of His resurrection. Remember, you can’t be resurrected if you have not died and you cannot be conformed to His death until you suffer.

There are four kinds of crosses we will bear throughout this life. First, there is the inherited cross. This is based on your nationality, family pedigree and the like. The second is the appointed cross. These are things God designed for you to carry throughout life so you can make His Name known. Thirdly, there is your cross. This cross is either large or small based on the choices we made in life. Finally, you must carry Jesus’ cross. This is the only cross that has Blood on it! Get under Jesus’ cross and get the Blood on you!

Pastor J. L. Godbolt PhD

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Thought of the day – Slaves and don’t know it

Posted on February 2, 2012 by drjlgodbolt

II Corinthians 4:4 – In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Harriet Tubman was asked why did you continue to return to the south and risk being captured? She said it was to bring more of her people out of slavery and give them a chance to enjoy freedom. The next statement out of her mouth was the most amazing to me. Harriet Tubman said that she could have brought more of her people out if they knew they were slaves.

This thought coincides with today’s text. Just like the slaves in the south, who were unable to comprehend their level of bondage, there are millions of people in this world thinking that they are free only because they cannot see the invisible chains around their necks and ankles. They are blindly walking into an eternal sentence of separation from God and His Lamb.

Be a light in this dark world and allow others to see Christ living in you. Your deliverance may be the only thing they need to see to walk out of their bondage.

Pastor J. L. Godbolt, PhD

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Thought of the Day – Leading by example

Posted on February 1, 2012 by drjlgodbolt

John 13:35 – By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

I have been taught that love is what you give, not what you take from others. The greatest example of a giving love is the cross of Calvary. Jesus led by example. He did not struggle when He was nailed to the cross. He did not doubt when the crowd spoke against Him. He remained faithful to the cause when all of His disciples deserted Him.

There seems to be fewer examples of trustworthy men and women on today’s market. These are the ones who say one thing but end of being something totally different. Jesus gave the definition and modeled it for His disciples. After they all deserted Him, He rose on the third day and said, “tell my disciples to meet me in Galilee.”

When you are faced with a difficult situation and it seems that there is no help in sight, look to the cross of Calvary, gain strength and lead by example!

Pastor J. L. Godbolt PhD

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Thought of the Day – Waiting to serve

Posted on January 30, 2012 by drjlgodbolt

Genesis 18:1 – And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day.

In the year 2011 my wife and I agreed that we would open our home and serve as many people, groups and officials as we could. Even though we have several nice locations to serve on the church grounds, we sensed that God would be pleased if we were willing to dedicate our home as a place to serve. We have completed several meetings, both large and small. This concept came from the very story in this lesson.

Abraham wanted to please God and he did it with his faith. He would sit in his tent door looking for wayfaring strangers to which he could show hospitality. Our goal is like that of Abraham, to look for an opportunity to serve. Abraham was one day removed from a circumcision in his flesh and through it all he never complained.

May we challenge you to take your life one step beyond your personal pain? Will you consider doing something to make the life of the elderly, orphans, poor and strangers more fulfilled? Will you sit in your tent door and serve the LORD? For as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Pastor J. L. Godbolt, PhD

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