By Tom Shanklin

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13, KJV.

Many people suffer with depression, addictions and various phobias of the mind. One of the most important aspects of the Christian life is taking charge of your own thinking. God does not want you to be mentally and emotionally floating in the breeze. He wants you to have a strong, directed mind that is governed by the Word of God.

Without proper thinking, you will never be victorious and you will never walk in the anointing. But when you make a decision to take control of your thought life, you will find success coming your way at every turn.

This message contains the tools to take charge of your thinking and a strong word of encouragement to “gird up the loins of your mind.” It also includes testimonies from my own life about how God taught me to control my mind. This sermon was preached a number of years ago, but the message is still totally relevant today. Enjoy this fresh word from the Lord and make use of the study notes below to enhance your experience.

Also, here’s a link to the scriptures on Overcoming Oppression which are referenced in the message>>>

YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR MIND

READING: 1 Pet 1.13-19

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:13, KJV).

GIRD—a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt.

LOIN—the place where the Hebrews thought the generative power (semen) resided; center of reproduction. . .

SOBER—seeing things correctly. . .

Law of the mind—wherever you are going, your mind is taking you there. Here we’re talking about a preparation, a ready mind, a mind directed to success. . . disciplined mind. . . ready to run with Jesus. The reason people’s emotions are all over the place is because their thoughts are all over the place. It is because of a lack of discipline of the mind. Sowing and reaping: negative, defeated thought produce negative defeated results. Sweet, victorious thoughts production lively results.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE PRODUCING? Whatever it is producing is in direct proportion to the kind of direction you are giving through your mind.

YOU MUST HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TO PROSPER

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and thenâ thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8, KJV).

-THE biggest cause for defeat in many Christians is stinkin’ thinkin’ and hardening of the attitudes.

YOUR LIFE WILL NOT PRODUCE WITH A GRASSHOPPER MENTALITY

And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell bßy the sea,

By Tom Shanklin

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36, KJV.

Before I came to Jesus I was a slave. Satan had me bound up in alcohol, sin and selfishness. But thank God, Jesus set me free. And He will set you free as well.

Jesus promises to make you “free indeed.” That means “no ifs ands or buts about it.” It comes from receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior and then understanding from his Word how to walk in your freedom. The Bible is God’s emancipation proclamation. The Bible says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2, KJV.

As Christians, we are free!!! We just need to know it. The prison door is open, why are you still inside?

In this podcast you will learn:

The major key that God used to set me free of alcohol and drugs.

That your freedom has been bought and paid for.

How to break free from addictions, depression, phobias, fear and other strongholds.

What God’s gift of righteousness has to do with your freedom.

That death and the fear of death has no power to enslave you.

Listen to this message and let your heart draw near to God. He will minister to you by His Holy Spirit and let you know that you are “free indeed.”

Contact Us>>>

Here's the Sermon Notes:

I’ve Been Set Free

READING: John 8:31-36

TEXT: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36, KJV.

MAIN THOUGHT: You can find freedom from addictions, phobias, depression, curses, sinful tendencies, and the fear of death through Jesus Christ.

Tom’s Testimony:

A slave to sin

Turn from the things of the world.

Precious is the blood of the Lamb.

I give you a new life, free from the bonds of iniquity.

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8, KJV.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10, KJV.

We are:

Redeemed from Judgment to Righteousness

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:21-26, KJV.

Picture: The slave market.

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12, KJV.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7, KJV.

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” Psalms 107:2, KJV.

“For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.” Isaiah 52:3, KJV.

You must be born again. John 3:7

2. Redeemed from the Curse of the Law to Sonship

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13, 14, KJV.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and...

Before I came to Jesus I was a slave. Satan had me bound up in alcohol, sin and selfishness. But thank God, Jesus set me free. And He will set you free as well.

THE MIRACLE OF THE NEW BIRTH

Reading: John 3:1-7

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7, KJV).

Main Thought: The New Birth is the world's greatest miracle. John Wesley said, Only the power that makes a world can make a Christian. The power to change a life is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

Sometimes we have the thought that we can educate people into heaven, or clean them up enough to get them into heaven, but Jesus said “You must be born again!” He did not say:

You must be baptized.

You must be a church member.

You must be confirmed.

You must be a member of a certain denomination.

 

He said, “You must be born again.” Now, don’t misunderstand me, we’re not speaking against these things. They are all important. Baptism is of God, but if you are not born again, you will go down a dry sinner and come up a wet sinner. I once knew a lady who was actually born again through her confirmation, but not everyone is. Church membership is good, but it won’t get you into heaven. You must be born again.

BEING BORN AGAIN IS SUPERNATURAL

Jesus described it as a birth. Even a natural birth is miraculous. Story: My son in law. Nicodemus thought he had to crawl back into his mother’s womb, but Jesus said, No, it’s like the wind. You can’t see it. You can only see the results. You can only see the change it brings. It’s something accomplished by the Holy Spirit. It happens when a person opens their heart to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. When it happens, you are changed. You are different than you were before.

It happened to me. I was raised in a Baptist Church where I heard the Gospel. And when I was 9 years old I responded to the Gospel and was baptized. But my life did not change, because I did not turn my life over to God. But when I was 27, I heard the voice of God speak to me, “Turn from the things of the world.” I said “Yes, Lord” and my whole world changed. The scripture says: For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12, KJV).

That’s what it is like when you are born again. Everything is different, because your heart is changed.

I was reading Francis Hunter’s testimony of when she was born again. Before that she was smoking 5 packs of cigarettes a day, she was drinking like a fish, and she cussed like a sailor, but when Jesus came into her heart all that changed. Immediately she know she was to live differently, because her heart had been changed.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26, KJV).

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 8:10-12, KJV).

WHEN YOU ARE BORN AGAIN

Your sins are forgiven.

You are delivered from the fear of death.

You want to live right.

You have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe.

You are part of a family and God is your father. Father of spirit. You are born of God.

You have peace with God.

You have access to His wisdom and power.

You can live in His glory.

You are royalty and have a full inheritance.

You have the fullness of Christ. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16, KJV).

 

The new birth is miraculous because you become a completely new person.

The New Birth is the world's greatest miracle. John Wesley said, Only the power that makes a world can make a Christian. The power to change a life is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

By Tom Shanklin

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for the whole man—spirit, soul, and body. God wants to make you whole in every area of your life.

In this podcast you will learn about:

God’s plan for the total man.

If you are believing in a yes, no, or maybe God.

How healing on the inside is often needed for healing on the outside.

What the cross has to do with your healing.

What the Word of God says about your body.

 

JESUS CHRIST MAKES YOU WHOLE

“And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.” Acts 9:32-35, KJV.

“Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you. Rise and make your own bed.” He at once rose to his feet.” Acts 9:34, Wey.

Testimonies: Man's heart healed & Olive and Pearl

Main Thought: Jesus Christ fixes what is wrong with you, in every area of life.

whole—(Gr: iaomai) to cure, to heal, to make whole. English word whole means complete or full, not lacking, or leaving out any part, recovered from a wound or injury, physically sound or healthy, mentally or emotionally sound; middle english—healthy.

Like Jesus, Peter ministered by proclamation…

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18, 19, KJV.

THE GOSPEL (Good News) CURES YOU!

“14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:14-16, KJV.

1 Cor. 15:3-4, 1 Pet. 2:24, Isaiah 53:4-6 God’s justice was appeased through Christ’s sacrifice and by His stripes you were healed.

Jesus Christ makes you whole. He gives:

Forgiveness of sin and freedom from guilt

Freedom from the fear of death (Wesley)

A brand new person

Emotional healing (broken hearted)

Freedom from demonic power (delivered from the kingdom of darkness)

Healing from physical sickness

Peace of mind.

What do you need Jesus to heal in your life?

Healing for marriages, relationship, finances.

Tom’s Testimony

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6, KJV.

WHOLE—SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23, KJV.

Testimony: Tom in Haiti

Your whole being, including your body, belongs to God. The body is for the Lord. The Lord is FOR the body.

“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for the whole man—spirit, soul, and body. God wants to make you whole in every area of your life.

When Jesus walked the earth, the crowds thronged Him to receive healing and deliverance. The woman with the issue of blood was one of those, and she received an instantaneous miracle in her body. But the truth is, we can still receive a miracle today by touching Jesus. When we touch Jesus through the Holy Spirit, we will never be the same.

In this message, you will…

Hear about a woman with a 12 year long problem who received an answer by touching the hem of Jesus garment.

Learn how you can touch Jesus today.

Hear testimonies of modern-day healings and miracles.

Hear about a man who received a miracle in a corn field.

Receive ministry for the need in your life.

 

TOUCHING JESUS: THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD

“And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” Mark 5:25-34, KJV.

“And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.” Mark 6:54-56, KJV.

When Jesus walked the earth, the crowds thronged Him to receive healing and deliverance. The woman with the issue of blood was one of those, and she received an instantaneous miracle in her body. But the truth is, we can still receive a miracle today by touching Jesus. When we touch Jesus through the Holy Spirit, we will never be the same.

Tom Shanklin

We are living in a time when there is great hatred, dishonor and disrespect in the world. This is fueled by talk radio, cable TV news channels, and social media. People are viciously attacking people with words on the internet as well as physically attacking others around the world. Christians need to run counter-culture to this and manifest the love and mercy of God in order to bring healing in the land. How we treat people, being aware and concerned about other people’s feelings is a measure of how we love, honor and respect God.

On this podcast episode, you will learn:

Who we are to love, honor and respect.

How a person can truly love and respect other people.

How love, honor, and respect operates in the family.

How love, honor and respect in our churches and communities can bring positive change in the world.

 

Here's the notes used for this podcast:

LOVE, HONOR AND RESPECT

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40, KJV.

We sin with our tongues…

“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” James 3:8-10, KJV. (Read entire chapter)

We are living in a time when there is great hatred, dishonor and disrespect in the world. As Christians, we need to run counter-culture to this in order to bring healing in the land. Turn away from the things of the world! The spirit of this age. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

This is fueled by the media. Cable TV. Talk Radio. Hatred for Muslims. Charlie Hebdo. I am not Charlie! Social media, people viciously attacking people with words on the internet. (flaming—hostile interaction, often involving profanity. How we treat people, being aware and concerned about other people’s feelings is important to God. How we love, honor and respect others is a measure of how we love, honor and respect God.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5, KJV. Incontinent—self control.

THE THING THAT GOD IS LOOKING FOR MOST IN US IS LOVE

He demonstrated love by sending His Son. Jn. 3:16, Phil. 2, Jesus humility, washing feet.

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:13, KJV.

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

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:8-10, KJV.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another,