Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Discipline Paves the Way by Dr. Jim Wilbur, Executive Chaplain


     More than likely the question “How did I get here?” has probably entered into your mind as you think through decisions that have shaped you and made you who you are. It is very easy to “play” the blame game and look everywhere else to assign blame about your current situation. I am not suggesting that anything that has happened to you in your life is your fault. What I am telling you is that you are RESPONSIBLE for how you handle it moving forward.

     It is very important that as you learn to take responsibility for your own actions that you continue to develop as a person and begin to change the way that you think about your future.

     I have heard many people attempt to assign blame to God for their current situation or for not being there when they were hurt, damaged, or violated in their earlier life. I am here to tell you that He does not have a single plan in His person that is directed to bring harm to you. What I can tell you is that He loves you like a son or daughter and as a result of that love He will discipline you in order to keep you safe.

     Discipline is a word that we don’t like to hear and for many of us we don’t even understand what the object of discipline really is. Discipline is all about correction and empowering you to make better decisions as you navigate through the many ups and downs of life.

Here is something that I found that may help you:

“I did not come this far—nor to this place—alone, but in the presence and power of my God. The circumstances of this moment are not greater than my God. He knows them better than I do, yet He permits them. And He will overcome them—within me if I will allow Him. Mine is not to fret as though He does not know, or care, or cannot overcome. Mine is to walk on knowing that He is here. I am His by His creation, and His new birth. I am His to do with as He chooses—to bless or to use up, to serve or to simply endure. The day belongs to my Lord, and it is the only day I have to serve and glorify Him. And so I shall give all that I have and am that for this one day He shall be honored.” Author Unknown

Monday, May 17, 2010

May 17, 2010


Nothing is Impossible by Dr. Jim Wilbur, PHM Executive Chaplain

One of the most quoted verses in the Bible is probably this verse found in Luke it says:

“For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment. Luke 1:37

You have probably heard this said before also, and I do not disagree with it at all. It is true God is the author of making what seems literally impossible become possible in a moment. In my own life this has happened many times.

Most who are reading this would probably agree that you are in a current situation that would be defined as impossible. The Perfect Heavenly Father is not the author of darkness and despair, but He has a way of turning that darkness into light because He is good.

The truth remains that nothing or no one is impossible for God to restore or reach at any moment. It only takes a brief moment for a person to pass from death to life and have the eternal reality transformed as they place their trust and future in the Father’s hands as they respond to the reality of Jesus Christ as Savior.

The impossible that stands in front of you then becomes the “what is possible” as you are able to hear what the Perfect Heavenly Father is saying to you. As you learn to pursue and search out the truth, submit and say yes to God, and learn to live in instant obedience.

As you grow in your relationship with the Perfect Heavenly Father you are able to by experience to learn to trust Him to a greater degree in your life as you read and apply what the Bible says about living life that is more than you or I could ever ask for or imagine in our wildest dreams.

“Now to Him who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]

Ephesians 3:20 Amplified Bible
May 10, 2010


The Importance of Admitting My Sin by Dr. Jim Wilbur, Executive Chaplain

The fact that we sin should come as no surprise to anyone who is taking the time to read this. The Bible clearly says that if there is anyone who says they don’t sin then they are a liar (that is a sin itself.)

The issue is not if I sin or not, but how do I respond when I do sin. Most of us respond like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden and we run and hide. Some of the ways we do that is by shifting blame, making excuses, or calling our sin a “problem” that we might have.

Anything that blocks our relationship with God is really defined as sin and there is only one answer for sin…the blood of Jesus Christ. No matter if you keep doing the same thing over and over again as you long as you are truly desiring to change and become more and more like Jesus He always will forgive you and wash you completely clean (as if you had never sinned.)

The truth is that as long as I label things in my life as a problem, then I will probably have a lot of ways to manage and maintain my problems. If I am honest with myself and call it sin, then there is only one solution and that is Jesus. He does not promise to manage my sin, but He promises to remove it from my life completely.

So if I get mad and yell at my wife for something instead of making excuses, blaming her, or chalking it up to a bad day I admit it is sin. I ask Jesus to forgive me and wash me clean. In the process I am asking Him to change the way that I think so the next time I can respond differently.

The reality is that you will fail as you determine in your heart to follow God. Remember God is the only one who can change your heart and renew your mind. When you fail, run to the Father not away from Him. Nothing you do will ever make Him not accept you when you admit that you have sinned. He loves you completely!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Paradigm of Authority

True authority looks like this…there must be an awareness that our soul (mind, will, and emotions) have a desire to take over and "make" things happen. When we look at Jesus as our prototype (of what is possible) we see that He never acted out of his soul, but always moved from His spirit (that was at one with the Father.)

It becomes our position then to refuse the power available in our souls and pursue and release power from our spirit.

The time to embrace the Kingdom is now. There are power sources that have been forgotten and marginalized and it is time to dust them off and see what God is making available for those who can see.


It is possible that our belief structure will change as we continue to pursue God with all our heart. This is not necessarily a disloyal or dishonorable action directed at our structures, but it points to the fact that I am loyal only to one King above all.

In attempt to be relevant and in touch the church has replaced a pursuit of the Glory of God with a prescription of meeting needs that lead to an imbalanced view of individualism and a church that approaches the Kingdom like a supermarket where they can pick and choose.

When we become a free-flowing river then the world has an opportunity to be redeemed. They need this much more than just an ability to solve their problems. Problems are temporary, what we have to offer is eternal.


If I am not operating in power (visible), then I am not operating in the spirit or the Kingdom realm.

My lack of power points to overwhelming evidence that my mindsets are mired in the soul and not established in the spirit.

PRAYER OF ALIGNMENT

Father shift my way of thinking, seeing, speaking, and acting to your ways and not mine!

I choose to acknowledge that the evidence is clear that I choose my ways rather than yours and I am asking you to change that permanently. I want to see your ways and hear your thoughts so clearly that they overpower any of my soulish attempts at grabbing the Glory.

Invade my mind with the impossible and show me your ways. Rock my soul with an earthquake of your spirit in me. Shake the foundations until all that is standing is eternal. Let me then walk in true authority and power to see the world set free not just from their problems, but established forever in your love.

I realize that my supernatural experience account is pretty dry and I am asking you for the opportunities to make deposit after deposit in order to share with others all that you have given me. I choose to operate in your eternal economy that will never run dry. Impart into me an ability to know your power and to resist the temptation to "make it happen" by manipulation and not your majesty revealed.

I want to see with your eyes and hear with your ears and not be pressured by a Kingdom Quota. I choose to be a gift of love to the world that surrounds me as I see and hear what it is that you are doing. I am asking for tangible expressions of your plans and purposes as I embark on permanent change of how I do Kingdom business.

If you are there and you are in it I choose to embrace whatever your doing regardless of the outcome. Father just teach me, so that I can teach others as we partner together to see your Kingdom Come. Flood the earth with your grace,mercy, power, and glory as I allow the river of life to flow freely and without restriction from the eternal spring in my spirit that lives in you.

Our internal life is directly linked to our ability to externally impart to the world around us.

Monday, May 3, 2010

May 3, 2010


How to love God More Pt. 3 by Dr. Jim Wilbur, Executive Chaplain

As we finish up this subject about loving God more, I believe that the most important element in this conversation is a person’s view of God. I have spent a great deal of my ministry examining this very subject. I have come to the conclusion that the way that a person sees God and relates to Him will determine how close they grow in their relationship with God.

If you view God as a harsh and critical judge of mankind who is quick to punish and slow to forgive, then you need an upgrade on your understanding of your Perfect Heavenly Father. Our beliefs are formed as we experience life and all that comes with that either good or bad. How I see life experiences, relationships, and God are filtered through hurt, disappointment, and anger that I have experienced as part of my reality. As a result I see God as distant, angry, and critical of me as I journey through life.

The Bible points us to a greater reality than just our experience and shows us a Perfect Heavenly Father who will never leave you or forsake you. Regardless of your behavior or what you do right or wrong His love for you will never change. As your view of God begins to change and you began to discover that living a life choosing to honor God and grow in relationship with Him allows you to live in true freedom.

Freedom is a state of being where nothing stops me from being what I could and what I should be. This has very little to do with your external (outside) condition, but has everything to do with your internal condition.

One way that I have found that helps with my understanding of God as my Perfect Heavenly Father is by reading the book of John. Actually chapters 14-17 are a great place to start.

Please know that the chaplains and volunteers are here to help you navigate through your time here at LCCF, more important than that is the fact that your Perfect Heavenly Father is with you 24/7 and 365. He loves you and believes in you!
April 26, 2010


How to love God More Pt. 2 by Dr. Jim Wilbur, Executive Chaplain

I wanted to share with you a few more truths that will help you in your growth as a believer in Jesus Christ. Especially when Satan tries to come and bring doubt and lies that try and get you to think that you don’t measure up when you fail.

Which of these statements will motivate you to love God more?

1. God is faithful only when I am faithful to him.

2. God’s love for you is so forgiving and compassionate that He still is faithful to you even when you are not faithful to Him. God’s commitment to you is greater than your commitment to Him.


Here is what the Bible says about it: These are from the Message Bible

2 Timothy 2:13

If we give up on him, he does not give up— for there’s no way he can be false to himself.

Romans 3:3-4

So, what if, in the course of doing that, some of those Jews abandoned their post? God didn’t abandon them. Do you think their faithlessness cancels out his faithfulness? Not on your life! Depend on it: God keeps his word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth. Scripture says the same: Your words stand fast and true; Rejection doesn’t faze you.When you know that God will never leave you and when you fail He desires to express His love to you. He also unconditionally accepts you the moment you put your trust in Him. You should from that point live free from the fear of punishment because God loves and accepts you.



We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. To Love, to Be Loved God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s.
There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 1 John 4:16-18
April 19, 2010


How to love God More Pt.1 by Dr. Jim Wilbur, Executive Chaplain

These are a few questions that might help you see the power of some of the lies that we allow to operate in our lives as we pursue a relationship with God. The truth is that regardless of your circumstances when you have a relationship with Jesus, nothing you do or don’t do will make Him love you any less. On your worst day He still loves you just like He would if you were perfect.(when you live in Him you are.) Here are a few question’s that will help you see the truth and will remove the lies that the enemy wants to keep you in.

1. What brings the greatest joy to God?

A) Loving God less

B) Loving God More

Matthew 22:37-38 ( The Message )

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’
This is the most important, the first on any list.

2. Which will motivate you more to love God?

A) A constant fear of failing in God’s eyes and as a result feeling rejected and abandoned.

B) Knowing that God is never ashamed of your mistakes and He will never leave you or forsake you.

“His father said, ‘Son, you don’t understand. You’re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours— Luke 15:31 (The Message)


Hebrews 11:16 ( The Message )

But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.

Hebrews 13:5 ( The Message )

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,”
April 12, 2010


True Identity Pt.3 by Dr. Jim Wilbur, Executive Chaplain

“But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, rely on) His Name [Jesus].”

John 1:12 Amplified Bible

In this third and final part of this teaching I want to share with you several more scriptures that will help change the way you see God and ultimately see yourself. You are an amazing gift to the world that is packaged so uniquely that no one else can be just like you! Do not allow Satan to continue to steal, kill, and destroy everything that is good in your life.

Truth #4 as a child of God you are always welcome in His presence.

So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body. So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Hebrews 10:19-22 (Message)

Truth #5 as you live your life focused on God, you are free from condemnation.

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. Romans 8:1 (Message)

Truth #6 as I continue to love God and other people, my ability to receive (and experience real) love increases.

No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love become complete in us—perfect love! 1 John 4:12 (Message)

Truth #7 as I continue to love God and others…I am free from fear.

There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 1 John 4:18 ( Message )

Make a decision to change the way you see God and yourself today!