Follow Me

The first conversation Jesus had with Simon Peter is recorded in the book of Matthew,

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. -Matthew 4:18–22 (NKJV)

And the last conversation Jesus had with Simon Peter is recorded in the book of John,

This He spoke, signifying by what death he (Peter) would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” -John 21:19 (NKJV)

It ended the way it started! Jesus giving a commanding invitation, “Follow me.” That reminder extends to you and me. We are all under the same instruction to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus. The number one goal in our lives should be to keep following Jesus always.

There are approximately two to three years that passed between the two verses above. In between these two moments of conversations from Jesus to Simon Peter, many events took place which are recorded in the Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. All of these Gospels describe Simon Peter as having zeal and being very out-spoken. He could also be very impulsive, which led him to make many mistakes. He experienced spiritual highs, such as walking on water, and he experienced spiritual lows, such as denying that he was a follower of Jesus during the events of the Crucifixion. His life was like a roller coaster of extremely high-highs and extremely low-lows!

Maybe you can relate your spiritual journey to Simon Peter’s turbulent example. Of course, you've never walked on water – unless it was a block of ice – but I suspect you have had some very high moments in your walk with God. Moments of great victory! You’ve also probably never had Jesus call you, “Satan.” Still, you’ve most likely experienced some really low moments in your relationship with God. Maybe even some moments of deep regret over sinful acts and disobedience to God.

Simon Peter was grieved by his failures, filled with shame as a result of his sin, and embarrassed by his weakness. Each of us can remember times when our faith has been weak or we’ve messed it all up. We all know the reality of low-lows.

One of Simon Peter’s lowest moments involved denying any relationship with Jesus, even though he said he never would do such a thing. I wonder is it possible that in your life you actually have had a similar moment? Perhaps, at the time you were surrounded by close friends, family members, or acquaintances? Did you – have you ever – denied God’s grace in your life? Maybe, in specific moments, you’ve been hesitant to associate yourself with Jesus, a church, or Christianity?

The enemy is actively trying to make people deny that they are followers of Jesus Christ. We see this happening globally, people are actively denying Christ and turning away from Christianity.

BUT we know the back of the book, and we know who wins!

On the other side of denial, mess up, and mistakes the invitation is still the same.

Follow Me.

Follow Jesus!

This He spoke, signifying by what death he (Peter) would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” -John 21:19 (NKJV)

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/pPak8_syxOQ

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE | MESSAGE NOTES

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

5. Subscribe to EricGilbert.org using this link:https://www.ericgilbert.org/subscribe. You'll be able to receive updates directly to your email inbox as we post blogs every Monday, Thursday, and Friday morning.

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Five Blessings to Ask God for That Will Change Your Life Forever

Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

-Psalm 112: 1-10 (NLT)

A voice in my life, Pastor Larry Stockstill, recently encouraged all graduates of Pastors University, his training institute for ministers to believe God for the promised blessings of Psalm 112 to be made manifest in their lives in 2022.

As I took his instruction and prayed through the passage, not only did his counsel ring true but, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I also received some personal insights from the text. What follows is a conglomeration of Pastor Larry’s revelation intermingled with my thoughts – his insight being the better and more prominent portion of this post.

Five blessings to ask and seek God for in 2022!

1) A Blessing Upon Your CHILDREN

Many challenges can arise when raising children. As a result, bringing your kids up in the right way requires some type of blueprint. It won’t happen by accident. For example, when it’s time to build a house, no one brings all the construction materials, throws them down in a pile, and lets people do whatever they want with the two-by-fours, sheetrock, or trusses. Instead, there is always a process and a plan – a blueprint and a vision – for the outcome. This principle is the same for our children because the Bible gives us an incredible promise, raise your child in the way they should go, and in the end, they shall not depart from it!

Do you have a blueprint for your family? It is essential to pray and ask God for dreams, visions, and clarity for how to raise your children. Then, you can be a part of putting that child on the right path, at the right place, at the right time, and with the right people! But this requires the right plan.

If you are not yet a parent and you're reading this, know that it’s never too early to start praying over your future children. If your kids are already grown, it’s never too late to start praying for them or too early to begin praying blessings upon your future grandchildren.

Their children will be successful everywhere… - Psalm 112:2

We are believing for a blessing upon our children in 2022! Our kids will be raised and trained in the way that they shall go. No weapon formed against them will prosper because they will be successful everywhere. Not just because you are a great parent, but because you introduced them to a great God who will place a hedge of protection around them. As parents, we should be praying God’s favor over their lives. I challenge you to lay your hand upon your children and pray the blessing of God over them every day.

Pray that they will be blessed in the city and the field. Pray that they will be blessed coming and going. Pray that they are the head and not the tail. Pray that any enemy that raises his hand against them will be smitten by the Lord our God. Pray blessing upon your children!

2) A Blessing Upon Your FINANCES

They themselves will be wealthy… -Psalm 112:3

You can believe God for a blessing upon your finances. Our God does not know lack, and you are made in His image. God’s vision for you is not that you would always be pressed down and overwhelmed, but instead that you would reach a place in your life where you could be a blessing to others. Many people never get blessed financially because God knows they only want more for themselves; a bigger house, a nicer car, more of this, and more of that. They have no intention of being a blessing to other people.

Contentment does not reside in THINGS. Therefore, there is only one way to experience contentment, and that is knowing your God has all that you need, and all of your needs will be supplied according to His riches and glory.

“The man who had God for his treasure has all things in one.”

- A.W. Tozer

Here are three types of generosity you must make sure you are living out in your life if you want God to bless your finances:

• Tithing: The first 10% of your income goes to God and is released to your local church for the work of ministry. (Ref. Malachi 3:8-10)

• Offerings: Something you purpose in your heart as you respond cheerfully to God’s direction. This type of gift is to be submitted for the work of public ministry, and God loves it! In fact, he promises the more you give offerings, the more He will provide for you so that He can provide through you. (Ref. Malachi 3:8-10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

• Alms: Give to the poor and the needy generously. And, don’t tell anybody what, when, where, or how you gave. When it comes to this form of generosity, according to Jesus, don’t even let your left hand know what your right hand is doing – just help people in need with no desire for public recognition or strings attached. The result is riches in Heaven! (Ref. Matthew 6:3-4)

When you walk out these three types of giving, the enemy will never be able to attack your finances successfully. You will always live a blessed life. It is a three-fold cord that can not easily be broken!

If any of that sounds like too great of a commitment, you are welcome to embrace the practice of Acts 2:42-47, where the early Church Christians went above and beyond, tithes, offerings, and the giving of alms as they literally sold possessions to meet needs.

3) A Blessing Upon Your RELATIONSHIPS

They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. - Psalm 112:4

It’s doubtful the Lord will bless you financially without blessing you relationally, because according to John Maxwell’s evaluation of the Stanford Research Institute’s 1996 assessment, the money made in any endeavor is determined only 12.5% by knowledge, and 87.5% by your ability to deal with people. In other words, you’re only as good financially as you are relationally!

If you see the relationships in your life in turmoil, maybe it’s a good time to do a self-evaluation and see if you are living generously, compassionately, and righteously so God can take your relationships to a new level and bring more people into your network.

4) A Blessing Upon Your EMOTIONS

They are confident and fearless… -Psalm 112:8

There’s a great deal of fear in our world today. But when you confidently place your trust in the Lord to bless your emotions, you become fearless and confident – to the point you don’t even fear bad news.

The toxic emotions of the world are not the emotions God intended you to have or live by. He wants to put a blessing upon your emotions so that you can stand next to the gates of Hell and decree Hell shall not prevail against me. I am confident, and I am fearless, not because of my might but because of the Spirit of God available in the name of Jesus!

5) A Blessing Upon Your INFLUENCE

They will have influence and honor. -Psalm 112:9

You may not feel like you have a lot of influence, but when you start inviting God to bless your influence, you might be surprised how God uses you to bring His purpose to pass. You might have more influence in your community, workplace, or small group than you think, especially if you ask for this blessing and have a desire to bring real change to the world. But, never forget, a drip can start a flood.

Believe God to bless your children. Believe God to bless your finances. Believe God to bless your relationships. Believe God to bless your emotions. And believe God to bless your influence. So let 2022 be the year that you ask & seek God for these blessings in your life because these blessings lead to a life of meaning and purpose!

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/FcrRhAeDqPY

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.
   

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.
   

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin
   

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

How You Can Live a Meaningful Life and Overcome Self-Hate in 2022

So many people long to be a part of something that has meaning. Thankfully, Scripture aligns with this longing, setting us up perfectly to live a meaningful life.

So much has transpired in the past two years. A global pandemic, social justice issues, cultural unrest, and governmental discord, to name a few. Tension has filled all of us. But, I believe many are ready to set some things in order and put the enemy in his place! It’s time to step into meaning and purpose in 2022.

As we come into the first 100 days of 2022, let’s maximize our relationship with God, setting things in motion that will not only change this year but generations to come.

Do you have a sin that you struggle with over and over again?

Offense?

Anger?

Maybe it’s the lack of discipline to control your mouth, and gossip flows freely?

You are not alone if you answered “Yes,” to any of those questions. We all have sins we struggle with repeatedly. Even Paul, a pillar of faith, credited with penning two-thirds of the New Testament, struggled, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15 NLT)

Does that describe you sometimes? “I do what I hate.”

Of course, it does. It describes all of us, some of us more often than others. And, the more often it describes us, the more we struggle with shame, condemnation, and guilt. Why? Because of what sin is:

…sin is lawlessness.

- 1 John 3:4 (NKJV)

We sin when we break the law of God. Simply put, that law is found in the Old Testament and prioritized through the Ten Commandments. But, Jesus helps us understand which commandments are the greatest,

1. Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy mind, and all thy soul.

2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Simply put, we sin when we do not love God or love people.

We feel shame because as soon as we break the Law of God, the enemy becomes the voice in our head, shaming and condemning us.

What a twisted creature. The enemy wants us to fail God’s law and does everything he can to get us to do so. Then he is there to celebrate our sins and make us feel awful the moment we become a law-breaker. He isolates us from God and then accuses us of distancing ourselves. This cycle repeatedly continues because we continue to do what we hate, sinning against God and His people and allowing the enemy to keep us buried in the conscience of guilt.

How do we break free? How do we overcome self-hate associated with sinfulness? How do we overcome our hurts, habits, and hangups? Why do we keep doing what we do?

First, look at what James said:

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

-James 1:14 (NKJV)

The reason we sin, breaking the law of God, is because every single one of us fights against temptation. Our temptations arise due to our fleshly desires. We want something outside of God’s law and will. These desires that the enemy uses as bait to draw us away from God through acts of temptation always fit into one of three categories:

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. - 1 John 2:16 (NKJV)

1. LUST of the FLESH- I want a feeling that I don’t currently have.

We become sinful with our appetite in all areas of life, from gluttony to adultery. This is why we struggle with addiction. It’s a feeling – the lust of the flesh, the desire of the flesh – that pulls us away from God.

2. LUST of the EYES - I see something more that I want.

This is how we wind up in debt to the point we declare bankruptcy or with more than we can manage. We want everything we see and more too. The enemy keeps pointing out what we don’t have to blind us to the contentment available in what we do have.

3. PRIDE OF LIFE - I deserve something more, and I desire it because I am entitled to it.

We count ourselves worthy and deserving, and we take what we want when we want it. It’s why people cheat, steal, bend the rules and tell white lies. We struggle with a worldly mindset of entitlement that tells us we “deserve something more” than what we are presently getting.

But, there is good news!

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. -1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)

You are not the only one facing these three categories of temptation – everyone faces them! But here’s the good news, there is a way of escape. We just need to learn how to talk like Jesus! To break free of sin and lawlessness and free yourself from temptation and ungodly desires… you are going to have to tell the enemy to get behind you! Learn to talk back to the devil:

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” - Luke 4:8 (NKJV)

You don’t have to live in a perpetual cycle of defeat.

It's time to live a meaningful life, putting Hell in its place. It's time to start walking out the purpose God has for us, and as we come into the first 100 days of 2022, set things in motion that will not only change this year but generations to come. Start telling the enemy to get behind us! Inform the enemy, he can no longer block God’s vision for your life. And, you are going to be hearing more about this in the days and posts to come, but my challenge to you, going into the first 100 days of this new year: Live a more meaningful life by intensifying your pursuit of God through prayer, fasting, and studying God’s Word.

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/HvAtVLLroEM

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.
   

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.
   

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin
   

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES