Keith E. Jackson - Changing Your Paradigm to the Christ Mind: Strategies for Empowerment Part 1

CHANGING YOUR PARADIGM TO THE CHRIST MIND

Strategies for Empowerment Part 1

Keith E. Jackson, MA, MFT

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2011 Keith E. Jackson, MA, MFT. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/28/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4634-0034-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4634-0033-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011908050

Erin Krewson, Todays Hype Designs.com and cover photo by Keith Jackson

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I dedicate this book, to all those people, who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Gospel of Christ. If it were not for their selfless acts, I would not have known the wonderful gift God has given me. I pray that I will do the same for my generation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

This book started out as an outline for a leadership conference that I was to facilitate. However, as I began to prepare the subject matter, I was flooded with spiritual insights from the Holy Spirit. Before I knew it, an outline turned into a book. I had wanted to write a book, but I had something totally different in mind. In fact, I still intend on writing that book, but I have learned that it is not my will but the will of God that I need to follow.

I wrote a majority of this book during an extended fast. Maybe that is why my spiritual insights were so clear and the creative forces so strong. The title of this book says it all. The message that I am attempting to convey to the reader, is to exam your cognitive (thought) processes to see how valid they are. Are there thoughts that you have accepted because of the status quo? Have those thoughts become strongholds that prevent you from growing in your spiritual walk?

Are you satisfied with your spiritual life? Do you feel that you are living the life that God has called you to live? Have you read promises from the bible, and thought they were for only a selected few, and not you? Do you believe in the promises of God; that He has given to those who call upon His name? Are you experiencing those promises in your life?

If you are like me, the answer to the majority of the aforementioned questions was no. Yes, from the worlds perspective, I was successful. I had the career, the house, and the lifestyle most people would envy, but I knew God had called me for so much more. I read the promises of God, and I realized that most of my prosperity was a false prosperity. I was one paycheck from financial disaster. Sure, I made more money than 80% of the population, but most of it went to creditors.

I was living like the Hebrews in the wilderness, surviving day by day in this worlds system. We all have to go through our wilderness experiences, but it is not Gods design that we stay there. Eventually, He wants to lead you into the promise land. God wants you to experience heaven on this earth. (Due 11:21)

Once I came to this realization, I began to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to show me; what I needed to change my paradigm to the Christ mind. It is only when we think, the way Jesus thought, can we do what Jesus did. (John 14:12) I know this is a radical statement for some of you, but I am taking Jesus at His word. I believe the Word of God is true, and God is not a man that He should lie. (Heb 6:18)

As a Psycho-Therapist, I know the connection between thoughts, beliefs, and actions. What we believe, we will perceive, and what we perceive, we will act upon. With this knowledge, I began to put together this book, for those people like myself; that want to fulfill the vision God has for them in this life. This means, to be in a position to help the fatherless; weak and needy, and assist the destitute and the afflicted. (Psalms 82:3-4)

As is my style, this book is not too lengthy. I chose to disclose principles rather than get into specifics. I find if a person learns the principles, they can apply them, to whatever situation they might face. I have also included scriptures along with the text for reference. I encourage you to read the scripture references, for yourself, and allow the Spirit of God to speak to you.

I am confident that the information in this book, if applied, will work for you as it has done for me. Be strong in the Lord and the Power of His Might.

This is my opportunity to thank some people for making this possible. First of all, I thank God, for without Him this book would not have been written. Next, I would like to thank my parents, for without them, I would not be here. They also loved me and instilled the principles of success, which I needed in order to strive in this world. I also would like to thank Carlene, for all her support through the years. Finally, Love and Thanks to my children, Jared and Cassandra; you have inspired me beyond words; Jane, you have always been in my corner. Thanks also to San Diego County Probation and Sheriff Department, to Dr. Barry Lord and all my professors and teachers at Southern California Bible College, Al Houghton, whos teachings and life have been an example of how a real Man of God should live and think, to Pastor Derrick Traylor and Rehoboth World Healing Center for your prayers and intercession; to Kenneth Copeland, Fred K. Price, Creflo Dollar, Bill Winston, Marilyn Hickey, Leroy Thompson, Mike Murdock, and Zachery Tims whos teachings have touched me and made me what I am today. Oh yes, thanks to Jimmy Long for leading me to the LORD. Last but not least, I cannot leave out my friends and some of my enemies; because you have provided comfort or made me strong.

This book is designed to challenge your mind set and kick down some of the sacred cows that hinder you from becoming all that God has created you to be. In the Gospel of John, Jesus made a profound statement. Jesus stated that all the works he had done, his disciplines could do; and even greater works, because he was returning to His heavenly father. (John 14:12-14) Was Jesus serious when he said this? Some may say that he was speaking figuratively, but I am of the opinion that this statement was a literal one. There are numerous scriptures to back up my contention. If Jesus was serious, are you experiencing the power and authority that Jesus said was available to all those who call on his name? If the answer is no, then, why arent you?

It is my contention, in order for us to be trusted with that kind of power and authority we must develop the same mind set that Jesus had. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, encouraged the believers to renew their minds. (Romans 12:1-3) Paul realized that in order to experience the power and authority that God has for us we need to learn to think a different way. We need to learn a new paradigm. Many believers are living life far below what God has intended for them. Some have rationalized that this is their plight, and they endure the hardships, with the hope someday that they will get their reward in the sweet by and by. This sounds real religious and many would applaud this mind set. But is it truly scriptural?

The enemy would love nothing more than for believers to think this way. Why? Because, they are no threat to him. He can continue to beat them upside the head with little or no resistance at all. No, Gods design for you is to be a king and priest on this earth (Rev 1:5-6). God has created you to have dominion on this earth (Gen 1:26). In the gospel of Mark, Jesus commissioned his followers to go out and make disciples, cast out demons, and heal the sick. (Mark 16:14-18) On another occasion Peter complained to Jesus that he had given all to follow him. Jesus responded by telling him all who have given up their worldly possessions and lifestyle to follow him would get back a hundred times that amount; not only in heaven, but in this life. (Mark 10:17-31)