CHANGE THOUGHT CHANGE LIFE

Table of Contents

1. Opening: A Heart to Share God’s Truth
2. The Gospel Is the Power of God
3. Worry, Anxiety, and the Life God Intended
4. Joy Is Not a Luxury Option
5. Peace Guards the Heart and Thoughts
6. Gratitude, Thoughts, and the Body’s Response
7. Pastor Leonard’s Testimony: Joy Changed How He Felt
8. Speaking Life to the Body
9. Taking One Second at a Time
10. Rejoicing Instead of Focusing on Worry
11. Resting in the Riches of God’s Glory and Favor
12. Final Encouragement: Change How You Think and Speak

Opening: A Heart to Share God’s Truth

Pastor Leonard opens the teaching by greeting everyone and explaining that he and Pastor Lori missed being with the viewers on Tuesday, but they are thankful to be there on Thursday. He expresses love and appreciation for the people watching from their living rooms, dens, studies, or wherever they receive the teaching. He thanks them for their cards, letters, encouraging messages, financial gifts, and continued support.

He then shares something personal from the night before. While Pastor Lori was sleeping, he was awake and praying. His prayer was not to be the best, the most notable, the one everybody knows, or the one with the best opinions. His desire was simply to know God’s truth and to know that he is speaking God’s truth. That becomes the heart of the opening: not performance, not recognition, not reputation, but truth.

Pastor Leonard emphasizes that their heart is to bring the truth of God to people. For him, that truth begins with the gospel. It is not about guilt, shame, condemnation, or putting burdens on people. He refers back to a Sunday message and says that if anyone felt guilt, shame, or condemnation while listening, he wanted them to reach out and talk with him. His desire is not to place those things on people, but to minister the gospel.

The Gospel Is the Power of God

Pastor Leonard says the truth they want to bring is the gospel of Jesus Christ. He specifically refers to what Paul says in Romans 1:16, that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

Romans 1:16- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

He explains that this salvation is something God wants people to experience in their lives. The message is all about Jesus and what He has done. It is about His work, His effort, and His toiling. It is not centered on what people need to do or have.

This sets the foundation for the whole teaching. The pastors are not presenting a self-help message separated from Christ. They are talking about thoughts, words, peace, joy, and the body from the foundation of the gospel and the finished work of Jesus. The change in thought and speech is connected to the life of Christ already within the believer.

Worry, Anxiety, and the Life God Intended

Pastor Lori begins by saying that Sunday’s message was awesome and that the subject of not worrying about anything is her passion. She believes more and more that people would be living the life God intended for them if they would stop worrying.

Pastor Leonard agrees and points out that if people listening were asked how many have worries in their lives, the number would probably be significant. Pastor Lori adds that many people do not even realize they are worrying. They may be thinking about tomorrow, what might happen, what happened yesterday, whether someone misunderstood them, or what is going on with another person. They may not label those thoughts as worry, but those thoughts can still be anxiety.
They give practical examples: wondering how the mortgage or bills will be paid, when healing will take place, or why something is happening. These thoughts can consume the mind.

Pastor Lori then brings in the reminder that believers have not been given the spirit of fear.
2 Timothy 1:7- "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

She explains that fear is not the spirit believers have been given. If those fearful feelings are showing up, they are feelings that developed through things people have taken in and allowed to penetrate their minds and hearts. The point is not condemnation, but recognition. Fear, worry, and anxiety are not the believer’s true spiritual source.

Joy Is Not a Luxury Option

Pastor Lori reads from Philippians 4:4 in the Mirror Translation, saying, “Joy is not a luxury option. Joy is your constant.” The KJV wording of the verse is:

Philippians 4:4- "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

She emphasizes that joy should not be treated like an optional extra. Joy is meant to be constant because the believer’s union with the Lord is a permanent source of delight.

Pastor Leonard connects this to the fruit of the Spirit. He says that joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and that Pastor Lori has been teaching that believers are connected to the vine as branches. If believers are connected to the vine, they will naturally bear fruit and experience joy.

Galatians 5:22-23- "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

John 15:5- "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

Pastor Lori acknowledges that some people may be sitting in pain or going through something overwhelming. In that place, she says the Holy Spirit may lead them to take not even a minute at a time, but one second at a time. Right now, in this second, joy is my constant. Right now, in this second, I am not to live in worry.

She encourages people not to focus on the pain as the controlling thought, but to let the Holy Spirit minister and let the Word get in them. Pastor Leonard then refers to Jesus enduring the cross because of joy.

Hebrews 12:2- "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

The point is that joy helped Jesus endure, and joy will help believers walk through what they are facing. Joy is not denial. Joy is strength, stability, and life coming from union with Christ.

Peace Guards the Heart and Thoughts

Pastor Lori moves to Philippians 4:6-7, still reading and explaining from the Mirror Translation. She describes it as the passage about not worrying about anything and turning moments into prayerful worship with gratitude before God.

The KJV says:
Philippians 4:6- "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."|
Philippians 4:7- "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Pastor Lori focuses especially on Philippians 4:7 and explains that in the place of worship and gratitude, believers witness the peace of God within them. She highlights that the peace is already there. It echoes the believer’s awareness of oneness in Christ Jesus beyond the reach of any thought that could unsettle them.

She then explains a sentence from the Mirror Translation that she had previously skimmed over. The idea is that just as a sentry guard secures a city and watches in advance for possible threats, the believer’s deepest feelings and thoughts are guarded in God’s peace.

The KJV says:
Philippians 4:7- "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Pastor Lori says the tranquility of the heart, the deepest feelings, and the thoughts are fully guarded in His peace. She emphasizes that God cares about everything. He does not want people to worry. He wants them to know that He has everything.

She then reads notes from Francois du Toit under the verse, explaining that this peace is not measured by external circumstances. It resides deep in the innermost parts of the believer’s being. It is already there. She says it is the peace that God enjoys.

Pastor Leonard connects that again to the vine and branches. God’s peace flows through believers and produces fruit. The fruit includes not worrying and living in constant joy.

John 15:5- "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
Galatians 5:22-23- "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Gratitude, Thoughts, and the Body’s Response

Pastor Lori then talks about how science is confirming things the Bible has already said. She makes it clear that when science is real science, it will line up with what the Bible has already taught. The Bible has already instructed believers in these truths.

She begins talking about self-talk. Every thought, tone, and internal dialogue sends chemical instructions into the nervous system. She emphasizes that every thought matters. A person may think, “It’s a horrible day,” “What a disgusting day,” or “I wish I didn’t even wake up,” and assume it does not matter because the words were not spoken out loud. But Pastor Lori explains that the body and brain do not know the difference in that way. The thought was still heard internally.

She says the body and cells hear. Thoughts matter because the body responds to internal language.

She then returns to the biblical theme of gratitude from Philippians 4:6.

Philippians 4:6- "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

She explains that multiple studies have shown gratitude practices reduce pain perception, stress hormones, and physical tension. Gratitude changes blood flow to brain regions that regulate suffering. Pastor Leonard responds by connecting that directly to Scripture: this is why God says not to be anxious, but to come with prayer and thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:6- "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Pastor Lori says God made people so perfectly that when they do what He says, even the blood flow and bodily responses align with health and life. The Bible gave the instruction first, and science is now showing how those truths work in the body.

Pastor Leonard’s Testimony: Joy Changed How He Felt

Pastor Leonard shares a personal story from a recent visit to his daughter, son-in-law, and two grandbabies in the Charlotte area. He had been dealing with physical discomfort from a new bed, a different bed, lots of stairs, and a twelve-hour drive. His body was hurting, his knees were sore and stiff, and he was not feeling his best.

He says he was thinking about how bad he felt, and that thinking was not helping. Then his grandson, Wilder, came and sat on his lap and said, “Grandpa, I love you. Grandpa, I love you.”

Pastor Leonard says that everything started feeling better. It became a happy moment and a joyful moment. Suddenly, he wanted to take a walk, look for frogs, skip rocks on the water, and enjoy time with his grandson. The body was not hurting in the same way anymore. The body was not stiff in the same way. Joy took over. Happiness took over.

He says what changed was his thinking and speaking. The thoughts in his mind and soul changed, and his body responded. He later took a long walk up a hill, walked on baseball fields, went to the park, and had a great time.

This example supports the larger teaching: thoughts, joy, words, and internal focus affect how a person experiences life in the body. Pastor Leonard is not saying the original physical discomfort was imaginary. He is saying that his focus shifted, joy rose up, and his body responded to that change.

Speaking Life to the Body

Pastor Lori continues by saying the body cannot tell the difference between thoughts and reality. She gives examples of statements such as “I’m safe,” “I’m healing,” “I’m learning,” and “I’m strong.” These messages can change the nervous system in real time. The cells respond to internal language.

She contrasts different forms of self-talk. “I’m tired of this” lines up with fatigue. “I can handle this” lines up with resilience. “I’m healing” lines up with reduced inflammation. “I’m broken” can line up with slowed recovery. Her point is that words shape psychology, and what a person tells the body today can become how the body feels tomorrow.

She warns that a harsh inner voice can trigger stress chemistry, while a calm and affirming voice activates healing responses in the body. She encourages people to consciously choose their internal language because their cells are listening.

Pastor Leonard then shares another personal testimony. Before re-entering ministry, he worked as a superintendent over properties. He remembers many injuries from that season, including falls from lawnmowers, lawnmowers rolling over him, automobile accidents, ankle reconstructive surgery, two knee surgeries, rotator cuff surgery, two back surgeries, and surgeries involving the vertebrae in his neck.

He says that now Jesus gets him up in the morning. Even when he says he is going to sleep in, he ends up getting up because Jesus wants to work out. He goes to the church where he has exercise equipment, plays worship music, walks, lifts, and does various exercises.

As he works out, he thanks and praises God for a strong and healthy body. He talks to his body. He speaks to his brain and says that it thinks clearly, remembers what it needs to remember, and functions fully. He speaks to his eyes, ears, nasal passages, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, hips, knees, and body.

He says he does this because Pastor Lori has taught him that his body’s cells hear him. When he is in worship, praise, thanksgiving, and joy, his body and brain release chemicals that produce healing and wholeness. He says this is how God made us.

This section ties together worship, gratitude, joy, and speaking life. The emphasis is not on self-effort apart from God, but on living from union with Christ and speaking in agreement with life, health, and peace.

Taking One Second at a Time

Pastor Lori then speaks tenderly to people who may be in a lot of pain or going through something difficult right now. She acknowledges that their brains may be consumed with whatever they are facing. She says she understands that.

Her encouragement is to take it one second at a time. The person is living right now in this second, so live this second. In that second, they can let the Holy Spirit bring back His Word, comfort them, and help them.|She mentions the phrase “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10- "Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

This is not presented as a heavy rule or pressure. It is a way of helping someone who feels overwhelmed. Instead of trying to solve the entire day, the entire problem, or the entire future, they can receive grace for the second they are in. Joy can be received in the present moment.

Rejoicing Instead of Focusing on Worry

Pastor Leonard adds an important practical point. He says maybe people should not say, “I’m not going to worry about anything,” because when they say it that way, the emphasis is still on worry. Instead, he suggests saying, “I’m going to rejoice.”

This connects back to Philippians 4:4.

Philippians 4:4- "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

Pastor Leonard explains how he practices this while driving to the church gym. During the ten-minute ride, he says things like, “Father, I rejoice in You. I rejoice in my salvation. I rejoice in my health. I rejoice in the blessings of my family. I rejoice in the blessings of Jesus Christ. I rejoice in the blessings of my wife. I rejoice over You. I rejoice in Your compassion.”

He says this is how he starts the trip. Then, when he gets to the gym, he turns on worship music loudly and continues in that mode of worship, speaking, thinking, and praying.

The point is practical and simple: instead of trying to fight worry by staring at worry, turn the heart toward rejoicing. Rejoicing shifts the focus from the problem to the Lord, from fear to peace, and from anxiety to thanksgiving.

Resting in the Riches of God’s Glory and Favor

Pastor Lori closes her portion by reading a passage she says she speaks every night before going to bed. She says that 365 days a year, when she goes to bed, the first thing she does is quote it, believe it, think about it, and let herself fall asleep to it.

She says it is from Ephesians 3, from Paul’s prayer. She reads from the Passion Translation, but the KJV passage connected to her reading is:

Ephesians 3:16-17- "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,"

Pastor Lori emphasizes that unveiled within the believer are the unlimited riches of God’s glory and favor. She speaks of supernatural strength flooding the innermost being with divine might and power. She connects this to the life of Christ being released deep inside the believer and the resting place of His love being the root and source of life.

Again, the KJV says:

Ephesians 3:16-17- "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,"

Pastor Leonard responds that this is powerful. Pastor Lori says that within the believer are the unlimited riches of His glory and favor. The believer can rest in His love. His love can be the source and root of life. The believer can rejoice in His love. Jesus is deeply rooted inside, and His life is released within.

She again connects this to the vine and the branch. Jesus is the vine, and the believer is the branch. His life flows through.

John 15:5:- "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

She closes that thought by saying the listener is blessed and highly favored and will have a great day.

Final Encouragement: Change How You Think and Speak

Pastor Leonard closes by encouraging people to go back and listen to Sunday’s message if they have not heard it. He says he ended that message with six points, and point number five really spoke to him as he recorded it.

The point was: “Change how you think and speak, and you will change how you live and feel.”

He repeats it: “Change how you think and speak and you will change how you live and feel.”

That statement captures the whole message. The teaching is not merely about positive thinking. It is about living from the gospel, resting in Christ’s finished work, recognizing that fear is not the spirit believers have been given, allowing joy and peace to govern the heart, practicing gratitude, and speaking words of life over the body.

Pastor Leonard and Pastor Lori end by saying they love the viewers, they are praying for them, and they remind them to rejoice in the Lord always.

Philippians 4:4-"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

They then mention that they will see everyone on Sunday, Mother’s Day, with a message for the moms.