THOUGHTS AND WORDS

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Gratitude and the Mission of New Life Ministry
2. Deep Grace Bible School: Learning to Rightly Divide God's Word
3. The Fig Tree: Understanding Scripture Through Proper Context
4. The Power of God's Spoken Word and Hearing His Voice
5. Self-Talk: How Thoughts and Words Affect the Body
6. Thoughts Are Louder Than Words: Renewing the Mind
7. From Anxiety to Worship: Philippians 4:6
8. The Peace of God: Guarding Hearts and Minds
9. Following Peace Through Life's Greatest Challenges
10. Thinking According to God's Opinion of You
11. I Am, I Can, and I Have: Agreeing With the Father
12. Closing Encouragement

Introduction: Gratitude and the Mission of New Life Ministry

Pastor Leonard Rola opens the teaching by warmly introducing his wife, Pastor Lori Rola, expressing how blessed he feels to have her beside him. Together, they welcome their audience and offer heartfelt appreciation to everyone who supports New Life Ministry.

Pastor Leonard explains that the ministry has been called to help God's children experience freedom from guilt, shame, and condemnation through the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He describes this Gospel as the wonderful, almost too-good-to-be-true message of God's grace, which carries the power of God unto salvation.

Both pastors emphasize the importance of their ministry partners, thanking them for being God's hands extended. Through financial gifts, offerings, prayer, and ongoing support, their partners help make it possible to share the message of grace with more people.

Their desire is to continue reaching individuals who may have lived under religious condemnation or misunderstood God's true nature. They believe that understanding the Gospel of grace brings freedom and helps believers recognize the Father's unconditional love.

Pastor Leonard encourages those who wish to support the ministry to visit its website, where information about giving is available.

Deep Grace Bible School: Learning to Rightly Divide God's Word

Pastor Leonard enthusiastically announces the upcoming launch of Deep Grace Bible School, an educational ministry initiative developed with the assistance of skilled technology partners. He explains that the purpose of the school is not simply to provide more biblical information but to equip believers to understand Scripture personally.

The pastors want students to learn how to recognize the proper biblical covenants, interpret passages in their original context, and use sound principles of scriptural interpretation. Most importantly, they want believers to develop confidence in their relationship with the Holy Spirit rather than depending entirely upon another person to explain God's Word.

The principle of rightly dividing Scripture is expressed in the following passage:

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Pastor Leonard explains that learning these principles allows believers to distinguish between traditional religious interpretations and what Scripture actually communicates. He believes that many Christians have accepted teachings without examining their biblical foundations. As a result, they may develop expectations about God that do not accurately reflect His character or promises.

The goal of Deep Grace Bible School is to help believers study with greater understanding, recognize the importance of context, and discover the Scriptures in a fresh and meaningful way.

Pastor Leonard expresses his excitement that students may feel as though they are reading the Bible for the first time because familiar passages will become clearer through proper interpretation and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Fig Tree: Understanding Scripture Through Proper Context

To demonstrate the importance of comparing Scripture with Scripture, Pastor Leonard discusses the account of Jesus speaking to a fig tree. He explains that he and Pastor Lori previously accepted a teaching suggesting that healing or other manifestations of God's power sometimes happen gradually because a problem has already been dealt with at its root.

This interpretation was connected to the account in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus speaks to a fig tree and the disciples later discover that it has withered.

Mark 11:12–14 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

The following morning, the disciples observe the result.

Mark 11:20–21 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou curses is withered away.

Pastor Leonard explains that some teachers have used this passage to suggest that when believers pray or speak in faith, the answer may already have occurred spiritually even though the visible result takes time.

He challenges that interpretation by comparing Mark's account with the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 21:18–20 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

Pastor Leonard focuses particularly on the word "presently" in Matthew's account. He explains that the Greek word parachrēma communicates immediacy, meaning instantly, immediately, or straightway. He also points out that the disciples marveled at how quickly the fig tree withered.

In his interpretation, Matthew's account demonstrates that the result of Jesus' spoken word was immediate, rather than something that required a prolonged process. He emphasizes that believers should not build an entire doctrine around one account without considering other passages describing the same event.

The lesson extends beyond the fig tree itself. Pastor Leonard believes that religious traditions can sometimes influence how people understand God's promises.

Jesus addressed the danger of traditions interfering with God's Word:

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Pastor Leonard uses this example to explain why careful biblical study is so important.

He encourages believers to compare passages, consider context, recognize the appropriate covenant, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide their understanding. In his teaching, God's power is not something believers must repeatedly attempt to activate through endless speaking, striving, or worrying about whether they have maintained enough faith.

Rather, he emphasizes the importance of believing what God has already spoken.

Pastor Lori agrees and connects this understanding with the renewal of the mind. Together, they encourage believers to move away from traditions that produce uncertainty and toward confidence in God's Word.

The Power of God's Spoken Word and Hearing His Voice

As Pastor Lori begins the main portion of the teaching, she introduces the importance of spoken words. She recalls speaking with the Kingdom Kids about how God brought creation into existence through His Word.

Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Pastor Lori explains that words matter because God's spoken Word carries tremendous power.

Pastor Leonard then expands the discussion by asking an important question: Is it enough to find something written in the Bible, read it aloud, and claim it?

He explains that, in his opinion, there is something more important than merely repeating written words.

To illustrate his point, he turns to the apostle Peter's testimony.

2 Peter 1:15–19 Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Pastor Leonard emphasizes Peter's testimony that the disciples actually heard the voice of God.

They possessed the prophetic Scriptures, but they also experienced hearing God's voice.

For Pastor Leonard, this demonstrates the importance of personal fellowship with the Lord. He explains that believers are not simply meant to collect biblical statements and repeat them mechanically. They are encouraged to recognize God's voice and understand what He is communicating to them personally. He then recalls Jesus' response to Satan during the temptation in the wilderness.

Matthew 4:3–4 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God.

Pastor Leonard draws attention to the words that proceed from God's mouth. He encourages believers to remain in an atmosphere of praise, rest, and confidence in the Father's love so they can recognize His voice. According to his teaching, when believers hear what God is saying, they can come into agreement with Him, believe His Word, and receive what He has promised.

Pastor Lori affirms this message, observing that studying God's Word continually encourages further revelation and understanding.

Self-Talk: How Thoughts and Words Affect the Body

Pastor Lori introduces information she encountered concerning self-talk and its potential influence on physical health. She describes a study suggesting that the way individuals speak to themselves may influence their bodies in significant ways, even comparing its effects to supplements. She explains that thoughts, tone of voice, and internal dialogue can influence the nervous system and the body's physiological responses.

The research claims she shares include possible relationships between self-talk and inflammation, hormone release, muscle tension, immune responses, and emotional well-being. She also discusses the idea that speaking kindly to oneself may influence chemicals associated with positive emotions and recovery, including oxytocin and serotonin.

These are claims presented in the teaching; the transcript does not identify the particular study or establish that self-talk produces faster healing than supplements. The spiritual principle Pastor Lori emphasizes is that kindness toward oneself is important.

She believes that God does not want His children continually speaking negatively about themselves, criticizing their bodies, or rehearsing thoughts of failure and inadequacy.

Instead, believers should recognize that their thoughts and words can influence how they experience life.

Pastor Leonard connects this discussion with the apostle Paul's repeated instructions concerning the mind.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

He observes that the New Testament repeatedly emphasizes the importance of thinking. The pastors explain that transformation is connected to changing the way a person thinks. Their encouragement is to develop thought patterns that agree with God's love, His promises, and the believer's identity in Christ.

Thoughts Are Louder Than Words: Renewing the Mind

Pastor Leonard recalls something Pastor Lori shared during a previous teaching: the body may respond to internal thoughts much as it responds to spoken words. This leads directly into the central message of the sermon. The pastors explain that people often think far more words than they actually speak.

Someone may sit silently without saying anything, yet their mind may be filled with worry, fear, criticism, anger, or negative expectations. Pastor Lori emphasizes that these internal conversations matter. Pastor Leonard adds that a person may speak positive words aloud while privately believing something entirely different.

In their teaching, the thoughts a person continually entertains may exert a stronger influence than the statements they occasionally make. This is why they emphasize the importance of renewing the mind rather than simply repeating positive declarations.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Pastor Lori explains that thoughts often precede spoken words. What someone repeatedly thinks about eventually influences what they say, how they feel, and how they approach situations.

She then shares a simple observation: much of what makes people unhappy is connected to their thoughts. Her encouragement is equally straightforward: change those thoughts. The pastors recognize that individuals may be facing genuinely difficult circumstances. They do not suggest that every challenge is imaginary. Instead, they emphasize that believers can learn to approach difficult circumstances with a different mindset.

Pastor Lori explains that she has spent time meditating on Scripture until its words became personally meaningful and alive to her. She describes occasions when she could barely move beyond a single sentence because she was experiencing such a strong sense of revelation from the Holy Spirit.

Through these experiences, she says she developed greater confidence in God's personal love and intimate knowledge of her life. For her, renewing the mind is not simply an exercise in positive thinking. It is about allowing God's Word to become a personal revelation of His love and faithfulness.

From Anxiety to Worship: Philippians 4:6

Pastor Lori turns to Philippians 4:6–8, reading from the Mirror Translation during the sermon. She is especially moved by its emphasis on transforming anxious moments into opportunities for prayer, gratitude, and worship.

The King James Version states:

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 emphasizes that this instruction applies regardless of what someone may be experiencing. Whether a person faces financial concerns, family challenges, illness, uncertainty, or another difficult circumstance, she encourages them to bring those concerns before God with thanksgiving. She particularly appreciates the idea of surrounding requests with gratitude.

Rather than allowing anxious thoughts to dominate the mind, believers can turn their attention toward the Father's love and faithfulness. Pastor Lori describes this as taking everything that might produce anxiety and turning it into worship.

Her emphasis is not merely on asking God to change circumstances but on experiencing His presence while facing them. She believes that gratitude and worship help individuals become more aware of their union with Christ. As believers recognize their oneness with Him, they can experience peace even before their external circumstances change.

The Peace of God: Guarding Hearts and Minds

Pastor Lori continues into the next verse, explaining how God's peace protects believers from thoughts that would otherwise unsettle them.

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

She describes the peace of God as something far deeper than temporary relief or favorable circumstances. While reading from the Mirror Translation, she highlights the picture of a guard protecting a city from approaching danger.

In the same way, she explains, God's peace guards the believer's deepest feelings and thoughts.

Pastor Lori is especially encouraged by the understanding that peace is already present within the believer through union with Jesus Christ. Rather than searching for peace somewhere outside themselves, believers can become more conscious of the peace that comes from their relationship with Him. She explains that this peace is not measured by external circumstances.

A person may be surrounded by challenges and still experience an inward assurance of God's presence.

Pastor Lori describes it as the very peace that God Himself enjoys. She emphasizes that the believer's awareness of being one with Christ brings security, tranquility, and confidence. The more believers focus on His love, the less power anxious thoughts have to disturb their inner rest.

Following Peace Through Life's Greatest Challenges

Pastor Leonard shares a deeply personal testimony concerning his experience with life-threatening cancer. He recalls hearing the Lord speak three specific things to him during that difficult season.

First, he believed God told him that he would live and not die.

Second, he believed God told him that he would not miss a Sunday service.

Third, he heard the instruction to follow peace.

Pastor Leonard explains that his experience included genuine challenges and difficult circumstances. He does not describe the journey as free from obstacles.

Instead, he emphasizes that God's peace remained an important source of strength throughout the experience. He credits following that peace as central to the victory he experienced over cancer. His testimony reinforces the message Pastor Lori has been sharing from Philippians.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Pastor Leonard repeatedly encourages listeners to follow the peace of God. He explains that peace can remain present even when circumstances appear uncertain or threatening. The pastors emphasize that believers do not need to allow every frightening thought or external challenge to determine their emotional condition. Instead, they can learn to recognize the peace of Christ and allow it to guide their responses.

Thinking According to God's Opinion of You

As the teaching approaches its conclusion, Pastor Lori focuses on Philippians 4:8.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Pastor Lori reads from the Mirror Translation and emphasizes the importance of considering what is true about people as revealed through Jesus Christ. She particularly appreciates the encouragement to become overwhelmed by God's opinion of oneself.

Rather than continually focusing on personal weaknesses, failures, or shortcomings, believers are encouraged to recognize what God has accomplished through Christ.

Pastor Lori speaks about the revelation of righteousness and recognizing God's likeness within the believer. Her message is that Christians should learn to see themselves from the Father's perspective. When people understand that they are loved, accepted, and united with Christ, their thinking begins to change.

Pastor Lori believes that this renewed understanding also affects their spoken words and the way they experience life physically and emotionally. She emphasizes that God's opinion should become more influential than negative self-judgments or the opinions of others.

The pastors connect this understanding to the earlier discussion about thoughts being louder than words. If someone continually thinks thoughts of rejection, inadequacy, or fear, those thoughts may dominate their internal experience.

However, when believers begin thinking in agreement with God's love and righteousness, they can develop greater confidence and peace.

Pastor Lori encourages listeners to make God's perspective their foundation for thinking. The ultimate goal is not simply to feel better temporarily but to develop a lasting awareness of who they are in Christ.

I Am, I Can, and I Have: Agreeing With the Father

Pastor Leonard concludes the teaching by mentioning his book, "I Am, I Can, and I Have," which he explains is available on Amazon.

He describes it as a simple, easy-to-read book intended to help believers come into agreement with the Father's thoughts toward them. The book's title reflects the central emphasis of the teaching: learning to think and speak according to what God says rather than according to fear, condemnation, or feelings of inadequacy.

Pastor Leonard encourages those who have not read the book to consider it. Throughout the sermon, both pastors have emphasized that believers benefit from developing thoughts that agree with God's Word.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Their message encourages believers to recognize that the renewing of the mind affects more than outward behavior. It influences the internal conversations people have with themselves, the words they speak, and the way they respond to difficult circumstances. By becoming more aware of God's thoughts toward them, believers can develop a deeper sense of confidence in His love.

Pastor Leonard presents the book as an additional resource for learning to agree with the Father's perspective.

Closing Encouragement

Pastors Leonard and Lori conclude their teaching by expressing their love and appreciation for everyone watching. They thank their audience once again for supporting New Life Ministry and for helping spread the message of God's grace.

Their closing encouragement reflects the central themes of the sermon: thoughts matter, God's Word matters, and knowing the Father's love changes the way believers experience life. Through renewing the mind, listening for God's voice, practicing gratitude, and resting in His peace, believers are encouraged to develop a deeper awareness of their identity in Christ.

The pastors remind their audience through the teaching that outward words are not the only things that matter. The thoughts people continually entertain deserve attention as well. Their desire is for believers to experience freedom from condemnation, anxiety, and negative thinking by becoming increasingly conscious of God's love and His promises. They close by expressing their affection for their audience and looking forward to seeing everyone at the next Sunday service.

We hope this teaching, "THOUGHTS AND WORDS," has encouraged and blessed you. May you continue growing in the knowledge of God's grace, renewing your mind with His Word, and resting in the peace that comes through Jesus Christ. Share this message with someone who needs encouragement and a fresh reminder of how deeply they are loved by the Father.