In counseling with many, many people, and speaking to audiences across the United States and around the world, I find that there is a fundamental flaw in our thinking that underlies the personal, spiritual, physical, and social problems we suffer with. That flaw is a misunderstanding of who God is and what He is like. I would like to take the time to replace this error with the truth, so that you can be free, at peace, and healthy. To understand who God is and what He is like, we need to turn to the Bible to consider what God has revealed about Himself.
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.
“For all things come from You.” 1 Chronicles 29:14.
Each of us need a love that is full, constant, unselfish, and personal; not incomplete, intermittent, selfish, or impersonal. Each of us need a respect that respects us completely, constantly, that gives to us, because it wants to; not partially, intermittently, so that it can get something from us, or because it has to. Each of us need an understanding that understands us completely, constantly, for our sake, because it wants to; not partially, intermittently, with ulterior motives, or because it has to. Everything we need, we need it fully, constantly, unselfishly, and voluntarily.
That means that God is full, constant, unselfish, and personal. He has everything we need. He has more of what we need than we could possibly receive. He makes it available to us all the time. There is never a time when He will be unavailable, and we will not be able to get what we need. He doesn’t have to be coerced into giving it to us, because He Himself wants it for us. And He gives it to us unselfishly, for our sake, not His.
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Revelation 4:8.
“Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Psalm 90:2.
God is infinite in existence. He had no beginning, and He will have no end. God exists in all time, past, present, and future. There never has been nor ever will be a time when there is no God. He existed forever before He created the first creature. He did not create us because He needed us, for God is the source of everything and has no needs. He created us because He wanted us. He didn’t create us so that we could fulfill His needs. He created us so that He could fulfill our needs. He isn’t absolutely dependent upon us. We are absolutely dependent upon Him. But, in giving us responsibilities, He removes Himself from the fulfillment of those responsibilities, and thus makes Himself dependent upon us for its fulfillment. Only in this way does He need us.
“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.” Psalm 139:1-4.
“For I am the Lord, I change not…” Malachi 3:6.
These passages tell us that God knows all things. He is always aware of all things. There is no new information for God. He already knows it all. Nothing can change His mind, for it is made up knowing everything. God knows everything about you, past, present, and future. He knows everything you have ever thought, said, or done and everything you will ever think, say, or do. Knowing everything about you, what does He think about you?
“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10.
“For God so loved [you] that He gave His only begotten Son, that [if you believe] in Him [you] should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
“having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” Ephesians 1:5.
There is nothing you can think, say, or do that will change God’s mind about you; for His mind is made up knowing everything already. You cannot think, say, or do something that He didn’t already know. You cannot do something so bad that He didn’t already know about, pay the price for, and offer you forgiveness for. He knows all about it already and has dealt with it already.
God intends, through the life, death, resurrection, and heavenly mediation of Christ, to save you and be with you forever. He knows what you will become and what you will accomplish because of Christ throughout eternity. You only know yourself by your life so far, on this earth, in the context of sinful nature and all its weaknesses, failures, and misery. But God knows your eternal future in Christ. You can’t even imagine what you will become and what you will accomplish throughout eternity, but God knows.
He knows you are worth the price He paid for you. He knows you are worth every effort to set you free. He knows how happy, amazed, and grateful you will be throughout eternity, and that thought makes His suffering a joy.
But God’s foreknowledge doesn’t remove our ability to choose for ourselves. Just because I know of Cain’s decision to kill Abel doesn’t mean that my knowledge removed Cain’s ability to choose at the time of the incident. And just because God knows what decisions we will make (for He also exists in the future) doesn’t mean I have no freedom to choose in the moment. God preserves my ability to choose in the moment, but He knows what I will choose, for He has seen it already.
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10.
God exists in all space. If you travel in any direction at any speed for any length of time, God is there. You can never go where He isn’t already there. Therefore, you will never find yourself without God being there with you. He also exists in all dimensions, but He is distinct from His creation. His creation comes from Him, but it is not Him.
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.
You can never be abandoned by God, for God is wherever you are. He is always interested in you. His attention is always upon you. He is always aware of everything happening to, in, and through you. You can abandon Him, but He cannot abandon you.
“Power belongs to God.” Psalm 62:11.
There is no beginning or end to God’s power. He is the source of all power. All things derive their power from Him, and nothing can have power apart from Him. God can create forever and empower everything He creates…forever. But His power is not indiscriminate. His power is subject to His character.
Laws are channels through which God gives His power to His creation. Because God is predictable, His laws are predictable. The sunrise and sunset are consistent because God is consistent (trustworthy). But God is not bound by or limited to His laws. He exists above them and can work outside of them when needed (miracles, divine interventions, etc.).
All things exist & function by God’s will & power. All things continue to exist & function by His continued will & power. God is presently, purposefully, personally, actively maintaining everything He created. If He were to cease to do so, the entire creation would cease to function or exist. Each heartbeat, each breath, etc. is only possible because God’s power is personally sustaining those functions and maintaining your life.
In our next newsletter, we will continue looking at who God is and what He is like, so that we can be Getting to Know God.
Prayer Team
If you would like to be a part of our PRAYER TEAM, please send your name and email address to [email protected] and we will add you to our team. We are grateful for all who have volunteered and are always looking for more prayer warriors.
Group Session Notifications
We offer group sessions every Monday night from 6:30-8:30pm Central Time. If you would like to be notified/reminded before each group session begins, simply email us at [email protected] and let us know. We will add you to that list. Anyone can join the group sessions during those times at this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87592054012 and prior group sessions can be viewed on our YouTube channel HERE.
Join Us for Camp Meeting in April!
Camp meeting will focus on improving relationships. We will be covering topics such as: Eaters vs. Feeders, Sphere of Action & Healthy Boundaries, Delegated Authority & Submission, Courtship, Marriage, Parenting, Conflict Resolution, Confession, Forgiveness, & Restitution, and more. Jonathan and Angela Peoples will be leading out in the breakout sessions, helping you apply the principles needed to experience healthy relationships. LeEtta Sandoval will be leading the children’s classes. And there may be a surprise speaker for the morning devotions and prayer times. Keep these dates in your calendar and plan to join us. Registration and lodging on our property (tent, RV, camper) is FREE! If you order meals, they will be the same as last time, $10 each for breakfast and lunch, and $5 for supper. Space is limited, and many have registered already. Once we hit our maximum capacity we will close registration, so plan to register soon to make sure you can attend.
Project Updates
Van
The insurance company reversed their decision about totaling our van, and they have paid for it to be repaired. That is an answer to prayer! We are grateful for the opportunity to drive the van as the Lord allows.
Kitchen Building
Construction will begin on the kitchen building this coming week. Please keep this project in prayer. We need willing hands to help in the construction of the building and finances to complete the project. We are praying that the kitchen facility will be functional in time for camp meeting so our kitchen staff can have an adequate space to work while they prepare your meals. A number of you have sent donations to assist with this project, and we are very grateful for your support. Thank you for your continued support so that this project can become a reality.
Media Project
We are currently in the process of “rebranding” New Paradigm Ministries with a new logo and new color pallet. We love the old logo, but it had too many small elements built into it that make it difficult for certain applications. We will soon have someone working with us to develop “shorts” (short videos of less than 1 minute) for our YouTube channel as well as a plan to expand our ministry’s reach on social media.
LIFE Restoration Program
Almost all of the presentations for the first quarter of the LIFE Restoration Program have been completed, and we are currently working on the presentations for the second quarter (which we hope to complete before camp meeting time). We still need to write the books, workbooks, record presentations, and much more to complete the project. We are aiming for the completion of the project at the end of 2025 at the latest, the Lord willing.
Books
The Life Lessons from Luke book is currently being edited and revised. There have been challenges in the process, but we trust the Lord will help us work around those challenges and complete the book this year. By God’s grace, the editing for The Bible Promises for Freedom book will begin this summer and be finished before the end of this year. We also plan to accomplish a major rewrite of The Law of Life book this year, as the Lord allows. Thank you for your prayers and interest in what the Lord is doing in this part of His vineyard.
Ministry Updates
Cuba
In January, my son, Anthony, and I were privileged to go to Cuba and minister there. We were invited by World Youth Group ( https://worldyouthgroup.org ) to speak for a gathering of their 160 Bible workers, plus former students of theirs in Havana, Cuba. Prior to the main meetings, we toured different locations where their Bible workers are planting churches in cities where there are no churches. For the main meetings, about 300-350 people attended, and we really enjoyed sharing about God’s love, the cross, the Law of Relationships, and Health by Faith. After that, I went to the city of Holguin and spent another week speaking at a couple churches and doing home visitations. I praise God for the work He is doing in Cuba. It is difficult. The people are living under difficult conditions, but they love the Lord and are working to expand His kingdom. If you want to support a work for God’s kingdom, I know of nothing better than supporting a full-time Bible worker in unentered cities and villages in Cuba through World Youth Group for $40/month. You can support a Bible worker (or more than one) through their website HERE.
Red River Outpost Biblical Counseling Training & More
At the end of January, Jonathan and Angela Peoples, myself, and Camilla (a German exchange student staying with us this year), were able to go to Red River Outpost in Stanton, Kentucky, and provide a 1-week Biblical counseling training for their staff. I also had the honor of sharing about the Mind-Body connection with the Stanton, Kentucky community. On Sabbath, I was able to share with the children (and the adults) about how precious they are. For a special treat, we were able to visit the large cave next to Red River’s property that has a stream flowing through it! God is good.
Online Store
We now have our books available on our online store. You can order at https://npmin.org/shop/. If you would like bulk pricing on books, please email us at [email protected].
Counseling or Health Consultations
If you are struggling with personal, relationship, or health challenges, we are available to counsel with you. Virtual appointments can be scheduled through our website at https://npmin.org/appointments. Dr. Dorothee Louis and Angela Peoples have spots available now.
Upcoming Events
2024
February 19-25
Law of Life symposium in Armenia, Columbia at Fundación Las Delicias
March 1-2
Post Falls Idaho SDA Church
March 8-10
SDA Church in Champaigne, Illinois
April 17-21
*New Paradigm Ministries 2nd camp meeting at our ministry location in Cabool, Missouri.*
April 26-28
St. Louis, Missouri
May 4-11
Mental health seminar at the Hayden Lake SDA Church north of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
May 24-26
East Ridge SDA Church, TN
July 3-7
Red River Camp Meeting in Stanton, Kentucky
July 25-28
Pathway to Paradise camp meeting in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
July 31-Aug 3
ASI Convention, Orlando, FL
August 14-17
West Salem Mission camp meeting in West Salem, Ohio
September 25-29
We will have our 3nd New Paradigm Ministries camp meeting at our ministry location in Cabool, Missouri.
October
New Zealand and Australia
December 6-8
Houston Metropolitan SDA Church in Houston, Texas
December 11-14
Manvel SDA Church in Texas
2025
February 14-16
Antlers, Oklahoma SDA Church
March 21-23
Morton SDA Church, Washington
April 16-20
We will have our 4th New Paradigm Ministries camp meeting at our ministry location in Cabool, Missouri.
April 23-27
Delton SDA Church in Delton, Michigan
April 30-May 11
Brazil
May 22-25
Addiction Recovery Series, Maine
June 16-27
Biblical Counseling class for The Bible Institute, Revelation of Love Ministry
July 13-27
Switzerland
July 30-Aug 2
ASI Convention
September 24-28
We will have our 5th New Paradigm Ministries camp meeting at our ministry location in Cabool, Missouri.
Donate
If the Lord is laying it upon your heart to support the work of New Paradigm Ministries financially, we would be most appreciative. We still have much work that needs to be done at our ministry before our camp meeting. Your tax-deductible donations can be given via check to:
New Paradigm Ministries
14527 Berry Rd.
Cabool, MO 65689
Or you can donate on our website HERE, or on PayPal to [email protected]. Also, consider including New Paradigm Ministries in your will or estate planning.