What Makes me Do The Things I Do

What Makes Me Do The Things I Do Bishop Earlin Thomas

Edited by Minister Curtis D. Mincey

What Makes Me Do The Things I Do Bishop Earlin Thomas ISBN-13: ISBN-10:

Editor: Minister Curtis D. Mincey

Project Manager & Graphic Design: Pastor Rick Greene MetroChristianMedia.com

What Makes Me Do The Things I Do

CONTENTS Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Ways Of Thinking

2. Ways Of Stressing

3. Ways Of Responding

4. Believing God While Under Attack

5. When Your Faith Is Challenge

6. How To Walk As an Overcomer

7. Remember Who The Lord is Through It All

Acknowledgments

I write this book as a tribute to those who deeply influenced my walk with God. My Mom and Dad Ms.Louise and Mr. McKinley Thomas, who laid down the foundation for my growth and development. They trained me to know the difference between right and wrong. My mother always took me and my siblings to church every Sunday. It was a mandate in our home to be in church on Sunday’s or whenever the doors were open.

There are eleven of us and my mother was a true believer in the laying on hands in the spirit and out of the spirit if you know what I mean; She was able to handle every situation in the home.

My father was more laid-back, very peaceful. One of the things I remember about my father is that he was very good in mathematics, and he taught us how to think before you speak. A skill it that would be truly needed for the days to come.

I also dedicate this book to my lovely wife, whom I greatly appreciate, Debra M. Thomas the love of my life. I normally call her my pretty girl. I value her steadfastness and labor of love. She has really taught me to be patient. She is a remarkable woman with a heart to help those who are in need. A great woman of God who completes me. Also to our son Ezekireal Thomas, I thank the lord for you and those who I met along the way.

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Introduction My name is Bishop Earlin Thomas; I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I remember there was a time in my life when a variety of events and circumstances began to affect my mind and altered my way of thinking. This ended up becoming a real struggle, which had started to have a major impact on all of my relationships. I noticed that I was becoming frustrated because of my desire to be understood and appreciated. What I began to realize was, I was listening to the wrong things and not the word of God. Those of you who are reading this book may be able to relate to this statement I’m about to make. There were times that I really didn’t know what to do. You see I believe there is a God, there is His Son and there is the blessed Holy Spirit that leads us to do things. But the reality is that even though we may feel that we are being led by God. We may find out later that it’s really our flesh directing us to pursue the things we crave. There are plenty of things out there that we desire to have; but some of these things we know deep down inside we are not ready to receive.

Therefore our disappointment in not receiving what we really thought was beneficial to us, causes us to react and lash out to those around us in a selfish and self centered manor. Which causes us to harm ourselves, our reputation and those around us. In other words our flesh makes us do the things we do.

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Colossians 1:18- 19 and he is the head of the body the church who is the beginning the first born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence Col 1:19 For it please the father that in him should all fullness dwell.

We have to learn as followers of Christ that He is the head and we were made to follow Him into righteousness and into his way of thinking. We have to maintain our faith in God and strive to put him first.

Because when we put Him first, everything else will fall into place. God doesn’t just want us to hear his word, He also wants us to apply His word, in season and out of season. What I have discovered during my walk with Christ over the years is, I am my worst nightmare. I always want things to be my way.

Isaiah 35:8 KJV “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”

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Chapter One Ways of Thinking

There were times when my thinking was dangerous to me and others around me, let me explain. There were ways that I would respond or react in certain situations that weren’t appropriate. Sometimes I would become physically or verbally confrontational based on how someone would look at me or speak to me.

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Other times I would judge someone based solely on their appearance or how they sounded in order to determine if I liked them or not.

My ways of thinking had gotten me into a lot of disagreements and because of my pride, if anyone would tell me anything different I didn’t believe them because that’s the way I was brought up. I was suspicious of a lot of things. I was set in my ways. My mindset caused me to react a certain way to my surroundings. Now I Know the Bible says.

“Do not be deceived: bad company ruins good morals. "Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”

1 Corinthians 15:33-34 ESV

Yet there were these thoughts in my mind that were challenging for me to understand. Even those who I called friends had a difficult time 9

trying to figure out what was wrong with me. At this time I was unable to express myself. I couldn’t find the right words to explain what I was going through.

My inner frustration was causing me to have violent thoughts and to be abusive with words in order to get my point across. Now as I look back at my past I can honestly say I have a lot of regrets. That’s why I thank God for entering my life.

There were times I was thinking too much about the wrong things. I wasn’t giving the Holy Spirit time to teach me. I wasn’t allowing the word of God to stay rooted and grounded within me.

There were times whem my way of thinking caused me to break off friendships and fellowships. There were times I would ask myself what makes me do the things I do?

I started to notice that my love for the Lord was decreasing because I didn’t feel loved.

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But I had to remember greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. I had to remember that the enemy comes to steal kill and destroy and once the hand of God is on your life there’s no such thing as a picnic in the park. His task is to destroy your mind and keep things complicated so that your decisions end up becoming a heavy burden. I had to figure it out. That’s why I give God the glory for surrounding me with godly people.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

John 3:16-17 ESV

“And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

Luke 10:27 ESV

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20 ESV

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Chapter 2 Ways of Stressing  There are times we allow the things of the world that we see to put us in a stress induced coma.

There are times that we stress out on things that are out of our control and we allow them to get the best of us. I know in my walk with the Lord that I was stressing out on various things that I saw and heard. I actually thought I was able to 14

handle this, not as a pastor not as a bishop, but as a human being. I wanted to help but I have to remember if you don’t put God in everything you do you lose every time. In other words, I allowed my flesh to get the best of me and to take control of me which led me to believe it was God that was motivating me. Fear had a home in my mind and spirit. I was stressing out because I wasn’t in control. But I remembered the word of the lord.

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self--your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Whoever receives and welcomes one child like this in My name receives Me; MATTHEW 18:3-5 AMP

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“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV I began to allow the word of God to settle in my soul, my mind and my body. I began to control my emotions and not allow them to get the best of me. I began to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to me. There are so many times in our walk with God that we blot out what we want to blot out. That’s why the word of God is so important. It helps us all to realize who we are In the lord.

“O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will praise and give thanks to Your name; For You have done miraculous things, Plans formed long, long ago, [fulfilled] with perfect faithfulness.”

ISAIAH 25:1 AMP

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.

Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be

afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

JOHN 14:27 AMP  We have to believe that the Lord is not done with us yet. We have to believe that he is our Lord, our king and our Savior. We have to give him everything In other words trust God.

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Chapter 3 Ways of Responding  One way of responding to situations and circumstances in your walk with God is to know who you are in Christ. Remember that he will never leave you nor forsake you. You have to have the mindset to pull down any strongholds that have been challenging in your walk and your conversations.

Think about this. Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. We have to acknowledge that we 18

are predestined to do great things for our Lord and Savior. The best way to respond to any adversity is by putting him first in everything we do and not allowing our emotions to get the best of us

My mind goes back to when Joseph shared some information with his brothers and how that worked out for him. Jealousy, envy and confusion was in the mist. We have to be careful of who we share our dreams and visions with. There are times that we will mean well but we still have to be careful. You also have to be mindful of how you respond to negativity.

Consider Daniel’s response to those who wanted to harm him. He didn’t get emotional but he stayed faithful in his belief, he stayed prayerful and knew that he was protected regardless of what they said about him. In other words, he didn’t respond like the world.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your 19

enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:19-21 ESV

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28 ESV

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15 ESV Another way of responding to is to remember that we must be careful with our tongue and the things we say and how we say it. Another thing I discovered more about myself during my walk with the Lord is that I had to correct myself 20

several times because I said the wrong things. I found myself constantly asking God to forgive me over and over again. I look back and realize that’s only because we are trying to walk like Christ and the Holy Spirit continues to convict us and leads us to be more aware of what comes out of our mouth.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Proverbs 18:21 | ESV

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

James 1:19 | ESV

“Do not repay evil for evil or cursing for cursing, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”

1 Peter 3:9 | ESV

Reading these Scriptures reminded me of the 21

direction I was going, and the reality is that there were times when it was very diďŹƒcult for me to not respond and allow the flesh act out in an ungodly manner. I am victorious because Jesus Christ is my Lord my king and my savior.

Chapter 4 Believing in God While Under Attack

I have been a Christian since March of 1975. I was in my teens and I was exposed to how to walk with the Lord with the knowledge that he gave his life for me; and now he is my Lord and Savior. It was during this time that I began to embrace

and experience God’s grace and

mercy. This was a challenging time in my life. I left home when I was 16 and a half years, old 24

believing that God was pleased with my decision.

It was during this time that I discovered just how challenging a life of independence really was.

You see freedom was not my friend at this time. I had to drop out of school and work two jobs.

Thank God for one of the brothers from church who helped me find a basement apartment through a friend of his mother who owned a house. During this time I learned how to lean on the word of God. I truly thank God for saving me and being so patient with me. I thank the Lord for delivering me and showing me his love each and every day. My faith and belief in him was being tested everyday. And even though I was young, inexperienced and had to deal with several personal problems He was still there with me. He has proven to me that He is faithful and that He would never leave me or forsake me.

So now I have become a leader, a watcher, a counselor, a mouthpiece for my Lord and Savior 25

Jesus Christ. He chose me to be his spokesman.

He showed me how important it is for me to hold on to his unchanging hands and to continue to believe and trust in Him even through the enemy’s attacks. There are no gimmicks with me, what you see is what you get.

I have experienced so many things during this walk, especially when I had traveled to Almora India. There are so many people in this world that are in need of a spiritual awakening and a physical healing. India is one of many places on the planet where people are being persecuted for being followers of Christ. The truth is for many of these people their faith is all they have. I recall an intensely terrifying incident that happened during my stay there. The host pastor had made arrangements for us to go to Nepal India for four days to do ministry. I remember getting this sense that the spirit of the Lord was speaking to me and telling me to cancel our trip. So we did and the very next day we heard on the news, that 26

there was a bombing in the church where we were going to have our service . This was a wow moment. Not only was my faith being tested. But my obedience was being tested. My believing in Him and my trust in Him was being tested. I had to remind myself of the importance of relying on God in spite of the financial challenges with and violent attacks from non believers.

I know I was called by God, I began to understand that in their minds they thought our faith was just a bunch of wishful thinking. This experience showed me that trusting in the Lord means that at times you will not have everyone supporting you in your walk with Christ. I Thank God for my wife who believes in me and believes in the vision the Lord gave me. For those of you that are reading this I hope that this testimony is able to assist you In your struggles as you walk with Christ.

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He’s not through with you yet even through the pain and attacks on your mind and body. He is still there with you. You just have to believe that he is who he says he is. There will be times that you may feel that everything you have gone through is your fault, or you may feel that something may be wrong with you. But you have to understand that these are some of the tricks of the enemy. His desire in attacking your mind is to get you to doubt the word of God. Remember God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Amen.

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV

“The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”

Habakkuk 3:19 KJV 28

“For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness.”

2 Samuel 22:29 ESV

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

1 Timothy 6:12 ESV

Let’s continue to believe God is who he says he is. Sovereign, all seeing all knowing, all powerful.

Therefore we can stand firm in our knowledge of who we are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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Chapter 5 When Your Faith Is Challenged

When I was ordained as a pastor in Jersey City, NJ I had to figure out exactly what my purpose was. The Lord had put it on my heart to go to the Shut-ins of the church and to start having prayers service outside. I was led to have Sunday service with the doors open for those who weren’t coming in or walking by during services. The Lord had me to go outside to reach his people. This was beginning to have an affect on the community. The drug trafficking in 30

the area began to slow down. We had started to do job fairs and resume writing, which eventually affected around 1900 people which enabled about 900 people to receive employment.

I truly thank the Lord for bringing the right people and agencies to assist us. Which allowed us to experience success in that endeavor. We also started our own radio station called the Shield of Faith Broadcast Network, which allows people from various locations to work, worship and serve the Lord together while building up the household of faith in their distinct Ministries

God is so good that we were also led to start an after school program, summer camps, Basketball Tournaments and healthy aging services for seniors. Over the course of time my fear turned to faith I had allowed the Lord to use me to address the issues I saw and heard; and to confront those issues in the proper way.

Believe it or not God can do the same for you.

We may not have been as successful if we would have attempted to do all of these things under our own power; but we don’t know what’s happening in the spiritual realm.

My mind goes back to David and how the dilemma he was in. He wanted to be there for the people but he also wanted to protect his parents.

“David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them.

And there were with him about four hundred men. And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and my mother stay with you,” till I 32

know what God will do for me."

1 Samuel 22:1-3 ESV Notice how the Scriptures tells us how distressed, discontented and in debt they were; and the immense responsibilities David had for four hundred plus people. He wanted to make sure his family was protected but what really stuck out and I point this out for you is the scripture says; till I know what God would do for me. Do you see what he did? He put God first, he would not make a move until he was aware of what God was going to do. There will come a time that your faith will be challenged and that is when you have to stay rooted and grounded in what you believe. There will be times that you will not understand what’s going on, but hold on to his word. Hold on to His promises. Amen .

Chapter 6 How To Walk As Overcomers

Walking as an overcomer, comes with fasting, praying and devotion to the lord, in every step you make. The Bible says holding forth the word of life that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain either Labour in vain.

Remember.

“God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and

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shall he not make it good?”

Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

Numbers 23:19-20 KJV

We have to remember that for every storm that comes our way, we can see God in everything we do. We have learned that in order to become an overcomer. You have to face the challenges in your life. There will be times where it seems like things didn’t work out the way you thought but we should learn from those things.

“I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.”

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Isaiah 45:2-3 KJV

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”

1 John 4:4 KJV

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalms 27:1 KJV There have been a lot of disappointments in my walk with Christ but it taught me how to persevere be an overcomer. To trust him is to love him and to believe in him and to have faith forever, more. Amen.

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Chapter 7 Remember Who The Lord Is Through It All

I remember going through a trial in my life a while back. I had a hiatal hernia and there were some complications and physical problems that occurred because of this. While I was in the hospital I had lost feeling in the left side of my shoulder. I began to experience a lot of pain. The suffering was intense. The pain was excruciating.

It got to the point where I couldn’t believe this 38

was happening to me. This was one of my greatest challenges. To God be the glory it has taken several years for me to get the movement back in my arm. The circulation is coming back and the nerve damage is starting to heal.

So what does this all mean. It means we have to remember who the Lord is in our lives. We have to remember that even in our times of doubt, pain, suffering and loss God is still in control. It may not seem like it. We may feel as if God has abandoned us. We may question His presence, power and love for us. But we have to remember That God is God. He doesn’t owe us an explanation; but we owe Him our lives, our praise and our worship. God called many of us to become leaders, Watchers, counselors, mouthpieces for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To build up His kingdom all for His glory.

"The Church ... believes in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them; and in one

Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit" In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit is one of the three divine persons of the Holy Trinity who make up the single substance of God; that is, the Spirit is considered to act in concert with and share an essential nature with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus).

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”

Isaiah 54:17 KJV

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

1 Peter 3:12 KJV

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

John 16:13 KJV

While I’m reading these scriptures I’m realizing how much God loves me not only did his only begotten son stay on that cross for mel but he has given us the strength to pull down our strongholds, issues, and temptations that comes our way. Victory is ours so just continue to keep the faith and your trust in the Lord. The Bible says I will bless the Lord at all times and his praises shall continually be in my mouth. What makes me do the things I do. I do these things for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ he is my Lord he is my king and he is my savior.

Remembering who the Lord is through it all means to put God first in all the things that’s what we do.

“Faith is taking the first step even when You don’t see the whole staircase.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

BISHOP EARLIN THOMAS Bishop Earlin Thomas was born in Brooklyn, New York, he is the third child of 11 children born to his parents Louise and McKinley Thomas. His spiritual upbringing and development began early in life when he was exposed to the ministries of Pastor Vivian L. Perkins of God Watchtower of Prayer Citadel of Hope for All People. Due to his early experiences of witnessing many healings and miracles in their ministries, Bishop Thomas received great inspiration by witnessing the power of God in operation. Later on in his life these events would be the catalyst that would lead him to pursue the call of God on his life.

At an early age Bishop Thomas attended the Tabernacle of Prayer bible school under the pastorate of Apostle Johnny Washington Bishop Thomas received his pastoral license and was a member of the Board of Presbyters of the Deliverance Jesus Is Coming Association of Churches. 2019 marks Bishop Earlin’s 40th year as a pastor. Bishop Thomas was ordained bishop under the tutelage of Apostle Irene Glover of Highways and Hedges Ministry Inc Bishop Thomas is -founder of Shield of Faith Ministries •

CEO of Vine Development Community Arrange the After-School Programs for the youth, teach literacy classes, and maintain the awareness of abstinence classes for the teens in the community.

Schedule trips to broaden a youthful environment.

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Hired the summer and fall interns for the summer and afterschool programs

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Coordinated Holistic Job Fairs with Dress for Success, Army, and other agencies

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Arranged and established several varied Youth Programs affiliated with WBC Anti Bullying programs for the Public Schools in Jersey City

Bishop Thomas has been continuing in his work for the Lord through Mission Work to India over the past 8 years; and he has also started the Shield of Faith Broadcasting Network, which is an internet radio station that has been in operation over the last 6 years.

This ministry work has allowed him to spread God’s word over the airwaves and has allowed his ministry to grow for the Glory of God. As a husband and father, Bishop Thomas is dedicated to his family and has been happily married to Pastor Debra Thomas for 28 years. Throughout the course of their marriage God has blessed them with one son one son; Ezekireal. Bishop Thomas contributes the blessings in his life to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

With his love for God and the people God has entrusted him with, Bishop Thomas's ultimate goal is to allow God to use him in reaching the lost and reconciling the hopeless & needy with the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and building up the body of Christ with the Word of God.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: •

EVANGELICAL Bible Institute ~ Major in Theology ~ Earned BA

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EVANGELICAL Bible Institute ~ Christian Counseling

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MTI Business School ~ 1987 ~ Data Entry

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South Shore High School ~ 1977 ~ Business Law & Criminology training.