When Light Breaks In

This past Sunday, we reflected on what happens when the light of Christ breaks into dark places, our hearts, our homes, and our world. The message, “When Light Breaks In,” wasn’t just about illumination; it was about transformation. Because when the light of God shines, nothing stays the same.

Light doesn’t argue with darkness; it simply reveals truth and drives it away. In John 1:5, the apostle writes, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” That verse isn’t poetic, it’s powerful. It means that no matter how heavy the shadow may seem, darkness never wins when Jesus shows up.

Many of us go through seasons where it feels like the night is closing in, where fear, confusion, or pain surround us. But even in the darkest places, God’s light is still breaking through. Sometimes, it happens in small moments, a word that lifts our spirit, a prayer that brings peace, a worship song that reawakens our faith. Other times, it bursts in like the dawn, scattering everything that once seemed overwhelming.

But here’s what we often miss: light doesn’t just reveal what’s around us; it reveals what’s within us. When God’s light shines, it exposes things we’ve hidden like wounds, pride, unforgiveness, or fear. That might be uncomfortable, but it’s also healing. God doesn’t expose to shame us; He exposes to free us.

In the book of Acts, Saul was on a road filled with his own darkness when a bright light from Heaven surrounded him. In that moment, the persecutor became the preacher, and a new life began. That’s what happens when light breaks in, blind eyes see, broken hearts heal, and what was lost is found again.

This is not just a story about ancient miracles; it’s the story of every believer. Every time you allow God to shine His truth into an area of your life, you experience breakthrough. Every time you surrender a dark thought, a hidden fear, or an old hurt to His presence, His light transforms it.

The world around us is desperate for light. People are stumbling through confusion and hopelessness, but Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.” That means the light that once broke into your darkness is now meant to shine through you.

Let’s not hide it. Let’s not dim it. Let’s live in such a way that His light in us brings hope to others. Because the same light that saved us is still powerful enough to save the world.

When light breaks in, everything changes, and maybe this week, God is asking us to open the door and let that light flood in once again.

In His light,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

From Blessing to Breakthrough: Thanksgiving is a Weapon

This past Sunday’s message reminded us that gratitude isn’t just a polite response to God’s blessings — it’s a powerful spiritual weapon. When we give thanks in the middle of difficulty, we are doing far more than expressing appreciation; we are declaring faith, aligning our hearts with Heaven, and silencing the voice of the enemy.

Too often, we treat thanksgiving as something we do after God moves. But Scripture shows us that thanksgiving is meant to come before the breakthrough. It’s an act of faith that releases power into our circumstances. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Notice he didn’t say “for everything,” but in everything. Gratitude doesn’t deny reality — it declares that God is greater than it.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were beaten, chained, and thrown into the inner prison. But at midnight, they began to pray and sing praises to God. They didn’t wait until they were free to be thankful — they used thanksgiving as a weapon in their darkest hour. The Bible says that as they praised, the foundations of the prison shook, the doors flew open, and every chain fell off. Their thanksgiving didn’t just set them free — it set everyone around them free too.

That’s the power of praise and gratitude. When you choose to thank God in the middle of your struggle, you are shaking the foundations of the enemy’s stronghold. You’re declaring, “My circumstances don’t define my faith — my faith defines my circumstances.” Thanksgiving is spiritual warfare. It confuses hell because the enemy doesn’t know what to do with a believer who can praise God in the storm.

When we grumble, we give strength to fear. But when we give thanks, we strengthen our faith. Gratitude realigns our perspective and reminds us of who is truly in control. It shifts our focus from what we’ve lost to what we still have, from what’s broken to what’s being built, and from what’s missing to what’s on the way.

You may be waiting for your breakthrough, but what if the key to it is already in your hands — the key of thanksgiving? Open your mouth and give God praise, not just for what He’s done, but for what He’s about to do. Let thanksgiving rise in your heart like a battle cry. It’s not weakness — it’s warfare.

Your blessing becomes breakthrough when gratitude becomes your language.

With a heart full of thanks,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

Open Your Eyes: You're More Blessed Than You Know

This week’s message was a reminder that sometimes the greatest breakthrough we’re waiting for begins when we finally recognize the blessings that are already around us. Too often, we get so focused on what’s next that we overlook what God is doing right now.

In 2 Kings 6:15–17, the servant of Elisha panicked when he saw the enemy army surrounding them. But Elisha prayed, “Lord, open his eyes that he may see.” In that moment, the servant’s eyes were opened, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire — the army of the Lord already in position to protect them.

That’s what this message is all about. God is already at work. Even when you feel surrounded by trouble, you are actually surrounded by favor. You may feel pressed, but you are not abandoned. You might be waiting for a miracle, but the blessing is already closer than you realize.

We tend to think breakthrough happens only when the circumstances change. But sometimes, breakthrough happens when our perspective changes. Elisha’s servant didn’t need God to send something new — he needed to see what God had already sent.

If you could see what God sees, you would stop worrying about what you’re facing. You’d realize that what looks like a setback is often a setup. That even in your struggle, God’s grace is sustaining you. Every closed door, every delay, every detour — they’re not proof that God has forgotten you. They’re signs that He’s preparing you for something greater.

So often, we pray for God to move, but in truth, He’s waiting for us to open our eyes. Blessing turns to breakthrough when we stop complaining about what we don’t have and start thanking God for what we do. Gratitude unlocks clarity. Faith sharpens focus. And when our perspective shifts, what once looked like opposition suddenly becomes opportunity.

Maybe your prayer this week doesn’t need to be, “Lord, give me more,” but rather, “Lord, help me see.” See the blessings you’ve taken for granted. See the protection you didn’t notice. See the hand of God in places that once only looked like pain.

When your eyes are open to His goodness, you realize — you’re not waiting for breakthrough. You’re standing in it.

In His grace,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

The Spirit of the Pharisee

In our current series, we’ve been uncovering religious spirits that subtly infiltrate the church — not always in obvious or dramatic ways, but often in ways that feel spiritual, respectable, and even justified. This week, we addressed one of the most deceptive of them all: the spirit of the Pharisee.

This spirit is dangerous because it doesn’t look rebellious. It looks religious. It looks committed, structured, and even scripturally sound. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day knew Scripture better than anyone. They were disciplined, knowledgeable, highly respected — and yet Jesus confronted them more than He confronted sinners. Why? Because they had mastered the appearance of holiness while completely missing the heart of God.

The spirit of the Pharisee elevates image over intimacy. It is more concerned with looking right than being right with God. It can quote verses, lead worship, serve in ministry — and still lack compassion, humility, and love. It polishes the outside while the inside grows dry. Jesus described it as being like a whitewashed tomb — outwardly beautiful, inwardly lifeless. Religious appearance with no spiritual heartbeat.

One of the clearest signs this spirit is at work is when people become more critical than compassionate. When conviction turns into comparison. When holiness becomes performance instead of transformation. When it’s easier to spot someone else’s flaws than to allow God to deal with our own. Over time, the spirit of the Pharisee will cause a person to defend tradition but resist transformation, speak truth without love, and value being impressive more than being surrendered.

The tragedy of this spirit is that it convinces people they are close to God — while their heart is drifting from Him. It replaces relationship with routine. It replaces fire with form. And it kills revival before it even starts. Not through scandal or obvious sin — but through pride, judgment, and spiritual coldness dressed up as maturity.

The answer is not trying harder to appear spiritual. It’s allowing God to soften the heart again. To return to true humility. To lay down the need to be seen or validated and simply desire Jesus more than reputation. God is not moved by polished words or religious performance — He is moved by authenticity, brokenness, and surrendered hearts.

Let’s be a church known not just for what we know — but for how deeply we walk with Jesus. Not just for order — but for love. Not just for structure — but for spiritual life. Let’s guard our hearts from becoming people who look righteous on the outside but have no hunger on the inside.

True holiness doesn’t make us harder — it makes us more like Jesus.

In grace and truth,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
“Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ”

The Spirit of Leviathan

This week we continued our Exposing Religious Spirits series by tackling one of the most subtle yet destructive spirits mentioned in Scripture — The Spirit of Leviathan. It is a twisting, prideful spirit that distorts truth, divides relationships, and seeks to choke out the move of God through confusion, miscommunication, and spiritual suffocation.

While Jezebel attacks through manipulation and control, Leviathan attacks through distortion and division — especially in communication, unity, and understanding between believers, pastors, spouses, and even entire churches.

1. What Is the Spirit of Leviathan?

The Bible describes Leviathan in Job 41 as a powerful, untamable sea serpent — fierce, proud, and impossible to reason with. It is also mentioned in Psalm 74:14 and Isaiah 27:1, where it is directly connected to spiritual warfare.

This spirit is a master of twisting words, sowing misunderstanding, and creating offense. It feeds on pride and operates especially in environments where unity is under attack.

2. How Leviathan Operates Today

Here are some common symptoms of this spirit at work:

• Twisted conversations — “That’s not what I said!”… “That’s not what I meant!”

• Offense born out of misunderstanding — small comments become major fractures

• Gossip & misinterpretation — words repeated out of context

• Strained communication between spouses, leaders, and churches

• Pride, defensiveness, and refusal to humble down

• Feeling spiritually “choked” or unable to breathe — loss of clarity or peace

Leviathan’s goal is to destroy unity, break trust, twist truth, and suffocate spiritual momentum.

3. The Root Is Pride — The Entry Point Is Offense

The Bible describes Leviathan as the king over all the children of pride (Job 41:34). Pride opens the door. So does hidden offense, secret resentment, or unspoken misunderstandings.

This is why healthy communication, humility, and early reconciliation are essential to protecting homes and churches from this spirit.

4. How to Defeat the Spirit of Leviathan

Leviathan cannot be debated with — it must be defeated spiritually.
Here’s how we overcome it:

• Humility breaks its power. Pride feeds Leviathan; humility starves it.

• Clarity and direct communication close the door. No more assuming — ask, confirm, clarify.

• Repent quickly of offense or secret judgment. Don’t let bitterness ferment.

• Pray for the Spirit of Truth and Peace to guard your heart and relationships.

• Cover your leaders, church, marriage, and ministries in prayer daily.

Isaiah 27:1 declares that God Himself will “punish Leviathan… and slay the dragon.” This battle is not won by intellect or emotion — but by the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and a posture of humility.

Closing Thoughts: Protect the Unity, Guard the Flow

The Spirit of Leviathan is after one thing — the flow of God’s Spirit, unity, and breakthrough in your life and church.

But we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices. We refuse to allow pride, assumption, or misunderstanding to create division. We choose humility over pride, clarity over assumption, unity over confusion, and the Holy Spirit over every counterfeit.

I encourage you this week — before reacting, pause. Before assuming, clarify. Before accusing, pray.
This is how we guard the atmosphere for revival.

We are a house of unity. And where unity is — God commands the blessing.

With spiritual clarity and authority,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

The Spirit of Jezebel

This week we continued our series “Exposing Religious Spirits” by confronting one of the most dangerous and manipulative influences that can operate within the church—the Spirit of Jezebel. While the name comes from the infamous Queen Jezebel in Scripture, this spirit is not limited to gender or time. It is a demonic influence that seeks to manipulate, control, and silence the prophetic voice of God’s people.

1. The Jezebel Spirit in Scripture

Our main text came from 1 Kings 21:5–16 and Revelation 2:20, where the same spirit that once worked through Queen Jezebel in Israel is later rebuked by Jesus in the church of Thyatira.

Jezebel was married to King Ahab, but she was the one who truly controlled the throne. She used manipulation, deceit, and intimidation to advance her agenda. She silenced prophets, corrupted worship, and turned hearts away from God.

In Revelation 2:20, Jesus says:
“Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.”

This shows us that the spirit of Jezebel is not just ancient—it’s active. It infiltrates churches, relationships, and leadership structures to weaken spiritual authority and disrupt unity.

2. The Nature of the Jezebel Spirit

The spirit of Jezebel thrives wherever pride, insecurity, and ambition are left unchecked. It is not about gender—it is about control. This spirit will attach itself to anyone who allows bitterness or offense to open the door.

Here’s how it often operates:

• Manipulation: Using charm, flattery, or emotional pressure to control others.

• Intimidation: Silencing spiritual authority or prophetic voices through fear or false accusation.

• Division: Turning people against one another, especially leadership, through gossip or subtle suggestion.

• Deception: Presenting false spirituality or “new revelation” that draws attention to self instead of God.

Jezebel’s goal is always to gain influence and undermine authority so that the true move of the Spirit is hindered.

3. How the Jezebel Spirit Attacks the Prophetic

The Jezebel spirit has always sought to destroy prophetic voices. In the Old Testament, Jezebel killed God’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4). In the New Testament, she corrupted prophetic authority in the church.

Why? Because the prophetic voice exposes lies, confronts sin, and calls people back to truth. When the enemy wants to silence revival, he attacks the prophetic.

This spirit often brings confusion, emotional exhaustion, and fear into those who carry prophetic callings. It will try to make leaders second-guess themselves and believers doubt their discernment.

But we must remember: God’s authority cannot be manipulated. His Word cannot be silenced.

4. Defeating the Spirit of Jezebel

You cannot cast out what you continue to tolerate. In Revelation 2:20, Jesus rebuked the church of Thyatira not for being deceived, but for tolerating Jezebel.

Defeating this spirit requires courage, discernment, and humility:

• Repent of any agreement with control or manipulation. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where pride, fear, or offense may have opened a door.

• Refuse to entertain gossip or slander. Jezebel thrives on divided loyalties.

• Honor spiritual authority. Jezebel’s rebellion feeds on dishonor. Submission to godly leadership breaks her influence.

• Pray for discernment. Ask God to sharpen your spiritual senses to recognize manipulation and control.

• Walk in purity and truth. Jezebel’s influence can’t stand in a heart fully surrendered to Jesus.

When we stand firm in the truth and walk in the Spirit, the Jezebel spirit loses its grip.

5. A Church That Cannot Be Controlled

The Church that is filled with the Holy Spirit, rooted in truth, and walking in unity is unstoppable. The spirit of Jezebel cannot thrive where there is transparency, humility, and spiritual authority under submission to Christ.

Now is the time for believers to rise up with spiritual discernment, refuse manipulation, and boldly proclaim God’s truth with love and confidence.

Closing Thoughts: Choose Freedom Over Control

The spirit of Jezebel may look powerful, but it is no match for the authority of Jesus Christ.

This week, pray that God would expose every area where control or fear has tried to influence your life. Ask Him to fill you with boldness, discernment, and humility so you can walk in freedom.

When the Jezebel spirit tries to silence God’s people, we respond with faith, truth, and the fire of the Holy Spirit.

We are not a church that tolerates manipulation—we are a church that walks in truth, unity, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

With truth and authority,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

The Spirit of Absalom

This past Sunday we continued our series “Exposing Religious Spirits” by addressing one of the most dangerous and divisive influences that can creep into the life of a church—the Spirit of Absalom. While the spirit of religion wears a mask of self-righteousness, the spirit of Absalom is far more deceptive. It works in whispers, builds alliances in the shadows, and seeks to undermine God-given authority for the sake of ambition and personal influence.

1. Who Was Absalom?

Absalom was the son of King David, and Scripture tells us he was admired for his charm, appearance, and ability to connect with people. But beneath that charisma was rebellion, pride, and bitterness. In 2 Samuel 15:1–6, we see Absalom standing at the city gate, intercepting those who came to the king, and subtly turning their hearts toward himself.

He didn’t confront his father directly at first; instead, he worked behind the scenes, sowing seeds of discontent and drawing people away from David’s leadership. Eventually, that spirit led to open rebellion and a civil war that nearly destroyed Israel.

2. How the Spirit of Absalom Operates Today

The same manipulative and divisive spirit is still at work in the Church today. It often looks like this:

• Whispering criticism against leadership instead of addressing concerns biblically.

• Forming cliques or alliances to gain influence or control.

• Offering “better” counsel than leadership to draw loyalty.

• Operating in offense or bitterness instead of seeking reconciliation.

This spirit doesn’t start with outright rebellion—it begins with subtle dissatisfaction, unhealed wounds, or unchecked ambition. If left unaddressed, it can fracture relationships, drain momentum, and bring confusion into the Body of Christ.

3. Recognizing and Resisting the Spirit of Absalom

How do we guard against this in our own lives and in the church?

• Guard your heart against offense. Offense is often the seed that gives the spirit of Absalom ground to operate. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

• Walk in humility. True spiritual authority is not about grabbing influence but serving faithfully. Philippians 2:3 tells us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

• Stay submitted to God’s order. Hebrews 13:17 reminds us that spiritual leaders are given to watch over our souls. Submission isn’t blind loyalty—it’s trusting that God works through His established authority.

• Be quick to reconcile. Don’t allow bitterness to take root. Matthew 18 gives us clear instruction to address conflict directly and biblically, not through gossip or manipulation.

4. The Call to Unity and Honor

The opposite of the Absalom spirit is the spirit of unity, humility, and honor. Psalm 133 says that when God’s people dwell together in unity, His blessing flows. The enemy knows this, which is why he works so hard to sow division through spirits like Absalom.

Our calling as the Church is to be a place of healing, trust, and honor—where authority is respected, where grievances are dealt with openly and lovingly, and where Jesus remains the true Head.

Closing Thoughts: Choose Relationship Over Rebellion

The spirit of Absalom thrives in the shadows of bitterness, pride, and offense. But the Spirit of Christ thrives in love, forgiveness, and humility.

This week, I encourage you to pray:

• “Lord, reveal any offense or pride in my heart.”

• “Help me walk in humility, honor, and unity.”

• “Let me be a peacemaker, not a divider.”

When we expose and resist the spirit of Absalom, we make room for the Spirit of God to move in freedom and power.

With love and discernment,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"

Exposing Religious Sprits: The Sprit of Religion

This past Sunday we began a bold and eye-opening series called “Exposing Religious Spirits,” starting with our first message: The Spirit of Religion. This teaching is vital for the health of the Church because religious spirits are subtle. They don’t always show up as blatant sin or open rebellion. They often hide behind tradition, ritual, or even what looks like spirituality, but their goal is always the same—to divide, manipulate, and draw people away from the freedom and power of Christ.

1. What Is the Spirit of Religion?

The spirit of religion is a counterfeit to true relationship with Jesus. It emphasizes outward appearance over inward transformation. It prioritizes rules over relationship and performance over intimacy with God.

Jesus confronted this spirit repeatedly during His earthly ministry. In Matthew 23:27–28, He said to the Pharisees,
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

Religion seeks to control and confine; relationship seeks to transform and free.

2. The Danger of Religious Spirits in the Church

Religious spirits create division and pride. They:

• Promote self-righteousness and comparison.

• Foster gossip, judgment, and a critical spirit.

• Resist the move of the Holy Spirit and spiritual freedom.

• Distract believers from the simplicity of the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 warns us of false apostles and deceitful workers, disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. This is why discernment is crucial—we cannot afford to be unaware of the enemy’s tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11).

3. Signs You’re Dealing With a Religious Spirit

We highlighted several signs from Scripture that reveal this spirit at work:

• Legalism – placing man-made rules over God’s Word.

• Performance-based faith – feeling loved by God only when you “do enough.”

• False humility or pride – drawing attention to your spirituality instead of Christ’s grace.

• Division and manipulation – sowing confusion or private “words” that bypass spiritual authority.

When these behaviors creep into a church or a believer’s life, they choke out the life of the Spirit and replace it with empty ritual.

4. Freedom Comes Through Relationship With Jesus

The antidote to the spirit of religion is simple but powerful: a vibrant, authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:1 declares, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

When we’re rooted in Christ’s love and led by the Holy Spirit:

• We value grace over legalism.

• We walk in humility instead of pride.

• We discern truth instead of falling for manipulation.

• We extend forgiveness and unity rather than sowing division.

True revival and transformation happen not through religion but through a personal encounter with Jesus.

5. Our Call as a Church

As a church family, we’re called to guard our hearts and our house against religious spirits. That means:

• We weigh every “word” or teaching against Scripture.

• We embrace accountability and healthy spiritual leadership.

• We pursue unity, humility, and grace above all.

We must be a place where the Spirit of God is welcomed and Jesus is exalted—where people encounter freedom, not bondage; relationship, not religion.

Closing Thoughts: Keep Your Heart Free

This week, I encourage you to examine your own heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any traces of religion that may have crept in—pride, self-righteousness, comparison, or judgment. Invite Him to fill you with His presence and renew your focus on Jesus.

We’re not called to a lifeless ritual; we’re called to an abundant relationship. Let’s be a church that walks in freedom, discernment, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

With truth and grace,
Pastor Chris Tullis
Grace Christian Center
"Empowered by Grace, Living in Faith, Growing in Christ"