I Declare #1 - Different Thinking

Opening

New Year, new resolutions

But how often do those resolutions truly bring change to your life? (lose weight, work out, eat right, etc.)

Many will start our 21 days of prayer next week with a strong resolution - then wane

How do I know? I DO IT!

Want to bring TRUE change in 2018. Change for the better, the positive.

Most problems and hiccups we have in life come from our bad thinking, which leads to bad actions, which lead to bad consequences.

Open the door for God to truly work in our lives.

Our way of thinking can set God free to work or shut Him down.

Paul addressed this in:

Romans 8:5 NET

For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.

Outlook

“Outlook” is our viewpoint on life - our WAY of thinking.

The how, what and why

Its HOW we see things

Negative or positive, good or bad

Ever wonder why two people can see the same thing, go through the same stuff and describe it so very differently? Its their OUTLOOK on life

Caught the bridge - I’ll be late OR God keeping me from a wreck. Messing up my schedule OR gives me time to chill

If you’re on social media, you can see it in your friends -

Its WHAT we see in the things around us

We know there is both good and evil in the world. What do you see first?

Hope or hopelessness

God or devil

Its WHY we believe things are happening

God doesn’t love me. He’s punishing me. He’s failing me.

God loves me so much, he’s working to take things out of me. He’s paying special attention to me.

Changing our Thinking

How we think brings life and peace or it brings death.

Some would say “that’s just the way I am”. Can’t change. No way no how.

Some would say “I just call it like I see it”. That’s the problem, you’re seeing it from the world’s point of view, NOT God’s

This building . . .

(picture?)

NEED TO GET SOME DIFFERENT THINKING!!

Different Thinking

Remember I said: Our way of thinking can set God free to work or shut Him down?

Look at this passage:

Romans 12:2 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

NOT God change the way you think so you’ll be a new person - He can’t - YOUR will

ITS YOU change the way you think and THEN He will transform you.

This passage is saying just what we’ve already said: Our way of thinking can set God free to work or shut Him down.

When I change the way I think, God will transform me.

When I begin to think from a Spiritual point of view, God is set free to work in my life.

So I do I make that shift? How do I turn the ship? How do I change my course?

Look at this text:

James 3:2 NET

For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well.

My brain is a part of my body

James likens the tongue to a bride and a rudder

Let me give you a radical thought today:

The way I speak will ultimately change the way I think.

You say how can that happen.

Let me show you another scripture:

Proverbs 18:21 NIV

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Start at end: “eat its fruit” - we are what we eat. We’re shaped by what we eat. Likewise, we are shaped by what we say.

My tongue has the power to bring me death or bring me life.

Next verse after our opening text:

Romans 8:6 NIV

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Tongue can speak death, it can speak life - if I speak death, my mind is set on death. If I speak life and peace, my mind is set on life and peace. Because I am shaped by what I say.

I can’t say it without thinking it.

If I say it enough, I will begin to think it.

My story (if I have time)

Coming Weeks