Series 2nd Month March Series Sanctification message 3

Noel Merrick

Series 2nd Month March Series Sanctification message 3 • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

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SANCTIFICATION

God Calls us to

II} A LIFE OF GROWTH.

A} MENTAL GROWTH

1, PUT ON THE MIND OF CHRIST

++Putting On The Mind of Christ

Introduction. ()

Philippians 2:1–8 KJV 1900

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Note: the phrase in vs. 5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Christians must seek to imitate the attitudes and behavior of Jesus.

This is a difficult task! We tend to think like the world.

We tend to react like the world. Yet if we aspire to the name “Christian” we must strive to be “Christ-like.”

We tend to react like the world. Yet if we aspire to the name

“Christian” we must strive to be “Christ-like.”

We can never allow ourselved to be content with thinking and acting in ways that Christ would not.

I fall miserably short of this! I can preach His word and yet then possess attitudes and behaviors that are nothing at all like the way Christ would behave.

I fall miserably short of this! I can preach His word and yet then

possess attitudes and behaviors that are nothing at all like the way Christ would behave.

All of us feel this way at times.

Our shortcomings lead us to feel like giving up.

But we must always see our lives in Christ as a process rather than an accomplishment.

None of us has yet grown to the point the Lord would have us to be, and yet for the child of God who recognizes their weaknesses, repents of them and struggles to overcome them we have a God in heaven who patiently, lovingly and forgivingly bears with us.

None of us has yet grown to the point the Lord would have us to be,

and yet for the child of God who recognizes their weaknesses,

repents of them and struggles to overcome them we have a God in heaven who patiently,

lovingly and forgivingly bears with us.

Having the mind of Christ must be thought of as a growth process.

We strive to do away with how we think and act that is not “Christ-like” and put on a mind and behavior that is “Christ-like.”

We strive to do away with how we think and act that is not “Christ-like”

and put on a mind and behavior that is “Christ-like.”

Yet to do that we must understand what the mind of Christ is.

This MORNING I’d like for us to meditate for a few moments upon what the Bible demonstrates about the mind of Christ.

what the Bible demonstrates about the mind of Christ.

I. It Was Not “Carnal” () The word “carnal” refers to that which pertains to the flesh.

Romans 8:5–9 KJV 1900

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

I. It Was Not “Carnal” () The word “carnal” refers to that which pertains to the flesh.

The flesh is not always sinful, but it is always temporary. Jesus was... Interested in spiritual matters (; ).

Interested in spiritual matters (; ).

II. It Was Not Interested In Retribution ().

1 Peter 2:21–24 KJV 1900

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Nor Self defense ().

Matthew 27:11–14 KJV 1900

11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Sometimes we have to be more interested in the “big picture” than in petty efforts to defend ourselves.

Sometimes we have to be more interested in the “big picture”

than in petty efforts to defend ourselves.

III. It Was Patient.

Towards bad attitudes among the disciples (; ).

Luke 9:46–48 KJV 1900

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

Luke 22:24–30 KJV 1900

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Towards misunderstood teaching (,; ).

Luke 17:20 KJV 1900

20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Towards misunderstood teaching (,; ).

Luke 17:21 KJV 1900

21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Acts 1:6–8 KJV 1900

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

IV. It Is Considerate ().

Matthew 19:13–15 KJV 1900

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

“The kindness of God...through Jesus Christ.” ().

Titus 3:3–7 KJV 1900

3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

V. It Is Compassionate (; ; ).

Matthew 9:36 KJV 1900

36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Matthew 14:14 KJV 1900

14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Matthew 15:32 KJV 1900

32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

“Jesus wept.” ().

John 11:32–36 KJV 1900

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

One who can sympathize ().

Hebrews 4:14–16 KJV 1900

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

One who can sympathize ().

“Father forgive them.” ().

Luke 23:34 KJV 1900

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Conclusion.

May it be as Paul says,

“Let this mind be in you.” ().

Philippians 2:5 KJV 1900

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

“Let this mind be in you.” ().

++The Renewing of Your Mind

God’s Principle Method for Success in the Christian’s Life

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

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.

I. Introduction ()

A. God did not create losers – defeated, discouraged, quitters

B. He created conquerors, soldiers, kings, priests, saints, and servants when He made us His children by our faith in Jesus Christ!

and servants when He made us His children by our faith in Jesus Christ!

C. Basically, God made mankind to be successful – God made Adam and Eve to be in control of this world – to dominate it

C. Basically, God made mankind to be successful –

God made Adam and Eve to be in control of this world – to dominate it

D. What happened? Man believed a lie

1. His spirit died.

2. His soul became lost.

3. His mind became darkened!

4. His body decayed until death!

E. God immediately took two lambs, and right before Adam and Eve’s eyes, He slew those two lambs, and let their blood pour out onto the ground. He then took the coats of skin and handed them to Adam and Eve to cover themselves – replace the fig leave fashion, for imputed righteousness.

and let their blood pour out onto the ground. He then took the coats of skin and handed

them to Adam and Eve to cover themselves

– replace the fig leave fashion, for imputed righteousness.

F. Those lambs were the price of sin – they paid, so Adam and Eve would not have to pay

G. That sacrifice, when accepted by two condemned sinners, it restored the relationship between them and God

H. It was their faith that re-generated, made alive again, their spirit inside them

I. But now that they were restored to God, they were forced to start all over – they were like children now needing to grow, and grow right

I. But now that they were restored to God, they were forced to start all over

– they were like children now needing to grow, and grow right

J. That’s where our success as Christians begins – in going back to the basics, and doing things right from the start, in the simple things

J. That’s where our success as Christians begins

– in going back to the basics, and doing things right from the start, in the simple things

K. One of the most important things for a Christian to maintain is their mind (,) – everything in your life is connected with how you think, and what you believe!

K. One of the most important things for a Christian to maintain is their mind (,)

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

– everything in your life is connected with how you think, and what you believe!

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

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.

– everything in your life is connected with how you think, and what you believe!

L. So, What does it mean, “Renewing of your mind?”

1. Recharging, Re-aligning, Restoring, Refreshing

2. Our mind is under the hardest of attacks of all time:

a. Visuals like MTV

b. Everything spoken has at least two meanings – one superficial, the other sexual

c. Newspapers are filled not with truth, but filth

d. Churches are all a pipe-dream, of fairy-tales

3. Jesus did not come and WOW everybody. He took the time, to speak in human language, and teach, and show, and explain, and reason with us

to speak in human language, and teach, and show, and explain, and reason with us

M. Renewing your mind is more important than eating – I will show you

N. Four Steps to Renewing of your mind

1. Evaluation

2. Elimination

3. Memorization

4. And Meditation

O. It HAS to be made mandatory, and daily – no exceptions! Your mind desperately needs this!

The world desperately needs Christians who in mind are sane, and stable, and strong – not ill-prepared in the battle of souls!

– not ill-prepared in the battle of souls!

II. Message

A. Evaluation – Compare what you are on the inside with what Jesus was like on the inside – that is our only basis for comparison – not each other, or religions

A. Evaluation – Compare what you are on the inside with what Jesus was like on the inside

– that is our only basis for comparison – not each other, or religions

1. Take inventory of your spiritual condition

2. Focus your attention on your spirit – that part of you that relates to God

a. Not your outer-man, or your physical life

1) People have been deceived into looking at PICTURES of Jesus – the outer imaginary ideas of what people think He looked like

– the outer imaginary ideas of what people think He looked like

2) And they have missed His Inner Man – His spirit as shown in the Scriptures

b. You need to ignore also the emotional aspects of your life as well

c. They are all interrelated, but the inner-most part of you is the spirit

d. It is the foundation, or the centre-piece of your life

1) Your spirit is what holds you up – source of your attitude ()

Proverbs 18:14 KJV 1900

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?

1) Your spirit is what holds you up – source of your attitude ()

a) Good or bad attitude

b) Full of joy, or full of sorrow

c) Full of God, or full of sin

d) It is all because of the condition of your “spirit”

2) Your spirit is what you really are like (; )

Proverbs 20:27 KJV 1900

27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, Searching all the inward parts of the belly.

2) Your spirit is what you really are like (; )

1 Corinthians 2:11 KJV 1900

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

e. It is in your spirit that you see whether there is emptiness or not – you may have all the money, all the girls, all the praise, all the potential – and yet be absolutely empty

e. It is in your spirit that you see whether there is emptiness or not

– you may have all the money, all the girls, all the praise, all the potential

– and yet be absolutely empty

1) If there is no Holy Spirit, or even the fullness of the Spirit

2) Only religious activity, and busyness to cover emptiness

3) No personal relationship with a spiritual Being in heaven!

f. It is in your “spirit” that you really worship God ()

John 4:24 KJV 1900

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

f. It is in your “spirit” that you really worship God ()

1) Your emotions don’t matter to your worship – praise God anyway, rejoice in the Lord ALWAY

2) Your wages don’t matter – poorest man alive, yet happiest

3) Your “lot” in life doesn’t matter – have a home in heaven!

4) Your loneliness doesn’t matter – Christ in you, greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world

5) Your losses don’t matter (Philp 3) – just so that you can get to know Jesus more!

6) You may be in prison, and on death row, and yet you sing, and praise God, and preach and win souls, and live above the world ()

6) You may be in prison, and on death row, and yet you sing, and praise God,

and preach and win souls, and live above the world ()

7) All because, IN YOUR SPIRIT is success, you have arrived already to God’s place of blessing – in your inner man!

7) All because, IN YOUR SPIRIT is success, you have arrived already to God’s place of blessing

– in your inner man!

g. If your “worship” is dry and empty, you need your mind renewed

h. As a matter of fact, if you have not had your mind renewed on a daily basis, you are in deep need for renewing!

h. As a matter of fact, if you have not had your mind renewed on a daily basis,

you are in deep need for renewing!

The worse we are getting, the longer we go without it!

3. Now, How do we take this first step – Evaluation?

a. List out your spiritual needs as of this moment

b. Prioritise them in an order of importance

1) Maybe it is to get born again – quit putting it off – highest spiritual need of all mankind – the reason why Jesus came!

1) Maybe it is to get born again – quit putting it off – highest spiritual need of all mankind

– the reason why Jesus came!

2) How about Rest from worry and anxiety, “fretting”, and fear?

3) Victory of temptation’s power over your life

4) Ability to lead a soul to Christ – that is only a spiritual ability

a) Courage to witness

4) Ability to lead a soul to Christ – that is only a spiritual ability

a) Courage to witness

b) Ability to Draw the net – not just ramble on

5) Having a VIBRANT relationship with God Almighty

c. Alright, have you got a list?

B. Elimination – Purge out (; ,

1. Remember the parable of the sower and the soil

a. All four soils had good seed – can’t complain, or should stop complaining about the kind of seed God uses – the word of God

a. All four soils had good seed – can’t complain, or should stop complaining about the kind of seed God uses

– the word of God

b. But all four spoils were not prepared, or ready for the seed, only 1

c. The best soil was

1) Plowed

2) Weeded

3) AND cleared – purged from stones and other things that would interfere with the growth of the plant

d. Every heart and spirit must be prepared for the soil to take root, and to bear fruit – this is where the work begins! The first step is faith. The second step is work!

– this is where the work begins! The first step is faith. The second step is work!

2. We live in such an age that we think it strange to be commanded to “do without” things – but it is so that we can RECEIVE some things

– but it is so that we can RECEIVE some things!

a. God asks us to fast on occasion – do without food, and pray

b. And to separate ourselves from things that should not be in a Christian’s life – period () so that we can shine as lights

b. And to separate ourselves from things that should not be in a Christian’s life

2 Corinthians 6 KJV 1900

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

– period () so that we can shine as lights

3. Part of our evaluation therefore has to be to see what is in our life that is blocking the Lord’s working in His Vineyard (which is US)

that is blocking the Lord’s working in His Vineyard (which is US)

4. We have to be able to

a. Burn the things that are demonic – Oui-Ja boards, Tarot cards, etc

b. Break the hold of this world on our hearts and minds – like MTV, love of money, family control, and specific sins that enslave us

b. Break the hold of this world on our hearts and minds

– like MTV, love of money, family control, and specific sins that enslave us

C. Memorization.

1. Start with single verse of Scripture that answers you spiritual need

a. Salvation – ; ;

1 John 5:12 KJV 1900

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Acts 16:31 KJV 1900

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

b. Sorrow – ;

1 John 1:4 KJV 1900

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

b. Sorrow – ;

John 15:11 KJV 1900

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

c. Temptations –

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV 1900

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

d. Tiredness –

Proverbs 19:15 KJV 1900

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

e. Worry –

John 14:1 KJV 1900

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2. No easy way – just go over and over verses of Scripture, reading them,and trying to retain them in our dim brains!

and trying to retain them in our dim brains!

3. Expand it to larger portions of Scripture – don’t be satisfied with just a few Scriptures

– don’t be satisfied with just a few Scriptures

a.

Psalm 91 KJV 1900

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, And shew him my salvation.

b.

c.

d.

4. Why is this important?

a. It is by means of the Scriptures, saturating your mind and heart and spirit with them that your mind and heart and spirit are CLEANSED ()

John 15:3 KJV 1900

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

with them that your mind and heart and spirit are CLEANSED ()

b. The Scriptures, and only the Scriptures build your faith, one line at a time ()

Romans 10:17 KJV 1900

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

D. Meditation (; ) – This is where we want to get

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalm 1:3 KJV 1900

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

1. There is no short-cut

2. You have to first: Evaluate, then Eliminate, Memorize

3. THEN, you can Meditate – think, ponder, muse, contemplate, study, chew on, discover the strength, and spiritual resources that are in the eternal word of the Almighty God ()

3. THEN, you can Meditate – think, ponder, muse, contemplate, study, chew on, discover the strength,

Job 23:12 KJV 1900

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

and spiritual resources

that are in the eternal word of the Almighty God ()

4. Wrong Concept about Meditation

a. Turning OFF your mind – always calling it RESTING

b. What is meant is that you yield your mind to something called “nothingness”

c. The problem is, when you give up control of your mind and spirit to anything but the Lord Jesus Christ, you are inviting demons and powers in to TAKE control – nature abhors a vacuum

c. The problem is, when you give up control of your mind and spirit,

to anything but the Lord Jesus Christ, you are inviting demons and powers in to TAKE control

– nature abhors a vacuum

5. The Right Way of Meditation ()

Genesis 24:63 KJV 1900

And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

5. The Right Way of Meditation ()

a. First, Minimize – minimize all the distractions of life for a while

1) Take a portion of Scripture

2) Get alone – no TV, radio, kids, family, work, phones, etc

3) Relax – at the end of a day ()

Psalm 63:6 KJV 1900

When I remember thee upon my bed, And meditate on thee in the night watches.

3) Relax – at the end of a day ()

4) Walk slowly, or sit with a good outdoors view

b. Then, Begin to Visualize

1) Picture the Scriptures (). See the agony, the remorse, the cleansing of confession of sin to God

2) Put yourself into the shoes of the one speaking, or the one hearing God speak

3) Ask yourself questions ()

a) Is Jesus MY Shepherd?

b) Why is it that I always seem to lack or want?

c) When the Lord tries to get me to lie down, do I yield?

4) Fill your choices with the right choices as presented in Scripture ()

John 6:66–69 KJV 1900

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

c. Then Personalize - Make the Scriptures speak to YOU ()

Psalm 91:14–16 KJV 1900

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, And shew him my salvation.

1) Make the Bible written just for you!

2) Learn to trust the Author of the Bible

3) If the Bible is a study book, a textbook, a catechism, or a religious exercise, then it is a millstone around your neck

3) If the Bible is a study book, a textbook, a catechism, or a religious exercise,

then it is a millstone around your neck

4) It HAS to be something that is alive, and part of you, because you have lived in it, and it lives in you!

6. It is at this point, that all that you do, will be a success – not always monetarily, but spiritually!

III. Conclusion

A. God was not going to allow the devil to destroy what God had started. So He provided a substitute for sin – first lambs, then His very own Son – THE Lamb

– first lambs, then His very own Son – THE Lamb

B. THAT one event bruised Satan’s head

++Cleaning Up the Mind

The First Step in Renewing Our Minds

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

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.

I. Introduction ()

Psalm 119:9 KJV 1900

BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

A. We are told that we must renew our minds as Christians.

1. Revive our minds from apathy, and sinful tendencies

2. Restore our minds to their proper use and purpose

3. Daily!

B. Our minds FIRST need to be cleaned up!

1. The things that occur between our two ears are hurting us more than we admit – and yet we spend very little time and effort making sure this most marvellous organ of our body is clean and functioning well!

– and yet we spend very little time and effort making sure this most marvellous

organ of our body is clean and functioning well!

2. When any of us got born again, we didn’t leave our minds behind… we just had them fixed, washed, cleansed, renewed – so that we can use them for right!

we just had them fixed, washed, cleansed, renewed – so that we can use them for right!

3. It’s like putting all kinds of grunge, and dirty petrol and diesel into your engine and thinking it will just keep running.

engine and thinking it will just keep running.

I mistakenly put petrol briefly in our diesel van there several years ago, and nearly ruined the engine – the diesel had to be flushed out, the fuel filter had to be replaced.

– the diesel had to be flushed out, the fuel filter had to be replaced.

If I had driven it very far at all, the cylinders would have melted, and the fuel pump would have burned out because of lack of any lubricant.

If I had driven it very far at all, the cylinders would have melted,

and the fuel pump would have burned out because of lack of any lubricant.

C. So many people live with filth-filled minds, and need a good flushing out – a good cleaning

D. I aim to do that this morning! With the aid of this Book!

Pay attention to what the Bible says about fixing the mind, and you will have a life, a clean conscience, a walk with God that carries no guilt or shame!

and you will have a life, a clean conscience,

a walk with God that carries no guilt or shame!

II. Background

A. What is the Mind?

1. Our mind is what governs our life

a. We are not vegetables, or blobs of skin and bones

b. We have a mind that can mould and shape the world around us to match what we envision in our heads!

c. Our mind decides what our heart can feel

d. Our mind decides what our lips say

e. Our mind is what decides where our feet take us

f. Our mind decides what our eyes look at

g. Our mind, is what governs, and directs our whole life!

2. It is how you think. It’s the way you think about things.

3. It is the source of all your thoughts – what you think, why you think them.

4. It is your memory storage unit

5. It is your realm of dreams and design – our imagination

6. It is the courtroom where you weigh evidence and make decisions.

7. It is where your will is decided upon.

8. It is our conscience

9. It is the most marvellous thing!

a. It can store and remember memories from our earliest childhood

b. It can remember smells, textures

c. It can instantly weigh up facts and make decisions

10. It is what we love God with ()!

Mark 12:30 KJV 1900

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

a. We do not love God with just our hearts or just our minds, but both.

b. Not just being "intellectual" about our faith, but thinking and feeling about what we believe.

B. What’s Wrong With the Mind?

1. We all start off with messed up minds. Blinded, darkened, lust driven, animalistic, defiled, ruined

a. ,, And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 6:5 KJV 1900

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 6:11 KJV 1900

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 6:12 KJV 1900

And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

It leads to all violence and corruption, tyranny!

b. You may think your mind is doing pretty good, but God sees our thoughts and imaginations as they really are – vain, selfish, sinful ()

and imaginations as they really are – vain, selfish, sinful ()

Psalm 94:11 KJV 1900

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.

c. What goes through your mind are not just “thoughts” but the seeds to all your actions

1) If you hate someone, you will end up hurting them

2) If you lust after someone, you will end up committing adultery

2. It is defiled by our heart – which is ruined beyond repair (; ).

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV 1900

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Mark 7:20–23 KJV 1900

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Wicked Thoughts Come from the Heart

3. It is fed by our flesh (). Be careful what you allow your flesh to do – your eyes to watch; your ears to hear!

Ephesians 2:3 KJV 1900

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

– your eyes to watch; your ears to hear!

C. There are basically only two kinds of minds ()

Romans 8:6 KJV 1900

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

D. Which mind do you have, and which kind of mind do you want this morning?

E. I would like to show you this morning how to clean up your mind, and how to live with a clean mind, and a clear conscience, and have strong, simple thinking that gives no place to the devil!

and how to live with a clean mind, and a clear conscience,

and have strong, simple thinking that gives no place to the devil!

III. Message - How to Clean Up a Wicked, Filthy, Sin Infested, Dark, Damned Mind

A. What Does It Mean to Clean Up the Mind?

1. For the pagan, the religious but lost, it is called Illuminating the mind () – filling with truth where once was only ignorance of God and especially Jesus Christ!

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV 1900

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

– filling with truth where once was only ignorance of God and especially Jesus Christ!

a. Not like the cults!

1) Here are the thoughts of a man named Clarence, on a blog he wrote on the Mind.

2) “In A New Earth, spiritual teacher and author Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now) advocates present moment awareness and the dismantling of the ego as the path towards awakened living. A New Earth gets its title from a Bible verse referring to the rising of "a new heaven and a new earth." According to Tolle, "heaven" is he awakened state that will bring about "a new earth".

advocates present moment awareness and the dismantling of the ego as the path

towards awakened living. A New Earth gets its title from a Bible verse referring to the rising of

"a new heaven and a new earth." According to Tolle, "heaven" is

he awakened state that will bring about "a new earth".

3) This book will make you an intellegent life form. It will open your mind to the transporter, black hole input and white hole output. The Universe is a machine and only through understanding, working within the machine, is deep space transport possible.

black hole input and white hole output. The Universe is a machine and only through understanding,

working within the machine, is deep space transport possible.

The nature of symmetry is the truth mathematically and spiritually.

4) Ah, huh!

b. But like Jesus!

2. For the Christian, cleansing is referred to as Renewing the mind ()

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

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.

a. Revive our minds from apathy, and sinful tendencies, to think right thoughts like Christ did

b. A constant maintaining of a clean conscience, wild and wonderful imagination, joyful attitude, and powerful, victorious decision making!

joyful attitude, and powerful, victorious decision making!

c. Steve Jobs should not be a rare innovator in the world today!

d. Bible believing Christians who learn how to renew their mind in this Book, will change the world far greater than any ipod or ipad ever could!

will change the world far greater than any ipod or ipad ever could!

To Clean Up Your Thinking…

B. Jesus is the First Step ()

Mark 5:15 KJV 1900

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

1. Cleansing is NOT going to happen by sheer will power

2. Only with Jesus, comes a new mind!

3. He is the repairer of the breach – of all that is broken (; )

Isaiah 58:12 KJV 1900

And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; And thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

Isaiah 53:4–6 KJV 1900

Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

4. As the perfect and final Lamb of God (; )

John 1:29 KJV 1900

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John 19:30 KJV 1900

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

5. He offers a new, clean, sound mind to every person on this planet!

6. He already did what had to be done to clean up your mind, your thoughts, your whole life

7. Get born again. Invite HIM into your life, and you are 99% of the way to a clean, stable, sound mind!

C. Identify – Take Inventory of What is in Your Mind (,; ,; )

Psalm 139:23 KJV 1900

Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts:

Psalm 139:24 KJV 1900

And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Ephesians 2:2 KJV 1900

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 2:3 KJV 1900

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Ephesians 4:22–31 KJV 1900

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

1. That’s a scary request!

2. Quit ignoring what is in there

3. Start taking a good hard look at the thoughts that come out of your heart, and are thrown around in your mind

and are thrown around in your mind

4. Your heart feeds into your mind

5. Your flesh fulfils your mind’s desires

6. These two influences on your mind ruin your life!

7. YOUR MIND should be what influences your heart, and your MIND should be in charge of your body!

Not the other way around!

8. Do you have any idea what is IN your mind?

a. All the past images, conversations, experiences, feelings, successes and failures

b. Every hurtful word you ever heard – and every hurtful word you ever said – recorded

c. Every TV show, and movie you have ever watched

d. Every sinful act you ever participated in

e. Every emotion and feeling that you felt when you were doing any of the above!

9. All that stuff has an effect. It produces guilt, sorrows, fears, and sometimes joy.

10. But, if you are not careful about what you allow to roam free in that head of yours, it will all only harden your heart and mind, and sear your conscience, and ruin your life!

it will all only harden your heart and mind, and sear your conscience, and ruin your life!

a. “past feeling”

Ephesians 4:19 KJV 1900

Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

b. , “their conscience seared” – burned out

1 Timothy 4:1 KJV 1900

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

1 Timothy 4:2 KJV 1900

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

D. Hate What’s In Your Mind and Heart

1. A carnal mind is any mind that tries to live its own way – by its own rules

a. It is an animal’s mind – only seeking to eat and reproduce

b. It is a way of thinking that ignores God

2. We allow in our minds what we would never allow in our actions

3. You cannot ever love God AND still love the sins that easily flow in your heart.

No worldly way of thinking can co-exist with the new mind of Christ ()

Luke 16:13 KJV 1900

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

4. God already KNOWS is in your heart and hates it

5. He is waiting for US to hate it too!

6. You cannot compartmentalise your mind

a. Have some ungodly thoughts in one corner

b. Have some godly, clean thoughts in another corner

c. The Christian governs all thoughts by their relationship with Jesus Christ

7. Repentance begins in the Mind. Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying,

in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make

1 Kings 8:47 KJV 1900

Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying,

e have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

E. Mortify What is In Your Thoughts () R.I.Pieces!

Colossians 3:5–10 KJV 1900

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

1. To mortify is to render lifeless, to starve out, to allow to die, and then bury!

2. You WON’T kill off what you still love, so change your mind about what you are loving in your mind and heart! That’s where Biblical hatred comes in!

are loving in your mind and heart! That’s where Biblical hatred comes in!

3. Cast down whatever should not be there ()

2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV 1900

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

a. Describes the pulling down (deposing) of a wicked ruler

b. So that the rightful Lord of your life can take the throne again!

4. Purge – apply the blood of Christ – it sterilises all sin! Memorise these Scriptures!

a.

1 John 1:7 KJV 1900

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

b.

Revelation 1:5 KJV 1900

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

c. ,

Hebrews 9:13 KJV 1900

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

Hebrews 9:14 KJV 1900

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

F. Overwhelm What’s In Your Mind – the most important thing

1. The Bible never commands us to CLEAR our mind, but to CLEAN it!

2. The principle is to overwhelm evil with good (; )

Romans 12:21 KJV 1900

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Galatians 5:16 KJV 1900

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

3. People are so used to turning to drugs and drink, and to wild parties to overwhelm… boredom, depression, guilt!

boredom, depression, guilt!

4. What should we get to overwhelm our minds???

a. The Mind of Jesus Christ – with HIS way of thinking (Philp 2:4-7) – let it blow you away

b. The Words of Christ (; ; )

John 15:3 KJV 1900

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Colossians 3:16 KJV 1900

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

James 1:21–25 KJV 1900

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

c. The Love OF God ()

Romans 5:5 KJV 1900

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

1) So many people struggle day after day simply because they have never been loved, or even known that they are loved!

or even known that they are loved!

2) Allow yourself to be loved by God, as you are! Messed up and ruined!

3) Accept the fact that He loves you, and gave Himself FOR you ()

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

4) Just sit and thank God for loving a sinner like you!

d. Your own love FOR God ()

Mark 12:30 KJV 1900

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

1) Hey, start loving God back

2) It cleans you when you start using your heart on GOD instead of on sinful things!

e. A load of praise

1) I can’t emphasize this enough!

2) No more complaining, fault finding. Spend a load of time remembering only the goodness of God

3) Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

for consider how great things he hath done for you.

1 Samuel 12:24 KJV 1900

Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

4) In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 94:19 KJV 1900

In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul.

f. All these following efforts cleanse the heart – no matter how filthy!

++Six Biblical Steps to

Transform Your Mind & Ignite Your Fulfillment in Christ

& Ignite Your Fulfillment in Christ

1. You begin each morning end each night by humbling yourself.

To humble yourself, you must admit your helplessness to follow the teachings of Christ and toacquire his character on your own.

acquire his character on your own.

Unless you receive inner power, love and everything good from God, you labor in vain.

When you realize that you can’t even love yourself or others without receiving God’s love daily, you are being humbled.

When you realize that you can’t even love yourself or others without receiving God’s love daily,

you are being humbled.

You are not love, but God is love and He gives His grace and love to the humble.

() His grace is power to be reborn in Him and power to live the life He wills for you.

(Picture a young bird holding its mouth open when the mother bird arrives at the nest. The begging bird.)

The begging bird.)

When you keep your heart open to God daily and beg for his love, power,fulfillment and life like the helpless little bird staring up with a wide-open mouth,

fulfillment and life like the helpless little bird staring up with a wide-open mouth,

God promises to freely give His grace and loving character to you.

Also, when you do sin and experience your human weaknesses, confess them to God (confess means to admit your weaknesses and become that helpless, begging baby bird again) and He is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. ()

God (confess means to admit your weaknesses and become that helpless, begging

baby bird again) and He is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from

all unrighteousness. ()

When I experienced the loss of three major ministry opportunities over a three month period, I went through each of these seven steps.

When I experienced the loss of three major ministry opportunities over a threemonth

period, I went through each of these seven steps.

First, I humbled myself and confessed to God that the pain seemed too much at onetime. My first thoughts were negative (normal) and I confessed that without God’s power within me, my sorrow would take a long time to heal. But I imagined myself in my small nest in Branson, Mo. with my mouth open wide crying out to God for protection, spiritual food and comfort until the pain leaves and the “golden nugget”

time. My first thoughts were negative (normal) and I confessed that without God’s

power within me, my sorrow would take a long time to heal. But I imagined myself

in my small nest in Branson, Mo. with my mouth open wide crying out to God for

protection, spiritual food and comfort until the pain leaves and the “golden nugget”

God wants me to learn has been dropped into the nest.

(The nugget might be more of God’s character, more of His love, greater empathy for others or whatever the gem is)

for others or whatever the gem is)

I just start waiting for God’s next move in my life.

2. Discover the great power, love, fulfillment and life when Christ’s Holy Spiritlives inside of you.

lives inside of you.

And His power has unlimited potential. ()

Ephesians 3:16–20 KJV 1900

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

With God’s resurrection power living inside of you, you can do amazing things.

As I was waiting for God’s power to strengthen me during my emotional pain, Icontinued to thank God for the Holy Spirit living inside of me. I knew that through God’s power within me, I would be able to endure the pain and wait for the“nugget.”

As I was waiting for God’s power to strengthen me during my emotional pain, I

God’s power within me, I would be able to endure the pain and wait for the

continued to thank God for the Holy Spirit living inside of me. I knew that through

God’s power within me, I would be able to endure the pain and wait for the

“nugget.”

3. Take every one of your thoughts (beliefs, imaginations, dreams, and ideas)captive to the obedience of Christ.

captive to the obedience of Christ.

() Since all of your emotions, words and actions originate in your mind and heart, you can wake up every morning with the assurance that you have the power to control how you feel, what you say and how you act all day long.

your mind and heart, you can wake up every morning with the assurance that you

2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV 1900

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

have the power to control how you feel, what you say and how you act all day

long.

No one is a victim.

At this point, I enjoy using God’s power within me to start controlling my thoughts. I begin evaluating each thought. If I am thinking that losing three major jobs could cause great harmful stress, I immediately start transforming any negative thinking into positive thoughts. I might start thinking , start counting all of the joy I will soon have because of this current painful trial. I know I don’t have the joy yet, but it will be coming soon as promised by God.

At this point, I enjoy using God’s power within me to start controlling my

thoughts. I begin evaluating each thought.

If I am thinking that losing three major jobs could cause great harmful stress, I

immediately start transforming any negative thinking into positive thoughts. I

might start thinking , start counting all of the joy I will soon have

because of this current painful trial.

I know I don’t have the joy yet, but it will be coming soon as promised by God.

God is always faithful to His word. In time, I have always seen the “nuggets” thatGod has brought after major trials and after discovering major weaknesses in my life. I feel safe with God’s love and faithfulness and therefore, I can rest in God’s promises and am willing to wait for the fruit of trials.

God has brought after major trials and after discovering major weaknesses in my

life. I feel safe with God’s love and faithfulness

and therefore, I can rest in God’s promises and am willing to wait for the fruit of

trials.

4. Guard your heart; you are what you think.

() Also, whatever thoughts you sow into your mind, you will reap the consequences.

Proverbs 23:7 KJV 1900

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.

thoughts you sow into your mind, you will reap the consequences.

() You become what you think!

Galatians 6:7 KJV 1900

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

() You become what you think!

Spend a few seconds reflecting on what you are today and what you have.

Everything about you is the result of what you have been thinking your whole life.

life.

Day dreaming is thinking, planning is thinking, imagining is thinking, reacting to circumstances is thinking and wishing things could have been different for you is thinking. Your beliefs are your thoughts grouped together over many years. Sometimes “bad” things happen to you. What do you think about after a “bad” thing happens to you? Those thoughts are part of what determine your future emotions, words and actions.

to circumstances is thinking and wishing things could have been different for

you is thinking. Your beliefs are your thoughts grouped together over many

years. Sometimes “bad” things happen to you. What do you think about after a

“bad” thing happens to you? Those thoughts are part of what determine your

future emotions, words and actions.

One of the greatest truths in life: It’s not what happens to you (your past, present or future circumstances) or what people do or say to you that cause your emotions.

future circumstances) or what people do or say to you that cause your emotions.

Your emotions come from what you think about after things happen to you! You control all of your emotions by what you think. Emotions are simply data telling you what you have been thinking.

control all of your emotions by what you think. Emotions are simply data telling

you what you have been thinking.

I am continually aware that “as he thinks, so is he.” I allow my emotions to surface anytime they want in order to reflect what I have been thinking for the past few days or years. Our emotions are very good friends and they can tell us a lot about what we have been thinking.

anytime they want in order to reflect what I have been thinking for the past few

days or years. Our emotions are very good friends and they can tell us a lot about

what we have been thinking.

Also, listen to your words and watch your actions and let them tell you what your heart looks like. Every thought you have is written on your heart. Guard your heart, for out of it comes the substance of life.

heart looks like. Every thought you have is written on your heart. Guard your heart,

for out of it comes the substance of life.

I am constantly “listening” to my whole life allowing it to show me a picture of my heart. I never get discouraged by what I see because I now know that I can over ride any past thoughts and transform my life by the renewing of my mind.

heart. I never get discouraged by what I see because I now know that I can over

ride any past thoughts and transform my life by the renewing of my mind.

()

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

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.

So, as I listen to the hurt feelings within myself, and listen to my blaming and judging thoughts of the ones who “caused” the loss of his jobs,He transforms my thoughts into gratefulness for the pain and for the upcoming additional character and love from God. I know that God will show me more wisdom, lead me to the people who need ministering to from the new truths God has taught me and on and on. I actually want to become more like Christ and I realize that “trials and weaknesses” bring this goal faster than almost anything else.

judging thoughts of the ones who “caused” the loss of his jobs,

He transforms my thoughts into gratefulness for the pain and for the upcoming

additional character and love from God. I know that God will show me more

wisdom,

lead me to the people who need ministering to from the new truths God has taught

me and on and on. I actually want to become more like Christ and I realize that

“trials and weaknesses” bring this goal faster than almost anything else.

But I do not pray for trails because I know how faithful God is. In the past three years I have gone through a heart attack, almost drowning, kidney transplant, shingles and many other sicknesses and I am is still rejoicing and ministering more than ever before.

years I have gone through a heart attack, almost drowning, kidney transplant,

shingles and many other sicknesses and I am is still rejoicing and ministering more

than ever before.

I love all of life, the good and the “bad.”

With the power of the Holy Spirit living within you, your thoughts can literally shut your mouth before you speak. (, ) And even more importantly, as you are quick to listen, you can slow down your thinking and speech to conform your thoughts and words to 8 giant standards.

With the power of the Holy Spirit living within you, your thoughts can literally

James 1:19 KJV 1900

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

shut your mouth before you speak. (, ) And even more

importantly, as you are quick to listen, you can slow down your thinking and

James 3:2 KJV 1900

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

speech to conform your thoughts and words to 8 giant standards.

Let your mind dwell on only these eight powerful, life-changing words: true,honorable, right, pure, beautiful, adorable, excellent and praise worthy. (, ) Just imagine being able to control all of your thoughts leading to control of your emotions, words and actions… your whole body. () Just think of it - control every part of your body! Is this not great power over your life today and forever?

honorable, right, pure, beautiful, adorable, excellent and praise worthy.

James 3:2 KJV 1900

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

(, )

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

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.

Just imagine being able to control all of your thoughts leading to control of your emotions, words and actions… your whole body. ()

emotions, words and actions… your whole body. ()

Philippians 4:9 KJV 1900

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Just think of it - control every part of your body! Is this not great power over your life today and forever?

life today and forever?

No one controls how you think and thus, no one has the power to control how you feel, speak or act any longer.

feel, speak or act any longer.

You are never the victim of others or circumstances.

“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what is good, acceptable and complete will of God.”()

mind so that you may prove what is good, acceptable and complete will of God.”

()

5. Now that you have this new power within you and you are controlling your thoughts, the words coming out of your mouth can be honorable not unwholesome. ()

thoughts, the words coming out of your mouth can be honorable not unwholesome.

Ephesians 4:29 KJV 1900

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

()

Again, I listen carefully to hear the words I am saying and the thoughts I am thinking. It’s so normal to think negative words about my circumstances of losing three major jobs, the money related to those jobs, the lost opportunities to minister relationship truths to millions, and the time to look for new opportunities and having to get excited all over again.

thinking. It’s so normal to think negative words about my circumstances of losing

three major jobs, the money related to those jobs, the lost opportunities to minister

relationship truths to millions,

and the time to look for new opportunities and having to get excited all over again.

It can take years and when you are 64 years old, it can seem impossible.

But as I listen to my heart and discover what I have been thinking, I transform all of my current negative thoughts into positive. I think things like, “I can’t wait to see what God is bringing me to do since I lost these jobs.

But as I listen to my heart and discover what I have been thinking, I transform all

of my current negative thoughts into positive. I think things like, “I can’t wait to

see what God is bringing me to do since I lost these jobs.

I wonder what new or deeper character quality I’ll see first in a few days or weeks.

This experience just gives me more time to reflect on the truth that Christ is all I will ever need. I have so much more time right now as I wait on God, what should I do that I really like, fishing, gardening, grandkids, trips with my wife and family or friends.”

This experience just gives me more time to reflect on the truth that Christ is all I

will ever need. I have so much more time right now as I wait on God, what should

I do that I really like, fishing, gardening, grandkids, trips with my wife and family

or friends.”

I go on and on trying to figure out all of the good things that are already coming from this big loss. The list grows longer and longer each day.

from this big loss. The list grows longer and longer each day.

I will often think about all of the things God is to me: front shield, rear guard, living water and bread, his sunshine, living light within him, lamp upon his feet at night or in dark times, He clothes me in royal purple, I am the son of the King with all the privileges, I am salt to the world for preserving good, I will receive more than I can think of or ever imagine, Christ will meet all of my needs… all of them through His riches in heaven,

living water and bread, his sunshine, living light within him, lamp upon his feet at

night or in dark times, He clothes me in royal purple,

I am the son of the King with all the privileges, I am salt to the world for

preserving good, I will receive more than I can think of or ever imagine,

Christ will meet all of my needs… all of them through His riches in heaven,

He owns the cattle on a thousands hills and all of that wealth is mine and on and on.

on.

He can transform my thoughts any time of the day, but the best times for me are early in the morning before I spring out of bed and just before I fall off to sleep at night. But I also can do it in the car, at the office, just about anywhere.

early in the morning before I spring out of bed and just before I fall off to sleep at

night. But I also can do it in the car, at the office, just about anywhere.

6. Finally, when you experience trials you can actually exalt, boast, honor your trials and weaknesses and start thinking about how much joy, more power and Godly character you will soon have. (, , ,, , )

Romans 5:3–5 KJV 1900

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

James 1:2–4 KJV 1900

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

trials and weaknesses and start thinking about how much joy, more power and

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV 1900

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Godly character you will soon have. (, ,

2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV 1900

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Isaiah 63:3 KJV 1900

I have trodden the winepress alone; And of the people there was none with me: For I will tread them in mine anger, And trample them in my fury; And their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, And I will stain all my raiment.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 KJV 1900

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

,, , )

These are life-changing verses to memorize!

This sixth point has changed people more than anything in the shortest time span.

Just imagine - all of your trials and weaknesses give you more of God's love, more Godly character and more of His power is matured within you with each passing blow in life!

Just imagine - all of your trials and weaknesses give you more of God's love,

more Godly character and more of His power is matured within you with each

passing blow in life!

You can literally list your weaknesses and major trials through your life and begin to thank God for how He has developed more of His power and love within you with each one.

to thank God for how He has developed more of His power and love within you

with each one.

If you have been angry over your weaknesses and trails, you block His good work in your life. Anger separates you from God. ()

1 John 2:9–11 KJV 1900

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

in your life. Anger separates you from God. ()

Little by little, God will let you see His loving qualities growing within you as you honor your weaknesses and trials. You can literally give thanks to God for trials because you know that God will give you beauty for ashes, joy for sorrow and

honor your weaknesses and trials. You can literally give thanks to God for trials

because you know that God will give you beauty for ashes, joy for sorrow and

praise for the spirit of heaviness. ()

Isaiah 61:3 KJV 1900

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, To give unto them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they might be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Number six is the key. When I awaken in the morning and before I fall off to sleep at night, I allow my mind to go over all of the above verses.

at night, I allow my mind to go over all of the above verses.

I now love thinking about the control I have over my thoughts and about my weaknesses, mistreatments, trials, insults, distresses and everything else that could discourage, depress or emotionally hurt me. Because with each one of these painful circumstances,

weaknesses, mistreatments, trials, insults, distresses and everything else that could

discourage, depress or emotionally hurt me. Because with each one of these painful

circumstances,

I permit myself to boast in them knowing that I receive more of God’s love, more of God’s character and God’s power within me grows closer to maturity each day.

God’s character and God’s power within me grows closer to maturity each day.

After losing these major jobs, I suffered for more than two months.

He allowed the pain to last and felt the deep loss each day. But in the middle of the discouraging feelings, I continually transformed my thinking hour after hour.

discouraging feelings, I continually transformed my thinking hour after hour.

Two months of this and at times you wonder if it will ever leave you. But like all the times in the past, it finally does. Sometimes it’s two hours and other times it’s months.

times in the past, it finally does. Sometimes it’s two hours and other times it’s months.

However long it takes is fine with me because the longer it takes the more my inner power is matured and the more loving character I receive.

power is matured and the more loving character I receive.

My trials are a blessing to me today and therefore, my thoughts about my trials are very positive resulting in more joy,peace and love.By Gary Smalley

my thoughts about my trials are very positive

resulting in more joy,peace and love.By Gary Smalley

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