CHANGE MY MIND
Notes
Transcript
Examples: Listening to playcalls on a field, Working with a t, trekking through a dense forest. Hearing your child in a crowd.
FOCUS ABOVE THE NOISE
ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM
ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM
The first part of getting past the hurdle of chaos and confusion in our lives is acknowledging there is problem. In the current environment there is a sense of sectioning off anything that disagrees with what I already think.
We will not look for that which we’ve lost unless it’s precious to us.
This is a dangerous place to be for many reasons, but one of the biggest offshoots of this attitude is a denial to alerts we are getting within us that something is off.
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.
He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
My self-assurance in my ability to discern and judge correctly on relevance or truth on any subject, keeps me cluttering or decluttering my world according to what I perceive to be valuable.
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.
I will explain why this acknowledgement of “houston, we have a problem” is so essential to hearing through the noise.
CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE? - REPENTANCE
CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE? - REPENTANCE
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Change the way you think!
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,
How can one hear anything over the noise? True north
cease and desist
The Hebrew word “shuwbah” used here comes from the root word “shuwb,” which means “to repent, a turning away from, to retreat, come home again, come back, etc.” Interestingly, it has sometimes been translated “to rescue, recover, refresh, relieve, retrieve, etc.” It’s the beautiful picture of “restoration and reconciliation”—much like the prodigal son experienced after he returned home to the father (Lk. 15:11-24).
Thus, “returning” is a prerequisite to “resting” (Heb. “nachath”—“to lie down, be quiet, descend, depose, etc.” It’s the picture of serene sheep “lying down in green pastures and beside still waters” (Ps. 23:2). There’s no frightened bleating. . .no harried scurrying or scattering. No, there’s just peaceful repose.
Why?
Because the shepherd is near, ever-watching with his rod and staff (Ps. 23:4).
And, so it is with all those who “return to the Lord.”
When we “turn from our sins”—our self-centered, “I did it my way” attitude and actions—we will find “rest unto our souls” (Mt. 11:28-30). As Augustine once said, “Our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee, O God.” So true, so true.
“"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"”
Psalm 46:10 ESV
“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”
Psalm 37:1-11 ESV
Is it any wonder, then, this will produce “quietness and confidence (Heb. ‘bitach’—‘trust, safety, assurance, hope, security, etc.’) within us, which will be our strength (Heb. ‘gebuwrah’—‘force, valor, victory, mastery, might, power, etc.’)”? No, not at all—which is why the Apostle Paul said “I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST Who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). And, it was this assurance of His Presence, Power and Promises that enabled him to write “For when I am weak, I am strong and His strength is made perfect in my weakness” (II Cor. 12:9-10). Hallelujah!!
“Returning and rest.”
They always travel together, Pilgrim. Are you “seeking Him first” (Mt. 6:33)? Is your “mind stayed on Him” and your “eyes riveted on the Author and Finisher of your faith” (Is. 26:3; Heb. 12:2)? Rest in Him today by returning to Him; that way His indescribable peace will flood your soul (Phil. 4:4-9; Jn. 14:27) as you say, “Not I, but Christ” (Gal. 2:20).
ABOVE ALL THINGS