Ephesians 4:22-24 12/29/2020*

“… put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” 

This is the time of year we get to start over. 

We usually try to lose weight, be more disciplined, manage our finances, etc.   Those things are important, but what if this year you did something astonishing? 

What if you took God at His word and put on a “new self” – not in temporary surface ways - but through significant eternal changes that would renew your mind and create a real turning point in your life?
 
What if instead of losing weight you lightened your heart with forgiveness and gratitude?
 
Maybe instead of just working out physically you got stronger spiritually by consistently handling the Word of God?

What if instead of managing your earthly wealth you made some eternal investments?

God is all about new beginnings…. That is why He put the New Year right after Christmas – Christmas allows the past to be gone, and the future to be unlimited.
 
So, let’s instigate and promote renewal today –
 
First, think about who you need to forgive?...or someone you need to thank?...Cleanse your heart, and write them a letter.

Second, buy a journal and begin daily tracking your time with God. 

Third, take some money from your next paycheck and enjoy figuring out how you can bless others with it.
 
Be “all in” on this verse…. Flush the old self - and live the new life that Jesus purchased for you at Calvary.  God’s mercies are new every morning…so celebrate every day.
 
Create habits…. Write a letter every week, make journal entries every day, and find a way to give gifts every paycheck.  Move your focus from temporary to eternal targets.
 
2020 was hard but when you hit bottom you have two choices…either splatter or bounce…make 2021 the year you decided to bounce back better than before…Then form some habits that will facilitate that decision.
 
Take God at His word and put on the “new you” every morning. Because of what God did at Christmas …. you really can change.

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” - J.P. Morgan

Philippians 1:12 12/22/2020*

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”

Paul is writing to his friends in Philippi explaining difficulties he has been facing.  He is not discussing a bad day at the office…or having his feelings hurt.  He is referring to his arrests, years of captivity, physical beatings, shipwrecks, betrayals, etc.

 
As I read this verse I am embarrassed by what unsettles me… daily I find reasons to be offended and upset…yet Paul sits in a prison and rejoices.

I need that kind of strength - and it comes from perspective. 
Paul says “my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel” …  That is all that matters – everything else is just details.

 
No matter what problem I face today – no matter who is President – no matter how I am treated - no matter what seems out of control for me and those I love …. My King is in power, and His plan should be my focus.

  
The truth is – I have never been in control - so why do I get rattled when that suddenly becomes apparent?

  
God is in control. Nothing surprises Him, and He has promised that all things work together for good if I love Him and am called according to His purpose.

  
He has made that promise to you as well… Rely on it.

Realize that headlines are designed to shock you… Gossip is geared to disturb you …eliminate their power.  Change your point of view. Gaze at the Creator not the created. The power you gain by looking at things from a heavenly perspective cannot be overstated.

  
We are eternal beings who serve an eternal God.  Stop letting temporary circumstances fluster you.

As Paul does, look past the prison bars today and see God’s handiwork in whatever trial you are facing.  Like a butterfly struggling to come out of the cocoon…God is using these temporary battles to strengthen your wings. 

If you will focus on the fact that your momentary trials are generating staggering eternal progress it will dramatically alter your outlook.  

This new attitude will produce Joy and confidence that will soothe you - and your peace will attract others and allow you to point them to the Lord.

 
“Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties.”
 - Charles Spurgeon

Isaiah 26:3 12/15/2020*

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

When is the last time you really felt peaceful?  

We have been told that peace is provided by money, power, popularity, possessions…  The problem is, of course, none of that is true.
 
Only God offers freedom from worry and anxiety… This verse says He offers “perfect peace” …. and that is the only kind of peace there is - If it is not perfect, then it is not peaceful. 

So, we would be fools not to examine this verse and understand what is being offered – What exactly is required to attain “perfect peace”?

Clearly it is not what we have been told… circumstances have nothing to do with peacefulness. What we think about, and where we put our trust are the two ingredients that matter.

So, if you are wondering why your life is not peaceful - write down the top 10 things you think about daily…then put the percentage of time you spend on each one…. There is your answer. 

If you are not trusting God - then you will have a list of 10 little idols that need to be removed from their position of power. They are distracting you with false promises that they cannot deliver. 

Make a new list – Make God number 1 and list all others as 1a, 1b, 1c, etc.  Trusting God means seeking His opinion.  Pursuing His plan. The question in all circumstances is “What is God’s opinion of my job, my stewardship, my family, etc.?” 

In all these matters put your trust in God alone – because He is the only one who has the power to affect outcomes... You do not control the things that bring peace – but God does. 

Take control of your thoughts…. Do not let them control you… Get a notebook and Journal the times God has delivered you from trouble and remember them when you are tempted to worry.
  
Peace is something that happens on purpose, it is never found by accident.
 
God has promised He will keep you peaceful if you will keep your mind on Him… While the world panics around you …take God at His Word and see what happens.
 
“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself…  because it is not there. There is no such thing.” -  C. S. Lewis

Jeremiah 7:9-10 12/08/2020*

"Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things?” 

In the beginning God created us in His own image and we have been returning the favor ever since. Instead of changing our lives to fit His Word, we have changed His Word to fit our lives. 

We use scripture to support our beliefs instead of allowing it to shape what we believe.  This does not go unnoticed by God - and this verse reveals His opinion of our hypocrisy.

Do we really think we can manipulate God by going to church on Sunday and then living like atheist for the rest of the week?  This passage says otherwise, and you have the option today to make a change.

 
Christmas is when we reflect on the decision God made to break His own heart - to save us.  We have earned punishment and instead receive redemption.

  
The amount paid for our souls is staggering… and for us to live as though the price tag is a religious ceremony once a week is unfathomable.

 
Christmas celebrates a mission to deliver you from who you once were…  Forget the presents under the tree - and focus on the gift you were given when God decided to send His Son to pay your debt.

  
You have been offered a new life - free from guilt and hypocrisy…. take it.  Live it whole heartedly and abandon your old ways of lies and duplicity.

   
This year has been unique in some awful ways, but God has given you the power to make next year different in some remarkably good ones…but it is up to you.

  
Stop saying “someday I am going to give my life to God” – and give it to Him right now.  The enemy’s greatest weapon is to make you believe God cannot, and will not change you… Take God at His word and see what He does.

Hypocrisy is exhausting. Commit to God and He will give you rest.  Do it today.

"If satan ever laughs, it must be at hypocrites; they are the greatest dupes he has; they serve him better than any others and receive no wages." 
- Charles Caleb Colton

Romans 12:2 12/1/2020*

 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”

The world is full of fitness trainers telling us how to transform our bodies…But when was the last time you attempted to transform your mind? 

Renewal of the mind is more difficult than changing your body – and it is much harder today than it used to be…

Our minds work like computers… Good data in - equals Good data out… Garbage in - equals Garbage out.  So, the things you focus on - produce who you are.  

The problem is that good data is hard to find these days - and garbage is a “click” away. This means we must be vigilant about what catches our interest.  

You do not eat food without considering its effect - and your mind should get the same protection.  

Bored scrolling is no better than bored eating. Mindlessly scrolling through social media creates a situation where you are not likely to get anything beneficial and are highly likely to get input that leads to an undisciplined, polluted mind. Looking for “click bait” while bored - is like going to Krispy Kreme at lunchtime… it is not only worthless - it is dangerous. 

The next time you habitually reach for your phone to scroll - stop yourself – instead pull up your scripture memorization list, listen to worship music, call a friend… find a way to use that phone to input “good data”.

You have a decision to make … Agree with this verse - but continue doing exactly what you have been doing – or make a change and monitor what enters your mind.  

Put your brain on a healthy diet. Redeem your thoughts. Cut the junk food of social media and begin taking in nourishment. Take care of your mind like you take care of your body. 

Nothing will change your life quicker than a healthy brain that is not distracted by sinful, worthless, and false information.  Step out of the haze of distortion and pursue clarity.

A healthy mind will guide you.… Truth cannot be found if you are immersed in the fog of worldly deception – so make the decision to rejuvenate your brain. Monitoring what goes in is the only way to control what comes out.    

“Attention is a precious commodity; our life is defined by what we pay attention to” – Justin Early