Day 5: Walking Out Your Transformation

Devotional
Mind renewal isn't just about thinking differently - it's about living differently. God has equipped you with everything you need for victory, but a gift is meaningless unless you use it. The transformation that begins in your mind must be walked out in your daily life. This isn't about earning your salvation or working your way to heaven. Salvation is free, given by grace through faith. But once you're saved, God calls you to live like the son or daughter He created you to be. He's done all the work necessary for your freedom; now He invites you to walk in that freedom. The Christian life must go beyond Sunday services and religious activities. It has to impact how you treat your family, how you handle stress at work, how you respond to disappointment, and how you make decisions. Your renewed mind should produce renewed actions, renewed relationships, and renewed hope. Many people want change in their lives but fail to change what they think. They want victory while entertaining defeated thinking. They want peace while meditating on fear. But real transformation happens when your new thoughts lead to new actions, and your new actions reinforce your new identity in Christ. Today, look for practical ways to live out the truth you've been learning. Let your transformed mind lead to a transformed life that brings glory to God and blessing to others.

Bible Verse
'But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.' - James 1:22 (New King James Version)

Reflection Question
In what specific areas of your life do you need to start walking out the transformation that God has begun in your mind?

Quote
God says, I've equipped you. I've put this in you. I've given you the Word, I've made a way for you. I've set you free. I've done all that you need. Now go walk it out.

Prayer
Father, help me not just think differently but live differently. Give me courage to walk out the transformation You've begun in my heart and mind.

Day 4: The Power of God's Word

Devotional
Your mind needs daily nourishment from God's Word to stay healthy and strong. Just as your body requires regular meals to function properly, your mind needs consistent input from Scripture to be renewed and transformed. God's Word isn't just information - it's living and active, with the power to change how you think and see yourself. When you regularly read, study, and meditate on Scripture, you're literally rewiring your brain with God's truth. His promises begin to feel more real than your problems, and His perspective starts to override your natural tendencies toward worry and fear. The key is consistency, not perfection. You don't need to read for hours every day, but you do need regular, intentional time in God's Word. Even a few minutes each morning can begin to shift your thought patterns and strengthen your faith throughout the day. As you hide God's Word in your heart, you'll find that the right verses come to mind exactly when you need them. When fear tries to overwhelm you, you'll remember that God has not given you a spirit of fear. When you feel inadequate, you'll recall that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Make God's Word your daily bread for your mind. Let it be the foundation upon which all your other thoughts are built.

Bible Verse
'Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.' - Psalm 119:11 (New King James Version)

Reflection Question
How can you create a more consistent habit of reading and meditating on God's Word to
renew your mind?

Quote
Everything that God tells you is absolutely true. Everything God tells you will be saturated in his love.

Prayer
God, help me hunger for Your Word like I hunger for food. Let Your truth transform my thinking and strengthen my faith daily. In Jesus name amen.

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Day 3: Taking Thoughts Captive

Devotional
You have more authority over your thoughts than you might realize. The Bible doesn't just tell us to hope for better thoughts - it commands us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This is an active, intentional process that requires your participation. Taking thoughts captive means you don't have to be a victim of whatever pops into your mind. When a destructive, fearful, or ungodly thought tries to establish itself in your thinking, you have the power to arrest it, examine it, and either accept it or reject it based on God's truth. This process isn't about suppressing all negative emotions or pretending everything is perfect. It's about refusing to let lies, fears, and destructive patterns control your mental landscape. When you catch a thought that doesn't align with God's truth, you can literally say, "No, I reject that thought. It doesn't line up with what God says about me or my situation." Remember, this is a skill that develops over time. You might not catch every destructive thought immediately, but as you practice this discipline, you'll become more aware and more effective at guarding your mind. The goal isn't perfection but progress in aligning your thoughts with God's truth. Start small today. When you notice a thought that brings discouragement or fear, pause and consciously choose to replace it with a truth from God's Word.

Bible Verse
'Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.' - 2 Corinthians 10:5 (New King James Version)

Reflection Question
What specific lies or negative thought patterns do you need to take captive and replace with God's truth?

Quote
Not every thought deserves welcome. Not every idea deserves agreement. Not every imagination should be allowed to remain.

Prayer
Lord, give me the strength and awareness to take every thought captive to Your obedience. Help me recognize lies quickly and replace them with Your truth. In Jesus name amen.

Day 2: Testing Your Thoughts

Devotional
Not every thought that crosses your mind deserves a welcome. Just because you think something doesn't mean it's true, helpful, or from God. Learning to test your thoughts is one of the most important skills you can develop as a believer. Here's a simple but powerful test: if a thought produces fear, it's not from God. Fear is not God's language - love is. When God speaks to your heart and mind, His words are saturated with love, truth, and hope for your future. They may challenge you or call you to growth, but they won't leave you paralyzed with anxiety or dread. Another test is Scripture alignment. Does this thought line up with what God has revealed in His Word? God will never contradict Himself or lead you in a direction that opposes His written truth. His thoughts toward you are always for your good, your growth, and His glory. Finally, ask yourself: does this thought glorify God and truly benefit me according to His purposes? Sometimes what feels good in the moment isn't actually beneficial, and sometimes what benefits us doesn't feel comfortable initially. God's thoughts for you are always redemptive and progressive. Start practicing this discernment today. When a thought comes, pause and test it before allowing it to take root in your heart.

Bible Verse
'For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.' - Ephesians 6:12 (New King James Version)

Reflection Question
How can you practically implement a 'thought-testing' process in your daily life to ensure you're only entertaining thoughts that align with God's truth?

Quote
If you have a thought that produces fear, it is not from God. I don't care what it is, because God does not operate in fear.

Prayer
Father, give me discernment to test every thought against Your truth. Help me quickly recognize and reject thoughts that produce fear or contradict Your Word. In Jesus name amen.

Day 1: The Battle for Your Mind

Devotional
Every day, a battle rages in the most important battlefield of your life - your mind. What you think about shapes who you become and determines the direction of your life. This isn't just positive thinking; it's a spiritual reality that affects every relationship, decision, and dream you have. Your thoughts don't just happen to you - they come from specific sources, and learning to recognize where they originate is crucial for your spiritual growth. Some thoughts come from God, filled with love, truth, and hope. Others come from your own flesh, from people around you, or even from the enemy who wants to steal your peace and purpose. The good news is that you're not powerless in this battle. God has equipped you with everything you need to win, but victory requires your active participation. You have the authority to choose which thoughts you'll entertain and which ones you'll reject. This choice will determine whether you live in freedom or bondage, peace or anxiety, faith or fear. Today, begin to pay attention to your thought patterns. Notice what occupies your mind throughout the day. Remember, you have more control over your thoughts than you might realize, and God is ready to help you win this battle.

Bible Verse
'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.' - Romans 12:2 (New King James Version)

Reflection Question
What thoughts have been dominating your mind lately, and how might they be affecting your relationship with God and others?

Quote
What you think, how you think and what you give your mind to think about affects every area of her life.

Prayer
Lord, help me recognize that my mind is a battlefield where You want to bring victory. Give me wisdom to discern the source of my thoughts and courage to reject those that don't align with Your truth. In Jesus name amen.

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Day 5: Life Within You

Devotional
You are alive today not because you exist, but because of what lives within you. When Jesus entered your life, He didn't come empty-handed. He brought His healing, His provision, His forgiveness, His deliverance - He brought life itself. Everything you need for victory is already inside you. Sometimes you need to speak to yourself, reminding your ears what your mouth knows to be true from God's Word. Don't let what you see around you destroy what God has spoken within you. Your security isn't based on how tightly you're holding onto God, but on how firmly He's holding onto you. Life may be hard at times, but it is never hopeless. You are a vessel of life, a dispenser of hope in a world that desperately needs what you carry.

Bible Verse
'Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.' - John 7:38

Reflection Question
What area of your life needs you to speak God's truth over what you're currently seeing or feeling?

Quote
You are alive today not because you exist. You're alive today because of what is in you.

Prayer
Father, help me remember that Your life flows through me. Give me courage to speak Your truth over my circumstances.

Day 4: Never Alone

Devotional
In your darkest valley, when pressure mounts and stress overwhelms, you might feel completely alone. But feelings aren't facts. God's presence isn't dependent on your emotions or circumstances. He is with you in the fire, in the storm, in the waiting, and in the battle. His promise isn't just that He'll be nearby - He promises to be your very present help in trouble. You may be walking through a difficult season right now, but you're not walking alone. The same God who parted the Red Sea, who shut the mouths of lions, who raised the dead, is walking beside you. His presence is the answer to every fear, every doubt, every overwhelming moment. When you can't see the way forward, trust that He who holds tomorrow is holding you today.

Bible Verse
'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.' - Psalm 46:1

Reflection Question
How does knowing God is truly present with you right now change your perspective on your current challenges?

Quote
You may be in a valley season right now. You may think you're alone. You may feel pressure. You may be walking through stress. You may find yourself in that place of being overwhelmed. But listen, the Lord is with you in the fire. God is with you in the storm. God is with you in the waiting, and he's with you in the battle.

Prayer
Lord, when I feel alone and overwhelmed, remind me of Your constant presence. Help me rest in the truth that You are always with me.

Day 3: Fear's False Voice

Devotional
Fear whispers lies that sound convincing. It magnifies your problems until they appear insurmountable while making God seem distant and powerless. Fear drains your strength before you even enter the battle, leaving you defeated in your mind before facing any real challenge. But here's the truth: fear is never from God. Our heavenly Father doesn't lead His children through panic, torment, or anxiety. He leads through His Spirit, His Word, and His peace. When fear knocks at your door, remember that it's often standing guard at the entrance of your greatest opportunities. The enemy uses fear because he knows what God has planned for you. Victory doesn't begin when the battle ends - it starts the moment you refuse to let fear rule your decisions.

Bible Verse
'When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.' - Psalm 56:3

Reflection Question
What opportunity might you be missing because fear is standing guard at the door?

Quote
Fear distorts perspective. Fear magnifies the problem and minimizes God. Fear drains strength before the battle has even begun.

Prayer
God, replace my fear with faith. Help me trust in Your presence and power when anxiety tries to overwhelm me.

Day 2: Supernatural Identity

Devotional
You are not ordinary. You are a supernatural being - a spirit with a soul living in a physical body. This isn't motivational speaking; it's biblical truth. Too often, we see ourselves through earthly limitations rather than heavenly reality. God has given you a supernatural book with a supernatural message, and He expects you to step into that truth and change the world around you. You're not meant to simply measure the spiritual temperature of your environment like a thermometer. You're designed to be a thermostat - changing the climate wherever you go. When you understand your true identity, you stop being a victim of circumstances and become a vessel of divine life. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives within you.

Bible Verse
'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of sound mind.' - 2 Timothy 1:7

Reflection Question
How would you live differently today if you fully embraced your identity as a supernatural being?

Quote
You are a supernatural being, and you have been given a supernatural book with a supernatural message from a supernatural God that expects you to step into the truth of that word and walk that out in a way that changes the world around you.

Prayer
Father, open my eyes to see myself as You see me. Help me walk in the supernatural power You've placed within me.

Day 1: More Than Oxygen

Devotional
Have you ever considered what you absolutely cannot live without? Most would say oxygen, water, or food. But there's something even more essential for believers - God's Word. Many Christians today suffer from spiritual malnutrition because they treat Scripture as optional rather than vital. Just as your body needs daily nourishment, your spirit requires the life-giving truth of God's Word. When we neglect this spiritual food, we become weak, confused, and vulnerable to life's storms. The Bible isn't just a book to read when convenient; it's the very breath of God that sustains our souls. Every verse contains divine DNA that transforms us from the inside out. When you prioritize God's Word, you're not just reading - you're feeding on life itself.

Bible Verse
'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.' - John 10:10

Reflection Question
What would change in your daily routine if you truly believed God's Word was as essential as oxygen?

Quote
I would rather go without oxygen than the word of God because the word of God is life sustaining. The word of God is vitally important.

Prayer
Lord, help me hunger for Your Word like I hunger for food. Transform my heart to crave Your truth above all else.

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March 22, 2026, Sunday AM

Text: Ephesians 4:25-32(NKJ)
     
*  Let me start, this morning by saying, we’re going to talk about something today that every single
         one of us has wrestled with at some level.
               -  It is not just people out in the wider world . . . I’m talking about us . . . Me included.
               -  And if we’re not careful, this issue can quietly shape our attitudes, affect our relationships,
                  and even hinder what God wants to do in us and through us.
      *  But here’s the good news . . . God never exposes something to shame us, He reveals things so
         He can heal us.
      *  I want talk about something that is so very easy to get caught up in and not even understand the
         damage we are doing.
               -  There are habits we allow in our lives that the enemy has convinced us we are doing right.
               -  At times, these habits even feel like a kind of therapy . . . Something we lean on to cope
                  when we’re struggling.
               -  They can give us the illusion that we’re growing, that we’re making progress.
               -  But in reality we are grieving the Holy Spirit!! . . . Let's look our text . . .

Read Text: Ephesians 4:25-32(NKJ)

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
     
*  Paul is writing to believers . . . Spirit-filled, born-again people . . . And he’s calling them to live in
         alignment with their new nature in Christ.
               -  He says in verse 30 . . . Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed
                  for the day of redemption.
               -  It is one of the most sobering verses in the New Testament.
               -  That statement alone tells us something profound . . .
            -  The Holy Spirit is not merely a force or influence . . . He is a person.
               -  He can be welcomed . . . Or He can also be grieved.
               -  He is deeply affected by how we treat one another.
      *  The word grieve carries the idea of causing sorrow or distress to someone you love.
             -  Think about that for a moment . . . The Spirit of God lives within us.
            -  He is the One who convicts, comforts, empowers, and leads us.
         -  Yet our attitudes and habits can either create an atmosphere where He moves freely, or one
                  where His presence is hindered.
      *  Paul places that warning in the middle of a passage about everyday behavior . . .
               -  How we speak, how we treat one another, and how we live our lives in the body of Christ.
               -  This means grieving the Spirit is not about dramatic rebellion . . .
               -  It is about daily habits of the heart.
      *  So, this morning we are going to look at three habits that grieve the Holy Spirit and can hinder
         your life and the life of the church.

1. The Habit of Being Judgmental.

      *  I want to begin with the habit of being judgmental.
               -  Paul begins in verse 25 . . . Therefore, putting away lying, let each one of you speak
                  truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.”
               -  At first glance, this seems to be about honesty . . . But it goes deeper.
               -  Speaking truth here isn’t just about avoiding lies . . . It’s about walking in relational integrity
                  and humility.
               -  Judging others often disguises itself as “discernment” or “just being honest.”
               -  But Jesus warned in Matthew 7:1–5 that judgment flows from a heart that has not first dealt
                  with its own condition.      
Matt 7:1-5(NKJ)  Judge  not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will        be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you
      look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or
      how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a
      plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then
      you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
      *  In this passage Jesus uses a powerful illustration.
               -  Imagine someone trying to remove a tiny speck from another person’s eye while ignoring a
                  large plank sticking out of their own.
               -  The image is almost humorous . . . But the point is deeply serious.
      *  Jesus is exposing the human tendency to magnify the faults of others while minimizing our own.
               -  The judging spirit assumes we know someone else’s motives.
               -  It assumes our perspective is the correct one.
               -  It quietly places us in the seat of authority over another believer’s life.
      *  Paul reinforces this truth in Romans 14:1-4(NKJ) . . .
               Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one
               believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him
               who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him
               who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his
               own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make
               him stand.
      *  Do get lost or limited by the imagery what people eat . . .The point is judging what is not our to
         judge . . . What is being confront here in both our text and Romans is a judgmental spirit.
               -  A judgmental spirit assumes superiority.
               -  It assumes we understand another person’s motives.
               -  It elevates our own righteousness while magnifying someone else’s faults.
               -  Jesus says before you correct someone else, examine your own heart first.
      *  Listen to what Paul says again in Rom 14:4(NKJ) Who are you to judge another’s servant? To
         his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to
         make him stand.
               -  In other words, every believer ultimately answers to the Lord.
               -  When we take on the role of judge over others, we are stepping into a position that belongs
                  to God alone.
      *  A powerful biblical example of this habit appears in John 8.
               -  The Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery before Jesus.
               -  They were ready to stone her according to the law . . . And the law was on their side.
               -  But Jesus did something unexpected . . . John 8:7(NKJ) the Bible says . . . So when they
                  continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin
                  among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
               -  And one by one this women accusers walked away . . . Why?
               -  Because judging others is easy until the light of God shines on our own hearts.
               -  Jesus did not excuse the woman’s sin . . . He approached her with mercy and restoration
                  rather than condemnation.
      *  The problem is this habit often shows up in the church in subtle ways.
               -  Someone may say . . . “Why does that person worship like that?”
               -  “Why are they always late?” . . . “Why don’t they serve more?” . . .“Why do they dress like that?”
               -  But we rarely know the full story.
               -  We don’t know what battle someone fought just to make it to church that morning.
               -  We don’t know the struggles they are carrying.
               -  We don’t know the work the Holy Spirit is doing in their life.
               -  Judging creates distance instead of compassion.
      *  A judging spirit damages the very thing the Holy Spirit came to build . . . The unity of the body.
               -  Eph 4:1-3(NKJ) Says . . . I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk
                  worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness,
                  with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of
                  the Spirit in the bond of peace.
               -  Notice that phrase . . . The unity of the Spirit.
               -  Unity is something the Holy Spirit produces.
               -  But when believers constantly measure, compare, and condemn one another, that unity is
                  fractured and divided.
      *  Judging also feeds pride . . . James 4:6(NKJ) God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
               -  A judging spirit often reveals a heart that has forgotten how much grace it has received.
      *  Instead of judging others the Bible calls us to practice humble self-examination.
               -  Paul writes in 1 Cor 11:31(NKJ) For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
               -  Healthy believers regularly examine their own hearts before God.
               -  David prayed this way in Psalm 139:23-24(NKJ) Search me, O God, and know my heart;
                  Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me
                  in the way everlasting . . . That is a Spirit-led habit!
               -  Instead of magnifying another person’s faults, we ask the Holy Spirit to reveal our own.
      *  Another way of overcoming a judgmental spirit is showing mercy.
               -  James 2:13(NKJ) says . . . For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no
                  mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
               -  The church should be the place where grace flows freely, because we all need grace.
               -  When we remember that we were forgiven, restored, and lifted by God’s mercy, it changes
                   how we look at others . . . Instead of judging them, we begin to pray for them.

2. The Habit of Being Critical.

      *  The second habit that grieves the Holy Spirit is being critical.
               -  Judging and criticizing often travel together, but they are not exactly the same.
               -  Judging deals with the attitude of the heart . . . Criticizing shows up in the words of our mouth!
               -  Our text says in Eph 4:29(NKJ) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what
                  is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
               -  James 4:11-12(NKJ) Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a
                  brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you
                  judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is
                  able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
               -  James marries the ideas of "speaking evil" of someone and judgement.
               -  The phrase “speak evil” means to slander, tear down, or speak against someone.
      *  Notice the contrast in these two passages . . . Corrupt speech tears down.
               -  Spirit-led speech builds up.
      *  Criticism often disguises itself as concern, discernment, or even honesty.
               -  But the fruit of criticism is rarely helpful . . . It leaves people discouraged, wounded, and
                  defensive.
      *  What we must come to understand is the Holy Spirit is a builder of the church.
               -  You and I are the material which He uses to build His church.
               -  1 Peter 2:4-5(NKJ) says . . .  Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men,
                  but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a
                  spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
                  through Jesus Christ.
               -  This phrase . . . "Lively stones" is a biblical metaphor describing you and I as living, active,
                  and vibrant components being built into a spiritual temple by God.
               -  But constant criticism weakens the body . . . It discourages those who serve.
               -  It creates an atmosphere where people feel unsafe to grow.
      *  A church filled with criticism becomes heavy and tense.
               -  But a church filled with encouragement becomes alive with faith.
               -  The Holy Spirit moves where faith, love, and encouragement are present.
      *  We see a power example of this in the book of Numbers chapter 12
               -  Miriam and Aaron are criticizing Moses
               -  The surface issue was Moses’ wife, but beneath that complaint was jealousy over leadership.
               -  Num 12:2(NKJ)  So they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has
                  He not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it.
               -  Go heard their criticism . . . God defended Moses and judged Miriam with leprosy until she
                  repented.
               -  This story reveals something important . . . Criticism against God’s servants and His work
                   grieves the heart of the Holy Spirit.
      *  Here is the problem criticism often spreads quietly through conversations . . . Someone says . . .
               -  “I didn’t like the worship today.” . . . “The sermon was too long.”
               -  “They should have done it differently.”
               -  Now, constructive feedback has its place . . . It done in love, grace, and humility.
               -  But criticism really is pride masquerading as concern . . . It never builds anything good.
               -  Instead it discourages those who serve.
      *  Imagine a volunteer who practiced all week to lead worship.
               -  Then afterward they overhear someone criticizing their effort.
               -  Instead of feeling strengthened, they feel wounded.
               -  Words can either fuel ministry or drain the life out of it.
      *  The antidote to criticism is intentional encouragement.
               -  Hebrews 10:24–25(NKJ) says . . . And let us consider one another in order to stir up
                  love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the
                  manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day
                  approaching.
               -  Encouragement multiplies strength in the body of Christ.
               -  And when the atmosphere becomes filled with encouragement, the Holy Spirit moves freely.

3. The Habit of Complaining.

      *  The third habit that grieves the Holy Spirit is complaining.
               -  The habit of complaining is a habit that can quietly take root in our lives . . . One that feels
                  small, even justified at times . . . But carries deep spiritual consequences.
               -  The bible speaks directly to this in Phil 2:14-15(NLT) Do everything without complaining
                  and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of
                  God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
               -  That means complaining isn’t just a personality trait . . . It’s a spiritual issue.
               -  It affects how we represent Christ in a dark world.
      *  We’ve all encountered people who seem to live in the “complaint department.”
               -  Nothing satisfies them . . . Nothing brings lasting joy.
               -  But if we’re honest, this isn’t just about “them” . . . It’s something we all must guard against.
      *  Complaining often begins quietly, deep in the heart . . . It starts with discontentment.
               -  A thought creeps in . . . “This isn’t what I wanted.”
               -  That thought becomes words . . . “This isn’t right.”
               -  Those words become a pattern . . . “Nothing is ever right.”
               -  And before long, it becomes a habit that shapes our perspective.
      *  The Bible shows us this clearly in the story of Israel.
               -  After God delivered them from Egypt, they complained again and again, over 25 times.
               -  They saw miracles, the Red Sea part, manna fall from heaven, water flow from a rock, yet
                  they still complained . . . Why? Because complaining blinded them to God’s goodness.
               -  1 Corinthians 10:10 warns us . . . And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were
                  destroyed by the angel of death.
               -  Their issue wasn’t just their circumstances . . . It was their perspective.
               -  Complaining is ultimately a gratitude problem.
               -  It magnifies the past, distorts the present, and ignores God’s faithfulness.
               -  When we become ungrateful we start to believe that what God has done is not enough and
                  what He is doing is not good . . . And that’s dangerous.
      *  Complaining robs us of joy . . . Complaining destroys peace . . . Complaining hinders progress.
               -  Complaining undermines faith . . . Faith says, “God is able.”
               -  Complaining says, “This will never work.”
               -  And the Holy Spirit will not move in an atmosphere of unbelief.
      *  So how do we overcome this? . . . The answer is not pretending life is perfect.
               -  The answer is cultivating gratitude and trust.
               -  1 Thess 5:18 says . . . In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God.
               -  Notice, it doesn’t say for everything, but in everything.
               -  That means even in difficulty, we can choose to remember who God is and be thankful.
      *  And when gratitude and trust rise, something powerful happens.
               -  Complaining turns into worship . . . Frustration turns into faith . . . The atmosphere shifts.
               -  Instead of draining the room, we begin to lift it.
               -  And that kind of environment invites the Holy Spirit to move.

Conclusion   

      *  The Holy Spirit loves an atmosphere where He is welcome.
               -  He moves where there is humility instead of judgment.
               -  He moves where there is encouragement instead of criticism.
               -  He moves where there is gratitude instead of complaining.
      *  When those healthy habits fill a church, the spiritual atmosphere changes.
               -  Unity grows . . . Faith increases . . . And the presence of God becomes tangible.

Text: Isaiah 40:28–31(NKJ)
*  This morning I want to a few minutes and think about a simple but important question . . .
-  How do we keep going when we feel like we have nothing left to give?
*  Every person in this room has experienced this at some point.
-  It is those moments in life when we feel drained, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
-  And sometimes the biggest problem is . . . It seems like it will never change.
-  But here is the truth we need to hold on to . . . God understands those moments!
-  And God has provided strength for those who are tired and weary!
*  Listen to these words from Isa 41:10(NKJ) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I
  am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous
  right hand.
-  Let that sink in and minister to your heart . . . Our Father in Heaven promises He will . . .
-  Strengthen us . . . Help us . . . And hold us up with His righteous right hand!!
*  Every Christian eventually faces moments when the weight of life presses so heavily on them   that strength seems to disappear.
-  There are seasons when faith feels tired, prayers feel weak, and the burdens of life feel
  overwhelming . . . Some of you, right now, know exactly what that feels like!
*  You’ve prayed . . . You’ve believed . . . You’ve tried to stand strong.
-  But somewhere along the journey, the trial has lingered longer than expected . . .
-  And now you find yourself asking quietly in your heart . . . Lord, I don’t know if I have the
  strength to keep going.
*  The good news of the gospel is that God never required you to have strength in yourself.
-  The Bible consistently shows us, God does His greatest work when our strength runs out.
-  The apostle Paul says in 2 Cor 12:9(NKJ) And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for
  you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
-  When our strength fails . . . God’s strength begins to rise.
Let’s take a moment and look at our text . . . Isaiah 40:28–31(NKJ)  
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of
the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He
gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the
youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on
the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall
run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
*  This passage is one of the most comforting and powerful promises in all of the Bible.
-  It speaks directly to those seasons when we feel exhausted, discouraged, and spiritually
  worn down.
-  In these verses, God reveals His desire to renew the strength of those who depend on Him.
*  So, this morning I want to talk about how God gets us through seasons of exhaustion and how He
  renews our strength when we feel like we have nothing left to give.
*  Our text comes at the end of chapter 40 in Isaiah . . . I think it would help to understand why God
  put these words here.
-  Isaiah 40 begins a major shift in the book of Isaiah.
-  The earlier chapters warned Judah about judgment and exile because of their sin.
-  But beginning in chapter 40, the message changes from warning to comfort and restoration.
-  Isaiah 40:1(NKJ) begins the chapter by saying Comfort, yes, comfort My people! Says
  your God.
*  What this chapter emphasizes God’s greatness, His sovereignty, and His power, and it contrasts
  that power with human weakness.
-  In verses 1 & 2 we see God's promise for comfort and restoration.
-  In verses 3-11 we a call to prepare for coming revelation . . . Jesus!
-  In verses 6-8 we see human frailty vs. the power of God's eternal Word.
-  In verses 12-27 we see the greatness of God.
-  In verses 28-31 we see God's desire to strengthen and renew the weary and discouraged.
-  This is great news for those who feel . . . Like life has drained the strength out of you!
*  One of the greatest lies the enemy tells us when we are overwhelmed is . . .
-  If you were really spiritual, you wouldn’t feel this way.
-  But the Bible shows us something very different.
-  David write in Psalm 61:1-4(NKJ)  Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the
  end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock
  that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the
  enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
*  Even the greatest men and women of God experienced moments where their strength failed.
-  Elijah . . . After experiencing one of the most powerful spiritual victories in the Bible
  suddenly found himself running for his life from Jezebel.
-  Exhausted and discouraged, he sat under a broom tree and the Bible says . . .
-  1 Kings 19:4(NKJ)  But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came
  and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is
  enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”
-  Here is a prophet who had just called fire down from heaven yet he feels completely drained.
*  What did God do? . . . He didn’t rebuke Elijah . . .He restored him.
-  God allowed Elijah to rest, fed him, strengthened him, and then spoke gently to him in a still
  small voice.
-  This shows us something powerful . . . Weakness does not disqualify you.
-  Psalm 34:19(NKJ) reminds us . . . Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord
  delivers him out of them all . . . Trials are not evidence that God has abandoned you.
-  Sometimes they are the very place where God begins His deepest work in your life.
*  Throughout the Bible we are shown that God always moves toward those who are weak and tired.
-  In verse 29 of our text the Bible says . . . He gives power to the weak, and to those who
  have no might He increases strength.
-  I want you to notice something important about that verse . . .
-  God does not give strength to those who already have it . . . He gives strength to those
  who have no strength left.
-  When human resources run out, divine resources become available!
-  Psalm 73:26(NKJ) says . . . My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my
  heart and my portion forever.
*  Sometimes the Lord allows our own strength to fail so we will learn to lean on His!
-  Paul understood this truth deeply . . . It is something we cannot afford to overlook . . .
-  2 Cor 1:8–9(NLT) We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the
  trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed
  beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact,
  we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to
  rely only on God, who raises the dead.
-  Trials teach us to trust in the resurrection power of God!!!!
*  Listen to me this morning . . . The same power that raised Jesus from the dead now strengthens
  us through the Holy Spirit.
-  Rom 8:11(NKJ) says . . . But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells
  in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies
  through His Spirit who dwells in you.
*  One of the most comforting truths in the Bible is this . . . God walks with us through the trial!!
-  Isaiah 43:2(NKJ) says . . . When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And
  through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you
  shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
-  Sometimes the greatest miracle is not the removal of the trial . . . It is the presence of God in
  the middle of it.
-  Psalm 23:4(NKJ) says . . . Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
  I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
-  Notice the Bible says walk through . . . The valley is not your destination . . . It is the door to
       His strength.
*  All these verses and promises must become more than words on a page or fodder for us
  to say amen to . . . These words must be the bedrock we stand on in spite of circumstance.  
You may be saying to yourself right now . . .
This is all good and well and I believe every word you have said . . .
But in the moment when I am the weakest what do I do?
*  It is simple but profound . . . Strength Comes Through Waiting on the Lord!
-  Before we dive into this let me say . . .  Waiting on the Lord is not doing nothing, it doing
  the right thing.
*  Our text in verse 31 says . . . But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.
-  Waiting on the Lord is positioning your heart in dependence upon Him!
-  The Hebrew word for wait carries the idea of binding together, like twisting strands into a rope.
-  When we wait on the Lord, our weakness becomes intertwined with God’s strength.
-  And our weakness becomes His strength.
*  Waiting involves three spiritual disciplines.
1.  We Wait on the Lord Through Prayer . . .
*  We Wait on the Lord Through Prayer . . .
-  When trials overwhelm us, when we feel like we have no strength left . . . Prayer reconnects
  our hearts to God’s presence.
-  Now, this may be the most difficult thing to overcome is apathy . . .
-  When we are struggling and tried many times we descend into apathy . . . I just don't care.
-  I’m too tired to care . . . I don't have any fight left in me . . . Now you want me to pray . . . Yes!!
*  The truth is there is more in you than you believe . . . The devil often exploits or weariness and
  sows lies, tempting us to believe there is nothing left . . . It is simply not true.
*  We must learn that through prayer God shows Himself strong on our behalf.
-  Phil 4:6-7(NKJ) tells us . . . Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
  supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the
  peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
  through Christ Jesus.
-  Prayer does not always remove the trial immediately, but it restores peace and strength with.
2.  We Wait on the Lord Through Worship . . .
*  We Wait on the Lord Through Worship . . .
-  Worship shifts our focus from the problem to the greatness of God.
-  When Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, they began singing hymns at midnight.
-  Acts 16:25-26(NKJ) says . . . But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing
  hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great
  earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the
  doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
-  Worship releases the atmosphere of heaven into the darkest situations.    ( Expound )
3.  We Wait on the Lord Through the Word . . .
*  We Wait on the Lord Through the Word . . .
-  Psalm 119:28 says . . . My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to
  Your word.
-  This verse shows us that when our hearts feel crushed by life’s pressures, God renews our
  strength through His promises and truth found in the Bible.
-  When the David asks God to strengthen him according to Your word, he is acknowledging
  that God’s strength comes through the truth He has already spoken.
-  The Bible reveals God’s character . . . His faithfulness, mercy, and power . . . And when we   remembers those promises, it brings renewed courage and stability.
-  As we meditate on and trust what God has said, His Word lifts the soul out of despair and
  restores spiritual endurance.
-  In this way, we see that real strength does not come merely from relief of circumstances . . .
-  But from letting the truth of God Word reshape the heart and sustain the spirit in the middle
  of heaviness.
 
Conclusion . . . ( Call up Worship Team )
*  Maybe today you feel like your strength is gone . . . Maybe the trial has lasted longer than you
  expected . . . Maybe you’ve prayed and wondered if God hears.
-  Let this truth settle into your heart . . . God has not forgotten you.
-  He says . . . I will never leave you nor forsake you.
-  Remember Isaiah 41:10(NKJ) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am
  your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My
  righteous right hand.
*  When your strength fails, God’s strength remains.
-  When your hope feels weak, His promises remain.
-  And when you feel like you cannot take another step, the Holy Spirit gives you strength to
  stand again.
*  Remember the promise in our text . . . They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and
  not faint.
-  Even when you feel weak . . . God is working.
-  Even when you feel empty . . . God is sustaining.
-  And even when you feel like you cannot go on . . . His grace will carry you forward.
*  If you’re walking through a season where your strength feels gone, this is a moment to bring that
  burden to the Lord.
-  Jesus said . . . Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
-  The invitation is simple . . . Come to Him . . . Lay the burden down.
-  And allow the Spirit of God to renew your strength today.

Making a Difference in This World
Text: Isaiah 6:1–8(NKJ)
* I read a quote the other day that captured my thinking.
- Someone once said . . . “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” - As I thought about this, I realized . . . We are called not just to expose darkness,
but to be
March 8, 2026, Sunday AM
   the light that transforms it . . . That thought is simple, but it is deeply biblical.
- Anybody can talk about what is wrong with the world.
- Anybody can point at sin, confusion, brokenness, and pain pouring into this
 world.
* No doubt we are living in an hour of deep darkness, but darkness has never intimidated
- But the people of God were never called just to complain about darkness. - We were called to walk in victory over it.
 God!!
* Sin may abound, confusion may spread, the world may look like it is drifting farther from
truth . . .
- But this is not the time for the Church to shrink back in fear or waste its voice in
complaining. - This is the hour for the people of God to rise up and pour out of our own lives the power of
God that can deliver this world and set it free.
* Jesus said in Matt 5:14-16(NKJ) You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill
cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand,
and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that
they
may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
- When the fire of God rests on His people, light breaks into darkness, hope rises in broken places, and lives are changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- We were not called just to observe the condition of the world . . . We were called to
carry the
power of God into it.
* You know, I have told you this before, I have been troubled, grieved, for a while . . .
- All that is happening in the church . . . Judgment with no grace, criticism with no appreciation.
- Problems that seem to have no answer, addiction that have no recovery, sickness and disease with no healing . . . And that is in the church.
- This ought not to be . . . We serve a God with power, who paid the price, who
generously
* The church needs to rise to it call and once again push back the powers of darkness and see God move.
                pours all that He has on us . . . Yet we are stuck, stymied, hindered, sidelined. - It is not supposed to be this way!!!! . . .
   - Here is the good news . . .

- God is still raising up men and women who will not just curse the darkness . . .
- But who will be so filled with His presence that they become a flame of fire in the middle of it.
* Listen we are not in the earth by accident . . . We are here on assignment.
- We are not just waiting for heaven.
- We are here to make a difference in this world for the glory of Jesus Christ.
* Let me say it clearly . . . We cannot make that kind of difference in our own strength.
     -
- from heaven. -
Ghost.
- in His power.
We cannot do it with clever words, religious activity, or fleshly effort.
We need the Holy Spirit . . . We need the presence of God . . . We need fresh fire
- We need clean hearts, clear vision, and surrendered lives.
The world does not need another opinion . . . It needs a church full of the Holy
It needs believers who know God, walk with God, hear His voice, and move
     Read Text: Isaiah 6:1–8(NKJ)
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and
the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes
have
seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his
hand
with
it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your
sin
purged.” Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go
for
Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
* Our text shows us how God prepares a person to make a difference in a difficult
time.
- Isaiah lived in troubled times . . . Israel was spiritually compromised.
- The future was uncertain . . . Judgment was looming.
- But in the middle of that darkness, God raised up a man . . . A man filled with
God's presence.
- That's how God works . . . In dark times, He raises anointed men and women
of God.
* What we see is God prepared Isaiah to make a difference by revealing Himself to
Him, cleansing
him, setting Him apart, and commissioning him.
a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth

- So, this morning I want to take a few moments and walk through this passage and see what
it means for us today.
I If We are Going to Make a Difference, We Must See God Correctly.
Isaiah 6:1(NKJ) says . . . In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, sitting on a throne,
high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.
* That fact that King Uzziah died matters . . . Uzziah’s death marked the close of a long and powerful reign in Judah . . . A season had ended . . . The nation was facing uncertainty.
- What had felt established and secure was suddenly shaken.
- But it was in that very moment that Isaiah said, “I saw the Lord.”
- When an earthly throne was affected, heaven’s throne was not.
- When the kingdom around him was shifting, the kingdom above him was
unshaken.
* God had not moved . . . God had not weakened . . . God had not lost control.
- The Lord was still high and lifted up, still glorious, still holy, still reigning over all.
* That is what made the difference for Isaiah . . . He did not just see the crisis of his times; he
saw
the God who was above it.
- He did not just see what had ended on earth; he saw the One who never ends.
* Whenever God’s people lose sight of the God, fear grows, discouragement settles in, and
spiritual vision becomes clouded.
- But when we get a fresh revelation of the Lord’s majesty, everything begins to come
back
       into proper focus.
* We are not living in Isaiah’s exact moment, but we are living in times that feel shaken.
- We have watched things change . . . We have seen confidence in human strength fail. - We have felt the weight of uncertainty in our world, our communities, our families, and
even
* I believe that is where the Spirit is calling the church in this day and age.
in the church.
- But the answer for the people of God is not panic . . . It is revelation.
- It is to get our eyes lifted again until we see the Lord . . . High and lifted up.
  to
God.
and a
- In a time of shaking, God is summoning His people back to the place of vision, back
the place of awe, back to the place of fresh surrender.
- Before Isaiah was commissioned, he had to encounter the Lord.
- Before he could speak to the nation, he had to be revived in the presence of a holy
- And in the same way, the church needs revival . . .
- We need a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a fresh vision of the Lord’s glory,
fresh fire on the altar of our hearts.
- We do not overcome a troubled hour by leaning on flesh.
- We overcome it by seeing the Lord, hearing His voice, and being filled again with His

Spirit. - The God who sat on the throne in Isaiah 6 is still reigning now, and He is still able to
awaken
His people, cleanse His servants, and send His church in power.
* Listen, if we are going to make a difference in this world, we need a fresh vision of God.

• -  Not a small God . . . Not a distant God . . . Not a God we only talk about on Sundays.
• -  We need to see Him as He is . . . High and lifted up!!!

* Isaiah did not see a weak God . . . He did not see a nervous God . . . He did not see a
defeated
God . . . He saw God enthroned.
- And the seraphim cried out in Isaiah 6:3(NKJ) Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the
whole earth is full of His glory!
* That tells us something important . . . Before Isaiah could speak for God, he had to see God.
- Before he could influence men, he had to encounter the Lord.
- That is still true today . . . We will never change the world by being fascinated with the world.
- We make a difference when we become captivated by the glory of God.
- This is where Spirit-filled life begins . . . It begins with an encounter.
- It begins when God becomes more than a concept and more than a doctrine. - It begins when the Holy Spirit makes Jesus real to us.
Pray: Oh God, I pray that you become real to us today, show us who you really are.
* Some people know about God, but they do not know Him intimately.
- Some have what I like to call . . . Church familiarity, but not spiritual reality.
- Some people cannot see God because they do not really know God, or because
they are
spiritually shallow, spiritually lazy, or hindered by sin . . . That is why we need revival!!
- We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes again.
* Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:15-20(NLT) Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in
the
Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking
God
for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your
knowledge
of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called, his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of
God’s
power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the
              dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

* We need that in this hour. We need to see that our God is still mighty.
- He still heals . . . He still saves . . . He still delivers . . . He still speaks . . . He
still moves.
- If we are going to make a difference, we need more than talent. - We need more than personality . . . We need more than strategy. - We need the power of the Holy Spirit.
II If We are Going to Make a Difference, We Must Let the Holiness of God Change Us.
* When Isaiah saw the Lord, the next thing he saw was himself.
- Isaiah 6:5(NKJ) says . . . So I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I
am a man of
unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes
have
hide.
impressive.
- He cried out, Woe is me . . . That is one of the marks of a genuine encounter
with God.
- It produces humility . . . Spirit-filled believers must never lose this.
- We believe in power . . . We believe in miracles . . . We believe in the gifts of
the Spirit.
- We believe in boldness . . . But we also believe in holiness.
- We believe the Holy Spirit convicts, purifies, and sanctifies.
- The Spirit who fills is also the Spirit who searches, convicts us, and changes
us.
* Sin can keep hinder our fellowship with God and from seeing Him at work in our
lives.

• -  Hidden sin will always hinder spiritual clarity . . . Pride will cloud our vision.
• -  Bitterness will poison our prayers . . . Compromise will weaken our witness.
• -  And as we talk about last week . . . Thank God, when the Holy Spirit convicts,
  He is not
  trying to destroy us . . . He is drawing us back to the altar.
  * We cannot make a difference while protecting what God is trying to purge.

• -  We cannot carry holy fire with unrepented sin in our hearts.
• -  We cannot ask God to use us publicly while resisting Him privately.
• -  The Lord is still looking for yielded vessels.
• -  He is still looking for men and women who will say, Search me, cleanse me,
  change me,
  and use me.
  * Isaiah 6:6-7(NKJ) says . . . Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live

seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

• -  That is what happens in the presence of God.
• -  His light exposes everything . . . His holiness reveals what our flesh wants to

- His glory unmasks pride, self-reliance, compromise, bitterness, and secret sin. * Isaiah did not respond by saying . . . I am ready . . . I am qualified . . . I am

coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it,
and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin
purged.
effort.
from you.
- - - -
- * Here
-
What Isaiah could not do for himself, God did for him.
Isaiah confessed his uncleanness, but heaven supplied the cleansing.
That is grace . . . That is the mercy of God.
For us, it points us to the cross of Jesus Christ . . . We are not cleansed by self-
We are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.
is the key to this outrageous gift of Grace . . . Maintaining the victory. James 4:7-8(NKJ) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
* This is where it all begins . . . With personal submission to God.
- Without submission to God, the Holy Spirit can not lead us into a life of holiness. - It is the strategy of the enemy to undermine holiness in our lives . . .
- Every chance he gets, he will move us from holiness to carnality.
- James tells us that if we are going to effectively resist the devil and see him flee,
we must come to a place of humility and submit ourselves to God.
1 Pet 5:6-7(NKJ) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that
He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
- In other words, we refuse to be prideful and arrogant, but now we choose to become obedient and conform our behavior to God.
* The word submit portrays an individual who willfully places themselves under the authority of
God.
- Rather than go their own way, they place themselves under command.
- There is nothing accidental or haphazard about it.
* Submission to God is really a discipline of abstinence because it's about denying
ourselves the power or privilege of what we want.
- In submission, we’re choosing not to make things happen for ourselves, not to
control people or situations even if we can.
- But instead to come under the Lord’s authority, wisdom, and power.
* Resist the devil and he will flee from you . . . Fight to keep what you have gained. * Draw near to God and He will draw near to you . . . Let Jesus in!!!

“SAFE THINKING”

Intro.  One of our biggest areas of conflict is in our minds.

All of us are subject to various attacks in our minds that can have very serious consequences

1.  One of the greatest blessings of Christianity is a return 
     to sanity
a.  The Bible tells us we can be sane! 

Mark 5:15 (NKJV) 
Then they came to Jesus and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

Ephesians 4:23 (NKJV)
and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. 

Mark 5:15 uses the phrase “right mind” / 2 Timothy 1:7 talks about having a “sound mind” / and Ephesians 4:23 says we have a “renewed mind”

b.  I think all of us want to be in our right minds, have a 
     sound mind, and a renewed mind

When 2 Timothy 1:7 uses the phrase, “sound mind,” it could literally be translated, “safe thinking.” 
Tonight, we’re going to look at how to put a stop to some of the mind hassles we face

2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)  
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. 
I.  IT MATTERS WHAT WE THINK

A.  WE ARE WHAT WE THINK

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)  
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.      

1.  Some of us really don’t get this, I don’t know that I 
     ALWAYS consider this
a.  If we did get this, we would be a lot more careful to 
     guard the kind of thoughts we dwell on

We are what we think

quote:  Psychologist Archibald Hart writes, “Research has shown that one’s thought life influences every aspect of one’s being.” 

Whether we are filled with confidence or fear, depends on the kind of thoughts that occupy our mind on a regular basis

illus.Over the last 30 years or so, the most dominant movement in 
American psychology has been what is known as cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychology is built around the truth that the 
way we think determines so much about us.

2.  The way we think creates attitudes, it shapes our 
     emotions, and governs our behavior
a.  The way we think, even effects our immune system and 
     our vulnerability to illness

It matters what we think!
Everything about us flows out of the way we think 

3.  The way we think, determines how we feel, and the 
     way we feel, determines how we act 

ex.Job experienced this…

Job 21:6 (NCV)    
When I think about this, I am terribly afraid and my body shakes.
Jobs thoughts were so troubling they made his whole body tremble

a.  All of us know from experience that our thoughts 
    influence how we act (our behavior)

When we think angry thoughts, we can work ourselves into a rage. (It can be over something as stupid as a place in line at the grocery store.)
Or, if we start thinking depressing thoughts, “Nobody cares, I’m all alone, it will never get any better, I can’t do anything right, etc.” We can think ourselves into a state of absolute misery!

B.  GENERALLY SPEAKING, OUR NEGATIVE THOUGHTS COME 
     FROM 3 AREAS
1.  What we think is influenced by the world 
a.  Societal influences: family, friends, people we work 
     with, the media, etc.
Who we listen to, what we watch on TV, the things we read, the sites we go to on the internet, are all shaping our minds and will determine the kind of people we become

2.  Our thoughts come from the flesh
a.  Our thoughts come from us!
b.  Some of our thoughts are out of our own carnality

Matthew 15:19-20 (NLT) 
19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.  
20 These are what defile you…

3.  Some of our thoughts come from the devil 

2 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV)
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.


a.  The word minds that’s used here is the Greek word,
     noema, and it’s the same Greek word that’s used for 
     thoughts

2 Cor 11:3 could read just as accurately, “…just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your thoughts may somehow be led astray…”

b.  Satan tries to plant thoughts of fear, doubt, uncertainty, 
     anger, hatred, impurity, and on and on and on…

Whatever the origin, the world, the flesh, or the devil, we’ve got to learn to control our thoughts


II.HOW TO HAVE A SOUND MIND

A.  IT REQUIRES A REACTION

2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) 
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God…

When we catch ourselves thinking the wrong way, we can’t just let it go
We’ve got to react, do something about it
Our wrong thinking requires a reaction
Casting down imaginations

1.  This isn’t just warning us about having an overactive 
     imagination
a.  When 2 Corinthians says, casting down 
     imaginations, it isn’t just talking about overactive 
     imaginations
b.  The word imaginations that’s used here actually 
     means reasoning 

2.  We’re to react and cast down reasoning that is against 
     or contrary to the knowledge of God

This happens to us all the time
We all have thoughts that bombard us that are against the knowledge of God (or what’s true of God and His will)

ex.  “God’s not there, or if He is there He’s not listening, or if He is 
listening He must not care!”
Or, “I’ll never change, stuff in my life won’t get any better…”

We have to cast down those thoughts
They are contrary to what’s true of God 

3.  Notice the wording in 2 Corinthians 10:5, casting down
a.  It means to demolish, pull down, destroy
b.  We’ve got to react against those thoughts

We can’t just let those thoughts go
It’s incredible what we sometimes allow ourselves to think about

ex.Sinful thoughts, self accusing thoughts, God accusing thoughts.
We may think it doesn’t really matter because they’re only thoughts. 
They do matter. Our thoughts shape our lives.

Cast down, demolish, destroy…react!

ex.“I’m not going to let this go. I refuse to think this way.”

Wrong thinking requires a reaction
We can’t just let it go

B.  IF WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A SOUND MIND IT REQUIRES A 
     DELIBERATE ACTION

2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)  
…and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

1.  What he’s saying is we’ve got to become more God-
     minded


Colossians 3:2 (NKJV)   
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 

a.  This isn’t talking about being spacey, head in the clouds, 
     hyper-spirituality, where we never see the hard realities 
     of life; of an economy in trouble, or when we’re facing a 
      health issue, or our kids have problems

Setting our minds on things above means we are determined to have and keep God’s perspective in the midst of the hard realities in life

If the economy tanks, we set our minds on things above, 
“My God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory.” Phil. 4:19

If the doctor gives us a negative report, we set our minds, “by His stripes I am healed.” Isa.53:5

If our kids are in trouble, we set our minds, “God is faithful to keep what I’ve committed to Him.”  2Tim. 1:12

2.  This isn’t always easy
a.  I think that’s why the Bible says we have to bring our 
     thoughts captive
b.  Because our thoughts will try to run away toward fear, 
     despair, and hopelessness

3.  We’ve got to act and capture our thoughts to the 
     obedience of Christ

We need to demand something of our thoughts. “I demand that my thoughts line up with the truth of God’s word!”

quote: Francis Frangipane,  “Every battle we face in life is over the Word and whether or not we can build our lives upon the faithfulness and integrity of God.”

4.  We must capture our thoughts with the truth


John 14:6 (NKJV)   
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…

a.  Jesus is the truth

Romans 3:4 (NKJV)    
…let God be true but every man a liar.
 
Our thoughts will lie to us, “You’ll never amount to anything, you’ll never measure up as a Christian, you’re all alone…”

“Let God be true but every man a liar.”
We can trust Him to be true to His word
We should be quick to brand the lies we hear! 

ex.  “You’ll never amount to anything,” (“That’s a lie!”), “you’ll never measure up as a Christian,” (“That’s a lie!”),  you’re all alone…” (“That’s a lie!”),

If we’re going to have sound minds, we’ve got to capture our thoughts with truth

Here’s some truth we’re going to close with…

Psalm 46:1-2 & 10-11 (NKJV)
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah (Think about it!)



PRAYER AND CONFESSION:  Thank You Jesus, for giving me the ability to think safely, to have a sound mind. I ask You to help me think right thoughts. Help me to react to wrong thoughts and cast them down. Help me to capture my thoughts with the truth of Your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.