WINNING THE WAR IN YOUR MIND Message series starting this Sunday, October 31, 2021 Our thoughts are powerful. They change our perspective, impact our decisions, and influence our habits. But what do we do when we become trapped by our thoughts, unable to escape negative and unhealthy thinking? Let’s learn what it means to take our thoughts captive and win the war in our minds. For four weeks, Pastor Tom Cogle will lead us into thinking biblically and give us the tools we need to start changing our thinking so that we can “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5-11
WINNING THE WAR IN YOUR MIND
Today’s Message: Take Your Mind Back
Text: Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8
Pastor Tom Cogle
Sunday, November 7, 2021
Romans 12:2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
· Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.
Philippians 4:8And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise
.… if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
Meditation:
to engage in mental exercise; to focus one’s thoughts
Psalm 119:15 NIV
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 143:5 NIV
… I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
“Your focus needs more focus.”—Jackie Chan, in The Karate Kid
What stronghold is holding you back?
What truth demolishes that stronghold?
Struggling to Know God’s Will:
•Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
•My Truth
My life belongs to God. Daily I seek Him and daily He directs my steps. I know His voice and He leads me to His perfect will.
Lack Confidence:•Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.•My TruthMy confidence is in Christ and Christ alone. Because his Spirit lives within me, I can do everything he calls me to do.
Fighting Lustful Thoughts:
•Hebrews 2:17-18
Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
•My Truth
I’m not a slave to lustful thoughts. Because God has purified my mind, I will honor Him with my eyes and thoughts. My God is faithful. Even if I’m tempted, He will always give me a way out.
Find Comfort in Food:
•Hebrews 12:11All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
•My Truth
When I’m stressed, I turn to God, not food. I come to Jesus because he is what I need. In Him, I find strength and comfort.
Battling Worry:
•Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
•My Truth
Because of Christ, I’m not anxious about anything. I cast my cares on God because he cares for me. I have the peace of God dwelling in my heart and ruling my mind.
Financial Difficulties:
•Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
•My Truth
I believe Your Word today over my finances. I have faithfully given my whole tithes from what I have earned, and I believe that You will open the floodgates of heaven and pout our so much blessing that there will not be room enough
Declarations Over You!
For those of you who are in Christ:
•You are strong and mighty. You have the same power that raised Christ from the dead dwelling inside of you. You are a weapon of righteousness in a world of darkness.
•You are not your past. You are not what you did. You are who God says you are. He says you are forgiven. He says you are redeemed. He says you are free.
•You are not a hostage to your unhealthy thoughts. The weapons you fight with are not the weapons of this world. You have divine power to demolish strongholds.
•You have the mind of Christ directing your thoughts. You have the word of God guiding your steps.
•Worry is not your master. You trust in God. His peace guards your heart, guards your mind, and guards your soul in Christ Jesus.
•Your God has not given you a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind.
•The Lord is your helper. You will not be afraid.
•You are not a slave to your habits. You are not a prisoner to an addiction. You have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the kingdom of God’s light.
•Your God will bless you abundantly, so that in all things, and at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.
•Nothing can separate you from God’s love. Not death. Not demons. Not the present nor the past. No power on earth will ever separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Most of life’s battles are won or lost in your mind.
The Battle Rages But You have Won the War