Most people would love some new direction for their lives in the New Year, but because of past failed “New Year’s Resolutions”, they say, “what’s the use.” In this sermon series, Pastor Tom Cogle will guide us each week in how we can turn our “Downhill Habits” into “Uphill Hopes” for 2020. God can give you a new direction in this New Year!
UPHILL HABITS
New direction for a New year
Week 2: Control my Thoughts
Pastor Tom Cogle
January 12, 2020
Most people have uphill hopes and downhill habits.
(Romans 12:2 MSG) Fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Habit #2 Control my Thoughts.
(Ecclesiastes 10:2 MSG) Wise thinking leads to right living. Stupid thinking leads to wrong living.
Everything begins with a thought.(Romans 12:2 NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
What we think determines how we feel.(Philippians 4:8-9) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy– think about such things… and the God of peace will be with you.
Our thoughts determine our destiny.(Romans 8:5-6 NLT) Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.
Mastering the Habit
1. Find a plan to control my thoughts.(Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
2. Find a place to think my thoughts.(Isaiah 26:3 NLT) You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
(Colossians 3:2 NLT) Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
3. Find a person to stretch my thoughts.(Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT) Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
4. Find a purpose to land my thoughts.(Romans 12:2) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
5. Find a power to fuel my thoughts.(Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.