2011, A Better Year Ahead

2011, A Better Year Ahead

Philippians 4:6-8 (King James Version) Pastor Ken Crow

6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Within every human being a war rages. No one is exempt. Rich, poor , young or old , man or woman the battle is fierce.

The forces of the enemy rage unrelenting day after day , week after week seeking to take control of our thinking .

It is in thoughts that horrendous deeds are conceived and once cultivated and nurtured bring about actions that are detrimental and destructive .

It is in thoughts that little petty things creep in that may not be so obviously detrimental in the short term but allowed to fester get between us and God hindering our walk and keeping us from maturing as a Christian.

The enemy has affected some of us through this battle of the mind with small thinking and inferior self esteem even convincing us that we just don’t measure up to doing anything significant for Jesus Christ.

We are about to start a new year on the calendar . Many of us have dealt this past year with great disappointment . Some of us with tremendous heartbreak. Others have suffered loss of family members and change of circumstances in jobs and economic conditions . In times like the preceding it seems hard to think on those things which are lovely and of a good report.

This morning we have a choice. Every man, woman ,boy and girl in this place this morning has a choice. We have a choice individually and as a church . Are we going to allow the enemy to magnify the negative things gone wrong in our life or are we going to make the choice that because Jesus Christ is on our side that 2011 will be the greatest year in Jesus that we have ever experienced . Are we going to let the enemy drag us back because something did not go as expected or are we going to thank God for the learning experience that came out of it.

1. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (King James Version)

4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5Casting 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;

6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Genesis 4:3-7 (King James Version)

3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

A. Cain allowed his jealousy and pride to nurture in his mind and that lead to his murdering his brother.

B. Pride will always exalt itself against the knowledge and Word of God.

Proverbs 29:23 (King James Version)

23A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

If Cain had just brought his thoughts into captivity.

Say this with me or write it down.

Lord help me bring these thoughts that people are out there doing me wrong into captivity. Lord help me cast down this imagination that keeps making a mountain out of a mole hill. Lord I do not wish to end up like Cain this year allowing the enemy to get the best of me and hindering my witness and my walk.

In the name of Jesus I instruct Satan to Shut Up . Your word tells me if I resist the Devil he will flee from me….Lord God at this minute right now I resist the devil and all his tactics that he is using to control my mind and thinking.

2. Numbers 11:1-6 (King James Version)