Sermon 2: Breakthrough in the mind!
Thesis: We are in a war and for the most part that war is within – in our minds – it’s also in our thoughts and what we set our minds on becomes our reality – our minds dictate how we respond to life, situations and people. We need to have a renewed mind to win the war against the enemy of our spirit, soul and body and have a mind like Jesus.
Here are some main Scriptures making the battlefield of the mind clear:
Philippians 2:1-5: 1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like–minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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.”
Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Introduction:
The mind is basically a communication and control system between the spirit, soul and body of a person. The mind filters the environment around the individual. This mind is composed of mental image pictures which are recordings of past experiences, present situations and even perceptions of events. The individual uses his or her mind to solve problems related to survival and to direct his or her efforts according to these solutions.
According to Scientists: The mind is made up of two parts—the analytical mind and the reactive mind. The analytical mind is the rational, conscious, aware mind which thinks, observes data, remembers it and resolves problems. The reactive mind is the portion of a person’s mind which works on a totally stimulus-response basis. It is not under volitional control, and exerts force and the power of command over awareness, purposes, thoughts, body and actions.
Words float through my mind all day – some are good words, some negative words, some self-centered, some other centered, some dialogue goes in in my mind to is that a good idea, and that was a dumb thing I just said. Words go through my mind to describe my perceptions throughout the day. Things others said or did not say.
My mind is a place for intellect, reasoning and it does direct my behavior, and my actions in any given day. My mind can bring me spiritual transformation with the help of the Lord. Or it could be yielded over to messy thinking and faulty reasoning (worldly clutter) which could be evil, lustful, self-centered, angry, ego driven, racist, or fleshly. This is why the enemy tries to mess up and distort our minds focus – the dragon wants you mind self-centered, evil focused but not God-focused.
What does your mind dwell on – what does your mindset believe about God? How cluttered is your mind with worldly-fleshly stuff?
Quote from https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/renewing-the-mind-vince-miller-sermon-on-renewing-your-mind-234150?ref=SermonSerps
“So a few years back, two professors from Baylor University, wrote a book on how America viewed God himself. And essentially they did surveys of American's and American Christians and how they viewed God. They came up with 4 different variations on how people viewed God. They either viewed him as - number 1, "An Authoritative God." Meaning that God's very judgmental, and very engaged in the world at the same time. Number 2, he's "A Benevolent God." A God who is thoroughly involved in everyday lives - yet is loving and not stern. 3, "A Critical God." A God who is removed from daily events, but renders a strong judgment in the afterlife. And number 4, "A Distant God." A God who set the world in motion, and then disengaged. These people tend to call themselves spiritual, but not religious. So there you have it. An authoritative God, a benevolent God, a critical God and a distant God. This is how Americans view God himself. And I've got to tell you, how we view God matters. How we view God in our mind, absolutely matters.”
The truth is worldly clutter can and will distort your perception of God – of Jesus!
AW Tozer said in his book, "The Knowledge of the Holy," "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." And then he continues by saying, "For this reason, the gravest question before the church is always God himself. And the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at any given time may say or do, but what he and his deep heart conceives God to be like. We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God."
How does your mind perceive God – what is its picture of God – of Jesus – of the Bible?
Judy Allen stated, “I have a choice. Will I train my brain to concentrate on the things of God (and a proper view of God), or will I let it be consumed by the things of this world?” from https://unlockingthebible.org/2016/05/five-steps-to-renewing-your-mind/
Scripture reminds us we have a choice what we will focus on in our minds:
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)
The Bible speaks of 6 ways to get a breakthrough in the battlefield of your mind:
Sermon 2: Breakthrough in the mind!
1. Lighten up – Live-laugh-love-pray ( we see these phrases around but what do they mean)
a. Jesus commanded us to let burdens go to Him – instead of trying to figure it all out with our minds:
i. Matthew 11:28-30: 28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
b. If you observe and study the life of Jesus this is how He worked through situations in His life – he lightened the burden by Going to God the Father and laying things at His feet:
i. Matthew 26:36-46: 36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” 42He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
1. Jesus went to the Father to have the load lightened in His life – especially the choice to go to the cross for mankind and die for mankind.
a. I know most of us here are not looking for this kind of burden or sacrifice to be lightened but the principle and example of Jesus – needs to impact us today – his mindset to relieve stress and pressure was go to the father and dialogue – connect with Him.
b. He even brough his most faithful disciples with him to help lighten his load and they did not care they slept while he struggles – I am just saying others will not always help lighten your load in life – this is why we need Jesus – we need a relationship with God the Father.
c. To have a mindset like Jesus as Paul instructs is to have a mindset that runs to the Father when we are overloaded and ask for help – for clarity for strength.
2. Forgive yourself – you do this by changing your self-talk!
a. The biggest key I think to the renewal of your mind is how you perceive yourself because your thoughts create your emotions and shape your mindset:
i. Romans 8:1-2: 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
1. Our perception of ourselves has a lot to do with how we react with the world around us.
2. Our perception of our status as children of God creates our mindset of God.
3. Listen the Devil wants to convince you that you are worthless in the eyes of God – a low life – a person who does not deserve His love – so he shames and blames and continues to throw our sins in our faces over and over.
ii. Colossians 1:13-14: 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
1. Listen if you have repented and changed your direction – you are forgiven by God – don’t let the Devil steal your redemption away – he will try – He will shame but you are a part of the family of God! Believe it and live that way – your mind needs to take captive the Devil’s condemnation and believe God over the Devil’s lies. Believe His word over the accuser in your minds!
iii. Quote: https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/change-your-thinking-revolutionize-your-life-bishop-lalachan-abraham-sermon-on-transformation-183544?ref=SermonSerps
1. “Research indicates that most people speak at a rate of 150 to 200 words per minute, but the internal dialogue that you carry on with yourself (self-talk) you do at a rate of 1300 words per minute. The problem is, in all that self-talk, a lot of people are Negative. Whatever your circumstance today – rich or poor, success or a failure, happy or sad – is nothing but the product of your thoughts. In a very simple manner, you are a product of your thoughts.”
a. Dr. Stoop states, “Other studies suggest that since many of our thoughts take the form of mental images or concepts, we can think of something in a fleeting moment that would take us many minutes of verbal speech to describe” (Page 30).
i. But here this your thinking and self-talk will direct your mindset.
b. Proverbs 23:7 (NASB) “For as he thinks within himself, so he is…”
2. Self-talk defined: “Self-talk is your internal dialogue. It’s influenced by your subconscious mind, and it reveals your thoughts, beliefs, questions, and ideas. Self-talk can be both negative and positive. It can be encouraging, and it can be distressing. Much of your self-talk depends on your personality. If you’re an optimist, your self-talk may be more hopeful and positive. The opposite is generally true if you tend to be a pessimist. Positive thinking and optimism can be effective stress management tools. Indeed, having a more positive outlook on life can provide you with some health benefits. For example, one 2010 study shows optimists have a better quality of life.”
a. https://www.healthline.com/health/positive-self-talk
b. I read a book and sat in a seminar taught by Dr. David Stoop – His topic was “Self Talk” the key to personal growth – I say the key to Breakthrough!
i. He looks at Jeremiah’s depression and how it was shaped by how he saw current events, how he perceived God go look in Lamentations 3:1-20. We see from this chapter that Jeremiah is focused on his misery and it reveals that he is depressed to the point that it impacts him physically.
1. Doctors tell us our mindsets impact our physical health – not just mental health or spiritual health.
ii. Dr. Stoop points out “It’s not all the awful events in his life that are causing grief; it’s his choice of thoughts about these events – His Self-talk! (page 33)
1. We see a shift in Jeremiah in verse 21 were he says, “But this I call to mind, and therefore have hope - his choice to see the light of the ray of hope changes his emotions see verses 22-24
2. This is what we need to do with our self-talk – change it!
3. Here is the truth about our thoughts by Dr. Stoop:
a. Our thoughts create our emotions.
b. Our thoughts affect our behavior.
c. We create a renewed mind by gaining control over our thoughts (our self-talk).
3. Forgive others – or suffer from a twisted mind and ill health.
a. Matthew 6:14-15: 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
i. You want a renewed mind – you want to be forgiven by God – then forgive others – because unforgiveness is the Bait of Satan (see book by John Bevere) that destroys people’s lives and mindsets.
1. This is the biggest problem I have discovered for Christians – it’s forgiveness of others – you have to change your mindset and choose the path of forgiveness!
b. Matthew 18:21: 21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
i. Did you hear this teaching of Jesus? – Jesus mindset in this teaching is – you choose not to forgive others then God will not forgive you – seriously! This is a big deal – you want a renewed mind – choose to forgive.
c. Colossians 3:12-14: 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
i. Thought from https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-is-forgiveness/
1. Forgiveness is the act of pardoning an offender. In the Bible, the Greek word translated “forgiveness” literally means “to let go,” as when a person does not demand payment for a debt. Jesus used this comparison when he taught his followers to pray: “Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is in debt to us.” (Luke 11:4) Likewise, in his parable of the unmerciful slave, Jesus equated forgiveness with canceling a debt.—Matthew 18:23-35.
2. We forgive others when we let go of resentment and give up any claim to be compensated for the hurt or loss we have suffered. The Bible teaches that unselfish love is the basis for true forgiveness, since love “does not keep account of the injury.”—1 Corinthians 13:4, 5.
ii. Dr. Don Colbert stated in his book “Stress Less” said this about forgiveness:
1. “Through the years I have had a number of patients who came to me after they had experienced a major ‘wake up call’ in their health. In some cases, they were diagnosed with an illness and told they had only three to six months to live. I have discovered in dealing with these patients that many of them began to spiral down into ill health at the time they began to harbor an offense. They had been emotionally wounded in some way and had refused to forgive” (Page 72)
a. Share story from Grygla mn.
2. He adds, “A number of commentators have noted that Americans today are an angry and hostile people. Most anger is rooted in this issue of offense. The vast majority of people in our nation have a grievance story, and generally speaking, they are quick to tell it to you! Here is a striking statistic: 20 percent of Americans have a hostility level that is high enough to be dangerous to their health.' This figure can be translated into approximately sixty million Americans! Hostility, of course, is a major risk factor for hypertension. One in four adult Americans has hypertension.2 Hostility and anger are also risk factors for heart disease. In one twenty-five-year study involving 255 medical students from the University of North Carolina, researchers found that subjects who were found to have the most hostility on the Standard Personality Test had a nearly five times greater risk of developing heart disease as their less hostile classmates. They were also more likely to die by age fifty-seven”
a. Donald Colbert. Stress Less: Do you want a stress-free life? (Kindle Locations 847-849). Kindle Edition.
4. Don’t Worry – it does not change anything!
a. Jesus had a mindset we all must go after – “No Worry” Matthew 6:25-34: 25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
i. Jesus forbids worry in this passage – in this message. Three times he commands his followers to not worry – “Don’t Worry!” why- because He’s got this!
1. Jesus “Don’t worry!”
2. Repeat the phrase “I choose not to worry – and I choose to be happy!”
ii. Jesus in this passage also addresses those who are about to start worrying, “Don’t make that step. Don’t even begin to worry.” It’s a downhill slide to misery!
1. Share you experience with worry – especially church and school finances!
iii. Point to know: Why did Jesus give this command and teaching?
1. One pastor from sermon central worded it his way: “Jesus’ command is meant to keep his followers from getting hurt. Worry hurts. It affects people and their relationship. It strangles people. It chokes them. It affects even their sleep. It destroys faith. It leads to a lot of trouble.” I add it messes with their mindsets!
a. So, don’t worry – be happy – trust me I have everything under control Jesus says – God will take care of you!
b. Illustration: “Worry is fear's extravagance. It extracts interest on trouble before it comes due. It constantly drains the energy God gives us to face daily problems and to fulfill our many responsibilities. It is therefore a sinful waste. A woman who had lived long enough to have learned some important truths about life remarked, "I've had a lot of trouble -- most of which never happened!" She had worried about many things that had never occurred, and had come to see the total futility of her anxieties.”
i. http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/w/worry.htm
iv. Perspective on worry:
1. “Every evening I turn worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway.” Mary C. Crowley, Be Somebody.
2. “Why worry when you can trust. It is like a rocking chair, it give you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere.” Source Unknown.
3. “Worry pulls tomorrow's cloud over today's sunshine.” C. Swindoll, Questions Christians Ask, p. 18.
4. “Worry is wasting today's time to clutter up tomorrow's opportunities with yesterday's troubles.” Source Unknown.
5. “Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” Swedish proverb.
6. “God is a help in trouble. In worry you are on your own. When you worry, which do you worry about, what might happen or what might not happen? Whichever, turn it around, to relieve anxiety. That's common advice in Scotland. For worriers, the Scots have a proverb: "What may be, may not be." Source Unknown.
5. Stress less so you live longer and happier!
a. James 1:2-4: 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
b. Romans 5:1: 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
c. Hebrews 4:16: 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
i. Dr. Stoop Stated, “Health specialists used to argue over which diseases could be classified as psychosomatic (beginning in the mind) . Today most medical research indicates that between 75-90 percent of all illness is caused by the stresses of modern life. In fact, many researchers no longer ask which diseases are stress related; instead they ask how much of every disease is stress related (Stoop, page 11-12).
1. Stress will distort your mindset – your perceptions!
ii. Dr. Colbert states, “We have a stress epidemic in our nation. The majority of Americans very likely have excessive stress in their lives, and reports of stress seem to indicate that the percentage of Americans each year who feel under "a great deal of stress" is rising. Did you know that 75 to 90 percent of all visits to a primary care physician's office are related to stress disorders? That's according to the American Institute of Stress. What is driving us to the shelves of a pharmacy? Feelings of stress. Americans are consuming five billion tranquilizers, five billion barbiturates, three billion amphetamines, and sixteen tons of aspirin every year.' Much of this "medicine" is being taken to help alleviate stress or the resulting headaches and pain associated with stress! The stress-management industry is flourishing. Many people are taking short courses or reading books to learn techniques for stress management such as time-management skills, coping mechanisms, relaxation techniques, and other strategies. Some stress-management courses offer instruction that is action oriented-confronting problems head-on, thus changing one's perception or environment.”
1. I add and mindsets!
a. Donald Colbert. Stress Less: Do you want a stress-free life? (Kindle Locations 91-97). Kindle Edition.
2. He adds the following warning:
a. “We are at epidemic levels of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, sexual dysfunction, sleep disorders (especially insomnia), osteoporosis, alcoholism, road rage and other forms of violent behavior, PMS, and headaches-and at the root of most of these diseases and ailments we find excessive stress!”
i. Donald Colbert. Stress Less: Do you want a stress-free life? (Kindle Locations 101-103). Kindle Edition.
3. Dr. Cobert notes that if we want to keep from drowning in a sea of stressors we have the tremendous capacity with the help of God to control the critical factors related to stress:
a. We can control our thought patterns with the renewing of the mind! This is the number one thing he says we need to do to control stress – renew the mind – we can do this!
i. He states, “Dr. Albert Ellis, a renowned psychologist and the founder of rational emotive therapy, once said, "The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide the problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny." Owning up to the truth that we do have control over significant portions of our life is often the first step toward reducing stress in our lives.”
1. Donald Colbert. Stress Less: Do you want a stress-free life? (Kindle Locations 153-155). Kindle Edition.
6. Rest more it will change your mindset!
a. Psalm 91:1: 1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9If you make the Most High your dwelling even the LORD, who is my refuge—10then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
b. Jer. 6:16: 16This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls…
c. Matthew 11:28-30: 28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
i. We need to rest at night – get sleep “YES” but also during the day when we are awake according to Dr. Colbert:
1. According to Dr. Benson says Dr. Colbert: “Mindfulness (learning to rest) is the practice of learning to pay attention to what is happening to you from moment to moment. To be mindful, you must slow down, do one activity at a time, and bring your full awareness to both the activity at hand and to your inner experience of it. Mindfulness provides a potentially powerful antidote to the common causes of daily stress such as time pressure, distraction, agitation, and interpersonal conflicts.' This definition of mindfulness reminds me of the words of Jesus: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matt. 6:34). The apostle Paul's exhortation to "[forget] those things which are behind" is another instruction to focus on what is at hand. So many people do not live in the present moment. They are wishing for a "different" moment-either past or future.”
a. Donald Colbert. Stress Less: Do you want a stress-free life? (Kindle Locations 2643-2648). Kindle Edition.
2. He also adds another way to rest while awake: “Praise and thanksgiving: a spiritual form of mindfulness Voicing gratitude and praise to God is a way to practice mindfulness. fulness. The Book of Psalms is filled with the poetry of thanksgiving and praise to God: (This brings rest to your soul and mind).
a. Donald Colbert. Stress Less: Do you want a stress-free life? (Kindle Locations 2671-2672). Kindle Edition.
3. Another way to rest while awake: “Look closely at the world around you. When you walk with a spouse, friend, or child, focus on the beautiful scenery, the chirping of the birds and crickets, and the feel of the warm sunshine or the chill in the air. Focus on the way your body feels as you move your muscles during a brisk twenty-minute minute walk. Refuse to think about goals, projects, or tasks that are not part of the present moment. If a stressful thought comes to mind, choose to move on to a thought that is related to what you are presently seeing, hearing, smelling, or feeling.
a. Donald Colbert. Stress Less: Do you want a stress-free life? (Kindle Locations 2686-2689). Kindle Edition.
4. Another way to rest while awake is: Meditation
a. Dr. Colbert states, “Most Americans-for that matter, most people in the industrialized Western cultures-have come to enjoy being busy, filling their lives with activity, people, and noise. Many do not even understand the art of quiet, solitary meditation; others consider it boring. I highly recommend meditation, however, and find it anything but boring!”
i. Donald Colbert. Stress Less: Do you want a stress-free life? (Kindle Locations 2744-2745). Kindle Edition.
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from our message today?
Answer: Mindsets need renewed – because what’s in our minds – what’s in our thoughts -becomes our reality – the things we act on. Our minds will dictate how we respond to life, to situations and to others!
Why do we need to know this?
Answer: Our mindsets can be renewed with the Word – we can cultivate a mind of Christ – God wants to help us do this – this is why He sent the Holy Spirit.
What do we need to do?
Answer: Be intentional about renewing our minds!
Why do we need to do this?
Answer: If we do our minds will become de-cluttered by worldly stuff and be refreshed by the things of God! This renewed mind will help us feel better, forgive us and others, help us worry less, stress less, enable us to be healthier, lighten the load of life and rest more in God’s presence.
