The God Equation.
Philippians 4.8-9AMP
Negativism makes a faithful person want to weep; It’s tough to fight a pessimistic spirit. This spirit of negativism (fear) can break down the greatest thinkers. It can make them feel paralyzed through and through. -A bad report is a report without the God equation.
Philippians 4.8-9AMP “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.”
Be aware that Paul wrote this letter while in prison. It’s called a prison epistle. -A person should come to the conclusion that becoming negative does not have anything to do with physical condition, or the atmosphere.
There is a story of a woodpecker who was pecking on a tree. Just as he flew away, lightning hit the tree and split it right down the middle. The woodpecker heard the noise, turned back, and said, “Look what I did!”
A lot of us are like spiritual woodpeckers. We walk around consciously and subconsciously and say, “Look at the house I’ve bought. Look at this car I drive. Look at the school I went to. Look at the job I have. Look at what I have done.”
But the only reason why we have anything is because God let lightning strike!
Becoming negative occurs when you take your eyes off the Son of God. You become sensitive to your own emotions, over the power of God and His word.
Be aware that Paul wrote this letter while in prison. It’s called a prison epistle. -A person should come to the conclusion that becoming negative does not have anything to do with physical condition, or the atmosphere.
Hebrews 12.2NIV “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
As I ponder on, Philippians 4.8, I have to think long and hard to find something so true, noble, just, pure, and lovely.
A thought to ponder, some things might fit this category, but how long do they stay this wonderful?
I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit say, “Only Jesus Christ stays and remains the same forever, Hebrews 13.8.
Think about this- pure, lovely, and just. “As men of old walked in God’s obedience, they were always challenged. -The voice of negativism, opinions of men, and plain out disobedience spoke to them, as it does us.” PH
When Negativism, unbelief, and fear manifest, they become ‘one’ as our disobedience is practiced.
Times have not changed, but satan still works the same way. (The devil knows if he can get you thinking wrong he has you)!
Colossians 3.1–2NLT “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
Leaving North Myrtle Beach and going through some small towns. There were some pretty powerful signs on the side of the road, and I wanted to share a few of them with you.
All the signs had bright yellow background with red letters, and it said, “Repent.” “Jesus, forgive me of my sins.” Jesus, save my soul! Jesus I give you my life.
As I read these signs, I begin to think about the person. who rented these billboards, I have to say these signs touched my heart, because the power of God‘s word, ‘one’ can read a sign like that and be saved and forgiven. P.H
Faith cries out, “You are well able!” Doubt whispers, “You can’t do it.” -You are too small, -You aren’t able, -You’re not smart enough. -You’re out of their league.
Numbers 13.1-2, 27-33NKJV “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.
27 Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.” 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.””
Hear this, Faith calculates the cost, however, it refuses to backdown because of fear.
I wanna give you a fond childhood memory. -Every summer growing up, my brother and I would go to Canton and stay with my uncle Richard and aunt Donna. They lived on a golf course, so every year we would setup our make shift shop, on a popular T-box.
And while the oldest, Harry and Dirk, would find the balls we would sell them. -
Every year in July for one week this sales adventure would pay for all four of us to go to, Six Flags!
We would set our minds on getting it done, while having fun.
However, after the Six Flags trip, we had enough of Six Flags for another summer.
-This I know, walking while enjoying the journey with Jesus is eternal. -Never temporary. PH
“I heard it said that the greatest ideas are buried in the graves of men and women who became afraid of the task set before them.”
A bad report believed becomes a Faith killer. Remember, because God is welcomed into the equation, God adds to the end of any report. -God wins every time.
And here’s why, Jesus paid the price for (everyone) to walk free of negativism and to walk in strong faith, Galatians 3.13!
Acts 10.38NKJV “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
“Some people desire what they had years ago, and because their desires are pointed backwards, those people stay in reverse all their life. It's time for you to lose the backward gear.” PH
Notice, Numbers 13.1-2 And the Lord spoke to Moses, send 12 leaders, one from each tribe to go spy out the land that I am giving you!
2 Peter 1:3 TPT “Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by His divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of His goodness.”
Everything you need for this life has been given. -All the godliness I could ever need, has been given to me!
Numbers 13.27 the men came back and gave this report, The land does flow with milk and honey, and here’s some of its fruit.
Watch the “but” conjunction it can change everything.
You say, “God gave me a great plan, but… “-There milk and honey in the land, but... “God gave me a dream, a vision, but…
How about this one: Though God’s giving me the land, there’s giants in the land; however, God said, “the land is mine!”
Numbers 13.28-29 “Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.””
What do you see? A God of grace, love and provision, or giants? Devils?
So what were these 10 spies saying? “If we go into that land, we will be surrounded by Giants/devils.”
Numbers 13.30 Caleb quieted the people and said, “let us go up at once for we are well able to overcome the land.”
1 John 5.4-5NKJV “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Question, “How victorious are you?”
The 10 Spies rebuttal was, Numbers 13.31 We are not able, they are bigger than we are, they are greater/ stronger than we are!
Verse 32, The 10 cried out, “These men devour their prey.”
Verse 33, Here’s the truth, Ten spoke, we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were like grasshoppers in their sight.
A woman puts a spoonful of dirt into a cup of water, muddying it. She initially tries to remove the dirt with a spoon but realizes it's ineffective. Instead, she starts pouring fresh, clean water into the cup continuously. As the cup overflows, the dirty water is gradually replaced by clean water, until finally, the water in the cup becomes pure again. This demonstrates how positive, spiritual practices can cleanse and renew our lives.
Just like the continuous pouring of clean water cleanses the cup, Continuously immersing ourselves in positive, Godly thoughts and actions can cleanse our lives of negativity and sin.
The process of renewal doesn't always mean directly removing each impurity; instead, it involves filling our lives with so much of God's goodness that there's no room left for the negative. This approach transforms and purifies us from the inside out.
In closing, I want to give you seven truths to keep you on top spiritually, while rejecting negativism. -These truths produce sweetness.
Pray expecting. (Date, time, and season God’s in control).
God’s word is 100% divine. (Believe it, Read it, Study it. Speak it).
Praise and worship breaks your chains. (Paul and Silas)
Associate with the faithful, Hear and heed the words spoken by these faithful.
Go out and witness. Acts 1.8 You shall receive power...
Begin telling God how you would like to function in a greater way through His gifts of the Spirit.
Believe God, speak His word of faith, watch and believe God’s word.
Benediction. While God is 100% able, so while rejecting negativism, He wants us to see a bigger picture. The God equation!
