Winning The War In Your Mind
Monday, May 3, 2021
The more you read the Bible the more you will find people struggling in the same way you do. Jealousy and envy are universal struggles indeed. Jealousy and envy invade our hearts when we see the ungodly doing "better" than us. We can't understand why we are following God and can't seem to get ahead. Our finances, health and relationships might be in shambles and the ungodly seem to be thriving. This war in our mind rages day in and day out. However, when we realize the psalmist "foot almost slipped too" (he almost got envious and jealous for their lifestyle) we know we are not alone. God's promise to us is this kingdom will end and His never will. Do you want "yours" for the next 50 years, or later in a kingdom that will never end? I don't know about you, but the more fulfilling option seems to be eternity.
- Ask God to show you where you need to trust in Him more.
- Ask God your hard questions and see if over time He will answer you.
- Write your questions down and set an alarm to
review them every month or so.
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
When you find yourself displaying a critical spirit, which personal characteristic are you likely experiencing?
Low self-esteem
High-self-esteem
Jealousy
Repercussions from previous personal abuse
Hidden sin
Love Instead of Hate
God commands us to love Him and to love others. The simplest way to view this is to stop feeding the flesh and start feeding the spirit. The Bible is chalked full of all things we are to put off and all things we are to put on. 1 Peter 2 tells us to put off malice, envy and slander and to pursue the pure milk of the word. We are to stop returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but to give a blessing instead (1 Peter 3:9).
Building Up Instead of Tearing Down
A critical spirit naturally tears down, but as believers, we are called to build others. In Romans, the Paul instructs us on how to build up others. We are to focus on pleasing our neighbor (15:2) and pursuing things which make for peace (14:19). A person with a critical spirit must be renewed in the spirit of her mind as she seeks to do all things for edification (1 Corinthians 14:26).
Giving Grace Instead of Giving Grief
As believers, our words and our lives are to reflect God’s grace. We are to give grace to others instead of the grief that comes from a critical spirit. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” We are to be “kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). We have not been given authority over the hearts of others.
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
We all have expectations of others. There is nothing wrong with high expectations. There is a tendency in all of us to place our joy and happiness in those expectations though. When someone is not meeting our expectations can control our mood, expectation are no longer expectations, they have become dols. All of our hope must me in Jesus. Jesus is the only person that can bring complete and total joy in our hearts. He is all we need.
Who have you burdened down with meeting your needs?
Who has been shamed for not meeting a need for you that they were never intended to meet to begin with?
Where have you carried a burden unnecessarily that someone has placed on you.
Ask God to give you rest from that burden.
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Friday, May 7, 2021
Jesus reminds us He is the one doing the work in our lives. Reading the Bible, attending church, standing up to temptation, sharing our faith and prayer are all signs God is up to something big in our lives. Each little victory belongs to Him. As we cooperate with the Holy Spirit in obedience it becomes easier and easier to both obey God but to also feel the peace and security that comes with the work of God in changing our hearts. Jesus invites us to "yoke up" with Him because he'll do the work for us as He teach us. The great thing with Jesus is His work will not make us tired or burdened, but will make us restful. Relying on Jesus is a lot better than relying on our own effort.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday Worship Gathering//10:30 AM
Wednesday Selected Bible Studies//6 PM
Wednesday Elementary Gathering//6 PM
Wednesday Student Ministry//6 PM
Thursday Mercy Band Rehearsal//6:00 PM
