It's the thought that counts

Week 20 of the 2010 Challenge: Psalm 31; Galatians 4-6

"The mind of man is the battleground on which every moral and spiritual battle is fought." (J. Oswald Sanders)

Why is our thought life so important? It's where every action begins.

Sow a Thought = Reap an Action
Sow an Action = Reap a Habit
Sow a Habit = Reap a Character
Sow a Character = Reap Destiny

Stop entertaining the enemy's lies. It's time to serve an eviction notice to every lie of the devil! Our hearts and minds are guarded by PEACE that passes understanding.

Philippians 4:7, 8 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 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.

The Great Invasion

2010 Challenge Scriptures: Week 19 - Isaiah 43, Galatians 1-3

This year are GOING BIG! B = Battle I = Invasion G = Generate. The I in "BIG" stands for INVADE, but before we can "invade" our promise land--we need God to invade us!

Invasion: to enter as if to take possession; to penetrate; spread over into

When God invades my inner world...

1. He changes my choices
2. He heals my hurts
3. He overcomes my obstacles
4. I surrender my secrets

John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." When we think of this scripture, we usually get it backwards and think, "I have to decrease so that He can increase." I love how The Message version paraphrases this scripture saying, "This is the assigned moment for Him to move to the center, while I slip off to the sidelines." How does this power transfer and soul invasion happen? By, inviting Him to come into every area of my life, and praying to see things through His spirit and not through my temporary fleshly feelings--then my way begins to take a backseat.

God wants to come in and renovate some thing, have you given Him the permits?

What's worth fighting for?

(2010 Challenge Scriptures: Week 19 - Isaiah 43, Galatians 1-3)

"Fight the GOOD fight of faith." 1 Timothy 6:12

Are you a lover or a fighter? My grandfather used to ask me that question, because I was a little spunky and seemed to be looking for a fight. Generally, people tend to lean toward either running from a fight (those who hate any confrontation) or starting them (those who initiate confrontation). In our personalities, balance is not something we walk in easily--it's something we learn as we yield to the Spirit. The fact is there is a time to fight and a time to hold still because the battle is not worth the risks. (Notice I didn't say a time to surrender, because we have the victory in Christ. There is no white flag waving here.)

Pastor Duane's message Sunday will get you thinking about what we are fighting "against" and what we are fighting "for". Joshua and Caleb were the only ones who had the revelation that the battle was not against the GIANTS, but for the promise land. The difference may seem subtle--but it's the difference between victory and surrender.

"Don't waste your time and energy fighting battles that have no spoils." When David went down to fight Goliath, one of the first questions he asked was what the reward for killing him was. Look at the major battles of your life right now. What are the rewards for the victory? Is it really worth fighting for? How many churches split or friendships end over trivial things like what color the carpet should be--in the scope of eternity, does it really matter?

5 Things Worth Fight For:
1. Inheritance Received - Joshua 1:1-3 Our promises from God are worth the battle.
2. Kingdom Realities - Matthew 6:10, Romans 14:17 What is the Kingdom about?
3. Local Church Release - Matthew 16:18 What's Jesus building?
4. Real Relationship - Ephesians 1:17 If my relationship Him is growing, so do all my other ones.
5. Races Ran Well - Acts 20:22-24, 2 Timothy 4:7-8 As I fight to fulfill my calling, I enable others to do the same.

We are GOING BIG this year. The months of May, June, July, August we will focus on the "I" in BIG which is INVASION! Arise, (strike your position) our day is here! (Joshua 1:2)