My Be-Attitude 9 - Blessed are those who are persecuted for Righteousness Sake (Pastor Sarah Omakwu) 23-10-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja

2nd Sunday Service

23rd October, 2016

Pastor Sarah Omakwu
Picture Credit: FWC Media

☆ SERMON:

*   Speaker: Pastor Sarah Omakwu

* Topic: My Be-Attitude 9 (Blessed are those who are persecuted for Righteousness Sake)  

* Text: Matthew 5:1-12

 

★ 1 Peter 3:13-17

 

* NOTE: Ironically, the reward for imbibing the be-attitudes (humility, meekness, peace, righteousness, etc) is persecution!

→ The world will not praise or applaud you for being Christlike.

→ The world persecuted, oppressed, opposed, mocked and even killed Jesus only because He was fully pleasing to God. You should not expect anything less

 

☆ Meaning of 'Blessed':

* 'Blessed' here connotes the joy that comes from knowing that God is for you, in you and that He will help you

→ 'Happiness' is an emotion that is conditional and dependent on circumstances.

⇒ Jesus did not promise us happiness, but JOY

→ Joy is not dependent on circumstances. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that bubbles in the heart of a child of God regardless of what he/she is experiencing (see: Galatians 5:22-23)

 

* Joy enables a child of God to endure difficulties and challenges

★ Job 13:15 →"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him." 

 

★ Philippians 4:4 →"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again! I say rejoice." 

 

* This blessing cannot be diminished or undermined by anything - even extreme suffering and death!

★ Acts 7:54-60

 

* Happiness comes and goes, but joy stays!

 

☆ Meaning of 'Persecution'

* Persecution is like an enemy pursing you

→ it means 'being vexed'

→ it is an all-out act of violence

→ it entails cruel mocking

→ Reproachful language or attitude

→ imprisonment

→ unjust punishment

 

* If as a Christian, you are not persecuted, something is wrong

→ You must brace yourself for persecution and pray for the grace to overcome

 

☆ Meaning of 'Revile'

→ It is is to be shamed

→ it is contempt

 

☆ Why would I be persecuted?:

1. The world is fallen and you (as a Christian) oppose its values  

→ The world oppresses anything that does not conform to its values

★ 2 Timothy 3:12 →"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

 

2. Because your righteous life judges them

→ If unbelievers or people feel free to sin around you, this is a sign that you have compromised

 

3. Because you are attached to Christ

→ If the world persecuted Jesus your master, they will persecute you too (see: John 15:20)

 

4. Because you have refused to be a hypocrite

 

5. Your stated belief in the articles of the Christian faith and your adherence to it will make the world hate you

 

6. Because you have been separated from the world and you do not belong to them

 

* NOTE: If you have never been persecuted as a Christian, it means you are compromising in some area of your life

 

* There are many Christians that are so determined to be loved and accepted by the world that they lower their standards

→ this is bad Christianity

 

* NOTE: What you compromise to keep, you will lose!

 

* You must reject anything that God did not give you

→ Take a stand for righteousness

→ If you must compromise your faith in Jesus to get something, then such a thing is not worth it (see: Matthew 16:26)

 

* We live in a generation that is flippant and does not believe in righteousness or integrity

 

* Today, many Christians are not persecuted for their faith

→ This is because they behave like the children of the devil

→ The devil will not oppose what is his own!

 

* The Church is not making any impact because of its many compromises

→ Question: When was the last time you told anyone about Jesus?

 

* NOTE: All religions, sects and beliefs are united in their attack of our Lord Jesus Christ

→ This is because Jesus is the Rock of Offense (See: 1 Peter 2:8; Romans 9:33; Isaiah 8:14)

 

* The time has come for Christians to stand out for Jesus

→ You were not called to blend in but to stand out

 

* Jesus was a 'one man riot' and could not be convicted of any sin or wrongdoing (see John 14:30; Luke 23:4)

→ with God, you are a majority

 

* When you compromise, you cannot freely talk about Jesus to those who know you have no integrity

 

* NOTE: A true Christian ought to be a standing rebuke to the world

 

* Unfortunately, no one wants to persecute the Church because there is nothing to oppose.

→ The Church and Christians have 'blended in'

 

* To be persecuted for righteousness sake is to be 'punished' or 'victimized' for doing what is right, for the right reasons and for the sake of Christ

 

* Righteousness means moral uprightness

→ A child of God must be above board (a person of integrity)

 

* If you are not persecuted for being a Christian, check you life, something is wrong

★ Luke 6:26 →" Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets."

 

* If you are causing trouble for yourself, and they punish you, repent. This does not qualify as persecution

→ A Christian must not go looking for trouble

→ What God expects of you is to preach the good news and take a stand for righteousness

 

* Be meek and humble about your persecution

→ Do not go about bragging, complaining or whining

 

☆ When you are persecuted, You must not:

→ retaliate

→ sulk

→ lick your wound like a dog

 

* You should not allow injustice, oppression or suffering (that arises as a result of your belief in Jesus) to separate you from the love of God (see: Romans 8:35-36)

 

☆ Advantages of Persecution:

1. It brings you into fellowship with Jesus

2. It builds up your character

3. When you are persecuted, you will know how strong you are

4. It exposes areas of weakness in your life

5. It produces Christian character and virtues in your life

6. It tests your loyalty, faith and trust

7. It is accompanied by a glory

 

* Caution: Always ensure that you are not suffering for wrongdoing, but for righteousness (see: 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 3:17)

 

* Every Christian must expect persecution

→ You cannot pray it away

→ If Jesus suffered, you will also suffer! (unless you are compromising)

 

☆ PRAYER:

Lord, I repent for compromising

And for not standing out for you

Have mercy on me

I want a new life that comes from you

I need to make things right today

Help me to be the kind of man/woman

that you want me to be

Help me to be bold

Help me to stand out for you

All the days of my life

Amen

Pastor Sarah Omakwu
Picture credit: FWC Media

The Baptism of Jesus (Pastor Yakubu Adamu Yola) 19-06-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja

2nd Sunday Service

19th June, 2016

Pastor Yakubu Adamu Yola
Picture Credit: FWC Media

☆ SERMON

* Speaker: Pastor Yakubu Adamu Yola

* Topic: The Baptism of Jesus

* Theme: Our Jesus

* Text: Matthew 3:13-17

* Baptism is an outward demonstration of a person's faith in Jesus

→ It entails complete immersion in water (which signifies being buried and raised with Christ)

☆ Points to Note about Baptism:

1. Voluntary:

→ Baptism should be a voluntary act and not out of compulsion

Note: "Jesus Came to be baptized' (verse 13)

→ He was deliberate about it

→ Was not forced to do it

2. Submission:

* Jesus submitted Himself for baptism as a model of obedience

→ As a Christian, you must follow the example of Jesus in all things

3. Sign:

* Jesus' baptism was a sign to John the Baptist which authenticated his ministry and prophesies

★ John 1:30

→ Baptism signifies our death and resurrection with Christ Jesus 

4. Humility

→ Jesus' baptism is a demonstration of His humility

→ He went to John (despite the fact that He is God)

→ Humility preceded the ministry of Jesus

→ It shows His commitment to doing what was right (Jesus traveled 90 Kilometers from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized)

★ Verse 15:

→ Jesus did not need to be baptized, but He still submitted Himself for it

→ NOTE: Jesus did not need to be baptized in order to be righteous. [He is the righteousness of God].

* He went through baptism so that the entire plan of God prophesied through John the Baptist will be fulfilled

* It doesn't matter how the plan of God is.

→ It is always fitting

5. It affirmed John the Baptists' Ministry

★ John 1:26-27

6. It is the fulfillment of the righteous requirement of the law as required at that time

★ Matthew 5:17

☆ Lessons to Note from Jesus' Baptism:

* Doing the will of God was Jesus' priority

→ At the beginning of your Christian life, ensure that you are baptized

→ There is a big picture for your life and you must be ready to make the necessary sacrifices to bring it to pass

→ Having the big picture in mind helps you keep focus in life

→ Every Christian should always have something greater than him/her that he/she is living for

* There is nothing wrong in being humble:

→ Men: There is nothing wrong in serving your wife, your children or others

→ Humility does not make you less of a man

* NOTE: Jesus did not introduce Himself (as the Son of God) when the got to the river Jordan

→ It was not important!

* Even when Jesus started making going to the Temple his custom (between age 12-30), He humbled Himself under the instruction of the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Priests

* There is nothing wrong in learning under the authority of those who do not know more than you

* You must always obey instructions that are prescribed in Church, at your workplace, in the Nation etc

* Being Humble will not make you cease to be who you are

→ Humility is very powerful

→ Humility makes you more honorable

* NOTE: David respected order, authority and processes [and that is why he excelled as a shepherd, soldier and later as a King].

→ This is our model as Christians

→ Humility is the key to honor (Proverbs 18:12)

* (verse 16) There is a 'coming up' for every humble person

→ there is honor and elevation in humility (see: Matthew 23:12, 1 Peter 5:6)

☆ 3 Things that Happened when Jesus became baptized:

(a) The Heavens were Opened

(b) Spirit of God came upon Him

→ this is anointing; empowerment

→ There is an anointing of God for every assignment on earth

→ Jesus affirmed this truth in Luke 4:18-20

(c) God's approval

→ God does not approve proud people

* Everything in life has a foundation

★ Hebrews 3:4 →"For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God."

* One day, everything in your life will be tested

→ If the foundation (of your works) is not solid, it will not endure

★ Matthew 7:23

* Before you start any business or endeavor, ensure that you start right

* It is fitting to fulfill all righteousness

☆ Prayer:

Father, help me to be humble,

I realize that what you have

called me to do is greater than me,

Therefore I need your empowerment 
Reveal your love to me anew;

I need you in every area of my life

The Plan of God is that You Move Foward (Pastor Yakubu Yola) 27-05-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC)

Wuye, Abuja

27th May, 2016

FRIDAY PRAYER SERVICE

* Speaker: Pastor Yakubu Yola

* Topic: The Plan of God is that You Move Forward

* Text: Mark 11:1-6

★ Proverbs 4:18 → "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."

★ 1 Peter 2:9 → "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

* Not only do living things grow, the things that accompany them also grow

* Time cannot pass and living things will not grow

* NOTE: stagnation is not of God

* The will of God for your life:

→ Advancement

→ Growth

→ Movement

* When things do not change, it is an indication that something is wrong and it is a good cause for concern

★ Matthew 7:11 → "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

* Our God is a progressive God

→ He is a God of advancement

* God wants you to move forward, advance and progress

* He does not want you to stagnate in one position for a long time, doing the same thing

⇒ That is not His plan

* When you plant a seed, it grows with time

★ Proverbs 4:18 → "The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker — travellers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces." The Message Version [MSG]

* God's plan is that life will get better for you

★ Mark 4:30-32 →"And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? “It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE.” 

★ Luke 2:52 → "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

* God is interested in increase that it has become His exclusive preserve & job description

★ Acts 2:47 → "praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." 

★ 1 Corinthians 3:6 → "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." 

* God delights in your increase

* If increase is God's job, and you are not increased, it is an indictment on His person

★ Luke 13:9 → "If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down."

→ God is not impressed when you stagnate and do not grow or increase

☆ Function of God's Word in your Life:

★ 1 Timothy 4:15 → "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress."

→ Your progress by the reason of God' word should be evident to everyone that comes in contact with you  

★ 1 Peter 2:2 → "Like new-born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation"

★ Joshua 1:8 → "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

* God's word in your life should cause you to progress and be successful

★ 2 Corinthians 3:18 → "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

→ God's word transforms us from one degree of glory to another

* Anything in life for you to acheive progress has already been provided by God

* All you need to do is to exercise your faith

* If you are not making progress, it is not God's fault

* It does not take God anything to move you from one level to another

* Ask yourself:

→ Why am I not making progress?

→ Which area of my life is not growing?

* Destiny is a function of time

* The devil's plan is that if he cannot do anything about your past, he delays and frustrates your future through delays and stagnation

* Many Christians give up when they experience delays & they loose their faith

★ James 1:6 → "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

* The tied donkey in Matthew 21:2 was designed for glory, but limited in one place by a rope by the road.  

* NOTE: Even though it was tied and restricted, Jesus knew about the donkey!

→ God is mindful of your present condition

→ God knows where the knots are and he is willing to untie you

* God is also aware that whenever he is about to untie you, there are always contentions and oppositions (Mark 11:4-5)

* Progress is the plan of God, but delay is the strategy of the devil to:  

→ make you discouraged

→ make you loose faith

→ make you doubt God

* NOTE: Every delay & stagnation responds to the command of the Master

★ Luke 5:5 →"Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." 

★ Matthew 8:8 → "The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed."

☆ Declarations:

★ Isaiah 43:18 →"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."  

★ Isaiah 61:7 →"Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."

★ Hebrews 13:20-21 →''Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

★ 1 Peter 2:9 →"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

★ Philippians 1:6 →"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

★ Proverbs 4:18 →"The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."

★ As you declare God's word, something will give way!  

☆ Things to do:

1. Continue these declarations

2. Start doing that thing that will enable you make progress

Except as otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV)

Our Jesus, His Command, Our Vision (Pastor Sarah Omakwu) 03-01-2016

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Family Worship Centre (FWC),

Wuye - Abuja, Nigeria

First Service

3rd January, 2016

SERMON

* Speaker: Pastor Sarah Omaku

* Theme for 2016: Our Jesus, His Command, Our Vision

* Text: Colossians 3:1-14

★ Matthew 6:33 →"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

* It is important to start the year right

* If you get this message and obey it, you are guaranteed a good life on earth and a greater life in heaven

* Aim at seeking the eternal treasures by setting your mind on things above

* If you substitute your desires for having material possessions with the desire for having eternal treasures, your life will change for the better!

* You must ask yourself how these things that consume you now will affect you in the next 1,000 years

* What does it mean to 'set' something?

→ It means to position something immovable in one place

→ To put into a specific state

* If you set your mind on heaven, no matter what goes on around you, your mind is programed by heaven and nothing else matters

* When heaven is your thermostat, your desires, are conditioned by God's standards

* Setting your mind on heaven means that:

(a) you do not seek the accolades of the world

(b) you have positioned your mind on God's promises

★ John 4:34 →"Jesus told them, “My food is doing the will of the one who sent me and completing his work."

* NOTE: The worst thing in heaven is better than the classiest thing on earth

★ James 4:13-15 →"Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money.” You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live—and do this or that.”

* No matter how long your life is, it cannot be compared with the lenght of eternity

→ Many people exhaust the whole of their lives on earth chasing vapor

* You must only mind and pursue things that are eternal

★ Hebrews 11:8-10 →" By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who also inherited the same promise, because he was waiting for the city with permanent foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

* Abraham must have seen something that is still eluding many people on earth today

→ He lived life very light, with eternity in might

* If you live right on earth, you will be entitled to rewards in heaven

→ Not everyone in heaven will get the same rewards

* You must get to the point that the things of earth are not your primary motivation

* You cannot set your mind in two places at the same time

* Where you set your mind determines:

→ how you live

→ your priorities

→ how you spend your resources (time, money, intellect, etc)

★ 1 John 2:15 -17→'' Stop loving the world and the things that are in the world. If anyone persists in loving the world, the Father’s love is not in him. For everything that is in the world—the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world and its desires are fading away, but the person who does God’s will remains forever."

* When your mind is set on heaven:

→ it is easy to forgive, be humble, to give, to be kind or help, etc.

→ loving everyone comes easily

→ you do not you struggle to acquire things on earth at all cost

→ sin will not be a problem

★ 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

* Love is the greatest and it is the lifestyle of heaven

* How you respond to the issues of life (good or bad) is determined by where your mind is set

* Your response in love to every situation is what gets you great rewards

* Seek every opportunity to be kind and loving

* You must purpose to do something good for someone everyday

* When any one ask you for help, do not turn them down if you have the capacity to help

* Ensure that your life is not controlled by temporal things

* NOTE: You cannot set your mind on heaven if you are not born again

★ Quotes:

* Fasting does not change God, it changes you

Holiness (Rev. John Longhor) 11- 10 -2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN)

Area 1, Garki - Abuja

11th October, 2015

☆ SERMON
* Speaker: Rev. John Longhor
* Topic: Holiness
* Theme: Growing up in Christ
* Sub-Theme: Wholistic Growth
* Service Leader: Elder Boniface Katlong
* Text: 1 Peter 1:16-18

★ Hebrews 12:10-14

* We serve a God that is Holy, in Him there is no darkness or impurity

* God created man to pursue holiness

* Believers are called to Holy living

* Only those who are Holy will see Him

★ Romans 1:18 → God was angry with man because of man's godlessness and consistent wicked lifestyle

★ Genesis 6:9 → God wiped the earth because of man's wickedness

* Today, many believers are falling into the trap of sexual sins. This has become a major problem in our society and the Church at large

* NOTE: Sexual sins polutes the entire body and makes you vulnerable to the control of evil spirits

★ 2 Timothy 3:1-2 →" You must realize, however, that in the last days difficult times will come' People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy."

★ Galatians 5:19-21 →''Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

* Sexual immoralty is listed as the first fruit of the flesh (which is in opposition to God's nature)

★ Hebrews 12:14 →''Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

→ Those who will inherit God's kingdom are those who are holy & pure

* Question: Are you growing in Holiness?

* The Holy Spirit grants you the grace to be Holy

★ Colossians 1:2 → "To: The holy and faithful brothers in Colossae who are in union with the Messiah. May grace and peace from God our Father be yours!"

* The desire of those who are holy is to share in God's nature of holiness continually

★ Revelations 21:1-2 →" And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

☆ NOTE: Heaven is a holy city, not a poluted city

* Your responsiblity is to live a holy life and avoid anything that grieves the Spirit of God

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

★ HOLY COMMUNION

☆ EXHORTATION

* Speaker: Pastor Victor Amos

* Topic: Divorce & Double Dating

* Text: Malachi 2:10-16

* Many children of God understand Him only is one part - as a loving God. We tend to forget that God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29) 

* A loving and obedient child will always obey God

* Today many Christians take the Lord for granted. This is evident in the rising incidences of divorces in the Church

* If the Church is not whole, what will happen to the Society?

* Those who engage in double dating are playing on the emotions of others and this is wickedness in the sight of God

* Before you make any commitment in a relationship or marriage, rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit

* Disobedience to God hinders His blessings in our lives

* You cannot take the Lord for granted. His consuming nature will destroy you

* Understand that divorce and double-dating are sins against the Lord

* God desires that you build and maintain godly relationships that will glorify Him

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

★ MISSION CHARGE

"All I have to do is keep my Spirit, feelings and conscience like a sheet of blank paper, and let the Spirit and power of God write upon it what He pleases. When He writes, I will read; but if I read before He writes, I am very likely to be wrong."

→ Brigham Young

★ QUOTES

"At the moment of commitment, the universe conspire to assist you . . . Always do more than is required of you."

→ George Patton

"Good works is the evidence of our growth in Christ. You cannot do good works and hate your brother."

→ Rev. Dr. Dachollom Datiri (COCIN President)



Cross-section of Worshippers at COCIN LCC, Garki, Abuja

Rev. Dr. Dachollom Datiri, COCIN President visited the Church in company of the entire Executive Council of COCIN

Think Good Thoughts Only (Pastor Ishaya Paul Demsa) 28-06-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ FOLMI Lighthouse Family Church,

Venue: Nigeria Bible Translation Trust (NBTT),

Old Airport Road, Jos, 

   28th June, 2015

☆PRAISE JAM FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE

★ SERMON

* Topic: Think Good Thoughts Only

* Speaker: Pastor Ishaya Paul Demsa

* Text: Philippians 4:4-8

Pastor Ishaya Paul Demsa

* Your whole life is 'made up' of your thought life

* Your life can never be better than your thoughts

* Your life is the manifestation of your thoughts

* You can hide your thoughts from people around you, but you can't hide its manifestation

* Your present life is the product of your thoughts over the past years

* God wants your thoughts to be pure and good because if you think good, you will inevitably live good

* The Word of God is given for the primary purpose of transforming your mind

* God's goal is for you to think and live like a god here on earth: this can only be possible through constantly meditating on His Words

* If you are not living like a god, it means you are wasting the God-given resources allocated to you

* Proverbs 23:7a → "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..."

☆ POINTS TO NOTE:

1. Fill your mind with good thoughts

→ You cannot put anything more in a container that is already filled

→ If your mind is saturated with good thoughts, evil thoughts will not find an accomodation there

→ Thoughts are powerful: All human inventions (no matter how trivial or sophisticated) are the product of thoughts

2. Fix your mind and attention on beautiful things

→ Continuous thoughts soon become a reality

→ Your mind is a tool for transforming your life

→ God gave you your mind so that you can create your life

→ Anything happening in your mind is a preview of what will eventually happen in your life!

* Romans 12:2 →"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

* Until your thoughts change, your life won't change

* The quality of your thought life determines the quality of your actual life

* The 'mother' of your real life is your thoughts

* Your thoughts have the ability to mold you, more than your actual life ever can

* Your thought life is more realistic than your actual life

* The preparation for success in real life begins in your mind.

→ It is virtually impossible for a man who thinks of himself as a failure to ever become a success in real life

* Those who fail in life had already failed in their minds a long time ago

★ TWO WAYS THOUGHTS ARE CREATED:

1. Godly thoughts

→ These are the thoughts that proceed from God Himself

* Jeremiah 29:11 →"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

*God is a 'thinking being'

*God's thoughts are not like man's thoughts (See: Isaiah 55:8-9)

*Nothing you do (or fail to do) can ever change God's thoughts about you

☆ Amos 3:3 → "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

→ The real reason why many people are not living their at their personal best is because they fail to 'agree' with God's thoughts for their life

*All good and positive thoughts come from God

→ Satan does not have the capacity or ability to produce good thoughts that are in conformity with God's Word

2. Devilish thoughts

☆1 Peter 5:8→"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

☆2 Corinthians 4:4 →"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

* All bad and nagative thoughts are from the devil

*God will never scare you with evil thoughts for any reason!

☆ 2 Corinthians 10:5 →"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

* You must guard your thoughts against all forms of negativity and evil (See: Proverbs 4:23)

* NOTE: Satan can't stand a man of good thoughts

* Thoughts are ideas that are fighting to become real in your life

* The best way to fight a bad thought is to speak out the Word of God that neutralizes it

→ Is order to do this effectively, you must study and memorize the Scriptures regularly

* Thoughts are the foundation of all things

* Question: What are you thinking?

* The easiest thing to do in this life is to think

→ You do not need anybody's permission to generate a thought in your mind

☆Food for thought: God's mind is full of good thoughts about me!

Dareng Cj Nyam

Manji

Wordsmith

Praise and worship by the Lighthouse Family Choir