WEEKLY MESSAGE
SUN, 05/05/24 - SAT, 11/05/24
ON THE MESSAGE THIS WEEK: WORSHIP THROUGH IT ALL
KEY VERSE: “WE CAN COME TO GOD WITH BOLD CONFIDENCE” (I JOHN 3:21)
When you knowingly sin, it puts your body under stress. There is actually no such thing as a ‘lie detector test’. The fact is, the test cannot determine if someone is lying. It simply measures how a person’s response to certain questions impacts their nervous system. God designed our system to glorify Him (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). So when you sin, it negatively impacts your body. Even if you have never taken a polygraph test, you can agree that when you have lied, you probably experienced an increase in your heart rate. So when God tells you not to sin, He is not trying to steal your joy but preserve it. Sin robs you of three things:
1) Comfort. ‘“There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord’ (see Isaiah 48:22). When you knowingly violate your values, you become uneasy in your own skin.
2) Character. Your reputation is how others see you, but your character is what you see when you look at yourself in the mirror each day. Your thoughts determine your deeds, your deeds determine your habits, your habits determine your character, and your character determines your destiny.
3) Confidence. Nothing in life is more important than to be able to approach God with confidence. ‘If we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from Him whatever we ask because we obey Him and do the things that please Him’ (see 1 John 3:21-22).
Paul writes: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honourable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]’ (see Philippians 4:8).
If you are serious about wanting a better life, you must change the bad things you do. You must change the way you think. The best way to stop thinking about something is simply to think about something else. When you don’t enjoy a certain TV programme, what do you do? Switch channels! Does the channel you don’t like no longer exist? No, it’s there anytime you choose to switch back to it. Likewise, when you find yourself stuck in a repeated thought pattern that’s detrimental to you - one that plays like a broken record in your mind - take action. Refuse to loan your mind to the devil for his scheme.
The only place a thought can live is in your mind. The only power a thought has over you is the power you give it. God says, ‘I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life’ (see Deuteronomy 30:19). God gives you the options, but He won’t exercise them for you. Choosing the right thought is like flipping a light switch; it dispels darkness and illuminates the room. Your most dominant thoughts will control your life, so make sure they line up with God’s Word. Plan to ‘fix’ your mind and change your life.
The next time Satan tempts you to sin, stop and do the maths. By looking at the bottom-line result, you will be able to make the right choice every time. This week, ask God to help you get closer to Him and to worship Him in a new(er) dimension like never before. Ask for the grace to renew your mind and do His will.
Have a blessed week in Jesus' Name, Amen.
(Article/ extract from ucb, word for today)
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Did you know: There are almost 20 different passages in the Bible where it is mentioned that we are God's people.
Ref: Jeremiah 32:38 / Ezekiel 14:11 / Zechariah 8:8 / 2 Corinthians 6:16 / Hebrews 8:10 / Ezekiel 11:20 / Ezekiel 37:23 / Jeremiah 7:23 / Jeremiah 31:33 / Ezekiel 37:27 / Jeremiah 31:1 / Revelation 21:3 / Exodus 6:7 / Leviticus 26:12 / Jeremiah 11:4 / Jeremiah 30:22 / Ezekiel 36:28.