Thoughts...

THOUGHTS ON THINKING!
Phil. 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things

I.  Do we ask God to search our thoughts?
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.[NIV]
a. OUR THOUGHTS ARE KNOWN TO THE LORD
Psalm 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile.
Psalm 139:2  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
b. OUR THOUGHTS DO NOT PLEASE GOD
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
c. OUR THOUGHTS CAN PLEASE THE LORD
Proverbs 15:26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.

II. THE LORD KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS
Matthew 9:4   Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
Matthew 12:25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
Luke 9:47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made him stand beside him.
c. WE CAN FOCUS OUR THINKING
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

III. THE WORD OF GOD WILL REVEAL OUR THOUGHTS
a. THE WORD PENETRATES BEYOND HUMAN SIGHT
Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

V. WE CAN CHOOSE OUR THOUGHTS
a. WE HAVE A CHOICE
Philippians 4:8 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 [NIV]
b. OUR CHOICE REVEALS WHAT WE ARE
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
Proverbs 23:7 What he thinks is what he really is.


VI. THOUGHT CONTROL INVOLVES A SPIRITUAL BATTLE
a. WE NEED TO DOMINATE OUR THINKING
II Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Something Lost

·        Phil. 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things

This week we will finish our series dealing with living  Jesus centered . Its so hard to find people, even in churches, who truly place Jesus at the center of everything they do. Pastors today lead people to place church at the center of life, in-order to keep the offerings up. Some even use a positive brain washing to prop up  people in a false feeling of self importance, promising "Game Changing" life events by attending services. The only "game changing" event we can rest in is the fact that our names have be written in the lambs book of life. Unfortunately most Christians don't even understand what that means. Today's Pastors have fallen short in making disciples, only producing blind followers looking for "game changing" life events. When will the people of Christ wake up and place Jesus at the center of their hearts and minds and lose the "Mega Church" hokey poky.  Something has been lost in today's church Philippians 4:8 gives us a list of things to meditate on... unfortunately the church today hinders these thoughts, instead of encouraging these thoughts. The world and its influence is pervasive in the pulpits( or stages) in the church today. Really examine yourself this week, are you making a difference in the world for the name of Jesus ? You may have to get your minds right !           

Tenth Avenue Noth

If you like Tenth Avenue North then you will think this is funny !!
  Don't take it to serious no spiritual or doctrinal issues are implied. :) 

Listen to the intro to He's Strong Enough to Save  !!

A Jesus Centered Mind

A Christ Centered Mind

Multiple Passages

Having your mind in subjection to Jesus and allowing Him to be at the front and center in our thinking is key to having a Jesus Centered Life

1.        Possessing the wrong mind leads to worldliness

·        The right mind and its benefits

            (Mind of Christ)   1 Pet. 4:1– Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves                                                            also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from                                                                         sin

                 (Sound mind)   2Tim. 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power                                                                                and of love and of a sound mind.

                (Humbleness)  Col. 3:12– Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do

                (God’s will) Heb. 10:16– This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them

                (Pure minds) 2 Pet. 3:1– Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior

                (Loving God) Matt. 22:37 - Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

2.      Possessing the right mind leads to Jesus Centeredness

·        The wrong mind and its consequences

                (Reprobate mind) – Romans 1:28 (And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting

                (Blinded minds) 2 Cor. 4:4– whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them

                (Hostile minds) Col. 1:21– And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by                                                                                                 wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

                 (Haughty minds) 2 Tim. 3:4– traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers                                                                                                 of God

                (Defiled minds) Titus 1:15– To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

Matthew 12:34-35 – Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things

Matthew 15:19-20 – For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man

Developing the Mind of Christ

1.    We are to have the mind of Christ

   1.1. 2 Cor. 10:5 – casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

   1.2. Phil. 2:5 - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross

·        To have the mind of Christ is to involve every aspect of the human mind in service to Christ.

·        Emotions

·        Every emotion of man is mental in origin

                                 Hate, love, jealousy, anger, joy, compassion, envy, etc

All of these must cultivated and practiced, overcome and discarded as Christ would have us to do.

·        Intellect

The intellect of man must also be Christlike

Thought, reason, meditation, trust, faith, and memory must be centered on spiritual things.

·        Will

The will of man, the most difficult aspect of the mind to tame must surrender to the will of Christ.

Our commitment, dedication, hope, humility, justice, mercy, forgiveness, gentleness, self-control, holiness, and righteousness must all reflect the nature of Christ in our lives.

2.    Having a Jesus Centered Mind is to :

·        Set our mind above      Col. 3:1 – If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God

·        Think pure things        Phil. 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things

·        Hope for spiritual things     Heb. 11:1-6

·        Speak of spiritual things      1 Peter 3:15 –  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed

·        Implement spiritual practices      James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves

(Sources Are from different areas on the internet)

Living Jesus Centered At Work

Living Jesus Centered

At Work

Matthew 5:13-16

Do you influence the world, or does the world influence you?

                                                                                                                             

1 .Make an impact for Jesus where ever you are. Vs. 13 

2. Make a difference in the lives of others. Vs. 14, 15

3. Allow others to see God In your life. Vs.16

Don’t Conform to the World Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. NLT