Video Bible Lesson - Living for Christ the Rest of the Year By Jack Graham

Living for Christ the Rest of the Year

By Jack Graham

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

1/2/2020

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

How to Set Your Mind on Things Above: 6 Ways to Let Go of Earthly Things

• Debbie McDaniel

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:2-3

Some days can feel like a struggle. We get weary in the battles, stuck in tough places, or feel pressure in the heat of hard times. And though it’s true, we can never fully escape all the mess this world may bring our way because we live in a fallen place, we can choose to rise above. And right in the midst of whatever we face, we can remain steadfast, strong, and faithful. Not because we are strong in ourselves, but because He is strong, and as believers, God’s Spirit lives powerfully within us.

Being able to rise above the fear, temptations, and hard places of this life is wrapped around the truth of who we are in Christ. We are redeemed. We are set free. We are being renewed day by day. We are His workmanship in Christ Jesus. We are a new creation.

There are many verses in the Bible that remind us we are made new in Christ when we accept Him into our lives as Lord and Savior. We’re made new as believers in Him, and then are continually being “made new,” for it’s a constant process until we are in Heaven. This means we must choose to put off the old self, letting go of all the old habits, patterns, or sins, and take up the new, focusing our thoughts and heart on Christ’s truths. It requires action on our part, to continue to seek Him daily. We won’t just naturally be drawn to always thinking “God thoughts.” Unfortunately, our sin nature is strong, and the enemy wants nothing more than to make us fall. It’s a daily battle and a choice we must make to walk in God’s ways.

"...we have everything we need when we have Christ."

In the book of Colossians, Paul reminds us that we have everything we need when we have Christ. He is all-sufficient, He is the head over all, He is supreme, He is greater than any other power or authority. Because of this, as Christ followers, we have His Spirit within us to equip and empower us to walk in freedom and light.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3

What does the Bible mean when it says to set your mind on things above?

The Greek word used for “set” in this verse, means “to seek after, strive for, be intent on.” It tells us this must be a way we choose to live, it’s not something that just occurs one time and we can forget about it. It’s a way of living that allows us to be set free from the things of this world that would seek to hold us back and keep us down.

To “set your minds on things above” is to:

1. Look at life from God’s perspective
2. And to seek after what He desires.

This is a best cure for materialism and temptation in this life, because we can’t truly live this out without also learning to let go of our worldly desires. It recognizes the need for us to place our full affection, thinking, focus, and attention on heavenly things above, rather than the lust, greed, and sin that encompasses this world.

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ” reminds us that our desires for the things of the world should be about as much as a person who has already died. None. Our lives are hidden, kept safe, concealed under the authority and covering of Gods’ sheltering care. This is another great reason to let go of the burdens and attitudes of this present life, for they should hold no power over us.

But sometimes, as we all know, that’s all easier said than done. So just how do we go about this plan of action, learning to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things,” here are a few truths from God’s word that will help us.

6 Ways to Set Your Minds on Things Above and Learn to Let Go of Earthly Things:

1. Make the choice daily.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Pray. Confess your need for him. Confess any sin you know you’ve been holding onto that’s difficult to let go of. Ask him for the help of his Holy Spirit. He may show you things you weren’t even aware of that have caused your downward spiral into sin or despair. He may lead you to make better decisions, to let go of toxic attitudes or relationships, and will guide you into healthy new places.

The truth is, if we’re not:

• Coming to Him daily,
• Asking for His help,
• Seeking to hear His voice,
• Opening up His word,
• Praying
• and Thanking Him for the work that He’s doing in our lives,

Then we will never be able to fully “set our minds on things above.” We just can’t operate in our flesh, trying to live out His Word. It doesn’t work. The number one way to begin to see things from God’s perspective is to come before Him daily, or many times through each day, learning to walk with Him and recognize His power and presence in our lives.

God loves us more than we could ever fully know. He longs to help us and is always there. His words of life remind us that He is our strong tower. He promises to draw near to those who are seeking after Him, and is faithful to see us through the struggles of this world.

2. Recognize this is bigger than you.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Sometimes, we can know the right things to do, yet struggle to do it. We fail, we fall short, we don’t follow through. Other times, it's a battle to trust that God’s ways are better. We might think He missed it, or forgot us, or that He doesn't really care, or understand how difficult this world might be. Or we start to think that we know better somehow. Like God needs our help to know what to do. We get in a hurry. It's hard to wait for answers, or we feel like we're wasting time. And often, it might just be that we're in such a pattern of "go" all the time, that we rarely stop long enough to see if we're even heading in the right direction, doing what He’ asked us to do.

"...God never asks us to figure it all out on our own..."

But the truth is, God never asks us to figure it all out on our own, or to live in our own strength. He just asks us to trust Him, to recognize His leadership and sovereignty in our lives, and to set our minds and attention on Him. And He promises to fill our lives with the power of His Spirit, to go before us, and to make our footsteps firm.

3. Choose to listen to God’s voice and not the lies of the enemy.

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

God has a plan for our lives. The enemy has a plan for us too. We just have to decide which voice we’re going to listen to, and who we're going to choose to follow each day. And chances are, if we don't make a determined choice to follow God, we may eventually fall into a trap of the enemy.

The Bible has much to say about Satan's devious schemes and how he operates:

• He is a twister of truth
• He is deceptive,
• And the father of lies.

He becomes very in tune with what our weaknesses are and will use anything he can to bring us down. Though God never tells us to walk in fear, He does tell us to be on guard and to live aware. As we keep pressing in to know God, who is real, who is Truth, and we set our minds on His Word, spending time there, meditating on it, eventually we become very trained in detecting the fake.

4. Put on the armor of God.

“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:13-18

God gives specific instructions in his Word; he gives us all we need to stand strong in this life and to keep our eyes on Him. Yet all too often we race through busy days, ill-equipped, unprepared, or simply not aware of what we’re up against or who the real enemy even is. The forces of darkness don’t wait for us to be ready for their attack. If you’re a believer living like salt and light in this dark world, you won’t go for long without encountering obstacles and attacks the enemy will hurl straight your direction. This battle is real, it’s intense.

"When we resist the enemy, God’s Word tells us he has to flee."

Yet God’s given us His Word and Spirit, so we’ll have the wisdom to rise above and the protection to stand against the enemy. Paul wrote these verses while in chains, in prison. But truth says – this enemy we face can never chain our spirits that have been set free by Christ. Paul was not silenced by the attacks from dark forces. Neither should we be. The battles we face may be more about what is unseen than what we see before us. And when we resist the enemy, God’s Word tells us he has to flee.

5. Guard your heart, lay aside the old nature, and let go of fear, worry, and sin.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Our inner thoughts, our words, even what's spoken to ourselves, really matters. For it can hold the power to run our lives and dictate our choices. All the more reason to make sure our thinking is based on truth – on what God says.

Guard – protect, to keep safe; your heart – innermost being, which represents the very core of your thoughts, your mind, your actions, and decisions; for everything you do flows from it.

It's that vital. All of our lives depend on that choice to guard our hearts and set our minds on the things above. And when we fill our minds, our thoughts, our hearts with the right things, the wrong things won't have any room to enter in. His Word, His Truth offers a protection, a guard over our hearts and lives, for our decisions and thoughts. Casting our cares to Him, releasing our problems and burdens, seeking forgiveness over sin, doesn't give room for us to just sit numbly with anxious thoughts spinning. Choosing not to stress or walk out old patterns is an active choice we must make. It's not about pretending like we don't have worries, ignoring our problems, or living a life of passivity.

• It requires effort on our part – choosing to give God our struggles.
• It requires trust on our part – letting go and remembering that He is in control.

6. Believe that He is with you.

“So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Doubt is one thing that many of us have probably struggled with at some point along the way.

Dwelling in Doubt:

Maybe we can't see what God is doing. Maybe the difficult times cause us to wonder if He really cares or even hears us. Or maybe we've been left wondering if we're hearing Him right. Often the future looks uncertain, the path gets blurred, and we're not sure if we're heading in the right direction. Other times life just gets hard. It seems an uphill climb; we're drained and weary. Or we wonder if we've just been left on our own.

Abounding in Belief:

His Truth reminds us that He's with us, always. Our "with us" God will never leave us or turn away. He holds us through the fiercest struggles and brings peace to uncertain times. There's no greater way to build stronger faith than to walk straight through the toughest of battles. For it's the very ground where we must decide what we really believe and who we believe. And as we set our minds on Christ, it becomes the place where doubts get crushed and confidence in Him can grow deeper and fuller.

"We were not set free to fit in; we've been changed to make a difference."

The world will never tell us to live this way because it goes against the very mindset of current popular opinion. But we were not set free to fit in; we've been changed to make a difference.

This verse from the Message sums it up well, "Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." Romans 12:2

May God help us to walk wisely and live free. May He remind us daily to set our minds on Him. May He give us the power we need to extend love and light to a world that desperately needs His hope.

God Is for Us

God Is for Us

Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 8:31-34

Throughout life, there will be times when our sins and failures lead us to conclude that God is disappointed or angry with us. How can He still love me after what I've done? If I'm really forgiven, why do I still feel so guilty? At such tiimes, we need to fix our eyes on the truth of Scripture and ask the questions Paul posed in Romans 8.

If God is for us, who is against us
 (v. 31)? Our heavenly Father proved His loyalty to us when He delivered His own Son over to death in order to save us. Without Christ's atoning death on our behalf, we would face eternal separation from God.

Who will bring a charge against God's elect (v. 33)? No accusation against us can stand, since at the moment of salvation, the Lord justified us. This means we were legally declared righteous, while still in our sinning condition. No one can reverse this transaction and make us guilty again. To doubt our blameless standing in Christ is to declare His atonement insufficient to cover our sin.

Who is the one who condemns (v. 34)? Although Satan rails against us, Jesus' death and resurrection are proof that we are right with God. Christ took our condemnation and gave us His righteousness in return. Now He sits at the Father's right hand, interceding for us.

When doubts about the Lord's love and faithfulness arise, focus on truth. If we judge His loyalty to us by our circumstances or feelings, we will never get an accurate view of God. True security lies not in our good performance, but in our relationship with Christ, and no one can take that from us.

Your Faith Can Flourish Even When God Leads You Into a Storm

Your Faith Can Flourish Even When God Leads You Into a Storm
By Susie Larson

“As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’” (Mark 4:35)

It had been a full, fruitful day of ministry. The day drew to a close, the sky darkened, and Jesus pointed to the water. He urged His disciples to get into the boat and cross to the other side. They pushed away from shore, sailed for a bit. Then, a mega storm hit. The winds raged, the waves surged, and the disciples feared for their lives.

Have you been there?

Have you followed Jesus, and He led you right into a storm?

What happened next? Did you doubt God’s love? Wonder about His plan? Fear you heard Him wrong?

You’re not alone.

The disciples couldn’t know that a new level of ministry awaited them on the other side of the lake. But Jesus knew. He loved these men. He knew they needed to know how to hold onto peace in the midst of chaos. They needed to how to rest when they were tempted to live stressed. And, they needed to know how to activate their faith, use their authority, and find their footing when the elements rage against them.

He’s a good Shepherd and He leads us into seasons and storms and situations that test and try our faith, that refine our character, and that prepare us for the road up ahead.

We don’t know what ministry opportunities He’s prepared for us. We don’t know what enemy schemes await us. We can’t fathom the storms that may confront us. But what we do know is that we’re equipped. For all of it.

Every promise of God is ours in Christ Jesus.

Every word of the Lord is true.

Everything that comes against us, God can purpose for us.

Every tear, He collects.

Every trial, He uses.

Every hurt, He will heal.

And in every storm, He will reveal His power to us.

Jesus told His disciples, and He tells us this important truth:

"Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you” (Luke 10:19).

He’s given us authority. Now it’s time to take authority.

• Speak perfect love to your fears.
• Speak peace to your storms.
• Speak life to a world in need.

Storms won’t last forever. Seasons will most certainly change.

But Jesus’ love and His presence in your life will never change. If He leads you to it He’ll lead you through it. He’s attentive to every need and He’s always good. You have Him, you have His promises, and you’re stronger than you know. You’re going to be okay. Fight for a right perspective. Jesus will use every moment in your life to conform you to His image and to prepare you for a fruitful, future ministry.

Hold onto hope. Keep the faith. Tenaciously trust Him. He is worthy of it all.

4 Thoughts to Ponder in a Storm:

• What are the blessings in your current battles?
• Can you see Jesus at work here?
• Hebrews 12:12 tells us to take a new grip with our tired hands and to strengthen our weak knees.
• Are you willing to do that today?

A Prayer for Missing Peace

A Prayer for Missing Peace
By Mary Southerland

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

I know people who would give every penny they have and every possession they own for an hour of peace. In fact, I have been in that place myself. The difference is that the Prince of Peace is my God and because He lives in my heart, so does peace. Yes, sometimes I allow the stressors of life to crowd in and try to smother that peace. I am so thankful that the peace of God is eternal and beyond human understanding.

As you face the storms of life, face them with God at your side - knowing that He is Lord of the rocking boat and Keeper of the waves. He rides upon the storm clouds of life, flinging peace into the tempest-filled heart.  God is Peace. And when we know Him as our Lord and have made Him the boss of our lives - we will know Peace.

Make a list of every “storm” you are facing today. Surrender each one to God, asking Him to fill its place in your life with His peace. Now, choose to walk in that peace today. When you are tempted to slip back under the crashing waves, remember that the storm now belongs to your Father.

Father God, my heart is filled with chaos and confusion. I feel as if I am drowning in my circumstances and my heart is filled with fear and confusion. I really need the strength and peace that only You can give. Right now, I choose to rest in You.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen.

THE KEY TO A HAPPY NEW YEAR

THE KEY TO A HAPPY NEW YEAR

For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?
Ecclesiastes 2:25

Let me be the first to wish you a Happy New Year!  Happy New Year is an often-heard, post-Christmas statement of encouragement and well-wishing. To be sure, everyone desires a happy new year … but how does a person actually experience a happy new year? What is the key to having 2019 really be a happy one for you?

THE HAPPINESS CONFUSION

Many people equate happiness with money and materialism. To them, happiness is a million dollars. Others equate happiness with good physical health. To them, happiness is an in-shape body hitting on all eight cylinders. Still others equate happiness with personal achievement. To them, happiness is a big promotion, or graduation, or a milestone achievement.

Years ago, I read a true story about tennis star, Boris Becker. He was the youngest man to ever win Wimbledon, achieving victory in 1985 at the tender age of seventeen. In the late 1980s, Becker was on the mountain top of fame, fortune, and personal achievement. Yet, he was so unhappy and on the brink of suicide. Becker was quoted as saying, “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed. It’s the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string.”

Isn’t that amazing? Becker had all the things the world says will make for happiness, yet he was so incredibly unhappy. Could it be that true happiness is not found in health, wealth, and achievement?

TRUE HAPPINESS

The Bible makes it clear that true happiness comes when you and I are right with God. When we are yielded to Christ and His will, then we can experience true happiness—inner peace and unspeakable joy. Are you right with God today? Are your sins confessed to Him? Are you living surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

Blaise Pascal, the seventeenth century mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer, and philosopher astutely said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”

Let me encourage you to take sober inventory of your life today. Are you trying to fill the inner vacuum with health, wealth, achievement, or the like? Those things will never make you truly happy; they will never satisfy the deep longings of your soul. The only One who can do that is Jesus.

Start your year off right by bowing your knee and your life to King Jesus. Give Him first place in everything … for that is the key to true happiness.

Love, 

Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries