Mind Games – New Season Church

Mind Games – Part 4

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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will Romans 12:2 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds 5 we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 | We need to understand that we already have the ability to understand the things that are in the mind of God. And, with that we can start to create new things through the creative power within us through God. Worry and the mind Your life is moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts. Do you like where your life is headed? The worry and anxiety compound starts with the simplest thought and ends with the most extreme unfathomable thoughts. We need to figure out for ourselves, how do we programme ourselves to get to a place where we function in joy and not anxiety. What we focus on we will see. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God Philippians 4:6 We are not to be anxious about anything but are to bring everything in life to the Lord in prayer. We are to pray aright, and this is only possible as we abide in Christ and He in us. We are to keep our hearts free from fretting and worry and this can only be achieved as we cast all our care and concern on the Lord Jesus – for He cares for us. Being anxious for nothing is not a suggestion… it is a command and a responsibility for all who are born from above. Have you ever made the statement “All we can do now is pray”? Prayer is not the last line of defence. Prayer is the first line of offence. Not only does prayer move the heart of God, but it also changes the chemistry the brain. “It has been found that 12 minutes of daily focus prayer over an 8 week period can change the brain to such an extent that it can e measured on a brain scan.” Dr. Caroline Leaf – Author of ‘Switch in Your Brain’ Why do we worry? Our minds are dominated by sinful thinking. Worry is the sin of distrusting God’s promises and power. ; for whatever is not from faith is sin Romans 14:23 Instead of the sinful nature of my flesh controlling my thinking, I will choose to let the Holy Spirit direct my thoughts For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 This is not denial of the situation. This is denial of the situation to have power of influence over you So, we end off this series, saying – give your best. Give the rest to God. Trust Him no matter what. Talk it Over for Destiny Groups – Mind Games Week 4 Key Scriptures Phil 4: 6 – 9 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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. Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. … And the God of peace will be with you. Proverbs Rom 8:5-6 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Start talking • Did you have any worries as a kid that seem silly now? If so, what were they? Start thinking. • Which part of the message was most impactful for you and why? • How often would you say you experience worry? What do you do when you’re feeling worried? • Did your thinking about prayer change at all while listening to this message? If so, how? Start sharing. • Share about a time when you decided to trust God instead of worrying. What prompted that decision? What kind of impact did it have on you? • What’s something you’re worried about that you’re having a hard time trusting God with? Why do you think it’s so hard to trust Him with it? Start praying. Father, thank You for who You are. Thank You that no matter what struggles we’re facing, we can trust You to be with us, support us, and work all things together for our good. Help us set aside our worries and fears and turn to You instead. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mind Games Part 3

Leave a Comment / Mind Games, Sermon Summaries / By NewSeasonAdmin

What are you thinking of daily that isn’t aligning with your wildest imagination? Because guest what, God can do far more beyond your wildest dreams. The mind is the arena of your faith. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds 5 we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 The biggest weapon the enemy will use is your mind, because he will constantly remind you of who you were. He Is trying to remove you form the intimacy of God because in Christ is everything you need. That is why you need to take every thought captive Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will Romans 12:2 The pattern of the Kingdom is generosity. We cannot be a victim and an overcomer at the same time. Your life is moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts. Do you like where its headed? Reframing – Cognitive Bias Meaning = Mistake in reason based on personal preferences or beliefs We may make a mistake with reasoning because we have a pattern with that context. This is the result of what is called a ‘Mental filter or a mental framework’. It is a filter that shapes the way we think and perceive the world around us and the things that happen to us. How you see the world determines you’re response to experiences. “It’s Not The Thing, It’s How You Look At The Thing” 27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. Numbers 13:27-28 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” Numbers 13:30-31 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” Numbers 13:33 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. Numbers 14: 24 It’s not the facts that are different, it’s the frame that is different. How you frame it will determine how you see it. So, what is reframing? It is creating a different way of looking at a situation, person or relationship by changing its meaning. You’ve got to have an understanding of the Word so that you can respond to situations correctly. Paul knew how to Re-Frame a situation. He dreamt of going to Rome to Preach but ends up in Prison. Look what he says; Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me really sucks. As a result of the hell I’ve been through, I’m quitting Destiny Group and never going back to church. Philippians 1: 12-13 A bit of humour there. He didn’t really say that, but the reality is that’s exactly what some of us would say. Paul actually said; 12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains are much more bold to speak the Word without fear Philippians 1: 12-14 Experiencing the fullness of God in our lives starts with what we are thinking on. How to Reframe Any situation: Thank God for what didn’t happen Practice re-framing Look for the good Talk It Over We get discouraged when we focus on what God is not doing instead of what He is doing. We find what we look for. Focus on God’s goodness and you will find it everywhere. Key Scriptures For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fightwith are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolishstrongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against theknowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually servedto advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard andto everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothersand sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospelwithout fear. Philippians 1:12-14 NIV Start talking.Do you use filters on your photos on social media? If so, which one is your favorite? If not, whynot? Start thinking.• Which part of this message was most impactful for you and why?• Would you say you tend to have a more positive mindset or a negative one? Why do say so? How could you start training your mind to look for God in every situation?• Read Philippians 1:12-14. What are some ways you could start reframing yourcircumstances? Start sharing.• Share about a time when you saw Jesus bring meaning and purpose to your pain.• Everyone has

Mind Games – Part 2

Leave a Comment / Mind Games, Sermon Summaries / By NewSeasonAdmin

How to win the war in my mind 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the [d]Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 We have to fill our minds with the things God. we can’t expect to respond to the world with a Godly and heavenly perspective if we are not filled with the things of heave. The battles we face are won or lost in the mind. Your life bends towards your strongest thoughts. Whatever you are thinking about – your life will begin to take that direction. We want to ask you, do you like the direction your life is taking? Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 If you don’t control what you think – you will never control what you do. How respond to certain situations will be a result of what’s going on in our minds. Any seed that we are planting, and nurturing will produce a certain result. The question is what kind of seeds are we planting and nurturing in our minds? See, this is the process; Thoughts > Patterns Patterns > Beliefs Beliefs > words Words > Actions Actions > Deeds Deeds > Habits Habits > Character Character determines destiny The above is not just spiritual, it’s a scientific fact. This process is called Neural Pathways which shows how we have wired our brain. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he; Proverbs 23:7 Why do we make irrational decisions? We have wired our brains to have a default response to a stimulus. Experiencing the fullness of God in our lives starts with what we are thinking on. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 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. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV) Meditate: To engage in mental exercise, to focus one’s thoughts. Now let’s differentiate; Eastern Meditation Christian mediation: Empty one’s mind Fill one’s mind with God’s thoughts Our minds must be captivated by the thoughts mentioned in Philippians 4:8-9 in such a way that the tawdry, sleazy, fictitious, and fanciful fluff of the world loses its appeal. I will meditate on your precepts and contemplate your ways Psalm 119:15 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I muse on the work of Your hands Psalm 143:5 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success Joshua 1:8 To overcome an incorrect thought pattern I must replace it with a life producing pattern that lines up with the Word of God let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 How to meditate on God’s thoughts: 1) Read it 2) Think it 3) Speak it The moment you start focusing on the thoughts of God that’s when you will be able to thrive through mind battles

Mind Games – Part 1

Leave a Comment / Mind Games, Sermon Summaries / By NewSeasonAdmin

The battles that we face are either lost or won in our minds. The mind is the arena of your faith. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 What this verse is saying is that there is worldly pattern, and we should not conform to that pattern. Transform means to change a thing into a different thing. Be transformed and not improved. Are you living your best life? Shifting your patterns and focus can change your life. That’s what this verse is about renewing your mind, changing the way you think to create a better life for yourself and a life that honours God. The world and society have patterns or ways that lead to a broken life. These patterns are easy to fall into and can be difficult to transform. The patterns, or routines, are often preformed mindlessly, without any consideration of our actions or their consequences; however, we are not stuck with them. Your life bends in the direction of your strongest thoughts. You need to decide whether you’re going to lean into your flesh that is constantly filling your mind with negativity or are you going to lean into the spirit of God that is filled with truth? So, we ask you now, what are you thinking on? 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does 4 The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 Strongholds is a military term meaning to fortify/protect/secure. Strongholds are incorrect patterns of thought that prevent us from experiencing God’s fullness in our lives We have got to break down worldly strongholds and build up the strong calls that God rightly placed for our lives. We have divine power to overcome incorrect patterns of thoughts. Your life bends in the direction of your strongest thoughts. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Proverbs 23:7 The life we have a reflection of the thoughts we think. If you think you can’t – you probably won’t. If you look for solutions – you’ll see them. If you dwell on problems – they’ll overwhelm you. How to win the war in your mind Capture – Identify the limiting belief or mindset. I cannot defeat that which I cannot identify. How do we do that? Simple, get into the word. Or try to decipher whether this thought is going to help you move forward or stay in one place. 4 The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 Bring – Bring it under the obedience of Christ. We have to bring the negative thought into alignment with the Word of God. Name the TRUTH that demolishes the stronghold. Once again how do we do that? Get into the Word. Practical examples; I can’t do this > I can do all things through Christ I’m not attractive > I’m fearfully and wonderfully made I don’t have a future > God knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb captive into the obedience 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 Here’s the thing, you have got to speak God’s truth over your life Act – Victory requires action. Its not just about thinking. The evidence of faith is action. But do you want to know O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:20 Talk it Over Key Scriptures For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight withare not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, andwe take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. … Proverbs 23:7 NKJV His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life … 2 Peter 1:3 NIV Start thinking. Think about a time you struggled with anxiety or toxic thoughts. What did you learn through that experience? Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. Where do you think your life is headed, based on your thoughts? Is there anything you would like to change about your destination? Start sharing. What stronghold is holding you back? What negative statement do you say about yourself, and how does it affect you? What truth demolishes that stronghold? How can you replace that negative statement with truth from Scripture? Start praying. Be bold and pray with power. Father, reveal to me any lies that I am believing about myself, others, or You. Help me replace those lies with Your transformative, healing truth. Renew my mind. Transform my thoughts. And make me more like You today and every day. In Jesus’ name, amen. Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week. Create a truth statement to combat lies you’re believing. Share it with your Destiny Group, then commit to declaring it over yourself every day for 30 days.