Aligning Thoughts and Decisions for Victory in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Commitment to Obedience**

Knowing God is not enough; we must be committed to obeying Him. Balaam knew of God's power but was not dedicated to His will, leading him down a dangerous path. This highlights the importance of aligning our actions with God's guidance to avoid pitfalls and achieve victory. Balaam's story serves as a cautionary tale for us today. We may acknowledge God's existence and power, but if our actions are not in line with His will, we risk making decisions that lead us away from His blessings. True commitment to God involves not just knowing Him but also obeying His commands and seeking His guidance in every aspect of our lives. [46:20]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to obey God? How can you take a step towards full obedience today?

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Day 2: Seeking True Fulfillment**

Everything we need—peace, health, joy—can be found in God. Many people seek these in the wrong places, but true fulfillment comes from a relationship with God. By focusing on God, we can receive the blessings He has in store for us. Often, we look for happiness and satisfaction in material possessions, relationships, or achievements, but these are temporary and can never fully satisfy our deepest needs. God, on the other hand, offers us lasting peace and joy that transcend our circumstances. When we prioritize our relationship with Him, we open ourselves to the abundant life He promises. [47:50]

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." (Psalm 23:1-3a, ESV)

Reflection: What are some things you have been seeking for fulfillment outside of God? How can you shift your focus to find true fulfillment in Him?

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Day 3: Guarding Our Thoughts**

Our thoughts determine our actions and ultimately our destiny. Balaam's desire for wealth clouded his judgment, leading to his downfall. We must guard our thoughts and ensure they align with God's will to avoid making bad decisions. The concept of "stinking thinking" refers to negative or ungodly thoughts that can lead us astray. The devil knows our weaknesses and will exploit them if we are not vigilant. By renewing our minds and focusing on God's truth, we can overcome these negative thought patterns and make choices that honor Him. [51:35]

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: What negative or ungodly thoughts have been influencing your decisions lately? How can you replace them with God's truth?

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Day 4: Making Godly Decisions**

Our decisions shape our lives. Balaam's story shows that even when we know the right path, we can still make wrong choices if our focus is not on God. We must be vigilant in making decisions that honor God to experience His blessings. Every decision we make, big or small, has the potential to bring us closer to God or lead us away from Him. By seeking His guidance and wisdom in our decision-making process, we can ensure that our choices align with His will and bring about His blessings in our lives. [55:02]

"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 straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. Did you seek God's guidance in that decision? How can you make future decisions that honor Him?

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Day 5: Surrendering to God's Will**

To achieve victory, we must surrender our desires and align our will with God's. Balaam's downfall was due to his inability to fully commit to God. By surrendering to God, we open ourselves to His guidance and blessings. Surrendering to God means letting go of our own plans and desires and trusting that His plans for us are better. It requires humility and faith, but the rewards are great. When we fully commit to God, we experience His peace, guidance, and the fullness of His blessings. [01:19:16]

"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24, ESV)

Reflection: What desires or plans are you holding onto that you need to surrender to God? What would it look like to fully commit to His will in this area?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we began a new series titled "Working on My Victory," focusing on the importance of our thoughts and decisions in achieving a victorious life in Christ. Reflecting on the story of Balaam from Numbers 22, we explored how knowing God is not enough; we must also be committed to obeying Him. Balaam knew of God's power but was not fully dedicated to His will, leading him down a dangerous path. This mirrors many people's lives today, where they acknowledge God's existence but continue to make decisions based on their desires rather than God's guidance.

We discussed the importance of aligning our thoughts with God's will to experience His blessings. Many people seek peace, health, and joy in the wrong places, but everything we need can be found in God. Balaam's story teaches us that our focus and decisions determine whether we receive blessings or face destruction. Despite knowing God's reality, Balaam allowed his desire for wealth to cloud his judgment, leading to his downfall.

We emphasized the need to change our mindset and focus on God to achieve victory. Bad decisions often stem from "stinking thinking," and we must be vigilant in guarding our thoughts. The devil knows our weaknesses and will exploit them if we are not firmly committed to God. By changing our thoughts and focusing on God's will, we can avoid the pitfalls that lead to heartache and destruction.

In conclusion, we must ask ourselves, "What am I thinking?" and ensure our thoughts align with God's will. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of God's blessings and live a victorious life.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Commitment to God’s Will: Knowing God is not enough; we must be committed to obeying Him. Balaam knew of God's power but was not dedicated to His will, leading him down a dangerous path. This highlights the importance of aligning our actions with God's guidance to avoid pitfalls and achieve victory. [46:20]
2. The Source of True Blessings: Everything we need—peace, health, joy—can be found in God. Many people seek these in the wrong places, but true fulfillment comes from a relationship with God. By focusing on God, we can receive the blessings He has in store for us. [47:50]
3. The Danger of Stinking Thinking: Our thoughts determine our actions and ultimately our destiny. Balaam's desire for wealth clouded his judgment, leading to his downfall. We must guard our thoughts and ensure they align with God's will to avoid making bad decisions. [51:35]
4. The Power of Decision: Our decisions shape our lives. Balaam's story shows that even when we know the right path, we can still make wrong choices if our focus is not on God. We must be vigilant in making decisions that honor God to experience His blessings. [55:02]
5. The Importance of Surrender: To achieve victory, we must surrender our desires and align our will with God's. Balaam's downfall was due to his inability to fully commit to God. By surrendering to God, we open ourselves to His guidance and blessings. [01:19:16]
### [79:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[21:18] - Father's Day Reflections
[41:27] - Introduction to the Series
[42:26] - Experiencing Jesus and Victory
[42:55] - Reading from Numbers 22
[44:36] - What Am I Thinking?
[46:20] - Balaam's Knowledge of God
[47:50] - Seeking Blessings in God
[51:35] - Changing Our Thoughts
[55:02] - The Power of Decision
[79:16] - The Importance of Surrender
[83:14] - Prayer and Altar Call
[89:14] - Closing Remarks and Offering

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Balaam's initial response to the messengers from Balak? ([43:58])
How did Balaam's knowledge of God influence his actions, according to the sermon? ([46:20])
What did Balaam desire that clouded his judgment, as discussed in the sermon? ([55:30])
How did Balaam's decisions reflect his commitment to God's will? ([46:52])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that Balaam knew of God's power but was not committed to His will? ([46:20])
How does Balaam's story illustrate the danger of "stinking thinking"? ([51:35])
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our thoughts and our actions? ([51:35])
How can Balaam's story serve as a warning for those who acknowledge God but do not fully commit to Him? ([46:52])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you knew the right thing to do but chose otherwise. What influenced your decision? ([46:52])
How can you align your thoughts more closely with God's will in your daily life? ([51:35])
What are some practical steps you can take to guard against "stinking thinking"? ([51:35])
Identify an area in your life where you seek peace, health, or joy. How can you turn to God for these needs instead of other sources? ([47:50])
Think about a recent decision you made. Did it honor God? How can you ensure your future decisions are more aligned with His will? ([55:02])
What desires or distractions might be clouding your judgment and leading you away from God's path? ([55:30])
How can you practice surrendering your desires to align more fully with God's will? ([01:19:16])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "If you need peace, you can look to God. God can give you peace. If you need health, if you need strength, whatever you need, you can find it in God. You don't need to go running down the streets for alcohol, and drugs, and anything else that you want joy. If you want joy, you just open up your heart and receive Christ as Lord and Savior." (18 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You see, if men and women will look up one day and receive Jesus, everything that they want in life, they can receive. If you want victory, you can receive victory from Almighty God. He is a good God. And there's nothing that God will not give to you if you ask him." (16 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The only thing that's stopping you right now from rising higher and receiving all that you have, all that you have, all that you want is you. You are the sum total all the decisions that you have made. If you want to be blessed this morning, you can be blessed." (16 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you want a raise, if you want success in life, a bigger house, if you want cars, all of it. He said no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly before him. But again, the thing that's stopping you is what you're thinking about. Everything we need can be found in God. All you got to do, stop looking at sin. Stop looking at the world. Lift up your vision and get an eye full of God." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you give the devil an inch, he's kicking the door wide open. I need somebody to say amen right there. You give the enemy an inch into your life, he's kicking the door wide open. And sin will take you further than you ever thought you'd go. You'll end up dirtier than you ever thought you'd get." (17 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "He knows the danger of openly fighting against God, but he does what he wants to do when he wants to do it. See, this is an example of many people today. I truly believe there's a whole lot of people, they have an understanding that there's a God in heaven. They know the reality of God, and they don't openly fight against God. But, they still do what they want to do. They say what they want to say. They go where they want to go." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Your focus and your vision will determine your victory or your loss. The path is laid out before you. If by the grace of God I can help somebody this morning, I just want you to know the blessing of God is out there before you. He has nothing against you. He is no respecter of persons, whether you're white, black, Hispanic, Chinese, Asian, what doesn't make a difference? Young, old, fat, skinny, the blessings are there for you." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "How many of you think that if God teaches you a good lesson, if God teaches you you have a horrible experience, I'll never do that again. We want to think that of ourselves, don't we? If something happened and it truly got my attention, oh man, I am never doing that again. But you know the reality is if the devil offers you something a little bit more, you'll do it again. You'll do it again." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "At some point, you've got to realize there's a reality to serving God. I need God to open up my eyes. I'm tired of making bad decisions. I'm tired of going the wrong way. I'm tired of being broke. I'm tired of having no money. I'm tired of being sick. I need God. Can somebody say amen this morning? Is anybody tired of making bad decisions? Anybody tired of going the wrong way?" (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You have to get to a place that you realize money is not the answer. That relationship is not the answer. I need God in my life. I'm tired of going the wrong way. I'm tired of going the wrong way. tired. I had one lady in tears, in tears, saying, I'm tired of this, Pastor Tucker. My boyfriend's cheating on me. He's doing this. But then what she said next just broke my heart. She says, it always happens this way. It always happens this way." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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Were there any personal stories shared?