Anchoring Our Hearts in God's Victory and Presence

The heart of today’s teaching is the call to set our minds and affections on things above, anchoring our thoughts in the reality of God’s presence, promises, and nature. Life is filled with battles, needs, and storms, but victory is not found in our own striving—it’s found in the finished work of Christ. We are not called to fight our battles in our own strength, but to stand in faith, knowing that Jehovah Nissi has already won the victory. Our role is to remain in the “good fight of faith,” keeping our focus on God rather than the storms or the size of our problems.

Setting our minds on things above is not a mystical or unattainable command; it is a practical, daily discipline. Just as we can easily meditate on our problems, we can choose to meditate on God’s Word, His works, and His ways. Biblical meditation is not about emptying our minds, but about filling them with the truth of who God is and what He has done. This transforms us from the inside out, shaping our character and making the Word become flesh in us, just as it did in Christ.

Living in response to the Father, rather than in reaction to the enemy or our circumstances, is the key to spiritual stability and peace. Jesus never lived in reaction to the devil; He always responded to the Father. When we anchor our minds in God’s reality, we become insulated from the chaos around us. We can sit at the table God prepares for us, even in the presence of our enemies, and remain at rest, confident in His provision and protection.

Exposure is what changes us. Just as exposure to the sun leaves a mark, continual exposure to God’s Word and presence transforms us into His image. The more we behold Him, the more we become like Him. This is not about striving, but about staying in the place of exposure—through worship, the Word, prayer, and godly fellowship. As we do, we are shaped by His nature, and our lives become a living testimony of His reality on earth.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Victory Is Found in Faith, Not Striving The battles we face are not ours to win by our own strength. Christ has already secured victory over sin, sickness, and every need. Our part is to remain in faith, trusting in the sufficiency of His finished work, and refusing to be impressed or intimidated by the size of our problems. [21:00]
• 2. Your Mind Is the Anchor of Your Affection Where you set your thoughts is where your heart will be anchored. If your meditation is on problems, fear, or lack, your heart will follow into anxiety and unrest. But if you set your mind on God’s truth, His promises, and His nature, your heart will be anchored in peace and confidence. [40:35]
• 3. Biblical Meditation Transforms Character Meditation is not about emptying the mind, but about filling it with God’s Word, works, and ways. As you rehearse and mutter the truth of Scripture, it moves from head knowledge to heart reality, shaping your character and making the Word become flesh in you. This is how enduring faith is formed. [59:59]
• 4. Live in Response to God, Not Reaction to the Enemy Jesus modeled a life that responded to the Father rather than reacting to the devil or circumstances. When your prayer life and actions are driven by who God is, rather than by the urgency of problems, you become insulated from the enemy’s influence and live from a place of victory and rest. [54:13]
• 5. Exposure to God’s Presence Is Transformational Just as exposure to the sun leaves a mark, continual exposure to God’s Word and presence transforms you into His image. The more you behold Him, the more you become like Him. Transformation is not about striving, but about remaining in the place of exposure, allowing His nature to shape every part of your life. [90:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [06:27] - Calling on Jehovah Nissi
• [19:29] - Setting the Right Mindset
• [20:28] - Understanding Jehovah’s Names
• [21:00] - The Good Fight of Faith
• [27:14] - The Object of Your Affection
• [29:05] - Setting Your Mind on Things Above
• [30:31] - The Disciples’ One Request: Teach Us to Pray
• [32:27] - New Wine in New Wineskins
• [34:26] - The Power of the Secret Place
• [36:22] - Realities of Heaven
• [38:18] - God Enables What He Commands
• [40:35] - Your Mind: The Anchor of Affection
• [46:05] - Always Pray, Don’t Lose Heart
• [54:13] - Living in Response to the Father
• [59:59] - Biblical vs. Eastern Meditation
• [62:15] - Meditating, Muttering, and Rehearsing
• [66:30] - Delighting in God’s Word
• [70:23] - God Provides for His Beloved
• [73:08] - Meditation: The Word Becomes Flesh
• [75:12] - Praying from Heaven, Not the Storm
• [78:22] - Insulated in the Presence of Enemies
• [80:01] - Anchored in God’s Reality
• [83:34] - The Power of Exposure
• [89:00] - Exposure Transforms Us
• [91:28] - Final Exhortation and Prayer
• [94:08] - Closing Blessing and Declaration

Bible Reading

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV) — > If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Luke 18:1 (ESV) — > And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) — > And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Observation Questions

1. In Colossians 3:1-2, what does Paul say we should do with our minds, and why?
2. According to Luke 18:1, what does Jesus say about prayer and the condition of our hearts?
3. The sermon says, “Your mind is the anchor of your affections. Where you set your thought is where your heart will be also.” What does this mean in your own words? [[40:35]]
4. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, what is the result of “beholding the glory of the Lord”?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul tells believers to “set your minds on things above” instead of just telling them to avoid bad things? What difference does it make to focus on God’s reality? [[36:08]]
2. The sermon says, “Jesus never lived in reaction to the devil. He only lived in response to the Father.” What does it look like to live in response to God instead of reacting to problems or the enemy? [[48:42]]
3. How does biblical meditation differ from other types of meditation, according to the sermon? Why is this distinction important? [[59:59]]
4. The sermon says, “Exposure to God’s Word and presence transforms you into His image.” How does this process of transformation happen, and what role does our daily discipline play? [[01:30:55]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Victory is not found in our own striving—it’s found in the finished work of Christ. Our part is to remain in faith, trusting in the sufficiency of His finished work.” What is one area of your life where you are still trying to “fight the battle” in your own strength? What would it look like to let go and trust Jesus’ victory instead? [[21:00]]
2. “Where you set your thoughts is where your heart will be anchored.” What are you most often meditating on during the week—your problems, your fears, or God’s promises? How can you make a practical change to set your mind on things above this week? [[40:35]]
3. The sermon gives the example of lying in bed meditating on problems. What is one specific way you can replace anxious thoughts with God’s Word when you are tempted to worry? [[41:47]]
4. “Jesus never lived in reaction to the devil; He always responded to the Father.” Can you think of a recent situation where you reacted out of fear, anger, or stress? How could you have responded differently if you were focused on God’s presence and promises? [[48:42]]
5. The pastor said, “Exposure to God’s Word and presence transforms us into His image.” What is one new habit you could start (or restart) this week to increase your exposure to God—through worship, reading, prayer, or fellowship? [[01:30:55]]
6. The sermon talks about “sitting at the table God prepares for us, even in the presence of our enemies.” What does it mean for you to rest and be confident in God’s provision, even when life feels chaotic? [[01:18:22]]
7. The pastor said, “Meditation is how the Word becomes flesh in us.” What is one verse or truth about God you want to meditate on and “mutter” to yourself this week? How will you remind yourself to do it? [[01:13:08]]