Transforming Self-Talk: Embracing God's Promises and Purpose
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the powerful concept of self-talk and how it can either hinder or propel us into the destiny God has for us. We often talk ourselves out of the very things God is trying to bring us into, whether in our relationships, personal lives, or spiritual journeys. The key message is that just as we can talk ourselves out of something, we can also talk ourselves into it. This involves shifting our internal dialogue from doubt and fear to faith and courage.
We looked at the example of Moses, who had many excuses for why he couldn't fulfill God's calling. Similarly, Joshua witnessed the devastating effects of the Israelites talking themselves out of entering the Promised Land. Joshua's story teaches us the importance of not letting fear and discouragement dictate our actions. Instead, we should focus on God's promises and His presence with us.
God's instructions to Joshua were clear: keep the Book of the Law always on your lips and meditate on it day and night. This means that our conversations, especially those we have with ourselves, should be filled with God's Word. Our courage and faith are directly linked to the words we speak and the thoughts we entertain. By continually rehearsing God's promises, we can talk ourselves into the destiny He has planned for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Self-Talk: Our internal dialogue can either limit us or propel us into God's plans. Just as Moses had excuses, we often talk ourselves out of God's calling. However, by changing our self-talk to align with God's promises, we can step into our destiny. [03:47]
2. Courage Over Fear: Joshua's story highlights the importance of courage in the face of fear. The Israelites' fear kept them from the Promised Land, but Joshua's faith and courage were pivotal. We must not let fear dictate our actions but instead trust in God's promises. [05:20]
3. Encouraging Yourself: There will be times when external encouragement is scarce. Learning to encourage yourself through God's Word is crucial. This self-encouragement is a mark of spiritual maturity and helps us stay focused on our purpose. [09:57]
4. Meditate on God's Word: God's instruction to Joshua to keep the Book of the Law on his lips emphasizes the importance of meditating on Scripture. Our conversations, especially with ourselves, should be filled with God's Word to build our faith and courage. [17:29]
5. Purpose and Destiny: Our destiny is often connected to something much bigger than ourselves. Understanding this helps us stay motivated and courageous. By talking ourselves into our purpose, we align with God's greater plan and impact those around us. [08:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Introduction: The Power of Self-Talk
[01:20] - Trusting God in Finances
[02:22] - Personal Story: High School English Class
[03:47] - Moses' Excuses and God's Response
[05:20] - Joshua's Courage and the Promised Land
[07:11] - Talking Yourself into Your Purpose
[08:40] - The Bigger Picture of Destiny
[09:57] - Encouraging Yourself
[11:33] - Overcoming Fear and Discouragement
[12:53] - The Importance of Self-Talk
[14:28] - Psalm 42: Shifting from Listening to Preaching
[15:45] - Putting Yourself in Your Place
[17:29] - Meditating on God's Word
[18:30] - Conclusion: Talking Yourself into God's Promises
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 1:8 - "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
2. Numbers 14:6-9 - "Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, 'The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.'"
3. Psalm 42:5 - "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
### Observation Questions
1. What were the specific instructions God gave to Joshua in Joshua 1:8 regarding the Book of the Law?
2. In Numbers 14:6-9, what reasons did Joshua and Caleb give to encourage the Israelites to enter the Promised Land?
3. According to Psalm 42:5, what shift does the psalmist make in his internal dialogue?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does meditating on God's Word day and night, as instructed in Joshua 1:8, help in building faith and courage? [17:29]
2. What can we learn from Joshua and Caleb's response to the fear and discouragement of the Israelites in Numbers 14:6-9? [05:20]
3. How does the psalmist's approach in Psalm 42:5 illustrate the concept of self-talk discussed in the sermon? [14:28]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you talked yourself out of something God was leading you into. How can you change your self-talk to align with God's promises? [01:20]
2. Joshua and Caleb encouraged the Israelites by focusing on God's presence and promises. How can you apply this approach when facing your own fears and discouragements? [05:20]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of self-encouragement through God's Word. What specific Scriptures can you meditate on to encourage yourself in times of doubt? [09:57]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of meditating on God's Word into your daily routine to strengthen your faith and courage? [17:29]
5. The psalmist in Psalm 42:5 shifts from listening to his discouragement to preaching hope to himself. How can you practice this shift in your own life when you feel downcast? [14:28]
6. Identify an area in your life where fear has been holding you back. What steps can you take to replace that fear with faith and courage, as Joshua did? [05:20]
7. The sermon mentioned that our destiny is often connected to something bigger than ourselves. How can you remind yourself of this bigger picture when you feel discouraged or fearful? [08:40]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Power of Self-Talk
Our internal dialogue can either limit us or propel us into God's plans. Just as Moses had excuses, we often talk ourselves out of God's calling. However, by changing our self-talk to align with God's promises, we can step into our destiny. Moses initially doubted his ability to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, citing his lack of eloquence and fear of rejection. Yet, God reassured him that He would be with him and provide the words to speak. This teaches us that our self-talk should not be based on our limitations but on God's limitless power and promises. By shifting our internal dialogue from doubt and fear to faith and courage, we can overcome the barriers that hold us back and move forward into the plans God has for us. [03:47]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Reflection: Think about a recent situation where you talked yourself out of something you felt called to do. How can you change your self-talk to align with God's promises and take a step of faith today?
### Day 2: Courage Over Fear
Joshua's story highlights the importance of courage in the face of fear. The Israelites' fear kept them from entering the Promised Land, but Joshua's faith and courage were pivotal. When the Israelites were on the brink of entering the Promised Land, they allowed their fear of the inhabitants to override God's promise. Joshua, however, trusted in God's word and encouraged the people to move forward. This teaches us that we must not let fear dictate our actions but instead trust in God's promises. Courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to act in faith despite it. By focusing on God's faithfulness and presence, we can overcome our fears and step into the promises He has for us. [05:20]
Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV): "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Reflection: Identify a fear that has been holding you back from pursuing something God has placed on your heart. How can you take a step of courage today, trusting in God's presence and promises?
### Day 3: Encouraging Yourself
There will be times when external encouragement is scarce. Learning to encourage yourself through God's Word is crucial. This self-encouragement is a mark of spiritual maturity and helps us stay focused on our purpose. David often found himself in situations where he had to encourage himself in the Lord, especially when he faced opposition and discouragement. By meditating on God's promises and reminding himself of God's faithfulness, David was able to find strength and hope. Similarly, we must learn to encourage ourselves by immersing ourselves in Scripture and speaking God's truth over our lives. This practice helps us maintain our focus and motivation, even when external support is lacking. [09:57]
1 Samuel 30:6 (ESV): "And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."
Reflection: When was the last time you felt discouraged and lacked external support? How can you make a habit of encouraging yourself through God's Word in such times?
### Day 4: Meditate on God's Word
God's instruction to Joshua to keep the Book of the Law on his lips emphasizes the importance of meditating on Scripture. Our conversations, especially with ourselves, should be filled with God's Word to build our faith and courage. Meditating on God's Word involves more than just reading it; it requires us to ponder, internalize, and speak it. This practice transforms our minds and aligns our thoughts with God's truth. By continually rehearsing God's promises, we can strengthen our faith and find the courage to face challenges. Joshua's success in leading the Israelites was directly linked to his commitment to meditate on God's Word day and night. [17:29]
Psalm 1:2-3 (ESV): "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the practice of meditating on God's Word into your daily routine? What specific Scripture will you focus on this week to build your faith and courage?
### Day 5: Purpose and Destiny
Our destiny is often connected to something much bigger than ourselves. Understanding this helps us stay motivated and courageous. By talking ourselves into our purpose, we align with God's greater plan and impact those around us. Joseph's journey from being sold into slavery to becoming a ruler in Egypt illustrates how our individual destinies are part of God's larger plan. Despite the hardships he faced, Joseph remained faithful and trusted in God's purpose for his life. This perspective enabled him to see his trials as part of a greater narrative. Similarly, when we understand that our purpose is intertwined with God's grand design, we can find the motivation and courage to persevere. [08:40]
Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Reflection: Reflect on a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you view this challenge in the context of God's larger plan for your life and the impact it may have on others?
Quotes
1. "The message God gave me today is that you can talk yourself into it just like you've been talking yourself out of it. You can talk yourself into it. One thing I noticed about myself from an early age is that I can be persuasive when I need to be. Sometimes in school, when I would need an extension on a paper, I knew I could usually get one, because I have this way of talking myself." [01:20] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you trust God in your finances, it will open your eyes to the supply he has available for you. If you seek him first, it's his kingdom and his righteousness. All these things I'm preaching in my watch, off my wrist. That's how excited I am about the Word of God. Just hold it, Russell. I don't even want it back. I don't even care what time it is. I might preach through lunch, because there are some things in your life you've been talking yourself out of." [01:20] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When God called Moses, Moses was reluctant to do what God had called him to do. Moses had a million excuses, and so do you. Why you can't be it, why you can't do it, why you can't go forward in it… Come on. How many of you are good at talking yourself out of things? How many of you, by the time I get done preaching sometimes and you've even had your lunch, you have forgotten what the sermon is even about? Shame on you! No, I'm just kidding. It's how it works. We are so quick to talk ourselves… out of things." [03:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Don't let your fear keep you from your future. Don't be discouraged. Don't rebel. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into the land that is flowing with milk and honey, and he will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, and stop, get down now, for they are ready to tally the You also listen to aательно about the next few ち Graham's letter to Joseph." [05:20] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Because nobody can talk you into your destiny but you. Touch your neighbor and say, Talk yourself into it. is interesting that when God speaks to Joshua, he tells him what to do. Lead these people to inherit the land. The problem with a lot of us is we have shrunk our lives down to the size of our own personal interest. We don't have anything bigger than us worth fighting for, so it doesn't take much to discourage us." [07:11] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You have to talk yourself into your purpose. I have a purpose. I don't need to ask God to give me a purpose. I have a purpose. You have a purpose to glorify God, to be transformed into the image of Christ, to be conformed into the image of Christ. don't have a purpose. It's that every time God tries to bring you into it, you talk yourself out of it. So he says, this is not just about you, Joshua. There are people depending on you. Your destiny is connected to something much bigger than you. So go do it and be strong and courageous." [08:40] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Would you like to know how to keep yourself encouraged? Because you need to know. They aren't always going to text you encouragement when you need it. That's part of being a grown Christian. You need to learn to encourage yourself. I have to tell you, touch your neighbor and say, I can encourage myself. If you encourage me, I appreciate it. If you're nice to me, I appreciate it. If you say kind things to me, that's cool, but I need you to know that even if you don't, if you get too busy or if you forget about me or if you don't know what to say to me, I need you to know I can encourage myself." [11:33] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Discouragement is a decision I make. Discouragement is a conversation I have with myself. Discouragement is that thing inside of me that says, This is the way it will always be. See, it's not getting any better. See that woman right there? Doesn't like your sermon. Look how she's looking at you, and that guy's asleep. Discouragement is that little voice inside of your head that you listen to. Our problem, Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones, the great Welch preacher, once said, our problem is that we spend too much time listening to ourselves and not enough time talking to ourselves." [12:53] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If I wake up in the morning and ask myself how you feel, I'm going to be 50-50 at best. So I'm going to wake up in the morning and tell myself, this will change your life, and tell myself, today we're going to be blessed. Today we're going to be favored. Today we're going to be a blessing. Today we're going to take new ground. Today we're going to encourage somebody else. Today we're going to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." [15:45] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Your life will follow the direction of your conversation. Your courage comes from your conversation. So does your fear. So does your discouragement. Not just your conversations with others, but your conversation with yourself. So keep this book of the law on your lips. Not just in your mind. On your lips. The Hebrew word for meditate is haggah, and it means to mutter. There was a Hebrew tradition that while they studied the text and reflected upon it, they would mutter. It's not enough to read the Bible. You have to rehearse the Bible." [17:29] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?