by The Father's House on Nov 12, 2023
The sermon delivered by the speaker focused on the transformative power of aligning our thoughts with God's word and the practical steps to renew our minds. The speaker began by emphasizing the significance of our thought processes in shaping the quality of our lives, including our relationships and well-being. They quoted Proverbs 23:7, which states that as a person thinks in their heart, so they are, highlighting that our thoughts can either lead to strength or weakness.
Drawing from personal experiences, the speaker shared their journey of mind renewal, including a time of psychiatric care and how God restored their mental health. They underscored the importance of Romans Chapter 2, which calls believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices and to be transformed by renewing their minds. This transformation allows believers to discern God's will.
The speaker also shared a personal story of going through a divorce and the negative thoughts that ensued. They discussed the importance of journaling God's word to combat these thoughts and become one's own cheerleader. They referenced the story of a king in Deuteronomy who was instructed to read God's laws daily to maintain humility and a blessed reign.
Furthermore, the speaker highlighted the necessity of rest and decluttering our minds, using the example of God resting on the seventh day after creation. They encouraged daily practices such as sleep, exercise, and meditation to declutter the mind. Additionally, the speaker urged the audience to take action in life, to jump in and experience life, and to do life together with others, as exemplified by their appreciation for the church community in Leesburg.
The speaker also recounted witnessing God's grace and restoration in their life, even during times of destructive behavior. They assured the listeners of God's presence and hand upon their lives, encouraging them to trust in His restoration.
In conclusion, the speaker challenged the audience to meditate on God's goodness, to declutter their minds of negative thoughts, and to think beyond their comfort zones. They emphasized that limitations are often self-imposed and that the enemy seeks to confuse believers about their destiny. The speaker shared a story of encouragement and vision, urging listeners to remember God's goodness and to journal His word to elevate their thinking.
Key Takeaways:
- Our thought life is a critical determinant of our life's trajectory, as our inner thoughts manifest in our external circumstances. The speaker's personal testimony of mental health restoration illustrates the profound impact of aligning thoughts with God's word, demonstrating that even in the depths of despair, God's transformative power can renew our minds and lives. [53:39]
- Journaling God's word is not just a reflective exercise but a strategic tool for mental and spiritual fortification. By writing down scripture, we are actively participating in the renewal of our minds, much like the king in Deuteronomy who was instructed to read the law daily. This practice helps us to internalize divine wisdom and maintain a perspective of gratitude and humility. [58:35]
- Rest is not merely a physical necessity but a spiritual discipline that echoes the creation narrative. By intentionally setting aside time for rest and decluttering our minds, we follow God's example and create space for new, God-inspired thoughts to take root. This practice is essential for sustaining our mental and spiritual health. [01:06:24]
- The speaker's encouragement to take action and not wait for divine direction reminds us that faith is often expressed through our willingness to step out into the unknown. By engaging with life and community, we open ourselves up to the fullness of experiences God has for us, and we learn to trust in His presence and guidance through it all. [48:05]
- The enemy's strategy is to sow confusion and doubt about our identity and destiny in Christ. By recognizing this tactic, we can actively reject these lies and embrace the truth of our God-given potential and purpose. The story of the two men in the hospital room serves as a metaphor for the power of encouragement and the reality of God's goodness, which we must choose to see and testify to others. [01:13:48]
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. **Proverbs 23:7** - "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."
2. **Romans 12:1-2** - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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."
3. **Deuteronomy 17:18-20** - "When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Proverbs 23:7 suggest about the relationship between our thoughts and our identity?
2. According to Romans 12:1-2, what are the steps to discerning God’s will for our lives?
3. In Deuteronomy 17:18-20, what daily practice was the king instructed to follow, and what were the intended outcomes of this practice?
4. The speaker shared a personal story about the impact of negative thoughts during a difficult time in their life. What practical steps did they take to combat these thoughts? [57:30]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "renewing your mind" in Romans 12:2 relate to the speaker's personal testimony of mental health restoration? [51:15]
2. Why is journaling God's word considered a strategic tool for mental and spiritual fortification, according to the sermon? [54:46]
3. What is the significance of rest and decluttering our minds, as illustrated by the example of God resting on the seventh day? [01:05:18]
4. How does the story of the two men in the hospital room serve as a metaphor for the power of encouragement and the reality of God's goodness? [01:13:48]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current thought life. Are there any recurring negative thoughts that you need to address? What steps can you take to align your thoughts with God's word this week? [53:00]
2. The speaker emphasized the importance of journaling God's word. Have you ever tried this practice? If not, what might be a first step for you to start journaling scripture? [54:46]
3. Consider your daily routine. How can you incorporate rest and decluttering practices to create space for God-inspired thoughts? What specific changes can you make this week? [01:06:24]
4. The speaker mentioned the importance of taking action and not waiting for divine direction. Is there an area in your life where you feel called to "jump in" but have been hesitant? What is one step you can take this week to move forward? [46:07]
5. Think about a time when you felt confused or doubtful about your identity and destiny in Christ. How can you actively reject these lies and embrace the truth of your God-given potential and purpose? [01:12:09]
6. The speaker shared a story of encouragement and vision. Who in your life could benefit from a word of encouragement this week? How can you be intentional about uplifting them? [01:13:48]
7. Reflect on the idea that limitations are often self-imposed. Are there any self-imposed limitations you need to overcome? What practical steps can you take to think beyond your comfort zone? [01:10:31]
Day 1: Mind Renewal Through Divine Alignment
Thoughts aligned with God's word lead to a life transformed, reflecting the divine purpose and overcoming despair. The journey of mind renewal is not a solitary one but a path walked with the Creator, who provides the blueprint for a life of fulfillment and peace. [53:39]
Romans 12:2 - "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."
Reflection: What is one thought pattern you need to change to align more closely with God's word, and how can you start that process today?
Day 2: Scripture Journaling as Spiritual Armor
Writing down scripture is an act of spiritual warfare, equipping the mind with the armor of God's word to combat negativity and maintain a heart of gratitude. This daily discipline is a proactive step towards a fortified mind and a humble spirit. [58:35]
Deuteronomy 17:18-19 - "When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees."
Reflection: Which scripture can you journal today that speaks to your current situation, and how will you apply it to your daily life?
Day 3: Rest as a Divine Imperative for Renewal
Intentional rest is a command from God, mirroring the Creator's own rest after the work of creation. It is a spiritual practice that clears the mind for God-inspired thoughts and sustains mental and spiritual health. [01:06:24]
Exodus 34:21 - "Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest."
Reflection: How can you incorporate a regular rhythm of rest into your weekly routine to better hear God's voice?
Day 4: Faith Expressed in Action and Community
Stepping out in faith into the unknown is an act of trust in God's guidance. Engaging with life and community opens the door to the experiences God has prepared, teaching reliance on His presence through all of life's adventures. [48:05]
James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today to engage more deeply with your community or to experience life more fully?
Day 5: Embracing Identity and Purpose Against Confusion
Recognizing the enemy's tactics of confusion and doubt empowers believers to claim their God-given identity and destiny. Encouragement and vision are vital in remembering and testifying to God's goodness and the truth of our purpose in Him. [01:13:48]
Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Reflection: What lies about your identity or destiny have you believed, and how can you replace them with the truth of God's word today?
Well, good morning! We are so glad you're here at the Father's House today. We welcome you to the Father's House. I see a lot of people, but I think there's more people because there are people wearing camo, and I can't see them. Raise your hand if you're wearing camo! Whoop whoop! We honor our veterans. We always, every year, love to honor our veterans.
But before we talk a little bit about what we do on Veterans Day weekend, we just want to say thank you for being here. If it's your first time with us, grab one of those connection cards out of the chair in front of you. Go ahead and fill it out with as much info as you feel comfortable. Everybody else can fill that out with a prayer request or something that you would like to receive in the mail.
But if it's your first time, please take your card out to the "Hello, Start Here" table on your way out on the left-hand side. We have a gift that we'd love to give you, just to let you know how much we appreciate you being here today.
And listen, we're for you! If you don't have a church home, we'd love for the Father's House to be your church home. If the Lord plants you here, then we want you to grow here and flourish here.
Awesome! We really appreciate this time of year when we can honor our vets. We also use this time to raise money for military Bible sticks for our men and women in service. The little MP3 players that they can have the New Testament and the Book of Psalms, and also for their family.
So last year, through the ride—how many of you rode with us yesterday on the Freedom Ride? Go ahead and stand if you rode with us yesterday. We had over 30 bikes and 48 people went on that ride. Thank you, guys!
Yeah, and we don't want to go to hell because we realized it was pretty hot yesterday, so we don't want to go that way. But last year, because of your generous giving and because of what the ride produced and special sponsors, we were able to raise, with matching funds, $7,500, which actually helped about a hundred companies. So seven and a half companies, yeah!
So this year, because we did have some great corporate sponsors that helped us this year, and with matching funds, we've raised almost $122,000 for military Bible sticks! Awesome!
But you know what? We can bust that out! You can still give to military Bible sticks through the end of the month. That's how you do it. You can text the word "stick" to that number. If that's not your deal, then go to thefathershouse.com, scroll through the events, find that graphic, click on there, and let's bust that wide open because we have an anonymous donor—we don't even know who it is—but they are matching everything that we raise. So come on, that's double for our trouble! That's awesome!
And you're in for a real treat today. Some of our greatest friends, our best friends—Pastor Kevin and Melissa—are here. Pastor Kevin leads great churches in two churches in Phoenix and one church in Oklahoma City that was almost dead and now is thriving. He's a leader of a great apostolic ministry of knitting churches together for the glory of God.
He's on our board of directors, he and she both, and today we have our board of directors meeting. We're excited because we've had a great year because of your wonderful faithfulness and giving. But I know he's not a guest here anymore; he's a part of the Father's House. His spirit travels here often with encouraging words.
So today, I want you to give a warm welcome to Pastor Kevin Goff as he comes today.
PK: Good morning! How y'all doing? Good!
Hey, can I start off just a little different? I didn't plan on this, but I struggled during that moment of worship just to kind of get through it because I felt like there was a word the Lord had given me specifically for someone here.
So I don't—I’m not that guy that'll call someone out and make a big deal out of it because I think sometimes we make the attention about the person instead of what God wants to say.
And so there's someone here—a couple—you're really searching for the truth. At first, I thought maybe the wife was praying for the husband to find truth, and maybe the husband praying for the wife to find truth. And you know, in your past, you've jumped right into things. You've always jumped right into things. You were kind of known as the leader of the pack. Things didn't bother you; it didn't matter what it was. You didn't shy away from a fight.
But somehow, you come expecting God to do everything for you. Can I just say this? It's like anything else—you just got to jump in! Come on, everyone say "jump in!"
How many remember the first time you ever jumped into God for the first time fully? Amen! It changed everything.
So whoever that is, you're here, and it's kind of something new, and you're hoping that your family can come along—just jump in! I know it's some guy in white pants telling you that, but I got my white pants on!
Yeah, some of y'all know what I'm talking about. And so that word is for someone here. I'm just trying to tell you that church is not sometimes what we think, and God sometimes isn't what we think. But you'll never know till you jump in.
If you're waiting for God to show you, you didn't wait for a drug to show you. You didn't wait for a guy to show you how to will punch you through the first one. That's right!
I don't know who I'm talking to altogether. I wish God would show me so I can just walk out and tell you after work, "Church, I'm talking to you, buddy!"
But here's what I do know: if you just jump in, you'll find out the water's good, and life is good. Can you say Amen?
It is great to be back in Leesburg, kind of just our family and our home away from home. We're here, and we just love being here. Our family that's here—we have so many relationships that we've built through the years. It's hard to imagine what it would be like if we'd never come here because God has done so much through the years to just knit our hearts together with so many of you.
And of course, we say it all the time, and I just want to make sure that we understand your pastors—they're here. We always talk each time we're here about how we met, but I just want to say I love you with all my heart.
Pastor Terry and I talk constantly throughout the week, and you have been blessed to have these pastors at this church for over 27 years! Come on, really! You have been blessed for 27 years, and we just honor them and love them so much.
And of course, sitting next to them is my beautiful wife, my best friend. I would not want to do this without her. I tried it before, and it's no good. So we just love doing life together, and we love doing what God has called us to do together.
Can we pray? Father, we love you. We thank you for our time together. We thank you that your word is true. God, I pray that every person here would just open their hearts to receive what you have for them. God, that they won't think how it applies to someone else—a family member, one of their children, one of their spouses—but God, they'll take it in for themselves.
Anoint their ears to hear what you have for them, and God, anoint my voice to say what you would have me to say for their lives. Father, we give you the praise and the glory in Jesus' name. Come on, everyone say Amen!
Am I walking in? You should have received a piece of a puzzle. Did y'all receive that? If you did not receive a piece of a puzzle, lift your hand. The ushers are going to be ready to give it to you right now. Just lift it up high so they can see you.
Only a couple, so at least you get those passed out. I want to make sure that everyone here has a piece of the puzzle. You got it? Lift it up! If you don't have one, lift your hand up that way they can get to you because it is vitally, vitally important for the purpose of what we're going to be talking about today.
We are in a series—you have been in a series around—I guest started last week, correct? This is part two of the series. What was I thinking? Everyone say, "What was I thinking?"
I would tell you this much: if you've never been in a position in life where you've asked yourself, "What was I thinking?" you lived a very protected life. Because everyone here can probably remember a time where we got into a situation and thought, "What was I thinking?"
I know I've been there several times, and when I think of this, I love the series. I love the topic because it's talking about renewing our minds. And I've had to learn that through the years. I have a process I went through. I share it with people everywhere I go—on my phone, on my tablet, on my computer. I have the process I go through twice a day.
But years ago, I had to go through it much more often because of what my wife and I and our family had walked through. What was I thinking?
Now, there's a foundational scripture—Romans Chapter 12—you had it last week. Here's what it says: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship."
Now, here's your memory verse they gave you last week that all of you took time to memorize, right? Here it is: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by what?" Everyone say, "The renewing of your mind."
So it's by the renewing of your mind that you will be able to test and approve—listen to that—you'll be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
So it starts out good, it becomes pleasing, and it winds up perfect. I don't know about you, but I like that idea that I can know the good, pleasing, perfect will of God. And that scripture is important to me.
It's vital; it's part of my testimony. You might say, "How vital is it?" Well, I have it tattooed right here on my arm. It says, "Do not conform." Romans 12:2. My wife said it used to be big, but Romans 12:2 has been a vital part of my life because there was a time I was under psychiatric care.
There was a time I lost my mind. I was diagnosed as major depressive, bipolar. I was under 1,200 milligrams of lithium, and God healed my mind. At that time, I lost my moral compass. I lost my wife and marriage. I lost my family. I lost my church. I lost our ministry. I lost everything.
But God! Everyone say, "But God!"
If we take the time to renew our mind, if we take the time to get rid of old thoughts, put in new thoughts, get the word of God in our heart, everything can change. Life can be better than you ever dreamed it can be because of the word of God.
Now, we don't all know each other here. We don't know all about one another. We don't know what you like or dislike, what makes you tick, what ticks you off. We don't know a lot of things about one another.
But here's one thing we do know: the quality of our thinking defines the quality of our life. The quality of our thought process and our thinking defines the quality of our marriage. It defines the quality of our life in general.
For instance, our attitude, our thought process determines if we will work out, if we won't, if we will stay on our bills, if we won't, if our marriage will be good or if it won't, if our attitude will suck or if it won't, or if we just go about our life wasting our time.
It all depends on the way we think. Everyone say, "Thinking!"
We got to think better. We got to have better thoughts. We got to take that stuff out that's there that confuses us, that gets us derailed, and we got to put in new thoughts. Our thinking determines the outcome of our lives.
I know life is challenging. I understand that. My wife and I have had some challenges. Everybody has challenges. But our internal dialogue, our internal thoughts, our internal voice—the elevator music that plays in the backgrounds of our mind—are so important in determining the quality of our lives.
That's why the Bible says in Proverbs 23:7, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." As a woman thinks in her heart, so is she. As a person thinks in their heart, so are they. Amen?
So the weak person or the strong person is determined by the total sum of their thoughts. If you think weak thoughts, lower thoughts, no good thoughts, you become weak, lower, no good people.
But if you think God thoughts, higher thoughts—come on, word-defined thoughts—then you become a stronger person, a word-defined person. A marriage that's based on God's word, a family based upon God's word, is always stronger than those whose minds run to the lower things of life. Amen?
So in that puzzle piece you have, as you hold it there, I want you to ponder a couple of questions as I go into these thoughts, into these next few points.
And here are the questions I want you to think about: Am I missing some pieces in my life, or am I the missing piece?
Listen to me again: Am I missing certain pieces of my spiritual life, or am I the missing piece?
Ponder those questions as we go forward. Here's a few thoughts I want you to take home. You have the notes; follow along. Let's get these done.
Number one: If we're going to renew our mind, number one, if we're going to think better, number one, if we're going to have a better life, here it is: Learn to journal.
Now, this will probably be the most common one of all the three principles I give today because a lot of you probably already journal. A lot of you probably already write your thoughts out. But my question is, what are you journaling?
When you go back through your book, when you go back through your journal, what are you writing about? Your emotions? How your husband or wife made you feel? What your children did? What your last vacation was like?
I'm here to tell you there's more to journaling than just journaling your life. It's about journaling to life. It's about making sure we're journaling the word of God. If we journal the word of God, we can elevate the way we think.
Let me say it again: If we journal the word of God, we can elevate the way we think. Everyone say, "Elevate the way we think!"
Let me say it like this: If you're trying to elevate the level of your life, you have to first begin by elevating your thought process. If you're going to have an elevated life, you got to think elevated thoughts. You got to think better thoughts. You got to think better than you used to.
You got to get a new thought today that life can be better than it was yesterday. I do not compare myself to your life on Instagram. I do not compare myself in my life to you on Facebook. I compare my life to who I was yesterday.
That way, I want to be elevated to be somebody today that I was not yesterday because I elevated my thought by the fact that God has destined me to be something that I've never been. Amen?
Look at someone and say, "You have a destiny!"
Some of you lived in such a way you're not sure of your destiny. Maybe the couple I spoke to in the very beginning of this message—you're not sure what your destiny is. Well, I'm here to tell you God has a destiny for you. He wants to lift your level of thinking. He wants you to start writing down what he's saying to you.
You might say, "Well, it's just a thought of my own." No! The Holy Spirit, God's spirit, is always coming and speaking to us things as we read the Bible. He'll say something to us. He'll grow us. He'll increase our capacity to think better. He'll lift us to a new thought process, and before we know it, we'll be lifted to a better life—come on, a new life better than we ever dreamed possible.
Look at someone and say, "Just get better!"
Writing is what I call thinking camouflaged. We just kind of write out what we're going through, what we're experiencing, and what we're feeling. It helps people reflect. It helps people analyze. It helps people organize their thoughts.
That's why we write things down by journaling God's word. What did I say? We can elevate our thinking. Come on, look at someone and say, "Elevate your thinking!"
Unchecked thoughts can lead to destruction. I remember years ago when my wife went through—and I went through—a divorce. Before our divorce ever happened, I was thinking horrible thoughts concerning my wife.
I thought, "Here I am trying to burn the world up, and she's my only wet blanket that keeps putting my flame out." She used to be my cheerleader, but then she quit cheering for me. You know, when we met, she was 15; she was a cheerleader. Then she quit cheering for me.
Then I realized she was all cheered out because I was such a needy little boy. Any needy little men out there that your wife's all cheered out because you make her cheer for you all the time?
Rah rah!
How about this? The Bible said David encouraged himself in the Lord. David wrote out Psalms. David knew what it was to journal God's word and God's voice.
How many of you today need to learn how to journal God's voice? Become your own cheerleader. Encourage yourself in the Lord. That's what thoughts of God's word will do for you and I. Amen?
Come on! Here's what God said: Because people tend to forget their purpose that God has for them, the destiny God has for them—people that don't take inventory of their mind—they don't end up at a specific destination because they're going nowhere.
They eventually end up just where their emotions led them, then they make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions, and that's always disastrous.
So we have to gather our thoughts. We have to say, "How would God want me to do this? What would God say?"
Well, I found a story in the Bible, and I love this, in the book of Deuteronomy, where God is setting this king up. Here's what it says in the 17th chapter of Deuteronomy: "And when he has been crowned and sits upon his throne as king, then he must copy these laws."
Everyone say, "Write it down!"
"He must copy these laws from the book kept by the Levite priest. That copy of the laws shall be his constant companion. He must read from it every day of his life so that he will learn to respect the Lord his God by obeying all of his commands. This regular reading of God's laws will prevent him from feeling that he is better than his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from God's laws in the slightest respect and will ensure his having a long, good reign. His sons will then follow him upon the throne."
I love that God says, "Write it out! Read it daily! Check out my laws! You won't start acting like you think you're better than someone else, and you won't forget it's me who gave you your life, and everything you have is a blessing from me. You will rule long, and your sons will follow you."
Why? All because he began to write out God's word, read it daily, and began to take—come on—inventory of his own life. Amen?
Now, think about this: Journaling helps us remember we're human beings, not humans doing. Journaling helps us remember we are human beings, not humans doing.
Not just this king, not just me, but all of us together. We will have a propensity, a proclivity, if we're not careful, to get so busy doing that we forget we're supposed to be human beings—being what? Being whatever God created us to be, living the purpose that God gave us to live.
Not being afraid of what people think concerning our life with God, but jumping in wholeheartedly into what God wants to do. Not that God can prove himself to us, but that we can jump in and find out what he's really all about.
We can lead the way for our family, for our spouse, for our children. We can be the answer to those around us that we can say, "You know what? I know this: God has an eternal plan for my life. I'm not going to waste my eternal reward for this temporary life I've been living. I'm going to think better. I'm going to write it out. I'm going to remember God. He's given me everything."
Everything! Can you say Amen?
Journal the word of God. It will help you remember it's not about us; it's all about him. Because we all have a tendency to forget that. We all have a tendency to think we got to find significance. We got to prove ourselves. We got to get more likes on Instagram.
We get trapped in comparing our lives to other people. No! Just sell out to God, and the Bible says in due season, he will lift you up.
Pastor, I just want my turn. Well, just keep on growing; you will get due one day! Amen?
I remember a story I heard of this couple that was entering into their 80s, and they decided they were beginning to forget things. So they had this conversation: "Let's help one another. Let's start writing things down so we don't forget."
Later on that evening, they're sitting there, and the husband gets up. She says, "Where are you going?" He says, "I'm going to the kitchen." She said, "Would you get me a bowl of ice cream?" He said, "Sure."
She goes, "Go ahead and write that down so you don't forget." He says, "I'm not going to forget a bowl of ice cream."
So she said, "Yeah, but I want bananas on top of my ice cream." He said, "Well, you go ahead and write that down so you don't forget." He goes, "I can remember two items."
So finally, she says, "Yeah, but I want whipped cream on top of my bananas on top of the ice cream, so please write it down so you don't forget." Frustrated, he says, "I'm going to go! I won't forget!"
He's gone 20 minutes. He comes back later, and he hands her a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares blankly at the plate, stares blankly at him, then finally goes, "You forgot my toast!"
Come on, look at someone and say, "You better write it down!" Because we all have a tendency to forget! Amen?
Here's the second point: Number two: Declutter the mind. We have to learn to declutter the mind.
Listen, if you think your mind's not being bombarded every day with negativity, you are absolutely wrong. We live in a culture that is sick. We live in a culture that they're teaching things to our children in school that we're not even paying attention to.
We have to wake up. We have to declutter our thoughts. We cannot allow ourselves to be programmed after this world. That was your memory verse last week: "Don't be conformed to the world."
Don't think it's okay; everyone's doing it. No, not everyone's doing it because we're not doing it!
Yeah, my boys used to say to me, "Dad, can I go to a party?" I know all about these parties. How did I know? Because I used to go to these parties!
Anyone ever been to those parties? You know we've been to those parties. And I say, "You're not going to that party. You're not going."
He goes, "Dad, everyone's going!" I said, "No, not everyone's going because you're not going!"
And so if we're not careful, we just give ourselves over to thinking like the world, being like the world, being conformed to the world, and we become a part of the world.
No, no, no! We're called out from among darkness into his light. We're to inject this world with the sense of right being. We're to inject this world with the sense of who God really is.
Right now, let me give you three words. You're all going to relate to this: Life is busy. We all know that! Busier than ever, right? We have stuff at our fingertips 24/7—entertainment, whatever it might be—all the time. It's around us.
It doesn't bother me; I enjoy busy. Busy makes me energized. I've got energy I've not spent yet. I want to be more busy.
So my wife and I ask all the time, "How do you do it? You're always flying here; you're always going there. How do you do it?"
Here's what I say: God has graced me to do what he's called me to do. God has graced you to do what he's called you to do.
That's why the old saying is, "If you want something done, ask a busy person." Why? Because they always find a way to get it done.
Because there's always something in us. But yet we're so prone not to be involved with what God has for us. We get so busy not understanding that there's an eternal purpose that God has for you and I. Can you say Amen?
Here's a scripture that backs up the idea: Acts 17:28: "For in him we live and move and have our being." As also some of your own poets have said, "For we are his offspring."
Actually, here's the version I like of that scripture: "It is through him that we are able to live, to do what we do, and to be who we are." As your own poets have said, we all come from him.
Y'all with me? You know there's a reason God created the Earth for six days and rested on the seventh. It's not because God was tired. God didn't rest because he was tired. Y'all with me?
The word "rested" literally means "stopped creating." God worked for a full week, did all he needed to do, then he stopped creating because he completed the job.
It's indicative of our—and kind of an example to us—on our seven-day work week that we need a Sabbath. There's got to come a time where we stop our work week, we stop creating, and we rest.
Why? Because we are going to declutter our minds! Everyone say, "Declutter your minds!"
Declutter your mind! I don't rest because I'm tired. I just got through talking about the energy I have. My wife knows the energy I have.
I rest because I want to get old thoughts out and put new thoughts in. Sometimes I want a different scenery so I can relax. Sometimes I just want to chase my wife around on a beach for a week.
Sometimes I just—y'all with me? Am I the only one that wants to chase my wife around on the beach for a week? I thought I'd get a big Amen! I thought I'd hear, "Go, yeah, right!"
I mean, this is real stuff! So it's not like I just got to get away because I don't know how to think. I don't know what to do. No! Sometimes this world presses in, and we got to analyze. We got to think through. We got to rest. We got to relax.
We got to recover our thoughts. We got to get rid of those things that have been pressing us, and we got to add in the thoughts of God.
I want to say the thoughts of God. In fact, I don't believe there should just be a decluttering once a week. I think there should be a daily decluttering.
I think there should be a daily decluttering. That's our entire life—our entire life. And we should think about that, right? Prioritizing sleep, movement, exercise, whatever you want to call it.
How about this? How about some quiet moments of meditation? Everyone say, "Meditation!"
See, that word's been beat up through the years because we see that's some Far East thing. No! They rip God off! Meditation is talked about all through the Bible.
The way God healed my mind was I started through meditation. What was meditation? I blocked out all the noise. I blocked out all the other voices. I blocked out all the chaos, and I would just quietly, at my desk, think of the bigness and the goodness of God concerning my life.
I dare you to try it! If you've not been meditating, most people can't quiet their minds for one minute without it drifting somewhere.
Think about the goodness of God. Think about the bigness of God. No, no! In fact, some of you are afraid to be alone with your thoughts because your thoughts have been so far deposited deeply that you can't recognize how to get them out anymore.
They've become a part of you. Well, here's how you do it: You become a new you—a new word. The word of God renews our mind. Come on! Then we're transformed. There's a metamorphosis that takes place.
We're no longer who we used to be because now we're new in Christ Jesus. And once we're new in Christ Jesus, how many knows we have to keep renewing ourselves in Christ Jesus daily?
Renewing ourselves in Christ Jesus. Come on! Look at someone and say, "It's a daily job!"
Well, what's the importance of decluttering? What are we doing when we're decluttering? I'm glad you asked. Here it is: 2 Corinthians 10: "We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
When I was on lithium, I couldn't think for myself. They put me on that medicine. I thought, "I'm not living here the rest of my life."
All of a sudden, I was set on the edge of my bed, and I would take the scripture, and I would envision myself leading every thought captive as prisoners to Jesus Christ—handcuffed.
And I would go through the renewing of my mind—Romans 12:2. I'd go through Philippians 4: "Think on these things." And daily, throughout the day, I would go through my verses, and I would get something new.
What was I doing? I was casting down that thing that told me I was no good. I was casting down that thing that said, "You can't think for yourself."
I was casting down that thought that said, "You're going to be on medicine the rest of your life." I was casting down that "I am" that said, "You're going to be under psychiatric care the rest of your life."
No, no! My Father said something different! Jesus—come on! He can take out the old and put in the new. It's time to declutter your life!
Everyone say, "Declutter!"
Declutter our minds! Our minds should never allow rental space for negative thoughts.
Yeah! Why are you letting all that negativity up in you? Why are you letting that one person that grinds you and bugs you back in your mind? Why are you renting space?
Why are you letting that situation where you lost that business deal? Why are you letting that situation where that person said something evil to you? Why are you letting that situation where your father said you'd never amount to anything?
Why are you letting that person rent space in your mind? It's time to declutter! Time to get it out and only know what God has said concerning your life.
See, some of you look around like, "What did God say concerning me?" You need to find that out because I promise you it'll elevate your thinking. It'll elevate the way you live. Amen?
Look at someone and say, "I need to declutter!"
Lastly, number three: Let me give you this third point. Lastly, number three: Think beyond our comfort zone.
We have to think beyond our comfort zone. Let me ask you—it's not a trick question—how many here can say you're comfortable with your life? It's not a trick question. You can be comfortable.
I'm comfortable with my life. I love my life. I love my wife. I'm comfortable with my wife. But I don't want my marriage to just get comfortable.
I want to make sure we're stretching. I want to make sure we're growing. I want to make sure that we're knowing and understanding one another because she changes.
That person you're with—they're not going to be the same. Y'all, sorry!
How many have been married more than 10 years? How many have been married—this could be a while—how many years have been married more than 50 years?
Well, y'all know what I mean—they change! How many years have been married more than 10 minutes? You know too—they change!
Doesn't matter! People are constantly changing. My wife loves pink one day, and the next day it's no longer her favorite color. I could order for her anywhere, and I could order, but I can't order anymore because I don't know what she likes anymore.
But what I've determined is our marriage will be comfortable together, but it won't be so comfortable that we won't continue to grow and stretch and change and keep hope alive and keep romance alive and keep our love flowing. Can you say Amen?
When's the last time we spent time with people smarter than us? When's the last time we faced one of our biggest fears? When's the last time we decided to go for that dream we thought was dead but decided to go ahead and resuscitate it and do it anyway in spite of what people said?
How comfortable are you at starting a conversation with a complete stranger about Jesus? Oh yeah, now stretching some of your comfort zones, right?
Any limitations placed in our life, they're not placed there by God; they're placed there by our thought process. They're placed there by us, right?
It is your enemy that wants to confuse you. It is your enemy that wants to tell you you're not capable. It is your enemy that wants to tell you you're not smart enough. It is your enemy that wants to destroy you and have you believe you don't have a destiny.
Right? He wants to confuse you. Everyone say, "Confuse me!"
This sounds like the devil, but it was Harry Truman. Here's what he said: "If you can't convince them, confuse them."
Why does it sound like the devil? Because there are so many Christians who come to church week after week that they're not going to give up their faith. They're not going to give up on Jesus, but the devil has confused them about their destiny.
The devil has confused them about their potential. The devil has confused them about their impact, their influence. The devil has confused them about what it is to jump wholeheartedly into church and wholeheartedly into him.
The devil has confused us! He doesn't come to convince us because he knows your faith is too strong. But if he can just hold you back from your destiny—destiny delayed is the devil's delight!
Destiny delayed is the devil's delight! Why? Because you're not making a difference for the kingdom.
I read the story of two men who shared a hospital room, and they became friends. One man sat by the window and could sit up an hour a day. The other man was away from the window and couldn't see anything.
So every day, the man that was by the window would tell his friend what was outside and what it was like in living color. "Oh yeah, I wish you could see outside! It's sun setting over the city landscape right now. The grass is so green. The flowers are so beautiful. There are kids out there kicking a ball and couples walking through the park holding hands. In the pond, the ducks are floating across. It's so beautiful!"
Well, it wasn't very long after that the man that was by the window passed away. So the other fellow got the bed by the window. The first day he got there, he propped himself up, looked out the window, and it shocked him because all he could see was just a gray, drab wall.
There was nothing there but a gray, drab wall. It confused him. He couldn't understand what was going on. So he finally said to the nurse, "Why did my friend describe outside with such glowing detail and colors?"
And she said, "I have to be honest with you. Your friend was blind. He couldn't even see the wall. He just wanted to encourage you."
I just want to encourage you today. I'm here to just try to encourage you today. Here's the good news: I'm not blind! I've seen the goodness of God. I've seen the power of God work in my life.
I've seen the restoration grace of God in my family, in my marriage. I've seen God restore the things I tore up. I've seen a God that loved me even when I was on crystal meth, out beating people up in the Safeway.
You might say, "You ain't big enough to beat anyone up." Test me! We'll just see about that! I'll hit you when you're not looking with something! Trust me, I never said I'd fight fair.
But even in that moment, Andrew, in that moment, there was this God. He said, "I've never taken my hand off you."
Yes, yes! There was this God, Steve, that said, "I've never taken my hand off you." True! There was a God, Travis, the same God with you, that says, "I've never taken my hand off you."
The same God, Ed! Well, I don't know about you, but just kidding! That God has his hand on you! That God has his hand on that couple that he spoke to privately in the beginning of this message.
I just want to encourage you!
"The weak person or the strong person is determined by the total sum of their thoughts...if you think weak thoughts, lower thoughts, no good thoughts, you become weak, lower, no good people, but if you think God thoughts, higher thoughts...then you become a stronger person." [53:39]
"We have to wake up, we have to declutter our thoughts, we cannot allow ourselves to be programmed after this world." [01:03:00]
"If you're trying to elevate the level of your life, you have to first begin by elevating your thought process." [55:21]
"I rest because I want to get old thoughts out and put new thoughts in." [01:05:54]
"I just want to say I love you with all my heart uh Pastor Terry and I would talk constantly throughout the week and and uh you you have been blessed to have these pastors at this church for over 27 years come on really you have been blessed for 27 years and we just honor them and love them so much and of course sitting next to them as my beautiful wife my best friend I would not want to do this without her I tried it before." [48:05]
"I've seen the power of God work in my life...I've seen God restore the things I tore up." [01:15:00]
"Destiny delayed is the devil's Delight why because you're not making a difference for the kingdom." [01:13:12]
"We have to think beyond our comfort zone. How many here can say you're comfortable with your life? I don't want my marriage to just get comfortable, I want to make sure we're stretching, growing, and understanding one another." [01:10:31]
"Unchecked thoughts can lead to destruction...unchecked thoughts can lead to destruction." [57:30]
"God has a Destiny for you, he wants to lift your level of thinking, he wants you to start writing down what he's saying to you." [56:24]
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