Showing posts with label Change Your Life. Show all posts

DAY #9: The Goal of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind | June 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional: “Renewing the Mind”


June 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional: “Renewing the Mind”
DAY #9:  The Goal of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind


Devotional reading from “Winning the Battle for Your Mind,” Chapter Four ~ Problems We Have With our Minds
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Today’s Lesson

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline [sound mind]. 8 So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for Christ. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News. 9 It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began – to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus.

Verse Seven is a passage that many of us have memorized. We quote it when we feel fearful or under some kind of attack in our thinking. The way we use this text highlights our tendency to apply Scriptures primarily to personal needs and challenges. Certainly, the Word of God is intended to help and bless us.

However, when verses seven and eight are read together, the context changes. Verse eight makes it clearer the reason that we don't want a spirit of fear, but rather "power, love and a sound mind," is so that we will be empowered to tell others about Jesus.

Regardless of the adversity that Paul faced, he continued to stay focused on proclaiming the Gospel. He encouraged leaders and believers to adopt a similar focus.

Having power, love, a sound mind, living a holy life, and knowing God's plan are provided not only to answer our cry of, "Lord bless me!" The Scriptures empower us to fulfill the mandate, "Go bless others and boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!"

REFLECTION QUESTION

1. How does serving others help you maintain a "sound mind?"

ACTION ITEMS (What I will do with what I have learned):


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Change Your Life

DAY #8: Steadfastness of a Renewed Mind | June 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional: “Renewing the Mind”


June 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional: “Renewing the Mind”
DAY #8:  Steadfastness of a Renewed Mind


Devotional reading from “Winning the Battle for Your Mind,” Chapter Four ~ Problems We Have With our Minds
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Today’s Lesson

Proverbs 16:3, Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.

“Steadfast” is a beautiful word. It means, “firmly fixed in place; immovable; not subject to change; firm in belief, determination, or adherence.”

A steadfast life is based on walking with Christ and a renewed mind. In a troubled and unstable world, being steadfast is a virtue that makes you stand out in a positive light. Cultivating a steadfast mind and life is one of the keys to success.

The following Scriptures provide inspiration and faith in God as it concerns becoming/being steadfast.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:58)

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah. 26:3)

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, (Romans 12:12)

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me, (Psalm 51:10)

If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:23)

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked. (2 Peter 3:17)

REFLECTION QUESTION

1. Which of the Scriptures about being steadfast speak to you?
2. What specific works do you need to commit to the Lord?

ACTION ITEMS (What I will do with what I have learned):


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Send a gift to Bryan Hudson: https://cash.app/$BryanIndy
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Change Your Life

Change Your Frame. Change Your Life. | Part One: What is a Frame?

 


Change Your Frame. Change Your Life. |  Part One: What is a Frame?




Romans 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith

We have often taught on "renewing the mind" We are going to approach the topic from a different perspective. We are going to use the parable of a frame.

We're going to take a fresh look at this important mandate of renewing the mind. We know that the new birth experience or becoming a believer in Christ is the greatest miracle that happens in the heart. The challenge has always been to reflect in our daily life the same Christ that abides in our hearts.

When we speak of framing, we all have a point of view, which is our frame:
1. You might think about an actual picture frame.
2. If you're into photography you know the importance of the frame, which is what you want the viewers to focus on.
3. You might think of framing as positioning a point of view.
4. You might think of “frame of mind” which is someone's disposition.

These are all appropriate ways to think about that word frame. I would like to focus on how you frame yourself others to frame you.

Our understanding our perception of who we are and what we do comes from something we will call our “frame.”

We all have mindsets, habits, and patterns of thinking and living. Some of these are helpful and others need to be cast off.

This pandemic has forced change on a lot of us. We've had to examine and re-examine our frame. Things we thought we could not do, we've done. Anyone who thought that technology would not become a central part of getting work done, had to change that frame.

In the social sciences, framing is comprised of concepts and perspectives on how individuals, and groups organize, perceive, and communicate about reality.

Reflection Questions:

1. Your Frame: Who are you? (you are not your job)
2. False Frames: what lies do you reject?
3. The frame of your purpose: What do you do?
4. Frame builders: Who are the key influencers in your life?
5. Frame builders: Who do you influence?
Change Your Frame
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