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The Importance Of Your Thoughts Our thoughts, behaviors and feelings are connected. What we
think about ourselves will determine how we will respond to events in our life. For
instance, if you think that you are incapable or inferior, then you will feel and act as
if you are incapable or inferior. Similarly, if you believe that you can do all things
through Jesus Christ, then you will behave like you can do all things through Jesus
Christ. The Word of God tells you that you are more than a conqueror. But if you allow
thoughts that are not in line with the Word of God to control you, you will not be able to
overcome and conquer those negative thoughts that dominate your behavior and threaten to
derail the purpose that God has for your life. What impact are your thoughts currently having on your life? Are
your thoughts drawing you closer to Jesus Christ or further away? If you need to, take a
minute and write your thoughts down on paper. Now look at them. What types of thoughts are
you having on a daily basis? If it were possible to carry a tape recorder around with you
and to record your thoughts for a week, what types of thoughts would be recorded on your
tape recorder? Would they include thoughts like “I can do all things with the help of
the Lord Jesus Christ” or would they include thoughts such as "I am so
stupid," "I can't do that," "they don't like me," or
"it’s not going to work out?" Listen, if we are meditating on
negative thoughts all of the time, then is there any wonder that we feel hopeless
and inadequate? Yes, it may be true that you made a mistake, or that some things in your
life did not work out the way you planned. But do not ever let what did not happen, keep
you from believing in the possibility of what could happen in your life. Now, it is alright to acknowledge the fact that you have
limitations, and that there are things in your life that need to change for the better.
But you do not have to let your limitations prevent you from seeking after the plan of God
for your life. Yes, you may have a problem but God has a plan designed to help When you only focus on your weaknesses you without even knowing it
are rejecting the call of God for your life. You are in essence saying that you know more
than the God who called you. But please understand that when God calls you to do
something, He is already acquainted with your weakness. So, it may be true
that you made a mistake, that you don’t have a lot of money, or that you are not as
smart as someone else. But because of Jesus Christ your weakness or insufficiencies do not
have to control the plan that He has for your life. In fact, I Corinthians 1:27 lets us
know that “God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things
which are mighty.” So balance your weakness with the strength that is found in the
Word of God. Faith Based Organizations *See Disclaimer*e The Word of God Church/Trinity Broad Casting Organization/The Potters House/ Dr. Myles Munroe/Charles Stanley/Jack Hayford Ministries/Bishop G.E. Patterson/Bishop Tudor Bismark / United Pentecostal Church/Juanita Bynum/ Ask Us (Aids Ministry)/Joyce Meyer/Christian Apologetics/Billy Graham Ministries/ Christian Answers.Net /Jews for Jesus /The Urban Alternative /Youth for Christ/Greg Laurie/Joel Osteen/Franklin Graham/Dr. Yousseff/Gregory Dickow/James Robinson/Kay Arthur -Precept/Dr. Fred Price/Adrian Rogers/Breakthrough Ministries/Hope for the Heart/Bishop Jackson/Focus on the Family
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Study Resources
Topic One - “Feeding your Faith”. Scripture reading: Romans 10:17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. On last week we began to study “Your Mind – its value to God, the Body of Christ, and to you”. Our scripture was Philippians 2:5 let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. In the study we covered the state of the natural mind without God which is carnality and the state of a spiritual mind, which is the mind of Christ. We found out that a carnal mind was an enemy to God and it will never be able to think or perceive the word or things of God. Our minds can be used as an altar or it can be used as a trash can that collects and holds garbage and gossip. Our minds can be used to bless or to curse by speaking that which proceeds out of our mouth. The true value of our mind to God, the body of Christ, and to ourself is to defeat and destroy the will of sin and the devil. In brief summary, we can’t change ourselves, but through our confession we will change. It is when we confess with our mouth; with a sincere heart is when God begins to work on you. Hide the Word of God in your heart so that you don’t sin against God and your brethren. Also hide the Word of God in your heart in that God Himself will have something to work with, because “it is not your will, but the will of God” that will move God. Yes, He has ALL Power. Yes, He can do, but part of your confession must be “not my will, but thy will be done. God will not go pass our will. He leaves us as “freewill agents” – you make the choice from what has been offered to you, not what you are offering to Him. What is free will? Free will is the power of self-determination regarded as a special faculty; the doctrine that man is entirely unrestricted in his ability to choose between good and evil. A lot of people think on this level, “When I am dead, I’m dead”; but after death comes the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The value of it all is being able to live a life on this Earth and follow peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14), without regret, condemnation, self-pity; but full of thanksgiving, joy, peace, and love toward God, your brethren, and yourself. What an end this would be to just lie down and sleep as the scripture states and give God all the praise for a life that was worth living and giving up to return home to Him. Since faith comes by hearing the Word of God let us go to St Mark 4, The Parable of the sower. What is faith? What does the scripture say that faith is (Hebrews 11:1)? What does it mean to be faithful? Can you be faithful without faith? Can you please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6)? Why does the Bible gives us so many examples of faith? Why do I need to feed my faith? What does feeding my faith consist of? Why can’t I just confess Christ, ask for forgiveness, and go on back to my normal ways? What does faith offer me? According to Webster’s Dictionary, faith is belief without evidence; confidence in or dependence on a person, statement, or thing as trustworthy; belief in God or the testimony of God as revealed in Scripture. In scripture, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1). It is the assurance of things hoped for, the proving of things not seen. Without faith it is impossible to please God. In order to get anything from God you must first believe that He is God and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6). Isaiah 55:6. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. What type of hearer are you? In the parable scripture teaches us two different things: the different kinds of soil and its degrees of fruitfulness and the degrees of receptivity. How do you hear the Word of God in terms of hearing, comprehending, and then understanding it? Hearing the Word of God is most important to us and the processes of salvation. Salvation is an on-going process, well so is hearing. In the work place hearing is one the most important factors used in our day to day communication in order to get the job done and to remain professionally proficient. This too is an on-going process until you reach retirement or choose to move to another job. Then the process starts over again.
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