This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Refined Focus”. I trust you enjoyed the first week of messages this year and I am excited to continue. We will go back to a passage the Lord has me meditating for this season. Let’s see what Paul said about the battle waged in our minds:
(2 Cor 10:3-5 KJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
For this morning I feel led to focus on the words, “every thought”.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
- Paul teaches us that every believer is in a war. No believer is exonerated. No Godly Soldier gets to remain on the sidelines. We war, but we do not war after the flesh; we do not war in the natural. While our war is a spiritual war, it is being fought within the natural battleground of our mind.
- While Jesus won the overall war and He conquered satan, hell and the grave once and for all, the individual battles for our own souls and success are being waged every day.
- Your mind is the arena of faith where the battle for control of your life is fought every day.
- Your mind is the control center of your life. In your mind you choose to either follow God, satan, or selfish desires. Your decisions lead to your actions.
- One thought from satan can not only distract you, but it can ultimately derail you from pursuing your destiny.
- Continuous thoughts from satan, if allowed to flow unchecked, can lead to feelings of failure, discontent, dejection, and ultimately even depression.
- One thought from God can turn any seemingly hopeless situation around.
- One thought from God can give you the idea you need to change your financial future.
- Never underestimate the power of ONE THOUGHT. Thoughts lead to images. Thoughts and images lead to decisions. Decisions lead to actions. Actions lead to habits. Habits ultimately form our character.
- Thoughts are so important that God taught us to take every thought captive and bring it under the obedience of Christ. If your thoughts are that important to God, they should be equally important to you.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I enter this day more aware of my thoughts. My thoughts are important to You, so they are important to me. I read Your Word daily. I get so much Word down in my heart that it literally renews my mind. I think the way You think. I am deprogrammed from my old thinking and reprogrammed to think like You. As my mind is renewed and I think like You every day, the thoughts that are NOT like You stick out like a sore thumb. Thoughts of doubt, fear and failure are quickly identified, and I take them captive. By Your grace I am able to take control of EVERY THOUGHT. My mind is fixed and focused on You, and on the purpose You sent me into the earth to accomplish. By living this way, living with Refined Focus, I am positive 2016 will be the BEST year of my life! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
