NEW and IMPROVED
April 20 & 21, 2024 // Mike Berry
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18–19, NIV
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. Romans 12:2, NIV
Five Things to Remember:
SOMETIMES YOU GET HIT WITH SOMETHING, AND
STINKING THINKING IN ONE AREA OF YOUR LIFE CAN CARRY OVER TO OTHER AREAS OF YOUR LIFE AND AFFECT YOUR
STINKING THINKING CAN MAKE THINGS SEEM
STINKING THINKING CAN CAUSE US TO TAKE OUR
COMING TO
Six Life Application Points:
1. IF YOU ARE IN CHRIST, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE YOUR
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
2. LEARNING HOW TO CHANGE YOUR
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4–9, NIV
3. GOD GIVES US
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8–9, NIV
4.
Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. Titus 3:10, NIV
5. WE HAVE TO
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18–20, NIV
6. GOD’S TOOLS FOR CHANGING OUR THOUGHTS AND HELPING US TO LIVE IN THE SPIRIT ARE THE DEVELOPMENT OF
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23–24, NIV
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14–15, NIV
Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, Timothy 3:2, NIV
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6–10, NIV
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5, NIV
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4–5, NIV
The Power of Praising God!
Praising God releases fresh faith that replaces doubt, renewed courage that replaces fear, and great calm that replaces anxiety. The truth is, you cannot praise God and not be changed. The darkness of your circumstances cannot overwhelm the light of God’s glorious presence surrounding you as you praise Him!
Action Steps: Where have you been wrestling in your thought life? How do you think God wants to help you change your thoughts? Where do you need to grow in character, gratitude, contentment and praising God? Who in your life do you think you could lovingly share this with to benefit their life?