October 1, 2023

Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest

.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV) For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

The battle for our thoughts is a spiritual one that demands us to go on the

.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (ESV) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

You will either take your false thoughts

or they will take you captive.

Taking every thought captive is a three-step process:

1. Reveal Answer
   the lie
2. Reveal Answer
   the lie
3. Wait for next week

You take thoughts captive by

them in light of Scripture.

Interrogation: What do I think about when I think about…
God?
Me?
Others?

Interrogation: Take those thoughts and ask…

Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it helpful?

THE PAUSE: 10 MINUTES WITH GOD

MONDAY | MEDITATE ON THE WORD
PASSAGE: Psalm 1:2
PAUSE: The Psalms teach us that daily meditation on the Word of God is the key to spiritual and emotional health. When we are rooted in the Word, we become strong and bear much fruit. Read Psalm 1 and meditate upon it.
PRAYER: Father, I want to be the strong tree along the river that bears fruit in due season. Grant, me the daily discipline to stay committed to the Word.

TUESDAY | THE REAL BATTLE
PASSAGE: Ephesians 6:12
PAUSE: Paul told the church in Ephesus that the real battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Because of this real battle, we are to stand strong and put on the armor of God.
PRAYER: Christ Jesus, thank you for the spiritual armor that You have blessed me with, grant me the wisdom to take up this armor every day and to pray!

WEDNESDAY | TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
PASSAGE: 2 Corinthians 10:5-6
PAUSE: Every day our brain processes over 70,000 thoughts, over 70 percent of them are negative, and over 90% of them are repetitive. Paul exhorted us to take every one of them captive! Pause and ask the Lord to help your thoughts.
PRAYER: Father, just reading this verse, I am overwhelmed. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit, who can help me to take these thoughts captive.

THURSDAY | CAST YOUR CARES UPON GOD
PASSAGE: 1 Peter 5:6-7
PAUSE: Peter, one of Jesus’s disciples, encouraged us to take all of our cares, worries, and anxieties and to give them up to our Heavenly Father. When we cast these cares, we show true humility and the trust we have in our Father.
PRAYER: Father, humble me and forgive me. I want to trust You with my thoughts, grant me the courage to give You all of my thoughts today.

FRIDAY | RENEW THE MIND
PASSAGE: Romans 12:1-2
PAUSE: Paul exhorted us to surrender our whole lives to Christ and this includes our private thoughts. The key to the transformation of our minds occurs when we renew our minds with the grace and truth of God.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for the mercies of God! Help me to glorify You by taking my worldly thoughts and transforming them with Your truth.