Today I've decided to post a messege I preached recently. This messege will help you keep your mind clear of the clutter that keeps us from functioning at peak efficiency. Also, I will be posting another messege in a couple days that will compliment this one so keep looking for more of Pastor Fred's thoughts! May God richly bless you!
(Below are a couple different translations of the same verse to give you an better idea as to the meaning and spirit of the scripture.)
Phi 4:4-8 KJVR Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phi 4:4-8 GW Always be joyful in the Lord! I'll say it again: Be joyful! (5) Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near. (6) Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. (7) Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.
Phi 4:4-8 ALT Be rejoicing in the Lord always! I will say again, be rejoicing! (5) Let your* gentleness [or, considerateness] be known to all people. The Lord [is] near! (6) Stop being anxious about anything, _but_ in every [thing] by prayer and by petition, with thanksgiving, be letting your* requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, the [peace] surpassing all understanding, will guard [or, protect] your* hearts [fig., inner selves] and your* thoughts in Christ Jesus. (8) [As to] the rest [or, Finally], brothers [and sisters], as many things as are true, as many as [are] worthy of respect [or, honorable], as many as [are] righteous, as many [things] as are pure, as many as [are] acceptable [or, lovely], as many as [are] commendable, if [there is] any virtue [or, moral excellence], and if any[thing] deserving to be praised, be meditating on [or, thinking about] these things.
5 steps to free your mind...
As it says in Proverbs 6 thing does God hate, yea seven are an abomination, so we can say this morning – “4 things will free your mind, yea five will keep your conscience clear!”
There is something very important about having a free mind. I realized this morning a truth I’ve known before, but hadn’t really put much thought to it. If a mind is bound so is the spirit of a person. If the mind is free the person’s spirit will be free soon after. In order to break a person’s spirit you must attack the mind, and what that individual knows to be true. If you can destroy their faith in themselves and others you will soon break their spirit.
If you want to have a great spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ you must have a free mind. A mind that is free of all encumbrances of this life. The cares of this world should have no affect upon you! ( I do realize that the cares of life usually do affect each one of us, but that isn't the way Jesus designed for it to happen. We must be willing and humble enough to believe that Jesus is in control, and he will take care of you!)
- Rejoice in the Lord Always.
Remember to keep the joy of the Lord in your heart and mind at all times! “The Joy of the Lord is my strength!” There is something very powerful about joy through it all! One thing that we must remember is that there is a big, very big, difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is an emotion, but joy is a state of mind. Happiness can come or can go in a moment of time, but real joy will be constant through thick or thin. Let me explain it in terms of love. Many people love other people, but it really isn't love. It's an emotional experience because of a chemical connection between two individuals. True Love will stay up all night when your partner or children are sick. True love will love someone no matter what kind of a mess that they get thereselves into. True love will forgive sin not cover sin. True love is there no matter if you have an arguement or fight with your spouse. True love will allow you to stay married for 60+ years. True love does not ride upon emotions, rather it sticks through thick and thin.
In the very same way joy can be your constant companion. Joy because you know that Jesus is your friend and he will be with you no matter what. Joy because you know that your redeemer lives. Joy because you know that you can take everything to him in prayer. Joy be God is good all the time!
- Let your considerateness be know to all me.
People need to know how fair, gentle, considerate, and kind you are. We must show the Love of Christ everywhere, for He is coming soon! There is something very special helping other people that takes your mind off of your own problems. Give it a try sometime you might just be pleasantly surprised.
- Don’t let the cares of life get you down.
Things are going to happen in life that are really not nice or good. However, it is in your best interest as a child of God to not dwell on these situations. Don’t hold grudges. Don’t think to much about a circumstance. Don’t dwell on the past. Give it all to Jesus!
- Give everything to Jesus through prayer and thanksgiving.
Again I say, “Give everything to Jesus!” A merry heart does well like medicine! By giving everything to Jesus and casting all our care upon Him we can keep the Joy of the Lord in our mind!
- Keep your thoughts in the right place.
Truth, Honesty, Righteousness, Purity, Love, and Things worthy of talking about should be our top priority to think about!
When you look at a situation look for the virtue and look for what can be praised. I know people who only ever see the good in a situation. This is the proper way to look at life. Don’t worry about the bad and evil. Let each day worry about its evil. Just look to Jesus and find those things that are wonderful!
Result and Conclusion
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