2011, A Better Year Ahead
Philippians 4:6-8 (King James Version) Pastor Ken Crow
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8Finally, 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.
Within every human being a war rages. No one is exempt. Rich, poor , young or old , man or woman the battle is fierce.
The forces of the enemy rage unrelenting day after day , week after week seeking to take control of our thinking .
It is in thoughts that horrendous deeds are conceived and once cultivated and nurtured bring about actions that are detrimental and destructive .
It is in thoughts that little petty things creep in that may not be so obviously detrimental in the short term but allowed to fester get between us and God hindering our walk and keeping us from maturing as a Christian.
The enemy has affected some of us through this battle of the mind with small thinking and inferior self esteem even convincing us that we just don’t measure up to doing anything significant for Jesus Christ.
We are about to start a new year on the calendar . Many of us have dealt this past year with great disappointment . Some of us with tremendous heartbreak. Others have suffered loss of family members and change of circumstances in jobs and economic conditions . In times like the preceding it seems hard to think on those things which are lovely and of a good report.
This morning we have a choice. Every man, woman ,boy and girl in this place this morning has a choice. We have a choice individually and as a church . Are we going to allow the enemy to magnify the negative things gone wrong in our life or are we going to make the choice that because Jesus Christ is on our side that 2011 will be the greatest year in Jesus that we have ever experienced . Are we going to let the enemy drag us back because something did not go as expected or are we going to thank God for the learning experience that came out of it.
1. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (King James Version)
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5Casting 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;
6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Genesis 4:3-7 (King James Version)
3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
A. Cain allowed his jealousy and pride to nurture in his mind and that lead to his murdering his brother.
B. Pride will always exalt itself against the knowledge and Word of God.
Proverbs 29:23 (King James Version)
23A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
If Cain had just brought his thoughts into captivity.
Say this with me or write it down.
Lord help me bring these thoughts that people are out there doing me wrong into captivity. Lord help me cast down this imagination that keeps making a mountain out of a mole hill. Lord I do not wish to end up like Cain this year allowing the enemy to get the best of me and hindering my witness and my walk.
In the name of Jesus I instruct Satan to Shut Up . Your word tells me if I resist the Devil he will flee from me….Lord God at this minute right now I resist the devil and all his tactics that he is using to control my mind and thinking.
2. Numbers 11:1-6 (King James Version)
Numbers 11
1And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
2And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched.
3And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
4And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
5We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
6But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.
The little petty complaints become big if allowed to grow in our mind. The children of Israel begin to complain about their food supply even suggesting that they were better off in Egypt.
If we are to grow in the Lord Jesus Christ we must learn to control our mind as well as our tongue .
If 2011 is to be our finest year we must put down complaining and start speaking blessing and thankfulness.
Complaining is contagious but so is positive speaking.
If we fill our heart and mind with God good things will proceed from our lips.
Luke 6:45 (King James Version)
45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
3. Philippians 4:13 (King James Version)
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
We must believe God can do anything and that we can do anything through Jesus Christ.
Acts 3 (King James Version)
Acts 3
1Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
Peter and John became bold in Jesus Christ via the Holy Ghost.
It would have been easy for Peter and John to allow the enemy to steal their boldness between the upper room and the temple gate if they had allowed their thinking to be controlled by carnal or inferior thoughts.
Look at the following scripture.
Acts 4:13-14 (King James Version)
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Notice that phrase in verse 13 “ that they had been with Jesus” and the people could tell and when they could tell the people could say nothing against them at that moment.
I want to tell you today that what will determine 2011 for you and I is the amount of time and effort we spend with Jesus!
The enemy and people, yes people will try to keep you to busy to be with Jesus.
This world will try to clutter our minds and control our thinking . The world in general is a very negative place.
People in general love negativity especially when it is about someone other than them and their own.
I refuse to participate in feeling inferior this coming year.
I refuse to engage in bad thoughts toward others this year.
I refuse to allow my tongue to speak unflattering things toward others this year.
I do not have to defend myself this year by pointing out someone else’s blame!
Romans 8:17-31 (King James Version)
17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
God Bless and Amen
