WHAT DO YOU DO WITH VOICES IN YOUR HEAD?

A Lesson On Thoughts At Man Cave 

          There are many times in life where we battle our thoughts. Memories from the past come creeping back into our minds as words are spoken. We may have overcome a weakness only to have it resurface as a negative thought. It's almost as if voices are battling each other in our minds. Can we silence the negative, self defeating voices? Today's lesson at the Sunshine Rescue Mission Man Cave was about developing a strategy in our thought lives.
Here are the notes from today's Lesson.
           There are voices in our lives that can find their way into our heads if we let them.

• You must position yourself to hear from God.
• You must recognize His voice.
• You must know His vocabulary in the Bible.
• Satan or the devil will use his voice to destroy, deceive and discourage you.
• God’s voice will build you up, cheer you up and stir you up by bringing to the center of your mind the fruits of His Spirit that are within you.

           I want to speak to all of you as if you were a group of Pastors. A Pastor is one who serves and shepherds other people in the best practices of Christ-like behavior. Why? Because I believe in you. In a world of negative voices charging at us relentlessly, we must help encourage each other to boldly speak Truth.
 
What’s Lurking In The Halls of Your Mind?
Your thoughts have to listen when you speak. Speak positive life over negative thoughts.
Here is A Three Step Strategy Called “E-A-R” or "Embrace, Appraise Replace."
     1. EMBRACE - A Strategy To Make Decisions Ahead of Time           If you were in a room and someone yelled, "FIRE!" You would run! You already made the decision to run if there is ever a fire. Make the decision today that you will not allow negative thoughts to dwell in your mind. Martin Luther said, "Bad thoughts are like birds. They will land, but don't let them make a nest."           A good habit to practice is using the Power of Christ's Blood over any enemy attack that comes your way. "I plead the Blood of Jesus over my thoughts." Evil was defeated and washed away by the Blood of Christ.

• I won’t allow negative thoughts in my mind.
• I will decide ahead of time how to deal with negative thoughts.
• I will saturate my mind with the truths of God's Word as a shield against the lies of the enemy.

          "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!" Deuteronomy 30:19
     2. APPRAISE -What Value Do Your Thoughts Carry?  

• Your  thoughts, where do they lead you - into the dark or into the Light?
• What are their effects on your mood and your decisions?
• Do they cause you to embrace Truth or lies?
• Do they Embolden you to create greater Christ-like peace in your relationships?

          "Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." -Romans 12:2
 
     3. REPLACE BAD THOUGHTS with the Truth.

• Replace negativity with positivity.
• Positive thoughts only are spoken, negative thoughts make people feel broken.

          Why replace old habits and patterns? The past has a way of repeating itself if we don't find constructive ways of protecting thoughts. Old temptations can reappear and cause us to backslide away from the way God would have us live in ways that honor Him.
           “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

          “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.” Philippians 4:8

          "As someone thinks within himself, so he is." Proverbs 23:7

          "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ManCave #SRM #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

YWAP empowers people in Christ to become collaborators in a community effort to create a better world for children and their families. Investing in youth is a preemptive strike against sexual abuse, drug addiction and human trafficking. Man Cave is a place of transparency and accountability. A fatherless generation is lacking the knowledge of a Father’s Love. Our goal is to help guys become Christ-centered men who respect women and accept the responsibilities of becoming a dad. We don’t hibernate in the Man Cave, we believe in Community Engagement through good neighborliness. Women Set Apart is a Women’s Bible Study focusing on hearing the heart and voice of Jesus. “And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.” John 17:3 AMPC The YWAP Directors serve in Pastoral Leadership by ministering to Youth Ministry Teams and Prayer Teams. We teach Biblically based best practices from a 25 year background in ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. For more information about YWAP programs, to volunteer or become a guest speaker, please call us at: 716-830-8240 or email, [email protected].

WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE WAY GUYS FROM THE SUNSHINE RESCUE MISSION VOLUNTEER TO HELP IN THE COMMUNITY!