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Too many times, we settle for psychological satisfaction instead of a real or concrete result. What I mean is too many times we are happy to “just think about doing something”, instead of getting off our butts and actually doing something about the situation that we are in or the dreams that we want.

We want the reward of the needed actions but are more afraid of the monster that we have created in our thinking, so we end up settling for simply thinking and at times even planning about our needs and never making a heartfelt effort to bringing our desires to life.

And this is where self-sabotage appears. We end up short-circuiting or under cutting the process, in order to avoid a monster mostly of our own making.

We spend a lifetime seeking the comfort and joy that is a by-product of the very actions that our fears want us to run from.

Now think about this

The things that we want will only come to us, after taking the actions that our emotions are screaming for us to stay away from.

The solution is to make our dreams, our goals, our aspirations, larger than the monster in our thinking. Our ability to walk victoriously in life is tied to our capability to create and maintain a mental state and awareness of God’s established principles. Which is a fancy way of saying that, we need to act confidently in faith.

OUR LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE OR OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF THE WAY

WE FEEL INSIDE.

AND THE WAY WE FEEL INSIDE IS A

DIRECT REFLECTION OF WHAT WE

CONSISTENTLY CHOOSE

TO FOCUS OUR THOUGHTS ON.

Pastor Michael Larkins is the Author of “Victorious Nuggets – Transforming Self-Esteem into Christ-Esteem.

For more of his blogs go to his web site www.thewealthresponse.com

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In Genesis 3:8, Adam hides because for the first time in his life he knew how it felt to be out of God’s will. He had experienced fear for the very first time. For the first time in his life, he felt the consequence of disobedience.

For the first time in history, man became double minded, of two totally different tracks of thinking….at the very same time and space.

The real price (for sin) that Adam paid can’t be seen or even touched, but to this day, we can all feel the weight of an empty God sized hole inside of our spirits, just a raw, barren throbbing of the most important thing in your life having been torn away.

On the outside, everything looked the same, but on the inside, Adam felt a change, he knew a pain that drove him to his knees. He hid from the only One who could restore him, Adam hid from his Abba, his Father, God Himself

Generations later, being double-mind is second nature for many of us. But thank God for His love. His love gives us the time that allows healing to happen. Yet, it’s more than just time, it’s the quality of time spent in God’s Presence.

Healing can only happen when I’m willing to surrender, to know (and admit) that my way just doesn’t work. (My pride doesn’t want me to admit that, I’m exactly right where the sum total of my choices have put me. My choices and I’m sure even more of God’s grace than I’m even aware.) God’s grace and God’s love, they are around me even when I don’t see them.

“Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. 1 Peter 4:8

(I thank You Abba, for covering MY multitude of sins, thank You for MY healing and the revelation of who I Am in You.)

Healing and revelation bring a change in heart, which leads to a change in speaking and thinking which lead to a change in actions that produce a change in results.

We spend so much time looking for a formula that we forget to acknowledge the Giver of the principles that empower the steps of the formula. The unrenewed mind is blind to the truth that most of the pain and hurt in his life is in those areas that he has not turned over to God. It’s facing the pain, the truth that my life is worthless and pointless without a living relationship with God, with Life Himself.

· A renewed mind can confidently reach through his covenant with God, into the future (just as David did with Goliath) and see the giants in his life defeated.

· A renewed mind makes choices that reflect who he is in Christ.

· A renewed mind knows that healing is a process of exchange.

· A renewed mind creates the environment that allows the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly to happen inside of YOU.

It’s your allowing God access into those areas where you hurt the most, those areas that have the greatest amount of emotional pain. A forever-changing mix of emotions, from fear to total bliss. Add a bucket of tears and a few road trips outside of your comfort zone and you (with God’s grace, love and guidance) find yourself moving forward faster and healthier than you had dared to even hope. All because of a renewed mind.

With a renewed mind:

1. God becomes your focus, the Giver is more important than the gift (of life)

2. You start thinking from God’s point of view (you see your life through His eyes)

3. You understand that stewardship is to return the thing (everything from people to your spoken words) that you have been entrusted with back in better condition than when you started to be responsible for it.

4. You walk by faith. You acknowledge reality (facts) but you choose to stand on God’s word (Truth).

5. There is a heartfelt shifting from me to we. You allow God to use you in serving others.

6. You think, act, then feel (The unrenewed mind – feels, acts then thinks).

7. You know how to encourage yourself when times are hard. (You focus on the joy set before you).

8. Doing right is more important than being right. (Don’t win the fight and lose the marriage.)

Next up: Our final directive from Romans 12:2 is

· Prove it for yourself = Try it and the results will speak for themselves, both in your life and in His will being done through you

Get ready to grow in confidence, some really good stuff is coming up in Part 4 – How to Transform Your Mind, see you then.

Pastor Michael Larkins is the Author of “Victorious Nuggets – Transforming Self-Esteem into Christ-Esteem.

For more of his blogs go to his web site www.thewealthresponse.com

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At the heart of why so many people do not have the abundant life that Jesus died for them to have is because they do not have a transformed mind. This is the real reason that they (we) are not living their (our) dreams and manifesting the very things that God wants them (us) to have.

“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (change) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude]…” Romans 12:2a [Amp]

The non-believing or unsaved person and the Christian without a transformed AND unrenewed mind share a “What about me” mentality of life. This mentality or way of thinking speaks right to the heart of the lie or ruse that caused Eve to be deceived, “That no one can take care of me better than I can do for myself.” “That for whatever reason, God is holding something back from me.” “That He doesn’t want me to have the very best is life.”

Understand that you CAN be saved and still believe a lie straight from the pit of Hell. Hosea 4:6 starts with “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” God says, “MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED…” you can be a Christian and STILL be LIVING a life of defeat, a life of hurt, a life of pain.

“And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham’s Seed], then you are Abraham’s offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise. Now what I mean is that as long as the inheritor (heir) is a child and under age, he does not differ from a slave, although he is the master of all the estate;” Galatians 3:29; 4:1 [Amp]

The unrenewed mind is self-centered. This “What about me” way of thinking and attitude of heart is childlike in nature. Here are a few ways that being childlike in your thinking (or having an unrenewed mind) affects your not walking fully in the abundant life of God’s promise:

• 1) Even if God granted your heart’s desire, most likely it would take your focus off your relationship with God, which leads to sin (and death).
• 2) You are not willing to do the very things that would allow God’s promises to flow (with ease) into your life. The very disciplines needed are viewed as punishment instead of preparation.
• 3) You will not have (or even desire to get) the wisdom needed to be a Godly steward over the things in your care. In other words, you will not be able to take care of, properly, the things given to you.
• 4) An unrenewed mind will always focus on doubt, looking at their situation (life) from a fearful or fleshly point of view.
• 5) An unrenewed mind is always looking to be served. It's focus is on me, myself and I.
• 6) An unrenewed mind makes choices mainly by feelings, unwilling to exercise the needed effort that Godly principles require.
• 7) An unrenewed mind is more concerned about what others think than pleasing God (or being obedient to His Word).
• 8) An unrenewed mind lacks the (emotional) maturity to stand (to keep doing the right thing) until he or she sees the desired results. Just like a baby that cries as soon as it is hungry, he or she wants it NOW and exactly like they want it.

There are simply certain things that you cannot handle because you are still a child (in your level of thinking for that area of your life).

Let us recap the four-part directive found in Romans 12:2 (See my blog – Part 3 Choosing Jesus as Lord)

1. Don’t be like the world

2. Transform your mind = To change HOW you think

3. Renew your mind = To change WHAT you think

4. Prove it for yourself = Try it and the results will speak for themselves, both in your life and in His will getting done through you

Notice that Romans 12:2 says that you transform your mind BY renewing it. The Greek word used here for transform is “metamorphoo”, this is where we get our word metamorphose the word we use to describe how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Which is a mirror image of the very thing that happens to us when we daily purpose to renew our minds by changing what we think on, to focus on God’s word (His promises) instead of the problems that we see with our eyes (our circumstances).

THIS IS A PROCESS.

A transformed mind is the result or byproduct of “Renewing Your Mind”, you are responsible to change your focus or what you think about and God will do the rest .(The change of How you think will become as natural as your old way of thinking was.)

We will deal more with the “real world” application of the process in Part 3 of “How to Transform Your Mind”

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I though like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 [Amp]

Pastor Michael Larkins is the Author of “Victorious Nuggets – Transforming Self-Esteem into Christ-Esteem.

For more of his blogs go to his web site www.thewealthresponse.com

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“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 [KJV]

You (we) are a spirit, who has a soul, who lives in a body. You are a spiritual being, having a human (or earthly) experience. The first directive in Romans 12:2 is for us “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs]…” To NOT be like the world (See my Blog entitled “Part 3 – Choosing Jesus as Lord) or to see, understand and to do things differently from the world.

Let’s keep in mind that the question that we are chasing is, “How do we get God’s promises out of the book and into our daily living.” The physical, materialistic things that we want have a spiritual foundation.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Ephesians 1:3 [KJV]

What the world does (and the Christian, who doesn’t have a transformed mind) is to seek the physical, material things without an understanding of the truth that all things come from the spiritual realm, in other words the things that we want are a “by-product”, or a result of how well we embrace and are obedient to spiritual principles.

This means: 1) not doing those things that don’t line up with God’s word and 2) that we put our focus on spiritual things FIRST (Matthew 6:33).

We know that we are made in the image and likeness of God, but in John chapter 4 Jesus gives us a very meaningful insight as to how we need to communicate or relate to him,

“A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people at these as His worshipers. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth (reality).” John 4:23, 24

Notice and Jesus says that we “…MUST worship Him in spirit AND truth (reality).”, that our relationship with Him exists on more than one level, spiritually (or an unseen aspect of life) and in truth or reality (meaning the day-to-day aspects of living). We must create an environment that invites, that draws God’s promises into our lives by putting Him FIRST in all that we do.

We do have an active enemy; this is a spiritual battle, so we need to use spiritual weapons and tools in order to fight a spiritual enemy. Spiritual tools are expressed through Spiritual principles and Spiritual principles are an expression of God’s Word.

Now, here’s the thing, Spiritual principles or God’s Word have a two-fold expression: 1) Knowledge and 2) Revelation. Knowledge comes from reading God’s Word, but its revelation that gives you the understanding of “How-To” use it. How to apply His word to your life and revelation is an extension or a by-product of relationship, spending time in prayer and fellowship with God Himself.

Your relationship with God becomes the channel that His principles use to flow through and the quality of that relationship is a factor in determining the quality and quantity of His promises that you have in your life.

The most important thing that you can do so that you will not be like the world is by making the time to spend with God. From this relationship comes the revelation of how to apply His word to your daily living, which opens the floodgates to His blessings and starts His promises flowing into your life.

In part 2 of “How to Transform Your Mind” we will deal with changing HOW YOU THINK. See you then.

Pastor Michael Larkins is the Author of “Victorious Nuggets – Transforming Self-Esteem into Christ-Esteem.

For more of his blogs go to his web site www.thewealthresponse.com

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What would your life be like if you never:

• Ø Laughed again?
• Ø Felt the sunshine on your skin again?
• Ø Had a chance to eat your favorite meal again?
• Ø Hugged your child again?
• Ø Or never again kissed that very special someone in your life?

Now, take the feelings that your answers generated inside of you and multiply it by the largest number that you can think of and then you’ll just start to come close to how God feels because you decided to skip spending time with Him today.

God knows something that most of us don’t seem to understand, He wants us to spend time with Him for OUR BENEFIT, NOT HIS. Found at the heart of every single temptation (from Satan) is the desire to kill, steal and destroy this relationship. The hidden agenda of every temptation is to distract you from the desires of God; And the greatest of all of His desires for you to live a life of joy and abundance.

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy, I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 [Amp]

The abundance that Jesus is talking about is manifested in your life through the Fruit of God’s Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). And found in this Fruit is the answer to any temptation that you will ever face. Your ability to stand against every single temptation that Satan will ever bring before you is found in the quality of your relationship with God.

“For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.” Galatians 5:17 [Amp]

The more time you spend in God’s presence, the more you’ll become like Him, and the more you become like Him, the more His fruit will start to express itself through you. Your character is the channel that the fruit of the Spirit uses to express and manifest Himself in your life.

REMEMBER:

• · The first Fruit listed is LOVE. Love here is an action, doing the right (or best) thing and the right time.
• · Character is an outward expression of what is going on privately in your heart. If you don’t like what going on in your heart (or life) increase the amount and quality of time that you are spending with God and His word.
• · Character is developed during those times when no one (but God) sees you. This is when you come face to face with what you truly believe.
• · Character grows through correction. Learn to make doing right more important than being right. Humbling yourself allows the gifts that are in you to grow and produce fruit.

Satan will see to it that you’ll never FIND time to spend with God --- YOU MUST MAKE THE TIME TO SPEND WITH HIM. Your life, your destiny and the quality of your living depends on it.

Are you satisfied with the amount of time that you are spending with God? If not, what are you willing to do about it?

Pastor Michael Larkins is the Author of “Victorious Nuggets – Transforming Self-Esteem into Christ-Esteem.

For more of his blogs go to his web site www.thewealthresponse.com

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A large part of being victorious over temptation is believing that you can be. It’s also fully realize the consequences of giving in to whatever the temptation is. Of course, the consequences of eating that extra piece of cake verse shooting up heroin, on the surface, seem as different as day is from night. The fact, the truth is that the person giving in to (their own personal) temptation is submitting to something against their will (maybe better said, against their best interests), a something that they have the authority to conquer. Things are out of order.

“God said, Let Us [Father, Son and Holy Spirit] make Mankind in Our image, after Our likeness and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air , the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of god He created him; male and female He created the. And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.” Genesis 1: 26 – 28 [Amp]

The foundation of overcoming temptation MUST be laid BEFORE you come face to face with the temptation. As I said earlier (in part 1), the last thing that most want to hear when dealing with a temptation is a bible verse. The letter of the law can’t help you in this tight spot, but the Spirit behind the law, the Spirit living inside of you, is there to do lead you through it, if you let Him. But it does little good to try to learn how to hear and recognize the voice of God during the fight. Faith (that you can be victorious) does come by hearing (Romans 10:17). Yet at times when the emotion wounds and the lies of Satan are screaming at you and stealing your focus, you’re like a person who doesn’t know how to swim trying to learn in the middle of a raging storm. It just doesn’t work!!! Remember that a stolen focus is a stolen future!!!

Here are a few things to put in your tool belt to practice using before you get into the fight:

• · Take emotional ownership of WHO YOU ARE – You are an overcomer, an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Himself (Purpose daily to live as His representative here on earth with the very same authority that He has over every situation that you may face).
• · Know that thoughts always come in pairs. You choose the thought that you will give power to (there is always a way of escape, you just have to want it bad enough to take it).
• · Decide what YOU WANT (or NEED) to do BEFORE hand. To decide means to CUT OFF, which leads to…
• · Making the WHY of being healthy (of making a Godly choice) larger that any pain that you may face. Satan's key tool for deception is your very own imagination. “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting 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;” 2 Corinthians 10:4 -5 [KJV]

That’s enough to chew on for today, Remember, the battle IS the Lord’s, but we ARE on the front line.

Pastor Michael Larkins is the Author of “Victorious Nuggets – Transforming Self-Esteem into Christ-Esteem.

For more of his blogs go to his web site www.thewealthresponse.com

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I just finished talking to someone who was really struggling with a very strong temptation to go out and use. Over and over again, he kept talking about how he “shouldn’t” be having these feelings and thoughts. That if only things were different. Well, one thing that I’m sure of is that if he keeps dealing with things from a “I wish things were…” perspective, instead of a “This is how it is” point of view, that he’ll be using by morning if not before.

Victory in life starts with worshipping God in spirit and truth (John 4:10). And truth in this case is that the feelings, the temptation is real. All the wishing, the woulda’s, shoulda’s and coulda’s in the world won’t change the truth that temptations of all kinds are a fact of life.

If Satan tempted Jesus, if he tempted Paul, who are we to think that we will be exempt of these attacks from the pit of hell.

“Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” 2 Corinthians 12:8 – 9 [Amp]

At times of temptation, for most, the last thing they need or want is for someone to quote Bible verses to them. It comes down to, “How can I put these Bible principles to work in order to deal with what I’m facing?”

Well…

· Let go of pride, make a phone call, and reach out for help. If you don’t want to make that call, then deal with the truth that a part of you still wants to ________ (you fill in the blank).

· Tell God how you TRULY feel; He knows what’s in your heart anyway. If you can’t talk to a person, begin by being honest with YOURSELF, admit that you want to do it but don’t want to deal with the consequences.

· Play the tape all the way out. Don’t just fantasize about the “feel good” part; look at the WHOLE TRUTH. Don’t fall for Satan’s trick of only looking at a part of the deed, think about the pain that WILL COME afterwards.

· THANK the temptation for being there, in truth, it’s pointing out an idol that’s in your life. Ask God for wisdom, to show you a healthy way to deal with the pain that this idol is (falsely) promising to heal for you.

Well I could go on, tell me, “What do YOU do when temptation comes YOUR way?” Please leave your comments, think about it, what YOU have to say MAY save someone’s life!!!

Pastor Michael Larkins is the Author of “Victorious Nuggets – Transforming Self-Esteem into Christ-Esteem.

For more of his blogs go to his web site www.thewealthresponse.com

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