Sermon On “Finding Balance And Contentment In Jesus” By Sister Anne On 4th January, 2025 (Part 2) скачать в хорошем качестве

Sermon On “Finding Balance And Contentment In Jesus” By Sister Anne On 4th January, 2025 (Part 2)

CONTINUED: THE DEVIL LOVES TO REMIND US OF FAILURES OR INADEQUACIES.  ALL OF THEM AND REPEATEDLY!!! JESUS QUOTED SCRIPTURE IN HIS TIME OF TRIAL, AND YOU CAN TOO. Tuck John 16:33 into your heart to steady you; “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” Jesus understands this life is hard, because He lived it.  The advocate with experience!!! 1 John 2:1 reads: "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Remember He bought you with His own flesh and blood. THE LINK IS BLOOD SEALED He was disappointed, abandoned by ones He loved, was mocked and suffered the unimaginable pain of all sin and death.  BECAUSE OF HIS FOCUS ON HIS FATHER, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE, HE HAD A PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING. How did He do it? First, we have to recognize that we all “talk” to ourselves inside our heads through our thoughts. The world encourages thoughts that cause us anxiety, worry.  The “what ifs” creep in letting fear overtake faith.  The Bible explains how to focus our mind on God.  We are told in 2 Corinthians 10:5 TO TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT AND MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST.  Christ is above all things, so when the doubts and worries come, take hold of them, and use scripture (scripture that is more powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword) to make them fall at the feet of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  YOUR BIBLE IS OUR SWORD.  Let's use it! How? Underline the verses that speak to you.  I AM SURE THEY DO BECAUSE THEY TALK TO ME TOO Put God’s word on a post-it note and stick it on your mirror, in your car, and at your desk.  LET HIS TRUTH POUR INTO YOUR HEART AND SOUL AND STOP HEARING THE LIES INSIDE YOUR HEAD THAT HINDER YOUR LIFE. Transformation takes work.   Getting “pointe” shoes is a big deal.  Balancing a body’s weight on the very tip of the big toe is a skill that takes practice and also some pain.  I remember bloody bandages as my feet got used to the demands of pointe.  This ballet transformation, like most skills in life, takes work and grit. JUST LIKE IN DANCE, LIFE IS A TRANSFORMATION.  There are messy parts, painful parts, beautiful part, and even total slip-ups.  Some parts are filled with gracefulness and the joy of perfectly balancing on one toe as you reach for the heavens, and other times you feel painfully clumsy.  IN MY LIFE, SOME DAYS STAYING ON BALANCE IS SO EASY I FORGOT I AM TRYING; OTHER DAYS I STRUGGLE EVEN WHEN I AM GRASPING THE LIFE BARRE.  Have you had days like that?  Even when reading God’s word and spending time in prayer you still feel completely out of whack? When pain is great and the trials keep on coming and you find yourself asking God when He is going to show up?  I sure have.   IN BALLET, IF ONE STRUGGLES WITH A MOVE, IT IS BROKEN DOWN PART-BY-PART UNTIL ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.  Sometimes it takes going back to the barre to realign.  Sometimes is takes a teacher to look carefully and give suggestions.  When feeling off balance, it is time to do some soul searching.  TRY TO PINPOINT THE WHERE THE WOBBLE IS IN YOUR SOUL AND INVITE GOD IN TO HELP YOU WORK ON IT. I hope you can use this season of Lent to reflect and ask if there are areas in your life God is calling you to develop so that you can be the best version of yourself. TRANSFORMATION IS A LIFE JOURNEY AND JESUS PROMISES TO COACH US, LOVE US, GUIDE US AND SUPPORT US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. One of my favorite transformations in the Bible is Paul.  He was known for arresting Christians in his former life, was then was reborn and recreated into a powerhouse for the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, the new has come!". This verse signifies that a person who is in Christ has undergone a radical, spiritual transformation, where their old way of life is gone and a new one has begun:  The New Creation: This transformation is described as being created anew by God, not simply cleaned up or improved- The old self, defined by the penalty and influence of sin, passes away. New Life in Christ: This new life is a result of being united with Christ, who died and was raised for believers- Believers are now spiritually "raised up to walk in newness of life". Identity in Christ: The new identity found in Christ is the foundation for how a believer should live, moving forward from their past life. Forgiveness and Freedom: As a new creation, a believer's past sins are forgiven, and they are set free from the influence of their old identity........