Isaiah the prophet goes through a life-transforming experience in his vision (Isa 6). He moves from "Woe is me" to "Here I am, send me!". Something significant happened that prepared him for his purpose - to be sent by God. He didn't go on a training course. He didn't study. He didn't spend years preparing. Yet, there was a process that he went through that we can learn from. First, he had a revelation of God's holiness. Holy means set apart, sacred, and unique. It is the blazing radiation of God’s glory, the creative force behind the whole universe. Holiness is God's desire to have everything made good and right. Everything about God that makes him God is holy: his hatred of sin, his positive purity. Flying Seraphim (burning serpents indicate that God's presence is special and that God is the King and is served by other spiritual beings. An earthquake takes place, a sign of the greatness of God, as the temple is filled with smoke. Terrifying! This revelation of God's holiness leads Isaiah to recognize his sinfulness, and he admits he is a man of unclean lips, from a people of unclean lips - in other words, there is no way he should be so close to the holiness of God because it is so good. Recognizing his sinfulness prepares him to receive God's grace. One of the seraphim – sent by God himself – does something about Isaiah’s distress. The seraphim take a coal from the altar, the place where sacrifices for sin were offered, and touches Isaiah's lips. - the very thing about which he felt so ashamed. Usually, if you touch something impure, it transfers its impurity to you. Yet, here, his very holy and pure object— touches Isaiah. And it transfers purity to him. He is not terminated by God’s holiness; he’s transformed by it. When God asks, "Who shall we send?" Isaiah responds "Here I am, send me!". Why? He has been through the process that prepares him for his purpose. - A revelation (awe) of the holiness of God - A recognition of his sinfulness - A reception of the grace of God that transforms him from unclean to holy, forgiven, and ready. Jesus finished work on the cross is the sacrifice by which sinful man can be made holy, and ready to answer the call of God. When you have a true revelation of who God is and recognize how broken you are, you are in the perfect place to receive the grace of God and be transformed by it, removing sin and shame, and making you righteous - none of it your own doing. Whom shall we send? Here I am God, send me. Watch the full message here

Do you remember the “join the dots” coloring books? As your pen strokes follow the pattern, a picture starts to emerge on the page. If only life was like that – a simple pattern to follow. Life is more like a page with millions of dots on… Even so, imagine that each dot is a story, an experience, a conversation. And as they are connected, a picture emerges that is symbolic of things to come. As we connect to others, and share stories, and experiences, we realize there is a lot more than coincidence at play. When the dots are connected we gain COURAGE. CLARITY. CONFIDENCE. Great things are done by a series of small things brought together - Vincent Van Gogh This time last year, we didn’t have a venue. We didn’t have a plan. We didn’t have a team. We didn’t have a budget. But we had a web domain, we had a dream, and we had some people in our corner. What followed over the next few months were many “dots” that, when connecting them, reveal a picture of God’s kindness and grace to FREE Church. In the weeks leading up to launch Sunday, we had a picture of a Spekboom for the church. In fact, we gave everyone who came to launch Sunday one to take home. To us, this picture represents Atmosphere changers: We will be people who shift the spiritual atmosphere Rehydrates the dehydrated | : We will be people who bring refreshing, an oasis Reduces soil erosion | : We will be people who focus on the next generation Multiplies easily | There will be growth and increase, by grace A few months after launch, we went through a coaching process to clarify our mission and values. Inspiring people to follow Jesus & equipping them to live in FREEDOM & with PURPOSE We honour God We love people We play as a team We live by rhythms of grace We lead with relentless hope We clarified what we will focus on for this season (Worship Services. Next Generation. Groups. Business. Social Justice) and we’ve seen and heard incredible stories of God stirring things in hearts to take decisions that “connect the dots”, from moving city to be part of the adventure, to opening homes to host life groups, to making space for families with special needs children. When we connect the dots, we start to see a picture that is symbolic of things to come (Zech 3:8) As we start to connect the dots of what God is up to in hearts and homes across our community, a picture is starting to emerge that is symbolic of things to come. That picture looks like hope. It looks like healing. It looks like freedom. It looks like love. It looks like compassion. It looks like changed lives. It looks like purpose. It looks like a shift in the spiritual atmosphere. It looks like…. Jesus. We are, after all, His hands and feet. And as each of us set aside "self" for the sake of the Gospel, responding to His call and aligning ourselves with His plan of restoration, redemption, and freedom, the future starts to look different. What are the dots you can connect? .

Watch on YouTube or listen to the podcast I love this time of year, the final quarter, It’s hot, with longer days and shorter nights. It's the time of year when a lot of us take stock of what's gone and we start to plan and prepare, set new goals for the final stretch and maybe even the New Year. Yet, even when we think about the future and set goals, in life it can be difficult to persevere, in some seasons or circumstances it's much easier to give up. What was the last goal you set for yourself? What rules or plans, if any, did you put in place to achieve this goal? When faced with opposition, did you keep going and persevere or did you give up? Our faith journey can be like this too, we think we’ve heard a word from God, but at the first sign of opposition, it is tempting to quit. Here are three keys to hold fast to prepare you for things to come, as you navigate these seasons in your life, they are: Stay Focused on the Goal. Remain Faithful to the Journey Cultivate Fortitude to Endure 2 Timothy 2 3-7 NKJV 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and  may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Stay Focused on the Goal The Christian life involves hardship and suffering, Paul cautions Timothy to not get entangled by things of this life, really what he is saying here is to remove the distractions so that you can stay focused and not be led astray, because that's how you please God. I don’t know about you but there will be seasons in my life when I put my trust in other things. In the tough seasons of work or relationships, I read self-development books, I listen to speakers, podcasts, and global leaders in business. I look for guidance and advice from things with good intentions and these things can be great but ultimately over time what I am doing is idolizing and putting them ahead of God, I'm getting entangled with the affairs of this life, and what it's doing is it's actually pulling me further away from God as opposed to drawing me nearer to Him, which is what pleases Him. And We can be distracted by many things: lust, alcohol/substances, idolatry, and God doesn’t leave us in these moments but we are choosing to seek fulfillment elsewhere, and not seek Him and His will. I want to tell you, you are called to more, God’s design, plan, and purpose for your life is not merely to exist and float through life by being pulled in different directions by these distractions, but to thrive by staying focused, you have to be ruthless with your time… cutting out the things in your life that are keeping you from pleasing Him. So where do you start? What does this look like to remove distraction? It could just be by starting to prioritize your time. Ask yourself what do you do first thing in the morning when you wake up? Check your phone? This is what you are giving the best part of your day to, something that is life-draining. BUT When you give God the first part of your day it’s life-giving this and this pleases Him and opens your heart to his plans and purposes (the goals) He has for you to Stay focused on. Remain Faithful to the Journey Paul uses the example of an athlete that sticks to the rules to win the prize. I don’t think in the religious sense of rules but rather God’s will for our lives - His race for us not ours. You can't win unless you finish the race, you can’t finish what you started without remaining faithful to the journey even when you face tough opposition… My question to you is who are you in this story, are you one who will finish the race despite the tough opposition, or are you likely to turn around half away because it's harder than you anticipated or maybe the excitement has worn off? Do you finish what you started or do you give up at the first sign of opposition? What does finishing look like? Well, the first step is to admit, "I can't do this on my own strength" We need God’s power, and He gives us His strength through the Holy Spirit. I love how Craig Groeschel put it in his book Winning the war in your mind: The power you need is a power you don’t possess. You need to ask for help, and then be obedient to what it is God is saying. Obedience is our job, the outcome is God’s. Cultivate the Fortitude to Endure Paul refers to a Hardworking farmer - to endure requires hard work, and just because it's hard doesn’t mean it's wrong. The harvest follows hard work! I'm not a farmer, nor do I know much about farming but I love gardening, my wife often says I’m an old soul trapped in a young body, and my hairline would agree with her but when we moved into our house, there was grass a nice big yard but no garden just grass… So, the first thing we did was go buy plants and we got back all excited but then realized, this is going to take a lot of hard work to plant everything… but we did. We wanted to rush the result, to see the flowers bloom, but that’s just not the way it works, the harvest follows the hard work and it takes time and patience for the harvest and I think that’s why Paul used the metaphor of a farmer because farmers understand the harvest follows the hard work BUT it takes time and patience and faith. The definition of fortitude: courage in pain and adversity You have a choice in this, are you going to work hard and Cultivate Fortitude? You cultivate fortitude by spending time in the word of God. A few weeks ago Gareth spoke about regaining our courage, and that in order to do that we need to be connected biblically, and sometimes this is hard or we don’t feel like it but this is how you cultivate fortitude, this is where our help comes from. 2 Timothy 3:16-17  NKJV All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work This, then, is how we live now to prepare for things to come: Stay Focused on the Goal, Remain Faithful to the Journey and Cultivate Fortitude to Endure. - RJ Vischer

Watch the full message here “Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family.” Isaiah 54:2 MSG We are seeing an incredible Grace upon our kid’s ministry, and we believe God is calling us to make room for more! We don’t want to be people who sleep through our season of opportunity (Prov 10:5), but rather we want to steward well all that God has given us as we reach and raise the next generation with the good news of the gospel. We believe our family is going to continue to grow as we create space for our children to thrive. We want to raise up a generation that knows who they are and where they are going. That are so confident in who God is and who He has made them to be that they are fearless in their pursuit of all that God is calling them to. A courageous generation of Christ followers that let out a battle cry for their generation and change the landscape of this Nation because they are full of faith and full of courage! We can choose to simply entertain our children, or we can raise an army that roars with potential and breaks chain as they push back the darkness in their Holy pursuit to see God’s kingdom come. We are passionate about the next generation, and we are going “there, where the future is’, by investing in them now! Our kids@free vision is to inspire all children to follow Jesus and equip them to live in freedom and with purpose. All children, of all ages, from all backgrounds and with a variety of gifts, talents, and abilities. Our mandate is to make disciples of all nations, of all people, of all children, teenagers, young adults… everyone! Do you know who the most unreached population on the planet is? What if I told you that some of the most unreached people on the planet live right here in Centurion? Some of the most unreached people on the planet are families with children who have special needs. Church is often difficult and inaccessible to many families because we simply have not thought to cater for their children that experience the world differently to us. I think that some of the most lonely and afraid of the future people on the planet must be families with children who have special needs. If Jesus is the hope that anchors us to the future we have in Him for all eternity, and the Church is God’s plan A for reaching the lost with the good news of the gospel, but we do not cater for people who look, act or experience the world differently to us. We are not doing our job. How are these families supposed to experience the love and acceptance of Jesus when church is so difficult for them to attend? We want to change that! We want to create a space that caters for all of God’s children, those that are in wheelchairs, those that can’t see or hear or speak, those with down syndrome or autism or ADHD. We want to create a space that is inclusive and empowering for ALL children to encounter the KING. Because they are loved by God! Their families are loved by God. So, we are going on a journey of training and equipping, of looking and learning. We have put in a wheelchair ramp, we are investing in sensory equipment to help regulate little bodies, we are asking questions and looking for ways to make it easy for families with children who have special needs to attend church. There are very few churches in South Africa that cater well to children with special needs, so we may get it wrong, we will need to learn and adjust as we go, but most importantly we believe that we are following the prompting of the Holy Spirit and God will lead us with His Grace and kindness. God has gone before us here. Never before have we seen so many leaders in kids’ ministry so equipped for this task. Without looking or asking for it, we have already got so much experience in terms of the knowledge and skillset amongst our kid’s church leaders. We have been gifted in this church to make a difference in the lives of families that are so often discriminated against, marginalized, and feel like outcasts in society. We want to swing wide our doors and welcome ALL CHILDREN into something beautiful. A community that loves them, a team equipped to make it easy for them to know Jesus and a place to call home. We have an anchor for our souls, we are sharpening our axe in preparation for all that God wants to do in us and through us, and now we get to shoot arrows into the future by equipping the next generation to be the church of tomorrow. Join us on this journey of impacting the future, by investing in the children and youth of today!

Thought about the Future inflames hope and fear… We want him to be in the maximum uncertainty, so that his mind will be filled with contradictory pictures of the future, every one of which arouses hope or fear. There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human's mind against the Enemy. He wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them. C.S.Lewis - The Screwtape Letters What do you feel when you think about the future? What’s your first reaction when things aren’t going well in your life? Are you waiting for things to come to you, or are you moving toward things to come? While there is always uncertainty in the future, much of the future that you will live in will depend on your decisions in the present, and the biggest of those decisions is if you will put your hope in Jesus - the one who holds the future. 'Where there's hope, there's life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again - Anne Frank Heb 6:13-20 (TPT) JESUS SPARKS HOPE There is a longing in our hearts that only Christ can fill: a long-awaited hope. Reading passages like this about Abraham and God's promises to him, and then realizing that it has bearing on your life - through Jesus - today pulls you into a big story: God's great narrative of redemption. The Gospel is a light in the darkness. It is a message of hope in hopelessness. When we recognize the hope of Christ, things happen! You can't meet Jesus and stay the same. When Martin Luther finally caught a glimpse of the hope of the Gospel, everything changed for him, and it sparked the reformation. He shared the spark, and it lit a fire. Share the spark! JESUS SUSTAINS HOPE And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. his is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakable hope! A match when lit, will burn out in a few seconds. For a fire to be sustained, some fuel is needed. Jesus is both the spark and also the source to sustain that hope - God gives an invitation to run into His refuge, where we find everything we need to hold on to hope. JESUS SECURES HOPE We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. Our anchor of hope is fastened to the mercy seat in the heavenly realm beyond the sacred threshold, and where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone in before us. The Greek word for "forerunner" was used in the timing of the writing of Hebrews to describe a smaller boat that would carry the anchor of a larger ship into the harbour, so that it could be winched in to safety from dangerous stormy conditions. J Jesus anchors our souls in the presence of God, nothing can change that. Part of our faith journey is to slowly winch ourselves toward this hope. Anchor yourself in the hope and truth of Jesus. Move toward the things to come Relentless hope is sparked by Jesus, sustained by Jesus, and secured by Jesus. Who do you know that needs some relentless hope today? Watch or Listen to the full message.

Catch the full message on YouTube or listen to the podcast September always brings a sense of celebration with the arrival of spring and Heritage Day, yet our country is in crisis. We've had unprecedented levels of load shedding, unemployment stats are shocking at close to 34% overall and much higher for those in their early twenties to mid-thirties, and the murder rate (at least for the first quarter of this year is close to one murder every twenty minutes. The Church has incredible potential to change things. The Church is God's plan A - people that will make a difference until Jesus comes back Over three-quarters of our country claim to be Christian. Could you imagine if all of those Christians actually did what Jesus said? Ephesians 1:20-23 (Msg) All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. We can either be a mediocre society that hangs out now and again to give Jesus a bit of a shoutout or will we can be a movement that dares to change the world. This is a preparation season for all the things to come. Things that God wants to do IN YOU FOR YOU, BEYOND YOU, THROUGH YOU, and AROUND YOU as part of His Church. It’s time rise up. To find your vision. To Regain your edge, regain your enthusiasm and regain your courage. Hebrews 6:7-12 (TPT) 7For men’s hearts are just like the soil that drinks up the showers which often fall upon it. Some soil will yield crops as God’s blessing upon the field. But if the field continues to produce only thorns and thistles a curse hangs over it and it will be burned. 9 Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are fully convinced that there are more beautiful and excellent things, which flow from your salvation. 10 For God, the Faithful One, is not unfair. How can he forget the beautiful work you have done for him? He remembers the love you demonstrate as you continually serve his beloved ones for the glory of his name. 11But we long to see you passionately advance until the end and you find your hope fulfilled. 12So don’t allow your hearts to grow dull or lose your enthusiasm but follow the example of those who fully received what God has promised because of their strong faith and patient endurance. Ecclesiastes 10:10 (CSB) 10 If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success. Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another To regain your edge you need to be connected relationally. When you feel like you have lost your edge, the best thing to do is to put yourself in the company of people that believe for the impossible. The worst thing to do isolate yourself. Here's a practical step to take: volunteer to serve on the Dream Team. There is truth in the adage "'f everyone does a little, a lot will get done", but that's not the reason to serve. Here's what serving will do: Serving will put you in the company of people that believe for the impossible. People that live the "I believe in you" life. People that will sharpen you. Serving will pull you into a bigger story. Setting out seats may seem mundane, but when you understand that setting out seats helps save lives, it gives meaning to the mundane. Serving will position you for growth - it is a training ground for faithfulness. If you're not faithful now, why would you be faithful then? Enthusiasm comes from en-theos, in essence: God inside you. Ephesians 5:18 (CSB) And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: In this verse, Paul is saying be continuously filled by the Spirit. There are all kinds of things - good and bad - that we can fill our hearts with. When we are so full of other things, our enthusiasm, real enthusiasm, leaks out, a bit like a balloon that loses it's helium. To regain your enthusiasm you need to be connected spiritually That means to yield to the Spirit. Here's a prayer that I came across recently - you can make it your own, but praying something like this daily will position you to be continuously filled with the Spirit, and suddenly you will find your enthusiasm return. God, I consecrate my plans, intentions, ideas, and strategies. I consecrate my gifting, ability, resources, and influence. I consecrate my fears, doubts, expectations, and desire to do things independently from you. I set it all aside, declare it for your purposes, and ask you to give it back to me on your terms and under your guidance. I break the agreement with the idea that things will never change, I know they can and will. I know that you are with me, for me, and that you have surrounded me with others who understand and support me. I declare that I serve at Your hand. You are the author and perfecter of my faith and everything else. I will seek your direction in challenges and acknowledge and glorify you in success and prosperity. It is all about you. Your Kingdom come and will be done, in me and through me. Amen Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” It seems like we always lose our courage when there is new land to take. It's in times like these God says be strong and courageous! The Bible full of stories like this. We read about people who set exampels of strong faith and patient endurance - and they do so by trusting in God's word. To regain your courage you need to be connected biblically That means to meditate on God's word; to get it inside of you. Faith comes through hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17). So, when you hear the word of God, your faith will rise, and with it your courage. Faith changes faces! Here's a verse to memorize Heb 6:9 TPT we are fully convinced that there are more beautiful and excellent things, which flow from your salvation. This is a powerful reminder of all the more beautiful and excellent things that God wants to do in you, through you, for you, around you, and beyond you. All the Things to Come. This life is too short, God's vision is too big, and our country is in too much of a crisis for you to just stay in survival mode, hanging on until Jesus comes back. It's time for your to find your place in His grand narrative. To regain your edge you need to be connected relationally. Practical step: serve To regain your enthusiasm you need to be connected spiritually. Practical step: pray To regain your courage you need to be connected biblically Practical step: memorize a verse I'm dreaming of a church where all the rows are packed with people whose hands are held high as hearts are engaging with heaven, reverberating in unreserved worship. I'm dreaming of a church filled with people who are constantly looking to step out of the comfortable. I'm dreaming of a church filled with people who believe this is a movement that needs to go. People who have an expectation of the miraculous, and believe God for the impossible. People who dare to change the world. Sharp, enthusiastic, courageous. Are you in?

Catch the full message on YouTube or listen to the podcast BEFORE YOU BEGIN... In life, there are battles to fight, and bridges to walk across. God wants you to live in freedom and with purpose. We want to equip you to do just that by sharing thoughts and strategies to overcome life's challenges through the power of the Gospel. This Battle Plan has five parts: BEFORE YOU BEGIN: This Section BACKGROUND: All about offense BATTLE GROUND: Where is the fight? BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE: What can we learn about offense BATTLE PLAN: How to beat offense and walk across the bridge of forgiveness We encourage you to read this slowly and keep coming back to it as many times as you need to. Feel free to share the post with others that may benefit from this. BACKGROUND An offense happens when you are hurt, upset, or annoyed by another's words or actions. Offended is the condition that follows when you fail to process the offense in a healthy way. Being offended, carrying an offense, and holding unforgiveness can be thought of as the same thing. We can hold unforgiveness toward other people, toward God, and even toward ourselves. The danger of holding onto offense (or unforgiveness) is that it negatively impacts your health: 1. Physical Health - Unforgiveness leads to resentment which leads to bitterness which leads to fatigue, muscle tension, body aches, ulcers, and high blood pressure. 2. Emotional Health - staying offended steals your joy and robs you of peace of mind. 3. Spiritual Health - Carrying offense hinders personal relationship with God. Holding unforgiveness gets in the way of prayers! There is a cycle of offense: You get upset, the emotions remain unprocessed, and they can lead to unforgiveness, which leads to an unhealthy place, which leaves you prone to get upset again... Remember the movie " The Incredibles" where all the family members had different superpowers? Our generation could be called "The Offendables" as we are prone to the incredibly powerful force of offense. We get offended by all kinds of things! To make light of something pretty series, count how many of these are true for you, and take the poll You have said something like "I've been hurt by 'the Church' so I'm not going to ….." You have said something like "I can't forgive them for what they did" You have thought "And you call yourself a Christian!" You feel that you have been treated unfairly You replay a moment of hurt/pain/failure over and over You dream about getting even You feel a strong need to be right You resent someone because of what they did/said to a friend of yours You believe that people don't respect you enough You get annoyed when someone asks you to sit in a certain place at church You are upset when someone walks past you without greeting you properly You distrust most people You withdraw from relationships You find it difficult to say sorry Ultimately, it is technically impossible for another person to offend you since it stems from the way you choose to respond to an offense. Someone once said: "offense is never given but rather taken". You can't control the actions of others, so offenses will happen. You can, however, choose how you respond to an offense. Living with the burden of offense is not the life God desires for you. Imagine what it would be like to live free from the weight of unforgiveness. It is possible! BACKGROUND There are three things that are always opposed to the Kingdom of God and the will of God - and it's in these areas that we fight I. The FLESHLY NATURE (Rom 3:23) This is where we battle temptation and rationalization. We are all flawed and broken, and Look out for: placing yourself as judge and jury, always needing to be right/vindicated, gossip II. The DOMAIN OF DARKNESS (Matt 12:25) The enemy works by deception (lies) and destruction (of purpose). His main strategy is to bring division and disunity, as a house divided cannot stand Look out for: division, dissension, disunity III. The WORLD SYSTEM (James 4:4) The environment and culture we are in. It is the place of desensitization and relaxation (dropping your guard). Look out for: a sense of entitlement, relative truth (the paradoxical view that there is no absolute truth) Back to Top BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE There are many passages in the Bible where we can learn about offense, unforgiveness, and forgiveness. Here are just a few: Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to that person by whom the offense comes. Matthew 18:7 (CSB) An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress. Proverbs 18:19 (CSB) Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV) “For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 15 But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV) 3 For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (CSB) Truth I: Offense is a Trap The word Jesus uses for offenses is skandalon (Gk), which is the trigger of a trap - in other words the part to which the bait is attached. Offense, though is not like a mouse trap that snaps shut causing death, but more like a cage - where nothing gets in, nothing gets out. Think of a city under siege. Application: Offenses will come, Jesus said. How you respond to them makes all the difference. Don't take the bait. Truth II: Forgiving is a Command As God has forgiven you, so you must forgive others. A few notes on forgiveness Don't minimize or brush off an offense, Acknowledge the pain - there needs to be feeling before healing. Forgiving an offense is only possible by God's grace and power. It is not something you can muster up, but rather a reliance on His Spirit in you. Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. Forgiveness is one-sided. Reconciliation is two-sided - in other words, a heart and behavior change is required on both sides. Jesus commands us to forgive and encourages us to do whatever we can to reconcile. Sometimes, though, reconciliation is not possible, and sometimes it is not wise (for example if the other party remains unrepentant, let's say an abuser continues to abuse. You can forgive the abuser, but trying to reconcile with them would put you in danger. Forgiveness is more like a daily decision rather than a destination. Sometimes we feel the pressure to forgive right away because God said we should, right? However, a bridge of forgiveness might need to be crossed many times. Forgiveness is not a feeling, but an act of will. Application: Surrender your will, let God be the judge, and allow His Spirit to empower you to forgive those who have caused offenses. Truth III: Obedience is a Choice You can choose to hold on to an offense. You can choose to let forgiveness flow from you. You can choose to take the bait Jesus warns of, or you can choose to let go of unforgiveness. Paul writes that we can take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. That too is a choice. Taking captive a thought is really to bring the thought into alignment with what Jesus teaches - to evaluate it from that perspective. It is God's desire for you to avoid the trap of offense, to forgive as you have been forgiven! Back to Top BATTLE PLAN Coming to faith in Jesus, trusting him, being willing to radically reorganize your life around him, constantly surrendering to his good, pleasing, and perfect will, and believing His Word (promises) is the foundation on which this stands. Assuming that you have found salvation in Jesus, received His forgiveness, and want to break free from the cycle of offense, here are some thoughts to share and practical steps you can take as a starting point. 1. If you are carrying an offense, or harboring unforgiveness, first determine who is it against: Could it be against God because you feel He has done (or not done something) which seems unfair to you? Could it be against yourself because of something you did? Could it be against "the church"? Could it be against another person? If it is against God, recognize that God is God, and not a gene to meet our wishes. We see in part, while God reigns supreme and sees all things. His heart is one of compassion and kindness, and it is always helpful to judge his goodness by looking at the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. The best thing to do is to confess and repent to God for holding bitterness against him, and receive His forgiveness, mercy, and grace, If it is against yourself, recognize that since God offers complete forgiveness to you through the cross, when you refuse to forgive yourself, you are raising your opinion above God's, and essentially declaring that Jesus' work on the cross was not enough. See the book by RT Kendall in the recommended reading section. If it is against "the Church" remember that the church is made up of imperfect people. Also, the majority of offenses that are caused in the Church are the result of the existing wounds and sensitivities which people carry with them. While this does not excuse hurtful behavior, there is no perfect church, and sometimes the expectations that we have of the church can be unreasonable. The definition of disappointment is; “failure to attain one’s expectations.” The Psalmist writes "My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him” It remains that Jesus loves the church, despite the imperfections, and by His power, you can find forgiveness, freedom, and healing and be to be part of what He is building. If it is against another person, it might be helpful to let them know how what they did made you feel as you begin the journey of forgiveness. Remember that forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. Forgiveness is one-sided. Reconciliation is two-sided - in other words, a heart and behavior change is required on both sides. Sometimes, though, reconciliation is not possible, and sometimes it is not wise. HOW TO WALK ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF FORGIVENESS Feel Make a list of all the offenses—the things that you resent. Acknowledge the hurt and the pain - remember, feeling before healing Imagine all these things as burdens on your shoulders. Forgive Ask yourself "Do I really want to carry all these burdens for the rest of my life? Picture removing all these cares and burdens off, and transferring them to Jesus. He knows how to deal with them all Pray Lord, you know and you care about how much my heart has been hurt. You know the pain I have experienced because of __(list all the hurts)_______ . I release this to you. From now on, I refuse to focus on these things, and I will not entertain any vengeful thoughts. I release my offender to you to deal with in your way. Thank you that you have forgiven me through the work on the cross, and for giving me Your power to forgive so I can be set free. Amen. HOW TO AVOID THE BAIT OF OFFENSE Do believe the best about people Do try to put yourself in the other person's shoes (see things from their perspective) Do ask yourself "Is this really worth getting angry about?" Do treat others in the way you would like to be treated Devote yourself to love and forgiveness Don't blame others for personal problems Don't engage in gossip, grumbling, or constant complaining Do learn and practice humility, be quick to say sorry Do love truth more than being right Do learn to accept yourself - you might not live up to your own expectations, nevertheless, your validation is God-given! Scriptures to Meditate On Proverbs 17:9 1 John 4:7-8 Matthew 5:23-24 Matthew 5:44 Matthew 6:14-15 Matthew 18:21-22 Galatians 2:20 Luke 6:37 Romans 12:17-19 Hebrews 12:15 Ephesians 4:32 Colossians 3:13 Philippians 2:1-4 Recommended Reading How To Forgive Ourselves Totally: Begin Again by Breaking Free from Past Mistakes - RT Kendall The Bait of Satan, 20th Anniversary Edition: Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense - John Bevere Love Like You've Never Been Hurt: Hope, Healing and the Power of an Open Heart - Jensen Franklin Closing Thoughts The healthy way to live is to let God's forgiveness flow into you, and out from you. Don't withhold forgiveness. Where there is an outflow of forgiveness, there is life. to take offenses that flow into you, process them, and release them. Don't hold on to them Where there is an outlet for offenses, there is life. Back to Top

BACKGROUND How easily are you influenced by others? Have you ever struggled with “peer pressure”? Do you conform to the desires of those around you, even when you know it’s not the best decision? Do you often find your thoughts and actions linked to a desire for people’s approval and fear their rejection? You might be battling the fear of man. The fear of man might be better described by terms like peer pressure or co-dependency. Here are some examples: You struggle to say no You are needy You feel like you might be exposed as an imposter, You procrastinate and frequently second-guess your decisions You bend the truth You are preoccupied with perceptions You avoid confrontation You are sensitive and defensive when it comes to feedback and criticism You pretend that everything is ok when it really isn't (especially in the church community) You have false humility You show favoritism You seek out validation The fear of man can show up in many areas in our lives. If left undealt with, it will steal your peace, limit your power (influence) and distract you from you purpose. Back to Top BATTLEGROUND I. The Fleshly Nature (temptation and rationalization) - We all want to be liked, receive the adoration of others, their compliments, their affection, praise, and we enjoy being celebrated by others, perhaps even being worshiped by them. This leads to pride, arrogance and insecurity. II. The Domain of Darkness (Deception and destruction)- The enemy uses the fear of man to keep you distracted from your true purpose…He loves it when he can distract us, deceive us with the things of this world, including the opinion of man – to keep us from moving forward with our God-given purpose. III. The World System (desensitization and relaxation) – Our culture thrives on comparison and competition – you have to look like this, perform like this, earn like this, be in a relationship like this... An elevated, unhealthy value is placed on what other people may say to, think of or do toward us. Back to Top BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ‘Fear’ in the biblical sense is a much broader word. It includes being afraid of someone, but it extends to holding someone in awe, being controlled or mastered by people, worshipping other people, putting your trust in people, or needing people.… The fear of man can be summarized this way: We replace God with people. Instead of a biblically guided fear of the Lord, we fear others.” “We fall into fear of man when we desire the approval of others so much that we need them, (for ourselves), more than we love them, (for the glory of God.).” Edward Welch, In 1 Sam 15 we read the tragic story of Saul being rejected (by God) as Israel's king. The root of all of this is Saul's fear of man. It steals his peace, limits his power (influence) and distracts and eventually robs him of purpose. The Fear of Man steals our Peace The Fear of Man steals our Power The Fear of Man steals our Purpose “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Prov 9:10 Back to Top BATTLE PLAN Pay Close Attention What are the things that are stealing your peace? Emotional triggers serve as an early warning system that something is not right. What was the event or thought that caused your peace to be disturbed? Keeping a notebook on hand to note down these things as they occur is a very helpful way to identify what is really going on. Create Boundaries Decide what you will and won’t allow yourself to think about be influenced by. Remind yourself of who you are, a son of King, a co-heir with Christ! Pray that God would establish identity, and purpose in your heart and mind and then be quick to protect that. Pursue His Presence: You are invited to enter boldly into the presence of God. In His presence are peace and joy. Practically, setting aside time each day (or several times a day) to pause, be quiet, and allow the Holy Spirit to help you discern healthy thoughts, truth and then strengthen and convict you to live those out. Trust in God’s love for You Fear of man leads to working for the approval of people. Hence, actions are tied to our identity. However, the message of the Gospel is just the opposite. God loves you before you do anything. He accepts and approves of you because of Jesus finished work on the cross. It has nothing to do with your good (or bad) actions. Submit to the Lordship of Christ Fear of man causes us to place people and their opinions above the lordship of Christ. In essence, that is idolatry (placing something above God). Christ is Lord above all. Where you recognize that the opinions of self and others have been elevated above God's, repent, ask His forgiveness, receive His mercy, and allow His grace to transform you. Be ready and willing to allow Jesus into every area of your life. Scriptures to meditate on Proverbs 19:23 Romans 8:38-39 Psalm 75 Ephesians 3:12 Proverbs 9:10 Deut 6:24 Isaiah 33 Recommended Reading / Audiobook The Father Heart of God - Floyd McClung Closing thoughts God's desire is that you would find your peace, power and purpose in Him, and not in the opinions (and actions) of people. The enemy would love nothing more than to steal your peace, limit your power, and distract you from your purpose. These things need to be protected. A protected, purpose-driven, peaceful, God powered and anointed existence begins with the fear of God. Back to Top

No one likes to experience rejection, because nothing hurts like rejection. It's incredibly painful because it wounds our deepest needs for security, love, and significance. We've all experienced it on some level. Maybe you were excluded or told you are not worth it? Maybe you were betrayed by someone close to you? Maybe you were laughed at? Maybe you felt forgotten? Perhaps you feel that God himself has rejected you because of something you did, or because of something He hasn't done for you? While it's painful, being rejected does not make you a reject! And there is a promise that God's presence can be experienced in the midst of the pain of rejection. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Ps 34:18 BACKGROUND Rejection can be defined as “the act of pushing something or someone away.” To be rejected, then, is to be cast aside, cast off, cast away—to be thrown away as having no value. According to a study conducted at Duke University, there are 6 things that make us feel rejected: Criticism Betrayal Active disassociation (for example, a romantic breakup) Passive disassociation (being excluded) Being unappreciated Being teased The danger here is that feelings of rejection can lead to increased feelings of rejection if not dealt with. This is known as the rejection cycle: rejection breeds rejection. Over time a cycle becomes a pattern that eventually becomes a way of life. If this looks familiar, this Battle Plan is for you to help break the cycle and establish a new pattern. Part of the problem is that rejection is based on feelings. To find victory over rejection you need to shift from living according to feelings to living according to facts. Here are four truths to keep in mind: 1. It’s more about the other person When you understand that rejection says more about the person doing the rejection than the person being rejected, rejection starts to lose its power over you. There is much truth in the saying that "hurt people hurt people". So take heart: it's not about you! 2. God will never reject you When you live from the place of knowing that God will never reject you, you become way more secure in your identity and rejection loses its sting. There is a further truth to remember here - God is not a gene to fulfill our every request. The point - an unanswered prayer does not equal rejection. 3. Faith helps you move feelings to facts When you live in faith by believing the Bible as the ultimate authority in your life, you allow your identity to be shaped by God’s word. As you learn to hear the voice of God over the voice of “the world” you will be transformed by His truth. When you live as a child of God, and you have a revelation of His unconditional love, you can step into the plans He has for you, and you are able to live free from the rejection that holds you back. 4. One does not equal all, and the loudest is not always right When you experience rejection from one person, you may tend to assume that everyone else must hold the same opinion of you. As such you may even push others away for fear of them rejecting you. Don't let one loud negative voice define you. Always remember that "one does not equal all, and the loudest is not always right!" Back to Top BATTLEGROUND There are three things that are always opposed to the Kingdom of God and the will of God. I. The WORLD SYSTEM is the place of desensitization and relaxation (dropping your guard and conforming). The world system gets you to think that man’s approval is more important than God’s. So you may go out of our way to be approved of by people rather than listen to the voice of God to find our worth and identity. People cannot give you the unconditional love that only God can give. II. The DOMAIN OF DARKNESS The enemy works by deception (lies) and destruction (of your purpose) The enemy wants you to believe that you are defective and unwanted in order to make us ineffective. He wants you to think “there must be something wrong with me”, and, “I will never be good enough.” He would love nothing more than for you to believe that God has rejected you. III. The FLESHLY NATURE This is where we battle temptation and rationalization We all desire to feel accepted. Our fleshly nature seeks man’s approval because we desire to be seen as worthy. We often place a higher value on the acceptance of people, than the acceptance we are freely given by God in Jesus. Back to Top BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE Jesus experienced all of the ways rejection happens, so he knows exactly what it feels like. Criticism - On the cross Betrayal - by Judas Active disassociation (for example, a romantic breakup) - Peter’s denial Passive disassociation - Peter, James & John fell asleep. Not welcomed in his hometown Being unappreciated - By the religious leaders Being teased - On the cross God's plan, though, is not for you to live feeling rejected, but rather to live free, as an adopted son (or daughter) with His full acceptance and approval. Christ was rejected, so that you may be accepted. So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. Romans 8:12 -19 CSB God has a specific purpose for you and you are called to live according to that. You have a part to play, and creation itself is waiting to see what happens! God has adopted you into His family and you are called to live like a son (or daughter). God has an inheritance for you to live in and live toward, you are an heir of God! God has secured deliverance for you, breaking you out of the domain of darkness, setting you free from the obligations to live according to the flesh. Back to Top BATTLE PLAN 1. Reflect Prayerfully think back over the times you have experienced rejection. i. Are there any long-buried feelings there? Admit the pain associated with each event. Release the pain (and the people involved) to God. Ask God to bring healing, and believe that He will do so! Rely on God's grace to allow you to choose to forgive those who hurt you ii. Did you begin to believe anything about yourself that may not actually be true? Write these down. iii. Do you see the rejection cycle in your life? Can you identify any of the triggers and patterns? iv. In your reflection, are there any areas that you have become aware of that you may be blaming God for something? For example -a feeling of rejection linked to unanswered prayer? Bill Johnson said, "It's the backsliding heart that blames God for what He hasn't done". Whenever you feel like this toward God, always consider the cross - Jesus rejected, so that you may be accepted. Prayerfully take these areas before God, confess them, and receive his forgiveness. 2. Replace While rejection is painful, it does not have to be permanent. Walking across the bridge to acceptance is a process of replacing lies (wrong beliefs) with truths (right beliefs). You may have already identified some in part 1. Here are some more examples Wrong Belief: Because one person has rejected me, means that everyone will reject me. Right Belief: Just because one person did not value me, does not mean no one values me. God valued me enough to send Jesus to give his life on the cross for me! I will forever praise this God who didn’t close his heart when I prayed and never said no when I asked him for help. He never once refused to show me his tender love. Ps 66:20 (TPT) Wrong Belief: Because I was rejected, I hate myself. I feel worthless. I hate (condemn) myself. Right Belief: Rejection hurts, but I know my worth isn’t based on people's actions or opinions but on the fact that God accepts me. So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One. Rom 8:1 (TPT) Wrong Belief: God must have rejected me because______ Right Belief: There is nothing that can separate me from the love of God. The grace of God is bigger than any past mistake. Just because my prayer has not been answered in the way I expected, does not mean that God is not for me. So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! Rom 8:38 (TPT) 3. Release Release yourself from - holding unforgiveness toward those who have hurt you. - the expectation that you will not feel rejected again - the need to be accepted by people. 4. Reform Reform the way that you think by planting the word of God in your heart. The truth of His word is extremely powerful, and in itself contains the means to transform and reform the way that you think. The truth of God's word will help you deal with any past, present, and future feelings of rejection. There are some scriptures that you can begin with below. 5. Reach Out Talk to someone about your journey, and ask them to hold you accountable in this process. As you find healing and victory, empathize with and encourage others who have also been hurt. Pray with them and for them. Scriptures to meditate on Psalm 139:15-16 Ephesians 1:5 Galations 4:6 -7 1 John 3:1-24 Romans 2:11 John 1:12 Isaiah 54:10 Psalm 147:3 John 3:1 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Psalm 34:18 Recommended Reading / Audiobook Rejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection by Jia Jang Closing thoughts You ARE worthy because God says so. This is a fact that is independent of your feelings. You CAN confront and kill negative thoughts. You ARE able to change. You have a Father who loves you, and when you have a revelation of your sonship, you will be able to break the lies of the enemy about who you are because you know whose you are. As a son (or daughter) of God, only He can name you and he calls you Beloved. In Him you have purpose and inheritance, your future is secure! When you choose to live as a son and not a slave you are able to take authority over your life and choose God's word over the words spoken by man. You are free from the chains of rejection because you have accepted your adoption by God in the name of Jesus and therefore you carry His name as your stamp of approval! Back to Top

Catch up on the full message on YouTube What if you could get what you really want? We all have desires. Some of them are healthy, some are unhealthy. Some are deep, some are shallow. Desire itself is not something bad - God has created us with desire!  To find true fulfillment, though, needs some digging in to desires. What is the real (deep) source of the desire? What are we doing with the desires?  How or where are we trying to find fulfillment of those desires? One of the dangers  that we are all vulnerable to is the IG Trap! No, not IG as in Instagram. IG as in Instant Gratification. Instant: "right now", not "now now" or "just now" Gratification: pleasure, especially when gained from the satisfaction of a desire It is the tendency to give in to temptation by rationalizing (making excuses) to avoid short-term pain (or cost), to indulge in fleeting pleasures, even though you know your choice will ultimately hurt you in the long run. It is a self-sabotaging habit. Sometimes we realize we are in a battle and sometimes we don’t even realize there is another option. BACKGROUND You know that doesn't get you where you want to go. Yet, you give in to it time and again. It's the battle of cheap desires and deep desires. It's your emotional brain versus your logical brain. The emotional part of your brain wants to click 'Add to Cart', have some more dessert, and watch another episode. The logical part of your brain knows you should save for retirement, hit the gym, and get some rest. Dopamine triggers impulsive behavior that brings temporary pleasure. After the initial gratification has worn off, you are left with feelings of regret, unfulfillment, emptiness, discouragement, anxiety, stress, tension, and overwhelm. So, you go back for more, and the cycle is perpetuated. Together, high-stress environments and an instant gratification tendency fuel addictive behavior. Hence, the Instant Gratification Trap. Living with instant gratification conditioning caps your spiritual growth: Why study the Bible when you can Google an answer? Why pray when answers seem slow? Why come to church or Life Group when you've got so much else to do? Why fast when food makes you feel good? Why wait when God doesn't seem to be doing anything? Why stay in counseling if you're not seeing fast results? The themes of the Bible stand in stark contrast. On one hand, we read about patience, self-control, waiting on God, enduring, persevering, growing, and being built up - "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction" to quote Eugene Peterson's book title. On the other hand, we read about blessing, peace, joy, fulfillment, and contentment. We read about calling, inheritance, and power. We read about something that begins now and stretches to eternity. Could there be a link? Absolutely. Back to Top BATTLEGROUND There are three things that are always opposed to the Kingdom of God and the will of God. The instant gratification idea goes all the way back to Genesis 3, is re-enforced by our world system, and is complicated by us not understanding what our deepest desires really are. I. The DOMAIN OF DARKNESS (Rom 1:25) The enemy works by deception (lies) and distraction (from your calling) Look out for: The "promise" of all you ever wanted, by doing things your way, according to your scheduling, (instead of God's). It is the Genesis 3 story on repeat - humans believing the lie that God is holding out, and so we attempt to acquire wisdom on our terms. The Greek word for "witchcraft" (Acts 19:19) is peri-erga which means to go 'around the work', that is, take a shortcut. Interesting. II. The WORLD SYSTEM (2 Tim 3:1-5) The environment and culture we are in. It is the place of desensitization and relaxation (dropping your guard and conforming). Look out for: HEDONISM, the pursuit of pleasure. The popular narrative encourages you to choose self-indulgence over self-discipline, shortcuts over slow and steady, quick fixes, and silver bullets over the long game. Marketers have jumped on this because it sells. "Lose 10kg in 7 days. You deserve a holiday on a tropical island. We would love to lend you money (even though you are blacklisted). You NEED this" IMPATIENCE. Our world system is incredibly fast-paced. We want whatever we want, and we want it NOW! When we don't get what we want, we feel anxiety, tension, frustration, and disappointment. We don't like to wait, ever. III. The FLESHLY NATURE (Gal 5:17) This is where we battle temptation and rationalization, a conflict of cheap and deep desires. Look out for: Temptation, urges, and impulsive behavior. Thinking (wrongly) that all desires are bad. God puts deep desires inside of you. In Ephesians 3:20, Paul writes "To the one who is able to do immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine…" and the psalmist writes about God giving you the desires of your heart. Avoiding, repressing, or denying your desire is not healthy. This is non-attachment, or detachment, a concept found in many eastern religions. Part of this Battle Plan is rather to get you to dig into what your deep desires really are, and how to truly meet them. Back to Top BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE Ephesians 1:17-23 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. 20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. In this passage, Paul is praying a "change of perspective" prayer. He's asking that God would give his readers a deep revelation of the hope of His calling, the wealth of His glorious inheritance, and the immeasurable greatness of His power. CALLING The incredible news of the Gospel is that God Himself initiated a rescue mission to redeem and restore people to Himself through Jesus' finished work on the cross. There is an invitation, a calling, to step into the Kingdom of God from now, into eternity. His Kingdom is one of righteousness, peace, and joy. It is one of increasing blessings. It is the place where every deep desire is fulfilled in the fullness of the one who fills all things - Jesus. The bottom line: there is an invitation to a better way. You are called. In fact, you are called to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have been called (Eph 4:1). There is an invitation to be accepted and a path to walk that leads to true fulfillment, rather than fleeting pleasures. The hope, or confident expectation, of His calling, is an invitation worth accepting and radically reorganizing your life around. INHERITANCE Verse 18 can be read in two ways. First, God's people are His (God's) glorious inheritance. Second, God's people have a glorious inheritance. Both are true, and both are good news. Either way, inheritance has to do with....WAITING. It's the "now" and the "not yet" The Holy Spirit is the downpayment, the seal, the guarantee of the inheritance. Ephesians 1:13-14. That means that you already get to experience some of the inheritance in the "now", and there is more to come in the "not yet" Think of inheritance as both the motivation to overcome temptation and the destination to keep moving toward. You have an inheritance. You are God's inheritance. No other temporary pleasure can come close to that. That's the promise, the confident expectation. Nothing is going to change that. That is the motivation. In between the now and the not yet, is where we practice waiting. This waiting is not a passive, sit back, do nothing waiting. Rather, it is an active waiting, an enduring perseverance, in the sense of complete trust in and reliance on God's timing, and being faithful in the meantime. The wealth of His glorious inheritance - that is motivation to wait well. Waiting fights entitlement and teaches you inheritance. Waiting fights pride and teaches you patience. Waiting fights ambition and teaches you vision. Waiting fights insecurity and teaches you identity. Waiting fights the ungratefulness of not having enough, so you can be thankful when you have more than enough. - Chris Estrada, Finisher POWER God always provides what He requires. He provides the power for you to accept His calling, the power to be patient, and the power to overcome every temptation. The power Paul is writing about here is the power of the Holy Spirit. One key perspective shift to make in breaking out of the instant gratification trap is that when you decide to put your faith in Jesus, in effect the 'old you' no longer lives, and it is Christ that lives in you. Instant gratification is self-serving, but following Jesus is a giving up of self - you have been bought with a price. The immeasurable greatness of his power - that is all the inspiration ( from in - spirit) you need. And that power begins to produce in you the very things that you need - patience, self-control, and the things you desire - peace, joy, love. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 God's plan for you is to walk in His calling, toward His inheritance, by the power of His Holy Spirit - this is the path to true fulfillment. Back to Top BATTLE PLAN The annihilation or suppression of desires is not the goal. Behavior management, while helpful in the short term, is not a long-term solution. Relying on willpower to resist temptation has an expiration date. So, how does one break free of the instant gratification trap? 1. See the Big Picture God's plan for you is to walk in His calling, toward His inheritance, by the power of His Holy Spirit - this is the path to true fulfillment. He has got so much more for you than a cycle of instant gratification can deliver. He has put God-desires and God-dreams in your heart, and He wants to see them come alive in you! The starting point to overcoming instant gratification is to begin to believe that there is another, better way. Your deepest desires can be fulfilled by God in a way that you never thought possible. 2. Change your Language Instead of saying "I can't resist" or "I can't help it", make a simple but profound shift to say "I can choose". "I will not be controlled by my impulses". By doing this you move from agreeing with (and reinforcing a life) to agreeing with (and reinforcing) a truth. Even if you don't see the fruit of it at first, keep at it. It takes time! 3. Clarify Your Desires Ask yourself, "What do I really want?" Surface (or cheap) desires point to deeper desires, and it takes some time to figure out what real desires behind the surface desires are. For example Your cheap desire may be for a caffeine fix, while your deep desire is for proper rest. Your cheap desire may be for a vacation, while your deep desire is for peace. Your cheap desire may be for an adrenaline rush, while your deep is for an abundant life. Your cheap desire may be for scrolling on social, while your deep desire is for human connection. Your cheap desire may be for alcohol, while your deep desire to escape the stress of life. Your cheap desire may be for porn, while your deep is for lasting intimacy. Your cheap desire may be for the latest fashion while your deep desire is for acceptance. Your cheap desire may be for more possessions while your deep desire is for comfort. Your cheap desire may be for finances while your deep desire is for security. What “cheap desires” have you been using to try to meet your deeper, holy desires? It's important to note that not all cheap desires are bad. However, the trap is triggered when cheap desires mask deep desires on an ongoing basis. Imagine how transformative clarifying your deep desires could be for you? If you know what they are, then you can start a journey to truly meeting them - walking in your calling, toward inheritance, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Who knows where your God-given deep desires may take you? Here are some thoughts to get you started: I want to live more simply. I want to live with less financial pressure. I want to live without anxiety. I want to wake up each morning saying, “Can you believe I get to do this?” I want to learn more about a particular topic. I want to live content. I want to live at peace. I want to live in freedom. I want to know I am making a difference. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. 4. Create a Purpose Statement Once you have started the process of figuring out what you really want, it is helpful to spend some time crafting a purpose (or mission) statement for your life. This is something that keeps you focused and on target. (By the way, this is the journey that we invite you to go on over three weeks every month at FREE Lunch - you can sign up here). 5. Battle Temptation with the Word, not Will Power When Jesus faced off with the enemy in the wilderness (Matt 4:1-11), He used the Word to overcome temptation, not willpower. Will power is a finite resource. You need something that is more powerful - the Word of God. Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 How do you resist the devil? You declare the Word of God. 6. Practise Patience Intentionally put yourself in situations that require patience. Take the long queue. Buy it next month (you might even change your mind by then). Take time out in your day to pause, disconnect, and be quiet. This practice will help you build a delay-for-decision between impulse and response. When you have a delay, you can make a better decision. 7. Start a Rhythm of Fasting Fasting before God is a powerful way to practice self-discipline. It focuses on the Spirit and starves the flesh (literally). It was what Jesus was doing (under point 3). Fasting goes with prayer, of course, otherwise, it is just a diet and not a spiritual discipline. I started a rhythm of a one-day-a-week fast from food - I say rhythm to avoid being legalistic about it - and have found it incredibly transformative. 8. Get Someone in Your Corner As with every battle, it's extremely helpful to tell someone a) what you are struggling with and b) what you are doing about it. Invite their input and encouragement, and give them permission to ask you the hard questions. Scriptures to meditate on Ps 27:14 Gal 5:16-26 1 Cor 10:13 Rom 14:17 1 John 2:16 1 Peter 2:11 Ps 37:4 Recommended Reading / Audiobook A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society - Eugene H. Peterson Closing thoughts There will be times when you give in to your impulses. The key is not to let that deter you, but rather to learn from it. How did you feel afterward? Was it beneficial? What was the trigger? What could you do differently next time? Have grace for yourself. It's a journey, and it takes patience and perseverance. And with the power of the Holy Spirit in you, it is fully possible to break free from the trap of instant gratification. Though a righteous person falls seven times, he will get up, Prov 24:16 Back to Top

Catch the full message on YouTube BEFORE YOU BEGIN... Have you ever wondered: "Is this it? Is this life?". Generally, things aren't all bad, yet there is discontentment, and you can't quite figure out why. Your self-talk goes something like this: "I know should be grateful, happier, and just make the most of it. Everyone else seems to be doing OK. In fact, they seem they seem to be doing a whole lot better than me. They all seem to have it together, to be further ahead, to be achieving big things. Maybe I am a misfit. Defective. Maybe I don't have what it takes. Maybe this is life." Spirals of negative thoughts darken the nights, and pervasive anxieties gnaw at the days. You feel stuck. Hopeless. You begin to believe that your lot is a life of mundane and mediocrity, inferiority and insecurity, struggle and stagnation. "Not all of us are good enough, that's just the way that it is." If this sounds like you, it's fully possible that low self-worth has made itself at home in your life. Maybe it's time for an eviction? Welcome to our second installment of Battles & Bridges. This week we are crossing the bridge to healthier self-worth. • BACKGROUND: About Self Worth • BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE: What Does The Bible Teach • BATTLE GROUND: What to Look Out For • BATTLE PLAN: Walking across the bride to healthier self-worth BACKGROUND There are several similar and overlapping terms in this area of self. Here are some working definitions for this Battle Plan: Self-esteem is your internal assessment of your qualities and attributes. Self-confidence is your portrayed belief in yourself and your abilities and is largely situational. Self-knowledge is how well you know your strengths and weaknesses, gifts and talents, preferences, emotions, and desires Self-worth is the measure, a core belief really, that you hold of your true value. As such, it has a profound impact on all aspects of your life. It is here that we will focus. Generally, you derive your sense of self-worth from Self-talk - the narrative in your head Experiences - those that happen to you, those that you choose, and those that happen around you Achievements (and more often, failures) Repeated messages that have been internalized and become your beliefs Childhood. Often, low self-worth is linked to Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN). By definition, CEN is a parent’s failure to meet their child’s emotional needs during the early years. It involves unresponsive, unavailable, and limited emotional interactions between that person and the child. It is critical to note that blaming parents is NOT a step over the bridge to healthy self-worth. Blaming perpetuates the battle. How others treat you (in thought, word, and action) Low self-worth can be crippling. It produces feelings of inferiority and worthlessness, leading to anxiety, fear depression, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. These are some low self-worth symptoms*: •Insecurity and painful feelings of inferiority •Intense self-criticism and negative self-talk •Social anxiety •Excessive worry about what others think •Fear of failure •Fear of risk and trying new things •Giving up easily •Social comparison •Acting inauthentically to impress others or avoid conflict •Compromising values to impress others or avoid conflict •Defensiveness and hyper-sensitivity •Chronic indecision, procrastination, and perfectionism •Toxic relationships •Poor communication skills •Lack of self-care After reading that list, would you agree it's time to work on your self-worth? BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT) Truth: True Self-worth Comes From God There are many passages in the Bible, like this one, that tell you about your worth to God. (e.g. Gen 1:26-27, Ps 139:13-16, Jn 3:16 Eph1:3,13-14) All these passages have a common thread: they are not things that you earned, mustered up, achieved, or deserved. They are all things given to you and done for you by God. They are all received, by grace through faith. According to the Bible, your sense of self-worth should not be dependent on or derived from the usual sources of self-talk, experiences, achievements (and failures), internalized messages, or even CEN or the opinions of others. It should come from one place - God. There's an incredibly freeing paradox here: your self-worth doesn’t come from yourself at all. If it comes from God, that means it's not determined by your successes and it means it's not determined by your failures! Your self-worth may too often be based on experiences, your childhood environment, and what other people tell you about yourself. You are valuable because God said so. The end. Truth: True Self-Worth Comes with a Purpose We talk a lot about how God created people on purpose, for a purpose. Eph 2:10 is famous and often paraphrased as 'you are God's masterpiece', and there is truth in that. However, it is not written to an individual. It says "we are God's masterpiece". Similarly, Jer 29:11 says "For I know the plans and purposes I have for you…" The 'you' is plural, not singular, as the message is for a group of people. We can easily overemphasize individuality, thanks to our westernized world system, and miss that God has ascribed worth and value to each person as part of a community with a purpose - His Church. That is his masterpiece! This is where the plans and purposes come together. Understanding that your self-worth is linked to your self-in-community is key. Self-worth is the belief that your life has meaning, value, and purpose. God has a plan and a purpose for you. He planned it all long ago. The place where that is discovered is in the collective of His people; you are one part of His body. Truth: True Self-Worth Comes at a Price There is not much worth in things that are dead, right? And that is what we were. (Eph 2:1). Yet, God loved us in spite of our unworthiness, and "made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God". There is a great exchange here. Our unworthiness for the infinite worth of Christ, through his death on the cross. You might spend a lot of time and energy trying to be a copy of someone else instead of the original you. Yet, Jesus has paid the ultimate price for you, to be you, as part of His plan, with His people. Back to top BATTLEGROUND: Ephesians 2:1-3 reminds us of the three things that are always opposed to the Kingdom of God and the will of God, the world system, the domain of darkness, and the fleshly nature. I. The WORLD SYSTEM The environment and culture we are in. It is the place of desensitization and relaxation (dropping your guard). you used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, Look out for: messages of if… then… E.G. if you are better, prettier, smarter… then you will be worthy. These all point to the wrong source of self-worth, and are founded upon a striving spirit. Counter a pervasive narrative with Truth: True Self-Worth Comes from God The true authority on your self-worth is God himself. What is the source of your self-worth? If it's not God, it's not going to be good. Part of the journey is to continuously find your self-worth in God and to start to live aligned with His truth. If your connection with God is sporadic your self-worth will stay low. Stay connected to the source of your self-worth by spending time with God. II. The DOMAIN OF DARKNESS The enemy works by deception (lies) and destruction (of your purpose) obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Look out for: lies about your worth and your purpose. Pointing you to faults and failures, sowing seeds of doubt about God's view and value of you. Reinforcing feelings of worthlessness and meaninglessness, and keeping you solely focused on yourself. Counter Deception with Truth: True Self-Worth Comes with a Purpose. As you start to understand more of your self-worth, purpose, and God's plan, can you see how the place to work that out is in community and not as an individual? Find your place, find your purpose! III. The FLESHLY NATURE This is where we battle temptation and rationalization All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. Look out for: cycles of negative self-talk, overinflated self-esteem (pridefulness, narcissism), Comparison, coveting, compromising on values for approval, living inauthentically, and trying to be something you are not (a copy instead of an original) because you don't realize the value that you have. Counter temptation with Truth: True Self-Worth Comes at a Price. God sent his own Son for you to give his life on the cross, paying the ultimate price. He did this, for you to be you because he values YOU. Stand upon that, and resist the temptation to try to be something you are not. Only an original has true value. Back to top BATTLEPLAN Crossing the bridge to healthy self-worth requires persistence and consistent hard work because the lies that have been internalized run deep. It often seems easier to stay in a cycle of denial, but it's so much better to take a step forward! Here are ten big thoughts as you put together your battle plan: Accept that You are worthy because God said so You have strengths and weaknesses You will make mistakes You won't be liked by everyone God has a plan and a purpose for you (us), and the place to start figuring that out is together in the community of a local church. Be willing to graciously accept the compliments and encouragements of others, else you are discounting their opinions and their desire to express gratitude to you. These positive words will reinforce your God-given self-worth. Counter negative self-talk and lies with Biblical truth. For example Instead of saying "I just can’t seem to do anything right.” rather declare that “God is able to make all grace abound to me, so that in all things at all times, having all that I need, I will abound in every good work” (2 Cor 9:8). Instead of saying “I can’t forgive myself.” rather declare that God says “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more” (Isa 43:25). Decide to take responsibility for your self-worth. That means you decide where it comes from, and inherently you will need to stop blaming others for your low-self worth. You may also need to determine which relationships are toxic and set boundaries in place. Every win is worth celebrating, no matter how small. Celebrating every step, every goal achieved and getting up after every failure reinforces your God-given self-worth. Friends. Talk to them about what is going on in your head, and what you believe about yourself. Secret things, including the negative thoughts you have about feeling unworthy, are strongholds. When you are vulnerable enough to share your struggle with someone, the strongholds start to lose power. Gratitude - Thank and acknowledge God for all that He has given to and done for you, even while you were dead in your sin. Thank Him for his forgiveness, mercy, and grace, and live in that. Have a picture of where are you going. Imagine what would it look like for you to live with healthy self-worth. Remember you are on a journey. It takes time, but you will get there. Keep this picture in front of mind. Invest time in learning about your strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. You can use a tool like Gallup Strengthfinders, and ask people close to you to share feedback on traits and characteristics that they appreciate. Journal - Start a prayer journal. The battle for self-worth is a spiritual battle, and prayer is a powerful weapon to take down strongholds. The Holy Spirit will reveal lies that you have believed if you ask Him to. Confess these lies, and begin to replace them with truth. Prayerfully recognize areas where you are elevating human comment above God's opinion of you, and ask God's forgiveness for that. Write down the truth of who God says you are. A journal is incredibly helpful because you can come back to it to remind yourself of lies that have been uncovered and broken, and truths that God has spoken. Scriptures to meditate on Psalm 139:15-16 Matthew 6:26 John 3:16 Romans 5:8 Romans 8:1 Jeremiah 31:3 2 Corinthians 3:5 2 Corinthians 10:12 Ephesians 2:10 1 John 1:9 1 John 3:1 Recommended Reading / Audiobook Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect (also available on Scribd) Closing thoughts You ARE worthy because God says so. This is a fact that is independent of your feelings. You CAN confront and kill negative thoughts. You ARE able to change. No matter was has gone before, remember that the past was then, and this is now. Learn from mistakes and failures, yours and others, and focus on the future as you walk across the bridge to healthier self-worth. Back to top * List sourced with thanks from Project Exodus Recovery material

Catch the full message on YouTube or listen to the podcast BEFORE YOU BEGIN... Welcome to Battle's & Bridges! In life, there are battles to fight, and bridges to walk across. We believe God wants you to live with freedom and purpose. We want to help you do just that by sharing thoughts and strategies to overcome life's challenges through the power of the Gospel. Each Battle Plan has five parts: BEFORE YOU BEGIN: This Section BACKGROUND: About Anxiety BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE: What Does Jesus Teach? BATTLE GROUND: What to Look Out For BATTLE PLAN: How to Fight to Overcome Anxiety We encourage you to read this slowly and keep coming back to it as many times as you need to. Feel free to share the post with others that may benefit from this. Feeling like it's only you? Take the poll to get started! BACKGROUND Anxiety, a derivative of the Latin word that means to choke, is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. It, like fear, is a natural emotion designed by God. However, living with constant anxiety or with a spirit of fear is not from God. More than half of us have way more anxiety than we want. That includes the quarter of us that have one of the seven anxiety disorders (GAD, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia, Specific Phobias, OCD, PSTD, and Panic Disorder). The stats have and continue to climb. Here is a short explainer video if you would like to learn a bit more. In some cases, a professional diagnosis may be required. In many scenarios, using a tool like the emotions wheel can help you identify and specifically name what you are feeling so that you can start to deal with it. By the way, “good” and “bad” are not valid emotional descriptions. We get anxious when our SIGNIFICANCE is threatened, our SECURITY is threatened, or when we are STRIVING to meet some standard. Not all worry is negative. Sometimes it prompts positive action. Rather, it is the prolonged, distracting, fretting, paralyzing type of worry that is unhelpful. Negative worry frets: I can’t stop worrying about my kids being bullied. Positive worry focuses: I’m concerned about bullying so I am taking steps to help them navigate this. Anxiety is not just unhelpful, it's harmful. It ambushes purpose, blocks creativity, distracts, and steals the joy out of life. Prolonged anxiety can lead to panic attacks (which typically occur when the body can no longer sustain the "fight or flight" mode). Experiencing the effects of anxiety on a frequent, chronic basis doesn’t do you any good. Here are some things that don't work in the long term: Fighting in your own strength (striving) Avoidance Internet quick fixes Looking for reassurance (it's OK, everyone has this struggle) Using substances like drugs/alcohol to feel better Relying on medication as a sole solution Exhaustive grumbling Saying "Calm down!" Back to Top BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE What does Jesus say about all of this? He says that there is a cure for anxiety that works! See Luke 12:22-32. Note 1: Jesus is talking to his disciples here. It is key to note that the first step in overcoming anxiety is to trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour, so that you may receive his mercy, forgiveness, righteousness, and new life, and thus fight this battle from his victory. The bridge of salvation is the first thing to walk across. Note 2: It is important to note that this teaching is bookended by verses about money and possessions - the root of much of our anxiety! This is way more than a Hakuna Matata passage! In short: worry and anxiety are essentially distrust of God. Worry is banished when God becomes the supreme focus of our lives. In this passage, Jesus addresses the things that make us anxious: SIGNIFICANCE. SECURITY. STRIVING. Truth: God sees you as significant. You are unconditionally loved. Application: Say - or declare - (to) yourself the way that God sees you. Truth: God invites you to stand upon His security. He gives life and provides all that you need to sustain that life. Also, he is already in the future that you are worried about. Application: Surrender your will & stand on his Word Truth: God delights to give you the Kingdom. No striving is needed. The Kingdom is less of a place and more of where God reigns. It is righteous, peace, and joy, and his reign (will) is good, pleasing, and perfect. Application: Seek his kingdom! To be in the Kingdom and do God's will are the same. Back to Top BATTLEGROUND From the Bible, we see that there are three things that are always opposed to the Kingdom of God and the will of God I. The FLESHLY NATURE (1 Peter 2:11) This is where we battle temptation and rationalization Look out for: desires to control every situation and unhealthy coping mechanisms like self-medicating with substances, food or escapism, like binge-watching TV to feel better. II. The DOMAIN OF DARKNESS (2 Corinthians 4:4) The enemy works by deception (lies) and destruction (of your purpose) Look out for: believing lies about who God really is, His promises to you, and thoughts that possessions, finances and status will bring fulfilment. III. The WORLD SYSTEM (James 4:4) The environment and culture we are in. It is the place of desensitization and relaxation (dropping your guard). Look out for: falling into the overwhelm of the always connected, always reachable, always busy, always rushing, always have to do more culture. High-stress environments and unhealthy coping mechanisms are good friends. Back to Top BATTLE PLAN Coming to faith in Jesus, trusting him, being willing to radically reorganise your life around him, constantly surrendering to his good, pleasing and perfect will and believing His Word (promises) is the foundation on which this stands. Assuming that you have found salvation in Jesus, and want to find greater freedom from anxiety, here are some thoughts to share and practical steps you can take as a starting point, and then specifically in emotional, mental, physical and spiritual areas. Start Here Admit that you are battling anxiety and that you have a desire to change Begin to believe the promises of God - You have the peace of God surrounding you and the God of peace within you (Phil 4:6-7) Commit to the process by involving someone you trust to encourage you and keep you accountable in this journey. Decide to focus/concentrate on the Kingdom of God. That means to concentrate on the doing of, and the acceptance of, God's will. This is the key way to defeat worry. Examine what it is, exactly, that is making you anxious. Is my anxiety tied to recent events or did it originate from some specific situation in the past? Is the object or occasion of my anxiety a true threat or just a perceived threat? Is my anxiety coming from certain places, people, or things that remind me of possible negative consequences? Is my present anxiety-based mentality persisting even though the relationship or lifestyle or occurrence in which it is rooted no longer exists? Is the worry/anxiety I am experiencing a result of faking it for so long as a means of manipulating people that it has now become real to me? Ask four or five "whys" to uncover the lie. Focus on the long game - one step at a time, one day at a time. Don't try to do everything at once! Emotional Plan Journal about your experiences/anxieties so that you can examine them and start to identify triggers to get to the root cause. Be quick to forgive (both toward yourself and others). Deepen your friendship with others, having someone close to you to that you can be vulnerable with is vital. Cultivate gratitude for what God has given you. Say (to) yourself how God sees you - research has shown that there is power in positive affirmation. There is even more power when you use the Word to affirm yourself. It may seem silly to tell yourself in the mirror that you are unconditionally loved by God, but over time, this will become a foundational truth for you! Physical Plan Exercise regularly. Eat well and pre-plan for healthy snacks - look out for those urges to feel better through food and substances. Get enough sleep - lack of sleep makes everything seem worse. Spend time outdoors regularly, doing something you enjoy. That could simply be going for a walk or sitting in the garden reading a book. Practise breathing exercises. Mental Plan Set clear goals, and tackle them one at a time. A coach or mentor can help keep you focused. Input goals may be wiser as they are less daunting. Output goals can lead to overwhelm. For example, an input goal is "I will read for 10mins a day". An output goal is"I will read 100 books this year". An input goal is “I will exercise three times a week. An output goal is I will lose 5kgs by December. Take a moment, daily, for reflection. Read books or commit to learning something new. Ruthlessly eliminate unnecessary stressors and demands from your life. These are the overwhelming standards, to-do lists and expectations we feel we have to strive to meet. Don’t believe that you are powerless to eliminate these! Another way to put this - set healthy boundaries. Volunteer to help or serve others - anxiety dissipates in the service of someone else. Focus on living in the present, not in the past or future. Spiritual Plan Recognize God’s presence in your life through daily reflection. Be expectant for God to change you as you yield to him (Phil 1:6). Cultivate contentment with prayer. “Lord, I want to ____, but if I don’t, I am willing to learn contentment. Practise surrender with prayer: "Lord, instead of becoming anxious about_____ I choose to trust You with my future.” Spend time in worship. If you need a playlist you can find one on our homepage. Embed the word of God in your heart, so that you can stand securly on His word. Read the Bible slowly, and out loud! Scriptures to Meditate On Philippians 4:6-7 Matthew 13:22 Luke 12:22-24 1 Peter 5:7 Psalm 139:23 Jeremiah 17:7-8 Matthew 7:9-11 Matthew 6:34 Philippians 4:11-12 Psalm 37:7-8 Recommended Reading 100 Days to Freedom from Fear and Anxiety: Daily Devotional (also available on Scribd) Closing Thoughts Persistent worry and anxiety keep you stuck in: The disbelief that God will provide all that is needed. Disobedience to God - when trying to do what God already promised He would do. The destruction of God's temple: prolonged anxiety is harmful to the temple of the Holy Spirit - your body. Dishonour of God - anxiety focuses on human insufficiency and insecurity and presents God as impotent, unworthy and untrustworthy. Wrong Belief: “I have no control over my anxiety.” Right Belief: “As I face my anxiety in His strength, anxiety will not control me. Christ lives in me, and as I focus on His perfect love, I will feel His perfect peace in the midst of anxiety trigger” Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all under- standing, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Realize that the present is all that you have. You can ruminate so much on the past that it paralyzes you. Remember that was then, and this is now. You can be so anxious about so many things that never actually happen. Remember that worries and anxieties die as the future becomes the present, so kill them now and make them a thing of the past! If you are needing a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist or support group, or if you just need someone to talk to about this battle, please reach out to us, and we can connect you to some who can assist you further! In mental health, one of the more common comorbidities is depression and anxiety. Some estimates show that 60% of those with anxiety will also have symptoms of depression, and the numbers are similar for those with depression also experiencing anxiety. When anxiety and depression present together, these illnesses can often be harder to treat. This is because both the anxiety and depression symptoms tend to be more persistent and intense when “working” together. Back to Top