Resonate Community Church

The second subject we're commanded to think about in Philippians 4:8 is that of what is Honorable. Thinking on what is honorable, is thinking that chooses to 'Raise the Bar' as a Jesus Follower, refusing to live an average, mediocre life. The Spirit of God can then use this to create people who are worthy of respect. Think about it!!

As we being to focus on Philippians 4:8, the first thing that Paul challenges us to be thinking about is truth. Thanking on what is true is thinking that is consistent with what is Right, Real and Revealed.

The word Lord shows up over 6000 times in the English Standard Bible, it's probably a good thing for us to study what this name Lord means. When we get down to the basics, Adonai is a declaration of God as the Supreme Master and Owner of all.

The remedy for handicapped thinking begins with the Word of God but it doesn't stop there. We need to make sure we're drawing near to God and putting forth the effort to pursue a life of right thinking. We can't do it alone, of course, but we must put forth the effort required to practice changing our thinking.

The remedy for handicapped thinking is found in God’s Word…more specifically…being grounded in, surrounded by and filled with God’s Word to us. As we grow in our knowledge of God; His character, perspectives, instructions and desires...we are changed in the way we think about ourselves, our lives and our meaning, our purposes and our experiences. And as a result, we are changed in our words and actions.

When our thinking is not grounded in clear, consistent reasoning based on the Truth of God, we're cognitively and spiritually handicapped and we will end up with a fickle heart and a polluted spring of life.

Yahweh Shalom is the presence of God that can bring us fulfillment, satisfaction, completeness, wholeness, serenity, unity and harmony in life and relationships.

In Ephesians 4:17-24 Paul turns the direction of his teaching to applying the truths of Jesus to everyday life. Right at the outset Paul makes it clear that the great divide is not what how we look, speak, act or feel but how we think.

Having made a case for the principle that our thinking is important to God, Abraham provides for us both a bad and a good example of how thinking directly affects our thinking.

You are what you Eat. Most people agree with that statement, in this series we will learn that scripture teaches us that we are what we think. We're called to follow Jesus Head first.

Maybe not a favorite name of God, Yahweh Makkeh is one of our God's names. Why would He want to be known as a God who Strikes? There are several reasons, all of which should bring us great motivation to live in a way that makes much of Him.

While Ethan Hunt of Mission Impossible might face what seem to be impossible odds, Jesus has commissioned each of us as His followers with a 'Mission Possible'. We are all called to "make disciples' and we've been given the power and His presence to accomplish the challenge.

If there's one message that comes through loud and clear from this small letter of Philemon, it's this, God can mend any broken relationship when Jesus has first mended the broken relationship we have with God.

There are several lessons to learn from reading Paul's note to Philemon, but today we will focus on the fact that revolutionary change is possible in us, in our homes, our cities and our country only as each of us is transformed through Jesus.

In studying this short note that Paul penned to Philemon we find some amazing truths, the first is the great reflection of the Hand of our Sovereign God in the lives of Paul, Philemon and Onesimus. Our lives should be changed as we meditate on a God who is Sovereign.

As Ezekiel ends his book, it's fascinating to note that the very last words of his book are Yahweh Shammah, the Lord is there. What wonder to know that no matter where we are, the Lord is there.

As Paul concludes his short letter to the church at Colossae, he sends greetings from those with him and in doing so, we can learn a lot about the people who surrounded Paul. In the end, we can see that Paul's ministry was all about God, God's reputation and other people.

As Paul draws this letter to a close he shares two prayer requests with his readers; one, that he would have more opportunities to speak the mystery of Christ and two, that he would speak this mystery with clarity. The focus of Paul's attention was no on his condition, under house arrest awaiting trial, but reaching more people with the good news of Jesus.

In one short verse Paul challenges us as True Jesus Followers to be people who pray. Our prayers are not to be casual and occasional but consistent, devoted and vigilant. Prayer is an imperative necessity for all who call themselves followers of Jesus.

To call God our Abba Father is to recognize both the position and privilege we have as His children; something He alone made possible and we should find great delight in living up to.