20/08/2006 : The Power of the Mind

-A.R. Bernard

The Power of the Mind

Mid-life crisis = common to everyone; a period of emotional turmoil in middle age characterize by a strong desire for change
God do everything based on a pattern or a system, broad principals
We could work with it or ignore it
Relationship is the network for life
Resources is the other gift for life
Advancement in life is usually build on relationships
The quality & not quantity of these relationships determined our advancement
We are effective by the company we keep
Your friends' intimacy with you has to change as we move on in life if your friends are not willing to move on
All relationships begin with an introduction, then acquaintance, then friendship (sharing more intimate details of our life) & intimacy.
Not all relationships go thru the entire process
Few relationships moves into the stage of intimacy (a state of openness & vulnerability to another person)
Any disrupt in the process will mean that you have to suffer the consequences of the disruption: Death
Death begins with Dis-ease
Should we value a relationship but sins against it, do not wait to repent & ask for forgiveness:
Delay increases distance
The longer we wait, the further it will be between you & that person.
Distance is not measured in miles but in the amount of affection found in the relationship
Adam was created to be in an intimate relationship with God but when he sins against the relationship, death steps in!
Many efforts are needed to be put in, in order to restore the relationship
Abraham moved from introduction to acquaintance to friendship with God (he's called God's friend) but never moved into intimacy.
General revelation: based on His creations
Specific revelation: when God come down as a human: Jesus
Pattern is created to bless us not cursed us
Jn 1:
Knowledge is power
Knowledge of truth is even more power
Knowledge translates into authority
Lk 11:52
Counseling is meant for people who has problem implementing their training
Most people require training not counseling.
Many times we steps into things without information about it. (Often people rush into marriage without knowing what covenant it holds nor going through the 4 stages of a relationship)
How to train our mind?
Note: Our Mind = most powerful computer in the world
It can turn information into beliefs that will impacts our self-esteem, of which we will start to act it out (actions/behavior), which will produces resets which turns into habits which determined our success or failures
But to change the end, we need to start from the top. I.E. - renew the way our mind takes in information
Rom 12:2
Moreover we also need new information to renew our minds
Every decision is based on the information we have at that time & the way we think
But good information can be stop by bad minds
How does God reacts when Adam 1st sin?
He hits on information immediately! He asked,” who told you that…"
(note: whenever we ask a questions, it either to obtain information or to stimulate a thought; God never asks for information)
Jn 1:1-5
Thus when God wants to redeem us, He sent His word, Jesus which is God’s word! A new information!
But look at the parable of the wheat & the tares
God’s word is sow in people (the wheat) – Jesus step into our world
The world also contains Satan’s words in people (the tares)…they both co-exist. But does God removes the tares? No, because God is confident of the Word He has placed in us. Thus He is not afraid of co-existing with the wheat (His believers) co-existing with the tares (Satan’s lies) even when the tares’ roots are wrapped around the wheat’s root. Thus although we are immersed in the world, but we do not have to fear not worry as we’ve God’s word in us & we can be confident that the word can stand up against Satan’s lies.

- CHC @ Expo Hall 8; Sun Service @ 10am