Shule ya Huduma Kujifunza Mtandaoni

Context

Philippians vs Jeremiah & Lamentations: Walking and standing securely in your salvation in spite of your circumstances is the pattern that those of great faith demonstrate.

Jeremiah was faithfully waiting for salvation in the ruins of Judah – Paul is standing on His salvation in prison.

• Both were focused on salvation

• Neither are ignoring the reality of their circumstances

• Their circumstances are not getting in the way of their focus on salvation

• Their futures are secure in Christ

Hope in Desolation

And I said, “My strength and my hope Have perished from the Lord.”

Remember my affliction and roaming, The wormwood and the gall.

My soul still remembers And sinks within me.

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:18–26 (NKJV)

• Mercy = not getting what you deserved

• Depression = remaining focused on what you deserved (guilt or entitlement)

Grace in Honest Conversation

Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;

For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.

I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, Nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand,

For You have filled me with indignation.

Why is my pain perpetual And my wound incurable, Which refuses to be healed?

Will You surely be to me like an unreliable stream, As waters that fail?

Therefore thus says the Lord:

“If you return, Then I will bring you back; You shall stand before Me; If you take out the precious from the vile,

You shall be as My mouth.

Let them return to you, But you must not return to them.

And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; And they will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you;

For I am with you to save you And deliver you,” says the Lord.

“I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible.”

Jeremiah 15:16–21 (NKJV)

• Grace = getting what you do not deserve

• Prayer = honest and truthful conversation with God, seeking grace, wisdom, fruit of the Spirit.

Jeremiah is heartbroken in his suffering. The destruction and exile of Judah could have been avoided if the people heeded the warnings that God gave them – instead they were focused on power and control. The people were anxious about their needs, and focused on their problems instead of the solutions God offered.

Choose Your Focused Future

Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,’ says the Lord, ‘for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand. And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land.’

“But if you say, ‘We will not dwell in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the Lord your God, saying, ‘No, but we will go to the land of Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread, and there we will dwell’ — Then hear now the word of the Lord, O remnant of Judah! Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘If you wholly set your faces to enter Egypt, and go to dwell there, then it shall be that the sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt; the famine of which you were afraid shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there you shall die.’”

Jeremiah 42:11–16 (NKJV)

What you focus on becomes your future

Direction follows attention. Fix your gaze on salvation.

What you feed grows

Nurture the patterns God plants; starve the patterns that oppose Him.

When the Mind Divides

Anxiety is focusing on the future things that you do not want to happen.

Depression is focusing on things that became your present and you did not want to happen.

We strive to access power and authority in life – and in our own strength we will always feel weak and out of control. Anxiety focuses on your conclusion that you will not have the power needed to do what you are focusing on. Anxiety is focusing on your lack of control over yourself and your circumstances.

When we look at science, we might reduce our mind to our brain, and say that our mind is like a computer that handles thoughts. But in the age of AI, it has become more clear that our mind is a network of ideas – This network of ideas is like a pathway – and the more heavily a pathway is used; more ‘meaning’ is given to this pathway… that pathway literally grows in size and number of nodes (ideas), which is to say that what we focus on changes the structure of our brain. Neuroplasticity is the ability to create new pathways, so that new thoughts can exist.

Patterns of the Mind of Christ

Our mind is not our thoughts …

Our mind is a pattern of ideas, filters, and conclusions

When we are saved, we are not given new thoughts, we are given the mind of Christ:

We are given new patterns of ideas, filters (discernment), and conclusions

If we keep focusing on old ideas, filters, and conclusions – those old things will continue to grow, and eventually become our future. But if we focus on the things of God, then those new patterns will develop, and the things of God will become our future.

When we renew our mind (new focused pattern of ideas) – we are requesting that God shows us His pattern of ideas, discernment, and conclusions.

When we put on our Helmet of Salvation, we are given access to the source of all power and authority: Christ in us, the indwelling Holy Spirit.

So What Do We Do?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about {deeply set your focus on} such things.

Philippians 4:4–8 (NIV)

Differentiate Anxiety from Requests

Anxiety is the perpetuated feeling of a natural process (your amygdala responding to a real threat).

1. Flight

2. Fight

3. Fright

Anxiety means “divided mind”. Part of what makes anxiety such a visceral feeling is the increased cortisol level and reduced dopamine, but the perpetuated feeling is not the same thing as the actual threat. When a threat or a task is presented to the mind and there is not a pattern of ideas (a mindset) for success – the body prepares for harm instead of reward. The divided mind exists because the circumstance no longer confirms the threat as real – only the stress of the circumstance is real.

Requests are the acts of faith in a supernatural process (your spirit responding to circumstances).

1. Surrender

2. Strategy

3. Steadfast

4. Success

A request is a way to shift your focus from the circumstance, towards the desired outcome – categorizing a threat now as a task. This is how the adrenaline can be consumed, and a pathway for dopamine is released each time the task (no longer a threat) has actions applied towards the success of the goal. Requests are acts of war – It is like David preparing to defeat Goliath.

Differentiate Worry from Motivation

From the perspective of neuroscience – worry and motivation are very similar in the process of stimulus and output of neurotransmitters. Unlike anxiety – worry is a real threat that remains and cannot be recategorized. But worry remains focused on the problem instead of the solution. Worry that remains in the mind is a closed-loop pattern of ideas – always circling back to the real threat and is parallel to anxiety in that the body prepares for harm instead of reward.

Worry is focusing on the INABILITY to overcome a circumstance (your conclusion to the circumstance).

1. Fearful

2. Stressful

3. Restless

4. Powerless

5. Sadness

So don’t worry, because I am with you.

Don’t be afraid, because I am your God.

I will make you strong and will help you;

I will support you with my right hand that saves you.

Isaiah 41:10 (NCV)

Motivation is focusing on the ABILITY to overcome a circumstance (a supernatural conclusion).

1. Faithful

2. Successful

3. Relentless

4. Powerful

5. Joyful

Motivation is the same feeling (internalized sense in the body), but the opposite emotion. Motivation is the infinite open loop pathway that leads towards success. Motivation is something that is stewarded – it has to be maintained, otherwise the mind will close the loop, and begin to worry. Motivation comes from the pattern of requests and is maintained by your willpower. This is why some people might appear “highly motivated” while others can calm anxiety, get started, but then lose motivation.

The Holy Spirit Moves Us

The Holy Spirit also motivates us!

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I (Jesus) go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;

John 16:7–10

When we receive the Holy Spirit, He convicts us of our right standing with God (because Jesus ascended to heaven), and then the Holy Spirit helps us and advocates for us in every situation. Which means that we do not rest on our willpower – we have the complete power and authority of Christ in every situation. Therefore we have infinite willpower and motivation to bring about success to every circumstance. The Holy Spirit changes us from fearful to faithful – allowing us to win every battle because He made a path for us.

We do live in the world, but we do not fight in the same way the world fights.

We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses.

Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places.

We destroy people’s arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God.

We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:3–5

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:12

We are not worriers, WE ARE WARRIORS

It is from the ongoing participation in the mind of Christ that we begin to more consistently have the thoughts of God and better understand His will.

The Helmet of Salvation

It starts with the Helmet of Salvation.

You would never walk into a warzone without your helmet. Regardless of how fast, strong, or intelligent you are – a helmet is required when bullets are flying – it is what protects your mind from needing to be saved from an unexpected circumstance.

Jeremiah lived before the cross – he was always focused for his salvation. Paul lived after the cross – he was focused from his salvation.

When Paul instructs us to think about such things, or to rejoice through the suffering – it is easy to ‘take joy’ because we are already aware of our salvation – what He did on the cross is and will always be enough – and now we draw near to God in all situations.

The 4 requests:

Surrender

Let go of the things that do not require your current attention and affection. Take a step of faith to submit to what the Holy Spirit says and begin to focus on HIS ‘ideas, discernment, conclusions’. Trust that God is good, and has good things for you, and that He knows better than you.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5–8

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 3:6–7

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8–9

Strategy

Receive the patterns / mind of Christ: ideas, discernment, and conclusions that He speaks over a situation by drawing near to God. Continue to focus on the character, nature, and wisdom of God as He reveals the prophetic vision to you as you sit in His presence. Focus on the vision until your heart longs for the idea to be made reality. Take inventory, count the costs, consider the steps, see what is needed. The strategy is the pathway from where you are to where He shows you – once you have the route established, God will tell you when to move – just remain focused on the areas that you need to step into obedience.

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

Proverbs 29:18

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved —

and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4–7

Steadfast

Blessing, grace, favor, and goodness does not imply comfort, ease, or fun. This is where the Helmet of Salvation is needed. When trials come – not if, but when – this tests how surrendered you are and how deep did the strategy sink into your heart. These are the moments where your supernatural response to a circumstance becomes a stronger pathway above your natural response to fight, flight, or fright. It is in this process that your awareness of your weakness and lack of control is highlighted. This is where the people of Judah turned away from God and placed their focus back onto their circumstance. Walking the path that Lord directs you on is the only way to victory. Keep your eyes on the prize as you walk out what God has put in you. It is here in your walk with Christ that you rejoice – that you reach for joy and take it as a possession of your mind.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:2–8

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Success

Stand with the full armor of God. Remain steadfast, but keep the conclusion of your heart on the victory of the cross. Tetelisti! Success, victory, triumph: this is the tool that the enemy does not have – and every pattern of God leads to success. Surrender leads to success. Strategy leads to success. Steadfastness leads to success. Success then creates patterns for more success. But what is the prerequisite to success?

• Obedience is your success.

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.

For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.

I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.

I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar,

O Lord, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.

Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.

But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.

My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.

Psalm 26:1–12

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Ephesians 6:10–17

Live the Mind of Christ

The first step towards the mind of Christ is exactly the same as the first step you made in your salvation: you believed in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, was buried in your place, rose from the grave and ascended to heaven so that you could receive the Holy Spirit; washing away the old sin nature, and making you a new creation:

• Spirit united with the Holy Spirit.

• Made the Righteousness of God in Christ.

• Healed of mental, physical, and spiritual disease.

• Redeemed as a bearer of the fruit of the Spirit.

• Empowered as an Ambassador for Christ – given the ministry of Reconciliation.

• Sanctified – set apart from the patterns of the world.

• Indestructible – no weapon formed against you could prosper.

• More than conquerors – even death cannot separate you from Christ.

Reflection prompts:

• What worldly patterns do you need to surrender?

• What is a circumstance that you are worried about, that the Holy Spirit wants to give you His strategy?

• What is an area where you feel like you are lacking motivation and losing willpower?

• Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of godly character in an area, but you have denied that identity?

• Are you currently doubting that something will succeed – fearing that it will fail?

• Have you acted like something does not bother you, but you know you need to take action?

• What is the prophetic vision that the Lord is currently showing you, and you are putting on restraint / discipline in order to achieve that vision?