1 Peter 1:13 – Take Action

*The church at this time was suffering great trials, but Peter encourages them to move forward and take action.

                                  3 WAYS TO TAKE ACTION TO CONTINUE

                                            TO MOVE FORWARD IN YOUR

                                                          CHRISTIANITY

(1.) WE MUST ALWAYS THINK CLEARLY – v13

-we all think 50,000-60,000 thoughts every day

               a. there are thoughts from the Lord – they go along with the Bible

               b. there are thoughts from the enemy and flesh

Remember Several Things:

(1) GOD THOUGHTS ARE THE ONLY THOUGHTS THAT WILL REMAIN WITH YOU, GROW AND BECOME STRONGER

-enemy and flesh thoughts vanish…God thoughts stay with us…

(2) WE CANNOT STOP ANY THOUGHTS FROM ENTERING OUR MINDS, BUT YOU CAN STOP THEM FROM ENTERING INTO YOUR HEART AND BELIEVING THEM

-Ephesian 6:16…John 13:2 – fiery darts of the enemy

(3) WRONG THOUGHTS DO NOT HAVE TO BECOME SINFUL ACTIONS

-every believer receives sinful thoughts

-nothing is wrong with the believer who thinks wrong thoughts

-do not sin

(4) RESIST, REPLACE AND REVEAL = VICTORY

-follow God thoughts

-Resist, replace and reveal flesh and demonic thoughts

-take authority over enemy thoughts/use an act of your will for flesh thoughts

-replace all wrong thoughts with praise and the Word of God

-reveal and declare the Word of God outloud…

(2) EXERCISE SELF CONTROL – v13

-keep your cool/settle down/get your emotions in check

-emotions are a part of life…they will not go away…we must manage them

2 Points

1. The word Emotion means to move away from

-good and bad emotions can take us away from the Lord

2. We are not emotional people

-believers are spirit people in a body with emotions – not emotional people

          a. talk to yourself – to calm yourself down

          b. rally others to your side

get some wisdom from people to get your emotions aligned with the Bible

          c. Rely on Principles

-stand on the Word during times of great emotion and at all times

(3) LOOK FORWARD TO THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST – v13

fix your hope completely  – it speaks of knowing/being totally sure/your mind cannot be changed

*The Lord is coming back…My trials will end…..We will be with Jesus…