The following is taken from our “Choosing Jesus Every Day” site. Ann and I have found the three keys to be imperative in our walk with the Lord.
Three Keys To The Kingdom
Renewing our minds:
Years ago, the Lord impressed upon my (Mark) heart three important elements we needed to pay particular attention to. God stressed the fact that we couldn’t be nonchalant about our Christianity in order to follow His leading in our lives.
The devil will do everything he can to discourage you from truly believing and acting upon these three keys. But, if you persist and renew your mind to these three scripture truths, you’ll be well on your way to discovering an abiding peace and true liberty in Christ.
Often we combine all three, but there are also times when one or two of them come to mind just when we need them.
The first key was to learn to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
I was having so many defeating thoughts and didn’t feel like I could overcome them. Jesus taught me to “change the channel” (take thoughts captive) whenever harmful thoughts came to mind. For instance, when we were on food stamps and welfare, I felt so ashamed, embarrassed and worthless. Jesus told me that when those negative thoughts attacked me that I was to say or think Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Doing so would take my mind off the attacking, lacking thought and remind me that God would provide for us. This verse gave me a way of extinguishing the enemy’s fiery darts. If the fiery dart was regarding my past or hope for my future, I was to remember Romans 8:28 and the fact that God would and could use anything for my good.
By showing me this second Kingdom key, God was going to add more liberty to my thought life by helping me to always remember that He’s working all things (like welfare, ill health, or a questionable future) for my good even though I could not understand how He was going to do it at the time. I believe that when a Christian has this rich truth developed in their heart, that it produces a liberty and peace of mind beyond words. The protection that the power behind this verse contains is so supernatural and freeing.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Romans 8:28 can bring great deliverance to a person who’s dealing with panic disorder and anxiety disease. It has the power to disarm fear and change anyone’s outlook by turning any situation into an opportunity to cast care on Jesus. I really believe this verse leads to perfect love casting out fear (1 John 4:18). Just writing this puts a Holy Spirit smile on my face.
The third key is praising God in all things. Praising God no matter the circumstance can bring His Presence on the scene and intercept enemy attacks of hopelessness and despair. At times, when I have trouble sleeping, I begin praising God and the next thing I know, I’m waking up after having fallen asleep. I also use praise to intercept satanic lies. Praising puts me in a God frame of mind. Never forget, satan wants our attention and tries to grab it with his fiery darts. Praising God can instantly place our attention back onto God and His faithfulness.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2 Thessalonians 5:18
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1
1. Take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ
2. Remember that God Almighty is working all things for your good
3. Praise God in all things
Happy Monday!
God bless,
Mark