It all starts in the mind. Since we are in our 6th week of social isolation with the children’s school moved to a 100% online format, we have seen LOTS of movies. The latest ones were “Batman 3,” “The Great Debaters” (based on a true story), and “Queen of Katwe” (also based on a true story). All of these movies had points where each person were faced with decisions in how to move forward when faced with great adversity or evil. They battled even their own mind as they wrestled with what to do next. Do they self-destruct? Do they give up? Having the right mindset and posture causes them to beat the odds, persevere and achieve great things. Even in sports, we know the mindset of the athlete when they are in the game is critical to their success. It starts in the mind. What are we thinking about and focused on during this unprecedented time that we are in? In Acts 16, Paul and Silas’s attitude did not change because their circumstances found them in a place they shouldn’t have been. They were still singing songs and praying to God – out loud – while in jail. Together, they encouraged one another and I pray WE would do that as well (as in Hebrews 10:23-25). Their resolve to focus on God and trust in the Lord caused them to minister through their actions to the jailer and then to his whole household to which they all decided to also trust in the Lord. Your actions matter greatly and it all starts off with our thinking.
SONGS:
You Are God Alone (Not A God) – Billy & Cindy Foote
This Is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham
Bible Verses:
Hebrews 10:23-25. As ‘iron sharpens iron’ let us hold fast to the Lord.
‘Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ‘ Hebrews 10:23-25 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/HEB.10.23-25
Philippians 4:11-13 Paul learned how to be content in any situation.
‘Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ‘ Philippians 4:11-13 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/PHP.4.11-13
Acts 16:25-40 What you do matters. Even though Paul was in a situation that wasn’t just, he chose to focus on the Lord. He sang PRAISES to the LORD EVEN while in JAIL! God used that experience to show His glory, get the attention of the jailer, and then draw him – AND his household – to Himself. The Lord can use and work though any situation. He uses all things to shape us AND to show others just who He is.
‘About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. ‘ Acts 16:25-40 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ACT.16.25-40
Romans 12:2 Be transformed. My son mentioned that we can renew our mind through repentance. Yes, acknowledging and choosing to turn away from anything that is not pleasing to God matters. If we want to renew our minds we need to go to the Lord. We allow the Holy Spirit to work within us and shape us as we read and submit to His Word in our lives, starting with our mind. We choose to go to God to be transformed instead of to our own selves or our own ways.
‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ‘ Romans 12:2 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.12.2
2 Corinthians 10:5 “Your thoughts must bow to God’s word. ..we are in a war- a Good Fight – we need to capture our thoughts and cause them to yield to Jesus.” (This is a short quote from Day 4/10 of “The Good Fight” devotional on YouVersion.)
‘For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ‘ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/2CO.10.3-5
2 Timothy 1:7 God empowers us with tools to do what He has called us to do.
‘for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. ‘ 2 Timothy 1:7 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/2TI.1.7
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 this was the passage I was trying to remember in the video. We need one another!
‘Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. ‘ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ECC.4.9-12
Thank you again for joining in and praying for us #togetherathome and others around the world. I pray this time encourages you to dig into your Bibles and to seek #truth and the understanding that comes from the Lord. Today starts our 6th week of “no school at school” as everyone here continues to go to school online to minimize group gatherings and help prevent the spread of the #coronavirus in #Daegu, South Korea. I am thankful for our local leadership’s efforts. I am in prayer as I see the news of the spread of this virus and many deaths around the world. I will continue this “Bible Time & Worship” online ministry as long as God gives me the ‘go’ to be used in this way. If so, I plan to be on at noon (Daegu time) via FB every Monday – Friday. Remember, God is able and #Godisbiggerthanxyz (any situation we may be facing). It is in Jesus that I continue to place my hope and trust. I pray you do are doing that too. Sincerely, Sejana
#homeworship #thankful #familyBiblestudy #Killthevirus #Godisbiggerthanxyz #onlineministry #discipleship #faithoverfear #bestrongdaegu #parenting #togetherathome #prayer #inthemind
Looking for a Bible Study to watch and reflect on during this time? Try these: https://sejanashines.com/2020/03/07/bible-time-worship-every-episode-summary/
Sejana Shines 