May
18
2010
Last week our church began a 7-part series titled “Be Our Biggest Loser“. The series is about the things we want to lose in our lives – not just extra weight. A few of the topics we will address will be low self esteem, helplessness, anxiety, addictions and bitterness. I had the privilege of presenting the first teaching on “False Beliefs and Destructive Thinking.”
One of the key verses I based the teaching on is
“For as a man thinks within himself, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7
In the teaching I briefly covered the following topics:
- Satan is the deceiver
- Our defense- the Word of God
- Our identity
- We are all children of God
- The value of meditation and affirmations
- It’s all about the heart
One of the main points I made was the importance of renewing one’s mind according to Romans 12:2. My appreciation for this scripture is that Paul was not just referring to the process of thinking positive, heavenly thoughts. He was also encouraging the Romans to embrace the entire gospel. He was urging them to consider what Christ did for them on the cross and for them to live out the new life that they were given to them by Christ.
Based upon the feedback I received afterward, I thought I’d make my five pages of notes I referred to available here as a resource. Included in the notes are 20 relevant scriptures. To read and/or download a copy of the notes, visit the link below.
False Beliefs & Destructive Thinking
Hope that you have an awesome day!
Nov
06
2009
Last week I made a blog entry on Beliefs About God. During my personal quiet time today I read Charles Stanley’s In Touch Magazine devotional titled Know What You Believe, based on 2 Timothy 1:12-14. Because this devotional speaks directly to what I wrote about on the 31st, I thought it would be helpful to include it here for your reading in it’s entirety:
All people have a belief system, whether they realize it or not. Even those who claim there is no God have faith that He does not exist. What we believe affects every area of our lives and shapes every decision we make, yet few of us take the time to really think about what we accept as true.
All belief systems have a foundation. Some people base their convictions on what fits their lifestyle, reasoning, and desires. However, Jesus calls His followers to adapt life to their faith in Him and the authority of His Word.
Anytime we add other philosophies or ideas to Scripture or pick and choose which parts of the Bible to believe, we create our own version of faith based on personal reasoning. God’s Word is the only true and reliable foundation for belief, because it contains the recorded thoughts of an eternal, all-knowing God. All other concepts must be measured against it to determine their validity.
Knowing what the Bible says is essential for developing a sound system of beliefs founded on the truth and wisdom of God. This world will offer you a variety of philosophies which sound good but are laced with lies. A faith anchored in the Scriptures is your protection against deception.
Each time you face a problem or decision, search for the answer in Scripture. Begin your day by reading the Word and asking God to help you understand what He is saying. He loves communicating with you, and as you spend time with Him, He’ll open your mind to know His thoughts.
I also read a short piece by Oswald Chambers in His Utmost for His Highest devotional that was titled Intimate Theology based on John 11:26. He wrote about the importance of our most intimate personal beliefs.
Because our beliefs serve as the basis for our behavior, and our behaviors largely determine our health and well-being it’s critical that we know what we believe and why we have those respective beliefs.
Thinking about this topic caused me to consider the following question I will challenge you to reflect on.
Questions to Reflect On:
What is your single most important personal belief that has the most significant impact on how you live your life and effects your health? Is there a supporting scripture that this belief is based on?
Additional Resources:
Wellness Devotional – Beliefs About God
Wellness Coaching to Help Change Unhealthy Behavior
My Beliefs and the Basis for The Faith and Health Connection Ministry
Oct
31
2009
Our beliefs about God and spiritual things are the most important beliefs we have because they can have the most impact on our lives – as we live day to day and for all eternity.
What we believe determines how we behave to a very large degree. When our lifestyle choices are guided by our deep spiritual beliefs, our health can be positively impacted.
On one occasion, Jesus said in a loud voice, ” “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scriptures has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit (of God), whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” John 7:37-38
If we believe in Jesus and have accepted him into our heart, we are promised that God’s Holy Spirit is in us. The Spirit’s power enables us to live in a way that we could not otherwise live.
This is why I have identified the following Christian principles, among 38 others, to be health-promoting:
- Believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit
- Accept Jesus as Savior
- Believe the Holy Spirit Lives in You
The “streams of living water” that flow from within you, resulting from the above principles, will help you experience a healthier life than if your beliefs were otherwise. This “stream of water” is God’s Spirit and his associated power for living.
When I want to make a point about something… when I want to emphasize something.. I often raise my voice and talk louder than I usually talk. Did you notice in the scripture above that Jesus spoke in a loud voice? I suspect he was emphasizing this to those he was talking to. I hope you’ll agree with me that this is a very important spiritual truth that we should embrace and apply!
Questions to Reflect on:
Do you have a desire or a “thirst” to make a behavior change in your life?
Are you burdened by stressors in your life?
Jesus invites you to “drink” from his well and to go to him if you are weary and burdened by life circumstances. (Matthew 11:28) He promises that the Spirit of God will empower you to make desired lifestyle changes and meet your deep needs when circumstances in life are burdensome.
Related Resources:
An Invitation to Join God’s Family
A More Complete Biblical Basis for The Faith and Health Connection Ministry
Changing Behavior and God’s Holy Spirit – a Blog Post
Other Blog Posts on the Holy Spirit and Health
Mar
07
2008
The real power in one’s faith rests upon their beliefs. God designed us to believe in Him, the one true God, and in His son Jesus as our Savior. 
Our body, soul and spirit can only work together seamlessly when we believe this to be true in the core of our being. If we have any unbelief in this truth, then we are susceptible to emotions that will contribute to diseases in the long haul. Unbelief will open the door to doubt and anxiety. This is a form of fear… and fear is not of God. Fear is the opposite of peace. God wants us to experience peace and we can have this deep, genuine peace when we believe the truths of the Bible and when our behaviors are in alignment to the principles found there.
In this week’s verse, Paul instructs us “there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” This is at the core of the Christian faith. If we doubt this at all, we cannot enjoy the freedom that God wants for us to have… the type of freedom, and associated inner peace, that Jesus tells us about when He says in John 8:32, “the truth will set you free.”
If you have any doubt that Jesus died for your sins and that belief in Him is the only way to enter God’s kingdom eternally, then you will not experience the deep peace that He wants you to have. Your mind will entertain thoughts that are contrary to God’s Word. The anxiety that you experience will release unhealthy chemicals into your body. Over the long term, your emotional and physical health will likely be affected.
If you have any doubt about Jesus being the only way to the one God I urge you to seek the help of a pastor or to turn to God’s Word and to meditate on what you read. As deeply and humbly as possible, cry out to God to help you come to absolute belief in the fact that He alone sent His son Jesus to die for you. He does love you so much that He wants you to enjoy eternal life with Him and a full and healthy life while you are on this earth.
Last week our church began a 7-part series titled “Be Our Biggest Loser“. The series is about the things we want to lose in our lives – not just extra weight. A few of the topics we will address will be low self esteem, helplessness, anxiety, addictions and bitterness. I had the privilege of presenting the first teaching on “False Beliefs and Destructive Thinking.”
