Read the transcript of 2 tips to get rid of self-condemnation
But you and I were created to walk with God in the garden of the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and took your place, reversed the curse, and offered you his yoke that is easy and his burden that is light.
You're a child of God that nature longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don't conform, but be transformed so you can have peace, joy, and hope at all times and in every situation.
Ephesians 4:17.
I'm going through the fourth chapter of Ephesians to jump off on some of these points from Ephesians 4:17. It says,
"With the Lord's authority, I say this, no longer live as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused."
Now, you are created to walk with God in the garden of the cool of the day. But what if you keep hearing condemning voices in your head? Sometimes it's voices from our past. It can be parents, it can be teachers, it can be coaches, it can be people who have put us down on purpose and have meant to hurt us, or people with no intention at all, or maybe even the intention to build us up, but they've actually discouraged us. Those voices can be loud and clear.
You can't believe all the voices in your head. It could be the voices that you hear from media, or you know what I'm saying. Like, walk down any mall and look at it as a young girl, guys. See the images that they're looking at to say, "This is perfection. You're not." My goodness. What about the guys? It's getting worse and worse for us, too, because we're accepting that "Oh, my goodness, I should be this type of person or that type of person," or "maybe I am what people say I am instead of what God says I am."
Well, listen, we can go on and on and on, but I got to tell you, you can't believe every thought in your head.
Two tips to help fast from negativity - thoughts
So the two tips I have for us today to get rid of self-condemnation. The first one is the word of God. I'm talking about the Bible, and I can't decide if that should be capitalized or not, but it's the word of God. We need to get the truth of what God says about us in us. It does do us value to read and to meditate and to think about what is good and right and pure and honourable and worthy and trustworthy. And it's good. It is very, very good.
So the question I have for you is, are you in the word of God? If you've got self-condemnation, that's the first place we got to go. We need to get God's opinion of us, not other people's opinion of us, not the enemy's opinion of us because he'll just lie.
The second tip I have is the word of God. What do I mean by that? The word of God is the... I want to differentiate between the written word that I can read and I can diligently study and I can get into, and the spoken word of God. That word when you hear his voice, not probably audibly. And I'm sorry when I say that phrase "Hear his voice," and people think it's got to be audible, and I can't hear the audible voice of God. And am I not really that good of a person?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. That's sloppy language on my part. It's sloppy language to say "the voice of God" because it's generally a feeling. It's generally like I'm reading the Bible and something that a pastor says or something you hear on a podcast that just jumps out at me, or I listen to some song on the radio. It could be Christian or not, but something jumps out, and it's speaking truth to me.
Maybe it’s something a neighbour says or a loved one says. It could be something that a pastor says or something you hear on a podcast that just jumps out and grabs you and you say, "Oh yeah, that is the very word of God." We need both.
Because the word of God, the written word of God lets us know that the word of God, the spoken word of God, is the word of God. You hear what I'm saying?
Self-condemnation does not end if you try to convince yourself that the lie isn't true. Self-condemnation goes away effortlessly when you hear the word of God speaking to you, telling you truth.
Spend time in the word of God today. Spend time waiting to hear the word of God today. And that is the two tips.
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Read the transcript of 3 truths to fast from negativity
You were created to walk with God in the garden of the cool of the day. As sin came into the world and you bore the consequences, Jesus came and took your place, reversed the curse, and offered you his yoke that is easy and his burden that is light. You are a living light. Don't conform, but be transformed so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation.
But what if? What if you're surrounded by negativity? Or what if you can't control the thoughts in your head? or what if it seems that you're more and more on the boiling point of anger?
Since 2006, I've been helping people through daily emails, a course where you'll get that daily encouragement, but you're also going to get a daily email that is a reflection to help you line up with scripture. And so it's about moving from negativity to positivity. And we'll get to that in just a moment. Okay?
So I want to first get you three truths that you need to agree with. Let me see if I can do this. Three truths to agree that you can agree with. That will help you fast from negativity. Let me quickly go through this.
Okay, the first truth, negativity is any thought, word, or action that is not in agreement with the express will of God that's expressed in scripture, the will of God expressed in scripture. Negativity can be anything that disagrees with me, right? But no, we want to define it, anything that disagrees with God. And that's important. That is critically important.
The second truth that helps us to fast from negativity is I can't control other people's thoughts, words, and actions. I can only control my own with Holy Spirit's help. This is a supernatural work that we're going for here. Transformation is the work of Holy Spirit, and that's who we're going to partner through in this negativity fast.
The third truth is that bringing my thoughts and my words and my actions into more of an agreement with the will of God expressed in scripture, with Holy Spirit's help, can help transform the atmosphere of my everyday world, no matter how negative it is.
So really, what I want to invite you to and what I'm going to be doing over the next 12 days, we're going to be unpacking Ephesians 4:12-32 and talk about two tips to get rid of self-condemnation. We're going to talk about three tips to change a negative environment and then we're going to talk about tips to rise above discouragement. Also, we're going to talk about four tips not to crush others with negative words.
Where am I at? Negative words. Four tips not to judge others. I got another three tips to stop living offended of God. I've got four other tips to forgive.
And then we're going to move on and talk about the questions that people have about negativity fast. We're going to do four questions on... Four tips to stop feeling busy. I'm going to give you four tips on how to confront. I'm going to give you four tips on how to stop the worry, and I'm going to give you seven tips on how to fight with HONOUR.
Live LIGHT Negativity Fast - Move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity with 47 days of reflections and Devotional and Community. https://revtrev.link/fast
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Discover the life-changing rewards of seeking the Lord! Explore Asa's dedication and faith, while learning valuable lessons on true commitment and the perils of self-reliance. Seek the Lord with your whole heart.
Read the notes from Seek the Lord with Your Whole Heart
If you’ve spent any time in the church you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Seek the Lord”. Have you ever wondered what it means or how you can do it?
Problem
I was raised in the church and while I was never taught this directly, for a long time if you asked me what it meant to “seek the Lord”, I would tell you something about praying longer or praying louder or maybe fasting if the situation was really serious. I had no idea what the Bible says.
Does this really matter?
Yes! Because you need to:
• seek Him and find Him (Jeremiah 29:13)
• seek His face always (Psalms 105:4)
• seek Him and live (Amos 5:4)
Seeking God is not an option for us. It’s how we’re to live our lives.
12 Reasons to Seek The Lord
You will more fully understand justice Proverbs 28:5
You will find wisdom and discernment Proverbs 2:3-6
You don’t need to worry about everything everyone worries about Matthew 6:31-33
God’s ears will be attentive to your prayers 1 Peter 3:12
You will be delivered from your fears Psalm 34:4
You will be strengthened 2 Chronicles 16:9
You will be filled with joy 1 Chronicles 16:10
You will be filled with hope Lamentation 3:21-25
You will live! Amos 5:4
You will lack no good thing Psalm 34:10
You will be led to righteousness Hosea 10:12
You will find God 1 Chronicles 28:9
You need to seek Him and find Him. You need to seek His face always. You need to seek Him and live!
This week, next week then a few weeks from this week, we’re going look at three different kings of Judah- Asa, his son Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat’s great-great-grandson Uzziah. All of them had different experiences with seeking God. They all had some success. They all responded to their success in different ways. These are all ways you and I can respond to seeking God as well.
The goal is that we’ll be encouraged to seek God and find him, seek His face always and seek Him and live.
Can I pray?
The Story of Asa
When Abijah died, he was buried in the City of David. Then his son Asa became the next king. There was peace in the land for ten years. Asa did what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God. He removed the foreign altars and the pagan shrines. He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his law and his commands. Asa also removed the pagan shrines, as well as the incense altars from every one of Judah’s towns. So Asa’s kingdom enjoyed a period of peace. During those peaceful years, he was able to build up the fortified towns throughout Judah. No one tried to make war against him at this time, for the Lord was giving him rest from his enemies. 2 Chronicles 14:1-6
We begin the “Seek the Lord and Live” series today by looking at the life of Asa, King of Judah.
Asa had peace for his reign because the Lord gave him rest on every side.
God did this because Asa commanded the people to seek the Lord.
It’s a clear theme in 2 Chronicles that when the king and people sought God, they found Him and had peace and prosperity.
When they didn’t all kinds of terrible things happened.
The only way we can get the life we were created for is to seek the Lord.
Asa: built up the towns, fortified the cities and had an army of 300,000 infantry and 280,000 archers.
So what happened?
Ethiopia came to attack with an Army of “Thousands upon thousands” – some translations translate that as “a million”. However big it was, Asa felt completely helpless with his army of over half a million.
Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!” So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled. Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar, and so many Ethiopians fell that they were unable to rally. They were destroyed by the Lord and his army, and the army of Judah carried off a vast amount of plunder. While they were at Gerar, they attacked all the towns in that area, and terror from the Lord came upon the people there. As a result, a vast amount of plunder was taken from these towns, too. They also attacked the camps of herdsmen and captured many sheep, goats, and camels before finally returning to Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 14:11-15
They had a situation where they saw themselves as powerless. They called out to God. He did the work. They went from being plundered to getting plunder. How many of us need that in our lives?
We need to realize what happens when we seek God.
It’s not that we can do more. It’s not that we can do it in our strength. It’s not the size of our army. It’s not the strength of our horse. It’s God being found when we seek him.
When they got back to Jerusalem…
Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. 2 Chronicles 15:1-2
Take note: The Lord is with us, when we’re with him. When we seek him we’ll find him. If we don’t seek him…pay attention to that foreshadowing. Let’s continue with the prophecy.
For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the Law to instruct them. But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him. “During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land. Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem. But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:3-7
How did Asa respond to this prophecy?
When Asa heard this message from Azariah the prophet, he took courage and removed all the detestable idols from the land of Judah and Benjamin and in the towns he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. And he repaired the altar of the Lord, which stood in front of the entry room of the Lord’s Temple. 2 Chronicles 15:8
He “took courage”, removed idols from the high places, repaired the altar of the Lord, called an assembly to seek the Lord. He even deposed his grandmother because she made an Asherah pole.
Seeking the Lord can be an event, but what Asa missed is that it needs to be a lifestyle.
Make seeking the Lord your rhythm, don’t leave it as remarkable moment.
How can we have a rhythm of seeking the Lord with our whole heart?
That’s a great question. That’s why I’ve developed the How to Seek the Lord With your Whole Heart Always Tool.
How to Seek the Lord With your Whole Heart Always Tool
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. 1 Chronicles 16:11
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
How do we seek with all of our heart?
Decision -
Psalm 27:8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Have I made the decision to seek the Lord?
Emotion -
Psalm 119:2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.
Am I finding joy as I am seeking Him?
Action -
14 ways to seek the Lord
By praying to Him. Call upon Him and pray to Him. Jeremiah 29:12-14a
By praising and worshipping Him. Psalm 22:22
By Serving Him. with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind. 1 Chronicles 28:9
By doing good. Keep your tongue from evil, turn from evil and so good, seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:12-16 Have clean hands, pure heart, don’t lift your soul to idols, don’t swear by what is false. Psalm 24:4-6
By not doing bad. Forsake evil ways and thoughts. Isaiah 55:6-7
By confessing and repenting. when you don’t do good or if you do bad. Isaiah 55:6-7
By living humbly. Do what’s right and live humbly. Zephaniah 2:3
By expecting you’ll find Him and He’ll reward you. Hebrews 11:6 Psalm 9:10 Lamentations 3:25
By fasting. Daniel 9:3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
By obeying His Word. Psalm 119:10-11 NIV I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
By obeying His voice. Isaiah 45:19
With an event. 2 Chronicles 7:14
With your whole heart. Jeremiah 29:13
With your whole life . Psalm 37:3-5 Psalm 105:4
This is working out Christ as Lord
1 Peter 3:15 In your heart set apart Christ as Lord
It’s not a decision to make Jesus Lord of your life. It’s an acknowledgement that HE IS LORD and that has radical implications on your life.
Do I live my life like He is Lord of my life?
What does that look like?
Romans 14:8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Lordship is so key in seeking the Lord that we’ll use is to remind us how to seek the Lord.
Make seeking the Lord your rhythm, don’t leave it as remarkable moment.
LORDSHIP
L - Let him direct your steps Psalm 37:3-5
O - Obey what he says Deuteronomy 4:25-29
R - Repent whenever He tells you Isaiah 55:6-7
D - Do good Psalm 24:4-6
S - Serve and worship Him with your whole heart 1 Chronicles 28:9
H - Humbly walk with God Zephaniah 2:3
I - Intake the very word of God Psalm 119:10-11
P - Pray to God always and never give up Jeremiah 29:12-14
Let’s unpack this..
L - Let him direct your steps
Psalm 37:3-5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Do I allow You to direct my steps?
O - Obey what he says
Deuteronomy 4:25-29 ““In the future, when you have children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time, do not corrupt yourselves by making idols of any kind. This is evil in the sight of the Lord your God and will arouse his anger. Today I call on heaven and earth as witnesses against you. If you break my covenant, you will quickly disappear from the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. You will live there only a short time; then you will be utterly destroyed. For the Lord will scatter you among the nations, where only a few of you will survive. There, in a foreign land, you will worship idols made from wood and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.
Luke 6:46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?
Am I obeying what You tell me to do?
R - Repent whenever He tells you
Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
Do I need to repent of any sin?
D - Do good
Psalm 24:4-6 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their saviour. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob
Am I doing the good You want me to do?
S - Serve and worship Him with your whole heart and willing mind
1 Chronicles 28:9 “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Am I serving you with my whole heart?
H - Humbly walk with God
Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Micah 6:8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Fasting is a way to seek God, but it’s an event and not a lifestyle, although it can be a regular part of your lifestyle.
Daniel 9:3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
Am I humbly walking with you?
I - Intake the very word of God
Psalm 119:10-11 NIV I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Colossians 3:16
Am I allowing your word to dwell in me richly?
P - Pray to God always and never give up
Jeremiah 29:12-14 In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
Am I praying to seek you?
Do you want to seek the Lord always? Recognize He IS Lord and that has radical implications on your life.
Make seeking the Lord your rhythm, don’t leave it as a remarkable moment.
LORDSHIP
L - Let him direct your steps Psalm 37:3-5
Do I allow You to direct my steps?
O - Obey what he says Deuteronomy 4:25-29
Am I obeying what You tell me to do?
R - Repent whenever He tells you Isaiah 55:6-7
Do I need to repent of any sin?
D - Do good Psalm 24:4-6
Am I doing the good You want me to do?
S - Serve and worship Him with your whole heart and willing mind 1 Chronicles 28:9
Am I serving you with my whole heart?
H - Humbly walk with God Zephaniah 2:3
Am I humbly walking with you?
I - Intake the very word of God Psalm 119:10-11
Am I allowing your word to dwell in me richly?
P - Pray to God always and never give up Jeremiah 29:12-14
Am I praying to seek you?
Challenge - How Asa ended his reign…
Make seeking the Lord your rhythm, don’t leave it as a remarkable moment.
Asa didn’t do that. He didn’t seek God always. He sought God for a season. He liked to have events.
He saw peace for a long time. But in the 36th year of his reign King Baasha of Israel invaded and fortified a town in Judah. And Asa didn’t ask God what to do. He had been king 36 years, he knew how to govern. He knew what other kings did. He formed an alliance with the King of Aram. He put his trust in a foreign power. The prophet Hanani stood up and called him on it:
At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa and told him, “Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram. Don’t you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and charioteers? At that time you relied on the Lord, and he handed them over to you. The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.” 2 Chronicles 16:7-9
God is seeking for us
God is seeking for us? I thought we are the ones seeking Him? He’s seeking hearts that are fully committed to Him. Holy Spirit empowers us to accomplish every good work prompted by faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11) Every step I’ve just outlined is good work prompted by faith.
We know without faith it’s impossible to please Him because anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) Part of this reward is that he’ll strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Remember the last time a prophet confronted Asa and how he responded? He took courage. This time when he was confronted he took offence.
Asa had Hanani arrested and started to oppress his people. He was at war for the rest of his reign. More than that…Look at the last statement of his life.
2 Chronicles 16:12-13 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord’s help but turned only to his physicians. So he died in the forty-first year of his reign.
What happened?
In his heart he did not set apart God as Lord. He thought seeking the Lord was an event and he had been there, done that, got the t-shirt. He had a season of seeking God. He had events of seeking God. He saw success seeking God.
But in the last years of his life, he would only seek the advice of doctors. He took offence at God.
Ouch. Is that too close to home?
Let me draw you the lines.
How does this apply to us as we seek the Lord?
Have you had a season of seeking God?
Have you had events seeking God? Have you fasted? Have you gone to revivals? Have you had special times in the presence of God?
Are you not feeling that first love? Do you feel you’re lacking in zeal? Are you simply going through the motions? Are you maybe offended at God?
In your heart, have you set apart Christ as Lord? Is your heart fully committed to Him?
Don’t be like Asa. He didn’t use confession and repentance. If you have nothing to confess and nothing to repent then know The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. He will renew your strength.
But if you thought seeking God was all about collecting remarkable moments and today you realize your heart hasn’t been fully committed to Him, agree with, that’s confession and repent by deciding today to:
Make seeking the Lord your rhythm, don’t leave it as merely a remarkable moment.
Seek Him and find Him. Seek His face always. Seek Him and live!
Remember LORDSHIP and what it means for seeking Him:
L - Let him direct your steps
O - Obey what he says
R - Repent whenever He tells you
D - Do good
S - Serve and worship Him with your whole heart and willing mind
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You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take His yoke that is easy and burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation.
How I can help
Live LIGHT Academy has books and courses and resources and community and coaching to help you not conform but be transformed so you can have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation.
What Am I working on?
Updated all the videos for Tips and Tools to Fast from Negativity. Check them out and sign up for free at https://revtrev.link/tips
Starting next week until Easter Sunday, My plan is to live cast every day. Tuesday Jan 30 - Tuesday Feb 13 - How to Fast from Negativity Campaign to talk about Negativity Fast https://revtrev.link/fast Wednesday Feb 14 - Easter Sunday March 31 - Negativity Fast Reflections Campaign to promote Live LIGHT Above the Negativity Course http://revtrev.link/bless
Move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity with 47 days of reflections and Devotional and Community. We’ll be encouraging people to fast from Negativity over lent again this year, but you can get the amazing deal for it with this link already https://revtrev.link/fast
A Negativity Fast isn't your typical fast; it's about cleansing the mind and savouring the serenity that follows. Imagine a life where you're no longer weighed down by pessimistic thoughts and you can actually relish the lightness of positivity.
Sign up for the Live LIGHT Negativity Fast today at http://revtrev.link/fast and get 46 Daily Reflections and 46 daily Devotionals, a weekly Conversation Cafe, Quick Connect AND you get a life-giving community so that you can move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity.
Listen to Why and How to Fast from Negativity and Enjoy it
Galatians 6:2 "Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."
1 Corinthians 10:32-33 "Don’t give offence to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved."
Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."
When you’re responding to someone who is hostile remember to SOW:
S - Shine - you’re responsible for your tongue
O - Open to the “why” of what they say.
W - Welcome the gold God sees in them.
A - Act like Jesus - Psalm 73:17-20
Galatians 6:7-9
13 reasons God will not answer your prayers
God will not consider our prayers if...
We have unconfessed sin Ps 66:18
We live in sin Isa 59:2; Joh 9:31
We don’t give God our best Mal 1:7-9.
We’ve turned from God Jer 14:10,12.
We’ve rejected His correction Pr 1:24,25,28
We ignore His precepts Pr 28:9; Zec 7:11-13
We ignore the poor Pr 21:13
We attack the innocent Isa 1:15
We put other gods before Him Jer 11:11-14; Eze 8:15-18.
We’re proud Job 35:12-13
We stand in our own righteousness Lu 18:11-14.
We’re an enemy of His people Ps 18:40-41; Mic. 3.2-4
We’re godless... Job 27:8-9
Live up to what you’ve already attained (Philippians 3:16).
James 4:8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
I - Ignite change around you Psalm 73:21-24
N - Notice God in everything Psalm 73:25-28
John 14:26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
Challenge
FAST
F - Figure out how you’ll do it.
A - Accentuate the positive
S - Scrub out the negative
T - Trust others enough to do it together.
Join us as we explore empowering strategies to break free from the shackles of negativity, creating space for joy and contentment to flourish. Get ready to embark on an uplifting adventure that will not only rejuvenate your mindset but also inject a dose of delight into your daily life!
Challenge
Sign up for the Live LIGHT Negativity Fast today at http://revtrev.link/fast and get 46 Daily Reflections and 46 daily Devotionals, a weekly Conversation Cafe, Quick Connect AND you get a life-giving community so that you can move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity.
These 46 days line up with all the days from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday…so sign up over lent.
Next Steps
Next week I’ll start daily live casts with Tips and Tools to Fast from Negativity. I don’t have a set time for them as my schedule needs to be flexible. So like and set notifications on Facebook or YouTube and be notified when I go live.
Is toxic gratitude really a thing? Maybe it’s better to explain it as toxic positivity? We can avoid the real problem by saying we trust God and know we’re avoiding the real problem because we still worry. No more plastic Christianity. Learn how we can give thanks FOR every situation and not have cognitive dissonance in our lives.
Read the notes from the message - What is toxic gratitude, and what is the only way to always avoid it?
What is toxic gratitude and what is the only way to always avoid it?
Give away Print Edition of Live LIGHT Gratitude Journal… Get the Live LIGHT Gratitude Journal here http://revtrev.link/gratitude
Today I want to talk about toxic gratitude and toxic positivity. Because these are things I get accused of promoting.
And I agree.
Not that I’m promoting them, But I agree that they do exist.
I’ve seen them.
And I see them in church circles, where we ignore our pain with platitudes and we don’t make use of the powerful laments available to us.
I’ve seen where that out-of-context Scripture verse is given priority over our reality.
I’ve seen…and I’ve said “I AM trusting God” but then I worry about this and that or I’m concerned about whatever or I’m worried that I’m concerned because I know when I trust God I should have peace.
That’s cognitive dissonance - saying I believe something, but not feeling like I really believe it.
What is toxic gratitude?
Toxic gratitude forces people to breeze past their pain in search of a silver lining, whether or not one exists. It’s probably more properly called toxic positivity.
What is toxic positivity?
Toxic positivity is an obsession with positive thinking. It is the belief that people should put a positive spin on all experiences, even those that are profoundly tragic.
We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. It’s not about slapping some silly smile on your face and pretenting nothing is wrong when it is really wrong.
Listen…
1. I will not give God credit for the works of the one who comes to kill steal and destroy.
2. I will treat all hardship as discipline knowing He will work all things together for good.
3. I will remember God thinks generationally, while I want things done yesterday. But He is King, and that’s a very good thing.
I will lament when it’s time to lament and I will wrestle with things I need to wrestle with. And I’m wrestling with something this week that I hope you’ll wrestle with me as well.
Ephesians 5:18–21
18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
Problem
How do we give God thanks FOR everything?
I looked it up, it says FOR everything.
I can give God thanks FOR a lot of things given TIME and given HEALING… while I’m in the middle of it…that seems a little ridiculous. I can feel some cognitive dissonance brewing. If you don’t wrestle with it, it could become toxic gratitude.
Does this really matter?
Paul tells us
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible
16 Rejoice always! 17 Pray constantly. 18 Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
That’s easy…
I can always find something to grateful for IN everything. I’ve learned to do that with my whole heart.
I make the decision to be grateful. I FEEL grateful. I do something so show my appreciation.
Your heart is the seat of your emotions, the seat of your decision and the seat of your action.
When you do that, you can give thanks IN everything. That’s what the Gratitude Journal is for. It’s a tool to help you give thanks with your whole heart IN everything.
Them Paul goes to and says that not only is God’s will for us to give thanks IN everything, but that we should give thanks FOR everything.
James 1:2- 4 tells us something similiar.
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
This has got to be more than slapping a smile on your face and pretending everything this is OK, when it’s really not.
The good news is…God doesn’t tell us to do anything He doesn’t first empower us to do.
Let’s look at the context of giving thanks FOR everything.
Ephesians 5:18–21
18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:
19 speaking to one another
in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,
singing and making music
from your heart to the Lord,
20 giving thanks always for everything
to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another
in the fear of Christ.
Check out the orginal language
Five Greek participles are used and they require a main verb to complete the thought.
The main thought is the command to “be filled”. Greek present imperative tense is used. It has the connotation of a continuous replenishment, an ongoing state of being filled. An awkward translation could be “be being filled” or “keep on being filled.”
So continually being filled results in the five participles that follow.
When we are continually being filled by the Spirit we will be…
Speaking to one another with songs and hymns and Spiritual songs
Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Giving thanks always to God the Father for everything
Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ
The command is not to “give thanks always to God the Father FOR everything”
The command is to “Be continuously filled” with Holy Spirit… and then we’ll be
Speaking to one another with songs and hymns and Spiritual songs
Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Giving thanks always to God the Father for everything
Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ
What if?
That all came naturally to you? What if you lived it out as a natural response to God’s revelation?
Look at people around us who live this way. Have you never not seen a smile on Dave’s face when he talked about Jesus? Do you remember at time when it was so easy for you?
It can be that easy again.
Be continually filled by the Spirit. That’s how you avoid toxic gratitude and toxic positivity.
Be continually filled by the Spirit and naturally respond to His revelation.
Be continually filled by the Spirit and give thanks with your whole heart.
It’s not a one time event. It should be a daily - or even more frequent - occurance.
How do I be continually filled by the Spirit Tool
ASK
A - Abide and Obey
S - Seek, Ask, and Knock
K - Kindle the flame
A - Abide and Obey
Acts 5:32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Ephesians 4:30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption.
Am I obeying what God has told me to do TODAY?
S - Seek, Ask, and Knock
Luke 11:10-13 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
Have I asked Him to fill me TODAY?
K - Kindle the flame
Galatians 5:24-25 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit.
Have I positioned myself to receive TODAY?
Challenge
Will you avoid toxic gratitude? Will you avoid toxic positity? Will you ask to be continually filled by Holy Spirit? When you are, it cannot be toxic. When you aren’t it certainly can be. So remember:
A - Abide and Obey
S - Seek, Ask, and Knock
K - Kindle the flame
Will you seek to be filled even today?
Can I pray for you?
Colossians 2:6-7 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.
The Live LIGHT LOOP celebrates all things Live LIGHT - including the books, and courses, and resources, and community and coaching that can be found on Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca/
You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take His yoke that is easy and burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation.
How I can help
Live LIGHT Academy has books and courses and resources and community and coaching to help you not conform but be transformed so you can have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation.
What Am I working on?
Learning how to write prompts to get the results I need on ChatGPT. If you want to know what I know - https://revtrev.com/contact
Move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity with 47 days of reflections and Devotional and Community. We’ll be encouraging people to fast from Negativity over lent again this year, but you can get the amazing deal for it with this link already https://revtrev.link/fast
The Live LIGHT LOOP celebrates all things Live LIGHT - including the books, and courses, and resources, and community and coaching that can be found on https://livelight.ca/
You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take His yoke that is easy and burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation.
How I can help
Live LIGHT Academy has books and courses and resources and community and coaching to help you not conform but be transformed so you can have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation.
What Am I working on?
Live LIGHT Gratitude Reflections - 70 days to help you give thanks at all times and in every situation. Finalizing the upload to Amazon find it here - https://revtrev.link/books
Blessings from the Book - Are you needing encouragement? Are you needing a spark to never be lacking
in zeal because you want to keep your spiritual fervour serving the Lord? Blessings from the Book are blessings that come from blessings, prayers and best-wishes from the Bible. Get them daily to remember His good thoughts towards you. https://revtrev.link/blessing
Don’t miss the Live LIGHT App Discover 20 things you can do with the Live LIGHT App - https://revtrev.com/app
In a world focused on career, fitness, and personal achievements, we often overlook the importance of becoming more like Jesus. What would it be like to move to the rhythms of His grace? Let me tell you about 5 things to never forget about spiritual growth.
I’m Trevor Lund, content creator for RevTrev.com and the founder of Live LIGHT Academy on LiveLIGHT.ca This is the Live LIGHT LIVECast.
Listen to 5 Things to Never Forget about Spiritual Growth
There are 5 things you never want to forget about spiritual growth.
Spiritual growth is a choice.
Spiritual growth takes discipline.
Spiritual growth requires community.
Spiritual growth changes everything.
Spiritual growth happens with habits.
Let’s unpack that shall we?
1. Spiritual growth is a choice
Ephesians 4:1-2 (MSG) I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere.
Spiritual growth is a choice. It’s possible to grow in the wrong direction…
a. The hearts of some grow dull – cf. Mt 13:15
b. The love of many grow cold – cf. Mt 24:12
c. There is the danger of growing weary in doing good – cf. Ga 6:9; 2 Th 3:13
d. There is possibility of growing corrupt according to deceitful lusts – cf. Ep 4:22
e. There are those who grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived – cf. 2 Ti 3:13
Joshua told the people:
Joshua 24:15 New International Version (NIV) if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
For some of us that’s a daily choice, until it becomes a habit.
For others of us there is a circumstance or problem that brings that choice to the forefront again.
But if we’re not growing, we’re backsliding. There is no stagnation in spirituality. We’re always moving towards God’s will for us or away from God’s will for us.
Are you ready to choose to grow more and more like Christ?
Am I ready to choose to become more like Jesus?
Never forget – spiritual growth is a choice
2. Spiritual growth takes discipline
Ephesians 4:3 (MSG) And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
1. Jesus said eternal life takes work – cf. Jn 6:27
2. Paul wrote that he was pressing on towards the goal to win the prize– cf. Ph 2:12; 3:13-14
3. Peter wrote that we needed to keep adding to faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. - cf. 2 Pe 1:5-11
But don’t forget…
WE ARE NOT ALONE IN OUR EFFORTS…
While we work out our salvation, God is at work in us – cf. Ph 2:12-13
He strengthens us by His Spirit in our inner being – cf. Ep 3:16
He empowers us with unimaginable power that is within us – cf. Ep 3:20
He provides the armour to stand strong in the power of His might – cf. Ep 6:10-11
We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us – cf. Ph 4:13
God will complete the good work He started – cf. Ph 1:6
Spiritual growth takes discipline…but God is on our side. We struggle with all His power working within us.
Am I ready to work with Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus?
Never forget – spiritual growth is a choice, it takes discipline and…
3. Spiritual growth requires community
Ephesians 4:4 (MSG) You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
a. Together we get our meaning Romans 12:5
The Message (MSG) In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvellously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
b.Together we spur each other on. Hebrews 10:25
The Message (MSG) So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
c. Together we are encouraged 1 Thessalonians 5:11
The Message (MSG) So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.
d. Together we’re healed James 5:16
The Message (MSG) Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.
e. Together we meet our need to contribute 1 Peter 4:10
The Message (MSG) Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
f. Together we grow Ephesians 4:2
The Message (MSG) I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
We need each other for spiritual growth.
Am I willing to grow with others to become more and more like Jesus?
Never forget – spiritual growth is a choice, it takes discipline, requires community and…
4. Spiritual growth changes everything
Ephesians 4:23-24 (MSG) …everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
As we grow spiritually, everything changes. Let’s go through what we just read…
a. Spiritual growth changes our thoughts Eph 4:17
Let there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. But that’s no life for you.
b. Spiritual growth changes our attitudes Eph 4:25
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
c. Spiritual growth changes our actions Eph 4:26
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
d. Spiritual growth changes our words Eph 4:29
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
e.Spiritual growth changes our reactions Eph 4:30
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.
f. Spiritual growth changes our desires Eph 5:1
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us.
g. Spiritual growth changes our relationships Eph 5:2
Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
Spiritual growth changes everything. Some things change in an instant. Some times we need to live up to what we’ve already attained. The theological term for this is sanctification.
Am I becoming more and more like Jesus?
Never forget – spiritual growth is a choice, it takes discipline, requires community , it changes everything and…
5. Spiritual growth happens with habits 1 Timothy 4:7-8
MSG Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this.
Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
So what habits/disciplines/rhythms help you grow spiritually? Here’s some examples:
Thought – I want to grow spiritually
Action –
A. Bible Reading… 1 Peter 2:1-3
The Message (MSG) So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.
B. Prayer… Romans 12:12
The Message (MSG) Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
C. Singing… James 5:13
The Message (MSG) Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven—healed inside and out.
D. Praying in the Holy Spirit Jude 1:20
The Message (MSG) But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!
E. Meeting together… Hebrews 10:25
The Message (MSG) So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
If you don’t like “habits” think of them as rhythms. Remembering, Rest, Reflection, Connection, Dwelling, Abiding, Curiosity, Listening, Margin, Otherness, Awareness, Mindfulness…Whatever creates space for you to connect with your Creator, however that looks like for you in this season, is a rhythm/discipline, habit.
Do I make space for the disciples for spiritual growth?
The Challenge for Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth is a choice – I can grow to become more like Christ or I can let my love grow cold
Spiritual growth takes discipline – but don’t forget it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Spiritual growth requires community – so let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and good deeds.
Spiritual growth changes everything – so embrace a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
Spiritual growth happens with habits – What habits or disciplines or rhythms are you going to make room for in your life so you can grow up mature and whole in God?
Start a new habit or appreciate an ongoing rhythm this year. It’s not about adding things to a busy schedule, but creating space to connect with your Creator. How will you create space to connect?
Next Steps
Blessing from the book
Are you needing encouragement? Are you needing a spark to never be lacking in zeal because you want to keep your spiritual fervour serving the Lord? Blessings from the Book are blessings that come from blessings, prayers and best-wishes from the Bible. Get them daily to remember His good thoughts towards you.
