30 for 30 RESET – Day 22

Gatheringplace   -   September 22, 2024

Where do you think spiritual warfare primarily takes place? Is it in the first, second, or third heaven? (The first is the atmosphere around you, the second is the galaxies, the third is where God’s throne is. These are all mentioned in the Bible.) Or does it primarily take place somewhere else?

Though there is spiritual activity in all three heavens, the predominant place spiritual warfare takes place, especially as it pertains to you, is in the battlefield of your mind. This is why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:3-5 NCV:

“We do live in the world, but we do not fight in the same way the world fights. We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.”

Strong places, or “strongholds” as other translations call them, are thought patterns and beliefs built on information that build a fortress in your mind that is not from God. We all have these strongholds. That is why Paul says in Romans 12:2 Philipps

“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.”

Remold your mind. That is what God wants to do with you- RESET your thinking. And it takes His Word to do this. In fact, Paul tells this to the Ephesians Church:

“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:23-24 NLT

Satan, on the other hand, is lying to you all day long. Jesus said he is the “father of lies.” He said there is no truth in him. And I promise you, the devil does not remain. He is constantly trying to refute the Word of God in your life through thoughts, people, and circumstances. This was the very first way he attacked Eve in the Garden, “Did God say?” (Genesis 3:1)

The most important thing to realize is that you are not trying to have a new nature, you already received a new nature when you gave your life to Christ, at the New Birth (2 Corinthians 5:17). What this, and other passages are telling you is that the way you will “put on”, or walk in, or walk out your new nature, and defeat the enemy, is by getting your mind into agreement with what the Word of God says about you, or any given situation. (I am reattaching a document I shared on Day 2 called “Who I Am in Christ”. I strongly encourage you commit these Scriptures to memory and meditate on them daily)

Jesus said it this way:

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” John 8:31-32 NKJ

To “abide” means to “live in.” Jesus is saying that the only way you will be free from lies is if you are continually filling your mind with His truths.

I pray that you will begin to do this, or continue to do this, every day. Transforming your mind with the Word of God is the only way you will get free, stay free, and help free others.

John

QUICK TIP ON HOW TO SPEND 30 MINUTES WITH GOD (REMEMBER: This 30 for 30 is a tool to help you, not a rule to shame you. Just do your best and let God do the rest.)

“Upward, Inward, and Outward”

  1. Upward: Get quiet. Settle down. Begin to thank God for Who He is – patient, kind, merciful. A God Who forgives sins – Who has forgiven your sins. A God Who cares, Who listens to your prayers, a miracle-working God. (There are many other attributes you can thank Him for. Go HERE for a prayer guide as well as a list of God’s names that will help you thank Him for Who He is)
  2. Inward: Read a chapter in the Bible. I would suggest one Psalm per day. Start with Psalm 1 and go from there. Or read one chapter of Proverbs per day. Start with Proverbs 1 and go from there. And as you read, stop, and think about what it is saying. Take your time (even if you do not get through an entire chapter – it is okay!). Ask God to speak to you through it.

A deeper dive: For those of you who would like to read the Bible in a year, here is a fantastic way to do it. It will take more than 30 minutes per day, but it will be well worth it. It not only gives you a reading plan but each day there is a short, very well-produced video explaining what you are about to read. Go HERE for your one year through the Bible reading plan.

  1. Outward: Ask God to show you how He can use you to reach those around you. Then begin to pray specifically for individuals. Pray for your family members, your boss, co-workers, classmates, friends, your church, its members, its mission, and its leadership. Pray for our city and our nation – that God would rule and reign in every mountain of influence, raising up leaders who fear Him: Church, Family, Government, Education, Media, Entertainment/Arts, and Business. You will not be able to get to everything in 30 minutes, but that is okay, just pick an area or two per day.

PRAYER POINTS

Personal:

  • Closeness with God
  • Deeper devotion to Christ
  • Renewed vision
  • Renewed passion
  • Strength
  • Joy
  • A profound commitment to act as Jesus would during this election year.

Church:

  • And increase of God’s manifest presence.
  • To see more CHANGED LIVES!
  • An increase in Miracles
  • Salvation for those far from God (make a list and pray for them every day)
  • More young people joining the vision at GPC.
  • New building for GPC

World:

  • A mighty harvest in our city and nation.
  • That godly men and women will fill the seats of government at local, city, state, and national levels.
  • For our missionaries (Use the bookmark handed out at church, or go to our website and check out our Missions page HERE)