Part 1 of "Paradigm Shift" by Pastor Jeremy Johnson, spoken on 8-17-2014.

Over the years, discoveries have been made and things have been invented that have shifted the way we think and the way we live our lives in a dramatic way. The automobile, the light bulb, the telephone, and the discovery that the earth is round. These new inventions and new information confronted the reality of what people believed to be true and opened the door for a completely new way of living. Before we saw these things in reality, though, someone had to have the thought in their mind that something greater was possible. We are told in Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Many of us want to know our purpose. We want to know why we are alive on this earth. What were we created to do? What is the will of God for our lives? According to the Scripture above, before we understand what the will of God is for our lives, we must renew our minds according to God's Word. We must wash our thinking with the Word of God and begin to set our minds on heavenly things. It is only when we are transformed by the renewing of our minds that we can truly know the will of God for our lives. There has to be a paradigm shift in us. A paradigm shift in our thinking means that we look beyond our circumstances, our situations, and our issues and see a greater reality. A Kingdom reality. It is when we see from God's perspective that we can truly live a meaningful life and fulfill all that he has called us to.So dig deeper, renew your mind, and embark on one of the greatest adventures you will ever know. There is a purpose and a good plan that the Lord has for your life, and this is just the beginning! Food for Thought:1. Have you ever felt like you were created to do something great with your life, but you just didn't know what it was?2. How have you tried to fulfill the purpose for your life?3. Think about your present circumstances and issues. What is God's perspective on these things?4. What scriptures can you use to renew your mind this week?