We all want to live in financial freedom, but if money controls us then

We can’t always choose what happens to us but we can control how we will

We can’t always choose what happens to us but we can control how we will respond. We always have a choice. We have the power to choose joy in difficult situations.

(John 4:4) Although the things we face may be extremely challenging, we still have a God who is able to see us through any situation (Psalm 23:5). There are many things we can choose that lead us to joy. Gratitude, praise, thankfulness, prayer, they all lead to joy.

Here are 3 decisions we can make to choose joy:

1️⃣ I’m going to see beyond what has happened

(Philippians 1:12-18) In our lives there is what is happening and then there is what is ACTUALLY happening. What’s actually happening is not just an event in the natural but in the supernatural too. You don’t always see the “actually” over night, but God is able to work all things together for good.

Every obstacle we face is actually an opportunity for the glory of God to be revealed in your life. Focus on what is ‘actually’ happening.

Q: Can you remember a challenging time when God was actually doing something good in your life that wasn’t obvious to you at first?

2️⃣ I’m going to choose to look for the re-direct

(Philippians 1:13-14) Sometimes it’s not a setback, it’s just God redirecting us to something greater. And that is what living surrendered is all about. To have joy is also to be flexible when God moves us or changes things up.

Q: Do you think that you are flexible and ready for God to re-direct you in different areas of your life?

3️⃣ I’m going to choose to focus on what really matters

(Philippians 1:15-18) Are we going to let the situations we face rob us of what God has before us? Nothing but bitterness and a lack of joy comes from focusing on the bad. Don’t let your challenges rob you of your peace and joy. Make the choice to rejoice.

Another way to think of rejoicing is to “RE - JOY”. Have joy again. Rehearse Gods goodness in your life. Focus on it and remember what he has done in your life.

Gerrit Van Niekerk shares on how God is the one who is always in control when life's challenges faces us. It is not checkmate for you - if you know God has the final move.

History has been shaped by people who thought ‘what if?’. There is so much power in a thought.

1️⃣ Your thinking determines your living.

(Ecclesiastes 10:2) Our living is a result of our thinking. Everything in life begins with a thought. Every sin and every good action begins with a thought.(Romans 12:2) We need to let God change our thinking through his Word.

2️⃣ Your thinking determines how you feel

(Philippians 4:8) As we set our minds on the right things, God is able to give us peace in our hearts and our minds.

Q: Have you ever experienced how thinking about good things has changed how you felt for the better?

3️⃣ Your thinking determines your destiny

Your thinking drives the direction of your life. (Romans 8:5-6) We can have the peace of God when we set our minds on the things of God. We can’t always control the thoughts that come into our minds but we can capture them. You don’t have to think every thought you think.

🔵 4 ways to capture and change your thoughts

1 - Examine your thoughts.

(Hebrews 4:12)

Judge every thought you have against the Word of God. Is it of God?

Q: Are you often intentional about examining your thought? Or do you find this a difficult thing to do?

2 - Replace your thoughts

(Romans 12:2 NIV)

Replace the thoughts that aren’t from God with God’s Word.

Q: What is one thought that you know is NOT from God? And what does God’s word say about it?

3 - Direct your thoughts

(Isaiah 26:3/Colossians 3:2)

Think about what God says about you. Direct your thoughts to what God says about you.

4 - Grow your thoughts

(Hebrews 10:24-25)

You need to be surrounded by people who will grow the thoughts that will shape your life for the better! People that will cause you to grow with God BOLDLY!

We can learn so much from the story of the Wright brothers who changed the world by revolutionising how we look at flying. Today, because of their bold dreams roughly 6 million people fly daily. Imagine what you might be capable of with God by your side. Being bold is not just what we do, it’s who we are (Proverbs 28:1).

Here are four areas that will help us live boldly:

1️⃣ To be BOLD we need vision

Vision starts on the inside. (Ephesians 4:24) Gods spirit is able to renew us and give us fresh vision for the future. Like the Wright brothers, we must believe that the impossible can be possible. How much more are we, who walk by faith and not by sight, able to achieve with God by our side!

Q - what are the things that you have been or are most passionate about?

We know that God can do what we can’t do (Matthew 19:26). Be bold enough to have an impossibly big vision for your life, and trust God to go before you.

2️⃣ To be BOLD we need to change our lens

When we pursue our dreams we will face opposition.(Numbers 13:33) When we stair at the obstacles in the way of our dreams we may feel like it’s impossible. But when we keep our faith and remember where the promise comes from, we can take bold steps to pursue all God had for us.

Q - Do you have challenges in your world that seem intimidating? Financial, relational, a bad habit, lack of self worth?

It may be time to change your lens and start to focus on what God has promised - what God has said - his purposes for you.

3️⃣ To be BOLD we need to identify the steps ahead

We can’t move when we don’t know where to place our feet.(John 16:33) Your faith will grow when you take steps to grow and trust God. (Romans 5:3-4)

Q - Have you identified your next steps to move closer to God and forward in your vision/dreams? Or is this an area you need to ask God to guide you in?

4️⃣ To be BOLD you need to use what is in your hand

(Exodus 4:2-3) Don’t be fooled into thinking you need more than you have to reach the vision God has given you. Moses felt unprepared, but God showed he can do the extraordinary with what we call ordinary. Start today being bold with what you have and the vision and dreams God has given you.

We can learn so much from the story of the Wright brothers who changed

We just had our vision Sunday. On vision Sunday every year we have ‘a word’ that sets the direction that we are moving in. Last year it was FORWARD, and it truly did propel our church and so many individuals forward into all God had for them in 2023. But this year our new word is BOLD!

To be bold is to be confident, courageous, fearless, brave, and daring. Proverbs 28:1 NKJ says “…the righteous are as bold as a lion”. We are believing for bold dreams, bold prayers, and bold invitations in the year that lies ahead (read Ephesians 3:12 // Hebrews 4:16 KJV).

Q : Have you thought of some things that you are trusting and believing God for in 2024?

Q: How can you start to be bold before God as you trust him in your life?

Boldness is confidence, it’s knowing that when we pray in faith according to Gods word and live in obedience, that we will receive what we ask for. We have a faithful Father in heaven who is more than able!

Having a vision and a word for the year is about reminding us of our ‘why’. Why we do what we do. Why God has placed us where he has placed us. Why God has chosen us to reach out and impact the world around us. Vision helps us be effective in all we have been called and equipped for (read proverbs 29:18).

We need vision for every area of our life. Vision to give us confidence and direction. Don’t lose vision for your life. When you lose your ‘why’ you lose your way.

Reflect: Do you have an area in your life that needs a fresh vision to help you find your ‘why’ and your way? Consider your family / your church involvement / your social groups / your business / etc. Spend time with God and ask him to give you vision to walk in this year. Then be bold (confident and full of faith) as you step out in faith in 2024 and trust God to lead you in that vision.

Go to https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c0a0-TM8Y04 for the full message.

The world says that it’s normal to live with stress in an ever changing world. But as people of faith we should remember that we are people in the world but of the Kingdom. We need to shift our perspective. We have an unchanging God (Malachi 3:6 / Hebrews 13:8). Let us follow His ways above what the world says.

(Matthew 6:31-34)

God really cares about YOU and he knows what we need, but he still desires us to put Him first even above all our worries. He wants our focus to be on Him.

Q - Do you have things in your life that remind you to shift your focus back to God? (A scripture, song, quote or memory perhaps)

What we behold we become. To behold is to ‘observe and consider’. When we behold Him we become more like Him. When we behold the things of the world we become more stressed and anxious. But looking up - lifts up. When we fix our eyes to look up to God we find it lifts us up out of a place of worry. Focus on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

Q - can you think of a difficult experience or situation when God was by your side? Have you known God’s peace, or joy, maybe it was a sense of hope, or comfort, etc?

When we choose to focus on God’s ways we can experience a flourishing and fulfilled life! His promise is to give us dreams and visions for the future when we focus on Him (Joel 2:28). Do you have a dream and a vision for the future? God is ready to do new things in your future. Prophesy about your future - speak the word of God into your life and into your future. Allow the Holy Spirit to make space in your life to give you hope for what is to come. But it all starts with putting our trust and focus in God first. (Psalms 37:3-4)

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