A Freedom Christmas, Week 1: Lift Your Head

Message Title: Lift Your Head Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)  This Christmas season we don't need change of situation… as much as we need a change of perspective. People LIVING in FEAR Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear… Isaiah 8:12-22 (NIV) Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Isaiah 8:12-22 (NIV) Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness. Isaiah 8:12-22 (NIV) People LOST in DARKNESS Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress… Isaiah 9:1-3 (NIV) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:1-3 (NIV) You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. Isaiah 9:1-3 (NIV) People EXHAUSTED from the FIGHT For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. Isaiah 9:4-5 (NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. Isaiah 9:1-7(NIV)  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:1-7(NIV) Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:1-7(NIV) COMFORT in your circumstance. …The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5(NIV)  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5(NIV)  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) PERSPECTIVE on your responsibility. We want God to change our CIRCUMSTANCES… God wants to change US. Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT) For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT) So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you… Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT) Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT) HOPE for your tomorrow. …In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you... 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) When eternity is our perspective… our circumstances aren't permanent. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV) I am doing better than I think I am, and God is doing more than I think He is.