Mind Games: I Don't Want To Live

Mind Games, Part 1: I Don't Want To Live "I don't want to live. I feel abandoned. I lack faith. I don't need God." If you've ever found yourself thinking these thoughts, you've probably found yourself in the midst of a mind game.  "We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world." Ephesians 6:12 (CEV) "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood…" Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)  "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." Proverbs 4:23 (GN) OUR THEME VERSE FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES: "…..we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)  1. Question of Existence:  Why am I alive? "Why was I born? Was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace?" Jeremiah 20:18 (TEV)  "The Lord has made everything for his own purpose." Proverbs 16:4 (GW)  "Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, and settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love." Ephesians 1:4 (MSG)  Answer: I was created to be loved by God. 2.  Question of Significance:  Does my life matter? "My work all seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and for no purpose at all." Isaiah 49:4 (NLT)  Everyone lives life at one of three levels:1.  Survival mode – just existing2.  Success level – world's standard/successful but still unfulfilled3.  Significance – find meaning and purpose "I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born." Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)  "You... scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe.  Every day was recorded in your book!" Psalm 139:16 (LB)  "His plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally." Psalm 33:11 (GN)  Answer:  I was made to last forever. "When this tent we live in—our body here on earth—is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever." 2 Corinthians 5:1 (TEV)  "Leave your impoverished confusion and live!  Walk up the street to a life with meaning." Proverbs 9:6 (MSG)  3.  Question of Intention:  What is my purpose? "Why did you create us? For nothing?" Psalm 89:47 (NCV)  "Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding." Proverbs 9:10 (LB)                 Answer: I find my purpose by knowing God.                "For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible…everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16 (MSG)  "It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for... part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone." Ephesians 1:11 (MSG)  "It makes no difference who you are or where you're from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open." Acts 10:35 (MSG)  "Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do." Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)  For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www. freedom-church.org.