Winning the Battle
Taking Control of Your Thoughts
Thank you for being in service. Here are my notes and added material. I will add audio and more materials on this subject in a few days. We love you, Praise Chapel Rancho, Larry & Janet
You can download a PDF of these notes: Click Here
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Introduction:
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Recently, Janet and I traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, to attend our granddaughter’s graduation from nursing school. We planned to wake up early at 5 am. However, Janet’s watch was still set to East Coast time, causing her to wake up at 1 am, believing it was 3 am. Acting on misinformation disrupted her whole day.
This experience reminded me how harmful misinformation can be, especially today when misinformation is everywhere. Jesus warned us about lies, calling the devil the "father of lies."
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Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32 NKJV: “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.’”
1. Recognize Your Battlefield
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Your mind is the primary battlefield where every spiritual and moral conflict takes place. Paul clearly outlines this battle in Romans 8:17 ESV:
“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.”
Our minds have a natural bias toward sin, creating strongholds—patterns of thought contrary to God's truth. The Apostle Paul instructs us in
Romans 12:2 NET: “Do not be conformed to this present world (age), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.”
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We must completely renew our minds, rejecting worldly misinformation that can misdirect us just as Janet's watch did that morning.
Paul also tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLV: “It is true, we live in a body of flesh. But we do not fight like people of the world. We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with, and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.”
Ultimately, you must prepare your mind for action and self-control. Peter emphasizes this in 1 Peter 1:13 NLT: “So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control.”
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2. Take Charge of Your Thoughts
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While driving to Phoenix early that morning, I intentionally changed my thinking to focus on preparing my message. It made me wonder, how exactly do we change our thoughts so intentionally?
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The answer lies in understanding ourselves as beings created with three distinct parts. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 NLT explains: “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”
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Your brain is part of your physical body—merely a muscle that you train and discipline. Your brain does not control you; your spirit, which is your true self, directs your mind.
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3. Activate Your Spirit Through Rebirth
Jesus emphasized the importance of spiritual rebirth when He spoke with Nicodemus.
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John 3:2-6 NLT, “‘Rabbi,’ he said, ‘we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.’ Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’ ‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed Nicodemus. ‘How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’ Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.’”
Being born again spiritually gives us the power to discern and choose spiritual truths over fleshly desires. Romans 8:5 NKJV states:
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”
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Romans 8:16 NLT adds: “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.”
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4. Winning Battles Through Acceptable Worship
Hebrews 12:28 encourages us to: “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
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Acceptable worship isn't merely singing songs—it is a powerful spiritual weapon that burns away the desires of the flesh.
Jesus said in John 4:24 NKJV: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Worship should flow genuinely from the heart, becoming a daily lifestyle—not merely a weekly event.
5. The Three Phases of Acceptable Worship
Acceptable worship involves three distinct phases: Thanksgiving, Praise, and Holiness.
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Thanksgiving: Psalm 100:4 NKJV instructs, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV commands, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Gratitude keeps our hearts free from bitterness and defeat.
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Praise: Praise is the physical expression of gratitude. It disciplines your flesh and reinforces spiritual victory. Acts of praise like singing, clapping, dancing, standing, and shouting are practical ways to assert your spiritual authority and anticipate breakthroughs.
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Holiness: Hebrews 12:14 NLT reminds us to “work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.” Authentic worship cannot coexist with an unholy lifestyle.
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To win spiritual battles, you must actively recognize your mind as a battlefield, take charge of your thoughts through your spirit, activate your spirit through rebirth, and engage consistently in acceptable worship.
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More resources will be added here.
Winning the Battles of LIfe
Added Resources
Thanksgiving, Praise, Worship with Holiness
Foundational Scripture
Hebrews 12:28 (NKJV):
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”
1. Thanksgiving Grants You Access
Psalm 100:4:
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.”
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God’s presence has a pathway: Thanksgiving → Praise → Worship.
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We don’t access His presence by feelings, but by obedience to His order.
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Thanksgiving opens the door, not just to blessings, but to relationship with God.
Example: The One Grateful Leper (Luke 17:12–19)
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Only one out of ten lepers returned to thank Jesus.
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He didn’t just get healed—he got saved.
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Gratitude leads to deeper spiritual transformation.
Declare This Aloud:
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The Lord is good.
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His mercy is everlasting.
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His truth endures to all generations.
Takeaway:
Start every prayer and battle with thanksgiving. It sets the tone for victory.
2. Praise Builds God's Throne and Silences the Enemy
Psalm 22:3 (NKJV):
“But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.”
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Praise creates a throne for God to dwell in your situation.
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It silences your spiritual enemies—Satan cannot stay where God is enthroned.
Psalm 50:23 (NKJV):
“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
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Praise prepares the way for God to act.
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It’s not begging for victory—it’s celebrating a victory already won (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Illustrations:
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Paul & Silas (Acts 16:25–26): Sang in jail → earthquake → chains fell.
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Jonah (Jonah 2:9–10): Thanked God in the fish → got delivered.
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Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:22): Sent singers first → God fought for them.
Takeaway:
Don’t wait for a breakthrough—praise your way to it.
3. Worship Requires Purity and Preparation: Holiness
John 4:24:
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
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Worship is not just what you do, it’s who you are.
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In the Old Testament, worship required clean sacrifices.
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Today, worship demands a clean heart and a holy life.
1 Samuel 15:22:
“To obey is better than sacrifice.”
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Worship without obedience is deception.
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God rejects “worship” that lacks truth and purity (Leviticus 10:1–3).
Danger of Mock Worship:
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Soldiers mocked Jesus with false worship (Mark 15:16–20).
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Worship without sincerity is still mockery.
Takeaway:
Worship flows from a holy lifestyle. Holiness isn’t optional—it’s essential.
4. Singing is a Command, Not a Suggestion
Psalm 96:1-2:
“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.”
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Singing isn’t about talent—it’s about obedience and expression.
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You’re not auditioning for heaven’s choir. You’re offering your heart.
Isaiah 54:1:
“Sing, O barren...”
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Singing releases faith in barren seasons.
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It welcomes God’s power into places of emptiness and frustration.
Job 38:7:
“When the morning stars sang together…”
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Song is woven into creation—it carries creative and prophetic power.
Takeaway:
Sing to shift the atmosphere—at home, in the car, in church. Don’t be silent!
5. Worship Is Expressed Through Action
Here’s how you can physically express your worship:
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Clapping (Psalm 47:1): Instrument of celebration and warfare.
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Lifting Hands (Psalm 28:2): Surrender and intercession.
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Standing (1 Kings 8:22): Reverence and honor.
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Dancing (2 Samuel 6:14): Joyful expression of freedom.
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Shouting (Psalm 98:4–6): Bold declaration of victory.
Two Responses to Worship:
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David: Danced with all his might—freedom.
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Michal: Criticized him—pride.
Romans 12:1–2:
“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice… this is your reasonable worship.”
Takeaway:
Worship isn’t just internal—it’s visible, vocal, and physical.
Conclusion: Worship That Wins Battles
Real Worship:
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Starts with thanksgiving.
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Builds with praise.
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Requires holiness.
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Is expressed through song and action.
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Releases the supernatural power of God.
False Worship:
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Is based on emotions, pride, or performance.
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Is rejected by God when it lacks truth.
Final Challenge:
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1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God…”
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Romans 1:21 warns: When people stopped being thankful, they spiraled into darkness.
Let’s Choose: To be warriors of worship—not spectators. To fight our battles not with fists, but with thanksgiving, praise, holiness, and true worship.