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Message Title: Lift Your Head

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,\\xa0set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.\\xa0Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)\\xa0

This Christmas season we don\\u2019t need change of situation\\u2026 as much as we need a change of perspective.

1. 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\\xa0Lord\\xa0Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear\\u2026 Isaiah 8:12-22 (NIV)

Distressed and hungry,\\xa0they will roam through the land;\\xa0when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse\\xa0their king and their God.\\xa0Isaiah 8:12-22 (NIV)

Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom,\\xa0and they will be thrust into utter darkness. Isaiah 8:12-22 (NIV)

2. People LOST in DARKNESS

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom\\xa0for those who were in distress\\u2026 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)

3. People EXHAUSTED from the FIGHT

For as in the day of Midian\\u2019s defeat, you have shattered the yoke\\xa0that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior\\u2019s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning,\\xa0will 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\\xa0will be on his shoulders. Isaiah 9:1-7(NIV)\\xa0

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,\\xa0Mighty God, Everlasting\\xa0Father,\\xa0Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:1-7(NIV)

Of the greatness of his government\\xa0and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:1-7(NIV)

1. COMFORT in your circumstance.

\\u2026The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,\\xa0who comforts us\\xa0in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.\\xa02 Corinthians 1:3-5(NIV)\\xa0

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ,\\xa0so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5(NIV)\\xa0

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)

2. PERSPECTIVE on your responsibility.

We want God to change our CIRCUMSTANCES\\u2026 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\\u2019s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.\\xa0Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT)

For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.\\xa0And 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\\u2026 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)

3. HOPE for your tomorrow.

\\u2026In his great mercy\\xa0he has given us new birth\\xa0into a living hope\\xa0through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,\\xa0and into an inheritance\\xa0that can never perish, spoil or fade.\\xa0This inheritance is kept in heaven for you... 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)

When eternity is our perspective\\u2026 our circumstances aren\\u2019t permanent.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace\\xa0as 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.