Fixate PHX

Fixate PHX

by Fixate Phoenix
ChristianitySpiritualityReligion
Submitted and Unsubmitted Appetites PT 4: MONEY O(W)N(S) MY MIND
Scripture References MATTHEW 19:16-22 LUKE 14:16-24 HOW TO MAKE SURE MONEY/POSSESSIONS IS IN A PERIPHERAL PLACE IN OUR MINDS AND NOT THE CENTER FOCUS OF OUR EXISTENCE. 1. POSSESSIONS PROMISE SECURITY THEY CANNOT DELIVER.. The first man says, “I have bought a field.” In the ancient world, land was retirement, inheritance, wealth, and stability all rolled into one. Jesus isn’t condemning ownership; He’s exposing misplaced trust. The Rich Young Ruler had obeyed the commandments, but when Jesus touched his possessions, his true allegiance was revealed. The question is not whether you own things—the question is whether your things have become the place you run for security instead of God. 2. POSSESSIONS DEMAND ATTENTION THEY DO NOT DESERVE.. The Rich Young Ruler wasn’t condemned because he was rich; he walked away because he could not imagine life without what he owned. Notice how both the ruler and the man in Luke 14 are distracted by possessions. One must go inspect a field; the other cannot release his wealth to follow Jesus. It is possible for God to have your affection while possessions have your attention. Whatever constantly occupies your mind will eventually shape the direction of your life. 3. THE KINGDOM REQUIRES SURRENDER, NOT JUST BELIEF.. Both stories involve people who wanted God without releasing control. The Rich Young Ruler wanted eternal life but not at the cost of his possessions. The invited guests wanted the benefits of the feast but prioritized their own agendas when the invitation arrived. Jesus is showing that discipleship is not merely believing the King exists; it is reordering everything beneath His rule. The issue is not how much money you have—it is whether money has a claimed sole focus of your existence.
Jun 29, 2026
43:28
Submitted and Unsubmitted Appetites pt 3: MARSHMALLOWS AND THE CHOICE BETWEEN HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY POWER
Submitted and Un-submitted Appetites pt 3: MARSHMALLOWS AND THE CHOICE BETWEEN HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY POWER Fixate Phx - Pastor Micah Schoeplein June 21st, 2026 Scripture References: MATTHEW 4:8-11 MARK 10:35-45 1. ALLEGIANCE DETERMINES THE SOURCE OF POWER. The greatest question about power is not what you can do with it, but where you believe it comes from. Jesus was offered the kingdoms of the world, but refused to gain power at the cost of false allegiance. Earthly power tempts us to compromise for quicker results, greater recognition, or more control by asking us to worship fallen things. Heavenly power begins with surrender, trusting God’s timing and God’s ways. Before God entrusts us with influence, He first tests our allegiance… and the worst thing that can happen is when you have influence but do not know where your allegiance is.. 2. Earthly power produces pride; humility determines how well we handle power. Throughout Scripture, the temptation of power is ultimately the temptation of pride. Whether it was Satan offering Jesus the world, the disciples debating who would be greatest, or rulers believing they were the source of their own authority.. earthly power consistently feeds pride, self-reliance, and arrogance. Heavenly power works in the opposite direction—it produces surrender, dependence, and humility before God. It recognizes that every position, opportunity, and measure of influence is entrusted by God and ultimately belongs to Him. 3. Trust God’s sovereignty more than human authority. Scripture repeatedly shows that God raises up kings and removes them. Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Babylon, and Rome all seemed permanent, yet every earthly power eventually faded. Our hope is not in who sits on an earthly throne, but in the God who rules over every throne. Power is not just about earthly thrones of others we swear allegiance to, it's also about the thrones we seek to build in hopes people swear allegiance to us.. Submitted power is the recognition that any power I have is borrowed from Jesus.
Jun 21, 2026
40:48
Submitted and Unsubmitted Appetites pt 2; BODILY STEWARDSHIP AND FOOD OF FEELING
Scripture References: 1 COR 6:12-13; 18-20 PHILLIPIANS 3:17-21 MATTHEW 4:1-4– LUKE 24:41-43 HOW TO SUBMIT WHAT THE ENEMY TRIES TO EXPLOIT 1. Appetite Is a Gift but a Terrible God.. God created hunger, desire, and appetite as good gifts. The problem isn’t that we have appetites; it’s when our appetites begin impulsively directing our lives instead of serving God’s purposes. Paul's warning to Philippians is that some people make their appetite their god, allowing cravings and impulses to become their highest authority. Every person serves something, and one of the easiest idols to miss is the one we carry around in our own body. A submitted life asks, “Am I leading my appetites, or are my appetites leading me?”. 2. What You Feed Grows, What You Starve Weakens. In Matthew 4, Jesus shows us that spiritual strength is forged through physical restraint. The temptation wasn’t merely about bread—it was about whether physical desire would dictate His decisions. Every appetite becomes stronger when constantly indulged and will always weaken when it is only occasionally denied. Fasting is not punishment, nor is it a way to earn God’s favor; it is training our craving to submit. Every time we tell our flesh “not now,” we are teaching our spirit to say “yes” to God. 3. Your Body Is a Tool for Worship, Not an Object to Worship. Paul reminds the Corinthians that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and were purchased at a great price. The Christian response is neither neglect of the body nor obsession with it, but faithful stewardship. Our culture swings between indulgence and image worship, but Scripture calls us to something better. We care for our bodies not because they define our worth or affirm existence, but because they belong to God. The goal is not a perfect physique; the goal is a life that glorifies God in both spirit and body.
Jun 16, 2026
37:42
Submitted and unsubmitted appetites pt 1; SEX AND THE SOUL
Scripture References: JUDGES 13:3-5 Judges 13:24-25 Judges 14:1-4- Judges 16:1-5– JUDGES 16:15-21 JUDGES 16:18-21 JUDGES 16:22 1 COR 6:12-20 HOW TO DEVELOP WITHIN YOUR HEAD, HEART, AND HABITS A HEALTHY SEXUAL WORLDVIEW 1-WITH YOUR MIND YOU MUST Develop a Theology of Covenant Understanding… Sex was never designed by God as merely a physical act. From the beginning, it was created as a covenant act that joins two lives into one. MEANING THE ACT IS ACTUALLY A CHOICE OF DO I WANT THIS LIFE ATTACHED TO MINE FOREVER?... Samson viewed relationships through the lens of appetite, saying, “Get her for me, for she looks good to me,” rather than through the lens of purpose and covenant. What we believe about sex will ultimately shape how we practice sex. If we see it as consumption, we will use people; if we see it as covenant, we will honor people and God will be faithful to provide for you the intimacy your soul searches for. 2- WITH YOUR HEART YOU MUST Train Your Soul to Desire the Right Things… SEXUALITY IS NOT THE PROBLEM… THE PROBLEM IS AN inability to govern OUR SEXUAL IMPULSES. Every person has appetites, but healthy people learn to submit those appetites to God’s design rather than allowing them to rule their lives. If we only fight behavior without addressing the hunger underneath it, we will continue to struggle. A submitted heart asks not merely, “What do I want?” but “What does God want for me?”.. A surrendered heart recognizes sex is about intimacy, and it's either healthy intimacy for my personhood, or unhealthy, toxic and deadly intimacy my flesh craves. 3- IN YOUR EVERYDAY HABITS WE MUST Train our Bodies to encounter the intimacy of the Holy Spirit… Spiritual maturity is built through repeated acts of submission. Samson developed a pattern of immediately pursuing whatever he desired, and over time that pattern became bondage. Every habit is forming someone, either strengthening your spirit or strengthening your appetite. Habits of Prayer, fasting, confession, accountability, and healthy boundaries are not restrictions; they are training grounds for freedom. When you're living out holiness it's easy to tell what is unholy, ‘no’… when we live out of rhythm with holiness.. It is easy to struggle with that which is unholy.
Jun 8, 2026
54:21
Root of the Restless pt 5; ADDICTED TO MORE
Scripture References: Matthew 14:13-21 MATTHEW 15:29-39 EXODUS 16:1-7 HOW TO MAKE SURE THE MORE ISN’T MOLDY 1- YOUR MORE IS CONNECTED TO YOUR PRESENT PROXIMITY TO JESUS, AND IF ITS NOT IT WILL BE MOLDY. 2- YOUR MORE IS CONNECTED TO HIS HANDS, NOT YOURS, AND IF ITS NOT… YOU FINNA BE MOLDY. 3- YOUR MORE IS CONNECTED TO HIS WORDS, AND IF YOU DONT KNOW THEM… DONT BE SURPRISED IF THE MORE ENDS UP MOLDY. 4-ONLY JESUS BRINGS ‘MORE’ THAT SATISIFIES.. A people whose disobedience in the wilderness and sin was rooted in seeking their own satisfaction.. now find in the wilderness, a man providing satisfaction. People who when they tried to gather more, only were met with mold and maggots… Now have leftovers that don't spoil. The difference between MORE THAT SATISFIES AND HAS LEFT OVER versus mold and maggots…. JESUS. Is Jesus my source of more? My trust for more? My ambition filtered through his reasoning for more? My understanding of more surrendered to his more? Because if not… its not more… its maggots and its mold. The difference between MORE THAT SATISFIES and MORE THAT ROTS is JESUS.
Jun 1, 2026
41:36
Root of the Restless pt 4; THE CHRONIC CONDITION OF COMPARISON
Scripture References: Matthew 20:1-16 HOW TO WALK FREE OF CULTURE'S PRESSURE TO ALWAYS COMPARE. 1- Comparison distorts your view of God. "Is your eye envious because I am generous?"... Comparison makes the generosity of God feel offensive instead of beautiful. The workers were angry that someone received something they didn't think they deserved. Comparison turned worship into murder (Cain and Abel), and be careful that you don’t allow it to do the same in your heart and mind at the expense of relationships and being a light in this world. 2- Comparison distorts your view of facts and view of self. THEY AGREED TO THE DENARIUS (vs 2). They were satisfied until they started looking sideways... and when you start looking sideways at everyone else, your life will get sideways quick. Comparison has a way of convincing you that your life isn't blessed, it's barren. We are trapped in a culture of people building personality while losing identity, everyone constantly hoping to get the blessing of someone else by sacrificing authenticity to become someone else. Whatever your belief for the work of the vineyard in God to become in your life know this: it will not be born of imitation, only a life of consecration. 3- The workers were given what was promised at the end... but instead of the ability to receive and rejoice in the wage, they grumbled and complained. Comparison strips gratitude and turns it to grievance. RELIGION SAYS I WORKED LONGER, BUT GRACE SAYS, I SERVE A GENEROUS MASTER. THE QUESTION BEHIND IT ALL: DO I TRUST IN GOD'S GOODNESS? DO I TRUST THE MASTER TO BE FAIR? MY MIND SCREAMS I'M WORTH MORE, HAVE DONE MORE, AND DESERVE MORE. DO I BELIEVE, AND REST, THAT HE IS GOOD, AND WILL BE GOOD, TO ME. Comparison is the symptom… but distrust is the disease.
May 25, 2026
34:12
ROOT OF THE RESTLESS PT 3; A Glass Half Full in a Half Empty World
Scripture Refrences: MATTHEW 13:31-34 How to see a Glass Half Full in a world constantly screaming that it is Half Empty 1- THE KINGDOM GROWS INVISIBLY BEFORE IT GROWS VISIBLY, starting internally before working itself to the external world around you. God is often doing the deepest works inside of you before you see visible results. The enemy wants you to despise small beginnings because if you misjudge the seed, you may abort the process before it grows. It takes 10 years to become an overnight success, and just because it is hidden does not mean it is absent. 2- A small beginning doesn't mean you're excluded from a big ending, it most often is a precursor for it. It was the smallest seed, then it was a bush, then it was a tree… it was a lump of dough with some hidden pecks before it was a loaf of nourishment…. And your view of half empty moments will determine the fullness of the reality of God that you walk out in as a person, because heaven calls you a tree even if you feel like there's no way the seed of your life could ever become one. Seeds and pecks can become trees and loaves if your perspective stays half full even if the development makes you feel empty. 3- YOUR PERSPECTIVE DETERMINES YOUR PARTICIPATION. The half empty heart constantly interprets life through what is missing, delayed, hidden, or unfinished. But the half full heart learns to see small things through the lens of believing for God to do something profound in them. The Kingdom is difficult for restless people because restless people only celebrate finished products while God celebrates planted seeds. Some people miss what God is doing because they are waiting for a spectacle while God is waiting for fuller and deeper surrender to him. The perspective you ruminate on will determine whether you abandon the seeds or nurture them, or if a seed transcends the bush, and becomes a tree.
May 20, 2026
40:25
Jesus 1st Miracle and Mindset
Scripture References: John 2:1-11 AMP I Thess. 5:18 NLT Eph. 5:18-20 NLT I Corinthians 14:1a (AMPC) Rom. 12:2 NLT James 1:21-25 NLT Josh. 1:8 AMPC 2 Cor. 10:4,5 AMPC John 2:1-11 AMP 1.)Do what Jesus says to do. A.) Jesus covers our mistakes/shame and helps us, if we’ll invite Him and do what He says to do. B.) He takes your not enough, and makes it more than enough, if we’ll do what Jesus says do. C.) Jesus makes everything Better/ Better quality of Life with Jesus, if we do what He says to do. Greatest Mindset is to LOVE- never lose sight of the love of God- Aim Higher Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire this love. (make it your aim; your great quest)... Thanks and Praise Mindsets- Cultivate these Lifters Maintain a Humility/Servant Mindset/Childlike Faith Allow God’s Word to Change the Way you Think. (Do it, Speak it, Pray it) It has the Power to save and deliver you, and God says He will Bless you for it! (Greek Meaning -Supremely Blessed, fortunate, well off, happier) A stronghold can be a lie that we believe …and we need to replace it with God’s truth Jesus overcame so you could overcome in every area of your life …Change your mindset and Take up His Word!
May 12, 2026
36:48
Root of the Restless pt 2; Distracted by Doom
2 Samuel 11:1-5; 14-17— HOW TO BREAK FREE OF RESTLESSNESS THAT DOOM HAS CREATED IN YOUR LIFE 1- PRACTICE THE SELF AWARENESS NECESSARY TO ENACT SACRED LIMITS. WHAT YOU DON’T LIMIT WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD AND REWIRE YOU…. MAYBE THE REASON YOUR PRAYING FOR PEACE FROM GOD IS BECAUSE YOUR CONSTANTLY FEEDING CHAOS WITH YOUR LIFESTYLE OF CONSUMPTION. GET OFF THE ROOFTOP BEFORE IT GET RECKLESS AND CARELESS. REPLACE WHAT HAS BECOME A TOXIC REFLEX WITH A LIFESTYLE RESET… BEFORE YOUR MENTAL ROOFTOPS BECOME SPIRITUAL MURDER SCENES. 2- FIND A BATTLE WORTH FIGHTING EVERYDAY AND YOU WONT BE TEMPTED TO SETTLE FOR A ROOFTOP OF COVETING AND COMFORT. A LIFE ROOTED AND RHYTHMIC IS ONE THAT UNDERSTANDS IM FIGHTING EVERYDAY, AND THOUGH COMFORT IS NICE.. TOO MUCH OF IT IS POISON. CHRISTIANITY IS NOT ABOUT BUILDING YOUR ROOFTOP OF COMFORT, ITS ABOUT YOU ACTIVELY FIGHTING DARKNESS AND APPLYING THE SPIRIT OF GOD TO THE BATTLEFIELD OF A FALLEN WORLD. Before there is sinning, there is sitting out.. 3- RESTLESSNESS ON THE ROOFTOP IS AN ENDLESS CYCLE… FROM DAVID TO NOW… ‘I MUST HAVE THIS’... ‘IF I HAD WHAT THEY HAD’.. ‘I NEED THIS OR I'M INCOMPLETE’.. THIS CYCLE STARTS AND NEVER STOPS WHEN YOU ALLOW IT.. YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT ONE RELATIONSHIP WON’T STOP THE LUST.. ONE RAISE OR PROMOTION WONT STOP THE GREED OR MATERIALISM.. ONE MORE NIGHT OUT WONT FIX THE EMPTINESS… BECAUSE YOUR ON THE ROOFTOP WHEN YOU CAN’T REST… AND UNTIL YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED, AND SUBMITTED THE RESTLESSNESS TO THE TRUTH OF GOD, YOUR DISTRACTIVE TENDENCIES WILL DOOM YOUR LIFE IN THE SPIRIT.
May 3, 2026
42:45
ROOT OF THE RESTLESS PT 1; ILLUSION OF ELSEWHERE
Scripture Refrences: Luke 15:11-24 3 things that will get you in a pigsty quickly if you're not careful 1- IMPATIENCE.. YOU MUST FIGHT THIS WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE. “Father, give me..” (Luke 15:12).. When our conversations with God become requests and demands for our freedom and fulfillment to be satisfied in our exact timing and exact specifications… be very, very careful. Impatience is the subtle belief that God is too slow to be trusted… and impatience will get you trading your inheritance for your impulses because you have been blinded by your own passions. Most don’t leave God because he’s bad… they leave him when he’s not fast enough. 2- ESCAPE… BECAUSE NO MATTER WHERE YOU RUN, YOU CANNOT OUTRUN YOURSELF. The prodigal son didn't leave in crisis.. He left the boredom of ordinary life.. The father's house was safe and functional… but it didn't feel like enough. The same restlessness you feel will show up in the next job, relationship, city or place you go because you can't fix inside problems with outside solutions. The son didn’t escape; his idea of escape had to lead him to the emptiness of life without the father… and when he “came to his senses” (verse 17), he returned to what had always made the most sense, the father's house and the father's order. 3- DRIFT… because leaving the father was a slow drift into the losing of everything the son had ever known his life to be; social standing, spiritual place, and the identity of being a son to hoping to just survive as a slave. Slow drift drowning is the number one cause of spiritual bankruptcy I see. The small compromises, the cherry picking of God’s word to suit my comforts, the consistency and committedness that is more feeling than function. The son's blessing was the father… when all was stripped away, the realization was that anywhere that wasn’t with the father wasn’t worth being
Apr 26, 2026
45:29
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