What On Your Mind

Most believers know the importance of reading and studying the Word of God, which is good, but most do not take the time to meditate on God's Word. We have stressed the need to being born again and to live a godly life, but most new believers do not receive much teaching or encouragement regarding the necessity of having a renewed mind. Isn't it interesting the enthusiasm and joy that comes with the born again experience, but unless a new believer engages and feeds on the Word that joy will eventually die out.

The mind is similar to a sponge when it comes to knowledge. However, most knowledge comes by-way-of our five senses giving the mind will and emotions control over a person. But when one feeds on the Word through meditation, the mind slowly but surely becomes renewed. As the mind is renewed, the Word is then lived out because faith continually grows. Eventually, the spirit begin to take control and the mind then comes into fellowship with the spirit. This is very important principle for all believers not only new ones. Many Christians are led by the mind, will and emotions because their minds are not being renewed and their spirit is being starved of the truth.

The apostle Paul shows us two important aspects of the born again life in regard to the physical body and its thinking process, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) Take notice that believers are to present their bodies, which holds the five senses to the Lord. This is in the sense of the Old Testament priest offering a sacrifice on the alter to the Lord. It is a dedication of yourself to the Lord for His service, which is a reasonable thing to do. Why? Because no matter how long you have been born again, every persons mind has been influenced by the things of the world. For many, worldly concepts have had you under their dominion and you have not come to the freedom that comes by the truth.

Many today live in a semi-spiritual darkness still finding it difficult to know and understand the true nature, character, will, purposes and plan of God. Many continuously go to a church leader to deal with issues that never seem to leave because they have not taken it upon themselves to renew their mind. But as one renews his/her mind, they will come to know the Lord in a deeper personal manner. Not only that, but as ones mind continues to be renewed they will not be satisfied with the acceptable and the good will of God but will want to know what is the perfect will of God.

One of the ways that you can gauge if your mind being renewed will be seen in how much your faith is growing. A person who year after year shows little faith is almost invariably a person whose mind is not being renewed. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." The inward man is your spirit and as you feed your inward man the Word, your mind also becomes renewed.

Finally, take to heart what the Lord spoke to Joshua concerning His Word, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8) Through meditating on the Word day and night you will come to walk in God's will, recognize that His ability and strength has been given to you as well as the promise that was given to Joshua, "For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" so it shall be with you. Amen...

Phobia's, the Worlds Answers to Everything

Did you know that Behavioral Science, the study of human and animal behavior, says that there are 530 types of phobia's among human societies? Phobia's are defined as, an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations. How many believers do you suppose fall prey to phobia's today? Although worry not a particular phobia it is based on a similar response. Worry is thoughts and images of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats, which can breed fear (Phobia) The main difference between the two are phobia's are usually long term and have a constant affect, whereas worry is generally short term and changes based upon a given situation or circumstance.

Worry is one of the greatest hindrances to faith that unfortunately way to many believers give place to in their daily lives. There is an old saying, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". In a similar way, if what man says, ie the media, people on the job, etc. cause believers to worry, then turn off the media excuse yourself from others and open your Bible to grow your faith!!!

In Matthew 6:19-34 Jesus deals with priorities in our lives and what we place value on. Verses 19 and 20 is not talking about monetary wealth only but anything that a person treasures or attaches great wealth or value to that will eventually perish. Jesus tells us how to fix this problem. Do not exhaust your strength or spend your days in this life on things that will perish but prepare ourselves for eternity. We are heirs of Christ and we are to possess the things of God that are not corruptible. 

Verse 21-24 reveals the truth behind what we value. The worldly minded persons (believer) life reveals that his affections (that what he treasures) are of the things of the world whereas a God minded persons (believer)life reveals that his affections (that what he treasures) are on the things of God. Jesus then uses the eye to illustrate what He is talking about in the above verses. The eye regulates the motion of the body. If your eye is healthy, that is fixed on heavenly treasures then your entire life will be steady and unwavering. However, if your eye is unhealthy, that is fixed on worldly treasures, your life is confused and uncertain. Jesus uses another illustration of the necessity of storing up treasures in heaven. This is based on a natural human law. It is humanly impossible for a person to put their utmost affections, their highest regard on two things at the same time. It is humanly impossible to serve the true God of heaven and earth and be engaged with worldly treasures. Be honest with yourself right now. Do you truly and honestly place your utmost affections, your highest regard on Jesus Christ?

In Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." Jesus really hits the nail on the head as He challenges us to put our utmost affections, our highest regard on Him and not another human being, but is it so? It take true Bible faith to do this. Why? Think of how many times we have allowed worry to fill our minds over another person especially a loved one. We some how do not make the connection with what we truly treasure and what Jesus is saying.

When we reduce worry to its lowest denominator (if that is possible) or no matter how we look at it, worry is still produced from a lack of faith in Christ and the integrity of Gods Word. Believers already have faith or they would not have experienced rebirth. The problem that many believers face is not being fully convinced that what God has promised He is able to perform. However, the good news is, we can come to a place in our lives where we become convinced that God is willing and able. This comes by do something in our lives that God has promised will build our faith. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) Schedule daily time reading, studying and especially meditating on Gods Word and our faith will grow and worry will leave.