Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
Romans 8:5-6 NIV
Have you ever met someone with a certain mindset - that no matter what you said - they weren't changing their mind? Sometimes that can be a good thing; sometimes, not so good... It all depends on what set their mind in the first place. Was it Truth or circumstances of life or lies?
We've all met people who are convinced that life is just one crisis or tragedy after another. Their mindset is that life is bad or at the very least, depressing, and nothing can change it. No matter what you say, they don't see that they have a choice. And because that's what they believe, in their mind they're right. However, the Word of God tells us, I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; There IS a better choice!
Colossians 1:2 (NIV) instructs us to Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. We have a choice. We CAN choose life. If we set our minds on what the Spirit desires, we can - and WILL - have life and peace. What's your mindset?
Prayer:
Father,
Your Word tells us in Isaiah 26:3 that You will keep us in perfect peace when we trust You and keep our thoughts fixed on You. Help us to not entertain thoughts and mindsets that are displeasing to You. We want to walk according to Your Word. We choose to love You - the Lord our God, to obey Your voice and cling to You for You are our life and the length of our days. Cause us to keep our hearts and minds in submission to You and Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Praying +
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
1st Thessalonians 5:16-18
I used to be so intimidated to pray aloud. I was afraid of what people would think. I was afraid I would somehow misspeak. And then one day, Steve Fender, in San Antonio - a man who could pray the roof right off a building - preached the most liberating message about prayer. He said, "Stop worrying about what the person next to you thinks about your prayer...unless, of course, you're praying to them. And if you're not praying to them, what does it matter what they think?"
God judges our heart - the inside of us - not the outside.
There's a story about a preacher who was walking out of church one day and noticed a little boy kneeling down behind one of the bushes on the church property. Suspecting foul play, the preacher began to sneak up behind him. As he got closer, he heard the boy reciting, "A B C D... A B C D... A B C D... "
The preacher stood up and demanded with a booming voice, "Boy, what do you think you're doing?"
The little boy looked up from his kneeling position, then stammered, "I...I...I'm praying, sir."
With a snort of derision, the preacher declared, "That's not praying - all you're doing is reciting letters."
"Yes, sir, I know, but didn't you tell us that God knows everything?"
"Of course He does!" the preacher pontificated.
"Well," began the boy in his explanation, "If God knows everything, He knows what I need to say, but I don't. So, I figured I'd give Him the letters and He could put them together to make the right words."
If ever in your life you've had a conversation with anyone, then you have the necessary rudiments to prayer. Someone to talk to. Someone who will listen. Someone who will answer.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for establishing an open line of communication. Thank You that You hear our prayers. Thank You that there isn't anything...anything...that is taboo when it comes to talking with You. Keep us ever mindful to include You in all our conversation. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
1st Thessalonians 5:16-18
I used to be so intimidated to pray aloud. I was afraid of what people would think. I was afraid I would somehow misspeak. And then one day, Steve Fender, in San Antonio - a man who could pray the roof right off a building - preached the most liberating message about prayer. He said, "Stop worrying about what the person next to you thinks about your prayer...unless, of course, you're praying to them. And if you're not praying to them, what does it matter what they think?"
God judges our heart - the inside of us - not the outside.
There's a story about a preacher who was walking out of church one day and noticed a little boy kneeling down behind one of the bushes on the church property. Suspecting foul play, the preacher began to sneak up behind him. As he got closer, he heard the boy reciting, "A B C D... A B C D... A B C D... "
The preacher stood up and demanded with a booming voice, "Boy, what do you think you're doing?"
The little boy looked up from his kneeling position, then stammered, "I...I...I'm praying, sir."
With a snort of derision, the preacher declared, "That's not praying - all you're doing is reciting letters."
"Yes, sir, I know, but didn't you tell us that God knows everything?"
"Of course He does!" the preacher pontificated.
"Well," began the boy in his explanation, "If God knows everything, He knows what I need to say, but I don't. So, I figured I'd give Him the letters and He could put them together to make the right words."
If ever in your life you've had a conversation with anyone, then you have the necessary rudiments to prayer. Someone to talk to. Someone who will listen. Someone who will answer.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for establishing an open line of communication. Thank You that You hear our prayers. Thank You that there isn't anything...anything...that is taboo when it comes to talking with You. Keep us ever mindful to include You in all our conversation. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Encouraging Word *
Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.
1st Peter 4:1-2 The Message
You've already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it's time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don't understand why you don't join in with the old gang anymore. But you don't have to give an account to them. They're the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself.
Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus.
Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.
Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.
If you're abused [criticized] because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!
It's judgment time for God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message! If good people barely make it, what's in store for the bad?
So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it. 1st Peter 4:3-19
Prayer:
Father,
You never promised us it would be easy. You promised that You would never leave us or forsake us. We know You're as good as Your Word, and we trust You. Manifest Your Glory, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
1st Peter 4:1-2 The Message
You've already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it's time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don't understand why you don't join in with the old gang anymore. But you don't have to give an account to them. They're the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself.
Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus.
Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.
Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.
If you're abused [criticized] because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!
It's judgment time for God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message! If good people barely make it, what's in store for the bad?
So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it. 1st Peter 4:3-19
Prayer:
Father,
You never promised us it would be easy. You promised that You would never leave us or forsake us. We know You're as good as Your Word, and we trust You. Manifest Your Glory, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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