Check Out Your Mind

“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; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.”  Romans 8: 5-8

 So, tell us…what’s on your mind?  What controls you?  Do you think of the God’s Word as something out of the mind of men, or were men used as instruments of God?  What did you wake up this morning thinking about?  The truth is that we must fix our minds daily on heavenly matters – we have to fix our mind on Jesus (Hebrews 3:1).  This, as some of you know, is not always an easy thing because the world offers so much temptation and many distractions.  However, if we saturate ourselves with the Word of God and continue to pray at the feet of Christ then we will see significant improvement in our Christian walk.  Perhaps there is some sinful habit that you’ve been praying for God to uproot in your life.  The Bible says that if we suffer just as Christ suffered, then we too will be free from sin (1Peter 4:1).  So, pick up your cross and follow Jesus; set your mind in the heavenly realm.  Let it be so.  Amen.

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,…” (NIVUK)

 

As Believers, we need to take off the shackles of sin.  Tell me, what is that one sinful thing in your life that you just can’t seem to shake.  Over and and over you keep asking God for His forgivenes, but you keep going back.   All that we need to do is “fix our eyes on Jesus.”  I know that it is not always easy.  God knows that there are many distractions in this world to keep our eyes fixed on other things.  However, if we call on Him to help us, go to Him in prayer and supplication, and study His word then He guarantees our success against sin and Satan.  So, come on and just fix your eyes on Jesus.  Remember, nothing is impossible with God — nothing.   ~Luke 1:37

Peace~

For God so loved the world…

 

 

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

 

 Before I became a born-again Believer, I remember feeling that I didn’t want to be “saved” until I was finished having my fun, or when I was “clean” enough to present myself to God.  Yes, I was wrong.  First, I didn’t know that it was not me who chose Him, but rather, He chose me.  As it says in His word, “…many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). You see, I didn’t feel in my heart that I could stop sinning, but I didn’t realize that He sent His only son to save me from sin.  The Word describes Him as the second Adam sent to redeem the world from sin:  “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).  Also:  ”The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45).

I thank God for all He has done.  He sent His only Son – The Great Redeemer – to save us from sin. It is because of Him that we are able to have eternal life long after this world has passed away. So, don’t worry about how you look right now, what you’ve done, or how bad your life seems. He will take you just as you are.  If you’re serious about getting to know Jesus Christ as your personal savior, then He will start by forgetting all that you’ve ever done.  Yes, you will fall short of His glory again – we all do, but remember that it is your old nature that desires sin, and not the new man who has been cleansed from all unrighteousness.  The word says that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 ).

So, it is important to study the word of God (Bible) and keep your mind on Jesus:  “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.” (Romans 8:5 — New International version).  You can do this by saturating your mind with His word and pray without ceasing.   Furthermore, whether you have never given your life to Christ or you are a backslider returning to Him remember that He is waiting for you with open arms.  Peace~

Religious or Spiritual?

During the period of my late 20s and early 30s, I had turned my back on the God.  No, it’s not that I denounced God or cursed His name, but I stopped going to church, prayed only in times of need or trouble, and did whatever my flesh so desired. As a matter of fact, one of my favorite answers to the question of my salvation was, “I’m not religious…I’m spiritual.”  In other words, I didn’t like the structured tradition of a church environment.  Also, I felt that those in the church were not behaving in a “Christian” like way.  Otherwise, I felt that God generally watched over me and heard my prayers;  plus, I was a nice guy – a good person;  I was “spiritual.”  Now, this was coming from a preacher’s son who grew up in the church.  I had some nerve, huh? 

 As I reflect on those days when I was living for my own pleasure and running away from the Holy Spirit, I now realize that I didn’t know the true meaning of the word, “spiritual.”  Webster’s dictionary describes it as: being concerned with religious values.  Hah!  There goes my argument right there; how can I claim to have nothing to do with religion if I am so called “spiritual?”  It’s not possible.  In other words, we are either born of the Spirit, or we are of this world; we can’t be both.  Jesus states in John 3:5, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” 

 I now realize that our walk with Jesus Christ is personal, and it has nothing to do with what others are saying or doing.  If we base our decision to follow Christ on what man or the church is doing, then we will never follow Him.  By Grace, His Holy Spirit has allowed us to have a personal relationship with the Father.  So, are you “born of the water and Spirit?”  Have you given your life over to Christ, or are you just “spiritual?”   If you have any doubts then please say this prayer: 

 “Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

 Now, if you prayed this and believe it, then you are saved.  That was easy, huh?  He has made true Salvation so easy for us, yet there are so many who won’t accept it.  I’m glad you did, and I’m definitely glad that I did.  Now, the Holy Spirit lives in you; therefore, you have been made clean and are truly “Spiritual.”  To God be the glory.