The Right Mind

The cares of the world can be of no effect. 

One of the hardest things for a new Child of God to do, is overcome the cares of the world. So much so, that it can take away the very Blessings that God wants to bestow on them. You see, even though you are a new creature, you are still living in the flesh.

The flesh is always subject to the things of the flesh. The flesh is always subject to the physical world. We are still in the world. However, now as a Child of God, we are no longer OF the world. This can be a hard concept for some to understand. This is one of the reasons that Jesus Himself told us about this.

When He was telling us about the Sower of the Seed, He said this.

Mark 4:

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

First He tells us about those that hear The Word, and receive it with gladness. They hear The Truth. They hear The Way. They understand that it at least sounds better than what they have been going through and they want the better way.

However, they do not take time to learn anymore. They do not take the time to understand what it all means. They did not have Parents that raised them in The Word. They accept The Truth, yet have no foundation. So? They revert back to what they know. These are often those that do not surround themselves with other people of faith. They fail to continue to learn. To be fed. To grow. They simply revert back to what they are. The flesh. Working those things of the flesh.

If someone came to me and told me about how to build a Boat. I would receive what they tell me. I get it. A Boat floats on water and can take me places I can not go without it. However, if I allow myself to walk away and go back to hanging with my friends who have no knowledge of Boat building, what I was told will simply fade away. I will have no Boat. I will have no knowledge of how to build one.

Then Jesus tell us of those who hear The Word and receives it with gladness, yet, do not get their minds right. The allow fear and doubt to creep in. This allows the cares of this world to come in and choke The Truth. They can not believe, nor do they accept, when Jesus talks about our needs being met directly by God. They HEAR Jesus say....

Matthew 6:

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

They HEAR Jesus say this, but they lack the right mindset to receive the faith to accept it as what it is. The Truth. They continue to think as they always have. They allow their minds to dwell on the things of the world and of the flesh. The problem with this is that thoughts lead to actions. Jesus tells us this when it comes to lust. In....

Matthew 5:

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Why? Because thoughts lead to actions. When you start to think on something, you allow the temptation to take hold. Let's say you were an Alcoholic. Or a Smoker. Or someone that used to look at Porn. You give it up. You really want to remain free of this bondage in your life. God sets you free from it. Yet, you see a Commercial, or a Movie, or an advertisement in a magazine, it puts an imagine in your head. Does that make you revert back to it? No. How you chose to deal with it is what matters.

You could immediately reject that thought, cast it out of your head. Or, you can dwell on it. Remember how much fun you think you had when you were doing these things. You remember the taste, the feelings, the "good times" with friends or whatever, that you can associate with them. Then your mind will start telling you how good you have been, and that there is nothing wrong with one cigarette. There is nothing wrong with one beer. People smoke and drink everyday. There is nothing wrong with checking out just one picture. No one will know. Then you do it. One leads to two, leads to you being right back where you started.

You see, the end result of Sin is death. According to....

Galatians 5:

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The works of the flesh manifest, which means, the thoughts you are having, become actions. Those actions become Sin. That Sin, keeps you from the promises of God. But if you allow your thoughts to be on good things, these are manifest into good things. Continuing in this same passage....

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Remember what James said?

James 1:

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Again, you have a choice as a Child of God. A choice that the world does not have. For the world is against God. They are not of God. Therefore, they obey the things of the flesh and make manifest the works of the flesh, for they know no better.

But you are not like these. You ARE a Child of God. You have the Spirit of God in you. You have the ability to put these thoughts away, and the faith to understand that it is all about God. That you, as a Child of God, not longer have concern to worry. In...

Philippians 4:

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Timothy tells us this...

2 Timothy:

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

You, unlike the world, have the ability to overcome anything. You have God as your ally. You have God as your Daddy. David sang....

Psalm 37:

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

You need not worry. Trials and Tribulations will come. The cares of this world can seem overwhelming. But you need no longer worry about them. The cares of the world can be of no effect. Of no concern. Lose your job? Jesus tells us our needs will be met. Someone wrongs you, or abuses you in some way? Forgive them. Take no more thought of them.

Romans 12:

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Are you in threat of losing your home? The fowls of the air have nests. The other animals have dens. How much more important to God are you. He will find a new home for you. Death of a family member? Understand that if they are a Child of God, they are in a far better place now that they have been transformed, than we are.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? Do you have this comfort? Do you know that God is your Daddy and wants nothing but the very best for you? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now you need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

Jeremiah 29:

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Until next time, be blessed, and Jesus IS Lord of all!