The Right Mind

To walk with God, 

We just got finished talking about how God calls us to "Walk." To "Go." To "Do." So what does that mean? To walk in faith? In order to walk in faith, go forth teaching the Word, and making disciples, doing the work of the Father, you must have the right mind. Earl Nightingale, an American Motivational Speaker and Author, known as the "Dean of Personal Development," declared, "We become what we think about." Not only is this true, but it is also Biblical.

What happens when bad stuff happens in our lives? Loss of a loved one. Loss of a job. Breakups. Discovery of sickness. Covid? Whatever it may be. We, as humans, have a tendency to go to that most famous of all Movie Theaters in the world. We go to the lobby. We get our popcorn and big soda, we sit in the not so comfortable seats, and we watch the movie. We watch the events unfold over and over again. Oh, we may throw in there some "what ifs?" and "if onlys." But we play the events over and over again.

What about every day? Our daily lives? What is on your mind? What is the movie playing in your head? Is it the blockbuster "What Bills are Due?" Or, "Do I Get Promotion or Raise?" "How to Eliminate an Annoying Coworker?" Or the ever-popular "What's For Dinner?" Seriously. Check your ticket stub. What is playing right now?

Try this one.

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips, I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies, I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word."

That is Psalm 119:9-16 or "Beth"

Did you know that,

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," 2 Timothy 3:16

This, {Holding up the Bible} is the infallible, incorruptible, absolute, and complete, Word of God. It is NOT a history book. It is not a religious book. It is not a book of do's and don't's. It is the only way that you can receive the right mind. It is the only way you can take your mind off of world things and put them on Spiritual things.

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2

We are so overwhelmed with the things of this world, that sometimes they can come and choke out the very word of God from our lives. The lies start to be whispered in our ears. "The Bible is nothing important. It is filled with contradictions and is only meant to control your life." "It was written thousands of years ago. It does not apply to today." "You will never understand it." "You just don't have time to read it."

It IS the Word of God. There are NO contradictions in the Bible. Zero. There are misinterpretations, misunderstandings, and some differing perspectives, but there are NO contradictions. It was written by the hand of man, however, "All Scripture is breathed out by God." As for it being written thousands of years ago?

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." Malachi 3:6

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Himself said this.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Matthew 24:35

Yeah, it was written thousands of years ago, but it is still being played out just as it was written, we have not even gotten to Revelations yet. We are not finished and the Word is not finished. It is the living breathing Word of God that is as applicable now as it ever was. If not more so today.

Will you understand it? Yes. God will send the Holy Spirit into your life to teach you and to show you what He wants to show you. You could read the Bible a hundred times, you will see things every time that you may not have seen before. That is God talking to you through His Word.

You DO have time. Now please do not get offended, but did you miss your favorite show? Take in your favorite sporting event? Did you work out for over an hour? Did you go have coffee with friends? You have more time than you think. You just have to choose to prioritize the time to read the Bible. I get up early and spend the first few moments of time each day in prayer and reading our Father's Word. I find it prepares me better for the day than just getting up and watching the news.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

You cannot think about Godly things and worldly things at the same time. When we are in the flesh, we mind the things of the flesh. The end result of the works of the flesh? Galatians 5:19-21

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

However, the fruit of the Spirit are these,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." 22-26

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, no longer have to worry. In Philippians 4:7-9

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Turn off that Movie Theater of the Mind. Or at least change the Movie. As our friends and family try to help. They say things like "it is what it is." Or "life goes on." Or "time heals all wounds." ETC. But there we sit, watching it over, and over, and over, again.

Sometimes, we find ourselves angry that we are where we are in life. We look around and we see others doing so well, and we are struggling to pay our bills. We can't go on a cruise whenever we want. We can't buy that new toy for our kid. We can't live in a million-dollar mansion. It's not fair. So we play the "Woe is Me" Movie, over and over, again.

It does not even have to be a catastrophic, or life-changing event. Sometimes, everything seems to be going right. Good job. Great relationship. Money in the Bank. Yet, you are depressed. Sometimes when all is well, you are worried that it will not last. "What if?" "What if it all ended tomorrow?" So the movie you are watching is what you feel will happen if it all goes away.

Time to change the Movie. Why? "We become what we think about." Like I said, this is not only true, but it is also Biblical.

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

C.S. Lewis told us "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither."

 
STOP WATCHING THE MOVIE. Stop thinking of what happened. Stop worrying about what might happen. Stop worrying at all. God is your Daddy, and He has your back. Simply trust in Him. If we become what we think about, and we do, then be mindful of what you are thinking.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? 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 heal 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 and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. 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 just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved." Romans 10:9 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

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!