“‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’” “Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30.
Another characteristic of a servant’s mind is obedience. In Judges 7 God instructed Gideon to decrease his army from 30,000 to 300 when attacking the Midianites. God stated His reason: ‘In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength saved her.’ God was so aware that this would strike fear in the heart of His servant, He encouraged Gideon to go down to the camp prior to the attack and listen to the ‘buzz’. God provided both encouragement and confirmation for Gideon through this manner. The non-Israelites confirmed that through a dream they knew that Gideon was going to attack them and be victorious.
There have been many faithful and obedient servants over the span of centuries which advanced God’s work but the Champion of servants through His obedience was Jesus Christ. The obedience of Christ spanned His life from boyhood to Savior as highlighted in our verses this morning. His obedience was consistently displayed to the point of death. John 19:30 states that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. ‘This phrase was an unusual way of describing death, perhaps suggesting an act of will’ (or obedience). NIV Study Bible, p. 1663.
My Believer’s Bible Commentary states that the work His Father had given him to do was obeyed, followed through and complete. His work was the pouring out of His soul as an offering for sin! ‘Some Bible scholars tell us that bowing His head may mean that He leaned His head backward, the deliberate putting of His head into a position of rest. That He gave up His spirit emphasized the fact that His death was voluntary. He determined the time of His death. In full control of His faculties, He dismissed His spirit.’ P. 1565. His obedience was daily walked from boyhood to death. Thank God for the obedience of Christ as it relates to our salvation and daily provisions from Him.
Our obedience to what God calls us should never be considered in relation to our comfort levels. Most times, we will be called to something greater than our own abilities to bear witness that it was not ‘our own strength that saved us.’
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Emptying the Flesh
“…but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…” Phil 2:7
I continue my study of servanthood as it relates to the development into the mind of Christ. The characteristics of a servant are humble, obedient, willing, loyal, faithful, watchful, courageous, non-quarrelsome, gentle, teachable, patient, meek, good and wise. I don’t know about you but this makes me exhausted just reading it, nonetheless striving to live it. God’s desire for our servanthood above everything is our character. Our character and who we are as we serve is far more important to God than what we do to serve.
The first quality in the heart of a servant is humility. I was fortunate to witness the life of a humble servant consistently lived out in her life in my grandmother. In everything she did it was accomplished in and through her humility. In powerful translation, the phrase ‘made himself nothing’ literally means ‘emptied himself.’ My NIV Study Bible states, ‘He did this, not by giving up deity, but by laying aside his glory and submitting to the humiliation…Another view is that he laid aside the prerogatives – the high position and glory of deity.’ P. 1840.
We are called to empty ourselves as Christ did while on the earth. To empty ourselves is to free up spiritual space for God to work in and through us to accomplish His work He has set upon us. We are to empty any rights or prerogatives that we feel we have in life. We are to set aside our own agenda and our own pursuit of glory and position. Many years ago I wrote in the back of my Bible ways I can strive for humility. I am still striving and falling short but the importance is on the pursuit of humility. Christ made it look so easy but humility is one of the most difficult postures of our heart that we can master. Only through our pursuit and deepening of fellowship with Christ can we grow in humility.
Remember that the key of being filled up with Christ is emptying ourselves. As my minister prays before his sermons ‘Lord, may you increase so that I may decrease.’
I continue my study of servanthood as it relates to the development into the mind of Christ. The characteristics of a servant are humble, obedient, willing, loyal, faithful, watchful, courageous, non-quarrelsome, gentle, teachable, patient, meek, good and wise. I don’t know about you but this makes me exhausted just reading it, nonetheless striving to live it. God’s desire for our servanthood above everything is our character. Our character and who we are as we serve is far more important to God than what we do to serve.
The first quality in the heart of a servant is humility. I was fortunate to witness the life of a humble servant consistently lived out in her life in my grandmother. In everything she did it was accomplished in and through her humility. In powerful translation, the phrase ‘made himself nothing’ literally means ‘emptied himself.’ My NIV Study Bible states, ‘He did this, not by giving up deity, but by laying aside his glory and submitting to the humiliation…Another view is that he laid aside the prerogatives – the high position and glory of deity.’ P. 1840.
We are called to empty ourselves as Christ did while on the earth. To empty ourselves is to free up spiritual space for God to work in and through us to accomplish His work He has set upon us. We are to empty any rights or prerogatives that we feel we have in life. We are to set aside our own agenda and our own pursuit of glory and position. Many years ago I wrote in the back of my Bible ways I can strive for humility. I am still striving and falling short but the importance is on the pursuit of humility. Christ made it look so easy but humility is one of the most difficult postures of our heart that we can master. Only through our pursuit and deepening of fellowship with Christ can we grow in humility.
Remember that the key of being filled up with Christ is emptying ourselves. As my minister prays before his sermons ‘Lord, may you increase so that I may decrease.’
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Servanthood
“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” John 13:14-15.
In meditating on my Bible Study, The Mind of Christ, I have come to the study of servanthood. My study states there are two reasons for servanthood in each of our lives.
1) It is a command. God’s prospective will always be from a spiritual standpoint and there will always be work to do in His kingdom. When one area of our service is complete we will be assigned another area. There is no retirement in the Kingdom of God whether we are on earth or in Heaven. The entire Bible is an account of God giving His chosen their assignment to further the gospel and the responses of those chosen. The same is with us thousands of years later. God lays opportunities to serve before us and we choose to walk in those opportunities or to turn our backs to them. Jesus used many parables surrounding the master/servant relationship. In every instance the servant was called to give an account of their servanthood. Our servanthood will also be called into account on judgment day which will reveal the level of our submission to God’s authority and obedience.
2) Jesus is our model. With each command God gave us an example for which we can see with our earthly eyes. He gave us Jesus to not only redeem us but to exemplify the manner in which we should serve. The Bible states that Jesus, ‘made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.’ Phil 2:7. Many people confuse the role of slave and servant. A slave is someone who is being held captive but a servant is one who is devoted to his master and accomplishes things on behalf of the master. There was usually great love and respect experienced between the master and the servant. We do not determine our service to God, but rather allow Him to determine what service He desires for our lives. We can use Jesus Christ as our model who came to earth to serve you and me to ensure we have the opportunity for eternal life. He served each of us through His life, His death and His resurrection.
What service will we be called to which will ever require the level of sacrifice that His required? Our service is gauged by our love for God. ‘Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all of your soul and with all of your strength.’ Deut. 6:5.
Our level of service will show our level of love for God and for others.
In meditating on my Bible Study, The Mind of Christ, I have come to the study of servanthood. My study states there are two reasons for servanthood in each of our lives.
1) It is a command. God’s prospective will always be from a spiritual standpoint and there will always be work to do in His kingdom. When one area of our service is complete we will be assigned another area. There is no retirement in the Kingdom of God whether we are on earth or in Heaven. The entire Bible is an account of God giving His chosen their assignment to further the gospel and the responses of those chosen. The same is with us thousands of years later. God lays opportunities to serve before us and we choose to walk in those opportunities or to turn our backs to them. Jesus used many parables surrounding the master/servant relationship. In every instance the servant was called to give an account of their servanthood. Our servanthood will also be called into account on judgment day which will reveal the level of our submission to God’s authority and obedience.
2) Jesus is our model. With each command God gave us an example for which we can see with our earthly eyes. He gave us Jesus to not only redeem us but to exemplify the manner in which we should serve. The Bible states that Jesus, ‘made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.’ Phil 2:7. Many people confuse the role of slave and servant. A slave is someone who is being held captive but a servant is one who is devoted to his master and accomplishes things on behalf of the master. There was usually great love and respect experienced between the master and the servant. We do not determine our service to God, but rather allow Him to determine what service He desires for our lives. We can use Jesus Christ as our model who came to earth to serve you and me to ensure we have the opportunity for eternal life. He served each of us through His life, His death and His resurrection.
What service will we be called to which will ever require the level of sacrifice that His required? Our service is gauged by our love for God. ‘Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all of your soul and with all of your strength.’ Deut. 6:5.
Our level of service will show our level of love for God and for others.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Producing Fruit
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit…For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks…But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:33
With all of the commands from God, watching our spoken words seems on the surface one of the lesser sins. When more closely examined we see why what we say is so important to God – it shows the motivation of our hearts. Fruit on a tree becomes rotten from the inside out – not from the outside in. We are all planted in God’s garden with the capability of producing amazing fruit. It is up to us as to the fruit we will grow.
The motivation of our heart and our spoken words reflect whether our nutrients are from the flow of the Holy Spirit or from the toxins of the flesh. Jesus makes it crystal clear that we will be judged for every word that comes from our mouths. There is no gray area – our words will be life giving or life diminishing. Our example is Christ who was described by God through the prophet Isaiah as one whom ‘a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.’ This attests to the gentleness and meekness of Christ when He walked the earth. There was no malice in Him, ‘And in him is no sin.’ 1 John 3:5. Through Him we take on His righteousness and purity as a means to bear fruit by allowing the Holy Spirit to rule in our hearts and our minds.
Whatever is in our hearts will be vocalized through our mouths. Will it be life giving or life diminishing?
With all of the commands from God, watching our spoken words seems on the surface one of the lesser sins. When more closely examined we see why what we say is so important to God – it shows the motivation of our hearts. Fruit on a tree becomes rotten from the inside out – not from the outside in. We are all planted in God’s garden with the capability of producing amazing fruit. It is up to us as to the fruit we will grow.
The motivation of our heart and our spoken words reflect whether our nutrients are from the flow of the Holy Spirit or from the toxins of the flesh. Jesus makes it crystal clear that we will be judged for every word that comes from our mouths. There is no gray area – our words will be life giving or life diminishing. Our example is Christ who was described by God through the prophet Isaiah as one whom ‘a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.’ This attests to the gentleness and meekness of Christ when He walked the earth. There was no malice in Him, ‘And in him is no sin.’ 1 John 3:5. Through Him we take on His righteousness and purity as a means to bear fruit by allowing the Holy Spirit to rule in our hearts and our minds.
Whatever is in our hearts will be vocalized through our mouths. Will it be life giving or life diminishing?
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Chasing Ghosts
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…Consider him who endured…so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3
One of the most sought after emotion is joy. Joy is that illusive emotion that we all desire but do not quite understand how to attain – it is like chasing ghosts. Jesus makes it very clear while in his human body how to obtain true joy which brings about constant peace. Hebrews lays before us our example, Jesus Christ, who we are to consider (focus on) in obtaining our joy and peace. My NIV Study Bible states ‘the One who went ahead of all believers in their faith and led on to its definitive goal, hence the perfect embodiment of faith and the supreme model for faith.’ p. 1910.
Jesus stated, ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.’ John 9 – 11. Jesus makes it very clear: Only through our obedience to God’s word will we reside in God’s love through Christ. Once we are walking in obedience we come in for the blessing of His love. Christ is the intermediary that is the Bridge between the Father and His children. Once we are receiving the love of Christ the flow of God’s joy and peace are transferred through Christ. Notice that none of this process involves our circumstances.
Obedience and love go together to complete our faith. Without one of these our joy will be incomplete. Joy is neither attached to our circumstances nor our seasons. For joy to be complete and do its work (testify to our faith in all seasons) it must be attached to the love of Christ. Christ walked in the shadow of the cross every day but walked with the joy of His Father within Him. God’s joy and peace was His walking stick and obedience was His path.
‘I have told you these things so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ John 16:33. ‘Like all emotions, joy is under the control of the temperate person….It is a constant experience that comes from your inner being. It is the joy of Christ in you.’ The Mind of Christ, p. 95.
So take Christ and take heart!
One of the most sought after emotion is joy. Joy is that illusive emotion that we all desire but do not quite understand how to attain – it is like chasing ghosts. Jesus makes it very clear while in his human body how to obtain true joy which brings about constant peace. Hebrews lays before us our example, Jesus Christ, who we are to consider (focus on) in obtaining our joy and peace. My NIV Study Bible states ‘the One who went ahead of all believers in their faith and led on to its definitive goal, hence the perfect embodiment of faith and the supreme model for faith.’ p. 1910.
Jesus stated, ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.’ John 9 – 11. Jesus makes it very clear: Only through our obedience to God’s word will we reside in God’s love through Christ. Once we are walking in obedience we come in for the blessing of His love. Christ is the intermediary that is the Bridge between the Father and His children. Once we are receiving the love of Christ the flow of God’s joy and peace are transferred through Christ. Notice that none of this process involves our circumstances.
Obedience and love go together to complete our faith. Without one of these our joy will be incomplete. Joy is neither attached to our circumstances nor our seasons. For joy to be complete and do its work (testify to our faith in all seasons) it must be attached to the love of Christ. Christ walked in the shadow of the cross every day but walked with the joy of His Father within Him. God’s joy and peace was His walking stick and obedience was His path.
‘I have told you these things so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ John 16:33. ‘Like all emotions, joy is under the control of the temperate person….It is a constant experience that comes from your inner being. It is the joy of Christ in you.’ The Mind of Christ, p. 95.
So take Christ and take heart!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Interruptions
“Who touched my clothes?” Mark 5:45
This is an account of a day in the life of a man who was never too busy to be interrupted. His name was Jesus and He lived each day approachable and entreatable. The definition of entreatable is ‘accessible, available, open, reachable, cooperative, willing, inclined, accommodating and responsive.’
Jesus was on His way to heal the dying daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. Every moment was critical in His steps as Jesus made His way to the home of Jairus. The clock was ticking and his daughter’s life was ebbing away. On the way, as the crowds pressed in against Him, Jesus felt power slip from His body. He stopped and turned around to acknowledge and reward faith. He asked the question of who had the faith to reach out and know that healing would come from the ordinary cloth of an extraordinary God.
He was astonished by her faith and complete healing would be hers.
While attending the 100th birthday of my sweet and lovely grandmother, those who had been touched by her life spoke on her behalf. Her constant availability to show Christ to others was echoed again and again. It didn’t matter what she had going on or where she needed to be, her work for God to minister to the needs of others always rose above her own needs.
How many times have people reached out to ‘touch our clothes’ to receive a word from God through us? Did the business of our calendars take priority over the business of the Lord?
May those who reach out to touch our clothes today receive the healing power of our Lord and Savior through the work of the Holy Spirit in each of our lives. May we have a heart like Jesus making ourselves approachable and entreatable.
This is an account of a day in the life of a man who was never too busy to be interrupted. His name was Jesus and He lived each day approachable and entreatable. The definition of entreatable is ‘accessible, available, open, reachable, cooperative, willing, inclined, accommodating and responsive.’
Jesus was on His way to heal the dying daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. Every moment was critical in His steps as Jesus made His way to the home of Jairus. The clock was ticking and his daughter’s life was ebbing away. On the way, as the crowds pressed in against Him, Jesus felt power slip from His body. He stopped and turned around to acknowledge and reward faith. He asked the question of who had the faith to reach out and know that healing would come from the ordinary cloth of an extraordinary God.
He was astonished by her faith and complete healing would be hers.
While attending the 100th birthday of my sweet and lovely grandmother, those who had been touched by her life spoke on her behalf. Her constant availability to show Christ to others was echoed again and again. It didn’t matter what she had going on or where she needed to be, her work for God to minister to the needs of others always rose above her own needs.
How many times have people reached out to ‘touch our clothes’ to receive a word from God through us? Did the business of our calendars take priority over the business of the Lord?
May those who reach out to touch our clothes today receive the healing power of our Lord and Savior through the work of the Holy Spirit in each of our lives. May we have a heart like Jesus making ourselves approachable and entreatable.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tried & True
“Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart…How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD, teach me your decrees…I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:1-13.
The 119th chapter of Psalm is the longest chapter of the Bible. ‘Whereas elsewhere in the Psalter the focus falls primarily on God’s mighty acts of creation and redemption and his rule over all the world, here devotion to the word of God (and the God of the word) is the dominant theme. The author highlights two aspects of that word: (1) God’s directives for life and (2) God’s promises – the one calling for obedience, the other for faith (the two elements for true godliness.)’ NIV Study Bible Commentary, p. 923.
This passage was proven reliable when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. He was able to swing that sword (the Word) and slice through any lies or false impressions which kept Him from sin and evil. Through His knowledge of the word (as God has stated) Jesus remained as blameless and pure in His ways leaving the desert as when He entered.
Our author from this morning knew the commitment and devotion required to live a life of pure and blameless living. Living life blamelessly is not seeking a life of perfection which never can be attained. Blameless living is accomplished through seeking the word of God, learning and tucking away its message in our hearts, and being obedient to that word. We cannot obey what we do not know. God has given us knowledge through His word on every situation we approach in life. It is ours for the receiving and learning.
We will also be tested in the wilderness by both Satan and God. The flesh echoes all of Satan’s lies so we must be equipped with God’s truths to fight back.
The 119th chapter of Psalm is the longest chapter of the Bible. ‘Whereas elsewhere in the Psalter the focus falls primarily on God’s mighty acts of creation and redemption and his rule over all the world, here devotion to the word of God (and the God of the word) is the dominant theme. The author highlights two aspects of that word: (1) God’s directives for life and (2) God’s promises – the one calling for obedience, the other for faith (the two elements for true godliness.)’ NIV Study Bible Commentary, p. 923.
This passage was proven reliable when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. He was able to swing that sword (the Word) and slice through any lies or false impressions which kept Him from sin and evil. Through His knowledge of the word (as God has stated) Jesus remained as blameless and pure in His ways leaving the desert as when He entered.
Our author from this morning knew the commitment and devotion required to live a life of pure and blameless living. Living life blamelessly is not seeking a life of perfection which never can be attained. Blameless living is accomplished through seeking the word of God, learning and tucking away its message in our hearts, and being obedient to that word. We cannot obey what we do not know. God has given us knowledge through His word on every situation we approach in life. It is ours for the receiving and learning.
We will also be tested in the wilderness by both Satan and God. The flesh echoes all of Satan’s lies so we must be equipped with God’s truths to fight back.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Fear Factor
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:6-7.
An enormous obstacle in the life of a Christian is fear in any form. Fear disorients, distracts and diminishes when it is allowed power in our lives. We give fear the license to shipwreck our faith. All fear is given power first in our minds then in our actions.
Fear was never meant to be in the mind and heart of Christians. ‘Fear not…Be strong …Do not be afraid...Stand firm…’ are exhortations that are echoed over and over again throughout the Bible. Fear in any form indicates a lack of trust in God, and infers that God is incapable of providing in certain areas in our lives. When Jesus was on earth He faced fearful situations that far exceed anything we will ever face, but His focus was to ‘be about the work of His Father.’ He came with the mind and heart of a man but lived His life with the attitude, work ethic and courage of a servant. He never allowed fear to master over Him although He walked daily in the shadow of the cross. His focus was on what He could accomplish through God instead of what He feared would or would not happen.
In developing our mind to be more like Christ we cannot allow fear in any form to power our thinking and our walk.
Fear dominates...Faith liberates!
An enormous obstacle in the life of a Christian is fear in any form. Fear disorients, distracts and diminishes when it is allowed power in our lives. We give fear the license to shipwreck our faith. All fear is given power first in our minds then in our actions.
Fear was never meant to be in the mind and heart of Christians. ‘Fear not…Be strong …Do not be afraid...Stand firm…’ are exhortations that are echoed over and over again throughout the Bible. Fear in any form indicates a lack of trust in God, and infers that God is incapable of providing in certain areas in our lives. When Jesus was on earth He faced fearful situations that far exceed anything we will ever face, but His focus was to ‘be about the work of His Father.’ He came with the mind and heart of a man but lived His life with the attitude, work ethic and courage of a servant. He never allowed fear to master over Him although He walked daily in the shadow of the cross. His focus was on what He could accomplish through God instead of what He feared would or would not happen.
In developing our mind to be more like Christ we cannot allow fear in any form to power our thinking and our walk.
Fear dominates...Faith liberates!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Road Blocks
“We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph 2:10.
As we continue considering how our minds can be transformed into the mind of Christ we have established the goal of freedom. Transformation of our mind will be a life-long process but one with daily liberations. My Bible Study lists obstacles that will interfere with both this transformation and the effectiveness of our good works.
Habits – We all possess habits in our lives that contradict the renewing and transforming of our minds. Habits are those automatic responses in life that are consistent in our actions with little impact in God’s kingdom. They are a million little things that add up to nothing, yet they dominate our time. ‘God’s desire is to move your habits from being careless to Spirit-controlled.’ Mind of Christ, p. 57.
Loyalties – We all possess certain loyalties towards or prejudices in our thought patterns that separate us from the freedom in which God intends us to live. We become defensive on certain issues and display a sense of entitlement. We form prejudicial opinions about people, their actions and even their faith. ‘God’s desire is to move your loyalties from being scattered to being prayerful and scriptural.’ Mind of Christ, p. 58.
Relationships – We all are involved in relationships that consume our time and attention. God never intended for our hearts to be set on anyone other than Him first and foremost. Our relationship to God must be supreme over our relationship with our spouse, partner, children and SELF. The relationships we place above Christ are self-serving in ways we can’t see. Bruce offers me things that serve as security, love and dependability. Through placing him first I am serving my own needs instead of looking to God for provisions through Bruce. We serve ourselves by placing others ahead of Christ to fulfill our needs. ‘God’s desire is to move your relationships from serving self to serving God.’ Mind of Christ, p. 59.
These are just a few obstacles in obtaining freedom in Christ and molding our minds to emulate Jesus.
As we continue considering how our minds can be transformed into the mind of Christ we have established the goal of freedom. Transformation of our mind will be a life-long process but one with daily liberations. My Bible Study lists obstacles that will interfere with both this transformation and the effectiveness of our good works.
Habits – We all possess habits in our lives that contradict the renewing and transforming of our minds. Habits are those automatic responses in life that are consistent in our actions with little impact in God’s kingdom. They are a million little things that add up to nothing, yet they dominate our time. ‘God’s desire is to move your habits from being careless to Spirit-controlled.’ Mind of Christ, p. 57.
Loyalties – We all possess certain loyalties towards or prejudices in our thought patterns that separate us from the freedom in which God intends us to live. We become defensive on certain issues and display a sense of entitlement. We form prejudicial opinions about people, their actions and even their faith. ‘God’s desire is to move your loyalties from being scattered to being prayerful and scriptural.’ Mind of Christ, p. 58.
Relationships – We all are involved in relationships that consume our time and attention. God never intended for our hearts to be set on anyone other than Him first and foremost. Our relationship to God must be supreme over our relationship with our spouse, partner, children and SELF. The relationships we place above Christ are self-serving in ways we can’t see. Bruce offers me things that serve as security, love and dependability. Through placing him first I am serving my own needs instead of looking to God for provisions through Bruce. We serve ourselves by placing others ahead of Christ to fulfill our needs. ‘God’s desire is to move your relationships from serving self to serving God.’ Mind of Christ, p. 59.
These are just a few obstacles in obtaining freedom in Christ and molding our minds to emulate Jesus.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
No Surprises Here
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1) “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
The definition for burden is something that is emotionally difficult to bear. Burden is a source of great worry or stress. Burdened, stressed out and tied up emotionally is not the life we are called to experience in Christ. We all are slaves to something regardless of our circumstances. Our trials are relative to our own threshold of faith so we should not play the victim role thinking we are suffering more than others. The Bible states over and over that we will have trouble in this world. Stacking our burdens and trials against the trials of others is not a godly focus but a self-focus.
Take note that in these verses above the underlying theme is we will suffer if we are on this earth. We are called to a life of faith and love bottom line. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Gal. 5:6b. Another truth is that the only way to live and move through these troubles is by faith in God.
Our individual slavery to whatever we are experiencing will keep us from experiencing the free flow of the Holy Spirit. When we are in bondage, our attention is on our lusts, desires, grief, anger, entitlement, bitterness…the list goes on and on. All slavery takes our focused attention away from God and His work.
“If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36‘Nothing outside of you can disturb the freedom Christ gives. His freedom can endure.’ Mind of Christ, p. 56.
Do not be surprised…Stand firm….Take heart!
The definition for burden is something that is emotionally difficult to bear. Burden is a source of great worry or stress. Burdened, stressed out and tied up emotionally is not the life we are called to experience in Christ. We all are slaves to something regardless of our circumstances. Our trials are relative to our own threshold of faith so we should not play the victim role thinking we are suffering more than others. The Bible states over and over that we will have trouble in this world. Stacking our burdens and trials against the trials of others is not a godly focus but a self-focus.
Take note that in these verses above the underlying theme is we will suffer if we are on this earth. We are called to a life of faith and love bottom line. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Gal. 5:6b. Another truth is that the only way to live and move through these troubles is by faith in God.
Our individual slavery to whatever we are experiencing will keep us from experiencing the free flow of the Holy Spirit. When we are in bondage, our attention is on our lusts, desires, grief, anger, entitlement, bitterness…the list goes on and on. All slavery takes our focused attention away from God and His work.
“If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36‘Nothing outside of you can disturb the freedom Christ gives. His freedom can endure.’ Mind of Christ, p. 56.
Do not be surprised…Stand firm….Take heart!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Releasing the Hand of God
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
“…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
During the earthly walk of Jesus, He spoke over and over again about the ‘kingdom of God/heaven.’ There is so much written on it we tend to skim over the powerful interpretation of its meaning and the impact of its reality. My Bible Study puts it in simple terms for all to understand. The kingdom of heaven/God is the reign of God that he brings about through the power of Christ in each of our lives. It is the establishment of God’s rule in the hearts and lives of his people (offered to all but not accepted by all).
Bringing His kingdom into our lives gives us fresh hope for overcoming evil in our lives and removing the consequences of sin from our lives – including death and all that diminishes our spiritual lives. The kingdom coming into our lives is the fresh breath God breathes upon us placing a new order of ‘things’ in our lives.
‘These things that shall be added’ refers to our desires that God has allowed to remain in our hearts once we have placed His desires first. We pray for His things to enter our lives so that we do His business in His kingdom. Once we pray this prayer we find ourselves attending to matters of the kingdom instead of ‘matters of the self.’ Our business should be to do the things of God in His kingdom so that His business may be done in our lives. By seeking His business first we release the hand of God to conduct His business through us in His own way without getting in God’s way.
The prayer lifted by the author of my Bible Study is a scary prayer but one of faith and courage. He prayed: “Lord, I free You to do anything You have to do to fix my ‘wanter.’ I will not quarrel with any procedure You know is necessary. I will accept the fact that You really do want me to be like Jesus, regardless of the cost. Because that is what You want, this is what I want. Make me like Jesus – whatever it takes. Amen.”
Now that is boldly and genuinely ‘seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness.’
“…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
During the earthly walk of Jesus, He spoke over and over again about the ‘kingdom of God/heaven.’ There is so much written on it we tend to skim over the powerful interpretation of its meaning and the impact of its reality. My Bible Study puts it in simple terms for all to understand. The kingdom of heaven/God is the reign of God that he brings about through the power of Christ in each of our lives. It is the establishment of God’s rule in the hearts and lives of his people (offered to all but not accepted by all).
Bringing His kingdom into our lives gives us fresh hope for overcoming evil in our lives and removing the consequences of sin from our lives – including death and all that diminishes our spiritual lives. The kingdom coming into our lives is the fresh breath God breathes upon us placing a new order of ‘things’ in our lives.
‘These things that shall be added’ refers to our desires that God has allowed to remain in our hearts once we have placed His desires first. We pray for His things to enter our lives so that we do His business in His kingdom. Once we pray this prayer we find ourselves attending to matters of the kingdom instead of ‘matters of the self.’ Our business should be to do the things of God in His kingdom so that His business may be done in our lives. By seeking His business first we release the hand of God to conduct His business through us in His own way without getting in God’s way.
The prayer lifted by the author of my Bible Study is a scary prayer but one of faith and courage. He prayed: “Lord, I free You to do anything You have to do to fix my ‘wanter.’ I will not quarrel with any procedure You know is necessary. I will accept the fact that You really do want me to be like Jesus, regardless of the cost. Because that is what You want, this is what I want. Make me like Jesus – whatever it takes. Amen.”
Now that is boldly and genuinely ‘seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness.’
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Who Is Wise?
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:13-17.
My Bible’s commentary defines wisdom in the sense of this passage as ‘what enables one to face trials with pure joy. It is not acquired information but practical insight with spiritual implications.’ I have always thought wisdom was knowledge and intellect which has always been a source of insecurity with me. Since childhood my self-appointed role has always been peacemaker and seeking harmony above all else. Many times seeking peace was greater than seeking God and His wisdom. We must have a balance in developing the mind of Christ. All of us are very proficient in several of these areas but lack some of the other attributes.
I could not help but notice in this passage that where there is envy and selfish ambition is also disorder and ‘every evil practice.’ In meditating on this idea it seems that envy or selfish motivation in any form opens the door to every possible sin. When we live our lives apart from God (even in the smallest areas) we no longer access His purity, His peace, His mercy and the humility required to serve Him. For where there is disorderly thinking and inner conflict there are conflicting desires - your's vs. God's. Through seeking His wisdom we access the virtues of Christ and are better equipped to see the world through the eyes of God.
God guides you to get rid of wrong desires and replace them with His desires using His ideal qualities as demonstrated by Jesus when He walked in our world.
My Bible’s commentary defines wisdom in the sense of this passage as ‘what enables one to face trials with pure joy. It is not acquired information but practical insight with spiritual implications.’ I have always thought wisdom was knowledge and intellect which has always been a source of insecurity with me. Since childhood my self-appointed role has always been peacemaker and seeking harmony above all else. Many times seeking peace was greater than seeking God and His wisdom. We must have a balance in developing the mind of Christ. All of us are very proficient in several of these areas but lack some of the other attributes.
I could not help but notice in this passage that where there is envy and selfish ambition is also disorder and ‘every evil practice.’ In meditating on this idea it seems that envy or selfish motivation in any form opens the door to every possible sin. When we live our lives apart from God (even in the smallest areas) we no longer access His purity, His peace, His mercy and the humility required to serve Him. For where there is disorderly thinking and inner conflict there are conflicting desires - your's vs. God's. Through seeking His wisdom we access the virtues of Christ and are better equipped to see the world through the eyes of God.
God guides you to get rid of wrong desires and replace them with His desires using His ideal qualities as demonstrated by Jesus when He walked in our world.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
This I Keep On Doing
“For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do…For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing…So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members…Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:15-24.
On any given morning, each of us could pen this passage regarding our own lives. We know our weaknesses which we battle every day of our lives. These weaknesses infiltrate our lives differently for each of us but power our minds. Whether the weaknesses are greed, envy, jealousy, anger or resentment we are well aware of these thought patterns that wage war against our mind, heart and spirit. We wake each morning with a desire to live out God’s purpose for our lives with the awareness that our weaknesses do not fit into God’s economy. We are resolved to not display those unlovely attitudes and we even pray in that way.
Then, much like a thief that comes in the night, the realization of the waging war through our thoughts and actions are evident and we feel defeated much like Paul. We cannot leave any spiritual windows or doors open to allow the thief to enter. We must guard our hearts and renew our minds and prepare for these unwelcome attacks from our enemy – ourselves.
Paul asks a poignant question regarding the remedy for his own mind – Who will rescue me from this body? The remedy is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior who God sent primarily for salvation but secondly for us to wage war against sin. Whether our battle is on the worldly stage or the battle is within our mind we will be victorious in our war if we succumb to God’s will and intentionally take captive every thought that is not to benefit Christ.
On any given morning, each of us could pen this passage regarding our own lives. We know our weaknesses which we battle every day of our lives. These weaknesses infiltrate our lives differently for each of us but power our minds. Whether the weaknesses are greed, envy, jealousy, anger or resentment we are well aware of these thought patterns that wage war against our mind, heart and spirit. We wake each morning with a desire to live out God’s purpose for our lives with the awareness that our weaknesses do not fit into God’s economy. We are resolved to not display those unlovely attitudes and we even pray in that way.
Then, much like a thief that comes in the night, the realization of the waging war through our thoughts and actions are evident and we feel defeated much like Paul. We cannot leave any spiritual windows or doors open to allow the thief to enter. We must guard our hearts and renew our minds and prepare for these unwelcome attacks from our enemy – ourselves.
Paul asks a poignant question regarding the remedy for his own mind – Who will rescue me from this body? The remedy is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior who God sent primarily for salvation but secondly for us to wage war against sin. Whether our battle is on the worldly stage or the battle is within our mind we will be victorious in our war if we succumb to God’s will and intentionally take captive every thought that is not to benefit Christ.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Me & Mine
“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” 1 Co. 14:33. “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” 1 Co. 14:40.
There is nothing more frustrating than being moved along in public in a disorderly crowd. It dizzies my mind and makes me physically uncomfortable.
Spiritual disorderly thinking also distracts and disorients my mind from the mind of Christ. Disorderly thinking keeps us from developing into the mind in which God intends to transform us. In doing an exercise this morning in my Bible Study I am left feeling ‘less than lovely’. In an effort to show contradictions in my mind when it comes to my desires matching God’s I made an honest list of my desires as they came to mind. I am embarrassed and saddened to say that the first one that came to mind had nothing to do with anything spiritual. It had more to do with the validation and approval of man. (This revelation was made known through mediation and prayer on my list)
From a list of six, I determined that four of my desires matched God’s but there were two desires that contradicted the other four. This is the disorderly thinking that wages against our minds. ‘For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice.’ James 3:16. ‘Don’t they come from your desires that wage within you?’ James 4:1.
Matthew 6:33 spells out the orderly way in which we are to think, act and live our lives. ‘Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.’ When all of the desires on our list match up to the ‘seek first Him and His’ test instead of the ‘serve me and mine’ test, we will be able to align with the mind of Christ and do extraordinary things for an extraordinary God!
There is nothing more frustrating than being moved along in public in a disorderly crowd. It dizzies my mind and makes me physically uncomfortable.
Spiritual disorderly thinking also distracts and disorients my mind from the mind of Christ. Disorderly thinking keeps us from developing into the mind in which God intends to transform us. In doing an exercise this morning in my Bible Study I am left feeling ‘less than lovely’. In an effort to show contradictions in my mind when it comes to my desires matching God’s I made an honest list of my desires as they came to mind. I am embarrassed and saddened to say that the first one that came to mind had nothing to do with anything spiritual. It had more to do with the validation and approval of man. (This revelation was made known through mediation and prayer on my list)
From a list of six, I determined that four of my desires matched God’s but there were two desires that contradicted the other four. This is the disorderly thinking that wages against our minds. ‘For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice.’ James 3:16. ‘Don’t they come from your desires that wage within you?’ James 4:1.
Matthew 6:33 spells out the orderly way in which we are to think, act and live our lives. ‘Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.’ When all of the desires on our list match up to the ‘seek first Him and His’ test instead of the ‘serve me and mine’ test, we will be able to align with the mind of Christ and do extraordinary things for an extraordinary God!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A Spot on the Wall
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus… He was faithful to the one who appointed him.” Hebrews 13:1-2. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you as an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21
The summer between my eighth and ninth grade I worked at a church camp called Bonclarken. I was employed to be a waitress in the hotel cafeteria which was something I had never experienced. One of the most valuable pieces of instruction I received was to fix my eyes on a certain spot when I was carrying drinks on a tray. I developed this aspect of my job through the practice of walking while keeping my eyes focused on a spot on the wall. Whenever I would look down at the tray the liquid in the glasses would shift and sway causing spillage. When I would regain my spot on the wall the liquid became still.
Setting our focus on God was the discipline in which Jesus walked on earth. Jesus lived his life constantly viewing His world with His eyes focused on His Father. His world was anything but peaceful, yet He maintained peace. His world was anything but loving, yet He demonstrated love. His world was anything but fair, yet He was just. His ability to be all of these things and more was because of His focus on and fellowship with God. He walked with God’s purpose and will and maintained a God-centered focus while on earth. In all things, He fixed His eyes on God.
We have been called to live a life like Jesus so that we may display His character, His work and His purposes. Christ didn’t suffer for us for the message to get lost. We each have a responsibility to carry the message to a lost and hurting world. When we share in the transforming of our minds and hearts we share in the work of the Kingdom, thereby becoming eternally significant. ‘The inner work that God does in your mind will find expression outwardly in the ways you live your life.’ Mind of Christ, p. 29.
‘Our destiny is to be like Christ. God intends it. He has commanded it, and the Scriptures call on us to participate in the process of becoming like Him.’ Mind of Christ, p. 26.
The summer between my eighth and ninth grade I worked at a church camp called Bonclarken. I was employed to be a waitress in the hotel cafeteria which was something I had never experienced. One of the most valuable pieces of instruction I received was to fix my eyes on a certain spot when I was carrying drinks on a tray. I developed this aspect of my job through the practice of walking while keeping my eyes focused on a spot on the wall. Whenever I would look down at the tray the liquid in the glasses would shift and sway causing spillage. When I would regain my spot on the wall the liquid became still.
Setting our focus on God was the discipline in which Jesus walked on earth. Jesus lived his life constantly viewing His world with His eyes focused on His Father. His world was anything but peaceful, yet He maintained peace. His world was anything but loving, yet He demonstrated love. His world was anything but fair, yet He was just. His ability to be all of these things and more was because of His focus on and fellowship with God. He walked with God’s purpose and will and maintained a God-centered focus while on earth. In all things, He fixed His eyes on God.
We have been called to live a life like Jesus so that we may display His character, His work and His purposes. Christ didn’t suffer for us for the message to get lost. We each have a responsibility to carry the message to a lost and hurting world. When we share in the transforming of our minds and hearts we share in the work of the Kingdom, thereby becoming eternally significant. ‘The inner work that God does in your mind will find expression outwardly in the ways you live your life.’ Mind of Christ, p. 29.
‘Our destiny is to be like Christ. God intends it. He has commanded it, and the Scriptures call on us to participate in the process of becoming like Him.’ Mind of Christ, p. 26.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Set, Renew, Prepare
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Col. 3:2
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action;” 1 Peter 1:13
The Mind of Christ teaches that there are three stages in developing the mind of Christ within ourselves. They are the Beginning Stage, the Growing Stage and the Qualified Stage. Within each stage there is a basic principle which must lead us through this process.
The Beginning Stage requires the surrendering of our own will in order that we may set our mind on Gods will. When my children were teenagers I use to tell them that in order to avoid temptation in anything they must decide in advance certain decisions on everything they would face. The time to make decisions to act or not to act is not the time they are presented. We must set our decision in place before the temptation ever arises. The same is with our minds in Christ. We must decide to think about the things of Christ, respond to things in the manner Christ did and develop a focus on Christ so we can see the elements of this world through a spiritual lens.
The Growing Stage is the long process that we allow God to spiritually grow us up. This stage requires a great deal of work and wait. We must allow God to renew our minds through meditation on His word, prayer time with Him and life’s circumstances. As our minds are renewed towards His ways, His will and His purposes our faith grows and we begin to think more like Christ. God says that renewal is essential in allowing the ‘living waters to flow’ in our lives. ‘Failure to produce newness is a sign of death. The spiritual life, too, is to be characterized by a constant renewing. Lack of renewal or growth is a sign of death. Newness is the way of progress as you are moving from one glory to another.'Mind of Christ, p. 25 ‘We all…are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.’ 2 Co. 3:18
The Qualified Stage is the final stage in which He has prepared our minds. We are ready to act when God calls us to move. We have our minds set on Him, renewed and refreshed, and we are prepared to do the work of our Father. Jesus was always in a state of preparedness. He was constantly qualified to do the work of His Father. He demonstrated a mental readiness at all times and in all circumstances.
Soldiers spend a great deal of time using these principles – Set your mind, train and be prepared. We, too, must follow these three stages to get the work done for which we were created. If our will is set and our mind has grown through constant renewal we will live our lives in a constant state of readiness and will be qualified for any test God allows to enter into our lives. We must be set, renewed and prepared.
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action;” 1 Peter 1:13
The Mind of Christ teaches that there are three stages in developing the mind of Christ within ourselves. They are the Beginning Stage, the Growing Stage and the Qualified Stage. Within each stage there is a basic principle which must lead us through this process.
The Beginning Stage requires the surrendering of our own will in order that we may set our mind on Gods will. When my children were teenagers I use to tell them that in order to avoid temptation in anything they must decide in advance certain decisions on everything they would face. The time to make decisions to act or not to act is not the time they are presented. We must set our decision in place before the temptation ever arises. The same is with our minds in Christ. We must decide to think about the things of Christ, respond to things in the manner Christ did and develop a focus on Christ so we can see the elements of this world through a spiritual lens.
The Growing Stage is the long process that we allow God to spiritually grow us up. This stage requires a great deal of work and wait. We must allow God to renew our minds through meditation on His word, prayer time with Him and life’s circumstances. As our minds are renewed towards His ways, His will and His purposes our faith grows and we begin to think more like Christ. God says that renewal is essential in allowing the ‘living waters to flow’ in our lives. ‘Failure to produce newness is a sign of death. The spiritual life, too, is to be characterized by a constant renewing. Lack of renewal or growth is a sign of death. Newness is the way of progress as you are moving from one glory to another.'Mind of Christ, p. 25 ‘We all…are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.’ 2 Co. 3:18
The Qualified Stage is the final stage in which He has prepared our minds. We are ready to act when God calls us to move. We have our minds set on Him, renewed and refreshed, and we are prepared to do the work of our Father. Jesus was always in a state of preparedness. He was constantly qualified to do the work of His Father. He demonstrated a mental readiness at all times and in all circumstances.
Soldiers spend a great deal of time using these principles – Set your mind, train and be prepared. We, too, must follow these three stages to get the work done for which we were created. If our will is set and our mind has grown through constant renewal we will live our lives in a constant state of readiness and will be qualified for any test God allows to enter into our lives. We must be set, renewed and prepared.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
These Childish Things
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became…I put childish things behind me.” 1 Co. 13:11. “…I do nothing on my own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught me.” John 8:28
When I was a teenager and even into my adulthood it seems that with whomever I surrounded myself I took on their attitudes and behavior – a very dangerous practice in the life of a Christian. Satan knows what lures and baits both heart and mind in each of us and masquerades in the attitudes and behaviors of people with whom we come in contact. We will reflect the attitudes and behavior of those whom we wish to emulate.
Christ knew all about this danger and the importance of being single-minded in His devotion to His Father and sensitive in His responsiveness which are two more characteristics in having the mind of Christ. When we are spiritually immature we act like children imitating the attitudes of the world. Through our spiritual maturity we put these worldly patterns of thinking and acting behind us. To have the mind of Christ we must be single-minded in our love, pursuit and devotion to God. ‘Single-mindedness is an act of the mind. The single-minded Christian pays attention to Christ, His commands, His Person and His ways. Your mind must be preoccupied with sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Single-mindedness is the discipline of attention. You can direct or control your attention with a focus on Christ and His kingdom.’ The Mind of Christ, p. 15.
Our responsiveness to Christ in our lives is another essential characteristic in obtaining the mind of Christ. When God sees our intent and devotion to Him, He will increase our spiritual knowledge of Him and His workings. ‘He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.’ Luke 24:45. We must posture ourselves to see where He is working, to hear what He is saying and to respond to His initiatives. Responsiveness to God is indispensable for progress in our spiritual lives if we are to operate with the mind of Christ. Through our daily meditation on His word and our approach of intimacy through prayer, we can develop the responsiveness and sensitivity required for His guidance and revelations. ‘God wants you to understand His word, but you cannot understand it if you do not spend time in it. Prayer also sensitizes your spirit.' The Mind of Christ, p. 17
Let us put behind us these childish things…
When I was a teenager and even into my adulthood it seems that with whomever I surrounded myself I took on their attitudes and behavior – a very dangerous practice in the life of a Christian. Satan knows what lures and baits both heart and mind in each of us and masquerades in the attitudes and behaviors of people with whom we come in contact. We will reflect the attitudes and behavior of those whom we wish to emulate.
Christ knew all about this danger and the importance of being single-minded in His devotion to His Father and sensitive in His responsiveness which are two more characteristics in having the mind of Christ. When we are spiritually immature we act like children imitating the attitudes of the world. Through our spiritual maturity we put these worldly patterns of thinking and acting behind us. To have the mind of Christ we must be single-minded in our love, pursuit and devotion to God. ‘Single-mindedness is an act of the mind. The single-minded Christian pays attention to Christ, His commands, His Person and His ways. Your mind must be preoccupied with sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Single-mindedness is the discipline of attention. You can direct or control your attention with a focus on Christ and His kingdom.’ The Mind of Christ, p. 15.
Our responsiveness to Christ in our lives is another essential characteristic in obtaining the mind of Christ. When God sees our intent and devotion to Him, He will increase our spiritual knowledge of Him and His workings. ‘He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.’ Luke 24:45. We must posture ourselves to see where He is working, to hear what He is saying and to respond to His initiatives. Responsiveness to God is indispensable for progress in our spiritual lives if we are to operate with the mind of Christ. Through our daily meditation on His word and our approach of intimacy through prayer, we can develop the responsiveness and sensitivity required for His guidance and revelations. ‘God wants you to understand His word, but you cannot understand it if you do not spend time in it. Prayer also sensitizes your spirit.' The Mind of Christ, p. 17
Let us put behind us these childish things…
Friday, June 3, 2011
A Beautiful Mind
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Jesus Christ.” Phil. 2:5
God exhorted His children through Paul to work to develop and exercise the mind of Christ that each child was given. The command is the same today for you and me. At creation God gave each of us the capacity to think like Him, move like Him, and respond like Him thereby enabling His movement through us. His mind in us must be exercised, massaged and molded to develop into the minds for which we were created – the mind of Christ.
I have started a wonderful Bible Study called The Mind of Christ, T.W. Hunt and Claude King. They list six characteristics of the Christlike mind with the first characteristic being ‘alive.’
Alive – ‘The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” Rom. 8:6. I have seen this first hand through teaching Griefshare. The only way to receive peace in trials and suffering is to concentrate and set our focus on the spiritual instead of the earthly. Through training our minds and intentionally focusing on Christ we move our thought patterns and perceptions to think like Christ and adopt the attitudes of Christ. A Romans 8:6 life is when the intentional focus on the spiritual moves into our subconscious living and determines our thoughts and actions.
We are going to experience trials and heartaches no matter how we think or live. The difference will be in our focus and in our belief that God is a God of love and goodness. There are truths we must settle in our minds before we can have a mind like Christ. Some of these truths are the truths that Jesus displayed during His walk on earth. His walk consisted of a walk of God’s agenda and will. His mind was to only do the will of His Father, so when the flesh of Christ was tempted His mind took over. His walk was one of humility and servanthood. He came with a mind to serve God in whatever capacity God chose for Him. He came with a sacrificial mindset that God would save and redeem many through the loss of One life – He was a willing participant to lose life so all could receive life. These are a few ways that the mind of God was in working in the life of Jesus.
God exhorted His children through Paul to work to develop and exercise the mind of Christ that each child was given. The command is the same today for you and me. At creation God gave each of us the capacity to think like Him, move like Him, and respond like Him thereby enabling His movement through us. His mind in us must be exercised, massaged and molded to develop into the minds for which we were created – the mind of Christ.
I have started a wonderful Bible Study called The Mind of Christ, T.W. Hunt and Claude King. They list six characteristics of the Christlike mind with the first characteristic being ‘alive.’
Alive – ‘The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” Rom. 8:6. I have seen this first hand through teaching Griefshare. The only way to receive peace in trials and suffering is to concentrate and set our focus on the spiritual instead of the earthly. Through training our minds and intentionally focusing on Christ we move our thought patterns and perceptions to think like Christ and adopt the attitudes of Christ. A Romans 8:6 life is when the intentional focus on the spiritual moves into our subconscious living and determines our thoughts and actions.
We are going to experience trials and heartaches no matter how we think or live. The difference will be in our focus and in our belief that God is a God of love and goodness. There are truths we must settle in our minds before we can have a mind like Christ. Some of these truths are the truths that Jesus displayed during His walk on earth. His walk consisted of a walk of God’s agenda and will. His mind was to only do the will of His Father, so when the flesh of Christ was tempted His mind took over. His walk was one of humility and servanthood. He came with a mind to serve God in whatever capacity God chose for Him. He came with a sacrificial mindset that God would save and redeem many through the loss of One life – He was a willing participant to lose life so all could receive life. These are a few ways that the mind of God was in working in the life of Jesus.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Here I Am
“Here I am – I have come to do your will, O God.” Hebrews 10:7
This sentence is short in words but liberating when put into practice. This was the sentence spoken by Jesus when He fellowshipped with His Father. No matter what arose Jesus embraced it as God’s will for 33 years – the entire length of His earthly existence. With God’s will being His measuring stick He lived a sacrificial life to bring freedom to all. When His faith was complete and God’s plan was accomplished Christ was given the rewards that go beyond this world – sitting at the right hand of God the Father!
God rewards completed faith based on certain principles. Christ had no ulterior motives in serving God – He faithfully saw His life on earth as a continual journey of a servant. God will never reward us as long as our motives are impure. ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility…Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.' Phil 2:3-4
God also determines the rewards He wishes to bestow which will always be in line with His will for our lives and will glorify Him. We must allow God to bless us through His design instead of our own. God created the universe so I believe He is quite capable of doing His own planning and rewarding. God gives rewards that will glorify Him.
Also, we must be content in the blessings of completed faith. My family had faith in God during our sister and dad’s journey through cancer. The completion of this walk did not result in their earthly healing but God brought eternal blessings through the completion of this journey. We cannot assume that every blessing will be pleasing to our earthly wishes. ‘I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.’ Phil 4:1. We should expect to get only what God wishes to give and be content with the results.
Our rewards will generally be given after our faith response. We must first act upon our belief in what God has told us before our faith will be rewarded. Once our faith has been activated and our response is in walking toward that end God will bless and give us His abundance of blessings. That is our confidence that we can embrace and expect! ‘Don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.’ Heb. 10:35-36.
‘When the fire of testing tempers the steel of faith, God always draws near to strengthen our spirit.” By Faith, p. 131.
This sentence is short in words but liberating when put into practice. This was the sentence spoken by Jesus when He fellowshipped with His Father. No matter what arose Jesus embraced it as God’s will for 33 years – the entire length of His earthly existence. With God’s will being His measuring stick He lived a sacrificial life to bring freedom to all. When His faith was complete and God’s plan was accomplished Christ was given the rewards that go beyond this world – sitting at the right hand of God the Father!
God rewards completed faith based on certain principles. Christ had no ulterior motives in serving God – He faithfully saw His life on earth as a continual journey of a servant. God will never reward us as long as our motives are impure. ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility…Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.' Phil 2:3-4
God also determines the rewards He wishes to bestow which will always be in line with His will for our lives and will glorify Him. We must allow God to bless us through His design instead of our own. God created the universe so I believe He is quite capable of doing His own planning and rewarding. God gives rewards that will glorify Him.
Also, we must be content in the blessings of completed faith. My family had faith in God during our sister and dad’s journey through cancer. The completion of this walk did not result in their earthly healing but God brought eternal blessings through the completion of this journey. We cannot assume that every blessing will be pleasing to our earthly wishes. ‘I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.’ Phil 4:1. We should expect to get only what God wishes to give and be content with the results.
Our rewards will generally be given after our faith response. We must first act upon our belief in what God has told us before our faith will be rewarded. Once our faith has been activated and our response is in walking toward that end God will bless and give us His abundance of blessings. That is our confidence that we can embrace and expect! ‘Don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.’ Heb. 10:35-36.
‘When the fire of testing tempers the steel of faith, God always draws near to strengthen our spirit.” By Faith, p. 131.
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