Word for the day “Gotta get myself together”
The Christian life is not merely intellectual assertions or a list of religious tenets. It is internalizing the teaching and example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord is transforming our lives right now even while you are reading today’s message! And as we look at Christ through the infallible lens of God’s Word the Bible, we are reminded that his way is up-side-down (or rather right-side-up) from the way of this world. Jesus did not work his way to the top; he started at the top, as God himself, and yet chose to humble himself for the sake of his people. How do you navigate through life?
THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE, AND IT CAN BECOME A BATTLEGROUND.
The life that God wants us to live as people of God with integrity puts us at odds with Satan. The Bible never tells us to attack the forces of evil, because we are not equipped to fight in the supernatural world. Instead, we are called to protect ourselves from the attack. The good news is, the Lord does not leave us defenseless against the enemy of our souls (Ephesians 6:18). It is a great challenge today with mental illness at exponential proportions in our world. When people are battered and broken in life it makes it almost impossible to connect with the Lord. So, the reality is whatever gets your mind, will ultimately get you.
We must learn how to strengthen, protect, and guard our minds as the Lord is exhorting us in today’s message, but also read (Colossians 3). Monitoring our thoughts can be difficult because, many times, ideas come in bunches and we can get overwhelmed to the point that we just act out without thinking about them first. I’ve given in many times on the battlefield of my mind and have lost many battles. So, if you lost many battles like me, always remember we are scheduled to win the war with Jesus (Colossians 2:15).
LEARNING HOW TO CONNECT WITH GOD WHEN THE BATTLE IN YOUR MIND IS HAPPENING.
Here was a self-made man: Jesus, who is due all glory and honor, made himself of no reputation (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, took on himself the role of a servant. How sad and ironic that most of us spend all our energy in life striving to do the exact opposite. This is compelling why Jesus, from the outset, told those who admired him that they would have to deny themselves in order to become his disciple. Yet so many people of God want to claim discipleship, but without the sacrifice, without the self-denial, without the humility. Selfless-ness produces discipline and connects us to God in a powerful way.
With this humble Christ-like mindset, we reject any thoughts that do not align with the Word of God, and Christ prevents us from being overwhelmed while making sure nothing harms us. If we don’t engage in the battle and stay on alert, we can become defenseless. Jesus is the point of reference always, and he blocks the enemy’s entry into our mind as we monitor our thoughts according to the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). As we control our thoughts and trust in Jesus, we’ll have the victory. In the Lord we don’t have to plot and plan to make it to the top, life in the Lord has us already seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
POINT TO PONDER
Beloved, in this season of Lent “Let this mind be in you, may you internalize the reality of who Christ is, of how he lived, and of what he demands of us. It’s amazing to read the ultimate dependence Jesus had on the Father to do the will of God.
Do you need to learn more about the mind as related to God?
What did you read today that challenges you?
How does today’s message benefit you?
Have you submitted your mind and thoughts to the Lord?
Do you struggle to connect with God as you process your thoughts?
I’d love to connect with you and help you in your journey of leadership and life. You can write me to GraceandTruthleadership@gmail.com
Special thanks!
Pastor James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of March 2021, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Ms. Rita McGuffin, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Mable Bazemore, Ms. Evonne Bazemore, Ms. Evelyn Rosado, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Angela Battle, Pastor Raymond Phillips, Mr. William Jones, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mr. Calvin Griffith, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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Kingdom Blessings,