Mind Matters

My Manna

"Gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13.
Since we came into this world physically alive but spiritually dead-

- We had neither the presence of God in our lives nor the knowledge of His will. 

Our minds were programmed to live independently of Him.

We were mentally conformed to this world.
When we became Christians, nobody pushed the clear button in our pre-programmed minds.

Even as Christians we can still allow our minds to be programmed by the world.

So what must we do?
First-

Provide!

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:1. 

How do you renew your mind?

By providing it with God's Word.
Second-

Prepare!

Peter directs us to prepare our minds for action. 1 Peter 1:13.

Do away with fruitless fantasy.

To imagine yourself doing things without ever doing anything is dangerous. But if you can mentally prepare yourself in advance to obey the truth-

- you can motivate yourself toward productive living,

- as long as you follow through by doing what you imagine.
Third-

Practice!

Take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Practice threshold thinking.

Evaluate every thought by the truth-

- And don't let your mind entertain thoughts contrary to the will of God.
Fourth-

Pray!

Turn to God.

When your commitment to do the will of God is being challenged by thoughts from the world, the flesh, or the devil, bring it to God in prayer. Philippians 4:6.

By doing so you are acknowledging God and exposing your thoughts to His truth.

Your double-mindedness will dissolve "and the peace of God...shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7.

Fifth-

Program!

Consider your responsibility to think spiritually. 

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8.

Because-

Mind matters!

Corporate Worship

My Manna

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God." Collosians 3:16.
A disgruntled church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained:
"I've gone to church for thirty years now, and in that time I have heard something like three-thousand sermons.
But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them.
I think I'm wasting my time and the Pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
This began a major controversy which went on for weeks until someone wrote in this reply:
"I've been married for thirty years now.
In that time my wife has cooked some three thousand meals.
For the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.
But I do know this...they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work..."
So true.
We need our spiritual nourishment to be able to do the work of the Lord effectively!
Corporate worship, fellowship with our brothers and sisters and Godly counsel are a great means to get it!
God does not want us to isolate ourselves!
He wants us to be in consistent fellowship with like minded believers, teaching and exhorting one another, singing psalms and spiritual hymns together!
Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.Heb.10:25.
There's so much work to be done!