Transforming Our Thinking

Have you ever just wished you could have a brain transplant? Not a literal transplant, but removing all that old yukky thinking and replacing it with thinking that is pleasing to God. This is a possibility, but it takes commitment. When we are born again we become new creations. But the old thinking is still there and needs to be replaced. So how do we do that? Ahh...I thought you'd never ask. Seriously, the transforming of our mind comes as we study and meditate the word of God. Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." All throughout scripture we see the importance of meditating on God's law, contemplating His ways. In Psalms 1:1-2 it says, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night." There are two points that really stand out in these verses. The first, of course, is that we are to delight in the Law of the Lord and to meditate it day and night. But notice the first verse. This verse is speaking about who we hang with. It's been said that if you want to be wise, hang with wise men. Our friendships are important. Who we get advice from is important. Our unions in marriage are important. Remember, the word says that we are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. That's not to say that if you are married to an unbeliever that you should divorce them. But if you haven't married, you shouldn't be dating those who don't have an intimate relationship with Christ. You can save yourself a lot of trouble if you heed that warning. Who you hang with will play a definite role in how you perceive things. Anyway, we should be meditating God's precepts. We should contemplate His ways. We should delight in His statutes. What we put into our hearts will flow out. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Once we have God's word so deeply embedded in our hearts, we will begin to think and act accordingly. Our mind will be like the mind of Christ. And we will begin displaying the fruit of the Spirit, as detailed in Galatians 5:22. We will show love to the unlovely. We will be joyful when our circumstances seem impossible. We will have peace even when we don't see the answers to our problems. We will be patient. We will be kind to others, gentle in our mannerisms. And we will have self control.

Colossians 3:2 tells us, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth." If our focus is on God and His kingdom, we won't be so inclined to stress about this life's trials. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things." Too many times we look around us and we want to see the bad in the world. But we need to be thinking about God's promise to us. We need to be aware of His greatness, of all that He did for us. We can walk through trials knowing that this home is temporary and that God will see us through whatever we face.

Unshakable Faith

Yesterday's message at church was entitled, "Unshakable Faith." As one might guess, the scripture passage was found in Hebrews 11, the faith chapter. So many times we think about all the marvelous things these incredible men of God did, but we fail to remember that their walk wasn't always one of ease and comfort. They faced adversity. Yet they endured these things and remained faithful in the process.

There are many preachers out there who think that all Christians should be prosperous and shouldn't have to face trials. But is this a scriptural viewpoint? In Hebrews 11:33-35 we see all the great things about faith...through faith kingdoms were conquered, justice administered, some escaped the jaws of death, were strengthened and made powerful to fight battles.But then it goes on to say in 35-38 that some were tortured and refused to be released, faced jeers and flogging, chained and put in prison, stoned, sawed in two, put to death by the sword, they went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated, wandering about in desserts, caves and mountains, and holes in the ground. Now, does this seem like the glamorous life of faith we often hear portrayed in pulpits across America? Our lives may not always be these wonderful bed of roses where everything comes up smelling sweet and looking beautiful. We will face trials. But if we have that unshakable faith, we can endure even through trying circumstances, knowing that God is there in the midst of it all. We may not always know why we are going through these things, but we can rest assured that God still has a plan and we still have His promise of a better life to come. God is not a man that He should lie so we can stand strong as we trust Him to fulfill all that he has promised.