EDC Christian

The Direction of the Mind

The Direction of the Mind

Remember the old cartoons on Saturday mornings and some character saying “Which way did he go? Which way did he go?” Was that Bugs Bunny? You may remember.

“Which way will you go?” is the question for today. There are definite paths our minds can go. The direction your mind is leading you is of incredible importance.

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:23-25

There are two paths at the intersection of life that each person faces every day. One path is going the direction God maps out in the Bible. The other path is heading in the direction the world/flesh draws up – away from the direction of God.

The Apostle Paul was not exempt from this decision making battle between his natural man (The Flesh) and the Spiritual Mind that was given him when he became a Christian and received the new nature (Spiritual Mind) from the Lord. The spiritual side of Paul was constantly in a war with the carnal or fleshly side of Paul. We have the same sin nature and the same spiritual nature he had.

Lewis Sperry Chafer was clearly right when he stated, “Nothing could be more misdirected than a self-directed life.”

There are two possible responses when confronted with the choice of “Which way to go?” There is no middle ground in between these two paths. Some believe they can strike out on their own and make their own path back to the Lord, but the terrain is tough and not navigable. It is better to get on God’s path, or when prompted by the Lord, jump back on his path.

Path One: A Reacting Mind. This “Reacting Mind” reacts to the desires of the flesh. Its primary power comes from the engine of lust. The body can lust for good things such as air, food, water, and even sex. When moderation or the boundaries are broken for these blessings, it becomes sin. For example, sex within the boundary of marriage is wholesome, fulfilling, and terrific! Sex outside of the protection marriage becomes enslaving, and may even cause feelings of guilt and depression.

The Reacting Mind does what it feels like it wants to do. It is captive to the flesh of the person and to the influences of the world around him. Have you even been in a car when the driver “jerks the wheel” in attempt to not miss an off ramp off the highway? That fast reaction is caused by not anticipating, or looking far enough ahead. The reacting mind is many times impulsive too.

Path Two: The Ruled Mind. The Ruled Mind responds to the leading of the Spirit of God. It is not controlled by lust, but by love. This mind is submissive to the Word of God. While the Ruled Mind knows it is in a fast paced battle, it is active and fore-thinking to avoid sin, watch out for an arrogant spirit, and to steer clear of pride each day.

The Ruled Mind is determined to live out the Word of God each day in all its decisions and determinations. This mind is thinking of “how to please Jesus” instead of “how to please self.” Instead of reacting in tough situations, it is ruled by the patient Spirit of God and calmly makes the right decision.

Ask the Lord to help you have a mind ruled by the Spirit of God and the Word of God.

The “Letting” of the Mind

The “Letting” Mind

“When James Calvert went out as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the ship captain tried to turn him back, saying, “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages.” To that, Calvert replied, “We died before we came here.”” (Ministry127)

Why would a man say that when facing a potential life and death situation? He was thinking like Jesus. He had the “mind of God.”

The word “let” is a verb defined as “not prevent or forbid; allow.” The Scripture tells us to “let” the mind of Christ – Jesus Himself be in us. What we think, how we think, and why we think is to be placed under the influence and direction of Jesus. If we are not careful, we let a lot of worldly or wrong thinking impact our mind. We must allow the mind of Christ to help us navigate life and not allow the world to do our thinking for us.

Have you “let” the mind of God to control your thoughts? Will you let the mind of Jesus control your thinking today?

Our word “let” is found in Philippians 2:5-8 which teaches, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

The mind of Jesus will lead us to four ways of thinking:

A real humility about self.
A sincere priority of pleasing our God.
A vibrant call to serve others.
A willingness to give your life to the Lord.

Do any of these thinking perspectives ring true in your life? Consider the “what, how, and why” that your mind is thinking. Ask the Lord to help you think like Jesus. From the moment you “let” all your decisions and thought processes will filter through the Word of God and the Will of God. Like missionary Calvert, your mind can think like Jesus – all to the glory of God.

The Watch and the Ring

The Watch and the Ring

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27

I am thankful for my wife. I am glad that she is different than me! If we were identical in personality and physicality why would I need her? Better yet – Why would she need me?

God made men and women with differences on purpose and it is these differences that add great variety and… value to an individual person.

The role of men and women in the home or in the church has nothing to do with value or worth and everything to do with function and role. If a body has two heads we would know the body will have conflict and issues. Dr. Adrian Rogers used to preach that a body with “two heads is a freak.” For sure it is not natural, nor intended for a body to have 2 heads trying to tell the body what to do. Science fiction is just that- science fiction. Some people want science fiction to be true in their marriage relationship or in their home or church. It is just not healthy to have two heads vying to be in charge.

The head of the church is Jesus. For order & structure in the home, God says the man is the “head.” Study the New Testament book of Ephesians chapter 5.

Men, don’t let that go to your head; and women, don’t think that this structure excludes or devalues you. “To whom much is given much is required.” If a home succeeds or not – is a responsibility charged to the man. He is held accountable by the Lord. Men are not to be dictators. Leaders are to be servants. A husband should be bending over backward to make life easy for his wife.

This organizational structure contributes to a happy and healthy home where the “two” have truly become “one.”

Men and women are of equal value, even if their role and function is not the same. Here is a valid example:

Recently, I was looking at my wrist watch and my wedding band, both of which my wife gave to me. Both are made from shiny silver looking metal. They are made of the same stuff but are different in form and function.

The wedding band’s function is to prove that I belong to Natalie.
The wrist watches’ function is to keep me “on time.”

While both are made of similar materials and have a different function and role in my life, the watch and the ring have the same value. The retail value of either one is about $200.

Function and role does not determine value. Each person in your home should be HIGHLY VALUED…

Mind Games in Relationships

Mind Games in Relationships

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind…” Ephesians 4:23

One professional aptly stated that: “At age 20 we think: ‘What does everyone think about me.’ At age 40 we think: ‘It does not matter what other people think about me.’ And at age 60 we finally realize and think: ‘No one has been thinking about me anyway.’”

True. Most of our thoughts about the perceptions others have of us are self-perceptions. Most people are actually thinking about themselves and not thinking about you. Why is it that we can be so consumed with perception and what others are thinking?

Testimony is one reason. We should have a good testimony that is consistent with the Bible and that is exalting to Jesus. Testimony does not mean that people are always thinking of us. When they see us, or talk with us we should be edifying and encouraging. When the Spirit of God uses your testimony to help another person, they may think of you for a moment, but otherwise, they are not constantly thinking about you.

Most of the time however, the reason we are so “self-conscious” of what others think or may think about us has to do with our personal pride. Pride can create “Mind Games” than consume our time and damage needed relationships. This pride takes form in several ways. Here are two:

Do you know someone that needs constant affirmation for the most basic tasks in life? As our children grow, they will ask from time to time “Are you proud of me? I just made the ball go in the basket. I just painted a watercolor, etc…” As we get older the need for affirmation should adjust to find value in “who we are” in Christ – not merely what we have done or can do with our actions. Insecure people seek the “pat on the back” in an obsessive way. We all need encouragement and should actively encourage others, but insecure people are consumed with peer affirmation to the point that it paralyses any positive progress in their spiritual life and in their family/acquaintance relationships.
Like a bull in a china shop, overconfidence is bullish, brash, and bold in detrimental ways. This self confidence is the opposite of biblical humility. Its ego is fed by the projection of a certain “image” or perception the confident one wants other people to think about him/her. This boldness can be dismissive of other people and cause division in relationships. The ego must be fed at all costs because “I have an image to keep up…” This confidence can be in position, ability, wealth, or social standing. Self-righteousness is also a big contributor in a religiously minded person. Sometimes people who are overconfident, trying to impress people, have nothing in their life really worth bragging or boasting about. Many times, they have shallow victories with no real success; but they want others to think that they are successful. It’s another form of pride and is also one manifestation of an insecurity.
Finding the balance in this pendulum of emotions and thinking is found by centering in on Jesus. We can be emotional and relational extremists in the thinking of our mind if we do not find a Bible balance.

In one long sentence to the Christians in the church at Corinth, Paul writes 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 which declares, “And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”

Notice that our sufficiency, security, and confidences is in God, not in ourselves. It takes humility to see this in a personal life.

Don’t let mind games swing your emotions and relationships from side to side. Reject the personal pride that causes faulty and sinful thinking. Replace pride with humility and a desire to point people to Jesus. Sharpen your testimony and ensure that your life (evident to others and in your mind) is not self-absorbed. Let the Word of God and the Spirit of God “renew” your mind each day. Purpose with God’s help to have accurate, Biblical, and right thoughts about yourself and others.

Other people are generally thinking about themselves. Stop thinking about yourself too and learn ways to help yourself and others think about Jesus. His Word. And His Father.

The “Success Sequence”

The “Success Sequence”

Prophecy News Watch is a website that keeps readers aware of current events of Biblical nature. I enjoy their weekly emails.

One recent article suggested there is a “Success Sequence” for major life choices that impact whether person avoids poverty or lives in poverty.

The article in part said: “The Brookings Institute ‘demonstrated way back in the early nineties that Americans only need to do three things to avoid living in poverty: graduate from high school, marry before having a child, and have that child after age 20… Sociologists today say that this ‘success sequence’ still works. One study of millennials found that 97 percent of those who earn at least a high-school diploma, work, and get marred before having kids will not be poor as they enter their 30s.”

97 percent of those who followed this “Success Sequence” are not living in poverty today! It is hard to argue with those numbers. With all the “Do what you want to do” teachings and instant gratification kids are taught; coupled along with homes that have very little discipline or moral expectations – no wonder poverty in America seems to be increasing. Case in point:

2-3 families living in under the same roof.
Cohabitating with several people, not related, is heard of more.
Young adults past college age still living at home.
Living pay check to pay check with no plan to pay off credit cards.
Kids with little education and no aspirations constantly playing on cell phones.
A major uptick in drug addictions, marijuana smokers, and the recent opioid epidemic.
An increase in screen addictions. Parents who allow cell phones and tablets risk not only the addictions to the pornography industry, but also the distorted development of a mind that is relying on a tablet or cellphone for information.
Personal debt is at an all time high.
There is an increase in people renting instead of buying homes.

Years ago Solomon taught in Proverbs 24:27 “Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.”

It could be stated that in different terms, the report is saying the same thing that Solomon said.

Finish High School. Vocational and college training is also a consideration here. (Prepare)
Have a career and then get married. (Make Fit for Thyself in the Field)
Have children following marriage. (Afterwards Build Thine House)

Perhaps one word to describe this “Success Sequence” is very simply – “Stable.” Stability ensures you will avoid poverty.

One more warning on those little screens and social media: Couples who maintain separate social accounts many times have a more distant relationship with each other resulting in possible unhealthy choices, conflict, and perhaps even divorce. This could contribute to a reversal of the “Success Sequence.” When divorce occurs, no matter the wealth previously accumulated, cycles of decline begin, an estate is divided resulting in wasteful spending patterns and eventual poverty.

Stability will ensure that you do not live in poverty. Better yet – Biblical stability will ensure you live a “successful life.” Parents, teach your kids this plan. The future of their lives and the future of your possible grandchildren depend on knowing this Bible truth.

An Unimaginable Trade

An Unimaginable Trade

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Romans 5:14

Before Martin Luther penned his 95 Thesis, John Hus, had already been burned at the stake because of His faith in Jesus. He was a “pre-reformation” reformer who loved the Scriptures. Speaking of Christmas, John Hus said, “Rejoice, that the immortal God is born, so that mortal men may live in eternity. Rejoice, because the rich Lord of the Universe became poor, that He may enrich us needy ones.”

Jesus came to right the wrong that the first Adam had started… Rebellion, pride, sin. Because of our personal sin and our sin nature – both a result of Adam’s sin – we needed Jesus. The “one to come” in the above verse was Jesus. He came for us and that is why we celebrate Christmas!

Jesus left the throne of Heaven and traded it for a lowly feeding trough.
Jesus left the bright light of Heaven and traded for the dark lighting of a stable/cave.
Jesus left the splendor of Glory and traded what many would consider the “slums” of earth.
God took on human flesh. He became man and walked among men for 33 years!

This is a trade that Jesus made because of love. Jesus was sent by God the Father and He willingly embarked on a mission of mercy to seek and to save the lost. We are lost in our sins and Jesus made the way for salvation. He was born to die. He came to earth to be the only sacrifice the Father would accept for the forgiveness and atonement for our sin. Jesus traded riches for rags that we might be eternally rich!

Be thankful for Jesus. Whatever this day is bringing your way – trouble, pain, difficulties, busyness – stop everything and thank the Lord Jesus for making this trade – for coming to this earth for us.

By the way – there is one more trade we cannot forget. Jesus traded our sin for His righteousness. He took our sins upon Himself and paid for them on the Cross. He washes away the sin of the believer and when the Father sees a Christian – He sees the righteousness of Jesus. What a great deal for us! It really is an unimaginable trade!

The Blurriness of Christmas

The Blurriness of Christmas

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

Consider the last few days in this month of December. Lots of people are talking about “holidays” and Christmas. Many people appear to worship Christmas instead of worshiping Christ. It is an easy thing to do. There are holiday parties, travel to grandparents, gift exchanges and more. I enjoy the holiday decorations, lights and nativity scenes we see all over the place. The movie industry, commercial sales industry, and society as a whole are celebrating. But, it is clear they are celebrating something other than the events in the Bible. The busyness of Christmas can give us blurry vision.

When the wise men saw baby Jesus they kneeled down to worship Him. They did not loose sight as to why He was here and what Jesus was doing on the earth. Just like when the cold temperatures outside and the warm temperatures on the inside causes the windows to fog up sometimes, we can have a hard time seeing Christmas for what it really is. There is such a disparity in the perceived “reasons for the season” in the world today.

Pray and ask the Lord to help you not loose sight or have blurry vision during this holiday season. With all the busyness and possible distractions of this season, take some time to kneel in prayer, thanking and praising God for His Son and our Savoir Jesus, the Christ.

The Gift of Himself

The Gift of Himself

I read about one boy named Alfred who “wrote a letter to Santa which read, “Dear Santa, you did not bring me anything good last year. You did not bring me anything good the year before that. This is your last chance. Signed, Alfred.””

Of course, us humans receiving material gifts is not the purpose of Christmas. Modern thinking tends to focus on gifts to the neglect of the reason for Christmas to begin with.

As the Christmas day approaches news reports always come in about record sales or low sales at the stores. As soon as Black Friday hit, we heard of the large number of retail sales. Online sales soared again on Cyber Monday. Business owners perhaps are thinking “this is the best Christmas ever!”

When everything is said and done – the first Christmas is the best Christmas. It was on that day, that Jesus inserted Himself into this human experience, took on flesh, and began His mission to seek and save the lost. He gave Himself to us as a gift.

With all the busyness of the season, please do not forget the reason for this season. God’s love. His Gift. God’s Son. His Sacrifice. Our Sins. His Forgiveness. Thank the Lord Jesus came to earth for us. Thank God for the gift of His Son and the Salvation He purchased at the cross.

Philippians 2:5-8 is a good Christmas reminder: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Emergencies and Tragedies

Emergencies and Tragedies

One story I have read and enjoy very much is a story is “told of a zoo that was noted for their great collection of different animals. One day the gorilla died, and to keep up the appearance of a full range of animals, the zookeeper hired a man to wear a gorilla suit and fill in for the dead animal. It was his first day on the job, and the man didn’t know how to act like a gorilla very well. As he tried to move convincingly, he got too close to the wall of the enclosure and tripped and fell into the lion exhibit. He began to scream, convinced his life was over…until the lion spoke to him: “Be quiet, or you’re going to get us both fired!”

There are many emergency situations that may arise in life. Storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and flooding will take their toll. Earthquakes, forest fires, and even volcanoes create much distress, problems, and each are potential life and death scenarios.

Depending on where you live a “natural disaster” may be more likely to unfold. Having safety plans and survival plans is advised. Today we also have the added possibility of a deranged, depressed, or demon filled attacker. Violent attacks ranging from guns and knives to cars and even blunt objects are all possible.

Those are real emergencies. Most of us will experience relatively few true “emergencies” in life. A majority of the time, what we are more likely to encounter are “tragedies.” We see this especially in the areas of relationships, priorities in life, and spiritual formation.

Unlike emergencies, that can unfold rapidly, tragedies are events that are slowly unfolding in life. For example: a teenager who leaves home saying he “hates God, the Bible, and church” is not an emergency – he is a tragedy. He did not wake up one day with the impression that he was against everything his parents stood for. It took time. An evil attitude was nurtured over time. Sinful thinking and warped thinking was not only tolerated, but allowed to grow over time.

Emergencies need a quick response, while tragedies (while still urgent) will take some time to unravel and correct. Please note that repentance and turning a life around all starts with one good decision, but it takes time to adjust a lifetime of sinful choices or bad habits.

Proverbs 3 teaches about wisdom. Wisdom is personified in this passage. Each person must decide to keep his or her eyes on wisdom. She will help you to not stumble, fall, or be in a place where great trouble will capture you.

Proverbs 3:21-26 instructs, “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”

If we keep our eyes on wisdom, it makes it harder for us to “fall off a cliff.” Why? Because wisdom will not let you get near the cliff to begin with.

Falling off a cliff would be an emergency. Plunging down 65 feet off a rock face would be disastrous – but it is an emergency that is predicated by a tragedy. The tragedy in this case is a life of wrong thinking, unwise decisions, and a heart that is slowly walking away from wisdom and away from the Lord.

There are many tragedies unfolding in the lives of people all around us. Seemingly “insignificant” choices that are rooted in selfishness more than the Spirit of God, may seem innocent, but they do bring a person closer to the cliff.

A child may think “It is just a drink or a smoke” but that brings them closer to an emergency of an overdose on some other drug.
A man may think “it is just one magazine or website” but it is a slow path to addiction in his mind and isolation in relationships.
A woman may think “it is just a few dollars more” for coffee, tea, or some other fancy and expensive pleasure, but it could lead to mismanagement of finances leaving a person’s savings account bankrupt.

By The Way: Poor choices are not just about plain sin. Sometimes the innocent pleasures that are prioritized above Bible principles can become sin to us. Wisdom assesses each scenario and helps you to avoid tripping and falling. The Apostle Paul suggested this in 1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Just “Because I can” does not make it a good choice.

Please avoid making every decision based on emotion, drama, or selfishness. Be aware that the mundane, daily choices are the most significant of choices for direction (towards wisdom or away from wisdom) that will determine if you have an emergency or not.

No one intends to create personal emergencies in life. They develop as “tragedies” over the course of time. Tragedies are happening all around us. Be sure your life is not a tragedy. Remember Shakespeare? He wrote what literary students call “Tragedies.” Those writings include: “Antony and Cleopatra, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet. Many people have been entertained by these “Tragedies” over the years. Purpose to not let your life be mere entertainment for Satan or the world. Your life should not be a “play thing” or amusement for evil people. Make the daily decision to apply God’s wisdom to your life today. Keep your eyes on God’s wisdom.

Don’t Be Like Your Dog

Don’t Be Like Your Dog

“A little lad of six was invited out to lunch in a neighbor’s home. As soon as all were seated at the table the food was served. The little boy was puzzled, and, with a child’s frankness, asked, “Don’t you say a prayer before you eat?” The host was uncomfortable, and mumbled, “No, we don’t take time for that.” The lad thought silently for a while, and said, “You’re just like my dog! You start right in.””

Don’t be like your dog on Thanksgiving. Remember to give thanks to the Lord.

One of my favorite things to do each holiday season is to watch Charlie Brown and his talented dog, Snoopy. One of the best yearly reminders of God’s blessing to early America can be seen in Charles Schultz’ rendition of the Pilgrims coming over on the Mayflower, meeting Chief Massasoit and Squanto and sitting down to dinner and giving thanks to God for surviving the brutal and deadly winters they were unprepared for. With little food, a majority of the settlers buried, and with great uncertainty facing the future, they stopped everything to praise and thank the Lord.

It has been said that being truly “thankful” involves “giving.” After all, the word Thanksgiving is a compound word; and both “Thanks” and Giving” are words rich with meaning. Grateful people are happy people. Have you ever seen a complaining, grumbling person? Sure. Are they happy? No. We are most happy when we have thankful attitudes, grateful words, and gracious actions. If you are consistently giving praise and thanks to the Lord, you will be less likely to be critical, self absorbed, and feeling negative about life.

We need to be like the Apostle Paul who said in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” The early Christians living in the city of Thessalonica were challenged and encouraged to give thanks in everything in life. Every life stage. Every circumstance. Every weather event. Every electoral cycle. Every season of life. Every start to the week. In. Everything. Give. Thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving! Thank-you for reading these devotionals. I am grateful for each reader and pray that these postings will be a help to you.

(Snoopy rendition by Charles Schulz, from internet search)