Unified in Our Mind: Part 2

Before we continue I would be remiss if I didn't say another thing or two about how to renew our minds. As David did in Psalms 51 we have to ask God. Our minds are renewed through prayer and reading the Word of God. When we repent and ask God to cleanse and renew us He is faithful to do just that. Some things we might not yet understand, but still we learn to ask God to teach us, to show us and to help us. God's word says that wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom and with all your getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7). Once we ask we believe that God has done what His word says He would do and then we work, by the grace of God, to maintain what He has renewed, cleansed and made whole. Reminds me of the song I Need Thee Every Hour.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

Another way to renew our mind is to find it in the Word. Reading the Word of God reworks and reconfigures the mind. It changes what we knew or thought we knew, what we thought about ourselves, the lies that were told to us and about us. 1 Timothy 4:13- 14 says this, Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Just as we are instructed by Jesus to always pray without fainting so must we continually read the Word of God and find ourselves mirrored by it.

What is a renewed mind?

Philippians 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels (kindness) and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

A renewed mind is one that is the same as his or her family in Christ. Its in unity by the Spirit of God with the rest of the body. It recognizes the need for the help of each member of the Church for God's work to be accomplished. 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

A renewed mind is one that is humble. It is not puffed up. It does not think itself high. Rather it seeks to lift others up and to help others. 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

A renewed mind most importantly is the mind of Christ. v.5 says, Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. A renewed mind is a mind that minds the things of God. When Jesus was a child before his public ministry even started He was about His Father's business. (Luke 2:42-49) So must we be like Jesus, our perfect model.

Some fruits of a renewed mind

Peace
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Righteousness
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Holiness
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

The Fruits of The Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Unity
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Let's seek God to renew our mind on a daily basis so that we may reap the harvest of a mind like Christ's!

Until next time may God's grace, love and favor abound with you! God Bless!

Unified in Our Mind: Part 1

At the center of every believer's walk with Christ stands something that must constantly be checked and straightened out. This thing resides in each of us and if not balanced by the Spirit of God will keep us from entering into our rightful place with God. The thing of which I speak is the mind.

In 1 Chronicles 28, King David tells his people and his son Solomon that God has commanded Solomon to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant. Before he gives Solomon instructions for the temple he says in v.9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.

In 2 Corinthians 8:12 Paul says, For if there first be a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

In these 2 scriptures we begin to understand the importance of our minds in the work we do for God. Our mind's involvement in this process can sometimes be troublesome. The mind processes positive information; things that we have experienced through our senses. Things that we haven't experienced cannot be processed by the mind or at least not as easily. (This is where faith comes into play, but faith will be the topic of a future post.)

So a question must be posed.

How do we get willing minds?

As we know, its always God and His Spirit that does the work in and through us. When we move in faith to God he moves to us. Hebrews 10:22 says, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith... This first happens through salvation. After we are saved we have the Spirit of God with us. God's Spirit equips us and quickens us to do His work. Ephesians 4:23 says, And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Romans 12:2 says, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind... So we find in order to have a willing mind it must be renewed.

How are our minds renewed?

Our minds are renewed by God's Spirit. But the renewing must happen first in your spirit man. David understood this well. After he committed adultery with Bathsheba he prayed to the Lord, Psalms 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. What might have happened if David wasn't convicted in his spirit? Maybe his kingdom would have fallen like Saul's before him. Thank God for David's desire to be renewed because Jesus was a descendant from the line of David.

But let's not be mistaken. A sin doesn't need to be committed in order for our minds to need to be renewed. The need for a daily renewing is imperative. We need God's grace to help us through every choice we make, every word we speak, every move we make. Our flesh needs to die so that God's purposes, plans and perfect will can be done. Its only when we take a seat that God can rise within us. He can't use us if we are allowing our minds to be used for or by other things. Its not that we lose who we are when our flesh dies out; we become a much better version of ourself as God's Spirit indwells us because we become who God created us to be.

In part 2 of this post we will discuss what a renewed mind is and what some of the fruits of a renewed mind are. Look for it later this week.

Until then may God keep and bless you greatly! And may the grace of God be with you!

Unified by the Word of God

A few weeks ago, while in prayer, God spoke to me and said, "I am calling My people to a higher way of living." (I've learned the hard way to listen and obey when God speaks. Though this was spoken to me I know that God has spoken this to others. And if you are one of God's people your spirit will agree with this.) Then the Spirit of God began to lead me in prayer for the raising up of people that would do and proclaim the will of God. As I prayed God showed me people all over the world who are being raised up for this purpose. People of different cultures, languages and ethnic backgrounds but unified by faith in Jesus Christ.


Who are God's people?

Simply answered, God's people are the Church.

Those who believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ comprise the Church. There are many that believe in God but not that God sent His only begotten Son. They don't have faith in Jesus Christ. We know "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is..." (Hebrews 11:6) Who God is includes His Son and His Spirit. This is why God said in Genesis 1:26 Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. I point this out because there are many people who subscribe to the belief that you don't have to change your sinful behavior because God loves you just the way you are. So they think there is no need for salvation. But I rebuke those thoughts in the name of Jesus.

Yes it is true that God loves us all but God has never neither will He ever love sin of any kind. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:16-17


What is the higher way?

It is the way of holiness and righteousness.

God said in Leviticus 20:7-8 says Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.

To sanctify means to set apart for a holy purpose and to free from sin. So in Leviticus we learn that we must set ourselves apart for God's use. This is initially done through salvation. But the work of sanctification does not stop there. Once we have found ourselves before Jesus on the cross and have confessed our sins there is still a daily dying out to our flesh we must do. The spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).

We also learn that we must keep God's statutes or commands. We must obey His Word, all of His Word not just the parts that appease our flesh. We can't claim to love God and not keep His commandments. (1 John 5:3, Ecclesiastes 12:13)

And the most important thing we learn is that although God commands us to sanctify ourselves its not we who do the work of sanctification. The end of verse 8 says, I am the LORD which sanctify you. So we find here that when we move in obedience and faith toward holiness and righteousness God will draw near to us and do the work. 2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

How do God's people accomplish this?

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

So often Christians believe themselves to be holy when many of their actions and thoughts are contrary to the Word of God. If we would all allow the Spirit and the Word of God to permeate us through and through we might be surprised by what is found. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Its not a coincidence that in the same sentence God says my people and turn from their wicked ways. But perhaps some think how can we be God's people and have wicked ways? Wicked doesn't just mean idolatry or witchcraft. All sin is wicked and abominable to God and deeply grieves Him. So often Christians regard their sin as 'mistakes' and by so doing attempt to lessen its burden. Not so, as Paul wrote in Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death. There is only one way to pay for sin. Thank God for His grace and mercy and for the opportunity to get it right.

The other part of 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us if we humble ourselves and pray God will hear from heaven, forgive us and heal the land. God is saying not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to (Romans 12:3). And as we rearrange our thoughts in Christ we should pray for God's will. How much does the bible give instruction to pray? (Luke 18:1, Luke 21:36) As we pray we loose the hand of God to move in our lives and for His people. Its not that we control the hand of God, of course not. But prayer is the way we communicate with God. Ask, seek, knock! (Matthew 7:7)

God is waiting on His people to cry out to Him in prayer! James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) availeth much.

God wants so much to heal, restore, rebuild, renew, cleanse and deliver but that is predicated on God's people turning to Him in obedience.

I pray that there begins the greatest crying out to God we have known thus far. Let's cry out that others would cry out. Let's cry out for the Holy Ghost to rest upon the Church, to move and breathe freely. Let's cry out for purity in the Church, for holiness and righteousness and godly love to abound. Let's cry out for nothing less than the model that Jesus Christ was and is! We were made in the image and likeness of God the Father, His Son and His Holy Spirit. Its time for us to lay aside every weight (Hebrews 12:1).

Let's find ourselves in Unity, starting individually by mirroring ourselves in the Word of God!

God Bless and Keep you!

Hope for Unity

The Birth of the Idea
God placed the idea for this blog in my spirit a few days ago. He woke me up with words. Often as I am going throughout my day an idea for a message title or something encouraging will come to my heart. I write them down as they come. This was no less of an occurrence. The words Unity Project came to me and with such a resounding force that I knew it was God. I heard and saw the words simultaneously. Also I sensed deeply what the words meant. I wasn't exactly sure what to do at that point. A little later that day God gave me the idea to start this blog.

The Birth of the Name
As I said God gave me the name. When I was setting up the blog I found that the name Unity Project was already taken. I thought to myself that maybe someone else had the same idea. After checking that blog out I found that it had nothing to do with God or the idea God had birthed inside of me. Nevertheless the name was taken. So I tried a combination of things: reversing the words, adding words and every idea I thought was good was taken. Then the thought came to add numbers to the name. Numbers do have biblical significance. I did some searching about the meanings of single digit numbers. Then another thought came to mind, add the numbers 1357 to the title. I searched to find if this number had significance. And it turns out that it does. Although I didn't find the number itself referenced in the bible as my mind thought and was hoping. (Anyone who knows God will also know that often He doesn't work as we thought He would. That causes us to rely on him and not on our self, intellect, experience, etc.)

The number 1357 is linked to a word in the Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary.
The word is diorthōsis (dee-or'-tho-sis).

In Greek its definition:
1) in a physical sense, a making straight, restoring to its natural and normal condition something which in some way protrudes or has got out of line, as broken or misshapen limbs
2) of acts and institutions, reformation

In Hebrew its definition:
to straighten thoroughly; rectification, that is, (specifically) the Messianic restoration: - reformation.

So God had spoken! This word, DIORTHOSIS, was the exact match of what God had placed in my spirit when He woke me that morning. How like God?! He makes us do some of the work. He knows its much more rewarding that way.

The Birth of this Blog
So with the idea and the name firmly established, I set forth to do as God has placed in my heart.

The purpose of this blog is to help unify the body of Christ. The bible tells us in Psalms 133:
1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

As King David wrote these words I imagine that his heart was grieved about the conditions of his people. Perhaps he was thinking about the many, including his own son, who turned against him and God. David was a man who knew and loved God. Not a man without fault, who of us is, but he fervently and fearfully loved and served God.

Although thousands of years have passed we still find there is dissention and division. Of course we recognize this is true between those that follow Christ and those who don't. But more importantly there is a division among believers, those of us who confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. How do we expect God to bless us when we can't walk in unity? The word of God came to the children of Israel in Amos 3:3 saying, Can two walk together, except they be agreed? The answer of course was NO. This is no less true today. God is looking for a Church without "spot or wrinkle."

There must be a unifying of faith!

From time to time as the Spirit of God would lead me I will write. As you join me in reading and discussions on this blog I ask that you would pray for unity amongst God's people and for the perfect will of God to be done.

I pray God's blessings and ever abundant favor over your life as you walk upright before Him!