[blockquote]
[blockquote]...be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude]....
"”Romans 12:2 [/blockquote][/blockquote]
[blockquote]Every change in our life requires a change in our thinking. God regularly teaches us new ways to think, because we cannot act differently if we don't think differently.
What would be considered a normal mind for a Christian? Remember, what is normal to the world is not acceptable for God's children in most areas. For a believer, worry is not normal. Confusion is not normal.
Negative thinking is another type of thinking in which a Christian should not indulge. There are many other kinds of thinking that should be considered abnormal for a child of God.
The Lord has shown me that when we think hateful, mean, judgmental thoughts about people, not only can we injure them, but also judgmental, resentful, unforgiving thought patterns can cause us great harm.
We have an opportunity to think creative, loving thoughts about people and to pray positive, faith-filled prayers.
Use your thought life wisely. Think about other people the way Jesus would, and think about your circumstances in light of God, Who says, Behold, I am the Lord...; is there anything too hard for Me? (Jeremiah 32:27).
[blockquote] Pray This:
"Father, I ask You to teach me new ways to think. Help me to think creative, loving thoughts about others. In Jesus' name, amen." [/blockquote]
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__________________
"Blessed is He who Comes in The Name of The Lord"
Alex,
Mu normal mind is normal too often. It will never be perfect until I am totally transformed. But whatI do is practice acting on God's Word. I make myself sit down perioically throughthe day and read His Word. His Spirit bring God's precepts into my mind when I have decisions to make. I must buffet my flesh at times to obey Him. I will say it gets easier the more we obey. We must take up our cross daily. The entire battle is won or lost in the mind. We must hav eour minds renewed daily and not be conformed to this world. Luke warm Christians will be spit out of HIs mouth. We must do our utmost.It's called endurin gto the end.
Thanks for the great post,
CHuck
I have lived a lot of my life by the literal sword, slowly but surely dying out by the spiritual sword. No one realizes more than myself that I have a ways to go . . .as the saying goes "I know I'm not where I could be, but thank God I'm not where I was."
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Paulsays in Phil. 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
I challenge each of you to try this simple experiment. You may have alread done this.
One morning get up and allow yourself to do as He did. See others as Jesus did, treat others like Jesus did. Treat your wife like Jesus would His wife.. Work like Jesus was at your job working, drive to work like He would...
Do you think others would notice the difference?
I was driving to work on morning after trying this, and I saw a streetperson crossing a bridge in the opposite direction I was driving, I looked into his eyes, and Brothers, I felt his pain. I began to weep out of control. But it was a life changing way of living for me.
"I know I'm not where I could be, but thank God I'm not where I was."
Brother Mac that is a great statement, and so very true!
Bro. Alex, in my youth I battled as much with my flesh as I did with my mind, they were both rebelious and it was very difficult for me to control either. At 51 I can say that I have a pretty easy time with the flesh, I am doing better with my mind, but still have a long way to go. It is an ongoing battle with prideful, judgemental thoughts and anger, I find myself praying more and more to draw closer to God to help me in thinking the way he wishes me to. As Bro. Mac said, I have progressed and am thankful for Gods help in my walk with him thus far, but I am fully aware that I have a long way to go in my walk with him and will continue to pray for his assistance.
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
Bro Alex, it is amusing to see what different people see and receive from simple statements. It's like the old blind men and the elephant story, each came up with a different discription and idea of what the elephant looked like. The thing that jumped out at me was the first statement that you made. Every change in our life requires a change in our thinking. If one is not willing to change with the presentation of truth, he has already reached his full potential. He cannot grow in God, cannot grow in grace, cannot grow in knowledge, ect. What happens when we stop growing? Isn't that when we start dying?
WHEN IS YOUR MIND NORMAL ?
