"RENEWED THINKING"

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Good Evening to All!

(2) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good , pleasing and perfect will.

(3) For by the grace given me , I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (4) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (5) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (6) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. (Romans 12:2-6 NIV)

I think most people when reading the above passage, automatically start thinking of the worldly ways of dress, entertainment, morality and such. The thing is it is much more. It also includes the way we look at things. Worldly Perspectives. If we will start looking at things from God's perspective, it will truly make us stronger and not so much in despair.

When we listen to all the bad news coming from the media these days it can really be discouraging. The news of war, the news of how immorality is running rampant such as certain new laws being accepted and we are expected to see it as acceptable or the norm, and even political ideas which are obviously anti-Christian, as well as ideas to make the statement "big brother is watching and listening completely true.

I know people have said that for years, but they at least were secretive or discreet (whichever way you want to look at it. Now it's becoming a blatant fact. They don't care who knows or what we think about it.

We need to remember that all the above are from a "worldly point of view". That is one reason I have gotten into watching the Christian news, because it puts things in a much more interesting perspective and it's not so depressing. Yes, it may be the same news, but they go at it from the Christian focal point.

The "renewing of our minds" is happening to us continually if we are true Christians. This means we are open to God's perspective on everything in life. We change as we study and apply God's Word to our everyday lives. We associate ourselves with other Christians, we see how God is working in their lives. We see the individual gifts which God has given to each person and how we can work together in one accord, to build each other up, uplift one another and help to renew one another by encouragement in the Word by having Bible studies, group discussions, or just being there for our friends with scriptures of reassurance.

We sin, we ask God for forgiveness, and we REPENT. Meaning we turn from sin and don't repeat the same offense again. God forgives us and we become closer to Him, and in turn our minds and our hearts are being renewed spiritually. Paul said "He died daily", meaning he died out to his sins. He repented daily, which brought him closer to God. When we get closer to God it makes us WANT to be renewed in our spirits. It makes us want to please God. We cannot please God if we keep looking at things through "earthly eyes". That will only serve to put us in despair. That is what the devil wants.

If we will learn to acknowledge when we sin to God, ask for forgiveness, and repent, then steer away from the temptations of this life in the future, it will help us to gain strength, increase our faith in God and help to reprogram our thought s to be more like Christ's.

The more we delve into God's Word and study the Scripture and begin to understand what God wants for us and expects from us, the more we will change. We will notice how God is working in our lives, our minds and our hearts to change us and prepare us for His Eternal Kingdom.

Reading this devotion and studying this scripture, it brings another passage to mind.


Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

If we will pattern our brains and our thoughts after this verse, our outlook on life will be much closer to God's perspective.


Below are the answers for last night's Bible Challenge - "Waterways".

1. c) all of it (Genesis 1:1-10)
2. d) rock (Exodus 17:6)
3. c) Kidron (2 Samuel 15:23)
4. b) the River Jordan (2 Kings 2:6-11)
5. d) Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:20)
6. Heshbon (Song of Solomon 7:4)
7. Assyria (Isaiah 8:7-8)
8. a) River Jordan (Matthew 3:6)
9. b) the Pharisees Luke 16:14-31
10. c) Euphrates (Revelation 16:12)

How did you do?

Good Night To All and May God Bless!