In Christ - - We Have The Mind of Christ

     

    When Christ Jesus is living in us by our faith in His Name which saves us, there is no more room for the parasites of sin to dwell which have infested our hearts and minds. Christ Jesus in us is The Light of God's Love shining It's magnificent Light into every nook and cranny, cleaning out the dark thoughts, the nasty secrets and the deceitful intents. 

    Christ in us is The Strength of God in us, for He is God's Mighty Right Arm of Righteousness, prepared from the foundations of this earth long before there were any people living on it. In His Strength we are made strong in Him. 

    Christ in us The Love of God in action within our hearts and minds. 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells the believers that we have "the mind of Christ". What does that mean? It means we are to no longer think, strategize, like we used to think. In this world, the phrase most often asked when offered a "deal" is, 'What's in it for me?' But to have the mind of Christ is to ask, 'How will this glorify God?' 

    To have the mind of Christ is to meditate, read and consider, ponder the things which honor God the most. Philippians 4:8 gives us a head start on what these things should be. 

    To have the mind of Christ is to put God's needs first, others second and ourselves last. I read a book when I was a teenager titled, I Am Third, in which the coach has a sign on the wall which reads: JOY: Jesus First/Others Second/Yourself Last.

    To have the mind of Christ is to obediently surrender ourselves to His will. Though we may struggle with the thought of full surrender, we do not bleed when we pray, as Christ did in the garden before His arrest; for He knew what He was about to go through before He could come out on the other side in newness of life. Before He could conquer death and the grave, He had to conquer sin and hell ... in the courtroom and on the cross. John 17-19; Luke 22:39-42. 

    To have the mind of Christ is to be renewed daily, having spent quality time with our heavenly Father, as He did. Every day we see that He prayed with His Father, He spoke with Him as an honorable son may speak with his earthly father: lovingly, sweetly and gently. Not once did Christ Jesus lose His temper with His Father. Never did Jesus speak against His  Father in heaven. Not only was this not His nature, it was just impossible. For Christ Jesus is THE WORD OF GOD in the flesh: John 1:1-3, 14. 

    To have the mind of Christ is to think about how we can meet the needs of this world in which we live in such a way as to glorify God as we do so. While the needs are great, the works to do the work are not always able to meet the demand. But we can pray that God will send someone who can. Because of my limited strength and mobility, I am unable to travel the way I would love to to meet and strengthen God's people in the countries/cities/towns in which they live. But I can pray. And I can pray to make a difference. 

    Right now someone I know is spreading the gospel message in his own country. This would not have been possible without prayer, earnestly seeking God and asking Him to pour out a blessing upon this nation. Asking God to send more dreams and visions about the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Asking God to raise up and enable people who know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, to fill their hands with Bibles in every language and dialect, that All would come to saving grace. Asking God to meet the needs inside the prisons, to shine His Light into the darkest recesses of men's minds and hearts with the gospel message. To raise up mighty warriors in His Name in this world and strengthen them in His Word, His Love and His Holy Spirit. 

And God is. 

This is the mind of Christ in the believer who is in Christ. 

THE ROCK WON'T MOVE - Vertical Worship 

WITHHOLDING NOTHING  - William McDowell 

AT THE CROSS - Chris Tomlin

    

I Am Christian's Mind

 

1 PETER 4:7

The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.

    I am Christian's mind. I think with the mind of Christ -- 1 Corinthians 2:16 "For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ." Having surrendered my life and my body to the service of my God, my mind is also part of that package dedication. Though it will not show up on any x-ray nor be visible in any anatomy class, my mind is essential in being of service to my King and Lord. 

    The mind is the center of the soul. It controls the spirit and regulates the breath thereof. Just as in physiology the diaphragm controls the breathing and regulates the heart, so, too, does the mind control the center of its being. When I gave my heart and my life to Christ, I gave Him my thoughts, too, for they originate in the mind. 

    When I was a wretched sinner, my mind was given over to lascivious thoughts which were taking me down the road to hell. But when I gave my mind to Christ and He entered into my heart by my faith in His Name through the power of God's Holy Spirit, my mind had to align with His mind. Being stuck in this body of sin and having the mind of Christ there is a constant struggle to maintain a righteous way of thinking. But God didn't leave me there. He shows me in His Word how to get control over wayward thinking. 

    Philippians 4:8 tells me how to think with the mind of Christ. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

    My mind decides my actions. While we may think some things get done without much thought, that is decidedly untrue; for the mind is in constant motion, even while sleeping, and thoughts that we may be unaware of eventually come to pass unless we take control of our thoughts. Being Christian's mind self-control includes how I think. Though I take the reins of my thoughts, I am still Christ's and He is still guiding me and leading me throughout my day. 1 Peter 2:11 "Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. " 

    I am Christian's mind. I meditate (think on) on The Word of God. I allow it to sink into my very self, my inner being, my existence. I seek His Word that He may fill me with Himself that there may be no room for anything else. No room for ugliness only loveliness. No room for lies, only truth. No room for deceitfulness, only honesty. No room for injustice, only justice and fairness. No room for impure thoughts, only a pure heart (Matthew 5:8). No room for propaganda, only prophetic and blessed. No room for deprivation and injuriousness, only virtue. No room for self-righteousness, only praise to our God. These things I think on. 

    I am Christian's mind. I meditate on The Word of God. 

Psalm 119:15 I meditate on His precepts and consider His ways

Psalm 143:5 I meditate on all His ways and consider what His hands have made

Psalm 4:4 I meditate within my heart while I prepare for rest

Psalm 119:11 Because I meditate on His Word it is hidden deep within my heart leading me away from a life of sin to a life of holiness

    I am Christian's mind. I think before I speak. I think before I act. I consider the consequences of my possible actions before I put my thoughts into action. I rest in the knowledge that I have the mind of Christ as well as the Love of God living in me and bringing me to fulfill the purposes for which He has chosen me to serve Him. 

    My conduct, the way I behave, originates in my mind. Therefore, I must constantly be on guard, be alert, to the ways in which the enemy of my soul attacks me. He is sneaky and underhanded. I must fill my thoughts with The Word of God that I may be able to defend myself against Satan's dart throwing (Ephesians 6:10-20). I am armed with The Word of God and The Holy Spirit of God. My mind remains focused on pursuing holiness and the desire to bring you all with me on this journey. 

WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE LORD - Christ For The Nations

THINK ON THESE THINGS  - K-8 Music (children's choir) 

ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER - Vineyard