Matter of the Mind

Read it, Learn It, Live It, Share It




“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. “ – Romans 12:2

Walk in peace today; all of you who happen to be on the receiving end of this message this morning.  Allow your heart to be filled with His love today, and share that love with those that you meet throughout the day.  The opportunity to reach the world is present whenever you and I allow the Holy Spirit to reach within our heart and transform us to think differently. 

The world’s message is one of self indulgence, personal gratification, “It’s all about me”, succeed at any cost and then help others.  When we choose to walk within this attitude we deceive ourselves to believe that we are in control of our destiny.  We separate ourselves from the Creator, the farther down this path we walk.

Do you remember the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)?  The son takes all of his inheritance and pursues life’s pleasures.  He chases the self indulgent lifestyle that appears so attractive on the surface.  Eventually, as it will with every one of us, it is discovered to be empty of any real substance, for the pleasures are temporary.  Upon return his father spares no expense to welcoming him home.  Likewise, your Father in heaven will spare no expense in welcoming you home; even to the point of sacrificing His own Son for your redemption. 

The world’s view on life is to get as much as you can before you die.
God’s view of life is to give as much grace and love to others as possible before you die.

In either case, the end will come, and when it does our eternal fate will have been set.  Shift your thinking from focusing on the patterns of the world to focusing your mind on the spirit of God and rest in the joys that will last forever with Him in eternity.





© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com

If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts 

Be Transformed

Make 2014 a year for sharing

“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” – Romans 12:2

If you haven’t asked, you will.  Nearly everyone I have come across has at one point and time asked the question, “What is God’s will for my life?”   After a few minutes of talking with them I often times discover that most of them are willing to ask me that question, but very few have actually sat down and asked God to show them.  Many aren’t really interested in knowing the answer.  Because, believe it or not, discovering the answer to this question will likely have a radical change on your current lifestyle, career and friends.  It may involve giving up things that you have become comfortable with, or having conversations with others that make you nervous. 

As Paul boldly states, this is a transformation from who you are today.  It will take a change of character, mind, heart and intent.  It is no longer what “they want”, or what “I want” and becomes what does “He want”.  The first step to understanding God’s will in your life is to realize that it is not your life, it is a life that has been given to you strictly for the purpose of praising Him and bringing Him the glory for all things.  It is a life of serving others and sacrificing instead of wanting.  When we focus on the world’s view, we are driven by temporary pleasure and instantaneous results.  Let’s face it, before most people make any major decision today they first evaluate the outcome of that decision on their job, home, finances and relationships.  Somehow this model must be broken and the first thing we should focus on is how can it help the Kingdom of God. 

Are you ready to truly seek His will in your life?  Over the next week, let’s investigate what Jesus tells us is required to actually discover our purpose and God’s will for our life.

Prayer:

Lord Almighty,

Today we come before You with our mind and hearts open to hear Your word.  We long for direction, even though we know it may not be where we want to go.  We seek to serve You and to live our life in Your grace and spreading Your gospel.  Help us Lord, break down the obstacles and worldly values so that we might see what You want from us.  In Your name I pray – Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

It's a Daily Choice

“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.” – Romans 12:2

I recall a story from many years ago about a duck, yes a duck.  As the fall months were coming to a close, the ducks from the North would take flight and soar upon the winds to their destination in warmer climates for the winter.  In the spring, these ducks would fly north again with their flock to spend the summers in cooler climates.  One spring as the flock was flying north; one particular duck glanced down and saw a barnyard filled with tame ducks enjoying each other’s company.  He decided to separate from the flock and swooped down to check out the barnyard.

There he found wonderful corn and the comfort of shelter in the barn.  He decided to stay for just a day…and then two…and a week…and eventually months passed.  The duck was happy, eating all he ever wanted, lying around the barn and just being lazy.  Then one day in the Fall he heard in the distance the quacking of ducks flying south.  Looking up, he saw the perfect ‘V’ formation and something inside of him stirred.  He had a sense of joy and a desire to join his friends on their journey.  He flapped his wings and said his goodbyes to those around him.  He slowly began ascending, but got no higher than the barn roof, before he dropped back into the barnyard again.  He thought to himself, “Oh well, this isn’t so bad; and the food is good.”

After that, the duck would hear the wild ducks fly over each Spring and Fall.  For a while he would look up and dream when he heard them.  He would dream of joining them, but all of the eating and lying around with the others had made him soft and heavy – impossible to fly again.  Eventually, he didn’t even notice them when they flew over, and he became content in living out his life captive within the confines of this barnyard, awaiting the day when he would be taken to the butcher.

Those we choose to hang out with have an influence on us whether we recognize it or not.  The human mind will associate “normalcy” to the events and actions that we surround ourselves with most frequently.  Over time the choices we make and the activities we partake in are rationalized against the actions of those we are associating with.  If we choose to hang out with others that are Christ minded and focused on growing in Christ, it is highly likely that our choices and lifestyle become stronger examples of Him.  Contrast this with a choice to associate with those that are far from Christ and our life will begin to emulate their choices and lifestyle and this becomes acceptable.

Living the life of a Christian is not something that can be turned on and off when we so choose.  It is a commitment, a covenant between you and the Almighty God of the Universe.  Every single day we must wake up and choose to follow Christ this day.  Challenges and situations will certainly arise throughout the day, and we have to make the choice to abide in Him in our actions and decisions.  Much like the duck in the story above, if we choose to become complacent in our thinking and our actions, it is very easy to convince ourselves that life is good enough.  The desire to follow Christ decreases over time and eventually we allow ourselves to become trapped by the worldly perspective; awaiting the judgment day, without fear or concern.  Make the choice each day to live for Christ and all that implies.

Prayer:
Almighty God,
We are creatures of habit and easily influenced by others.  Build in us a strong heart for You and a longing for serving You.  Open our eyes Lord, so that we might see the error of our ways and turn from these actions to once again pursue You with a passion.  Forgive us Lord for our complacency and renew Your spirit within us.  In Your name we pray – Amen
http://www.10minutereader.com
©Sondove Enterprises, 2011