Where Is Your Mind Set?

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3:2 AMPC

There are so many distractions around us today. So many things that needs our attention. It can be our careers, family, children with extra activities, the need to make more money, church activities, gadgets and the list can go on. We can be so consumed with earthly affairs and chasing after things, that they interfere

with what is really important, with what really matters.

As children of God, when we surrender our lives to the Lord, it requires a focus shift, our mind set must change and align with the word and the will of God for our lives. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect – Romans 12:2 NLT. Now this does not mean we live our lives only thinking about heaven, but that we must set things in the right perspective. Careers, family, children, good income is all important, but if they are consuming the majority of our thoughts and our time, then we are not in right standing with God.

When we are so focus on the things of this world, we are drawn away from God. In our pursuit for things of this world, we do not have time to commune with God by reading the word and prayer. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful – Matthew 13:22KJV. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you – Matthew 6:33 KJV.

When one’s affection is set on things of this world, they are tempted to do things that are not pleasing to God. If you do not feed your spirit man with the word of God and prayer, when temptation comes, you will not be able to stand. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death – James 1:13-15 KJV.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever – 1 John 2:15-17 KJV. Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God – 1 Chronicles 22:19a KJV. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal – 2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV.

Are You One of Them?

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God. Luke 17:15 KJV

Are You One of Them?

Growing up, as a child, our parents instilled values in us that will affect us for the rest of our lives. One of those value is to say, ‘thank you’. When we are grateful for an act of kindness, we should say thank you. Now some may feel there is no need to say thank you to one’s parents, because it’s the parents’ obligation to care for their children. Saying thank you and showing gratitude can have a real positive outcome for anyone.

I love reading the encounters people had with Jesus as He journeyed from one place to another. One day as Jesus went to Jerusalem, He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off. Lepers were not allowed to live among others and were cast out of the village. One can only image what they felt; rejected, hopeless and ashamed.

As we know, one encounter with Jesus changes everything. That was their day! They cried out to Jesus from a distance ‘Jesus, have mercy on us!’ They got Jesus’ attention, and seeing their condition, He said to them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests’. The fact that Jesus heard their cries was enough reason to be thankful. He not only heard them, but He told them what to do to receive their healing. Like others, He could have ignored their cry and continue about His business. His love and compassion were for all mankind, even the lepers who were outcasts.

Scripture tells us, as they went, they were cleansed. They did not have to wait any longer for their healing. The miracle was in motion as they were going. However, something happened on the way. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God. Oh wow! Did the others not see that they too were cleansed? The one leper was not only grateful to be healed but his heart was in the right place. He recognized that he should not only be thankful for the healing he received, but that he should thank the one who healed him.

Therefore, he turned back and gave thanks to the One who healed him. I love the way the scripture has it. With a loud voice, he glorified God! A loud voice: he did not care who heard him. That expression of gratitude demonstrated how thankful he was to receive his healing. My interpretation of this act says, Jesus, if it had not been for you, I would still be a leper. I want everyone to know what you did for me. I believe he understood that Jesus did not have to; he did not feel entitled; that Jesus had to heal him. After all, he was a Samaritan. The Jews despised the Samaritans.

How many of us, when we receive an answer to prayer remember to go back to God and give thanks. Do we with a loud voice glorify God? Are you one of them that returns and give thanks? If not, start today! Go back and give God thanks!

The Foolish Things God Chose

“God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.” – 1 Cor. 1:27 NLT

A Pastor said “Poll after poll has proven that most people’s number one fear is speaking in public. Death ranks number two. That means some people would rather die than speak in public. Why? It’s the fear of looking foolish…but faith is the willingness to look foolish.

Noah looked foolish building an Ark in the desert. Sarah looked foolish buying maternity clothes at ninety. The Israelites looked foolish marching around Jericho blowing trumpets. David looked foolish attacking Goliath with a slingshot…The wise men looked foolish following yonder star. Peter looked foolish stepping out of the boat in the middle of the lake. And Yeshua looked foolish hanging half naked on a stake….but that’s the essence of faith.

And the results speak for themselves. Noah was saved from the flood Sarah gave birth to Isaac. The walls of Jericho came tumbling down. David defeated Goliath. The wise men found the Messiah. Peter walked on water. And Yeshua rose from the dead. What foolish thing has God chose you to do? Step out in obedient faith and let the results speak for themselves.

The greatest breakthroughs, miracles and turning points in scripture can be traced back to someone who was willing to look foolish. Why? Read this scripture: ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isa. 55:8-9).