'I realized that I was letting my issue of the moment become bigger in my head than He is. Clearly, in a dramatic way, I sensed Him say two words that were to change my life, “Remember me.” I needed my focus to shift from my stuff to who He is, again and again.'
Revelation 3:11 (KJB) Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Ever got caught up with some men/women that were conduits of Satan to try and destroy your ministry, family, and/or rewards, etc.? This is an age-old tactic from that “old serpent” (Rev. 12). When folks “turn aside” you are to hate ... moreHOLD FAST those CROWNS to cast more at HIS FEET.
Revelation 3:11 (KJB) Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Ever got caught up with some men/women that were conduits of Satan to try and destroy your ministry, family, and/or rewards, etc.? This is an age-old tactic from that “old serpent” (Rev. 12). When folks “turn aside” you are to hate their works and not let them cleave unto you (Ps. 101)! Jesus COMMANDED to not let a man take your crown(s).
Crowns are not PERTY HATS/DECORATIONS. Crowns are for you to RULE AND REIGN with Christ when He sets up His kingdom during the 1000 year Millennium. And, the increase of His Kingdom – there will be NO END (Isaiah 9:6-7).
Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Some will try and tempt you to take shortcuts with fleshly, carnal ministry not based upon the scriptures and early church model (1 Cor. 3, etc.). Don’t do it. It will be COSTLY. Don't accept a single PENNY for ministry. NOT ONE. You'll understand on the other side.
2 Tim. 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility…
A voluntary humility is “will worship” even as Saul “forced” himself to worship. The House of Saul is replete with such hypocrisy. House of David, let it NOT BE SO NAMED AMONG YOU. Fake folks get filtered out and their facades fully known, but you will waste valuable oil on foolish virgins (Matt.25).
Hold those rewards!!!
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised
2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Today, hold those rewards by faith and God’s grace/Spirit, and let no hypocrite man beguile you. Jesus is COMING QUICKLY reward in hand. Be thou ready, both thee and thine and get your houses IN ORDER, -r <3
This morning I pulled out my Bible to read a chapter in Mark. As I opened it to the reading plan, I realized my mind was so active. Random thoughts swirled around in there. Many of them were not nice, not kind, not patient, not encouraging. Together they were causing me to feel terrible.
I knew I needed to stop thinking them. I knew I should take them captive but it felt so hard.
True or not true thoughts?
All of us have a human b... moreTake your thoughts captive..
Club 31 Women
By Tracy Hoth
This morning I pulled out my Bible to read a chapter in Mark. As I opened it to the reading plan, I realized my mind was so active. Random thoughts swirled around in there. Many of them were not nice, not kind, not patient, not encouraging. Together they were causing me to feel terrible.
I knew I needed to stop thinking them. I knew I should take them captive but it felt so hard.
True or not true thoughts?
All of us have a human brain. Research shows that our mind can give us up to 80,000 thoughts each day. That’s not the problem. The problem is when we don’t manage it, redirect thoughts, filter them through the Word of God and let them run wild.
Our thoughts are either aligned with the Word of God, or they are not. They are toward Christ or away from Christ. They are full of truth or full of lies.
When we don’t take a thought captive, when we’re not intentional about what’s happening, we can live in these untrue thoughts for too long. These thoughts seep into our lives, our emotions, and our actions.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
One technique (three steps) that helps me take a thought (or thoughts) captive, is this:
1. Name the Thought
Awareness is key. Filter your thought through scripture. Is it true? Is it a lie? Once you notice the thought, name the thought’s source.
When I was first discipled, I remember a graphic with a picture of a chair in the middle of a heart. It was a reminder of the choice we make to put either ourselves or God on the chair. It is either “carnal man” or it is God.
I think of the thought as a “carnal man” thought. Or as the “old me” thought. Some people name the thought something like “Judge” or “Negative Nellie”
I say it aloud: “Oh, there is “carnal me” saying, ‘I always mess up.’”
2. Notice God in the present moment.
The next step is to notice God right where you are. Clean your mind from the unuseful thought, and the feeling it produces, by coming into the present moment.
To do this you could…
Rub your fingers together noticing how intricately God made the ridges.
Notice the rising and falling of your chest with each breath. He thought of everything!
Label His creation you see around you (trees, my cat, the clouds).
Listen to the farthest sound and then the closest sound.
Noticing God and who He is in the present moment, will help you take the thought captive. He is ALL around you! He is IN you.
3. Invite God In and Renew Your Mind
Now that your mind is clear of the unuseful thought, invite God in. Turn TO Him.
It can be as easy as saying, “God I invite you in.”
You could also…
Meditate on a scripture verse you’ve memorized. Recite it aloud.
Pray.
Confess.
Claim a promise.
Turn praise music on and sing or say the words to a worship song.
Be still and listen.
Open your Bible.
List what you are grateful for.
These three steps will help you take your thought captive, renew your mind, and think on things that are true and lovely. Enjoy the benefits as you continue to practice moving from thoughts running free to thoughts honoring to God.
In His Word
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind Romans 12:1.
In Your Life
What about you? Are you filtering your thoughts and taking them captive? Or letting them run wild?
This week, be encouraged. One thought at a time, name the thought, notice God in the present moment, and invite God in.
Our new marriage devotionals, Loving Your Wife Well and Loving Your Husband Well, are now available here!
3 Steps To Take Your Thoughts Captive And Renew Your Mind
There are three steps that can help you take your thought captive, renew your mind, and think about things that are true and lovely.
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
This morning I pulled out my Bible to read a chapter in Mark. As I opened it to the reading plan, I realized my mind was so active. Random thoughts swirled around in there. Many of them were not nice, not kind, not patient, not encouraging. Together they were causing me to feel terrible.
I knew I needed to stop thinking them. I knew I should take them captive but it felt so hard.
True or not true thoughts?
All of us have a human brain. Research shows that our mind can give us up to 80,000 thoughts each day. That’s not the problem. The problem is when we don’t manage it, redirect thoughts, filter them through the Word of God and let them run wild.
Our thoughts are either aligned with the Word of God, or they are not. They are toward Christ or away from Christ. They are full of truth or full of lies.
When we don’t take a thought captive, when we’re not intentional about what’s happening, we can live in these untrue thoughts for too long. These thoughts seep into our lives, our emotions, and our actions.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
One technique (three steps) that helps me take a thought (or thoughts) captive, is this:
1. Name the Thought
Awareness is key. Filter your thought through scripture. Is it true? Is it a lie? Once you notice the thought, name the thought’s source.
When I was first discipled, I remember a graphic with a picture of a chair in the middle of a heart. It was a reminder of the choice we make to put either ourselves or God on the chair. It is either “carnal man” or it is God.
I think of the thought as a “carnal man” thought. Or as the “old me” thought. Some people name the thought something like “Judge” or “Negative Nellie”
I say it aloud: “Oh, there is “carnal me” saying, ‘I always mess up.’”
2. Notice God in the present moment.
The next step is to notice God right where you are. Clean your mind from the unuseful thought, and the feeling it produces, by coming into the present moment.
To do this you could…
• Rub your fingers together noticing how intricately God made the ridges.
• Notice the rising and falling of your chest with each breath. He thought of everything!
• Label His creation you see around you (trees, my cat, the clouds).
• Listen to the farthest sound and then the closest sound.
Noticing God and who He is in the present moment, will help you take the thought captive. He is ALL around you! He is IN you.
3. Invite God In and Renew Your Mind
Now that your mind is clear of the unuseful thought, invite God in. Turn TO Him.
It can be as easy as saying, “God I invite you in.”
You could also…
Meditate on a scripture verse you’ve memorized. Recite it aloud.
Pray.
Confess.
Claim a promise.
Turn praise music on and sing or say the words to a worship song.
Be still and listen.
Open your Bible.
List what you are grateful for.
These three steps will help you take your thought captive, renew your mind, and think on things that are true and lovely. Enjoy the benefits as you continue to practice moving from thoughts running free to thoughts honoring to God.
In His Word
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:1 NIV
In Your Life
What about you? Are you filtering your thoughts and taking them captive? Or letting them run wild?
This week, be encouraged. One thought at a time, name the thought, notice God in the present moment, and invite God in.
We Recommend
If you notice you have a lot of wild, unmanaged thoughts like worry, self-criticism, anger, etc, make your own thought sets.
Combine a few scriptures, a promise, and a song together and put them in a convenient place like the notes app on your phone. Here is a thought set for remembering who we are in Christ:
This song. (I have believed these lies for the very last time.)
I am writing 1000 things I am thankful for this year using this devotional by Ann Voskamp. Gratitude is an immediate way to manage your thinking and renew your mind.
What did Paul mean when he said, “I die daily” in 1 Corinthians 15:31?
First Corinthians 15:31 says, “I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily” (NASB). Other Bible versions word the last clause this way: “I face death every day” (NIV) and “Every day I am in danger of death!” (NET).
Chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians is a strong defense of the doctrine of the resurrection. In verse 14 Paul writes, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching ... moreWhat did Paul mean when he said, “I die daily” in 1 Corinthians 15:31?
First Corinthians 15:31 says, “I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily” (NASB). Other Bible versions word the last clause this way: “I face death every day” (NIV) and “Every day I am in danger of death!” (NET).
Chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians is a strong defense of the doctrine of the resurrection. In verse 14 Paul writes, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” Then verses 30–32 make the point that Paul and his associates face death and suffering every day for preaching about the resurrection. If the resurrection were untrue or a hoax, then they are wasting their lives. Why should he “die daily,” if his message is a lie?
Paul expresses a similar thought in Romans 8:36: “As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter’” (cf. Psalm 44:22). Here, as in 1 Corinthians 15:31, Paul references the constant persecution that he and his companions endured.
“I die daily” echoes Jesus’ command to those who want to follow Him: “If anyone would come after me let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The mention of a cross by a Jewish rabbi would have been shocking to first-century Jews. The cross was a torture tool introduced by the Romans to terrorize those who would speak against Caesar. The cross was a public humiliation that always represented death. Always. So, when Jesus said that in order to follow Him we must carry a cross, He meant that something must die before we can live. We must die to ourselves, our rights, and our desire to be our own boss. We must die daily.
Paul saw his life as a daily death to himself. He expressed this understanding to the church elders of Ephesus: “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). This dying to self empowered Paul to face unimaginable suffering and many persecutions for the sake of the gospel.
When Paul said, “I die daily,” he reminded the church that he faced the possibility of death every time he strode into a new synagogue and proclaimed Christ to those who didn’t want to hear (Acts 17:2–5; 18:4). In 2 Corinthians 11:24–28, Paul lists some of the dangers he had faced that threatened death, yet he was undeterred. Acts 14:19–21 records Paul being stoned and left for dead. But he miraculously survived, got up, brushed himself off, and went to the next town to preach. He did not fear physical death because he had already reckoned himself “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20).
Paul wrote often about dying to sin (Romans 6:11), to the flesh (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24), and to self (Galatians 2:20). He lived what he preached and urged believers everywhere to imitate him as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1; 4:16). He was able to impact untold millions for the kingdom of God because he refused to be distracted or consumed by earthly interests. Not even death scared him, so he could not be threatened away from obeying Jesus (Philippians 1:20–23).
We, too, can say, “I die daily.” Paul was totally sold out to God, and we can be, as well. Sin, the flesh, and this world will continually vie for our attention and demand our participation. But when we die daily, we consider ourselves unable to respond to those temptations. A dead man has no personal agendas or rights. He is not tempted to sin because he is dead to everything around him. “You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world” (Colossians 2:20, NLT).
I've written a lot this year about spiritual growth and spiritual maturity. The Bible makes it clear that we can grow in our faith and in holiness. It is not a linear path, where we are continually helpless and have no part to play. God tells us we can make steps forward towards him, and is always calling us closer, deeper into His ways.
In fact, growing closer to the Lord is the most important thing in your life.
More important than reaching you... more5 Signs of Maturity in Christ
By Matt Brown
I've written a lot this year about spiritual growth and spiritual maturity. The Bible makes it clear that we can grow in our faith and in holiness. It is not a linear path, where we are continually helpless and have no part to play. God tells us we can make steps forward towards him, and is always calling us closer, deeper into His ways.
In fact, growing closer to the Lord is the most important thing in your life.
More important than reaching your dreams or even fulfilling your calling. Everything you do in life flows from everything you are in Christ.
The Bible clearly distinguishes between those who are spiritually mature and immature. The Bible is full of examples of the immaturity of believers that came to Christ throughout the known world. Paul and the other Apostles wrote to them in letters that make up our New Testament, and address some major failures, flaws, and struggles. Reading about some of these actually give us hope for our own lives today!
There are many areas that go into maturity in Christ, but here are 5 few key signs you are growing mature in Christ:
1. Mature Christians receive the truths of the gospel as it was passed down to them.
A faithful follower of Christ doesn't add to or take away from the Word of God. You are not the Message, and you play no part in the Message. You are simply the messenger. In the words of Greg Laurie, "you are simply God's paperboy," delivering the newspaper the declares the Message about Christ and His ways.
The Apostle Paul goes so far as to say "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!" (Galatians 1:8)
Paul is literally saying that even if he himself strays from the pure message about Christ and His teaching, stop listening to Him! Clearly, he desired to pass on the Message of Christ in all it's purity, because that is where the power is.
We see this with denominations that are moving away from core aspects of the gospel - for instance, those who say it's okay to live in sin and not repent. Their adherents implode within just a few years, because when you take away the core of the Message, you take away the power of the Holy Spirit to change hearts and lives, and there is nothing left to stick around for.
“There is Holy Spirit power when we preach the gospel as it was passed down to us through the Scriptures.”
Paul tells us to establish those foundational teachings about Christ, and continue from there to grow to maturity: "Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so." (Hebrews 6:3)
2. Mature Christians stop pointing out everyone else's sins, and start confessing their own
A former professor used to say, "I know I am experiencing a fresh touch of God when I stop confessing everyone else’s sins and start confessing my own sins."
DL Moody said, "I've had more trouble with myself than any other man I've ever met."
Jesus spoke like this. He taught us: "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. You will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5)
A mature Christian comes to this place where they finally see their own glaring sins and continually focus on repenting in their own lives, and stop trying to be the watchdogs of the world. They understand the weakness of their own flesh.
There are moments to speak truth to others, and to the world, but those should be much fewer and far between as we focus on our own hearts foremost.
Mature Christians are much more gracious judges of others because those words of Jesus have struck their heart, and they will never be the same.
3. Mature Christians watch their words, and know when NOT to speak.
Immature Christians can't help but speak their opinions on everything and everyone around them who goes the wrong way. They think they are the world's spiritual police.
James, known as being one of the deeply mature, early Christians says: "Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way." (James 3:2)
This passage is extremely sobering - first, because James calls it as it is - we all make way more mistakes than we care to admit.
Secondly, spiritual maturity comes through being more careful about the words we say.
Ephesians 4:29 and 4:2-3 take us further: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." and "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
If you long to mature in your faith in Christ, live in these verses. Pass everything else that you do in your Christian life through them. Walking in humility, gentleness, patience for others. Keep a careful guard over your mouth and your online posts.
4. Mature Christians grow less dependent on themselves, and increasingly dependent on Christ.
Mature Christians do not make much of themselves and their good works and progress. They make much of Jesus.
They believe Jesus when he said:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:1-15)
Even while mature Christians are growing in faith and holiness, they do not grow more dependent on themselves, because they know their growth comes through abiding in Christ - dependency on Christ alone - and obedience to His command to love God and love others. Mature Christians don't take credit for themselves, they humbly follow Jesus.
5. Mature Christians make every effort to build on their faith.
As I said at the beginning of this article, we need to guard ourselves against a fatalistic attitude in our faith. The Bible says we can grow and take steps closer to Christ.
The good news is "Come close to God, and God will come close to you." (James 4:8) As we take steps closer to God, we experience His goodness, grace and glory in our lives in new ways.
The Apostle Peter tells us:
"Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-11)
These are qualities that a mature Christian strives for:
Faith, goodness, knowledge of God from His Word, self-control, perseverance through hardships, godliness (imitating Christ), mutual affection for other believers and for the Church, doing our best to love other people (both Christians and non-Christians) well according to 1 Corinthians 13.
Mature Christians don't sit idle in their faith, and assume God will do all the work inside them, when God has clearly called them to "make every effort" to draw near to Him.
When God prunes you for new growth
Vanessa Hart(club31 awomen)
Sometimes we walk through a parched season because we aren’t drinking from the Lord’s well nor allowing God to prune what is dead.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:13
We have officially reached that time of the year which I affectionately refer to as ‘The Crispy Season’.
Outside, the plants that were lush ... moreWhen God prunes you for new growth
Vanessa Hart(club31 awomen)
Sometimes we walk through a parched season because we aren’t drinking from the Lord’s well nor allowing God to prune what is dead.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:13
We have officially reached that time of the year which I affectionately refer to as ‘The Crispy Season’.
Outside, the plants that were lush and bright only last week are now dry and wilting. The spiders are in their heyday, weaving webs all around the yard where they glisten in the late summer sun. When my kids were younger we would head outside after dinner to make the most out of the last long evenings of the season.
The kids would ride their bikes and scooters while we puttered around the yard. At one point my husband stopped me to ask if I wanted him to go ahead and trim back the hostas which encircle a fountain in front of our house. They looked so sad and droopy. The evidence of being munched on by hungry snails was obvious and the blossoms had long since dried up. They were totally and utterly pitiful. And yet, I actually hesitated to answer my husband’s question.
As he stood there, shears poised in the ready position, I wasn’t sure if I really did want them trimmed down. Because to cut them back meant that there would be nothing left. Nothing blooming. That area all around the fountain would just be bare dirt. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that. It would mean that this season really is almost over. And I couldn’t help but think about my own ‘crispy’ seasons.
A Parched Land
The times in my faith journey when I’ve been made painfully aware of the drying, decayed areas that are ready to be cut back. But so often, I find that I’m hesitant to cut those dried-up places out of my heart. I cling to them, foolishly believing the lie that it’s better to have something there than nothing.
Reading through the Psalms recently, I came to a small portion of a verse that made me squirm a bit. It resonated, convicted, challenged. From Psalm 68:6 “…only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.” Ouch.
When we stay in those parched places, allowing the sin to remain, our rebellion prohibits us from experiencing the sweet relief of God’s overwhelming grace and forgiveness.
Prune for New Growth
If I never cut back those crispy, dried up blooms on the bushes in my yard, I’m cheating the entire plant out of the opportunity to reach its full potential of healthiness. And if I never cut out those dried-up, sinful areas of my life, I’m cheating my heart out of its own full healthy potential. Because once the dead and decayed is removed there is room for new growth.
But in the meantime, like those plants, I’m left a bit exposed. And it’s the exposure that always makes me hesitate. In my humanness, I want to cut off the dead stuff and see fresh beauty immediately. I want that dried-up bloom to be replaced by a new one instantaneously. But, that’s not how it works.
Before I am able to see the evidence of new growth, I must first spend time laid bare. And it’s uncomfortable, this place of being uncovered. But this is where all of the good stuff really happens. This is where the dying, decaying sinful areas are truly laid to rest. This is where the room is made for new life to begin peeking through.
Slowly at first and then bursting forth into glorious blooming evidence of God’s mercy. So, I cut back those dried-up blooms on my plants. And I cut back the dried-up areas of sin in my heart. Because no matter how much time I must spend exposed, without the visible evidence of fresh growth, I know that the crispy season will eventually give way to a new season.
I will get to see what happens when I let go of that which would have kept me from ever seeing the fruit of new life springing forth. And the fruit is what I long for. Fruit that points to the heart of my Savior and His deep love for His children. Fruit that is far more beautiful than any dried bloom.
In Your Life
• Is there an area in your life where you are hesitant to prune what is ‘crispy’ in order to experience new growth?
• Are you feeling as though you are “dwelling in a parched land” as mentioned in the Psalms?
• Take some time today to confess the rebellion that is keeping you from experiencing the relief that God wants to give you and open yourself up to the good fruit that will be produced as a result.
How can we gain and maintain a Christ-centered perspective while living in a world opposite of His truth? Here are three present-day mindsets that rob us of that.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal
of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Etched in my mind is RC Sproul’s voice saying, “Chili con carne,” quite forcefully as he taught what the word conform... moreClub31 Women
How can we gain and maintain a Christ-centered perspective while living in a world opposite of His truth? Here are three present-day mindsets that rob us of that.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal
of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Etched in my mind is RC Sproul’s voice saying, “Chili con carne,” quite forcefully as he taught what the word conform means. Where I’m from, Chili always has meat, and it flavors the soup to the point that I can’t discern between the various flavors of the other ingredients. Chili con carne is an example of what it means to be conformed, as Paul means: to be so much like the unbelieving culture around you that you’re indistinguishable as a Christian.
This verse in Romans often leads us to ask, “What does it mean not to be conformed to the world?” Does it mean we look different, sound different, and do entirely other things from unbelievers? Don’t get drunk, don’t cuss, don’t watch porn. Wouldn’t that be a transformation pleasing to God?
It’s easy to rush to think what this must look outwardly like and to overlook Paul’s instruction to be transformed by the renewal of our mind. But the word mind is essential to understanding what it looks like to avoid conformity with the world. As Christians, our behaviors need to be changed from before we knew Christ, but something else must happen first.
Paul wants us to give attention to the renewal of our minds because what we think and how we think is the source from which our feelings and actions flow. It all begins with the mind.
Present Day Mindsets
In any age we live in, it’s essential to understand what the zeitgeist, the spirit of the age, is. What’s “in” regarding ideas and how people think? We need to give this attention because ideas have consequences, and these ideas affect and influence us. These often shape how we think. We can look around and see cultural decay, but why is it here?
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5,
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…”
Arguments and lofty opinions begin in the mind. We must be aware of our thoughts to pursue obedience in renewing our minds. What are those things that are against the knowledge of God that we might be influenced by? They’re not always easy to discern, but here are just a few of our day:
• I am my Authority
• “Okay, boomer” mindset
• I feel this is right
While I stated them plainly, one rarely thinks consciously, for example, “I am my Authority.” But this way of thinking is demonstrated in a myriad of ways. Proverbs 3:5-6a says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him…”
We’ve moved into an era where even believers cannot listen to the truth about some things, and not due to a lack of evidence, but an unwillingness of heart and mind to believe. There is a refusal to submit to an authority outside of the self.
This heart posture is part of what goes into the “Okay, boomer” mindset. Every generation struggles to respect their elders, and we should be discerning about the counsel we seek and from whom. That’s wisdom! But a particular casting off today demonstrates the hubris of believing that we are our Authority. In the church, this can look like younger women not pursuing older women for wisdom. It can look like going online for all the answers you need, whether to a popular Instagram influencer or someone’s blog. Those things are great, and I’m so thankful that we can now spread the message of the Gospel far and wide, but it’s problematic when we overlook the very people God has put right in front of us to learn from.
Flowing out of the misplaced Authority is the tendency for our feelings to become our divine, authoritative Word. Rather than listening to objective truth, what we feel is what we place our trust in and what we live by. It’s easy to see this in transgenderism: “I feel like a man; therefore, I am a man and am changing my life to align with that reality.” We can see the evident delusion in this thinking, but we often miss it in ourselves. But it’s not unique to people who turn to transgenderism, but a common sin of our day that is a temptation for us all. It’s part of the spirit of the age.
How Does Transformation Happen?
If we understand that conformed means being indistinguishable and going along with the culture, what does it mean to be transformed?
The good news is that the Lord transforms us! But, we must have a heart of humility. Understanding the times and asking the Lord to help us see if anything in our hearts opposes Him is essential. Once we recognize a lie we believe, then we must begin thinking new, correct thoughts. Paul instructs the Ephesians and the Colossians to put off the old man and his desires and to be renewed in the spirit of our minds (Eph 4:22-24, Col 3:1-10).
For example, the next time you enter a discussion where someone presents new facts contrary to what feels right, you’ll likely start feeling sweaty or hot. This physiological response is God’s gift, letting you know something is happening in your heart! Take a moment to stop and evaluate what’s happening. Acknowledge in that moment that it’s tempting to allow your feelings (yourself) to be your Authority. That is the lie to put off.
Remind yourself that we depend on the Lord to give us knowledge and understanding (Ps 3:5-6). This truth aligns with God’s Word. Then, ask the person you’re conversing with a clarifying question to understand better how the fact they’re bringing lines up with Scripture.
The process of having our minds renewed is a lifelong endeavor! Be encouraged as the Lord comes alongside you to continue transforming into Christ’s likeness. It is He who transforms us! As we cooperate in this good work of having our minds renewed, we grow in our experiential knowledge of the Lord Jesus, and it will compel us to want to help others know Him.
1 Chronicles 22:19
Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.”
Great article, Rob