C. BOSTIAN                    HAVING A BEAUTIFUL MIND: Pt.2                    NOV. 2, 2003

 

Rom 8:5-7

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded                          is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

 

(Insert Slide) Eph 4:17-24

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk in the futility of their mind,

 

Ephes. 4:17-24 (MsgB) 

    And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. [18] They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. [19] They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. [20] But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! [21] My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. [22] Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, [23] a life renewed from the inside [24] and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

 

Prov 23:7

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

 

MOST OF US CAN’T HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FACE OR A BEAUTIFUL BODY BUT WE CAN ALL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MIND.   THIS MORNING I WANT TO CONTINUE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A BEAUTIFUL MIND.  ITS SOMETHING YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO WORK TOWARDS CAUSE IT WON’T JUST HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY. YOU SEE, WHAT WE PUT INTO OUR MINDS AND MEDITATE ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY DETERMINES HOW OUR DAY GOES AND WHETHER WE WALK IN VICTORY OR DEFEAT.  PAUL SAID IN ROM.8: 7 THAT TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH.  BUT TO BE SPIRITUALLY MINIDED IS LIFE AND PEACE.  SOLOMON TELLS US IN PROV.23: 7 THAT AS A MAN THINKS IN HIS HEART SO IS HE.  YOUR DAILY THOUGHTS DETERMINE YOUR DESTINY IN CHRIST.

 

John 7:37-39

37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.

 

GOD HAS PROMISED ALL OF US A GREAT LIFE BUT MOST OF US HAVE ARE NOT IN THE RIGHT MENTAL STATE TO RECEIVE IT.  JESUS SAID THAT ABUNDANT LIFE WOULD FLOW OUT OF YOUR BELLY OR THE INNERMOST PART OF YOUR BEING AND FILL YOUR WHOLE SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY WITH THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT.  IN ROM.8 WE LEARN ABOUT WHERE THAT RIVER OF LIFE INTERSECTS YOUR LIFE AND MINE. AND VERSES 5-7 TELLS US For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. YOU SEE, IT IS THROUGH THE MIND THAT THE SPIRIT INTERSECTS OUR LIFE. SO UPON THAT PREMISE I WANT TO LOOK AT FIVE OBSERVATIONS THAT FLOW OUT OF THAT TEXT ABOUT THE MIND AND HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERACTS AND INTERSECTS WITH OUT LIVES THERE.  I HAVE GOTTEN THIS MATERIAL FROM A BOOK CALLED “FLOW” WRITTEN BY THE HEAD OF THE PSYCHOLOGY DEPART AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

 

LET’S REVIEW THE FIRST THREE FROM LAST WEEK:

 

Ps 139:17-18

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!  18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

 

OBSERVATION 1. YOU MIND IS A CEASELESSLY ACTIVE FOUNTAIN OR STREAM FROM WHICH YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE FLOWS.  WHAT IS FLOWING INSIDE OF YOU RIGHT NOW IS A STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS.  YOU’RE HAVING A CEASELESS EXPERIENCE OF THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW AND THEY ARE TRAVELLING AT SUCH A FAST PASE THAT YOU WON’T EVEN REMEMBER 90% AFTER 5 MINUTES.  RIGHT NOW YOU’RE LISTENING TO ME AND THINKING ABOUT WHAT I’M SAYING BUT YOU’RE ALSO THINKING ABOUT YOUR PHYSICAL SURROUNDINGS, WHETHER THE VIKINGS ARE GONNA LOOSE ANOTHER GAME, WHERE YOU’RE GONNA EAT AFTER CHURCH. AND CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT THAT NEW GIRL WORE TO CHURCH TODAY.  AND YOU START TO WONDER WHAT THAT NOISE IS IN THE BALCONY AND YOU TURN AROUND TO SEE THOSE NEWLY WEDS KISSING AND GIGGLING.  YOUR MIND DRIFTS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN WHAT I’M SAYING AND THE PROBLEMS YOU’RE HAVING AT HOME, WITH YOUR FINANCES, WITH YOUR KIDS OR WITH YOUR HEALTH.  BUT ONE THING IS FOR SURE: THERE IS A STEADY AND CEASELESS FLOW OF THOUGHTS THEY ARE RUNNING THROUGH YOUR MIND RIGHT NOW.  IF THERE WAS JUST SOME WAY TO FOCUS THOSE THOUGHTS IN ONE DIRECTION WE COULD UTILIZE THE FULL POTENTIAL OF OUR MINDS.

 

Philip. 3:15 (MsgB)

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet!

 

 

OVERSERVATION 2.  EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD HAS CERTAIN PATTERNS OR HABITS WHEN IT COMES TO THE NATURE OF THOUGHTS THAT RUN THROUGH THEIR MIND. 

 

1 Cor. 7:23 (MsgB)

All of you, slave and free both, were once held hostage in a sinful society. Then a huge sum was paid out for your ransom. So please don't, out of old habit, slip back into being or doing what everyone else tells you.

 

THE WAY YOU WERE RAISED WILL OFTEN DETERMINE THE HABITUAL WAY YOU THINK.  IF YOUR PARENTS WERE ALWAYS NEGATIVE THEN MOST LIKELY YOU THOUGHTS WILL RUN IN A NEGATIVE FLOW.  NOW, IF YOUR PARENTS WERE POSITIVE, OPTIMISTIC AND HOPEFUL YOUR THOUGHTS WILL HAVE A NATURAL TENDENCY TO BE POSITIVE.  SO JUST AS WE HAVE HABITS OF PERSONAL CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR SO WE HAVE HABITS OF THOUGHT THAT PRECEDED THOSE ACTIONS. THE NAMES WE USE TO DESCRIBE A PERSONS PERSONALITY LIKE INTROVERT, BRAVE OR TALKATIVE SIMPLY REFER TO THE SPECIFIC PATTERNS OF THOUGHT THAT TEND TO RUN MORE CONSISTENTLY IN THAT PERSON’S MIND.  THAT FLOW DETERMINES YOUR IDENTITY, IT DESTERMINES YOUR PERSOANALITY AND IT DETERMINES YOUR CHARACTER, ITS THE WAY YOU EXPERIENCE LIFE AND REALITY.  THAT INNER FLOW OF YOUR MIND IS YOUR LIFE FOR BETTER OR WORSE.  SO THERE’S A RIVER GOING ON INSIDE EVERYONE OF US.  IT MAY BE A LIVING WATER THAT’S PURE AND GIVES YOU LIFE OR THE STREAM IS A TOXIC RIVER THAT GIVES YOU POISION OR BITTERNESS.  AND THAT FLOW OF THINKING OR THAT FLOW OF THOUGHT, NOT YOUR SITUATION AND NOT YOUR CIRCUM-STANCES, DETERMINES THE KIND OF EXISTENCE YOU WILL EXPERIENCE IN LIFE.  THAT’S WHY SOLOMON SAID, AS A MAN THINKS IN HIS HEART SO IS HE. 

 

John 6:63 (MsgB)

The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen. Every word I've spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making.

 

John 12:49-50 (KJV) 

    For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. [50] And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak….and the words I speak bring you the power to live.

 

OBERSERVATION 3: EVERY THOUGHT HAS THE POWER TO MOVE ME INTO THE FLOW OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OR CLOSE ME OFF FROM IT.  SO HOW DO I KNOW WHAT KIND OF THOUGHTS ARE THE THOUGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?  HOW DO I KNOW THAT GOD IS AT WORK IN MY MIND?  I’M GONNA GIVE YOU THE SIMPLEST ANSWER THIS MORNING.  COGNATIVE PSYCHOLOGISTS WHO STUDY THE MIND SAY THAT EVERY THOUGHT COMES WITH A SMALL EMOTIONAL CHARGE.  EVERY THOUGHT MAKES YOU A LITTLE BIT SADDIER OR A LITTLE BIT HAPPIER.  SOME OF THEM CARRY A HEAVY EMOTIONAL CHARGE THAT CAN LEAD YOU TOWARDS RAGE OR ANGER OR EUPHORIA OR SO ON.  BUT ALL THOUGHTS HAVE AN EMOTIONAL CHARGE.  NOW THAT’S JUST SECULAR PSYCHOLOGISTS WHO STUDY THE MIND.  BUT LISTEN TO PAUL AND HIS DISCRIPTION OF YOUR THOUGHTs.  HE SAYS THAT EVERY THOUGHT CARRIES A SPIRITUAL CHARGE.  YOU SEE, THEY ARE NOT FAR FROM THE TRUTH.  YOUR THOUGHTS CARRY A SPIRITUAL CHARGE AND ACCORDING TO ROM.8:6 THOUGHTS THAT ARE IN ALLIGNEMENT TO THE FLESH AND ARE IN OPPOSITION TO GOD LEAD TO DEATH.  AND THOUGHTS IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD ALWAYS LEAD TO LIFE AND PEACE.  SO WHAT PAUL IS SAYING IN REAL LIFE IS THAT WE ALL WRESTLE EVERY DAY WITH GOOD AND BAD THOUGHTS.  SO PAUL IS USING THIS SHARP CONTRAST TO EXPRESS THE IDEA THAT EVERY THOUGHT YOU HAVE CARRIES WITH IT A LITLE EMOTIONAL OR SPIRITUAL CHARGE.  EVERY THOUGHT IS EITHER OPENING YOU UP AND ENABLING YOU AND EMPOWERING YOU TO DEAL WITH REALITY AND LIVE A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE OR ITS ROBBING YOU OF THE POWER TO LIVE YOUR LIFE IN A KINGDOM WAY.

 

Jer 29:11-14

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity;

 

GOD’S GOOD THOUGHTS TOWARDS US ALWAYS COME TO GIVE US HOPE FOR A FUTURE FILLED WITH GOD KIND OF POSSIBILITIES.  NOT ONE DAY OF YOUR LOUSY LIFE DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT COME TO YOU WITH WORDS THAT BRING CONDEMNATION, DESPAIR, FUTILITY AND HOPLESNESS.  IT WON’T EVERY HAPPEN.  HE MAY IDENTIFY YOUR PROBLEM AND SAY YOU NEED TO DEAL WITH THAT AND REPENT. BUT HE’LL NEVER CONDEMN YOU AND MAKE YOU THINK ITS ALL OVER CAUSE THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE NATURE OF GOD WHICH IS ALWAYS POSITIVE AND UPLIFTING.

 

OBSERVATION 4: THE NATURAL TENDENCY OF THE MIND APART FROM GOD IS TO LEAN TOWARDS DEATH AND NOT TOWARDS LIFE.  IN ROM.8:7 IT SAYS THAT THE MIND OF THE FLESH IS HOSTILE TOWARDS GOD AND DOES NOT SUBMITT TO GOD’S LAW NOR CAN IT DO SO.  HERE’S ONE OF THE THINGS RESEARCHERS FOUND.  WHEN PEOPLE ARE ALONE AND NOT DISTRACTED BY NOISE OR ACTIVITY, THEIR MINDS NATURALLY DRIFT TOWARDS AWARENESS OF DISCONTENTMENT OR ANGER OR A SENSE OF INADEQUACY, ANXIETY ABOUT THE FUTURE AND CHRONIC SELF PRE-OCCUPATION.  SO WHEN THERE IS NO DISTRACTION OR ACTIVITY FOR THE MIND TO FOCUS ON IT NATURALLY LEANS TOWARDS THE NEGATIVE.  THIS IS GENERALLY WHY PEOPLE FLEE FROM SOLITUTED AND WHY GOD TOLD ADAM IT WAS NOT GOOD FOR HIM TO BE ALONE.  DO YOU KNOW ONE OF THE WORST FORMS OF PUNISHMENT IS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.  WHY? BECAUSE PEOPLE HATE TO BE ALONE WITH THEIR MINDS.  AND IT’S A VERIFIABLE FACT THAT WHEN HUMAN BEINGS ARE LEFT ALONE WITH THEIR MINDS THAT THEIR THOUGHTS LEAN TOWARDS BEING DISCONTENT, FILLED WITH ANXIETY, FEAR AND A SENSE OF INADEQUACY AND THOUGHTS THAT LEAN TOWARDS DEATH.  THAT’S WHY TV IS SO ADDICTIVE, IT HELPS PEOPLE ESCAPE FROM THE REALITY OF THEIR WICKED MINDS.  TV IS THE EASIEST DISTRACTION FOR MY MIND.  PEOPLE DON’T WATCH IT CAUSE ITS SO FULFILLING BUT BECAUSE IT’S A DISTRACTION FROM THEIR REALITY AND IT MAKES THEM FEEL BETTER.

 

DO YOU KNOW WHY TEENAGERS COME HOME FROM BIBLE CAMP WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND ALL FIRED UP FOR THE LORD?  ITS BECAUSE THE CAMP HAS REMOVED ALL THE NOISY DISTRACTIONS FROM THEIR LIVES THAT LEANS TOWARDS THE NEGATIVE AND HELPS THEM FOCUS ON THAT RIVER OF LIFE THAT FLOWS FROM GOD.  QUITE SIMPLY THE MENTAL DISTRACTIONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND THEIR MINDS HAVE BEEN RENEWED, REVIVED AND INVIGORATED WITH GOD’S THOUGHTS.  THE SAME THING WILL HAPPEN TO US WHEN WE REMOVE THE MENTAL DISTRACTIONS FROM OUR CARNAL MINDS.

 

Ephes. 4:17-23 (MsgB)

And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. ( that’s locked up with death producing thoughts) [18] They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. [19] They can't think straight anymore.

 

 

(Insert Slide) Romans 1:26-32 (MsgB)

Worse followed. Refusing to know God, they soon didn't know how to be human either—women didn't know how to be women, men didn't know how to be men. [27] Sexually confused, they abused and defiled one another, women with women, men with men—all lust, no love. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it—emptied of God and love, godless and loveless wretches.

[28] Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. (Insert Slide)  [29] And then all hell broke loose: rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing. They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating. Look at them: mean-spirited, venomous, [30] fork-tongued God-bashers. Bullies, swaggerers, insufferable windbags! They keep inventing new ways of wrecking lives. They ditch their parents when they get in the way. [31] Stupid, slimy, cruel, cold-blooded. [32] And it's not as if they don't know better. They know perfectly well they're spitting in God's face. And they don't care—worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best!

 

 

PAUL TELLS US IN ROM. 1:28 THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE SHUT GOD OFF COMPLETELY OUT OF THEIR THOUGHTS THAT GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO A DEPRAVED OR REPROBATE MIND.  THAT’S PRETTY SACRY.  SOMEBODY GIVEN OVER TO A DEPRAVED MIND IS UNENDING DISCONTENT, RELENTLESS FEAR AND CEASELESS SELF OBSESSED.  I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS PERSON DOESN’T NEED ANY OUTSIDE TORTURE TO PUNISH THEM CAUSE THAT’S THE DEPTH OF MISERY AND PAIN THEY ARE EXPERIENCING IN THEIR MINDS.  I WANT YOU TO KNOW ONE THING, THIS IS NEVER GOD’S DESIRE FOR ANYBODY, ITS THEIR CHOICE.  GOD WANTS EVERYONE OF US TO HAVE MINDS THAT ARE PERMEATED WITH LIFE GIVING THOUGHTS THAT ARE GOING TO OPEN YOU UP TO THE HOLY SPIRIT REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE YOU’RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW!  HOWEVER BAD IT IS: WHETHER IT’S THE BUSINESS WORLD, YOUR MARRIAGE, REBELLIOUS KIDS OR A PERSONAL FAILURE IN YOUR LIFE, GOD WANTS TO GIVE YOU LIFE AND PEACE THROUGH IT ALL AS YOU KEEP YOUR MIND ON HIM.

 

 

 

 

Isaiah 26:3-4 (KJV)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. [4] Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

 

(Insert Slide) Isaiah 26:3-6 (MsgB)

People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit. [4] Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing. [5] Those who lived high and mighty he knocked off their high horse. He used the city built on the hill as fill for the marshes. [6] All the exploited and outcast peoples build their lives on the reclaimed land.

.

 

2 Tim. 1:7 (KJV)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

ONE OF THE PEROGATIVES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN IS THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES ME THE POWER AND THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE OUR THOUGHTS AND POSSESS THE POWER OF THE MIND OF CHRIST.  THE MIND OF CHRIST IS THE CURRENT THOUGHTS THAT GOD IS THINKING TOWARDS YOU RIGHT NOW.  AND I’LL BET THEY’RE BETTER THAN YOUR OWN THOUGHTS.

 

1 Cor. 2:16 (KJV)

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

OBSERVATION 5: THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MEANS YOU CAN CHOOSE WHAT THOUGHTS YOU WILL LISTEN TO. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MORE THAN SPIRITUAL GIFTS, HOT FLASHES, FALLING DOWN AND SHAMBA SHAMBA. NOW ALL THOSE THINGS ARE NICE BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN ALSO GIVE YOU WISDOM TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE.  DO YOU REALIZE THAT IF YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS THAT YOU CAN CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF YOUR LIFE AND MAKE SOMETHING PITIFUL: PRODUCTIVE, FRUITFUL AND GREAT.

 

NOW LET ME USE A BIT OF EXTREME TO MAKE A POINT.  I DON’T CARE IF YOU EVER GET SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT.  YOU SAY, YEA BUT I GOT AN ANOINTING, YEA BUT YOU DON’T GOT A BRAIN.  WHAT GOOD IS AN ANOINTING WITHOUT A BRAIN.  YOU STILL GOT A MARRIAGE THAT STINKS, YOU STILL DON’T PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME, YOU DON’T HONOR GOD WITH YOUR TITHES BUT YOU GLOW AND SHAKE AND STAY ON THE FLOOR FOR 30 MINUTES.  WHAT GOOD IS ALL OF THAT EXCEPT A TEMPORARY CHANGE.  GOD WANTS TO MAKE SOME ETERNAL CHANGES IN US AND IT ALL BEGINS WITH A BRAIN THAT’S FILLED WITH GOD’S THOUGHTS.  LISTEN, I DON’T CARE WHAT TULSA SAYS, THE ANOINTING ISN’T GOING TO MAKE YOU MONEY BUT WISDOM WILL.

 

(Insert Slides) Proverbs 3:13-18 (MsgB)

You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight. [14] She's worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary. [15] Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.  [16] With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition. [17] Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete.  [18] She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight—and be blessed!

 

(Insert Slides) Proverbs 8:11-19 (MsgB)

For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.  [12] "I am Lady Wisdom, and I live next to Sanity; Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street.  [13] The Fear-of-God means hating Evil, whose ways I hate with a passion—pride and arrogance and crooked talk. [14] Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics; I am both Insight and the Virtue to live it out.  (Insert Slides) [15] With my help, leaders rule, and lawmakers legislate fairly;  [16] With my help, governors govern, along with all in legitimate authority. [17] I love those who love me; those who look for me find me.[18] Wealth and Glory accompany me—also substantial Honor and a Good Name. [19] My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary; the returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus.

 

 

LISTEN, GOD WANTS YOU TO HAVE AN ANOINTING CAUSE IT WILL HELP YOU TO APPLY WISDOM TO THE ESSENTIAL PARTS OF YOUR LIFE THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL BUT HE ALSO WANTS YOU TO HAVE A BRAIN AND USE IT.  WHEN THE DISCIPLES WERE TOLD TO PICK OUT SEVEN DEACONS IN THE EARLY CHURCH THEY WERE ADMONISHED:

 

Acts 6:3 (KJV)

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

 

I DON’T CARE IF YOU’VE BEEN BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU’RE STILL STUPID.  YOU SEE, THE ANOINTING ISN’T A SUBSTITUE FOR USING YOUR BRAIN ITS SUPPOSE TO ENHANCE IT AND STRENGTHEN IT.  THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MEANS I CAN CHOOSE THE THOUGHTS I LISTEN TO.  HE HELPS ME FILTER OUT THE GOOD FROM THE BAD AND HELPS ME LEARN TO MEDITATE ON THE GOOD.  LISTEN, THIS IS A DISCIPLINE THAT WE CAN LEARN AND WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND DESTINY.

 

UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A BATTLE IN LIFE LEAD BY THE DEVIL AND IT INVOLVES THE NATURE OF THE THOUGHTS THAT OCCUPY YOUR MINDS.  AGAIN, FROM MY LAST MESSAGE: THE MIND IS THE VEHICE THROUGH WHICH TEMPTATION PASSES THROUGH.  WHEN I SEE IT I HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE TO ACCEPT IT OR REJECT IT.  THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES YOU THE POWER OF DISCERNEMENT SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS, IN YOUR MARRIAGE AND IN YOUR CAREER.

 

Hebrews 5:11-12 (MsgB)

I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you've picked up this bad habit of not listening. [12] By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Hebrews 5:13-14  For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. [14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

DO YOU SEE THAT?  ITS AN EXERCISE OR A DISCIPLINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT ENABLES ME TO SEE CLEARLY AND MAKE THE RICHT CHOICES THAT WILL LEAD TO LIFE AND PEACE.  SO THERE’S A BATTLE GOING ON AND YOU’RE NOT A BYSTANDER IN THE BATTLE BUT YOU MUST FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH AND LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE.

 

DALLAS WILLARD WRITES: THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM WE HAVE AS HUMAN BEINGS IS THE POWER TO SELECT WHAT WE WILL ALLOW OR REQUIRE OUR MINDS TO DWELL ON.  WE ARE LVING IN A SHAKY ECONOMY AND IF YOU LISTEN TO TOO MUCH NETWORK NEWS IT CAN RUIN YOUR ABILITY TO TRUST GOD AND TO THINK CREATIVELY AND WITH WISE COUNSEL AND DEVELOP A GOOD PRODUCT THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS.  INSPITE OF THAT I AM NOT A VICTIM TO WHAT MAY BE RANDOMLY GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY.  IT WOULD BE REAL EASY TO GET SUCKED DOWN INTO NEGATIVE THINKING WHICH LOWERS YOUR FAITH, WHICH LOWERS YOUR EXPECTATION AND WHICH LOWERS YOUR PRODUCTIVITY.  I GOT TO BE THINKING EVERYBODY WANTS TO BUY MY CAR, MY HOUSE OR BUY THE PRODUCT I’M SELLING.  THAT’S THE WAY I WANT TO GO OUT.  I DON’T WANT TO BE THINKING: ‘WELL, I DON’T SUPPOSE YOU WANT TO BUY A CAR TODAY, DO YA?’  “I DON’T RECKON YOU’D WANNA BUY A HOUSE FROM ME TODAY, WOULD YA?”  WHY DO WE THINK THAT WAY?  CAUSE YOU’RE LOOSING THE BATTLE AND NOT LISTENING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO IS CALLED THE COMFORTER OR THE ENCOURAGER IN SCRIPTURE.  THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE IN ANY RECESSION GETTING RICH.  WHY DON’T YOU JUST BE ONE OF THEM?  BUT LISTEN, YOU GOTTA CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK; ITS YOU STINKIN THINKIN THAT’S GOTTA CHANGE.

 

BOY, THERE WE ARE BACK ON THAT SUBJECT AGAIN: CHANGE.  YA GOTTA BE WILLING TO CHANGE.  I GOT THIS EMAIL LAST WEEK: If you do what you have always done, you are liable to get what
you have always gotten. IF YOU ARE OPEN TO CHANGE THEN YOU CAN CHANGE WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT AND DO AND YOUR RESULTS WILL CHANGE AUTOMATICALLY.  YOU SEE, THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MEANS YOU CAN CHOOSE WHAT THOUGHTS YOU WILL LISTEN TO AND HIS THOUGHTS WILL LEAD YOU IN THE DIRECTION OF POSITIVE CHANGE THAT WILL RESULT IN ABUNDANT LIFE, SUCCESS AND PEACE.

 

DO YOU KNOW THAT 90% OF COUNSELING IS IDENTIFYING WRONG THINKING AND CORRECTING THAT WITH THE LOGIC FROM GOD’S WORD.  BUT YOU GOTTA CHOOSE LIFE OR DEATH.  THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM TO SELECT WHAT I ALLOW MYSELF TO DWELL ON AND TO THINK ABOUT IS GIVEN TO ME BY THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT.  HE WILL ALWAYS LEAD US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.  PAUL TELLS US TO SET OUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE AND NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS BECAUSE THE ISSUES OF LIFE AND PEACE COME FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 

2 Cor. 10:5 (KJV)

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 

2 Cor. 10:5 (MsgB)

We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.

 

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T LET YOU MIND GET ENSLAVED TO BITTERNESS, PREJUDICE, ENVY, PRIDE, JEALSOUY, ANXIETY, GREED OR SUPERIORITY.  AND THE WORD TELLS US THAT THIS CAN BEGIN TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW. 

 

HOW MANY OF YOU SAW THE MOVIE: ‘A BEAUTIFUL MIND?’  THIS IS A STORY OF JOHN NASH WHO WAS A MATHEMATICAL GENIUS BUT WAS BORDERLINE INSANE BECAUSE HE HEARD VOICES IN HIS MIND THAT MADE HIM FEEL IMPORTANT AND PLAYED ON HIS FEARS AND WHEN HE LISTENED TO THEM THEY DESTROYED HIS RELATIONSHIPS, DISTORTED HIS PERCEPTIONS AND THEY MADE HIM OBSESSIVE AND TERRIFIED.  THEY WERE THOUGHTS THAT LEAD TO DEATH.  SO THIS GUY WITH A BRILLANT MIND HAS TO LEARN NOT TO LISTEN TO THESE VOICES AND IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO TEST THE THOUGHTS AND VOICES IN HIS MIND AND LEARN NOT TO LISTEN TO THE ONES THAT LEAD TO DEATH. SHOW CLIP: “ I WAS THINKING I MIGHT TEACH….”  I’VE GOTTEN USE TO IGNORING THEM AND AS A RESULT I THINK THEY’VE GIVEN UP ON ME.  AND IN HIS BATTLE, ITS LIKE THE BATTLE WE ALL FACE, WE CAN STOP FEEDING THOSE THOUGHTS AND CHOOSE LIFE.

 

LATER ON IN THE MOVIE A MAN COMES TO HIM TO TELL HIM THAT HE’S BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE NOBEL PRIZE.  AND WITHOUT ADDRESSING HIM HE TURNS TO A STUDENT LEAVING HIS CLASS AND ASKS HER: DO YOU SEE A MAN STANDING OVER THERE? SHE SAID, YES SIR I DO.  THEN HE SAID, THEN I’LL TALK TO HIM.  YOU SEE, SOMETIMES YOU NEED OTHERS TO GIVE YOU WISE COUNSEL ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF NEGATIVE THINKING AND MAKING WRONG CHOICES.  SO GOD’S GIVEN US THE HOLY SPIRIT SO THAT WE HAVE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE THE THOUGHTS WE MEDITATE ON AND THOSE THOUGHTS THAT COME FROM GOD WILL FILL YOUR LIFE AND MINE WITH HOPE, FAITH AND A DIVINE OPTIMISIM THAT WILL BRING LIFE AND PEACE.  YOU CAN HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MIND!