A Victorious Mind Set!
Who are you? How far do you want to go in your life as a successful or fulfilled person? We are all challenged in our mind on what we determine is fulfillment and true happiness. Yes, what we think in our mind many times determines in what direction we will go. And yes, the passion of our heart directs the course of our mind. All these “thoughts of the mind” makes us the person we are.
FOOD FOR OUR THOUGHTS
Thankfully for those who have chosen to believe God and His awesome Word, we have a smorgasbord of truths that feed our mind and give us the opportunity to live beyond our human capacity.
One such tasty morsel of truth for us to entertain in our minds is declared in Colossians:
Colossians 3:2 (ESV) Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Why would we want to keep our sights above rather than on the important issues facing us in the world? The simple and truthful answer is in the previous verse in Colossians:
Colossians 3:1 (ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Have you been raised with Christ at the right hand of God? YES!
Ephesians 1:20: (KJV) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Our true and most meaningful life now takes a whole new and different view. We are spiritual beings, who happen to be living on earth, even though we are really seated with Christ in the heavenlies. That is why we look up!
As a result of the death and resurrection of Christ, our Heavenly Father has allowed us to live our spiritual life on earth until the Gathering Together, when we will truly be with the Lord forever.
Why waste this spectacular power and mind satisfying reality by getting wrapped up in the affairs of his world. We have a higher calling, and profound duty to the Heavenly Father. It is all strikingly real for us now because of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
II Corinthians 5:15 (Amplified) And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.
How remarkable it is that we have the victory already and therefore keep a victorious mind set in our thinking as we live each and every day for our Father.
Remember God has vision for your life. When you first got born again, the angels celebrated in heaven. And as you have stepped out on God’s Word believing Him, He has lovingly worked with you all the way. He still has vision for your lives no matter how old or young you are. All this because God raised Jesus from the dead.
I am 75 years old and have been on His team since 1967. He has inspired and used me from the very beginning; from college outreach, then military outreach, working in the world outreach and ministry outreach. He always has something incredible for me to do. As long as I keep my focus on things above where I am seated, He will have exceptional things for me to continue to do.
I know this is true for you as well! Just keep a victorious mind set!
What makes the difference in our lives? Many will point out some profound event that has shaped their life. But sometimes it is the little things that are so impactful.
Sometimes a smile or a kind word shared, touches our heart in a major way.
Speaking in tongues seems to be for many an insignificant thing, but God sure is blessed when we do it.
When someone confesses Romans 10:9 for the first time it may not “feel so spectacular.” But the angels in heaven rejoice when just one is saved.
Prayer may seem to be something intangible, but it opens the door for God to move mightily.
Many times it is the little things we do that have major consequences. Even a bee sting or mosquito bite can put us out of commission.
The tongue is a little member of the body, but it can say things that would tremble the whole body.
James 3:5: (ESV) So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
Our Heavenly Father is as much concerned with the little matters in your life as the big ones.
As we live our lives for Him, let us remember how important it is to be faithful in the small things as well as the major things we take on.
Luke 16:10: (ESV) "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
Some people carry a fear around with them in regard to their salvation. Am I truly saved? Perhaps there is no greater concern for a Christian or a person that wants to become one, than to know without a shadow of doubt they have received God’s gift of salvation.
There is one sure way to prove to yourself and others that you are born again of God’s spirit. It is to operate the manifestation of the spirit. There are nine of them. The one great indicator of someone being born again in the book of Acts was to hear them speaking in tongues. And it is still true today, proving that a person is born again of the spirit of God.
It amazes me that Christians dismiss speaking in tongues, not recognizing its validity. When you read I Corinthians 12:7-11 we see the manifestations are given to every man to profit. Listed are a number of them that we fully and completely embrace, such as Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, Gifts of healing, and miracles which we all desire to use. But realize that speaking in tongues is included in this list and is for the purpose of benefiting the believer giving him the confirmation of being born again of God’s spirit.
God communicates in His word how permanent the new birth is by indicating we are sealed.
II Corinthians 1:21 & 22: Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
The word for “sealed” is used in Matthew 27:66 where it shares that the sepulcher that Jesus was buried in was sealed. The King’s orders and signet mark was on it and nothing legally could unseal it. Of course we know that God had the stone rolled away. Here is more on the permanence of our salvation:
Ephesians 1:13: …in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed God has assured your safe unto the day of redemption.
God has certainly assured your safekeeping. You are His for evermore!
Max Lucado, a very prolific Christian writer, beautifully explains how God feels about man’s salvation in Christ:
“Your name is not written in God’s book with a pencil. He does not have an eraser above your entry, just waiting for an excuse to remove it. He is no cruel master who demands perfection and promises retribution. He is a good Father, who has recorded your name with the blood of the Lamb.”
Agape,
Bob
Please Consider . . .
I have not written a “Bless Net” in the last couple of months, but something has been brewing on my heart and has boiled over with a concern for those I love – The Body of Christ.
The issue is: “Should I get a COVID vaccination or not?”
Here is my take on it:
Jeanie and I got COVID over a year and half ago while traveling. Thankfully we got through it without too much struggle. Our biggest concern was, “did we pass it along to others.” And we probably did. Having built a natural immunity we felt relatively safe afterwards. But we still got the shot. Why? We started thinking about others instead of ourselves. We minister and reach out to many people from all walks of life.
Many of you are dedicated to reach the world with the Gospel of Christ. We put our lives out there to serve and love those in need. It was rather easy to just get the shots and be done with it, not having to think about and be embroiled with all the debates on the pros and cons of vaccination.
I have seen too many friends and believers suffer needlessly. I do not want to contribute to the problem by passing it along to others. If there are any negative consequences to the vaccine, I believe God can cover. When I think about all the negative food we eat and air we breathe and other things we put in our bodies that are not best, I can take on getting a shot that can make a difference in staying COVID free without passing it along to others.
Since I started writing this Bless Net, I have been hearing more and more heart wrenching stories of people I know and many others that are, and have suffered dearly by not getting the shot. Jeanie and I recommend getting the vaccine, if not for your own good, at least for the sake of your loved ones and others you come in contact with.
Thank you for considering getting vaccinated. I love you no matter what you do.
Agape,
Bob
It is amazing what people do to have a good feeling. Substance abuse unfortunately is the first choice of many. It is a huge problem stalking many people trying to achieve some kind of high. This issue plagues many with empty results.
There is a solution to everyone’s need to be built up and feel good about themselves. It is a God solution. The Heavenly Father has provided to everyone born again something that supplies the ultimate in feel good results. It involves the gift of holy spirit that a person receives when they confessed Romans 10:9: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” To be saved is to be rescued from eternal death and filled with the eternal life spirit.
How can this new birth gift of holy spirit provide me a feel good high? There are too many ways this occurs. But let’s look at a few that really make a deep impression.
1. You would feel good if someone saved you from drowning right!? Well, how about being saved from eternal death to eternal life. Even better, yes!? (Romans 6:23: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord).
2. Wouldn’t you feel good if you had access to the Creator of the Universe? You would be able to talk with Him and hear from Him. Utilizing the new birth spirit by speaking in tongues puts you in audience with God Almighty (I Cor. 14:2a: For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: …).
3. You are edified when you speak in tongues by the spirit of God (I Cor.14:4a: He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself).
What makes all the difference in the world is the gift of holy spirit living within a person. The feel good high is recognizing this spirit in you and using it. Speaking in tongues is what God has designed for every believer to use so they would feel good about connecting with the Heavenly Father; so they would feel good being assured of their new birth; so they would feel good about who they are in Christ.
There is a wonderful song by Larry Shicks called, “Holy Spirit High.” Some of the words declare the feel good high of holy spirit. “They got power, intercession, speaking mysteries, got excited, cause they got the best.” It goes on declaring, “Speak in tongues, praying in the spirit, it keeps me edified; I call it holy spirit high.”
God has the answer to the need to feel high. It is the gift of holy spirit being manifested in your life by operating the manifestation of speaking in tongues. This is so much better that any drug or other substances.
Speak in tongues much, that is the solution!
Agape,
Bob