Romans 12:2
Do not conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
In the past I have spoke about how vulnerability can be seen as a weakness sometimes, but since the passing of Joshua the Lord has taught me that there is actually wisdom in being uncovered. While sitting here thinking about the word of the week I heard God say, “Talk about how the mind should be guarded in times of hurt.” God spoke things into being before the rise of man. One might wonder how this perfect and blameless God had anything to do with this fallen world? But what I want to you to know that despite what has happened in your life and has caused you to question him that just like he did for the children of Israel he is making a way and all things new so that you can enter into your next. Leading you carefully with his righteous right hand. God desires that our minds be focused and aligned with his word so that we will know which way to turn, John 10:27 says My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Will you follow me? I hear the Lord ask and do it without Hesitation?
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trusting the Lord with all thine heart and lean not into thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path
Lord, I do not have the words, but you do. This week you give me the wisdom and words to write and write well. Clear my thoughts for I know not what I am doing but trust that you do. I can do nothing outside of you, so today will I pray that your wisdom, insight, and power will flow through me like living water. Set these pages on fire so that the world will know that you are the God that answers by fire just like you did in 1 Kings 18:21-24 when the Prophets of Baal stood before you not knowing that you were the one and only true God. I pray that your truth will have such a profound impacted on the viewers life that they will forever be changed. Cause your children to see that there is life after death and no weapon formed against their minds shall prosper. 2 Corinthians 3:17 reads “Now the Lord is spirit and where the spirt of the Lord s there is Freedom. Lord nothing can restrict you. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active, sharper then and double-edged sword. It penetrates even to the dividing souls and spirits and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. May your word demolish the lies that have clouded their thoughts. No longer will guilt and shame hold them bound from seeking guidance and from obeying your word.
Introduction
I often ask God when had times come to help me see things as they truly are. Reason being because we know based on the word of God that things are not always as they seem. I also do this because I know that the mind is a beautiful thing but can also cause one to make wrong decisions that may cause more difficulty if one is not careful. Jesus unlike us knew his end but was still able to tackle every situation that came before him with the peace of God. Some might question how that was possible “Matthew 4:4” is the verse where he quoted the infamous words “it is written.” Many times, when Jesus was question about why or how he was able to do a thing he often reminded the listeners that all that they know was speaking of him. I believe in doing this he wanted the onlookers to know that yes time has passed but Gods word was going to be fulfilled. It may not happen today, tomorrow, or even next week but rest assure as it says in Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. And God word is going to come to fruition, His kingdom will come and his will, will be done (Matthew 6:10).
I have been reading this book by Joyce Meyers call –Battlefield of the mind! Along with scripture I wish I could examine how it has truly impacted my life. Gods word has quicken me in ways I did not even know was possible. In her book chapter 4 is called Little by Little. It speaks bout how when God is healing you from past hurt and pain it might not come as quickly of some may like. Whenever God does anything he always does it in way that will leave a lasting result. Rest assure that healing is your portion but with that being said God is a God of order and deals with thing in a manner that he sees fit. Depending on the situation, some cases may take a little more time. But this doesn’t mean that he doesn’t want to see you healed and set free because that is not in Gods nature, but God wants to make sure that when does deliver you that there is no shadow of a doubt that you understand that it was him and him alone that delivered you from the wiles of the wicked one. I will be quoting Joyce but also paraphrasing a few tips that I found helpful in hopes that you will be able to take and apply them to your everyday lives to get you though whatever it is that you may be dealing with. I do encourage you to purchase a Bible if you do not already have one or download the app on your phone. I mention this because most of what I am speaking of is based on his Holy word and its nice to have so that you can follow along in different teachings. I will leave the direct link to her book for you to purchase.
In chapter 4 the Joyce quotes Deuteronomy 7:22 it says “The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you.” She later goes on to talk about renewing our mindset and how it is an ongoing works that needed to be done daily. Good things are not built over night. We have to be patient with ourselves and allow God to remove past hurt, old problem, and ways of thinking. Be Patient with yourself is what I heard the Lord say “BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF.
Whenever one desires to make changes in their life, one thing that is inevitable to come along that desire is discouragement. It will rare its big head like a 900-pound elephant in a room. But thank God for the blood of Jesus that has the ability to demolish every and anything that tries to stand against it. Jesus in Matthew 4 when he was tested in the wilderness by the wicked one attempting to get him to expose himself and do things before God had called him to, we will also be tested. But there is so much in this chapter that we can learn. First one being is to have a “It is written” in our mouth. We must learn that we need to stand firm on the word of God and refute everything that seek to exalt itself against the knowledge of God 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Joyce says that we should not get discouraged and even when we do we must train our thoughts and also watch the words that we speak because as it says in Proverbs 18:21 that Life and death is in the power of the tongue and those that love it, shall eat the fruit thereof. She also goes on to say that instead of thinking negatively, we should think like this “Well things are going slow, but thank God I am making some progress. I am sure glad I am on the right path that will lead me to freedom. I chose wrong thinking all day long. Father forgive me, and help me to keep on keeping on”.
In Chapter 5 titled “Be Positive” I love how Joyce start off with scripture and reason being is we should always remember that all wisdom and knowledge comes from God. All power and everything that has been designed belongs to him Deuteronomy 10:14. He is the commander, great high priest, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6. The verse she uses is Matthew 8:13 “It shall be done for you as you believe” I quote Ms. Meyers as she says “Positive mind produce positive lives. Negative minds produce negative lives. Positive thoughts are always filled with faith and hope. Negative thoughts are always full of fear and doubt. This message speaks so much truth and I know that thinking positively can be hard at times especially when coping with past hurt or trauma, but one thing that I try to keep in mind is that it hurt God to watch Jesus suffer the way he did for our sins but if he is seating at the right hand of the Father healed, whole and well then I know that the same end is available for me. His word says in Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.
In Chapter 6 titled Mind Binding Spirits Joyce starts off by writing 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Guarding your mindset will require trusting in a source other then yourself. We must believe what God spoke in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I said at the beginning of this post that the mind can be a beautiful thing, but it can also cause us to think limited solely based on out situation at the time. I know that I have been there, replaying events from the past and wondering if the outcome will work out in my favor. We are human and our human nature causes us to sometimes become planners, and when we plan, and tragedy strikes it can cause us to close the door to the future. Stepping on to the revolving door but never stepping out in fear of trying to avoid the unknown. You see fear is like a wave in the sea, looks beautiful from far of but when close can cripple us from even making a sudden move. 2 Timothy 1:7 speak “For God hath not given us a spirit of Fear, but Power, and of Love and of a sound mind. I plead the Blood of Jesus over every negative high and lofty thing. I speak to it now and take authority over the mindsets that were sent to destroy the path that God has set before you. No longer will you wonder aimlessly wondering if you have a place in this world, no longer will you walk around with shame and guilt believing that God creating you was a mistake. No longer will the lies that have be spoken to you play over and over like a broken cassette causing you to feel broken and worthless is what the Lord told me to speak. The blood of Jesus washes and restores your mind to his will and purpose. Be made whole he says, take up your bed and walk –John 5:7-9. Just like many I had plans for me and Joshua and now that he is gone I often wonder what’s next and I will be the first to admit that I am often ask God where do I go from here? I often ask God why did it have to this way? Why didn’t anyone have the decency to call the police? Why didn’t anyone care that they were not just hurting him but hurting me? someone there that could have called medical assistance and gotten Joshua the help he needed so that he might have still been here, but I don’t stay there when those thoughts try to bombard me, I grab it is written and speak to the atmosphere. My favorite verse to quote Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. I also use to protect my thoughts 2 Corinthians 10:4 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 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. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. Then asked God to remove every thought and image that was not place there by him. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:12 that God’s word is sharper than any two-edged sword, a penetrates even to dividing souls on the spirit and the marrows, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
~This week I pray in the name of Jesus that you will no longer let your thoughts run ramped. And that you will draw your sword which is the word of God and arrest every negative mindset that seeks to keep your mind restricted from being set free. I seal this prayer with the Power of the Holy Spirit in the name above ever name King Jesus. ~
Now this is my favorite chapter of the book I have read and studied this chapter many times. Personally, this chapter has helped me so much that when I do find myself thinking outside the perfect will of God I sometimes catch myself saying “Girl think about what you are thinking.” Chapter 7 is called exactly that “Think about what you are Thinking” now this is a chapter that I have mentioned a few times in previous post significantly in the post called “Mind Games” I highly encourage you to go back and read that one so you can get a better understanding of how great God wants his children’s minds to be free. It speaks on what was writing above but more deeply. The mind should never be left wondering it is a dangerous place to be I hear the Lord say as I am typing. We must constantly be refreshing our thoughts with the truth of God and that can only be done when one is reading the scripture daily. I have heard some say that they find it hard to focus and read but I hear the Lord say “Count it all Joy” can be found in the book of James 1:2. We live in a time that we now have the privilege to play the Bible audibly from sources such as the Bible app which you can now download on your phone but also YouTube. I often use these avenues when driving in my car and at night while preparing to fall asleep. I hear the Lord say that many are having trouble sleeping at night, know that this is not the will of God in fact let just go to scripture and see what God has to say about sleeping in peace.
Psalms 127:2 – It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives his beloved sleep.
Psalm 4:8 In Peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell is safety.
Proverbs 3:24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
It is not the will of God for people to be stressed from dusk to dawn, then lay down at night and still be uncomforted. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Rest in him knowing that he is the one that can alleviate all your sorrow. Cast your cares upon him is what I hear God say and know that he was designed to carry it all. In the mornings when I get up the Lord speaks to me and often says “Stand Firm on the word.” One way that I do this is by speaking the word over my life. David said in Psalms 1:2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his Law Day and night. When in bed and my mind starts to wonder I play the Bible on my phone and think about the verse that is being spoken. I do this because it replaces all the lies of the wicked one. Nothing he speaks should be trusted for he is the Father of all lies just as Jesus described him in Matthew 8:44.
David also said in Psalms 63:6-7 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night, because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. David was a man after Gods own heart, and just like many of us he suffered many trial and tribulations. He even suffered the loss of his first-born son that he had with Bathsheba. You can read about this 2 Samuel 12:1-14. In his sorrow I believed that had an understanding that despite what had happened that he needed to guard his heart but also his mind and allow God to lead in that season of grief where in end God was still able to get the glory and praise. In Psalms 30:5 it says that for his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Joyce goes on to say that “If we want to be successful and prosper in all of our dealings we need to meditate on the word of God Day and night. When Joshua died I didn’t know what to do but I prayed about everything from planning the service, to asking him for peace in the nights so that I could get some rest.
Closing Prayer
Tonight, I pray that the God that answers but fire (Exodus 13:21) demolish every high and lofty thing that seeks to exalt itself against the knowledge of God. Fresh wind and Fresh fire blaze upon every negative mindset that seeks to devour his people. No longer will they remain captive in a land to which they were never called. The fire of God surround them creating a hedge of protection. No longer will they fall victim to the mindset of the wicked one, no longer will they wrestle at night when God has called him to sleep. No longer will the wiles of the enemy (Ephesians 6:11-12) have people lay restless at night wondering if things will ever change. I speak peace in the mist of them. May your minds become like ocean filled with his goodness and mercy. Set free from the lies of the wicked one set free and delivered while the angels of the Lord in encamps around you. No longer will you be bound by the negative thoughts that seek to hold you captive. You are set free in your inward parts in the night season in the mighty name of Jesus, may the peace of God come into your life and live forever, and I seal this prayer with the power of the Holy Spirit in the mighty name of Jesus.
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Remember that you are loved and cherish each person I know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made just as it says in psalms 139:14