1 Peter 1:13 –“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be wide awake and hope for the joy that is coming to you at the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the value of the mind spiritually occupied my consciousness.  We tend to discount the mind and rightly distinguish between head and heart knowledge.  However, to totally discount the mind (thoughts and reason) is to rob ourselves of our spiritual well-being.

There are repeated references to the mind with encouragement to THINK.    Isaiah said, “Come now, let us reason together.”   That involves the mind.

The mind, unguided by the Spirit, leads to the pursuit of the purposes of the flesh.   The mind submitted to God and led by the Holy Spirit opens the heart to the wonders of God. Christianity is not mindlessness, but minds filled with and led by God.   God gave us the ability to THINK, so why not use that cognitive ability for spiritual development?

A mind led by the Spirit of God comprehends the incomprehensible.  Inventions burst forth, and sound doctrine was established and taught. In 1 Peter 1:13, Peter urges, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be wide awake and hope for the joy that is coming to you at the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The loins of the mind are a fascinating and quite revealing statement.  Reproduction is initiated in the loins naturally.  Could it be that Reproduction spiritually is initiated in the loins of the mind?

Philippians 4:4-8 is filled with the mind.   Especially vv 6-8.  Worry involves the mind, and understanding involves the mind.   Verse 7, “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and MINDS through Jesus Christ.  8 Finally, my brethren, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, THINK on these things.”

Ephesians 5:19 enjoins us to be saturated with the Holy Spirit, and out of that fullness, our hearts, minds, and souls are linked to God and find expression and release in Psalms, Hymns, and songs of the Spirit.

Mindlessness is the way of the world.  Mindfulness is the way of the Spirit.  THINK, reason, meditate, and examine the Word of God.   Romans 12:1-2 speaks of submission to God and the transformation of the MIND.  The mind enables us to differentiate between good and evil.

Don’t fear the MIND; fear mindlessness.  A mind led by the Spirit (Sanctified) is a mighty tool for the kingdom.   The mind helps keep the emotions in check.

Yield all to Jesus, including your thoughts.  Bring every thought (mind) into captivity to Christ, making it obey Jesus.  Truly, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.  In God’s hands, it becomes a doorway to discovery and spiritual development.

We have the MIND of Christ!

Have a wonderful day, and may the Holy Spirit guide your mind to right thoughts and paths.

Jeremiah 23:9-10 – “Here is what the LORD says concerning the false prophets: My heart and My mind are deeply disturbed…”

The Question: “What would it take for God to say that?  What would it take for God to be disturbed?  Are we as disturbed as God and Jeremiah over the conditions of today?  Does it keep us awake at night, weeping over the lost?  

He continues, “I am like a drunk person, like a person who has had too much wine, because of the way the LORD and His Holy Word are being mistreated.  10 For the land is full of people unfaithful to Him.  They live wicked lives, and they misuse their power.  So, the land is dried up because it is under His curse.  The pastures of the wilderness are withered.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, my heart began to break.   The emotions Jeremiah must have felt welled up inside of me.

In Jeremiah 23, we see the condition of the nation and how Jeremiah’s repeated warnings were being rejected.   The people were consumed with self.    I see that condition today in virtually every sector of society.  False prophets and false doctrines that deny judgment and holiness are becoming more prevalent.  Words, dreams, and visions that promote personal preference are abundant.  God’s abundant grace is being turned into a license to live for self.

When the church becomes like the world, evil prevails.  Darkness becomes the only light people see.  Hope becomes a distant fantasy, and self-preservation becomes the driving motivation behind people’s motives.

Today, believers everywhere are lamenting the conditions of the world!   Many churches have modified their message, trying to be like the world so as not to offend them and hopefully attract followers.   We want God to move, but often forget what is required to have it.   It is not friendship with the world, gimmicks, or focusing on self; it is Jesus.   It is total commitment to Him.  It is abandoning sin and pursuing God.   It is abiding in Jesus and His Word abiding in us.

God’s power will not consistently flow outside an environment of purity of heart.   If Hebrews 13:8 is true, Jesus is the same today as He was and will be.    If He’s the same, He still does what He did and still requires what He required.

In Acts 3, the healing of the lame man reveals a glaring deficiency today.   Peter’s faith in the promises and provisions of God’s Word became a catalyst for healing and redemption.  The miracle served as the catalyst for the message, resulting in the salvation of 5,000 souls.

I’m not following two themes, but I’m saying that the stream of self-centeredness plugs the pipeline of God’s miracles and robs people of the blessing of Salvation.  Are we more aware of and concerned about what we want and need than the lostness of our world?  Do we see the condition and remain unaffected by it, making the pursuit of our interests our paramount concern?

Our world has abandoned God’s Word and elevated self to the throne of life.  We can see revival if we are willing to truly make self secondary to God.

God’s power, working through pure hearts, will provide a platform to introduce Jesus to the lost.   Eternity is far more important than the present.   Yet, the now holds more sway over our hearts than Eternity.    No wonder the prophet was reeling in despair over what he saw.

Today’s world and lackadaisical living (including any complacency in me) torment me.   I weep, knowing the damage and danger.   God, help me to die to myself and surrender 100% of my heart to You.   Cause me to be consumed with Your purposes and incessantly intercede for the lost.  Eternity is eternal.   How can the temporal have such a hold on us that we willingly live for now and lose sight of the eternal?

Revival is flowing, and all hungry hearts will swim in that river.   When self is king, God cannot reign.   I’m Yours, LORD, use me to change my world.   May God use you to make a powerful impact on your world.  You are a weapon in His hands!

LORD, help us shift our focus from Self to Son and receive the Healing that Comes!

Jeremiah 12:1 – “Lord, you have always been fair whenever I have complained to you.  However, I would like to speak with you about the disposition of justice.  Why are wicked people successful?  Why do all dishonest people have such easy lives?”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, Jeremiah 12 commanded my attention.   The chapters preceding this one explore themes of obedience, righteousness, and right living.  The way Jeremiah began Chapter 12 gave me pause.  Jeremiah, like us, complained to God about what he saw and his evaluation of fairness.

He began right but quickly gave way to human thinking.   “LORD, You have always been fair whenever I complained to You.  However, (here it comes, the but), I would like to speak with You about the disposition of justice…”   

Imagine coming to God and saying, “God, you’ve always been fair, BUT You missed something, so let me make You aware of the problem.  You don’t see it, but I do so that I will apprise You of the problem.  Then he continued, “Why are wicked people successful?  Why do all (not some but all) dishonest people have such easy lives?” Yes, God, I’m struggling, and I’m limiting myself, doing all the right things, and yet they are not, but life’s a party for them.  What’s up with that?”

In Jeremiah 12:5, God answered, “If you have raced on foot against men and they have worn you out, how will you compete with horses?  And if you feel secure, only safe, and open country, how will you manage the thick undergrowth along the Jordan River?”

God’s sense of humor is on full display here.  He was saying, “Jeremiah, if you keep comparing yourself to others when it really doesn’t impact you, and things are relatively easy, what will you do if it becomes life or death?  You are looking at the wrong thing, being self-centered rather than trusting Me.“

• If we look to God and give everything to Him, we know He is always just. 
• If we are distracted by other people when things are easy, how distracted will we be when it gets really bad? 
• If our faith is stretched to the limit in ease, will we have any faith at all when it gets really bad?

John 14:1-2 and John 15 are my go-to passages for comfort and prevention when I’m tempted to look at others, seeming ease in their rebellion.     Why me, Lord?     There, I see the eternal destiny of everyone and know that no matter what, I’m loved, cared for, protected, and preserved.    In Him, I have hope.    Psalm 91 reminds me that I have angelic protection.

 So, never use human logic to rationalize how you think God should be acting.  Surrender everything to Him and rest in His perfection.  Ultimately, you get to abide in His house in heaven forever!    The Present, with its problems, is minuscule compared to the presence of His there.

May your day be filled with His goodness and your focus on His mercy, not the unfairness of life!

Acts 1:1-5 – “I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach ² until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.  ³ To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs.  He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God.  ⁴ While he was with them, he declared, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me.  ⁵ For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

 As I prayed, read, and meditated on the Word of God today, a singular thought kept reverberating in my head—First!   First?   What could that mean?  In our chaotic and troubled times, people are searching for answers and trying to make sense of the senseless.

The world is sinking deeper into confusion and corruption.  Believers are often confused and distracted, missing the most important: The First.

In Acts 1, God provides help in directing our focus.   The disciples were in Jerusalem, following Jesus’ directive.   They were waiting for the Promise of the Father.   Jesus said, “Go, stay, wait UNTIL…”   They likely did not know what being baptized in the Holy Spirit meant or how it would impact their lives, but they knew Jesus said it was essential.   They had the knowledge (through the Torah and 3.5 years with Jesus) but were still inadequately prepared for their mission.

They were waiting (something we find almost impossible to do).  Jesus said, “But you will receive power (Dunamis) when (or after) the Holy Spirit has come upon you (immersed you), AND you will be my witnesses…”   That was their directive – Do nothing until you are baptized in or with the Holy Spirit.

The disciples were asking the governmental questions about the kingdom.   The church today is consumed with eschatology and signs of the end.   Listen to what Jesus said in answer to their question, “You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father set by His own authority.  BUT you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (v.7)

We err if we focus on when He is coming back rather than our mission!  We have a mission (go to the world, occupy until), and we have the power to perform that mission IF or WHEN we receive the Promise of the Father.   We are not equipped for the assignment until we are baptized in the Holy Spirit (immersed into Him, saturated).

Being saturated and immersed is the key.   It is not a matter of not having had an experience; it is being continuously saturated.  At that point, the mission becomes more important than some revelation about when He is coming back.  He is, and that will take care of itself.   What we do until then is to be our focus.

We need to tarry, wait, seek, yearn for, and long to be FILLED, Saturated With the Holy Spirit so that we can be and do what we have been commissioned to do.  The mission is the gospel to the world.

I pray your day will be saturated with the presence of the Lord, and the Holy Spirit will overflow in your heart and life!