He is on and in my mind!

Is it possible that an aging mind often becomes an extreme version of the way a person thinks most of their earlier life? My mom has Alzheimer’s and in the early stages we talked about it. I told her I didn’t dwell on the past and my memory of early events was dim, so if/when I lost my short-term memory, my mind would be a total blank. We both laughed.

This morning’s devotional reading is about the power of the mind to choose. It gives this as an example:

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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:5–6)

I almost laughed when I read it. My mind is what some call scattered. I’m easily distracted and focus has always been a challenge. However, the Lord has taught me His solution. To be able to think clearly and focus on Him, I must be filled with the Spirit. That means all known sin is confessed, and I trust Him to put in my head what He wants me to think about, to say, and to do. This is a freedom. 

I’ve had situations where I said something that just “popped out” and later wondered where that came from, yet it was always appropriate and fit with the fruit of the Spirit. No setting my mind or thinking what was the right thing; it was just there.

Now as I read these verses, it seems more a description of two ways to think rather than a choice of what to think. That is, if I am filled with the Spirit of God, I will be thinking as the Spirit thinks. If I am not filled, I will be thinking fleshy thoughts, always self-focused, trying to impress listeners, promote myself, and so on. 

Selfish living is separated from God, and the word of God calls that spiritual death. Abiding in Him in total faith and under His control sets my mind on the Spirit and that is life and peace.

And for me, being filled with His Spirit can leave my body entirely exhausted, which I cannot explain. I just know that when I am trusting the Lord, conversations with others seem to take energy out of me and I become very tired. Perhaps this is because the energy of the Spirit is no longer needed and I’m left with that old self? Not sure. Opinions and thoughts are welcome. 
Yesterday was an example. I went to bed early and slept soundly, and hours longer than normal, but woke up feeling renewed. God gave me fresh ideas in my sleep about being organized even if I have memory problems, and how to practice hospitality without many resources. The sense of having worshiped in my sleep was strong. What a gift…

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:9–11)
For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

PRAY: How awesome. It is true that You are all that I need. I only need to believe You and give You my heart and mind, and You fill me with whatever You want me to think, say, and do. You alway amaze and even surprise me. Truly, to live is Christ! Thank You.
 

Empty and Filled

Forty plus years ago, God called my husband to Himself. He responded to the gospel at the end of a sermon in a legalist church. Soon after, he decided we should go to another church and there he attended a class called, “Fundamentals of the Faith.” This was helpful. One of the elders in that church also offered instruction concerning his walk with the Lord.

He illustrated his point with an upright glass, saying that God would fill our lives with the Holy Spirit as long as that glass was empty of sin. However, if we disobey God, the glass would ‘tip over’ and no longer be ruled by the Lord’s fullness. This man tipped the glass. Then he said the next thing to be done was confessing the sin and repenting. The glass was again turned up, empty and filled by God’s Spirit. He added as he repeated the tipping and upright motions, “You can expect this, yet as you keep doing your part, you will stay upright longer” indicating that being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit depended on keeping short accounts with God concerning sin.

Both of us learned another truth, this time illustrated by pruning a tree. God begins with the obvious sin, the ‘dead big branches’ and it seems like an axe. Then He switches to the not so obvious and uses a pruning knife, eventually working to the sins that most people do not notice and cutting the useless twigs out with a scalpel. Both these illustrations are NT principles. A few verses:

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:15–18)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8–9)
  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. (John 15:1–2)

Being filled with the Spirit is not a matter of choice, but a matter of being emptied of anything else that would rule my life. Simple I-wants, being occupied with worldly matters, having my own agenda, rejecting the known will of God to do my own thing, even if it is not considered sinful. These reflect an attitude of not trusting God to run my life.

Today my body is tired and the to-do list is long. I’ve a meeting at 1:00 and a group Bible study this evening. Right now, I’d rather go back to bed and forget both things, never mind the chore list. Yet I need to listen to Jesus. He said, “Not my will but Thine be done” and under far greater pressure to tip over than my paltry excuses.

PRAY: Jesus, years ago You made us aware that there would be days like this. I can think of many excuses to stay home, if not just the depth of the snow and the icy roads. But out of love for Your Father and for a sin-filled world, You stayed at the place You were called to stay, and then suffered for me. Doing what You want me to do today is nada compared to that. I am such a whiner. Forgive me. Truly I need the fullness of Your Spirit, even if, and especially when I do not feel like moving forward into doing what You ask, even when those tasks will no doubt be totally enjoyable. I cannot will You to fill me, only confess that I’m up to here with a bad attitude and confess it so You can clean out my cup and set me upright and ready to move with You.

 

Being filled with the Spirit…

 

Being filled with the Spirit of God is not the same as having a dual personality, yet it is like that. Those who experience this often say and do things that they remember yet forget, that they wonder “where did that come from?” Yet they know it was the Spirit and not themselves.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

This verse sort of describes it but not entirely. It is more like:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)

And even this isn’t quite it because the love of God is not focused on me and is without self-evaluation. He puts the focus on others, so thinking I am patient and kind is a self-evaluation that ruins it.
Consider also the idea of master. In the original language, this word is sometimes translated  “master” as in the owner of something, but sometimes translated “Lord” when it refers to Jesus. Why the difference? Jesus put it this way:

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 15:15)

Sometimes Jesus referred to Himself as “master,” at least in my ESV translation.

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:20)

You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. (John 13:13)

Yet the idea of “master” contrasts with the idea of friends, implying another kind of relationship. This contrast shows up in the story of the prodigal. The straying son returned and was treated with a loving embrace and a party. However, the older son who had lived under the father’s felt badly used, and he said:

Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him! (Luke 15:28–30)

This person slipped from being a partner with his father to the attitude of a misused slave. This story and the above references point to the difference in attitude that comes when I am controlled by the Holy Spirit or when I am walking according to my old sinful nature called the flesh. One is a friend of Jesus more occupied with love for others than having my way.

In contrast, the flesh is about living for me, my way and my wants, doing things out of obligation rather than love, resenting the blessing of God on others, and feeling like God is simply too bossy. To have a Lord and Master is not the same thing as being mastered. To know the love of God pushes thoughts of self into oblivion and brings love for Him and for others out of my heart.

PRAY: Jesus, this is good counsel for me today. I do have plans, but also hear Your voice concerning the needs of others. I want to obey You, but not with the sense of obligation but because I love You. For that, I know my need to be filled with Your Spirit for otherwise my sinful self will take over and will certainly ruin everything. I confess to You that I belong to You and have been called Your friend. Fill me today that I may act like one, and be more concerned with others rather than being selfish and wanting to do my own thing.

Thankful for ALL things?

Yesterday’s thoughts are still with me this morning. God tells me to follow Him like one of His children should, then gives a list of what this means in ordinary life…

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:1–21)

This passage starts with therefore because the previous passage is about what God has done for me, including forgiveness of my sin. He has given me the ability to turn from sinful things and names many of them, then tells me to be filled with His Spirit which often includes a song in my heart and that I will be thankful for everything.

Reading that again makes me realize that if I am not thankful then I am not filled with Him but full of my sinful self, that old nature that wants what I want and quickly forgets that only God knows what I really need. And like bad news from my doctor and the resulting painful cure, I need to be thankful for whatever He uses to fix my broken and stubborn attitudes and behaviors.

In changing to more accurate imitation of God, starting small seems the best idea. Instead of griping when I sew a wrong seam, or my computer acts contrary to my wishes, or I burn my toast, I can find reason to be thankful for a good sewing machine and the ability to rip out an errant seam, thankful for a computer that saves me hours of time and give access to many resources, and the fact that there is more bread in the pantry to try again.

PRAY: Jesus, I so easily complain about such little things, yet if I cannot be thankful for the least of them, I will never be able to see Your goodness in the ALL things, including painful experiences and sad events. Fill me with Your Spirit for I need You to be thankful, but also enable me to have an eternal perspective that looks for ways to be like You even while I’m here living in time and in this very messy world. Open my eyes to see You — in everything, no matter what!

Being ready for the King…

 

This week we have been considering our future. We live in a small but lovely gated community with 15 units. However, there is no provision for the problems of aging. If one or both of us becomes unable to manage, we would have to hire help.

Instead of that, there are other communities where seniors can live independently and move to a nearby facility that gives partial care and then another that gives extended care. Instead of moving when we need to move, could it be wiser to move now when we are capable?

The plan of God for His people is being prepared, but this plan is not about aging and the end of life. It is about the return of Jesus. We are supposed to be ready for that by knowing what He wants from His people and knowing what will happen when that time arrives.

These days, with an evil mess extending to all parts of the world, some Christians are certain that the end times are culminating and Jesus will soon be here. That could be so, but even if it is not, I know that I need to listen to Him and do what He says. He does not reveal dates and times, but He does tell us what it will look like — all life will change, except God is the same. He sits on His throne. In the OT, Isaiah saw it and someday I will see it too:

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1)

And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:14)

At the end of the NT, this vision is fulfilled: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” (Revelation 22:1) And they will reign forever and ever!

Jesus taught His disciples to pray “Your kingdom come” and that fits with what the OT teaches:

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ (Jeremiah 23:5–6)

Yet Jesus also said that His kingdom was near or they were not far from it, and even that it had already arrived…

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (Luke 17:20–21)

When Jesus promised ‘eternal life’, he wasn’t so much thinking of never-ending life (though it included that); he was promising life that is characteristic of God’s kingdom being available to us right now; a life so powerful that it bursts through the doors of death and will continue in the life to come in even fuller expression.

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24)

So how do Christians live in that kingdom until entering its fullness? By being filled with the Spirit of God, ceasing from self-rule, knowing I cannot do it and aware of my helplessness, yielding to Him. He gives me His thoughts, directions, ideas, love, peace, joy and all fruit of the Spirit and puts His hand in this ‘glove to move me as He wills. And I know it is Him for He is on the throne of my life…

I have been’ crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

PRAY: Lord Jesus, life in Your kingdom is all about You and a grand glimpse of eternity. The more You rule my heart, the more excited I am to be there for I am already being made ready for what is to come later. Help me trust You for all decisions and activities while still here, keeping in mind that it does not matter much where I live, but that I live in You!

How to be what I already am...

 

When my first child was born, I became a mother. I acted like a mother, never once thinking that I was the former person without a child. Even if that happened, this little hungry and helpless person reminded me of my new status.

When I became a Christian, God gave me a new nature. At that point, I had a new status, but unlike being a mother, I continually struggled to act like that new person. I constantly forgot what I now had in Christ. My only reminders came through reading the Bible and having edifying fellowship with other Christians. Without that and the work of the Holy Spirit, it was easy to drop back into thinking as I always had, and living out those old habits. This is why the NT says:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:16–17)

Walking in the Spirit requires only two things on my part: confessing known sin, and asking God to fill me with Himself. After that, all the attitudes and desires of my heart come from Him. He gave me the mind of Christ to think as He thinks, and the Spirit to work in me like a hand in a glove so doing His will becomes a way of life — not a continual sense of ‘I must do this…’ The Bible calls it “abiding in Christ” and this brings wonderful freedom. It cannot happen to those who determine to run their own life or even play a part in their salvation. This is the Lord’s doing, not mine.

There was a time after meeting Christ when I knew what I should be doing or thinking, but it was not happening. I could not choose the right way to live — and had to learn to yield to the Spirit. He supplied and secured the steadfast obedience I sought after; it was not my determination, only my confession of not being able. It was like I could not act like a mother unless I became a mother.

All that God wants is given to His children in the work of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. That old nature cannot do it, even choose it, apart from His grace. Today’s reading says our problem is lack of consecration or lack of trust, yet both of these are given to us in Christ in our redemption.

The reading also says that it is not the strength of our enemies or our own weakness that causes us to fall. Not sure what is meant by “our own weakness” but I do know my weakness is human pride that rises up to try and rule my life rather than letting the Lord take me where He wants me to go. I’m my own worst enemy in that my old life thinks I can do well without Him. It is total foolishness when compared with the wonder of Almighty God and what He can do in a person who has Him in their heart. Like a mom cannot ignore her new baby, He does not ignore His children.

PRAY: Jesus, You make the Christian life possible, just as You make becoming a mother possible. I need You to be saved and to walk in Your Spirit. I need You to expose the desires of the flesh, particularly because they often seem like noble desires. However, You say: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) This is so true — the more I delight in You, the more You pour into me the desires of Your heart, far better than my old desires, no matter how good they might seem. How amazing is Your grace!

Being Like Jesus?

 Being filled with God’s Spirit makes all the difference to how I feel about present duties, situations, and the people around me. Again, I consider His list:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

Compare that to Jesus. His love is demonstrated by the way He was with every task at hand right up to the end when He said, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) He did not say that He was unwilling to do it, nor complain about how hard it was. His mind was on the will of God and his heart was more concerned about the will of God and the fate of sinners.

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. (John 15:12–13)

As for joy, Jesus was obviously a joyful person. He rejoiced to find lost sheep, to be with sinners, and to attend events like weddings. Also, He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11) His prayers were also joyful:

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Luke 10:21)

The gospels are filled with evidence of His patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He could have been demanding, harsh, and treating sinful people as they deserved, but instead, He did not. He was faithful to His calling and like the psalmist, demonstrated these words: “I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)

Self-interest is never mentioned. He did not dwell on or even reveal what He meant by “not my will” and that is a big motivation for me. While I need to recognize and confess sin whenever I ‘walk in the flesh’ and succumb to temptation, and even when I “rejoice in my weaknesses” — the goal is to glorify God and get back on track. Jesus didn’t sin even though He was tempted in every way like I am. He kept His mind on the will of His Father and revealed the way to conquer Satan’s efforts to sidetrack Him. He is the greatest example of self-control, not self being in charge but self not being an issue.

PRAY: Jesus, Your desire is that I be like You, and as I look at You and what You are like, that so easily is my desire too. I know that some people hated You for Your total goodness. Your life is a rebuke, an exposure of sin, yet sin is a burden You carried so that even those who put You to death could hear You say, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Oh to be like You!

Joy preferred over happiness . . .

 

A 2021 survey of more than 20,000 people around the world asked what makes you happy? The response varied as did the happiest levels from country to country, but the findings revealed that the top reasons for being happy are physical and mental health and well-being, relationship with partner or spouse, a sense of meaning for life, children, living conditions, personal security, being in control of life, nature, meaningful work, and having more money, in that order.

This survey did not report faith in God as a source of happiness. The other eleven main responses vary in how much control anyone has over them, and the idea of having meaning in life is not defined. Reading this list gave me the sense that most of those responses would vary in consistency and frequency making happiness and elusive pursuit.

MacArthur’s thoughts for today separate happiness from joy. While the biblical words can overlap, the experience of God’s joy is not the same as happiness related to favorable circumstances. The Bible says it often: we are to “Rejoice in the Lord.”

Most people experience happiness, but it is fickle. If things are going well, we are happy, but if not, we are not happy. Christian joy is not like that, yet I wonder about its frequency. Many times, our prayer sessions are filled with requests for restored health and sometimes other things on that survey list. Rarely do I hear someone ask God to give joy even in difficulties. More often we ask that He removes our problems.

The NT says to “Rejoice in the Lord” because He is the source and object of Christian joy, a gift from the Holy Spirit that transcends circumstances with all its ups and downs. The key to experiencing this joy is obedience and being filled with the Spirit who produces it.

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. (John 15:10–11)

The key to being filled with the Spirit is knowing when I am not. If joy is not there, it is being blocked by something that needs to be confessed and repented of, and cleansed by grace.

We are writing these things so that your joy may be complete . . . . If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:4; 9)

These verses show the importance of reading ‘these things’ and of keeping short accounts with God regarding sin. Obviously, confession is vital yet never forget that obedience is preferable!

Being filled with the Spirit is essential to obedience, yet I find that it has an element of surprise — I’ve no idea what God will do with me next! In other words, life is out of my control — one of the items on that survey list that people want to make them happy is being in control.

On the other hand, Christian joy is not about circumstances. The Bible tells me that I can be joyful in trials (James 1:2-4) and that His joy proves my faith is genuine:

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, (1 Peter 1:6–8)

Putting my hope in an eternal God rather than temporary sources of happiness makes sense. It seems impossible at times, but God is “able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (Jude 24) so this joy is not a struggle to gain — God does it for me.

Lord, we are often grateful for the good stuff, but I see how I can be grateful for difficulties too, as long as I see them through Your perspective; You are using them for my good! When prayers seem unanswered or the “good” You have me experience seems pointless, You tell me to “not grow weary of doing good, for in due season I will reap, if I do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) Thank You for all things and for grace to keep on, forgiveness when I stumble, and joy in the midst of all circumstances.

MORE: Acts 16:11–40 tells of struggles as Paul and Silas planted the church in Philippi. How did God use their difficulties for His glory?