Posts tagged "mind"

Beware of the Philosophy from Man

During the past few weeks, the Lord has consistently brought across my path a common theme – Beware of the Philosophy of Man. In this context, the term “man” is defined as the ways and ideas of the world. The flesh. It can also be defined as the ways of our own thoughts, which are stemmed from the fleshly nature of man, i.e. self-reasoning.

Here are the main verses that He has placed upon my heart. There is much food for the soul in these verses, I pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to receive.. in the name of the Lord our Righteousness, Jesus Christ, amen –

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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Battle of the Mind and Emotions

Here is a play by play battle that is going on for this mind and the fade that I have been writing about. I’m at the brink of fading and spiraling downward, but He says “Endure!” I’m at the moment of all moments – Choice. Either I’m going to sink in the water or continue walking on the water with Jesus Christ. This is a personal witnessing of this mind, emotions, and the battle. It is ultimately my choice to believe in the things of this world or believe in Him. Thoughts are coming in from 2 different angles: One is of the world (deception, which is resulting in negative emotions) and the other is the Sword of the Spirit (Truth, which is in-line with the Word of God, resulting in joy, peace and contentment).

Whichever one I succumb to will determine if my next step will be on the water or if I sink into the water. To give myself and any readers a good understanding, I’m first going to dig into the Word and see what God says about this intellect. I’m feeling led to research the issue of heart. I know I have journaled about this in the past, but it is so important in the midst of a battle to get into the Word. I pray this helps anyone else that may experience this as well. In Jesus name, amen.

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Moment of Choice

Within this mind, I see a few things taking place. First, there is the old man’s ways before accepting Christ into my life. The old habits, thought patterns, etc. The old identity’s thought patterns resurface at times. Such thought patterns always align with things of the world that were taught through societal influences such as family, friends, tv, etc (the fallen world through Adam). These thought patterns are a result of what the world molded me into thinking. They are me, my ideals, the flesh, habits, etc., but the root (the molder) came from things other than God.

Then, there is the new man, the new nature from being born again in Jesus Christ. Their are thought patterns which are in-line with the mind of Jesus Christ (the Word, Sword of the Spirit, etc). These new thoughts are righteous, good, and align with the character of God. It truly is the Word of God, Jesus Christ’s teachings, the Spirit’s unction, etc. These thought patterns are a result of what God molds. They are Him, His ideals, the Spirit, new habits, etc. and they come from God’s molding.

Lastly, there are outward things that come from situations, people, etc. These outward things will either line-up with the old nature or the new nature in-Christ. They end up being an influence on things of the world or things of God.

Thus, with these things in mind, I’m taking a look at the moment of choice. I’m going to dissect the very moment that I decide which thought patterns to choose and deny. At the moment of choice, one thought pattern is chosen and another thought pattern is denied. Ultimately, either we choose God and deny ourselves (the old man, the world’s ways, etc) or we choose the ways of the world and deny God. I pray the blogging of such will bless you in some fashion or another. In Jesus name, amen –

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Mind Games

The spiritual battle in the mind sure can be tricky. Sometimes, I drown down the truth of God by silencing the conscious, and then replacing it with my own truth. My truth will conveniently not condemn me, thus my selfish choices end up fully justified and I can feel good about them. This post is about these mind games and how I deceive myelf –

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God Guides in Simple Things

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a sister in the Lord. We talked about how God guides in simple things of life. The Lord loves us so much, and wants us to have that constant relationship with Him – To see Him in all things, no matter how simple they are. When we are in a relationship with Him, I don’t doubt for one minute that all things work together for the good. Here is a simple testimony and witnessing of God –

Starting yesterday afternoon, and through the evening, I had a headache. Usually when I have a headache, it’s as simple as being the result of worry, stress, not trusting Him, etc. (Setting the mind on things below). That has usually been where God guides me to examine for resolution. My headaches are usually taken care of by clearing the mind, receiving His peace, and setting the mind on things above. It wasn’t the case yesterday, it was actually more simple than this.

In the evening, I was walking through the kitchen and on my way to bed. The dog stopped and got a drink of water. It is difficult to express that “unction” from God, but I felt God guide me to get a drink of water. I wasn’t thirsty. As I started to grab some water, I thought “huh, I haven’t had any water all day.” As the first swallow was taken, it was as if that gulp directly attacked my headache. It was like a shock wave hitting the headache. Dehydrated.

I finished the glass of water and went to bed. The headache was just about gone as I lay down to sleep. God guides in the simple things of life if I pay attention. When we are in this kind of relationship with Him, whereas we are looking at all things as coming from God, I believe this is ‘pray without ceasing’. Constantly looking to God for Him to guide, talking to Him, asking, interceding, examining ourselves, etc. Jesus said “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” I don’t think this is something we do once in awhile. :)

So there ya have it. I can’t say that this is how God guides everyone. This is how He guides me in life, if I’m watchful, even in the simple things. Time to go get another glass of water. I pray this blesses you, in Jesus name, amen.

joseph

Retirement Center Testimony

Bible Study with the Elderly

Thank you Lord for bringing the testimony of the retirement center back into remembrance.

One day, I felt the Spirit moving me into action to volunteer with the elderly, however the Lord led. I made up some fliers and I had a real hard time getting out there and talking with individuals. Eventually, I was strengthened by His might into action. The first retirement center, nothing materialized and the door closed. Praise God that I did not allow that to deter me. I knew the Spirit was moving. Now, I find out that it was because of prayer from one of the ladies at a local retirement center. Here is His testimony –

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Evidence of our Wellspring

Will the real Jesus Christ please stand up!

Does my life truly reflect Jesus Christ? It very may well from an outward appearance. But, what is the evidence of the wellspring? When I examine the evidence of my wellspring (heart, mind), my answer is an honest no..  the evidence of my life does not reflect Jesus Christ as a whole. Sure, my life does reflect Christ at times, but not as often as the flesh would like me to think. When I honestly examine my wellspring, my thoughts do not always reflect Christ. The true evidence is in my wellspring and not necessarily in my outward actions or words. The true evidence always stems from my thought process and heart. There is some major trickery involved by the wicked one who wants me to believe that I am in a place that I am not. The evidence of my wellspring speaks the truth, regardless of what the emotions say or what the outward actions say. I pray the following confession and lesson blesses you –

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