transformation....

I am reading a book given to me by my good friend Tracey Slaven written by Nancy Missler about transformation though Faith in Christ. 

This is something that I, as a Bible believing Christian should know, but don't always practice.

 I read a piece last night that made me stop and consider how very much in bondage I am, as well as most people I know. "Whoever directs and controls our thinking is ultimately the one who will direct and control our lives". We are directing our lives, thoughts and actions through our flesh (satan) and not our Spirit Filled Renewed Mind. This does not happen overnight and we cannot do this by ourselves. To paraphrase the book, we need to understand that our hurts, resentments and bitterness won't go away on their own. Psalm 19:12 warns us that we have "secret faults". Things we think are ok, but are those hidden things - when we are hurt and we don't act Godly. These "secret faults" will only accumulate, grow stronger and eventually become strongholds of the enemy. 

The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that only God can take those negative things away from us and truly heal us. BUT - without a renewed mind - without the Mind of Christ in operation in us, God will never really be able to hold the reins of our lives. This is why satan battles so hard for our minds - if we think negative thoughts and resentment and bitterness and if he can control our thinking, he will ultimately control our lives. Efforts to change should therefore NOT be focused on our wrong actions, but on our wrong thinking. If we can change the way we think, then our LIFE actions will follow. 

So, if you have been hurt, angered, done in, scolded, treated unfairly - the moment you THINK that negative thought about the other person today, hand it over to God and ask Him to renew your mind. Ask Him to help you deal with the negative emotion you are experiencing. Shed that emotion and ask God to replace it with genuine love for the offender or offensive situation. Ask Him to show you how you can Glorify His name in this situation. Remember that He promises that all things will work together for our good if we LOVE Him and do all things according to HIS purpose, not our own.......... 

May God renew your mind today so that you will not be directed by satan in any way. May you turn every negative thought over to Him and ask Him to give you peace and show you your own hidden faults and give them to Him so that you may truly be directed by Him. I know that I will endeavor to do so today, and every day forward. I might falter, but God grant me the humility to accept it when I stumble, admit it and give it to Him. Have a Blessed day!! xxxxxxx