At some point, just like the first disciples, a life in the Kingdom is not the same as a life in this world. Jesus actually lets us know from His prayer in John that we are no longer of this world, just like He’s not. This means we have to realize, this kind of life will requires effort. An intentional mind set. Think about it, we’re not successful at anything of value on accident. So why would we assume our spiritual life would be any different?
Intentional Mind Part 1
How many of you think Jesus knew exactly what the landscape of society was going to look like today?
So, you think He’s still counting on us embracing the fact that one of His primary reasons for coming was that we could have an abundant life in Him, advancing His Kingdom.
But here’s the deal, at some point, just like the first disciples, a life in the Kingdom is not the same as a life in this world. Jesus actually lets us know from His prayer in John that we are no longer of this world, just like He’s not.
This means we have to realize, this kind of life will requires effort. An intentional mind set. Think about it, we’re not successful at anything of value on accident. So why would we assume our spiritual life would be any different?
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
Romans tells us, set your mind on things of the Spirit.
Joshua says, meditate on the things of God day and night.
Paul says, don’t look at the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen.
Through the history of God’s people He inspired them to rise to the occasion, for the sole purpose of advancing His Kingdom. And I believe we’re living in one of those times, where Jesus is looking for those to distinguish. I believe it’s time for the world to see “Greater is He that’s is us, then he that’s in the world.”
God wants to distinguish you! (Abraham,Joshua,Esther,Gideon, David) This means we’ve got to do things His way. And this is why the apostle James tells us we cannot continue living a double minded life. But just like with everyone of these, or any other patriarch of old, they had do to things God’s way. And it starts with seeing things the way He does. And faith gives us that ability.
Faith allows us the ability to fix our thinking on Him to the place where we actually comprehend our new life. After all, faith comprehends as real fact things that haven’t been revealed to human senses yet.
Something most Christians never take the time to embrace is the fact that we’re made in God’s image. But because of free will, it’s up to us to make room for faith inspired thinking.
It’s actually one of the most creative, powerful forces a human being possess. It’s how we see spiritually. Faith is the substance of things not seen. This is why He told us to take control of our thoughts, to actually bring them into obedience with Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV) Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (MSG) The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture.
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought, emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
Twice in Matthew 6:25 & 31, Jesus tells us not to worry. But what’s interesting is in the KJV, He says, “take no thought” I agree with the KJV because ultimately, worry originates from one place.
This is what Paul is wanting us to understand when he tells us to bring every thought into captivity.
Think about this, Jesus telling us to take no thought isn’t any different that Him saying, don’t sin any any other way.
And I realize these are spiritual realities that will contradict everything in this natural world, and this is why we have to become people of faith, which means we have to do things God’s way.
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
The fact is, we’ll never become who God says we are until we start seeing ourselves the way He sees us.
Practice seeing yourself the way God’s word describes you.
I promise you, the more you begin seeing yourself through the lens of His word, inspired by His Spirit, the more influential, effective, and positive your life will be.
Think about it, right now, what kind of in Christ image do you have?
What’s your thought life look like? What occupies the most space in your thinking? Do you honestly believe that the more you think on what God says, the more transformation is happening?
This is why the apostle Paul instructs us in Romans that if we continue living according to our carnal human nature, it only leads to destruction and separation from God.
Then he says this is chapter eight, “Those who live according to the Spirit of God, set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
And here’s a wonderful revelation, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Set your mind on that.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith...
The New Testament teaches us that watching, listening, following Jesus will absolutely transform everything about how we live our lives in Him.
Is it possible that we could get to a place in our walk with Jesus that the cares and trails of this world no longer have the power to sideline us?
Here’s the thing, we’ll never become who God says we are if we never take the time to let Him show us.
Why not let God inspire our thinking to the place where we see from His perspective?
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NLT) Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
What if we started with this one passage and made it part of our daily meditation?
Romans 10 makes it very clear that when we consistently make ourselves available to God’s word, faith becomes established in our hearts. This is how Abraham grew stronger in his faith.
Any believer willing to start walking in these truths; not only is your life going to change, but your impact on those around you will be significant.
This is why He tells us things like, His word is the lamp that lights our path.
Truth is, God is counting on some of His kids, His ambassadors, living positive, faith filled lives for Him.
So for those of us that are going to live one of these positive lives for Jesus, we have to realize that we’re going to have to be a little more intentional about it.
This is why God tells us to put on our new nature that’s in Christ.
Jesus actually told us that He’s picked each of us that we would bare much fruit with our new lives in Him.
That we were created in Christ to do the good works He planned for us long ago.
Remember Paul’s words, “It’s no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT) God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.