by David Brenneman
"Prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be
brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 1:13.
When tough times arise, one of the first places affected is your thinking. You can become confused, overwhelmed
preoccupied, or even foggy when challenges assail you. Therefore
it is crucial to be on the right track mentally when you are about to
undergo persecution or difficult times.
So how do you prepare your mind for action? You must decide that you won't allow anger, unforgiveness, jealousy, fear,
or doubt to plague you. When you face situations beyond your
control, these negative attitudes can paralyze and even defeat you
completely. On the other hand, if you respond with the right mental attitude - viewing your circumstances from God's perspective and understanding who you are in Christ (chosen and protected by Him, born again to living a hope, and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to do His will)- -then you can walk victoriously
through your difficulties, knowing they will not last forever.
So as you prepare for rough times, focus on your attitude and
how you will respond in faith. Because when you think as God
does, based on your identity in Christ, nothing will be able to shake
your confidence.
Jesus, help me prepare my mind so I can honor You no matter what happens, Amen.
Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.
"The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us." - Life Principle 7.
"Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4.
We ought to stop and reflect on what is really going on in our lives...not just because of a Sunday sermon once in a while but daily.
Scripture says in "For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:20.
If we've been purchased by the very shed blood of Jesus Christ, what manner of man or woman ought we to be? Since the very Word of God says this is what we are, take serious note of this!
Follow along...
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.
We're going to face unknowns throughout our lives and need to recognize them as having been wrought in God's desire to be glorified through our lives in this world.
We are going to face unknowns because that's what the process of learning is about.
You and I didn't step into any grade in school fully understanding what was about to be taught before the teacher spoke the first lesson did we?
Those of us who've been in the military...you didn't automatically know exactly what you needed to know about basic training before the Drill Sargeant opened their mouth did you?
Physically you who run races, participate in various sports or other activities, you had to learn before stepping into them didn't you?
Your job...you had to learn both what was needed of you and how it was to be accomplished.
We're not going to walk with Jesus without having to stop, listen, and obey regardless of what's coming or has come. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever." Psalms 111:10.
"The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life." Proverbs 22:4.
So while we're going to face unknowns throughout our lives...we're never alone in them. Our Teacher and Lord are right there with us. We may never get to the point of being told the why's behind our lives being the way they have been as Job. We may get shown but will not be able to convey to others because it's for us alone as Paul. We may only get part of the story as Daniel did.
I really am at a loss for the duration of the season that I am in right now myself.
The onus is on me to behave and react as a child of God, as one growing in the character of Jesus Christ. It's on me to obey the Lord as best I know how. It's on me to seek the Lord in my day. It's on me to not neglect the Spirit of God in me every day. It's on me to listen for that still small voice. It's on me to open my heart to my Savior each day. It's on me to cultivate my relationship with Jesus in thought and prayer.
This is for you as well my Dear Reader all those things and more.
We must be in the Word of God to prepare both for what our calling in Christ Jesus is and to prepare for what's to come for us and the world around us.
Secondly...realize that there's no part of our lives that is hidden from His sight. He's never so busy that we aren't on His mind. That's what omniscience is, that is what omnipresence is, that's what omnipotence is.
He knew all about our lives before there was ever a heartbeat to be had in our existence.
We are commanded to be alert because of our adversary prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
We are commanded to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself.
We are commanded to be alert because we know not when our Master and Lord will return.
We are not given tasks that are so complex that we should shirk our responsibility for them and run from them.
We were given specific, special, gifts by the Spirit of God to fulfill our calling in our lives.
Embrace your calling in Christ, whether or not you fully understand it. Be in prayer to hear what it is you're to be doing in Christ. Be in a developing relationship with Jesus and don't try to go it alone. Give of your best to your Savior and Lord. Whether you understand or not, keep pace with Jesus. We don't hold His hand, He holds ours. We could let go of His but He can never break His word to always keep ahold of our hand.
Be prepared by being active in your walk with Jesus. Be prepared by being in prayer regardless of what your day looks like. Be committed to time with Jesus.
We know not when Jesus is coming back but we can be ready for when that will be.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
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