Showing posts with label mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mind. Show all posts

Saturday 17 January 2015

IS THIS MIND IN YOU?

MEMORIZE: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Philippians 2:6-7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelations 7-8, Proverbs 18

Philippians 2:6 says this: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” The word ‘mind’ in Philippians 2:6 means mindset. What is a mindset? It is a particular way of thinking. “Let this mind (set) be in you,” implies that you currently have a mindset i.e. there is particular way you think or see life. “..., which was also in Christ Jesus,” implies that Jesus, whilst on earth had a mindset too. He had a particular way of thinking. When the Pharisees caught that woman in adultery (John 8:1-10), they saw it as another opportunity to enforce the Law of Moses. However, Jesus saw it as an opportunity to show mercy and give her a second chance- although the woman took it as her last chance. Do you know from that day, she never committed adultery again?

Your current mindset, if you are yet to exchange it with that of Jesus, will frustrate the plan and purpose of God for your life. Virtually everything Jesus achieved - success in ministry, completion of His divine assignment, can be attributed to His mindset. Let us briefly look at one of His mindsets. Philippians 2:6-7 says, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” It is difficult to tell if a sister is truly humble until she gets married. Likewise, it is difficult to tell if a brother is humble until he becomes rich or gets into power. There is an adage, where i come from, which says, “you will never see the true colour of a man until he achieves something.” Humility is a thing of the heart. It is borne out of a particular mindset. Jesus knew who He was. He was God the Son i.e. God. He knew He owned everything. He knew He had the power to kill and to create. Despite all, the bible records that “He made Himself of no reputation.” He deliberately and purposely made Himself of no reputation. He owned all the gold in the world, yet He never wore a single gold ring not to talk of wearing a big chain with a massive gold cross or pendant. (I am not saying gold is a taboo for believers, if it was so, God would not have tarred the streets of heaven with gold). He was the King of kings, yet He walked around the streets of Judea on foot. He had no bodyguards or protocol officers swarming around Him. Despite all He had, He made himself like a normal man. He sat on the grass to teach people. He touched lepers. He ate with normal people. Looking at Jesus, it was difficult to tell if He was rich or not. He was the Teacher of teachers, yet He never gave Himself any title. One of His creations called Him by name, Jesus, the son of David, and He did not get angry. If you forget to put Dr before the names of some people with Doctorate degree, they will eat you raw. If you mistakenly address some men of God as brothers, you are dead!

QUESTION: Friend, do you have the mind of Christ? If Jesus, the Possessor of heaven and earth, is humble, what is our excuse for being proud? You have sworn to show that fellow who offended you. Would Christ do that?

PRAYER POINT: Father, please give me the mind of Christ.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

Monday 2 December 2013

GOD DOES CHANGE HIS MIND

MEMORY VERSE: wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before for me ever: but now the Lord saith, be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honor; and they that despise shall be lightly esteemed, 1 Samuel 2:30.
 
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deut 33-34, Ps 119:145-176, Isa 60, Matt 8
 
Malachi 3:6 says for I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. When God said I change not, what did He mean by that? It simply means He is the same i.e. His character remains the same. According to Hebrews 13:8, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Character of God is love. His character is not informed by circumstances or events.This is why He gives rain to the just and the unjust. Numbers 23:19 says God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Once God speaks it is as good as done. Psalms 33:9 says for he spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast.
 
When you study the scriptures carefully you will find out that God changes His mind. Psalm 115:3 says but our God is in the heavens; He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. The same God, who said no, can change His mind and say yes. In Isaiah 38:1-5 God sent a prophet to tell King Hezekiah to put his house in order because he was going to die. When Hezekiah got the message, he went before the Lord. He said in heaven there are over a million angels praising You, on earth the numbers of those that praise You daily are few do you want to reduce the numbers by one ? The Lord told the prophet to return and tell the king that He has added an extra fifteen years to His days.Who says God does not change His mind?  Isaiah 48:22 says there is no peace for the wicked, says the Lord. The same God says in Ezekiel 18:27 if the wicked repents and changes his way, he will live. God changes his mind. He is sovereign; He can decide to show mercy.
 
God is sovereign.  He can change His mind and this is where we all need to be very careful. 1 Samuel 2:30 says wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house , and the house of thy father, should walk before for me ever: but now the Lord saith, be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honor; and they that despise shall be lightly esteemed. The same God who said Eli and his children will serve before Him forever changed His mind and said they will be beggars in His house. I pray this will not be our portion in Jesus name. It does not matter what promises God has made to you if you dishonour Him in any way, He can decide to put those promises on hold until you change. At times He can even withdraw His promises; I pray this will not be your portion in Jesus name.
 
PRAYER POINTS: Father, please bring those mighty promises of yours to pass in my life.