Wednesday, August 16, 2006

  • Mind set

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    Self-Confrontation : A Manual for In-Depth Discipleship
    By John C. Broger
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    Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Col. 3:2

    "To set your mind" in the Greek means to "KEEP thinking about, to DIRECT one's mind to a thing, to STRIVE for".

    I wrote last week about how I evaluated some of the projects I had been working on and the amount of time it took to complete them. Because my mind was so intent on these projects I missed quite a few opportunities to minister to others. I ended the week feeling quite guilty.  My projects were not sinful or bad but I could see that the time it took to complete them squeezed out specific commands given in Scripture.  

    So, I shifted my focus JUST A TAD this past week and set my mind FIRST on the kingdom.  Instead, of just setting aside ministry for church times I SET MY MIND DAILY (continued to think about) to be available for the Lord. Each morning and throughout the day I readied my heart to be avaible to serve if the Lord so called. I 'kept thinking about' how I could serve others and about the choices I was making each day. Would I obey Scripture when the opportunity to serve would arise? Was my heart set on the things of the Lord or on the world and my own agenda? I really sought to direct my mind on this one thing while not neglecting other Scriptures to love my husband, children,etc..

    It's not an 'either.. or'. We are not allowed to JUST obey certain Scriptures on loving our husband, loving our children, keeping the home,etc. and neglect the other Scriptures that command us to visit the widow and orphan in their distress, feed the hungry, make disciples, clothe the naked and visit those in prison. We most likely won't be doing ALL of these things daily but if our minds are 'set on the things above' then we'll be watching for the opportunity and be ready to serve when the chance does arise.

    What a difference this made! You know how you just feel 'good' when you do right. (Gen.4:6,7) I ended the week feeling GOOD about the choices I made instead of guilty the way I did the previous week. There is such joy when we obey God's Word

Comments (13)

  • cerwindoris

    Amen to your thoughts on "Mind Set." 

  • Lucy_or_Ethel
    Thank you for your thinking like this and for sharing it. It pricked my heart. Thank you!
  • papaoma
    sending you a hug and yes, we do tend to pick out scriptures we choose to obey but we need to obey all- sigh- another good wake up call- huggles me
  • ShaelasMom

    Spiritual sensitivity allows us to obey the scripture, that constant expectancy of God's leadership for those opportunities. It's exciting when we are walking in truth isn't it?  It isn't necessarily easy, but always worth it!  Blessings, Cynthia
  • mhorst
    Thanks for the inspiration. I'm looking forward to hearing more from you.
  • busymizzee
    ...another great thought for me to ponder further....thanks
  • cerwindoris
    Thanks for your comment.  I don't know Eli and Sadie well enough to know if they confess Christ.  We mostly share greetings when I walk around the neighborhood.  I think I remember one of our sons saying that they are born again.  We do have Amish friends who are followers of Christ.  That is who we were visiting in the hospital when the tree hit our house in the beginning of July.  He has an illness that is terminal, and shared that he is assured of seeing Jesus when he dies.  More and more Amish in our area are becoming followers of Christ rather than just followers of Amish beliefs.
  • Organic_Survivor
    Thank you for your comment ... I sometimes ask the LORD to bless those who bless me with their petitions on my behalf.  I've been blessed by your recent posts and know that setting our minds on Christ is the ONLY answer.
  • innacanoe
    Thanks for the reminder. I needed that.
  • ChristsNurse
    Can I ask what advice I gave? It may be me getting old but I can not remember leaving any advice. I could be wrong It would not be the first time. But thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
    Jake
  • cummingsinmexico
    sorry I've taken so long to get back to you...I don't know of any off the top of my head, but I know people who do know about programs like that.  There is definitly plenty of stuff available!!!  I'll let you know what i findout.
  • Hallhaven

    Just stopping by to say hi. 
    So often we get caught up in every day life that we do miss the opportunities that God has for us. 

  • xencouragerx
    What a heart for the Lord! I need to adjust my thinking too in how I can be more productive for Him. Thanks for being an example! Becky

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    • From: georgene
    • Posted: 8/16/2006 7:29 PM

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