Prepare your minds for action

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. (NIV)

Have you ever encountered God when He is hungry to show you something? Sometimes I marvel at His Persistence. He just doesn't seem to give up does He. Take this verse from 1 Peter for example. In a few short words God stirred my heart with hunger for transformation. Let's take a look at it's three parts.

BE SELF CONTROLLED
Self-control seems to be the heart of the lesson, the goal. But as I considered this truth I realized it was incomplete by itself. Reflecting on the first part of the verse left me puzzled.

"How do you PREPARE YOUR MIND FOR ACTION?", I asked God. It took about a week but one night as I thought on it I realized this truth. "You will grow to love whatever you set your affections upon."

Suddenly it hit me full force. If I spend my time thinking on something I will desire to have it, and that desire will grow within me stirring my heart towards action. If it is something sinful I will grow to love that sinful thing. If it is something holy I will grow to love that holy thing. I sensed God saying "self control begins in my mind". It begins with choosing who I want to be. Like Christ or not like Christ.

GRACE
Let's look at the third part. Although self-control is the goal, I am sometimes powerless to express it in ways that are pleasing to God. The frustration that produces can drive me nuts. I am more and more amazed at how patient God is with me as I struggle to be who He has called me to be. He expects I will miss the mark sometimes. Now, I didn't say He desires me to, just that I will. And this is the wonder of His love. His willingness to allow me to fail.

I am convinced that God also expects me to hit the mark. He believes I can and has provided a way if I really want to. It is called grace. It is the supernatural power to live a self-controlled life doing natural things God's way.

So, what is the good news? My friends, we can live self controlled lives through Jesus Christ who strengthens us.

John Pearson
© 2008 All rights reserved.

Successful living is a promise of God

The charge to Joshua is filled with lessons for Christians on enjoying spiritual success and prosperity. Successful living is a promise of God, a gift of God, attainable by the help of God. Its potentialities are enormous, waiting only to be appropriated.

Enemies of the soul – Satan, the world, the flesh – need to be driven out, but they are the enemies of God, and so He promises all the help needed in conquering them. The condition laid to the Christian is costly but absolutely necessary: living in constant obedience in the light of God’s Word.

The blessings of victorious living come by invitation to the Christian, but the conditions for it’s fulfillment come by mandate.

Christians, like Joshua, cannot escape the divine words loud and clear: “Have I not commanded thee?” (Joshua 1:9)

Irving L. Jensen
Joshua, Rest-Land Won

Love Your Enemies

Remember the words of Jesus: “Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you.” Why would Jesus say this? Because love is the most powerful weapon to change the heart of the other person. Love doesn’t erase the past, but it makes the future different.
Dr. Gary Chapman

Power with God

Of all the promises connected with the command, 'ABIDE IN ME,' there is none higher, and none that sooner brings the confession, 'Not that I have already attained, or am already made perfect,' than this: 'If ye abide in me, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you.' Power with God is the highest attainment of the life of full abiding.

Andrew Murray
Wellington, 28th October 1895

Developing Character

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience and trial can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Helen Keller

Still here

Well dear readers,

It has been longer than I imagined since my last post. Soooo, I am making a mid year new years resolution... Post something at least once a week.

I'll be back shortly with something more interesting to read.

Bless God

John Pearson