What are you thinking?

 You control what you let your mind think about or dwell on.  As it is written in Romans 8:5-8, God's Word tells us to set our minds on things of the Spirit rather than letting our thoughts be controlled by how the flesh feels or thinks.  Simply stated,  "set your mind" is what are you thinking about, or what thoughts you allow to dwell in your mind.  

Here is the full verse: (Romans 8:5-8) " For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God."  

Jesus said to "Take no thought for tomorrow" which likewise confirms that we have the ability to keep or reject thoughts.  (Matthew 6:34)

Man, in his fallen nature, thinks that his way and his thoughts are right.  Yet the truth is the very opposite.  Notice the verse from Isaiah 55.   “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."   What an awesome description of how different God's thoughts and ways are above and totally different that what we feel, think, or want to do!

Capturing every thought is central to the spiritual battle.  Jesus defeated Satan and spoiled all the powers of darkness, according to Colossians 2, and made a public example of them by His overcoming cross and resurrection.  However, even though Satan is defeated, he can still hold us in bondage if we believe his lies and give place to them in our minds.  

Notice how 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 explains where the spiritual war really is. " For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not  carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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.  God has given us the power of the Holy Spirit, the truth of His Word, the cleansing and covering of HIs blood, and His authority in the name of Jesus.  We win or lose the battle by whether or not we use these mighty weapons to put down the imaginations in our heart and mind.  Obviously, choosing to only think our thoughts of the flesh is death.  .     

This is why Paul, in Romans 12, states that the way to give yourself to God is by letting the Holy Spirit change you from conforming to the world  by renewing your thinking to line up with God's Word.  A  renewed mind transforms us and provides proof or demonstration of God's good and perfect will.  See this truth in Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.   And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

What is on your mind today? As a man thinks, so is he.  (Proverbs 23:7)

Proverbs 23:7

Jesus Christ, Our Living Hope

Hope is an eternal quality whose foundation is the character and nature of God Himself. Based on the fact that God is faithful to keep His promises, hope is a confident expectation of the Lord “always leading us in triumph,’ of “making all things work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,” and of all the other promises given in His Word.  Though hope looks forward to things not yet seen, by faith it has the power to motivate and strengthen us to willingly live for Him now. 

God’s perfect eternal plan was to send His Son to rescue us from sin and death and reconcile us to the Father.  Hope was demonstrated as Jesus submitted to His death and was raised to glorious life, with the promise that we will likewise be raised and become like Him, our living hope.  We look forward to His glorious coming and a fulfilled life sharing divine nature with Him for eternity.  

 Contrary to the way the word is commonly used as “wishing,” such as someone might “hope” their sports team wins, true hope is based on solid promises and is the security of knowing things to come.  This know-so attitude rests on the faithful promises of God, who cannot lie.  As an anchor of our soul, this powerful force gives strength to be faithful and steadfast in our daily challenges.  In the midst of trials, as declared in 1^st Corinthians 10, we are reminded that “God is faithful” to provide both strength to endure and to show us the way of escape.  Likewise, Paul in his epistles considers all his trials as nothing compared to sharing the glory of God forever. As an expression of God's love and grace, 2 Thessalonians 2 promises that this “good hope” and “eternal consolation,” will comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. 

So God’s prayer for you and me is “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” Romans 15:13.