Renewing of the Mind!

 In Romans chapter 12:2 it tells us to renew our minds so that we may be able to discern what is good.  

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

I was thinking about this verse today.  Praying it into my life, and my family’s lives.  When I was quietly pondering over this verse what came to mind was the power there is in that single verse.  Yes, power.  Throughout the Scriptures Jesus tells us over and over that our words have power.  Think about it, if our words have power through the help of Jesus, can you imagine how strong the power of Jesus’ words are.  He speaks and it is done.  He thinks it, and it’s done.  He heals, He provides, He supplies, all through His powerful words.  

Well Jesus tells us about that power and how it can change our lives in an instant.  He tells us in the above verse in Romans to renew our minds.  I believe that doesn’t mean just do it once.  But daily, and throughout the day, read a verse, pray that verse into your mind, be pro-active with the verse.  Read it, pray it, act it out.  Make that verse come alive in you.  Whatever verse it is, Jesus has a message in that verse for you, and for others.  

Wow this is so exciting.  Jesus has a specific word for me today and everyday.  He has a specific action for me to do through that word.  The encouraging part of this is I do not have to be a Word Scholar, or a Biblical Scholar, or any other scholar.  I just have to be me, in who God made me.  I don’t have to put on a show, or try to be better than the others.  But I do have to have that relationship with Jesus, filled with His Holy Spirit, be filled with the discernment He promised to give  me, by renewing my mind through His Word, and trusting in Him.  

That may seem like a lot.  But it isn’t.  Think about all Jesus has done and continues to do for us.  I think we can spare a little time with Him everyday.  

We are entering the best time of the year to step out in faith and allow Jesus to use you.  First is thanksgiving.  Wow what a time to share about Him and how blessed we are because of Jesus, and how thankful we are.  And then the whole Christmas season.  Oh my, our script has already been written.  We just have to be bold enough to let the world know who we are celebrating.  The one day a year when the birth of Jesus is celebrated by millions of people.  That makes it quite easy for us.  

I encourage you faithful readers, beginning with thanksgiving, walk everyday of this whole holiday season with just one word on your mind.  Or a verse on your mind.  Allow Jesus to light up your face, and let others be drawn to the Light because of your obedience and openness to step out in faith, and be a servant of our Christ Jesus.  

Thanksgiving!

‬‬  “in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭18

As we get more into November we get closer to the first of our “big” holidays.  Thanksgiving.  I can remember my parents and their generation often saying how they liked Thanksgiving most of all.  As a child or teen I couldn’t figure that out.  Especially the work put into Thanksgiving dinner.  We had a large extended family with lots of cousins.  So we just played all day while the adults worked hard in the kitchen.  We often gathered at our Grandparents home. We looked at thanksgiving as the countdown to Christmas.  As a child that was exciting.  

But then I became an adult.  And we had a son of our own.  And our parents became the grandparents.  Many of our aunts and uncles have passed away.  Our cousins having their own extended families.  We all were going in different directions.  Those were the days I longed for the older days.  I missed the gatherings with our large family. I then understood why they were more excited for thanksgiving.  Reliving those days of long ago when we were all together.  

I find myself today wishing for the same with our son and his family.  But he lives a great distance from us.  Two full days of travel.  It hasn’t worked out for us to get there for the major holidays.  Thanksgiving and Christmas!  And we sure miss them.  

However, just because we are miles apart, we can still make our holidays special.  We still have family close by.  And every holiday with them we cherish all the more.  

So as we gather together with those we love, let’s give thanks to Jesus for the family He has given us. 

Let’s honor Him with our conversations, mannerisms, generosity, and praise.  He is our Father in heaven.  And we should have His place setting at the head of our tables.  He has given us so very much.  We can at least invite Him to dinner.  

I pray for you all, faithful readers, that as you gear up for a wonderful season with family, near and far, you feel the love of family.  The love Jesus has for us during these  special times ahead.  Let it warm your hearts and fill you with an abundance of “Thanksgiving “.  

TIME TO PRAY AND ACT!

The times of change in a year we call seasons. When the leaves change colors in the fall we notice God’s beauty He has painted for us.  The natural beauty that occurs every year.  Then we get the first snowfall. Most of us will agree that it looks so peaceful and pristine.  For the first day anyway .  Then usually only halfway through winter we are anxious for the first signs of spring to appear. We look for the first green blade of grass to appear. We look closely for the first little flowers to pop up out of the dirt.  Then pretty soon we are snipping us a bouquet from the spring flowers.  We see new growth, and new birth with wildlife and little songbirds.  So delightful.  And finally, summer appears.   More flowers, more birds, some wildlife that can cause some destruction, some bees to pollinate, and beautiful skies to look at in the evening.  It all sounds beautiful and heavenly.  Then in an instant we hear the news, we try to fill our vehicle with gas, and pay an unbelievable amount for butter, eggs, milk, and the rest of our groceries while trying to choose only healthy options.  Reality hits us hard at times.  

Oh and there is more.  In just a couple of weeks we have the privilege of voting for men and women into the public offices that need filling.  By now most of us know who we are voting for.  I hope we all have prayed hard about our decisions.  Do not trust in everything you read and hear in the news.  But trust in our Lord Jesus in whom we pray to. He is in control.  But remember, we must ask Him.  He is not going to come barging in and make everything new and perfect unless we ask Him.  Why not?  Because He has given us the gift of praying for our needs and asking Him to help us, guide us, lead us, and save us.  He has said in Scripture to humble ourselves, seek him, and pray.  Then He will heal our land. And boy does our land need healing.

I encourage all of you, pray, seek His face, repent and humble ourselves.  And take action.  Yes take action.  He has not made us to be lazy and lethargic in our daily walk.  But to get up, get moving, and take action. This is our land God created.  This is our home for now.  Let’s come together and do what is best for our land and our people.  

I will not tell you how to vote.  That is God’s place, not mine.  But I will encourage you to pray and take action.  Vote.  Trust and believe God will take care of us.  

“and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭HCSB‬‬