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8-27-14 The Mind of Christ

8/27/2014

Let this mind be in you,  which was also in Christ Jesus.
                                                                                                                                 Philippians 2:5

As a blood-bought, born again believer, God wants me to adopt the mind of Christ in all aspects of my thoughts, actions and words. In looking at 2 Corinthians 10:5, I see the clear pattern given by God for changing my thought patterns. It is so important to reject imaginations in my thinking and all thoughts that exalt self interest above the knowledge of God as revealed in Scripture. Those thoughts that come from an unbiblical comparing of myself to others must be put away. Fears and anxieties over the future need to be put under the umbrella of God’s Sovereignty. Guilt over the past must be submitted to the forgiveness of God for Christ’s sake. I must put scripturally structured boundaries around all of my thoughts as I bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (mind of Christ / Word of God).

I must first of all CAPTURE those thoughts, then CONFESS them as needed, CORRECT them by returning to God’s ways and then CONTROL them by thinking on God’s Word as taught in Psalm 19:7-9 and Philippians 4:8.

Psalm 19:7-9 explains the functionality of the Word of God, in that:

       The perfect law of the Lord converts the soul.

       The sure testimony of the Lord gives wisdom to the simple.

       The right statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart.

       The pure commandment of the Lord enlightens the eyes.

       The clean fear of the Lord endures forever.

       The true judgments of the Lord are altogether righteous.

Philippians 4:8 teaches me to think on that perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true Word of God, written to reveal the heart, mind, will and purpose of God for His redeemed children.   When God’s Word dominates and controls my thinking, His perfect peace prevails. It produces both tranquility and stability beyond all human understanding in the face of every trial.

May God help me to think scripturally today.

                         (c) 1992, 2014 N.A.Collins
                  Limited copy permission for one personal file copy

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8-20-14 Contentment

8/20/2014

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But godliness with contentment is great gain.
                                                                                               1 Timothy 6:6

I’ve been asking myself this question: “In the middle of the many challenges of everyday life, what does contentment look like? How would it actually be demonstrated?”

When my computer or printer doesn't work, I have learned to get the instruction book out; when I have no idea of how to reach an address, I have learned to use the GPS. Even so, when a much weightier issue, such as contentment, is considered , I run to the Word of God for the divine guidelines that will answer my question and give me direction.

I have found out from the passage above, that for the believer, godliness with contentment is great gain. I understand in a practical definition, that is is simply the stable state of being satisfied with God Himself, and with what He has given. If I am to know true biblical contentment, I must FIRST have an accurate information base of knowing and understanding the will of God. Not only does that involve a clear picture of His holiness but also a good understanding of His sovereignty in all the affairs of mankind.

THEN, as I come to grips with the character and nature of God in the study of His Word, it will be imperative that I begin to practice applicationally what I know academically. There are specific steps that are needed for me to progress toward maturity and contentment, as I live out my life for the purpose of pleasing God and profiting others.

I can actually check off the following, in order to examine myself and see if I am contented in the place of God’s choosing for me today:

        1. Discover God’s will in a regular daily pattern of personal Bible study.

        2. Praise God for His working in my life.

       3. Develop communication excellence in interpersonal relationships.

        4. Deal with offenses in a God-honoring manner.

        5. Pray scripturally for others on a daily basis.

        6. Structure specific plans for a personal ministry to others.

        7. Show kindness to others for God’s glory

        8. Express gratitude to others.

Today, it is my desire and commitment to experience and express godliness with contentment.

                        (c) 1992, 2014 N.A.Collins
                    Limited copy permission for 1 personal file copy

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8-13-14 Dealing with Offenses

8/13/2014

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How often am I faced with interpersonal relationship situations in which offenses are a significant part? As with each of you, reader, the answer is much too frequent, isn't it?

The clear solution, amidst the difficulty, is simply for me to to think theologically rather than emotionally, in order to both please God and profit others.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22:37-40

What are the biblical considerations in these matters? It seems to me that Proverbs 13:10 sums it up very clearly. It is simply that "contention cometh but by pride." So, in these situations, the old sinful nature characteristic of pride is the root cause of an unresolved offense.

In some cases, I have offended another, and do not want to deal with it, since I believe I was right. At other times, I have been offended by another, and I do not deal with it, since I believe they were wrong. What IS the answer to these things?

Interestingly enough, these two exact issues are specifically addressed in the Word of God. The foundational truth that must prevail in my thinking is that I am a representative of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and am to have the spirit of mercy any grace toward others that was extended to me by God, for Christ's sake.

In Matthew 5:24, I learn that if, when I am worshipping God, i recall an offense that i have been to someone, I am to leave my gift in the altar, and go to be reconciled with my brother.

In Matthew 18:15-17, I learn that if I am aware of an offense by another, I am instructed to go to him or her, privately, in order to be reconciled. In the event of that failing to bring reconciliation, I am to take a witness, still striving for reconciliation, semi-privately. Only if there is no repentance is there a need to move the matter to a public issue before the church.

Some thoughts that come to my mind are 1) that these offenses should be doctrinal issues of conviction, not incidental issues of preference. 2) Additionally, if I find myself being offended at many things, I should consider Psalm 119:165, realizing that if I love God's law, nothing shall offend me. Ultimately, in dealing with offenses, I am reminded in Colossians 4:3 that I am to be "endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

After all, from God's perspective, the world will know that I am a follower of Christ by the demonstration of His love to God and my neighbor.

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8-6-14 Prayer of Submission

8/6/2014

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Dear God,

Because I know You through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Your Word tells me that I belong to You, as Your child (John 1:12).

I believe, according to Your Word, that You will do everything in my life for my eternal good and for Your glory (Romans 8:28).

And so, because of the fact that I trust You to be perfect and flawless in Your dealings with me, I make full and total surrender of my life to You (Romans 12:1-2).

I give to You every personal desire that I have for my life. If You choose to give me the privileges of long life or good health, then I will use those gifts to honor Your name. I will not ask for those privileges unless You would see fit to give them to me, for Your glory (Psalm 31:15).

If You deem it wise to give me that which seems less than perfect to me in my humanness, then it is my intent just now to trust You for those things which I cannot understand. I will thank You for working out Your plan for my life so that I will be conformed to the image of the precious Lord Jesus Christ. I will depend upon You to give me grace to always glorify You in the midst of whatever You should choose for me (Romans 8:29) (2 Corinthians 12:9).

It is my intent not to resent anything that You would allow to come into my life, even when I can’t see what You are doing with me nor can I understand what You are intending for my tomorrows (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Along with the Apostle Paul, I would express my desire before You just now, that Christ would be magnified in my body, whether by life or by suffering or by death (Philippians 1:20-21).

Lord, I need You to keep me true to this commitment and to show me immediately when I deviate from it (Psalm 139:23-24).

Because of Your perfect trustworthiness, I trust You completely (Psalm 18:30a)

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                                          (C) 1980 N.A.Collins
              Limited copy permission for one personal file copy

(By Dr. Nell Collins, excerpted by permission from “Diagnosis: Cancer - A Time To Live” - New Life Media)

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8-27-14 The Mind of Christ

8-20-14 Contentment

8-13-14 Dealing with Offenses

8-6-14 Prayer of Submission

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