Remember...to "walk in the Spirit" is something
we do by the enablement of the Spirit.
Lesson #1
Renewing of the Mind
Romans 12:1,2 ~ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We must renew the mind with the Word of God. When thoughts come that are not of God and His ways, bring them into captivity and cast them out. This is what the Bible says to do in 2 Corinthians 10:4,5. Don't receive them! Don't dwell on them! Replace them with the positive, the good, the Word! His Promises! His Truth! Our minds are renewed by God's Word and our lives are transformed through the work of the Spirit.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you make God your default focus. Try and become conscious of your thoughts when your mind is at rest. Don't let them gravitate towards worries or even some pleasure seeking. Some of these thoughts are useful but others are not.
Spending some time in quietness is a big need - away from TV, radio and other distracting noises. Communicate with God frequently throughout your day. Also it is vital that you saturate your mind with Scripture, which is all about Him. (Psalm 119:11) As you practice these disciplines, you will gradually be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Speak Words That Produce Life
Proverbs 18:21 ~ Death and life is in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit there of.
Just as with our thoughts, we must also be careful what we speak. We must begin to speak words that bring life, not death. Positive not negative. First, renewing our minds with God's Word will help change what we speak because what comes out of our mouth usually begins with a thought.
I saw this quote the other day, "To bridle your tongue, give God the reins of your heart." Again...we are giving it to God and not trying to control it (the flesh) ourselves. Focus on Him (the Spirit) and let Him do it!
If you have the Spirit of God living in you, acknowledge that power within. Knowing that you have the conscious choice to pull lessons from both your positive and negative experiences today, what can YOU DO to make a better life for yourself?
The first thing is to change what you speak. As Scripture says, "Death and life is in the power of the tongue". Do you know that each time you speak, you are prophesying your future? Speak no longer negative, but positive. Let your words now produce life instead of death. THEN you'll start seeing good and bright things growing in your life instead of bringing death to those great things God wants for you!!!
Reflection:
Take some time to read and meditate on God's Word and pick out some of His Promises and the Scriptures that are your favorites that have made a difference in your life. Memorize them and hide them in your heart. Renew your mind with God's Word and begin speaking His words over your circumstances. Allow the Spirit to transform your life and you'll begin to see it getting easier to handle situations that come your way that were hard to handle before. His Word is alive and living in you!!
We can't live a positive life with a negative mind!
Renewing my mind and speaking words that bring life,
Connie
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