Changing Your Mind is the Solution

Changing Your Mind is the Solution Devotional Reading and Podcast

When you surrendered your heart to Jesus Christ were you aware that the Christian journey is the toughest challenge you would face? Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ requires a life of obedience to God, servitude to others, and suffering hardships. We require God’s love, grace, and mercies to sustain, protect, and give us joy, peace, and guidance to fulfill His plan for us: to live happy and healthy lives on earth and receive our reward of eternal life.

Just like our parents, Adam and Eve, who desired to be like God, we desire more than God’s plans to transform our characters in preparation for living righteously forevermore. Are we obeying God by doing His will? Do our mindset and lifestyles reflect that we are preparing for the second coming of Christ?

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God is definitive in His requirements for Believers.

“Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 20:7, “…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.'” (1 Peter 1:15-16)

From the acceptance of worldly standards, we attempt to redefine holiness according to our desires. Like actors, we depict the appearance of godliness, but spiritually we are in a state of confusion. Compromise of godly standards has resulted in the loss of our joy and peace. To console ourselves that we are still Christians, we use our intellect to create a mythical gray area that allows us to select only some of God’s righteous principles. We trust in our judgment and see ourselves as living righteously. Because of our decision to only accept part of God’s truth, we are spiritually blinded to our sinful state.

Presumption: Behavior perceived as arrogant, disrespectful, and transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.

Despite the Apostle Paul’s description of perilous times in the last days [Refer to 2 Timothy 3, verses 1-5], our lifestyles reflect that we are committing the sin of presumption. We think that we have the time to fulfill our desires by pursuing our plans, and careers, having close relationships with unbelievers, accumulating earthly treasures, and living comfortable lifestyles. Our thoughts are not in alignment with God’s thoughts or biblical prophecies because we are living in the last days.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work” (Revelation 22:12). Satan has further deceived us by using distractions [which are personalized to reflect our true desires] to not only compromise our relationship with Christ but to also disregard preparation for Jesus’ Second Coming.

Our Spiritual State: “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ‘I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.'” (Revelation 3:14-15).

Yes, we are in a spiritual crisis! Self-reliance [a byproduct of pride] has produced a population of “believers” who feel they can achieve holiness through their efforts. Our definition of holiness will never be equal to God’s standard of holiness. Jesus tells us, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

Without Divine Intervention, it is impossible to judge our lukewarm spiritual condition. We need the anointing and presence of the Holy Spirit to discern the truth of the Holy Scriptures, to reveal our sins, and guide us in our daily lives as we strive to stay on the Path of Righteousness.

The only solution to our spiritual dilemma is the human effort of Changing our Minds! to reflect total surrender and obedience to our Heavenly Father.

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.'” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

“Reverent fear refers to humble, respectful awe of God, which motivates us to live obedient, holy lives.” Author unknown

It is with a contrite spirit that we acknowledge, confess, and repent of our sins before God. Salvation does not have a gray area. There is no time left to continually deceive ourselves that we have time to repent just in case Jesus is coming soon. None can determine their time on earth. Without the Holy Spirit, our interpretation of our spiritual condition will always lead us astray.

Do not think or live as if you determine the days of your life. Making decisions that are in opposition to God’s will and plans for your life is disobedience which can only end in destruction. Everything that we are familiar with on this earth is temporary and definitely not worth dying for. Jesus gave His life so that we can live righteously now and eternally with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Every step that we need to take to return to right standing with God requires the simple act of “Changing our Minds.”

Prayer: God, we confess that our minds and lifestyles are in opposition to Your will and plans for our lives. We are involved in the game of chance with our salvation. We ask forgiveness for redefining holiness according to our mindsets. God, let Your will be done in my life. We pray for the anointing, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.