Changes
To be changed in any area of your life, it takes a process. You can never talk about change without talking about renewing your mind. If you won’t change your thinking, you won’t change your life. If you keep doing the same things and expecting different results it’s called insanity (Albert Einstein). You’re going to have to change the way you think in order to change your life. If you don’t change the way you think, nothing in your life will change. You cannot have one without the other.
The children in the wilderness kept going around the same mountain for 40 years (an entire generation) because they would not change their minds, their way of thinking. They complained to Moses about how the Egyptians at least fed them and gave them a place to live even though they were slaves and were treated as such. They were looking for a hand out even though they were kept in severe poverty; they had a poverty mentality and did not want to handle freedom because it caused them to leave their “comfort zone” and would cause them to stretch beyond themselves into uncomfortable and unfamiliar places; so part of their attitude was also based on fear of the unknown.
We have got to understand that the unknown is where God lives (eye has not seen…). Old habits are hard to break. New habits need to be developed and require time to develop. But this is a principle that has been set up in the heavens by God and it cannot fail, if you continue to apply them until you see them show up in your life. Be expecting to see them because they have to show up eventually. That’s the law of the universe. It is established and it cannot and will not ever change (my word will not return void… thy Word oh Lord is settled in heaven for ever).
To renew your mind, you must exchange your thoughts for God’s thoughts; the way you do things to the way God does things (there is a way that seems right unto man…). It is vital for those who are born again, that they renew their mind (Titus 3:5). But it has to be a decision; God has always given us the freedom to choose (choose life…; of every tree you can eat…). Unfortunately, most of us have to go through hell until we finally come to the point of making that decision. A decision will open a new world of reality and experience; and where there is reality and experience, there is wisdom (wisdom is the principal thing), and where there is wisdom there is power, and where there is wisdom and power there is Christ (Christ is the wisdom and the power of God); (let this mind be in you). When you get into that place, angels will back you up. All of heaven will back you up (if God be for you…).
Another important principle that we need to consider is desire. Whatever you attend to the most, or focus in your mind the most is what you’re going to desire (if your eye be single…). You have to want it (when desire comes it is a tree of life; go into scriptures). Remember always that you can’t do this on your own. It will require God’s help (without me you can do nothing).
We have got to stop making serving God a burden. It is simply a change of mind and a way of life. This is where peace and freedom exist. Peace and freedom cannot be found in having a burden about anything (my peace I give unto you…). If we have a burden about something then we are involved in works rather than faith. Also, don’t make renewing your mind a burden. Simply follow the steps and expect the changes. Also, in any relationship, we cannot be a burden to one another. We have to live in harmony.
Once you decide to make the change, begin to deepen your knowledge in that change, just like when you involve yourself in anything else. It’s called a journey; it’s called growth. Deepen your knowledge.
You are not going to change your mind without purposely making the decision to do it (a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step); your first step is making the decision; the second step is applying that decision; put it to use. Nothing works unless you use it.
Diligence is another important ingredient in your journey. It is the fuel in your tank. No diligence, no fuel, empty tank and no power to get anywhere. Diligence develops habits; habits develop changes. Repetition is the mother of learning. You also need to defend your thoughts (guard your heart with all diligence…). Don’t be swayed off your course. Don’t allow people places or situations to influence you to get you off your journey. Surround yourself with the right surroundings and with people that will encourage you to keep going. Be careful who you share your goals and your thoughts and desires with. Not everybody is with you and some don’t really care about what you care about, or your journey. God is the one who will always be with you to encourage you and guide you on your way.
One of the biggest enemies in peoples’ lives and minds is this cop out phrase called “political correctness”. Most of us don’t even know what this means; we have just accepted it to be the way things are suppose to be. This came out of social thinking trying to figure out ways to be “correct” but it was born out of confusion and ignorance. John 16:13.
The crux of all that has been said is simply this: read the bible. It is the book of life. See what God says about things. Study about the kingdom; the ways and the principles that create life. They’re in the book. Renew your mind with God’s word. If you don’t, you’ll renew your mind with the world’s way and what it has to say. The world’s way is destined to fail; God’s way is destined for success; it cannot fail (Rom 8). If you want to walk in the will of God and know it for your life, get into the book. The way is there. All you have to do is search it out.
The other is prayer; talking to God. Get His direction and His guidance. He’ll go before you and make the crooked paths straight. Let Him direct your path. He knows exactly what it’s going to take to get you there and where it is waiting for you. Failure is not a word in God’s dictionary. You will succeed doing it His way.