Renewing Your Mind - Current Threat Level -Severe

This week in the bible study (week 4 of Because of Jesus), we are learning about renewing our mind. None of this is new to me - I've been a Christian since I was 12-I've even done this bible study before. So, why am I not always living a victorious life - AHA Moment - I don't always renew my mind.

This made me think about terrorists and the Department of Homeland Security. They are constantly on guard. They announce the threat levels - Severe, High, Elevated, Guarded, Low. What if we took this approach with Satan? We know he is out there to lie to us. Sometimes when we believe those lies we get ourselves into a pit and it becomes difficult to climb out. What if we never got in the pit? What if we remained on guard constantly? What if when the devil says your marriage will fail (lie) or you're not good enough (lie) or you are a horrible mother (lie) - what if we took the thought (lie) captive immediately and replaced it with His Word (TRUTH). The devil wouldn't stand a chance. So, let's stay on high alert and be prepared for an attack. Not be fearful BUT stand strong on the Truth and Renew your mind daily and know you can win the battle - remember your father is a King.

A King's Daughter

Imagine for a moment that you are the King's daughter. Would you have a care in the world? Your dad takes care of everything. You have no lack. You expect the best because of who your dad is!

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord - YOU ARE A KING'S DAUGHTER! He is the King of Kings. He loves you and he doesn't want you to lack in any area of your life. He doesn't want you to be angry, depressed, poor, worried, negative - He paid a price for you to be His daughter. Accept who you are and the privileges that come with! Trade your weakness for His strength. Trade your worries for His peace. Trade your anger for His love.

Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Keep your eyes on Jesus. That's the key. But just knowing what you have to do is not enough. You have to take hold of it and use it. Just like the key to your house. If your door is locked, knowing how to unlock it isn't enough. You have to actually put the key in the lock and turn it. If you can't find the key, you don't give up until you do find it because you want to get into your house.

Keeping our eyes on Jesus is the key, you just have to use it. When you feel anger, depression, worry - find the key AND use it.

As I was reading through the bible study this morning, it talked about Peter walking on water until he looked at the circumstances around him. It is when he took his eyes off Jesus that he began to sink. How many times do I do that in a day? Take my eyes off Jesus and focus on whatever the problem is? He is the only answer to get us through but I think we get in the habit of NOT looking to Him and trying to take it all on ourselves.

In Isaiah 40:29-31 it says that He gives strength (power, ability) to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall but those who hope (wait – expect) in the Lord will renew their strength.

If I wait in faith for Him to give me strength, to exchange my weakness for his strength, He will! How amazing is that? How amazing is our God?