Letting God Renew My Mind

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” -Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Perhaps you have memorized this verse already in the King James Version which reads like this: “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.” This is set in the context of Paul’s strong appeal to Christians to follow Christ wholly and completely: “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.” (Romans 12:1, KJV).

Proverbs 23:7 declares: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Our manner of life is shaped by our thoughts. If we think positively, we will seek to live a solid, hopeful life. As a Christian, if our mind is stayed on Christ, we will seek His teachings and His ways to follow. We can be conformed to the world, or we can be transformed by the power of Christ to live a victorious life. The choice is always ours. As a Christian, we determine not to let the world squeeze us into its mold of selfishness, waywardness and sin. Instead, we seek what is holy, acceptable and good according to the will of God.

Letting God renew my mind is a daily, serious pursuit. “What would God have me do?” is a daily question, a thought process throughout each day. It means saying no to selfish pursuits and sinful pleasures. It means staying close to the Lord in thought and prayer.

Renewal of mind according to God’s way is to love the Lord God with all the heart, soul and mind (Mathew 22:37). This includes every aspect of one’s make-up. The mind, heart and soul are stayed on God. Sincere and diligent spiritual discipline is required. Indeed, we will fall. But we confess and turn from the wrong way. God is faithful to forgive and to restore.

Dr. James M. Boice, a noted Bible scholar and seminary teacher of the last century advised that “Transformation happens by the renewing of our minds, and the way our minds become renewed is by the study of the life-giving and renewing Word of God”

Happiness and spiritual victory come through the renewing of the mind in the Word of God. His way is always best for us. Let us seek it diligently and bathe our pathway in prayer.

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 02.26.2017

Thinking Positively

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ..Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of  knowledge.  Hear my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way” –Proverbs 23:7a, 12, 19 (NKJV).

“As he thinks in his heart, so is he.”  Positive thinking is a must for one’s own well-being and to get along in the world.  We hear negativism on every hand today, and indeed, we do live in a time of chaos, mistrust and faltering and falling government.  Values we have long held are being replaced by modern trends in thinking.  Tried and true principles of living have been and are being discarded by those in authority.  Is there a way to latch onto and practice positive thinking in such an atmosphere of “dog eat dog” and “anything goes”?

How important to our well-being and sense of self-worth that we think positively.  Despite trends and philosophies we see displayed so blatantly, is there any way we can latch onto what is good and positive?  I have just read Proverbs 23 in its entirety.  That particular chapter of wisdom literature has a series of “Do not” instructions, warnings of pitfalls in life that can be sorely detrimental if keen attention is not given to right conduct and living.  The “do nots’ are worth attention, and pertain to avoiding bad lifestyles such as greed, gluttony, drunkenness and lack of discipline in general.  Within the “do nots” are positive gems to heed,  pinpointed in our focal verses for today:  “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (7)  “Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge” (12) “Hear…and be wise, and guide your heart in the way” (19).  So much in our lives depends on how we think, our attitude toward situations.  My friend Gene Crawford wrote:  “Sometimes you must make your own sunshine; positive thinking people do it every day in the confines of their mind."  (in THOUGHTS FROM MY LIFE'S EXPERIENCES. Walden, Tn: Walden Publishers, 2013, p.26).

I like Irish blessings.  Here is one a little less known than the one that begins, "May the road rise to meet you."  These gems of wisdom are anonymous, probably dating back a long way into collections of Irish literature.  Consider this one:

     "May there always be work for your hands to do;

     May your purse always hold a coin or two;

     May the sun always shine on your windowpane;

     May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;

     May a hand of a friend be always near you;

     May God fill your hear with gladness and cheer."

So much of what we do in life depends upon how we think and the positive attitude we place toward accomplishing our goals.  The Irish in their well-stated blessing and the wisdom expressed by the writer of Proverbs give us a good handle on positive thinking.  Poet Mary Oliver poses a serious question:  "Listen. Are you breathing just a little and calling it life?"  Prayer:  Today, Lord, let me examine my own attitude and see if it is aligned with Your positive plans and purpose for my life. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 07.13.2014