In this post, let’s reflect on how God wants to reshape our minds and change our views on the most important things.

“Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:7-8. “…no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:11

I often reflect on this quote wondering what God must think about our world, about the suffering, the violence, the wars, the ruthless killings.  While it is impossible to know exactly what God is thinking, we can certainly strive to know Him and to pray for His Holy Spirit so we can understand what He wills from us.

The more we seek God, the more we will get to know Him and the more He will change us.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
— Romans 12:2

Let’s reflect on what the world preaches as we contrast this with God’s Word and His Way.

THE LOVE OF MONEY vs TREASURE IN HEAVEN

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24

We need money to put food on our tables, to buy a home, to pay for the education of our children.  But if our focus on money becomes the focus of our existence, we will never be the people God wants us to be.

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal”. Matthew 6:20

To build our treasure in heaven requires that we choose God as the One we will serve and the One who will guide our choices and our priorities.

“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”  Jeremiah 17:10

DESIRE FOR POWER vs. DESIRE FOR LIFE’S TRUE MEANING

Jesus told His apostles:

” If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Matthew 10:39

I discovered the meaning of this in my 40’s.  I reached a point where I had the six-figure salary I wanted.  I was in line for more promotions, but I was lost and dissatisfied.  I thought my career would make me feel fulfilled, but it did not.  I only began to find meaning when I realized what was missing.  What was missing was a relationship with Jesus.  I did not understand that God had a plan for me.  It was only in seeking Him and finding Him that I discovered that only in giving my life to Him would I find true peace and fulfilment.

As I was building my relationship with Jesus and giving my life to Him, I trained to be a distress center counselor.  One day I received a call from a man who said he could no longer be successful because he had contracted an illness that made it impossible for him to become an executive.  At first I didn’t know what to say, so I prayed “Jesus please give me the right thing to say.”  And then I said, “I would like you to imagine yourself at the end of your life, you are reflecting on what made your life special.  What are you thinking about?”  He paused for a few moments and then he said, “I think I will be thinking about my relationships with the people I love.”  So I said, “Is there anything preventing you from continuing to invest in these relationships.”  And he said, “No my illness does not prevent me from that.”  So I asked, “Can you be successful then?”  And he said, “I think I can.”  In this brief conversation he went from thinking that his career position was the key to his success, but as he reflected, he realized that true success was all about love and relationships.

Jesus was a ‘servant leader’.  He led by example and He is calling us to imitate Him and if we choose to do this, we will focus not on accumulating money or seeking power but in doing whatever God is calling us to do. “… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” Mark 10:43-44

TRUSTING SELF vs TRUSTING GOD

When we are children, we trust our parents and then we become parents and we trust ourselves but Jesus challenges us be saying this:

“I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 18:4-5

Jesus is calling us to give Him our unconditional trust.  This means we need to keep turning to Him for guidance just like a little child turns to his parent for direction.  Jesus is calling us to be humble, to turn away from sin and to strive to walk with Him and consider His holy will in each and every situation we encounter and in each choice we make.

THE ETERNAL AND THE TRUTH ABOUT AGING

When I was young I thought to myself “I am going to be afraid of getting old.” I was afraid of aging, getting sick and dying. I wondered was heaven real.

But now I no longer fear aging or even dying because I know that the best is yet to come. I know God is real and that heaven is real.

Faith enables us to look differently upon the passage of time.

” Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1–2

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1

I know people who are very dear to me that are very sick with cancer.  I am sad that they have to suffer this terrible illness and I pray for them and for all people with cancer because this illness has become an epidemic and we need new solutions.  But my sorrow is overshadowed by a great hope that the day will come when they will be healthy and whole and never be sick again because I believe Jesus will pardon them for their sins and welcome them into the eternal light of heaven.

The knowledge of the eternal keeps me grounded on a path to try to give God glory each and every day.  This life is a stepping stone to an eternal future of peace, joy and love.  Never lose sight of that!

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

PLEASE JOIN THE MERCY MOVEMENT

Every day at the Time Jesus died for us, 3pm, Christians are stopping to remember The Passion of Christ and to pray for the Mercy of Our Saviour upon all souls on earth.  We believe that Jesus will hear our prayers for mercy and that we must come together to acknowledge the greatness of God’s Sacrifice on The Cross.  We must remember every day and thank Jesus for dying for us.  Please join in and if but for a few moments stop to thank Jesus for giving His life for our salvation.  Let us pray for a renewing of our minds so we can stay focused on pleasing God and fulfilling His Holy Will as we build His Kingdom on earth one day-at-a-time.