I Need a Better Brain...

Actually - I need a perfect brain...

Matthew 5:48 (NKJV)
48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Here is the problem.  My mind is not perfect.  You, doubtless, need no convincing of that fact on either my behalf OR yours!  

Let's have the Word speak for Himself- and He does.  In fact, we easily relate to David's verse in Psalm 51:5 when he says, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me."  After David, there is further indication this foundational reality was well-understood by the people of the Bible.  Jeremiah says in Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"  

In a sort of awful crescendo, Jesus Himself sums up the problem in Matthew 12:34/Luke 6:45 (NASB): 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

And finally - Matthew 19:17/Mark 10:18/Luke 18:19 seals the deal:

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

What to do?

Step 1 - Come to the cross every morning.

Step 2 - Allow gratitude and praise to come forth thereby bringing the Living Christ in giving you the Mind of Jesus!

Psalms 22:3  But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Beautiful and sublime truth!  When I praise, God inhabits/dwells/sits/sets up shop in my MIND!  As this act of Divinity occurs, I receive His thoughts, His feelings, His motives.  My mind is - bit by bit - transformed physiologically underscoring the reality of Romans 12:2

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

A blissful additional benefit?  Knowing the will of God!

Thank You Jesus that I need not stumble around this decrepit world in darkness and sin.  Thank You for promising to give me the mind of Jesus!  Reveal that reality to me today....

I Come to The Cross This Day...

I knew I should 'come to the cross' every day - but frankly, it just wasn't a subject that I was attracted to.  It represented pain, my failures, everything negative.  So I prayed - Lord, draw me to Your cross.

A couple of months passed.  Then I learned the really good news about the cross - there were real tangible benefits for me!  Check them out for yourself here.  Now I'm excited in the morning to come to the cross.  Join me?

Fasting & Prayer - Day 11 - Kingdom Work First

Kingdom Work First - Today's Theme.  How do I think about heaven compared to today's living experience?  Do I compartmentalize them?  Do I say:  Heaven is gonna be great!  No more sin, temptation, no more sorrow - I can't WAIT for that!  I'm gonna be perfect there, I won't have to worry about making bad decisions or choosing the chocolate too many days in a row.  <sigh>  Now, back to reality.  (And reality - is this the best life possible?)

Jesus' Request for Forgiveness...

Dear Jesus - We cannot even glimpse Your amazing love and forgiveness unless You give us the gift of Your Spirit.  Please give us that gift now that You may change our lives...

The other night I was puttering around idly listening as my husband read to my son from The Bible Story book for the night.  The evening's story was about the crucifixion.  The books are old.  Very old.  And very Biblically accurate.  However, something the author noted caught my ear.  I had to check it out for myself.