Have you ever just allowed your mind to wander? Well, in different ways, through different circumstances the Lord has impressed upon me, the dangers that lurk from an undisciplined mind. And since my last post, The Mind is a Battleground, I have been studying further passages on this very important topic. As I have mentioned previously, the Apostle Paul wrote often of the mind. However, another Apostle who authored information on the mind is that disciple who denied our Lord three times after confessing he would never.

Let’s journey into the small book of 1 Peter. Where we find the Apostle Peter’s eyewitness account as he shares with believers who are chosen by God yet living as foreigners, scattered throughout the Middle East because of persecution (1 Peter 1:1). Peter gives us a look at their disposition: “their faith remains strong and even though they never saw the Lord Jesus, they love Him and believe in Him” (1:8). Peter says they are even rejoicing, greatly, with joy inexpressible, knowing the outcome of their faith is the salvation of their souls. Their inheritance is what drives them even though they are enduring various trials. Now that is a mindset for the glory of God!

In the Old Testament, prophets prophesied this great salvation, not fully understanding but wanting to know more about it. Through careful search and investigation, they wrote of the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. God told them:

“…their messages were not for themselves, but for YOU. And now this Good News has been announced to YOU by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit…It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.”

Verse 12 (NLT)

“SO PREPARE YOUR MINDS FOR ACTION AND EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL…”

VERSE 13

As God’s Church, His chosen Priesthood, we too can expect persecution and trials; this letter has been given to us for our participation. These New Testament believers reflected on what they knew to be true: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ saved them from perishing and a glorious inheritance was awaiting them. Until then they knew the importance of obedience, especially for their minds.

“…Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

Verses  14b-16

The very first pastor I ever had, entered my life when I was a little girl. He was a big part of my life for the last 55 years. Just this past February, he entered his eternal home. God truly used him to impact me for the Kingdom in many ways but one of the most significant had to be a sermon he preached from verse 16, “…you shall be holy, for I am holy” (NASB). When you think of living a holy life, keeping yourself pure, and undefiled from this life, it seems as though an impossible task.

Yet, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

I will never forget how Bro. Jerry explained the concept of living a holy life. To me it was an eye opener, a moment-by-moment execution; it is just for this moment that I am living a pure life, and then the next, and the next, and so on. The task is too great and an impossible feat, we will never do it perfectly, But God! Seek to be holy in this moment! And the next . . . God gives us what we need just when we need it. Like manna from heaven, Israel gathered daily. It is a daily dependence on the Lord! And oftentimes, a moment-by-moment one!

Whatever drives you is what drives your mind and what fills it!

 SO PREPARE YOUR MINDS FOR ACTION AND EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL