The Mind of Christ

April 15, 2025 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have a mind that thinks and understands like Christ. The promise of a mind that can know and understand the things of God is a huge gift from God through our faith in Jesus.

In 1 Corinthians Paul is talking to the Corinthian believers about wisdom and how we can know and discern the things of God. “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 With our natural mind we can’t know the things of God but with the indwelling Holy Spirit we can understand God and know Him. The spiritual person is not to be judged by the opinions of unbelievers who consider the things of God to be foolish. We are only held accountable to God, His standard of conduct is the only one we need consider. We are assured that the indwelt believer has the mind of Christ.

So what does that mean to you? As I pondered that thought, James 3:17 came to mind, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere”. Having the mind of Christ would mean we have access to godly wisdom as described here. We could have pure thoughts, a spirit of peace in our words, gentle presentation of our thoughts to others, reasonable thoughts not prone to wander or be self-serving, thoughts filled with mercy, thoughts that produce good things for ourselves and others, thoughts without bias and thoughts that are always sincere not fake in any way. I know that having the mind of Christ is a growing process and does not happen overnight. As we draw near to God we are promised in James 4:8 that God will draw near to us. The closer we walk with Jesus the more we can think and act as He would. A mind that is governed by Jesus would be glorifying to God and produce a vibrant and whole life for us. Consider the words of James today as you go about your daily routine. What part of the mind of Christ, the wisdom that comes from above, are you seeing in your life? Where do you want to grow?

Promise: God promises that through faith we can know Him and have a mind that understands the things of God. Thank you Jesus!

Linda

A Pleasing Walk, Can you do it?

February 25, 2021 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Colossians 1:9-10a gives us some insight into the heart of the Apostle Paul. He is being intentional with his prayers for the Colossian Christians as he has something specific in mind. “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:” It is totally in Paul’s mind and on his heart that the Colossian Christians live lives that are worthy of their calling as servants of Jesus Christ and that their lives would be pleasing to Him. To achieve a life that is worthy and pleasing to God one must have a knowledge of God’s will and an understanding of spiritual things.

How does one achieve such things? Scriptures tell us to seek to know God. Job said in Job 5:8 “As for me, I would seek God,
and to God would I commit my cause,” Psalm 14:2 “The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.” Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Knowing God and what He desires of us, helps in discerning God’s will for our lives. That means knowing and following His commandments,1 John 5:2 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.” We also must seek to abide in Him, John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Paul knew that a walk without Jesus is futile and will accomplish nothing. So he encourages them and us to keep abiding in Jesus, to draw near to Him, to be steeped and guided by prayer, to stay in God’s Word and above all else seek to know Him more each day.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know and understand the things of God with spiritual wisdom which helps me to walk daily in a way that pleases Him.

Linda

November, Reasons for Thankfulness, Day 1

November 1, 2020 nofearlindaLeave a comment

This month I will be endeavoring to focus on verses that give us spiritual truths about God that lead us toward a greater sense of thankfulness. It is my prayer that through greater thankfulness we will see how God meets our every need, even or especially during this time of pandemic and social unrest. God has brought to my mind new verses I discovered last year in a study of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 33:2-3 in the Amplified translation ²“Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is His name, ³‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’

This is a truth from God’s Word that I can cling to as I seek to live for Him. God promises to reveal things to me from His Word, through my experiences, through prayer and through other believers. He wants me to understand who He is so I can hold onto His promises and truths more tightly. He wants me to trust and rely upon Him to guide me each day. This truth about God and how He desires for me to know Him, creates in me a great sense of Thankfulness. Who am I that the God of the universe would desire to know me? What a privilege it is to know God, even the little bit I know and feel. Through His indwelling Spirit, I can see God more clearly and understand better what He has for me to do as I walk with Him.

May this truth from Jeremiah 33:3 cause you to call upon Him in prayer and open His Word so He can speak to you personally. Let this create in you a spirit of thanksgiving, assurance, hope and love for God as you open your heart to Him.

Linda

Let Advent Begin with a Call to Understand- Join me!

December 1, 2019 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Several years ago, I endeavored to see the Christmas story through the lens of God’s attributes knowing that all God ordains reveals His character to us. His plan and will always brings Him glory and us good. I invite you to join me this Advent Season to journey through the scriptures with an eye towards God’s character and see what wonders we can discover about our Almighty God. Jeremiah 33:3 will be my guiding verse this season- “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” I am asking God to reveal His character to us though the Christmas stories. May we be mightily blessed and find out many things that were previously hidden to us.

God’s attribute that gives me confidence to ask and call upon Him is His Accessibility. James 4:8 promises “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Ephesians 3:12 ^“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” and Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” These are just a few verses that confirm to us that we can indeed approach God and seek Him through prayer and study. As we draw near to Him this Advent Season, He will meet us just as He has promised.

Seek Him with me knowing with confidence He will reveal Himself to us through His Word.

Linda

How can I forget the title? LOL Meditating brings sweetness!

May 25, 2018June 23, 2018 nofearlindaLeave a comment

Psalm 119:97-104 is a testimony by the psalmist about the benefits of meditating on God’s Word. Here are the verses in the Amplified versions:

Oh, how I love Your law! (His Word inspires love.)
It is my meditation all the day.

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, (Gives wisdom)
For Your words are always with me.

I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers [because of Your word],
For Your testimonies are my meditation. (Gives understanding and deep insight)

I understand more than the aged [who have not observed Your precepts],
Because I have observed and kept Your precepts. (Gives Wisdom beyond your years)

I have restrained my feet from every evil way, (Keeps you on the right pathway)
That I may keep Your word.

I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me. (I am taught by God)

How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth! (His Word brings sweetness to me)

From Your precepts I get understanding; (I gain understanding about possible bad choices)
Therefore I hate every false way.

Had you ever considered these benefits? God is promising us that meditating (pondering, reflecting, considering) on His Word will cause us to internalize His ways. He will reshape our thinking so that we reflect His wisdom, understanding, more readily accept His guidance, know His will for our lives in choices we make, accept His teaching and find sustenance that is sweetness in our lives. If you have never meditated on God’s Word, why not give it a try and see what God reveals to you. Here are a few verses that you could start with: Lamentations 3:21-23, James 4:7-8a, Deuteronomy 31:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17. These are verses that will shape your thinking, give you encouragement and guidance. Let me know the benefits you receive from mediating on God’s Word.

His Word is life changing,

Linda