Don't Eat What You Don't Like or Need and Don't Feed What You Don't Want to Grow...it's simple really! God doesn't have a desire to make things difficult for anyone. Allow what's written below to minister to your life and pass it along.
(1) You cannot overcome the devil that you're in the bed with. Put it out the bed of your mind and life!
(2) You cannot overcome the devil you feed. The devil I'm referring to is the 'devil-trained' flesh. The devil-trained flesh is fed primarily through these mediums: eyes (what you look at), ears (what you listen to), mouth (what you say), and mind (what you think). A person voluntarily chooses how to use each of these mediums. What you look at, what you listen to, what you say, and what you think is ALL your choice. Satan himself doesn't even choose for you. You must choose wisely and never blame others for your choice of medium, use of that medium, and the results from the usage. The mediums do not change but you control what information, positive or negative, that constantly flows thru them.
(3) Now, more on the flesh: Your flesh is not saved. If or when you accepted Jesus Christ, your spirit was saved/renewed, but your flesh held steady. The flesh is the old, unregenerated man, the sin nature which was inherited from our first father - Adam.
(4) Don't feed or feed on what you don't like or need. Recognize and/or allow God to reveal to you your fleshy appetites. You can't stop feeding what you don't realize that you have been.
(5) Don't feed or feed on past hurts. The creation of the wound may've been someone else's fault, but the continuation of the wound is up to you.
(6) A damaged mind likes damaged things! According to Scripture we should allow our minds to be renewed by the Word of God. So, renew and reuse your mind by the Word!
(7) Whatever causes a fire sustains a fire and whatever extinguishes a fire prevents a fire! It has been said that "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires." You can extinguish and prevent fires in your life.
For more insight on this, review blog labels: Discipline, Flesh, Mind, Old Man, Sin Nature, Soul, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Warfare, and Thoughts. See below.
DsW
Showing posts with label Mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mind. Show all posts
March 16, 2011
August 25, 2010
"Conquer Friendly" Trials
Greetings good people,
I just had to share this powerful FB conversation:
Elton Taylor, Jr. - "Everything you encounter has already been designed for you to conquer." GOD is so good! Let's elevate our thinking to this perspective, people of GOD. Whatever GOD allows to cross your path, just know that it's a set-up for you to win!"
My response - "...this is such a revolutionary word directly from the God. Check this out: 1 Corinthians 10:13a says that- “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (NIV 1984’). So, not only will God not allow more to occur in your life than you can handle- He cannot allow more! He’s just that faithful to His own Word. Therefore, as you noted- every trial, test, uncomfortable circumstance, etc. that faces us is personally designed by God to be “conquer friendly”. Praise GOD! Everything is “conquer friendly” because of the power of Christ on the inside! Ok, ok, ok, I better stop typing now because I feel like shouting, preaching, running, etc.!"
DsW
I just had to share this powerful FB conversation:
Elton Taylor, Jr. - "Everything you encounter has already been designed for you to conquer." GOD is so good! Let's elevate our thinking to this perspective, people of GOD. Whatever GOD allows to cross your path, just know that it's a set-up for you to win!"
My response - "...this is such a revolutionary word directly from the God. Check this out: 1 Corinthians 10:13a says that- “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (NIV 1984’). So, not only will God not allow more to occur in your life than you can handle- He cannot allow more! He’s just that faithful to His own Word. Therefore, as you noted- every trial, test, uncomfortable circumstance, etc. that faces us is personally designed by God to be “conquer friendly”. Praise GOD! Everything is “conquer friendly” because of the power of Christ on the inside! Ok, ok, ok, I better stop typing now because I feel like shouting, preaching, running, etc.!"
DsW
May 20, 2010
Thought Management - Part Two
In the last installment of this series we discussed how managing your thought life is highly important if you're going to maintain any personal peace.
Sticking with that theme- in this installment we will dive a bit deeper into extended thinking (e.g. meditation). Moreover, we must acknowledge that the longer you think about something the larger it becomes inside. When no room is left inside- you will release it outside in words, actions, and/or attitudes. This applies to both positive and negative things.
"What's becomes too large on the inside will become too large on the outside."
Extended thinking (e.g. meditation) acts like a "stamp"- pressing events, actions, ideas, beliefs, and moments deeper into your mind (or sub-conscious). THE RESULTS: On the positive end, this affords you the opportunity to reminisce and relive the pleasantries of your past in an instant. However, on the negative end the same instant replay is available- but this time working as a stressor and tormentor forcing you to relive past discomforts.
You see, the length and extent of your thinking about something determines what position of prominence that "something" holds in your mind. Consequently, the more you meditate on something the more "staying power" (power to remain up front) you give it. Yes, you control what memories are in 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, 4th place, etc. or no place. In other words, the higher the placement the easier the recalling. Again, please note that this works with good and bad things.
Now, all praise belongs to God because His Word is our mental safety net. Paul had this to say to believers in Rome: "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Rom. 12:2). Here, Paul is basically encouraging the new Roman believers to allow the Word of God to transform what and how they thought. But specifically how was this to be accomplished? The Roman believers had to begin measuring (and continually re-measuring) all of their established images, perceptions, beliefs, and concepts about everything and everyone against the standards in His Word. Where ever they found disharmony with the Word -they were to change their mind. God wasn't going to change it- they had to do it. The changing of a mind is a personal responsibility!
Try these...
(1) Learn how to forget the "unnecessary". Your life, purpose, and destiny is much too important for you to remain distracted by the "unnecessary" past. BY CHOICE, even God chooses NOT to remember some things: like your sins - Selah!
(2) Concerning the past, forgive others and yourself completely.
(3) Start recognizing how much thought time you're giving to things - good and bad. Then start minimizing or maximizing thought time where appropriate per the Word. Be a self-starter and a self-stopper!
Allow these steps to become continual processes in your life. Besides, we really should always be evaluating if our thinking reflects Christ-likeness. We must remain proactive here to deny the enemy mind space.
Finally, what about forgetting...the "unnecessary" stuff that is? Here, I mean using our faith to literally forget by choice as God does! Understandably some things- positive and negative should be remembered as such are launching pads for our testimonies of God's goodness. However, only God (and perhaps you) know what things should and/or shouldn't be completely forgotten (Philippians 3:13). Consult God here- He is certainly ever-present to assist.
Scriptures Refs (KJV Version):
Psalms 1:2 - But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Romans 12:2 - 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.
Philippians 3:13 - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, ...honest...just...pure...lovely...of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {mod. mine}
Manage Your Thoughts, Manage Your World!
Blessed regards,
DraperW
Sticking with that theme- in this installment we will dive a bit deeper into extended thinking (e.g. meditation). Moreover, we must acknowledge that the longer you think about something the larger it becomes inside. When no room is left inside- you will release it outside in words, actions, and/or attitudes. This applies to both positive and negative things.
"What's becomes too large on the inside will become too large on the outside."
Extended thinking (e.g. meditation) acts like a "stamp"- pressing events, actions, ideas, beliefs, and moments deeper into your mind (or sub-conscious). THE RESULTS: On the positive end, this affords you the opportunity to reminisce and relive the pleasantries of your past in an instant. However, on the negative end the same instant replay is available- but this time working as a stressor and tormentor forcing you to relive past discomforts.
You see, the length and extent of your thinking about something determines what position of prominence that "something" holds in your mind. Consequently, the more you meditate on something the more "staying power" (power to remain up front) you give it. Yes, you control what memories are in 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, 4th place, etc. or no place. In other words, the higher the placement the easier the recalling. Again, please note that this works with good and bad things.
Now, all praise belongs to God because His Word is our mental safety net. Paul had this to say to believers in Rome: "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Rom. 12:2). Here, Paul is basically encouraging the new Roman believers to allow the Word of God to transform what and how they thought. But specifically how was this to be accomplished? The Roman believers had to begin measuring (and continually re-measuring) all of their established images, perceptions, beliefs, and concepts about everything and everyone against the standards in His Word. Where ever they found disharmony with the Word -they were to change their mind. God wasn't going to change it- they had to do it. The changing of a mind is a personal responsibility!
Try these...
(1) Learn how to forget the "unnecessary". Your life, purpose, and destiny is much too important for you to remain distracted by the "unnecessary" past. BY CHOICE, even God chooses NOT to remember some things: like your sins - Selah!
(2) Concerning the past, forgive others and yourself completely.
(3) Start recognizing how much thought time you're giving to things - good and bad. Then start minimizing or maximizing thought time where appropriate per the Word. Be a self-starter and a self-stopper!
Allow these steps to become continual processes in your life. Besides, we really should always be evaluating if our thinking reflects Christ-likeness. We must remain proactive here to deny the enemy mind space.
Finally, what about forgetting...the "unnecessary" stuff that is? Here, I mean using our faith to literally forget by choice as God does! Understandably some things- positive and negative should be remembered as such are launching pads for our testimonies of God's goodness. However, only God (and perhaps you) know what things should and/or shouldn't be completely forgotten (Philippians 3:13). Consult God here- He is certainly ever-present to assist.
Scriptures Refs (KJV Version):
Psalms 1:2 - But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Romans 12:2 - 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.
Philippians 3:13 - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, ...honest...just...pure...lovely...of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {mod. mine}
Manage Your Thoughts, Manage Your World!
Blessed regards,
DraperW
July 20, 2009
WT Email Archives: Thought Management - Part One
Greetings everyone! The doors of the former WordTime email archives have just swung open. In the coming days and weeks I will be uploading some of my WT email series' such as 'Thought Management', 'Thanksgiving', and others to this new blog site. Those of you that read them back then can now easily share your comments in this new format. As for those of you that didn't get a chance to read - you're invited to join in on this fresh discussion!
Tell a friend and let's dive right in to Part One of the 'Thought Management' series already in session (see below).
When things happen to us- we think about it. When things are said to us- we think about it. When we say things to others- we think about it. When we do things to others - we think about it. Whether the things said or done were good or bad- we're always thinking about something, but how are we managing what we think about?
'Thought Management' as I like to call it, should be a common practice for every believer (or anyone breathing for that matter). A thought is like a mental seed, which when it is planted in the soil of a mind it has the potential to grow into a future action. Well, how would it grow you say? By meditation. {We'll look at another view on this later.} The point is that- sooner or later an individual will act upon or respond to their 'sustained' thoughts. This notion gives credence to the fact that a large part of spiritual warfare takes place in our minds.
Therefore, acknowledging that it is within this 'mental battle field' where we either secure liberties or shelter 'bondages' is paramount. As many of us have experienced in our own lives, the bondages of our mind have a way of leaking out into our disposition and behavior progressively.
Remember, Satan will often try to harm you with your help. He'll also try to use people against you, but it's not until he has influenced you personally in some way that he's satisfied for the moment. If he can get in your head then he can get ahead of you, at least mometarily. OF COURSE HE IS A DEFEATED FOE AND HE MUST BE REMINDED OF THAT. However, we are personally responsible for keeping a handle on our own mental stuff.
Moreover, because countless things - good and bad - can occur over the course of a day, week, or month we may inadvertently pile up thoughts (memories) like large heaps of straw. While some of these memories may be good and cherish worthy, others may not be productive at all. In a short letter to the Philippian church Paul highlights a few things about thoughts. Let's listen in on the conversation:
(Philippians 4:7-9) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
As another illustration: Many years ago my pastor said, "Our mind is like an interstate; many thoughts will travel across it during a lifetime." Nonetheless, as police officers over our own minds we must determine which thoughts we'll 'pull over and arrest' (i.e., meditate on). Choose ye this day to pull over and arrest thoughts that are a blessed benefit to you and others. As for negative and destructive thoughts, cast them down immediately and forcibly- disallowing them passage. In other words, practice casting and forgetting! Destructive thoughts are extremely poisonous to your present and deadly to your future! You must use your faith to forget what's unnecessary! Let's listen to Paul's commendation to the Corinthian church:
(2 Corinthians 10:3-6) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
So then, thoughts and memories that are in opposition to the knowledge of God are only fit for one thing- "a cast down". Go ahead, increase your knowledge of God through Word study, church attendance, etc. and discover what your mind was really made for.
Begin casting down thoughts today. You'll be glad that you did. Stay tuned for Part Two of this discussion.
In His Service,
DsW
Tell a friend and let's dive right in to Part One of the 'Thought Management' series already in session (see below).
When things happen to us- we think about it. When things are said to us- we think about it. When we say things to others- we think about it. When we do things to others - we think about it. Whether the things said or done were good or bad- we're always thinking about something, but how are we managing what we think about?
'Thought Management' as I like to call it, should be a common practice for every believer (or anyone breathing for that matter). A thought is like a mental seed, which when it is planted in the soil of a mind it has the potential to grow into a future action. Well, how would it grow you say? By meditation. {We'll look at another view on this later.} The point is that- sooner or later an individual will act upon or respond to their 'sustained' thoughts. This notion gives credence to the fact that a large part of spiritual warfare takes place in our minds.
Therefore, acknowledging that it is within this 'mental battle field' where we either secure liberties or shelter 'bondages' is paramount. As many of us have experienced in our own lives, the bondages of our mind have a way of leaking out into our disposition and behavior progressively.
Remember, Satan will often try to harm you with your help. He'll also try to use people against you, but it's not until he has influenced you personally in some way that he's satisfied for the moment. If he can get in your head then he can get ahead of you, at least mometarily. OF COURSE HE IS A DEFEATED FOE AND HE MUST BE REMINDED OF THAT. However, we are personally responsible for keeping a handle on our own mental stuff.
Moreover, because countless things - good and bad - can occur over the course of a day, week, or month we may inadvertently pile up thoughts (memories) like large heaps of straw. While some of these memories may be good and cherish worthy, others may not be productive at all. In a short letter to the Philippian church Paul highlights a few things about thoughts. Let's listen in on the conversation:
(Philippians 4:7-9) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
As another illustration: Many years ago my pastor said, "Our mind is like an interstate; many thoughts will travel across it during a lifetime." Nonetheless, as police officers over our own minds we must determine which thoughts we'll 'pull over and arrest' (i.e., meditate on). Choose ye this day to pull over and arrest thoughts that are a blessed benefit to you and others. As for negative and destructive thoughts, cast them down immediately and forcibly- disallowing them passage. In other words, practice casting and forgetting! Destructive thoughts are extremely poisonous to your present and deadly to your future! You must use your faith to forget what's unnecessary! Let's listen to Paul's commendation to the Corinthian church:
(2 Corinthians 10:3-6) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
So then, thoughts and memories that are in opposition to the knowledge of God are only fit for one thing- "a cast down". Go ahead, increase your knowledge of God through Word study, church attendance, etc. and discover what your mind was really made for.
Begin casting down thoughts today. You'll be glad that you did. Stay tuned for Part Two of this discussion.
In His Service,
DsW
June 10, 2009
"Love Never Fails" (I Corinthians 13:8)
Kingdom of God Citizens,
I was recently meditating on the following three scriptures. Take a look.
"MATTHEW 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. MATTHEW 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
"HEBREWS 13:1 Let brotherly love continue."
By leaving a comment - please share your thoughts, insight/revelation, experiences, ideas, etc. relative to these scriptures?
I was recently meditating on the following three scriptures. Take a look.
"MATTHEW 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. MATTHEW 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
"HEBREWS 13:1 Let brotherly love continue."
By leaving a comment - please share your thoughts, insight/revelation, experiences, ideas, etc. relative to these scriptures?
"Your words (inspired by the Holy Spirit) have
the power to heal and build someone up!"
As Bishop always says it: "Love is an action, born out of a sense of responsibility - toward God and your fellow man."
In His Service,
Min. Draper S. Wright
P.S. - After leaving comments on this blog, take a look at Min. Joshua Harvey's comments regarding love on my blog entitled: "Doeth It Not"
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