God’s direction in our lives precedes our births. He permits, for reasons known only to Himself, people to act contrary to His sovereign will. Our understanding of the truth that God is in control of all things, and will directly affect our ability to live in contentment in our lives. We could explore many passages that remind of of this (Proverbs 16:9 Ecclesiastes 7:13; Lamentations 3:37; James 4:13-15; Revelation 3:7), consider Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.” We must understand that we make plans, but those plans an only succeed when they are consistent with God’s purpose – no plan can succeed against Him. What an encouragement, to know that no one or no thing can execute their malicious plan unless God has first decreed it. God is in control, but ion His control, He allows us to experience pain, and that pin is very real. Yet, in the midst of our suffering we must believe and accept that God is in control, and He has a good purpose in those events. Remember nothing is so small or trivial as to escape … READ MORE

When a person becomes a Christian, God initially renews their mind, giving it a completely new spiritual and moral capability. This renewal continues through the believer’s life as they are obedient to the Word and will of God. This process is not a one-time accomplishment but the continual work of the Spirit of God in the believer. The resources for that are God’s Word and prayer. This renewing of the mind of a follower of Jesus Christ, is a corollary to putting on the new self, which is the new creation made into the very likeness of God. Romans 12:2 tells us “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.” The Key to becoming more like Christ comes in the mind – We must allow the Word of God to rule our hearts and minds. Because of our new life, our new Lord, our new nature, and our new power, we are called to live a correspondingly new life-style. All made possible by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer.… READ MORE

As a follower of Jesus Christ, we are not who we were, nor are we who we are, we are becoming new in our heart, through the renewing of our minds. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” The “new” that is spoken of here does not mean new in the sense of “renovated” but new in terms of species. I am not what I was (1 Corinthians 6:11), He transforms me from the inside out, and that transformation will manifest itself in what I do and say. I am different, I no longer live for myself, and the deceitful lusts that tempt me to live for this world. I am a pilgrim and stranger in a place, that God uses to conform me into the image of His glorious Son! I am no just a cleansed person, I am a new type of person, I am declared holy before God, and righteous before men, not because I am a better person than those around me, but because of the work of Jesus Christ through his death, burial, and resurrection. The … READ MORE