PIC: changing-your-mind. RogerSimon.2023
It’s a ridiculous thing…to go into my day all frazzled and hurried. Why do that? I want to be ready! Each day. Make the most of it. How ’bout you?
As a Child of the King, we each have been called by Jesus to be forever on a higher level. That starts here – now.
So, I’ve been forming a habit: I pray, and I set my mind.
I pray
“In the morning when my mind wakes up, before I get up, that’s the time I start my attitude. Before a good cup ‘a Joe YouTube music – I pray.”
Excerpt from Before a good cup a Joe:
Me – getting up another day, praying…I don’t do frenetic. I don’t do worry. I don’t let it in. I don’t start my day all out of kilter thesaurus.com, out of whack. I refuse to stumble into my day.
In the morning when my mind wakes up, before I get up, that’s the time I start my attitude. Before a good cup ‘a Joe YouTube music I pray. I think a few thoughts – to my Father God. Not a long prayer, not a lot of words (It’s 5am!) – just a few to set my mind on High.
I “set my mind”
See all five references in one link
or singly: Colossians 3:2, Colossians 3:15, 1 Peter 1:15, Mark 8:33, Romans 6:13
How I “set my mind”
I have determined to follow Jesus: To be biblical in all my ways. How ’bout you? I’m still learning, of course. Like Paul, I resist the pressures against me, 1 Peter 1:14. I don’t quit and I don’t wallow, I keep short accounts and I keep pressing on.
I’m working at what Paul wrote, “centering my thinking” and “implanting” these in me:
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, [a]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
How to live
in order to conform to Him
These five verses, and others, guide us into how to do it – how to “set my mind” for the day. There is no formula. However, we can resist the enemies of our soul – and conform to Jesus.
Every hour counts big time, because I’ve got none to waste! Life is short!
Let’s look into these. What has God laid-out for us about how to live in order to conform to Him — and not conform to the world Romans 12:1-2. 1
Let’s examine these five, quoting from each verse.
Colossians 3:2, Colossians 3:15, 1 Peter 1:15, Mark 8:33, Romans 6:13
1. How I “set my mind”
Colossians 3:2 tells us: “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].“
To set my mind – I make it a point to keep strict control over what I think about. Deny what tries to take-up space. That is difficult to do.
What’s running wild up there in your brain!? Your brain noggin’s talkin’! Decide what it’s going to focus on. You make it happen… or not.
With eternity’s values in view
A caution: Give evil a foothold, and it can progressively get worse. Satan tempts. He’s sly at it.
I make it a habit to keep focused on eternity’s values. Habits are good or bad for you. Make them good ones, or you pay the price. Form loving habits…one by one by one.
I refuse to focus on things that are only on this earth. Because? “They have only temporal value”. They are temporary, whereas what is of God is more permanent, as in eternal!. What I value most is: the everlasting…not this world – not its fleeting vapors. See both in one link or: James 4:14, Proverbs 21:6.
2. How I “set my mind”
Colossians 3:15 tells us: “Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].“
Practice organizing your day “daily with Him”. The Spirit then gives you “inner calm”. Allow “the peace of Christ” to be “the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise].” Don’t trust in your own abilities Proverbs 3:5-6. The flesh is weak and subject to misunderstanding things – but God never fails.
Being who we are
When we became a child of the King, we came into this peace God gives you as brand new creatures. We have been called to live on a much higer plain than BC – Before Christ. Enjoy it! 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
Excerpt from Enjoy spiritual well being
Becoming complete in Christ 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
The Christian walk is all about becoming complete in Christ: “be what you should be” v11:
1. Be comforted,
2. Be like-minded,
3. Live in peace
Becoming born again is just the beginning of the call of God on each of us. That is the start. Then begins the Christian walk toward maturity – motivated by deep gratitude for His grace.
– Source: Enjoy spiritual well being
Excerpt from: I run to win. Christ did. Do you?
There is this sense of urgency I feel, while yet on this earth — to be persistent and conscientious, to always be pleasing God with all that I am and all that I do. That requires I be cautious and active in faith daily. I want to be in on that Rapture when it comes (and the signs indicate it’s happenin’ soon!)
– Source: I run to win. Christ did. Do you?
1 Timothy 4:16 “Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”
Pay attention to what God is saying to us.
3. How I “set my mind”
1 Peter 1:15 tells us: “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage];”
“The way that you live”
I like the logical way the EASY version puts it: God is good — so you must be good too. Makes sense.
1 Peter 1:14-16 EASY
“God has chosen you
to be his own people.
So you must be completely good too,
in the way that you live.”
It is no surprise that God wants us to arrange our life – to be more and more like Jesus. He is good perfect in fact!, “So you must be completely good too.” Makes sense to me.
They say, “You can’t take it with you.” And the same is true of our sinful lifestyles, our godless preferences, our worldly worldviews…sin in general. Can’t take it to Heaven. What are you thinking!?
4. How I “set my mind”
Mark 8:33 tells us: “But turning around [with His back to Peter] and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan; for your mind is not set on God’s will or His values and purposes, but on what pleases man.”
That’s a revealing thing to say – even now for us in today’s godless culture: “Get behind Me, Satan; for your mind is not set on God’s will or His values and purposes, but on what pleases man.”
If we focus on “what pleases man”, we naturally drift away from “what pleases God”. To be godly, we must set our mind on Him: God’s will, God’s values, and God’s purposes.
Excerpt from: What it is – this lifetime battle we are in called “Spiritual Warfare”
A weak faith can trip us up, and soon we are not following the Bible. We can find ourselves in direct conflict with “obedience of Christ”. We must fight in order to stay strong, stay biblical….
“…taking every thought and purpose
captive to the obedience of Christ.”
– Verse 5 of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 AMP
Excerpt from: The man of God, the lion, and obedience
Experience and Feelings
Do you follow your feelings and experience, and the experience of others – rather than what God has already told us in the Bible? If so, you will most certainly wander into false teaching and false beliefs. And you will suffer the consequences of disobedience.
If you think…this way, but the Bible goes…that way — which way you gonna go?
Our practice should be to elevate the Word over experience.
5. How I “set my mind”
Romans 6:13 tells us: “Do not go on offering members of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness. But offer yourselves to God [in a decisive act] as those alive [raised] from the dead [to a new life], and your members [all of your abilities—sanctified, set apart] as instruments of righteousness [yielded] to God.”
To “set your mind” Romans 6 says: Don’t let sin in. Don’t let it. Let not.
“offer yourselves to God
[in a decisive act]
…set apart
as instruments of righteousness
[yielded] to God.”
When we sin, which we all will believe it or not…, we must then repent better sooner than later – yeilding to God anew. To leave sin behind, we must make it a point to, ie we set apart, “all of your abilities” to be used by God “as instruments of righteousness”. It may surprise you what God is able to do in you. He has surprised me all my life.
If we work with Him, God is able to be wonderfully powerful in us. Because His Spirit resides inside us, streaming from inside our insides… we can become totally sufficient for what life throws at us and still have “an abundance” for accomplishing good works and acts of love for those around us.
– 2 Corinthians 9:8
Conclusion
Today might be a good day to reset. Set-up well for your day. I’ve set my mind on things above.
Colossians 3:2
Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].
FOR MORE:
Are you truly following Jesus – His Way? I have determined to follow Jesus. I set my mind. This is how to do that – according to the Bible.
_________
How a Christian lives life…I have determined to follow Jesus
Excerpt: By God – I’ve been given this body, this life, this existence on earth. How indebted I am for all that!
And now I have been born again – “I’ve turned over a new leaf“. 2 I am exponentially, eternally grateful to God for that!
Oh my God Jesus thank you!
Pay attention Excerpt: If someone suddenly said, “Watch out!”, would you pay attention? Well, the Bible is saying “Watch out!” The Bible shows us that God is warning us of danger ahead. God is saying, “Listen up”.
Not by strength – By God…Become un-saved again for any reason? You’ve got to be kidding me!
Excerpt: The Bible answers – Hell no! Heaven yes! “Nothing can separate us….” Nothing is: nothing. There is no reason at all to fear losing our salvation once we have sincerely repented and followed Jesus. Nothing can separate me from the love of God: Romans 8:35-39.
My salvation relies on a faithful God, not on my human strength. “It is He that has saved us.”
Always biblical from my soul…Working at being biblical in all my ways
“I actively press on.” How ’bout you? – Philippians 3:12-15 Excerpt:
Are you actively making it a point in your daily life — to “take hold of” perfection? Or, are you okay with “normal”? Merely being a normal human is not what we are called-out to be.
Paul was a high achiever for Jesus. And he exhorts us all to be that.
This is it…this life
I run to win. Christ did. Do you? Excerpt:
There is this sense of urgency I feel, while yet on this earth — to be persistent and conscientious, to always be pleasing God with all that I am and all that I do. That requires I be cautious and active in faith daily. I want to be in on that Rapture when it comes (and the signs indicate it’s happenin’ soon!)
1 Timothy 4:16 “Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”
I’m in it to win it…I’m workin’ at it
Called by Jesus to be forever on a higher level Excerpt: Salvation in Christ is a huge wonder. It’s a calling to be an actual child of God (not merely a puny human “creation” of His). It’s a calling to live with Him forever in His Home Heaven. Oh happy day!
Salvation is more than pie in the sky once we die. Jesus said His Holy Spirit would reside inside us from that moment forward. Right now!
My every hour counts big time Excerpt: To serve Him
With that eternal perspective in mind, I am supremely motivated “to be pleasing to Him” (v9). The Bible teaches that He has forgiven me of every sin, cleansed me from all that offends His Holiness, and He promised me eternal life.
“We’ve been called by Jesus
to be forever on a higher level.
That life on a higher plane
— starts here!”
– Source: Jesus will rescue us soon from the wrath to come
THAT motivates me to NOW serve Him with all that I am, with all that I have, with all that I am humanly capable of doing.
What God has going on with us here on this planet…this temporary existence on earth.
Being a Temp in our temporary tent…what is temporary – should not be our focus
Confirm & Affirm why Jesus will accept me Excerpt: I confirm my salvation – in His Word.
Because I am a bit of a lunkhead MirWeb, periodically I must remind myself why Jesus will accept me into His Holy Kingdom. I’m still not holy. And that drags on me. I’m workin’ at it, however.
I am almost perfect (in the sense of: I am old, and almost dead and into Heaven!) – but I’ll have to wait and pass on through to the other side for active perfection. Hardly can wait for that day! (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)
Soon Jesus will return –
and then, I will be perfect.
I will be perfect at last! I will say,
“Thank God I’m perfect at last!”
– Source: I am almost perfect
Every hour counts big time Excerpt: Swallowed up by life eternal
I can hardly contain my excitement (so to speak) at the prospect of this groaning body being “swallowed up by life” eternal (verse 4 of 2 Corinthians 5:1-5). Wow! What a moment that will be. Just can’t imagine!
You and I will enter His Holy Heaven with an eternal, immortal body and spirit. Can you feel it yet?
THAT motivates me to NOW serve Him with all that I am, with all that I have, with all that I am humanly capable of doing.
And he replied, “You shall
love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and
with all your soul, and
with all your strength, and
with all your mind; and
your neighbor as yourself.”
– Luke 10:27
I dither dodder, shilly-shally, fritter life away
What’s living rent-free inside your head?…What’s running wild up there in your brain!?
Growing into our natural new life in Christ
Personal Rules of Practice…setting my mind for action Excerpt: Well-thought-through rules
Well-thought-through rules, however, can be our personal checklist for living the way we really want to live, instead of falling for traps along the way. After all, what we want is what is desirable and right. We can more easily avoid missteps along the way if we take time to inspect our ways and aim to live sensibly.
Living It Deep – annotated…What will it be – an end without Christ? I choose to end with Christ as Savior.
Ambassadors Excerpt: If you have been born again, then everything you do, everywhere you go, always, every day, in every way… you represent Christ here on earth. Quite a position to have, wouldn’t you say?
Is your life fruit – agape love?
Choose loving habits – one by one by one
Doing one act of love at a time…forming habits of love
Being unselfish, more thoughtful and gracious to others
Doing one act of love at a time
Living it Deep…through it all – whatever comes my way
My simple frequent practice of repentance
Before a good cup a Joe…constantly confessing sin and standing strong in Him
Excerpt: Me – getting up another day, praying…I don’t do frenetic. I don’t do worry. I don’t let it in. I don’t start my day all out of kilter, out of whack. I refuse to stumble into my day.
In the morning when my mind wakes up, before I get up, that’s the time I start my attitude. Before a good cup ‘a Joe YouTube music I pray. I think a few thoughts – to my Father God. Not a long prayer, not a lot of words (It’s 5am!) – just a few to set my mind on High.
Conversations with God Also see: Self-talk prayer
Pairing with God…An easy morning prayer to start it right
Being an “evangelical” in today’s wild and wooly ungodly culture
What we will be like – in God’s Home Heaven
If you’re going to God’s Home Heaven
Never Die Alone Excerpt: This article is a rebuttal to a quote: “You’re born alone – you’re going to die alone.” 3
I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It is impossible for me to “die alone”. How about you? Are you in Christ, ready to die whenever, wherever, with Him with you? I am.
We are confident, I say,
and willing rather to be absent from the body,
and to be present with the Lord.
– 2 Corinthians 5:8
I am enough Excerpt: In Christ I am enough. I’ve got it all, nothing needed, nothing missing. I am ready, steady and able because God Himself made me more than human, after all.
I have everything needed, in me, to live a godly life — because of the power of God in me… since that moment in time that God Himself made me a brand new creature inside. Same outside, new inside, for now, in my inner soul, the Holy Spirit resides in me in power. That is what happens to those who truly accept Jesus as their Savior. 2 Peter 1:3
Jesus said, “Good answer! Do it and you’ll live.”
Stand tall and lift up your heads in joy, Jesus said
What do you value the most?…produces sinful lifestyles
Biblical homosexuality…godless preferences Excerpt: What is a Christian’s biblical perspective on homosexuality? Have you examined the Bible closely? ANY sin is not acceptable in God’s Holy Kingdom. Ready to go there?
Is Jesus’ worldview your worldview?…Got worldly worldviews? – 1 John 2:9, 1 John 2:11 Excerpt: Jesus shared His worldview throughout the entire Bible. Yes, in the Old Testament also, since God inspired it, and Jesus is God, afterall. So we know what Jesus believes. Just read the Bible with open eyes.
The “worldview” of Jesus is discernable by examining the Bible. Jesus’ quoted words are in the New Testament, but God also inspired the Old Testament, and, since Jesus is God – Jesus’ worldview is found throughout the whole Bible.
– Source: Are you one of the 18 percenters?
Taking hate to Holy Heaven? Your ways, your views?…Can’t take it to Heaven
What you are -and- what you can be if you choose to be
Will your faith take you where you want to go?
Elevating the Word over experience Excerpt: What trumps what?
Are you careful to closely examine what your pastor teaches, comparing what is said — with what you read in the Bible? It should be a weekly habit.
Many pastors and common folk equate experiences they have – with Scripture given to us by God. This leads to false assumptions about God – resulting in false teachings and false expectations about God.
We must elevate the Word of God over the extremely subjective experiences claimed by others. Do we believe Jesus — or do we believe contrary experiences reported by others?
Withholding Obedience…being in direct conflict with God. Think He accepts that?
Are you contrary, not conforming to the Gospel…living in disobedience
The Way to Salvation always involves obedience to Jesus
So does God ever say “What do you think, Joe? Jane, What should I do?”
God’s List of Unacceptables…sin in general, and all religions that reject obedience to Jesus
The man of God, the lion, and obedience – Any “religion” is in disobedience to Jesus
Fight the fight…We must fight
In Christ I am a strong person…stay strong
Always biblical from my sou…stay biblical
The Hand of God…is upon us! Through His Spirit God is able to be wonderfully powerful in us.
The non-stop work of God inside you and me
The Holy Spirit only resides in true beleivers…His Spirit “takes up residence” resides inside the born again
Streaming from my soul…from deep inside my insides
301 Things you are in Christ…In Him we become totally sufficient for what comes our way
Is your life fruit – Agape Love?…empowered for acts of love and good works for those around us – having “an abundance” of every favor and earthly blessing 2 Corinthians 9:8.
TAGS for this post
set my mind, nothing is – nothing, Romans 8:35-39, Luke 10:27, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 13:11-14, Colossians 3:2, Colossians 3:15, 1 Peter 1:15, 1 Peter 1:14, Mark 8:33, Romans 6:13, Philippians 3:12-15, 1 Timothy 4:16, 2 Corinthians 5:8, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 John 2:9, 1 John 2:11, 2 Corinthians 9:8, habits of love, Ambassadors, you represent Christ, quite a position, been born again, everything you do, everywhere you go, always, every day, in every way, your life fruit, agape love?, choose loving habits, one by one, one act of love, habits of love, doing one act, forming habits, living it deep, every hour counts, being pleasing, being unselfish, be more thoughtful, gracious to others, my checkoff list, require justice, actively press on, How ’bout you?, eternity values focus, I have determined, determined to follow, follow Jesus 100%, rules of practice, yeilded to Him, being an “evangelical”, today’s ungodly culture, wild and wooly, wild – wooly – ungodly, Biblical homosexuality?, I am enough, godless preferences, worldly worldviews, hate in Heaven? Jesus’ worldview yours?, an 18 percenter?, “worldview” of Jesus, where you going?, believe Jesus?, believe contrary experiences, prefer subjective experiences?, what others claim?, elevating the Word, don’t elevate “experience”, God’s unacceptables, His or yours?.
Footnotes
- In all translations:
Colossians 3:2
Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].1 Peter 1:15
But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage];Mark 8:33
But turning around [with His back to Peter] and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan; for your mind is not set on God’s will or His values and purposes, but on what pleases man.”Romans 6:13
13 Do not go on offering members of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness. But offer yourselves to God [in a decisive act] as those alive [raised] from the dead [to a new life], and your members [all of your abilities—sanctified, set apart] as instruments of righteousness [yielded] to God. - Per Google search: Why do people say “turn over a new leaf”?
Way back in the 16th century, pages in books were referred to as leaves. So tuning over a new leaf meant that one was turning to a blank page. This idiom was used to signify a major change in behavior, or a new stage in life.
- Google search: “You’re born alone – you’re going to die alone.” Apparently the Google bad boys checkers did not like this quote, so they redirected with this:
“The previous page is sending you to https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/steve-jobs-deathbed-speech/. If you do not want to visit that page, you can return to the previous page.
It must be true that Steve Jobs did not say that. But this is interesting what Jobs actually has said: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/steve-jobs-deathbed-speech/.
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