Sound Mind Set

Psalm 77:11-15 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;     yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works     and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Your ways, God, are holy.     What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles;     you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,     the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. There is a Hebrew word that shows up often in the Bible; the word is  ZAKAR, meaning remember. Often when God had provided a way through or a victory, people who witnessed it would stop what they were doing, and build an altar to celebrate the faithfulness of God. Jesus, on his last night with his disciples before his crucifixion, told us all to do this very thing. To take the bread and the cup in remembrance of him. There’s more to this practice than just calling back to mind something that has happened. It is ruminating on the faithfulness of God that anchors us.  Can you think of a situation where you didn’t see a way through, where you had come to the end of yourself, but God came through?  Take a moment and put yourself back in that situation of desperation, feel the doubt, feel the fear, and now remember what it felt like when you realized things were going to be OK... when you saw God come through.  Ruminate on what it felt like for God to deliver, and know that that same power is available to you right now, whatever you are facing Let’s pray together: “Father, help me to commit myself to the act of remembrance. To remember Your faithful power that I have seen at work in my life. Help me to hold on to that awareness when I come into situations where I don’t know what to do. As above, so below”

Psalm 107:1-9 Oh, thank God—he’s so good!     His love never runs out.  All of you set free by God, tell the world!     Tell how he freed you from oppression,  Then rounded you up from all over the place,     from the four winds, from the seven seas. Some of you wandered for years in the desert,     looking but not finding a good place to live,  Half-starved and parched with thirst,     staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion.  Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.     He got you out in the nick of time;  He put your feet on a wonderful road     that took you straight to a good place to live.  So thank God for his marvelous love,     for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.  He poured great drafts of water down parched throats;     the starved and hungry got plenty to eat. This is a beautiful Psalm about the goodness of God. So many times in life, we can feel knocked around by circumstances. Feeling overwhelmed by the demands, the responsibilities and the challenges that we all face, can sometimes take our focus off the goodness of God .  This Psalm has 34 more verses just like the ones we’ve read. Over and over, describing God coming to our aid in difficult circumstances and challenges. The common thread of all these verses explains the only thing that we are responsible for is calling out to him… and he comes through.  Take a moment to realize the goodness of God in your life is just a request away. Crying out to him doesn’t always result in us getting our way, but it does lead us to an abundant life, even amid the circumstances that we find ourselves in. That abundant life is God's goodness, and we can be expectant that he delivers His abundance, peace, and reassurance if we just cry out for him.  Be aware that his goodness and presence are all around you regardless of your circumstance. PRAY Father thank you for your goodness which always comes through. Please help me to be patient. Help me to be aware and expectant that amid whatever challenge I find myself in, your abundance… your goodness is always available. As above, so below.

Today our scripture reading is from Colossians 3:15-17  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Having a spirit of gratitude is one of the most powerful tools that God has given us. The act of giving thanks, of feeling gratitude can actually change our brain chemistry.  No matter what situation you find yourself in, there’s always something around you worth giving thanks for. It may be a small thing, it may be a significant thing. Every day we wake up with a choice. That choice is what we focus on. We can focus on a sense of lack, or what we’re missing, or we can choose to find and focus on those things we are grateful for. And allow the peace of Christ to rule our hearts.  Can you think of one thing that you are grateful for ?Maybe its a person, something that has happened, or something that is a blessing - like health, or provision. Focus on that one thing and everything about that one thing that you are grateful for. Feel it in your body, feel the gratitude and worship Your father in the spirit of gratitude. Pray with me: “Father I have so much to be grateful for. Help me to work into the discipline of choosing to be grateful, of choosing to find things to give thanks for. Let your peace rule in my heart. As above So Below. ”

2 Corinthians 12:5-10 ….I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. When we look at our lives, they are full of victories and full of setbacks. In these verses, Paul clarifies the true source of strength. God's strength. He also speaks of ‘a thorn in the flesh’, placed there to keep him from being conceited. It’s interesting to reframe the challenges in our life, failures in our life, and seeing even those play a divine purpose in our lives.  What area of your life feels weak right now?  What is the difficulty in your life right now? "When I am weak, then I am strong." This message is countercultural to our society which preaches self-reliance.  Can you admit your weakness to God right now? Ask for him to give you not only the strength to make it through but also the awareness that in your weakness, He is strong, Turning all things for your good and His glory Let’s pray: “Holy Father, thank you for your power that shines in my weakness. I confess my failings, I confess my weakness, and I acknowledge those areas of struggle and hardship in the very areas where are you are shining brightest through me.”

Philippians 2:1-5 NLT Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Paul was asking the believers at Philippi, first, have they received any benefit from being in their community of faith. Knowing their answer would be yes, he encouraged them with some basic dos and don’ts of loving one another. He closes the thought with the challenge of having the same attitude as Jesus. Why? Because we all know our attitude drives our thoughts, words, and actions. A community in Christ is going to be marked and known by its attitude that reflects His nature first. All else will follow from that source. Think for a moment about the circles you frequent. What is the attitude of each? How do they impact your own attitude? Listen again to Paul’s very intentional words from the Message: If you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. This passage is about our attitude. As we close and you breathe a few deep breathes, ask God to reveal your attitude to you. Is it selfless and sacrificial or selfish and self serving? The good news of the Gospel is you can have the attitude of Christ Himself and your community will benefit by your choice. Let’s make Paul words our prayer today: “Father, thank You for the encouragement in belonging to Christ, the comfort from Your love, the fellowship together in Your Spirit that allows our hearts to be tender and compassionate. In my own community, guide me to live in wholehearted agreement with others, love, and work with one mind and purpose. Help me to not be selfish; not work to impress others, to be humble, and think of others as better than me, to not look out for my own interests, but take an interest in others. May I have the same attitude as Christ. As above, so below. Amen”

Proverbs 27:17 NLT As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. If you take a dull knife and a sharp one and begin to rub the blades against one another for the purpose of sharpening the dull one, the reality is that both are going to be sharpened in the process. Even in mentoring relationships where an older and wiser person is pouring into a younger one, both are blessed by the interaction and learn from each other. So, the reality of our interaction within a Christian community is that iron sharpens iron—both ways. Everyone wins. For the Christ follower, interacting in a community is always a two-way street. Because of the very nature of Christ’s Spirit living within us and leading us, we will always grow and mature by and through the relationships we share. Right now in your life, who are you in the sharpening process with? Listen to The Good News Bible’s version of Proverbs 27:17: People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron. This slightly different twist allows for the fact that in the kingdom of God, even a brother or sister that we may disagree with on some issues, we can learn something of value from. Being an active part of a biblical community means teachability and humility are necessary dynamics for us all. Growing, challenging, teaching, sharing, and sharpening. Today, who is one person you can thank for being a constant sharpening force in your life - don’t wait to let them know. And who might God bring to mind that you can be an active sharpening tool for in your circle? Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for all those in my life that sharpen me, whether in full agreement or some disagreement. Thank you for all those who allow me the privilege of sharpening them. May I stay teachable, humble, fully obedient to You. As above, so below. Amen”

Romans 15:4-6 NLT Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. From the first day of creation, God birthed order, purpose, and unity into all things. Even after sin and rebellion entered the world, His ways were still available to practice as we see in the lives of those in the Old Testament. Regardless of how anyone else may choose to live, He has given us the ability to commune together in patience, encouragement, harmony, and unity. Both our individual work and our corporate worship can reflect His nature, producing good and blessing to others. At any age we are and any stage of life, the community to which we commit our hearts and minds is crucial to our personal quality of life and faith. Those we join together with will determine our life and our future. Is there a community you need to leave or have outgrown? Is there a community you need to commit to and add your voice? As you consider these questions, listen to this passage once more from the Message: … May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus! A community that lives in complete harmony? Sounds a lot like Heaven, doesn’t it? But Scripture is clear that we can get started right here, right now. What is one way you can move towards strengthening the harmony between those in your community today? Let’s pray: “Father, while I wait for Your promises to be fulfilled, please give me patience and encouragement, help me live in complete harmony with others, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Lead me to join my voice to the community that gives praise and glory to You, Father. As above, so below. Amen”

Ruth 1:16 NLT Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. This is, of course, the well-known answer Ruth gave to her mother-in-law, Naomi, recorded in the Book of Ruth after Naomi tells Ruth to go back to her own family, after both had lost their husbands. Ruth’s declaration to Naomi that you are now my family and I am committed to you is as admirable as it is poetic. There is a strong connection in Christ that causes His followers to have deep roots that intertwine and strengthen each other in Him. This level of commitment that Ruth expressed is found in true biblical community. We have the same God, have made the same commitment, therefore we have a heavenly connection that He began and only He will separate if His purposes decide. Think for a moment about who you have this depth of love toward and who has the same towards you. Maybe this is a reminder to reaffirm and encourage someone in your life, letting them know how grateful and committed to the friendship you are. Listen once again: Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. (Ruth 1:16 NLT) The key to this type of community in Christ is never about ourselves, but the other person. We place others first to love and care for them, trusting and knowing they will do the same, without expectation, without fear, in grace and truth. Is there someone in your life that you can say with this conviction - your people are my people? Does that person know your commitment to the connection you have? Pray with me: “Father, thank You for the freedom we can experience in friendship and community in You to be free to love and trust because ultimately what we share is in You and about You. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of sharing life with others, knowing You are our God. As above, so below. Amen.”

Proverbs 18:24 MSG Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. In our culture today, people have never been busier and never so isolated. Couple that dynamic with social media and we quickly find that real friendship, true friends of the heart and soul, have become somewhat of a lost art. For those who follow Christ, the opportunity to develop a core circle to go deep together will always be possible. We all know that friends we choose can become closer than some family. The kind of friend Solomon described in today’s verse stays steady and true while others move in and out of our lives. We pick up right where we left off, no matter how long ago the last visit has been. You never have to explain yourself because you are forever understood and accepted. Picture in your mind those one or two friends that are there for you, no matter what. What are your favorite things about them? How do they make you feel when you are down? Thank God for them, the gift of true community. Listen again to Proverbs 18:24: Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. For the next few minutes, focus on the best Friend you will ever have, the One who is there during the victories of the day and the heartaches in the night, the One who created you, redeemed you, and brought you into His family forever—Jesus Christ. Ask God to reveal an even deeper level of intimate friendship with Him. Let’s pray, friend: “Dear Jesus, thank You for my heart friends, my soul friends, those You have placed in my life that truly do stick by me closer than family. Thank You for Your friendship and allowing me to be Your friend. As above, so below. Amen”

Luke 18:15-17 NLT One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Jesus made His message clear: He wants parents to bring their children to Him to touch and bless. He wants no one to stop His interaction with His kids for any reason. There is no such thing as “bothering” Jesus for you or your kids. In fact, He said His kingdom belongs to children. No matter how old someone is, the way to enter His presence is to have the heart and faith of a child. Is it time for you to take your kids to Jesus and, all of you, even you as their parent, become like little children before Him? How would it look different in your life to approach your Father as a little child? Maybe there would be less pressure on trying to be perfect to approach Him? Picture yourself coming to His open arms as the little girl or boy that you were. Read just verses 15 and 16 again with the emphasis only on the parents, the children, and Jesus: One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. … Jesus called for the children and said …, “Let the children come to me. … For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” Today, for our closing prayer, in this quiet moment, envision bringing each of your children before Jesus. Ask Him to hold them, love them, and bless them. And while you’re there, as His child, allow Him to do the same for you. “As above, so below, Amen.”