Tag: patience

Is Your Mind Set?

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

When you do, you set your mind on the things of the Spirit.

Meaning, do you purposly focus on the things of God?

The fruits of the Spirit come to mind. Love, joy, peace, etc. Remember them from Sunday School?

When we purpose and choose to focus on the things of God, we abide in life-giving moments. Holy appointments.

The Holy Spirit brings to mind things God wants us to do, say, or think. Pay attention when He nudges you.

Verse 6 says setting the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. It equals each other.

Setting your mind on God will bring you life and peace.

Isn’t that what we are all seeking? To live well and have peace?

So the question then becomes this: how well do you set your mind on these things? The things of the Spirit?

Let’s go back to the fruits of the Spirit. You will produce these fruits or outcomes when you set your mind on God.

Do you set your mind on love? Genuinely caring about others through your actions, words, and time?

Do you set your mind on joy? Causing thankfulness to burst forth in joyful explosions?

Do you set your mind on peace? Reminding your mind that God, not you, is in control?

Do you set your mind on patience? Keeping yourself slow and steady as you wait on God’s timing, not yours?

Do you set your mind on kindness? Opening doors, smiling at strangers, and doing the little things that mean so much?

Do you set your mind on goodness? Wanting the best for others and sacrificing for their benefit?

Do you set your mind on faithfulness? Staying pure to your commitments and honoring God with your values from Him?

Do you set your mind on gentleness? Providing a soft touch or word, soothing another’s aching soul?

Do you set your mind on self-control? Refraining from thinking only of yourself and what your flesh demands?

We can all do better, I know. But Scripture reminds us that purposing to set our minds on the things of the Spirit will produce life and peace.

Imagine if we all tried our best. If we really set our minds on the things of the Spirit. If we really put others first, ourselves last.

Do you live according to the Holy Spirit, who dwells in you?

Imagine if we all began to truly live as God asks us to live. Among the chaos of this world, we would begin to invite a bit of heaven here with us. I’m in. You?

Living Within God’s Presence

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:4-5

Picture living within the blessing of God.

Within His purpose for your life.

What does that look like?

Peace resonating from the depths of your toes.

Comfort knowing you are obeying God’s will for your length of days.

An absence of fear knowing God is right by your side.

Sound good?

Of course it does.

Let’s keep going.

Living within God initiates a constant conversation with Him.

After all, it’s not possible to know Him without talking with Him. Constantly.

You begin to share all the details of your day.

As they happen.

No, you’re not literally talking out loud all the live long day, but you know, in your head.

Constantly referring everything back to God.

Asking Him for wisdom.

Patience.

Mercy and love.

As you are tempted to look within yourself for solutions, fear creeps back.

Like an old weed that never completely dies, it rears its ugly head at the least likely moment.

But when you live within the presence of God, you don’t allow that weed to take root.

You cancel the lie with the truth of God.

You push the worry away as you remind your brain how God is in control.

Your heart remains at peace while you purpose again to focus on God. On His truth.

When you choose to live within God’s presence, it’s a moment by moment choice.

You purpose to focus on God.

And when you forget, you plop yourself back into His arms as you again refocus your brain.

Training yourself takes time.

Retraining your brain that is.

But as you choose God moment by moment, it will become easier and easier.

Before you know it, you’ll react less within yourself when life bumps you.

Our life has so many choices.

Too many if you ask me.

But there’s one choice that is easy to make: choosing to focus on God.

Ask God to help you and He will be more than happy to accommodate you.

After all, He loves you like nothing else.

Photos by Luke Thornton, Pascal Bullan, Elijah Grimm, & Allef Vinicius on Unsplash