I have always been set back by the phrase “Love the Lord your God with all your mind”. Seems sometimes we do not have the power over what our minds are subjected to, and renewing our minds seems to be a daily activity.
My past is being used today to help others overcome in the powerful name of Jesus. Sweet! But there are days when the past has a way of sneaking in and causing torment with in me. That only happens when I allow the thoughts to hang around long enough to affect me. Romans 12:2 says that ” we are to be transformed by the renewing our minds”. Scripture has the answers to all my questions and all the grey areas of life. (Seriously, God has no grey areas)
Philippians 4: 8-9 (NIV) …Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praise worthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Can you think of any one thing that will fill any of these criteria, better than the Lord? I can’t. Scripture is also full of verses that explain God as truth, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. So when the negative starts to move in on me, and seeks to sabatoge my day…I think it, say it out loud, sing it, turn up the radio…what ever it takes to think on these things. There are have been times when those thoughts have totally overwhelmed me, and thinking seems clouded…then I just say one word.. JESUS. And the thoughts have to leave because of the power of just the name of Jesus.
I do love the end of verse 9…all instruction comes with what the benefit is to be obedient. Peace…the God of Peace will be with you. Can’t imagine anyone who doesn’t want to have peace, and totally amazed at how once taking the step to Philippians 4:8-9 myself, Peace floods and negativity runs from me. Back to renewing the mind, by thinking on these things.
( my brother Carl, is looking for stories to help compile a book on Philippians 4 :8-9, if you could give a brother a hand, I am sure that there is a blessing in it for you )
ponderings of a princess... 
Darla, this is great. It is exactly the way I have stayed above insanity. Really. I had someone ask me recently if I understood how the Holy Spirit works in the believer’s life. I could only respond, “If He wasn’t working in my life, I would be in the corner of the room curled up in a fetal position by now.”
He brings peace when we think on Him, when we speak the name of Jesus, when we hold Him foremost in our minds.
Thanks, Darla.
Darla … Thanks for the link up…
This is a beautiful post… And exactly what we are talking about with Phil 4:8. It is a filter for our lives, and can help us wade through all the Garbage we soak in and hold onto.
God is Good…
This is wonderful, and so true! It has to be daily~ and constant…I love to have days of complete peace and the renewing of our minds from our former fallen state is the only way to do it. Love you princess and thank you for this! 🙂
Wow, I love your posts Darla, you have such a good grasp on these principles and I find your writing really helpful.
This whole thing of capturing negative thoughts and bringing them into the captivity of Christ, is something I want to get better at, and your post has helped me to see that this is a day by day, moment by moment even, battle. But you are so right, the peace of God that comes is really, really amazing.
I chose Philippians 4 :8 as the “heart verse” for my blog. It’s up in the header. My intention is to try and write in way that reflects this verse – the lovely things, the noble, pure, praiseworthy – to try at least 🙂 God bless and thanks for such a great post.
I’ve been trying to do that more lately. Keeping the thoughts captive to begin with rather than trying to bounce back when the go astray.
It’s my prayer daily, all day sometimes.
Darla,
I’m working on it, working on it and working on it moment by moment, day by day. I want it to become my biggest habit.!!! It keeps me in line and out of trouble, and for me, this is BIG.:) I am so thankful you had a wonderful trip out west here. I felt your presence on the ocean breeze way down here. I hope you returned home refreshed and restored.
Renewing my mind? I am working on it!!! 🙂 I love you sister.
Laurie in Ca. (way the heck far down below Oregon)
Our mind is a precious thing to guard – God needs first place in there for sure – especially mine1 It can get crazy in there! I need to renew daily!
I just ate my last Hershey bar…. 😦 *sniff*
you want to come and get some more..or should I send you some..they might melt til they get there..and I think I saw them at your store…but they weren’t from Hershey direct..fresh..mmmmm