Sound Mind Set

Deuteronomy 32:46-47: “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are to possess.” In our quote-unquote Christian culture, it is so easy for us to hear Bible verses and treat them like “idle...

Isaiah 55 verses 10 thru 12: “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace.” Lets think...

Psalm 1 from the Message Bible How well God must like you—  you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,  you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,  you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls. Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month,  Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. You’re not at...

Today, we look at Proverbs 8, a prophetic chapter where the word “Wisdom” correlates to Christ. The “me” here is Jesus. Verses 32 thru 35: “And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.  Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.  Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds...

Today, we will read the passage that contains what became known as The Lord’s Prayer—Matthew 6:6-13. The words of Jesus. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating thei...

Matthew 5:3-10 is called the Sermon on the Mount—one of Jesus’s most well-known teachings. Matthew 5:3-10 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they w...

Yesterday we were in Proverbs chapter 2. Today, we turn the page to chapter 3.  My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God a...

Proverbs 2, King Solomon speaks to our personal bandwidth, mental, spiritual, and physical balance. My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and...

In Exodus 18, Moses’s father-in-law Jethro watched him do his work one day in serving the people. He saw the stress on both his son-in-law and the people waiting for him. So he shared his wisdom with Moses. Listen Exodus 18 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone...

Luke 12:25-31 - The words of Jesus Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are he...

Isaiah 26:3-4. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. Wow … perfect peace. Who doesn’t want that? But the promise of perfect of peace only comes how? Placing full trust and fixing our thoughts on God. Another way to communicate this would be to always have a bigger focus on God than a...

Psalm 77 Listen to verses 1-3 and 10-13.  I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. … And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” But t...

Psalm 139 is well known, often quoted, and emblazoned on Christian art in many forms. Listen intently to verses 16-18: You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I w...

Isaiah 55:8-9 is a powerful passage. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, exhale, and listen closely. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” This is not meant to discourage us but rather to...

We talked about Psalm 23 and David calling God the Good Shepherd this week. Today, we look at where Jesus called His followers sheep. This is one of the most intriguing passages of Scripture because the heart of God is made very clear as to what He cares about and what gets His attention. Mathew 25 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his...

Today, we will return to Ephesians again. Ephesians 4 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us...

Today, our Scripture focus will be on two of Paul’s prayers found in the book of Ephesians. First, listen to Ephesians 1. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has...

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known chapters in the Bible. We hear these words read in so many settings. But in this beautiful poetry by the shepherd-turned-king David, he speaks of God the Father as his Shepherd and relates life to what he offers his own flock. Listen with your heart, and hear about the life that God offers you, just as he did David … The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I...

In Mark 12, Jesus was asked which of the ten commandments was most important. His reply surprised them: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” What is the first key phrase in this passage? The action verb Jesus began with...

Philippians 4 6-7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Peace that transcends understanding will guard our hearts and minds.   This passage says we don’t have to be anxious about anything beca...

Ephesians 2:14-15 (The Message)  The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two group...

In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. … I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other...

 John 14:25-27  I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.  “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.     In this pass...

Colossians 1:19-20   “For God in all his fullness   was pleased to live in Christ,   and through him God reconciled   everything to himself.   He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth   by means to Christ’s blood on the cross.“    What an amazing thought, the God of the universe, in all his fullness and completeness, was pleased to live as a human. And he did it all to reconcile everyt...

Luke 2:8-14Living Bible That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the...