* A Mindset for Reset

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  
Philippians 2:5

 

If we are going to do something to the best of our ability correctly, we must have the right mindset to succeed at it.  Mindsets play a significant role in determining life's outcomes. By understanding, adapting and shifting our mindset, we can improve all sorts of things like our health, we can decrease our stress and become more resilient to life's challenges and we can certainly improve our stability and success in our walk with Jesus.  A mindset is one that influences how we think, feel, and behave in any given situation.  Our behavior is directly influenced by the mindset that we adopt in each situation.  There are all types of mindsets that we can adopt and adhere to as we go through this life like:   

Ø  A Self-trust mindset. To do anything great, you have to be able to trust yourself and believe in your capabilities  

      Ø  A Goal-setting mindset 

      Ø  A Patient mindset

      Ø  A Courageous mindset 

      Ø  A Focused mindset 

      Ø  A Positive mindset 

      Ø  A Learning mindset

All of these are good mindsets to have, but I want to talk about the one that deals with a focused mindset.  Apostle Paul is representative of one, who with the right mindset which was to be focused, was able to be all and do all that God called him to do.  He said:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:14

If we want to obtain the prize, we have to have a determined mindset that is focused such as Apostle Paul’s that says:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:13  

When we pair that mindset with the things of God, we have a heavenly mindset.  And that’s what we need to win this race, to obtain the prize – a heavenly mindset; all eyes on Jesus!  But, we as believers have to understand that we are no longer part of this world, and we must actively “seek” to think the way God has called us to think. We must seek things above.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Colossians 3:1

There is a process that can help us on our journey called the 4 D’s – duty, discipline, desire and delight.  It is the discipline aspect that deals with the mind.  Apostle Paul says:

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  Philippians 3:15

This is where I say we have work to do.  Right now, we are studying Roman’s 12 and the first thing that stood out to me was verse 1 which states: 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  Romans 12:1

My question to that is well, how do I do that; particularly when I’m used to doing things my way; my wants and desires come first.  Apostle Paul must be a mind-reader because He comes back in verse 2 and says:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, . . .  Romans 12:2

This is something that we have to do ourselves as we lean on God and His Holy Spirit for support.

It takes discipline to get, maintain and keep a heavenly, God-centered, Jesus first attitude mindset

The inquiring mind is full of questions like:  How do we practice and develop this discipline of thinking on things above, transforming our mind, when the world and enemy influences are constantly beseeching us?  How can we actively discipline our self to seek those things above?  Well, I have some tips for you: 

®       Actively seek heavenly things by impressing Scripture upon our heart

It is through Scripture that we renew our minds and start to think on things that are noble, good, and righteous—we start to think more like God and less like the world. We adopt kingdom standards and loose worldly standards.  Inquiring minds want to know - how do we impress Scripture upon our hearts? Listen to what Moses said to Israel:

And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6–9 NLT)

He gives them several ways to impress God’s Word on their hearts.  

v  They were to teach the Word of God to their children.

If you are going to think on heavenly things, you must be a teacher. You must teach it to your friends; teach it in small groups; teach it to strangers. When you have to teach something, you can’t help but think upon it all the time. 

v  They were to talk about the Word of God everywhere: at home, when walking, when lying down, when getting up.

This didn’t mean that they were to only have theological conversations. This meant that they needed to view everything from the mindset of God and what God thought about things.

We should automatically think about what Scripture says when we see movies, watch the news, or are asked a simple question. And yes, you will be considered narrow-mined when you do this, but this is the type of mind that pleases God—a mind that is set on God’s Word.  

v  They were to develop reminders to help them memorize it; they were to tie it on their hands, foreheads, door frames, and gates.

This may be done literally as Israel did or with memory flash cards, pictures, and paintings, but, even more so, we should set up places and times in our daily life where we will always encounter the Word of God. This includes things like daily meditation, small group meetings.  It is important that we gather with like-minded individuals:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25

By tying it on their hands, head, and doors, they constantly saw the Word of God. This is important because if we don’t do this, we may sometimes go a week and realize, “I haven’t read the Word of God; not only have I not read it, haven’t given it any thought”

It sounds like a lot of work, but in order to “set,” to have a mind that is immovable from the things of God, it takes discipline. Many believers know nothing of a mind that has “set the Lord before them at all times and they will not be shaken”

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalms 16:8)

Many Believers are shaken by every little event. A mind that is “set” happens only by rigorous acts of discipline, and we must seek to develop this through study of the Word of God.

How else do we discipline our mind?

®      Actively seek heavenly things by rejecting everything that is not from God.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2)

By this same token, we have to guard our minds from the enemy and from worldly infiltration so that we are not so easily shaken

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  2 Thessalonians 2:2

Knowing the word of God guards our mind so that we are not shaken by the lies, deceit, fairy tales, misinformation, disinformation, truth versus God’s truth.  We are stabilized, rooted and grounded by the word of God. 

Apostle Paul said we should not only seek things above but also turn away from earthly things. In order to think heavenly thoughts, we must get rid of or keep away from things that would draw us away from God.

For example, we are called to get rid of anxieties. Scripture says,

“Be anxious for nothing”  (Phillipians 4:6)

While your mind and emotions are overcome with anxiety-ridden thoughts, there is no way that God can be the center of your thoughts.   That’s just one thing, we are also called to get rid of lust, anger, envy, jealousy, and anything else that is not of God

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (Colossians 3:5–9)

That takes a focused, determined, heavenly mindset!  A determined heavenly mindset will say, this may mean 

ü  not watching certain TV shows, 

ü  not reading certain magazines or books, 

ü  not listening to certain music, 

ü  not hanging around certain people, especially when we find they contribute to drawing us away from God through ungodly thoughts and actions.

We must always zealously protect our minds. Apostle Apostle Paul said,

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).

We must take captive every thought and bring it into submission to Christ. Make no mistake here, brethren. Our thoughts are not neutral, innocent, or harmless. Our minds are either lorded by Christ or someone or something else. Is Christ Lord of your thoughts?

®      The believer actively seeks heavenly things by developing a consistent prayer life.

“Be joyful always; pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–17)

Or like in our bible study:

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;  Romans 12:12

It is through the discipline of prayer that we develop a heavenly mindset. We must learn how to pray at all times, bringing every thought before our Father.

Be like Peter, who while he was in prison, prayed without ceasing. 

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  Acts 12:5

®      The believer actively seeks heavenly things by fostering healthy fellowship.

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20)

Our thinking is often affected by our friends. The fool in Scripture is a person who says there is no God or does not live for God

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. . . (Psalms 14:1).

– and then conducts themselves accordingly rather the words ever come out of their mouth – thier action says it all. 

Therefore, the wise are people who fear (reverence) and honor God

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.   (Proverbs. 9:10)

We must develop friendships with wise, godly believers who help us seek spiritual things.

What type of thoughts do you have that commonly reject a heavenly mindset? How is God calling you to practice these disciplines to develop a heavenly mindset; a mindset that keeps us in a position for a reset?

Remember that a mindset is more than an idea; it has more weight and causes you to do what you thought you couldn’t do.

(Sermonette)