And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17
Ann and I were talking last night after she’d had two migraine headaches in 4 days. I woke up yesterday feeling like I’d had one in my sleep. We were “feeling” tired and a little mind weary.
We started talking about how neat it will be when we’re finally with the Lord in Heaven.
Next thing I knew, I turned to Ann and the first thing that came out of my mouth was, “Yes, it will certainly be incredible to be in Heaven with Jesus. But, I want to win back everything (peace, rest, trust in the Lord, joy, all the fruit of the Spirit) the enemy’s stolen from me through my own sin, worry, shame, coveting, unforgiveness, etc., and have overcoming victory while I’m on earth. And, I want to teach my children that they can do the same in their lives – they really can have the Lord renew their minds so they can live with God’s peace in the secret place of the Most High. I want to live like Joshua and Caleb. When I see obstacles (like the giants in the land God asked the Israelites to take), I want to say, “Surely the Lord will give us the victory!”” ☺
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm 42:5
I want to be like David!
A little while ago, I mentioned a Restoration program that Ed, at the church in Junction City, Oregon, we attended while living in Oregon, leads. One person who went through the program was asked how he was doing several months after completing the program. They told Ed, “Well, I’m doing okay, I guess.” Ed dug a little deeper and discovered the man had not been taking thoughts captive but was letting discouraging thoughts linger and steal his peace and trust in the Lord.
Folks, learning to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ is so important as we renew our minds in the Lord. Head off discouraging, defeating, self-pity inducing, and confusing thoughts that get you into a negative rut by taking those thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.
Here are the three most important keys I’ve found to keep my mind in Jesus.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
As my friend Merlin Carothers says in his great Praise series books, sometimes you have to thank and praise through clinched teeth, but it must be done to live in victory.
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 5:4-5
Remember, in this passage of scripture, God tells us we can take every thought captive. Ask for His help to do so. He’s ever faithful to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Ask the Holy Spirit to keep reminding you that God is working all things together for your good.
I use these three keys, God’s truths, to resist the enemy, to keep dwelling in the house of the Lord.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.
Psalm 23:6
God bless,
Mark