Keys Of The Kingdom – Three Keys To Renewing Our Minds

 

 

 

 

 

Some time ago, the Lord impressed upon my (Mark) heart three important elements we needed to pay particular attention to.  God stressed the fact that, regardless of how we may be feeling, we couldn’t be nonchalant about our Christianity in order to follow His leading in our lives.

The devil will do everything he can to discourage you from truly believing and acting upon these three keys.  But, if you persist and renew your mind to these three scripture truths, you’ll be well on your way to discovering an abiding peace, rest, joy and true liberty in  Christ.

Often we combine all three, but there are also times when one or two of them come to mind just when we need them.

The first key was to learn to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (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 10:3-5

I (Mark) was having so many defeating thoughts and didn’t feel like I could overcome them.  Jesus taught me to “change the channel” (take thoughts captive) whenever harmful thoughts came to mind.  For instance, when we were on food stamps and welfare, I felt so ashamed, embarrassed and worthless.  Jesus told me that when those negative thoughts attacked me that I was to say or think Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Doing so would take my mind off the attacking, lacking thought and remind me that God would provide for us.  This verse gave me a way of extinguishing the enemy’s fiery darts.  If the fiery dart was regarding my past or hope for my future, I was to remember Romans 8:28 and the fact that God would and could use anything for my good.

By showing me this second Kingdom key, God was going to add more liberty to my thought life by helping me to always remember that He’s working all things (like welfare, ill health, or a questionable future) for my good even though I could not understand how He was going to do it at the time.  I believe that when a Christian has this rich truth developed in their heart, that it produces a liberty and peace of mind beyond words.  The protection that the power behind this verse contains is so supernatural and freeing.

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

Romans 8:28 can bring great deliverance to a person who’s dealing with panic disorder and anxiety disease.  It has the power to disarm fear and change anyone’s outlook by turning any situation into an opportunity to cast care on Jesus.  I really believe this verse leads to perfect love casting out fear (1 John 4:18).  Just writing this puts a Holy Spirit smile on my face.

The third key is praising God in all things.  Praising God no matter the circumstance can bring His Presence on the scene and intercept enemy attacks of hopelessness and despair.  At times, when I have trouble sleeping, I begin praising God and the next thing I know, I’m waking up after having fallen asleep.  I also use praise to intercept satanic lies.  Praising puts me in a God frame of mind.  Never forget, satan wants our attention and tries to grab it with his fiery darts.  Praising God can instantly place our attention back onto God and His faithfulness.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2 Thessalonians 5:18

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1

The Three Keys Are:

1. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ

2. Remember that God Almighty is working all things for your good

3. Praise God in all things

 

 

God bless,

Mark

Three Keys To Renewing Our Minds

Hello Fellow Christians,

 

 

 

 

I’ve been trying to find a symbol that paints a picture in our minds to remind us to keep applying Romans 8:28; Ephesians 5:20 and 1 Thessalonians; and 2 Corinthians 10:5.  I’d still like to find a three-arrow circle like the one above (but clockwise instead of counter-clockwise) that I can place these wonderful verses on.

Anyway, I like to keep these verses in mind throughout the day.  I’ve asked God to remind me of their truths whenever I need them.  Regardless of how I may be feeling on any given day, they’re kind of my antivirus to keep me safe from the enemy’s lies, his viruses that attack my faith, peace, joy, trust and rest in Jesus.  They help me to keep dwelling in the secret place of the most High and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty.  That’s home to me, and there’s no place like home!

As God helps me take on more and more of His character, these three powerful Biblical truths and commands protect my overall growth.  They keep a hedge of protection around my walk with our precious Lord.

I can see billboards, hats, t-shirts, refrigerator magnets, aprons, and all kinds of items with the three arrows in a circle reminding us of these keys.

Remember that God’s working all things together for your good; to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ; and to thank and praise God (like the apostle Paul did when imprisoned) in all things, all circumstances.

God bless,

Mark