ATTITUDE

A business man on his deathbed called his friend to his side and made one last request of him: “Steve, when I die, I need you to promise me that you will make sure that my body is cremated.” Steve replied, “What would you like for me to do with your ashes after I carry out your request?” He replied, “Just place them in a large envelope and mail them to the Internal Revenue Service and please write in red ink …Now you have everything!”

Paying taxes and experiencing death are the two inevitable events of life according to Mark Twain. How you approach both says a great deal about your attitude and the level of faith where you are living your life.

A quote from author, Charles Swindoll. “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think, or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company…. A church…. A home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will react a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play upon the one ‘string’ we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.”

DID YOU KNOW PETER QUIT - part 1

John 21 is the story of Peter being brought back into ministry. When you think about it, this is an amazing fact. Really, you could say that humanly speaking the furtherance of Christianity had been placed into Peter's hand. But now he has abandoned the call. 

Peter was unquestionably the leader of the disciples. Every time the disciples are mentioned in the Bible he is always mentioned first. He is the outspoken one. he is the one who answers question when no one has asked any. He dives in when the water is shallow. And he makes promises that he doesn't keep.

This is why he is fishing for fish and not men in John 21. He has quit. The reason seems obvious - he promised Jesus he would go all the way, even death, and soon after denied that he even knew Jesus. He gave up. He quit and returned to fishing.

Peter makes the announcement in verse 3 when he simply says he is going fishing. Here is the part we miss with the english translation - Peter spoke in the aorist tense meaning this was a continual habitual action. He wasn't saying he was going fishing for a while, but that he was returning back to fishing on an ongoing basis. Peter was quitting his calling as a disciple. 

That's the first tragedy. The second tragedy follows in verse 3 when six other disciples said they were going with him. That's usually how it happens when someone falls and goes astray - others fall too. We now have 7 disciples who have left their calling as disciples and Peter was leader of the pack.

 Crossing of the Red Sea

There's plenty of debate over exactly where God parted the waters for the crossing of the Red Sea (and even if it was a different body of water altogether), but based on best guesses of archaeologists, it's a pretty cool visualization:


--The crossing path was probably ten miles long and at least a half-mile wide to accomodate over 2 million people


--They would have walked downhill for a mile or two, then flat across the bottom for a few miles, then uphill to the other side


--At the bottom, the walls of water could have been over 5,000 feet high on either side of them! For comparison, the tallest building in the U.S. is Chicago's Sears Tower at 1,700 feet (including steeple/antenna). It would takethree of them to equal the height of the water that was parted for the Israelites as they walked across the sea floor.

DEALING WITH DEMONS

EPHESIANS 6:10-24

Far too long the church has been made up of sissies. This is the one group that it seems ok to push around, make-fun-of, and dismiss. This is not to be an army of weak, wimpy Christians.  

The command from verse 10 is to be “strong” in the Lord. The word “strong” literally means to be clothed in strength (dunamis). This word is the one from which we get our word dynamite. Does that give you a clue? 

This is written in the present tense which  means to be continually strengthened - ongoing. It is also written in the passive which means though you are to be continually strengthened, you cannot do it your self. It is the kind of strength you must rely on another to possess. Yet, you are commanded to have it.

The same verse then gives us the word “power.” This is the Greek word kratos. It denotes strength and might and control and power. Again, it is a power we do not possess in ourselves. It is a borrowed power or a transferred power.

Ok sissy Christians, get a feel for what Paul wants to say by grasping the three macho words in this one verse: strength, power, and might. These are battle words; they are Marine types of words. If you get the idea there is some kind of battle for which Christians are to be prepared, then you are correct. 

Did you hear about the WWII soldiers who were still bunkered down years after the war was over? They hadn’t heard they were no longer at war. Just the opposite is true for so many Christians, they haven’t heard there is a war in full rage. Here’s what you can mark down, if you do not know you are in the midst of an all out battle, then you are seriously getting your butt kicked and do not even know it. You are losing!

Let’s keep going with the passage. Verse 11 says to put on the whole Armor of God. This is the process of getting spiritually dressed. Just because you are a Christian does not mean you are automatically clothed with spiritual armor. The opposite is true. Also notice there are no pieces for the rear, only the front. Christians are not to be sissies who are running away. This is a full force ahead endeavor.

The reason for the armor is made very clear at the end of verse 11. It is the schemes of the devil. Did you know the devil has schemes? Did you know these schemes are designed specifically for you? Did you know that all of your weaknesses, either picked up or passed down from family, are considered in Satan’s schemes? Satan has designed schemes just for you and the end goal is to trip you in your Christian walk and cause you to fall and take others with you.

Verse 12 may be the most difficult to swallow of all. It clearly states that our battle is not with flesh and blood. Do you believe that? Stop it because you don’t. Neither do I most of the time. I’ll prove it to you. Then why do you get into arguments with your spouse or kids if your battle is not with flesh and blood?

Our true battle happens in the spiritual realm. Paul is very clear our everyday battle is with demons. Ok, don’t freak out. But neither do I want you to misunderstand me. I did not say we battle Satan. I said demons. Satan can be only one place at one time; Satan is not omnipresent. Most of us have never even come across Satan. If he, let’s say, in Iraq, then he is not here.

Consider these words in verse 12: rulers, authorities, powers, forces. What do you notice about each of these? It is that they are all plural. That can’t be Satan, he is not plural. He certainly is the general overseeing this war. But day-to-day encounters are carried out by his demonic forces. Specifically, these are references to a demonic hierarchy in the spiritual realm. This is where our battle takes place. No wonder so many live defeated lives, they do not even know who the enemy is. Imagine going out to battle and not have the enemy identified. What are your prospects of winning that? Slim.

“Therefore”, which is how verse 13 begins, “put on the whole armor of God.” That’s Paul’s answer. Based o the fact that we are in a spiritual battle with demonic forces, put on the armor.

Let me quickly identify the purpose of each piece of armor. The Helmet of Salvation protects your mind and thinking. The Breast Plate of Righteousness protects your heart which is the seat of your emotions. It is to protect you emotionally. The Belt of Truth is to remind us of the truth - who we are in Christ. The Scandals of Peace refer to walking in peace as peacemakers where ever we go. The Shield of Faith is our faith in Jesus and His faith which we stand behind to protect us from the fiery darts of the enemy. Finally, there is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. We use the Word of God in a defensive manner by throwing scripture back at temptation. Also, it is an offensive weapon which we use to lead others to Christ.

Here is our war. Here are the enemies. You can’t see them, but they are there. You do not have to succumb to their strategies. You are expected to live in victory. Your keys to success are clearly set before you in this marvelous passage.

Raising Children or Eating Them

Ephesians 6:1-9

In the animal kingdom, parents often eat their young. Have you ever felt that way? OK, maybe a little extreme, but sometimes you feel a little extreme when it comes to parenting.

The Part We Miss - We understand the part where children are told to obey their parents. But in that sentence there is an implication we miss. Do you see it? Look at it and think for a moment. Give up? OK, here it is.

This letter called Ephesians, like the other letters of the New Testament, were written under God’s supervision by people like Paul. They were then sent where? They were sent to the local churches of Asia Minor - the area around modern day Turkey. These letters were then read to the congregation by the local pastor. Figured out where we are going? What this mysterious implication might be? Let’s keep going then.

This was the method of distributing God’s Word because there were no printing presses and individuals did not have a copy of the letters in their homes. So the church would receive it, read it, sometimes copy it, then send it on to the next church in line. Almost there - neither could most people in this day read. It would have been useless to have individual copies as a result. Therefore, and that is a huge therefore, to hear God’s love letter called the New Testament, where did the people have to go? Yep, to church. One more step.

Ephesians 6:1 was a command give to whom? Children. Where were the butts of these children planted when the Bible was read? In the church. If Paul is speaking directly to children in 6:1, where were these children? In church! So, the implication is two-fold: One, have your kids in church to hear God’s Word. Do you see that underlying implication? There is no substitute for this. Second, there is a place in the actual “big” church for kids. Do you think there is something important about the entire family gathering together for the reading of God’s Word? That seems to be how it was done in the New Testament days. I am not suggesting we do away with nurseries and children’s programs, but maybe, just maybe, there are times the church should gather entire families from little Billy Bob to PaPa Joe for the reading of God’s message. Why not have special occasion when everyone filled the auditorium and heard the Bible read? For get the noise of little ones - or should I say over look it. This is one family experience I see implied in Ephesians 6.

Now The Bible Study - 

CHILDREN - What’s the age limit? When does a child come out from under this command to obey their parents? Is it when they are teens? Is it at 21? Perhaps when they move out of the house? Maybe when they get married and have a family of their own. Honestly, any answer would be supposition. But may I throw an opinion at you? As long as your child is depending on you, then this command applies. As soon as they are independent of you and your wallet, then they are on their own.

I think you can actually prove this by understanding the culture in which this passage was originally written. Off spring actually lived at home until they were grown and married. That doesn’t mean the older children did not make any of their own decisions, they did. That’s a part of training.

OBEY YOUR PARENTS - Big question for parents - This command for children to obey their parents is most difficult on whom, children or parents? The answer is parents. Why is that? Because it takes a lot of gumption and consistency to see to it that your child knows you are in charge. They may throw fits and cry and try to intimidate you, but you better be up for the challenge and win. If you do not, you will have hell on earth.

How about a Greek word lesson? The word for obey is hupakouo. It carries the idea of one who is obedient to another because they are inferior. In the home, Dad and Mom are the superior in case you were wondering. Children are required to obey their parents. This is what God says.

Children must be trained to obey and that’s the parents job. The little nerds do not always want to line up with their rules, but that doesn’t give them a pass. God requires obedience. It is necessary for their spiritual and psychological health.

Colossians 3:20 says children are to obey their parents “in all things.” That doesn’t mean if your parents want you to violate God’s word, but otherwise obey.

HONOT YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER - This is more about ATTITUDE where obey is more about ACTION.  

Three motives for obedience:

1. Fear - if I don’t I’ll get a spanking.
2. Want - If I do this then I will get that.
3. Respect - this includes love and honor. This is real obedience. This is what all parents are after.

“Why did you do that son?” SOn says, “Because I just love you dad.” 

The word for honor in the original language is timao. It means to value, esteem highly, respect and regard. So the action is to obey. But the attitude that counts is respect and honor.

How big is this to God? So big that He attaches a promise of a long life to those who follow. Whenever I hear of a person living to their 80s and 90s and 100s I think they must have obeyed their parents.

Submit Woman. Please

Ephesians 5:21-22

I googled the phrase “submit woman” and it pulled up all kinds of articles on domestic violence. It is funny to me that this word connotes those kind of images. Can you see why this subject is difficult when those views and definitions are on the mind. I am quite sure domestic violence is not what the Bible endorses in these verses on submission.

KEEP IT FLOWING - Paul is talking about being filled with with the Spirit. What he is about to say must be viewed in that context. 

QUESTION: Why do you think the subject of being filled with the Spirit came before the instructions on marriage, parenting, and work? Simple: can’t do it right unless you are under the Spirit’s control. Not going to happen. That’s why Spirit filled comes first. If you are not under the Spirit’s control, you will do what you do for you - selfish.

OK, we have finally gotten to the subject of submission. Such a scary word for some. Such a fun word for others. This is for sure, nothing could be more opposed to the philosophy of the world. Society says to stand up for your rights. And everyone has their rights these days, even our pets. I spoke with a guy today who said he was not putting up a Christmas because he had cats. I said “so what.” He said they climb in it and have it everywhere. I said, “ use the cats as ornaments and tie them to the tree.” OK, not really, but I thought it. If you think your rights have been violated then get an attorney. Then the Bible comes along and talks about submitting to each other. Hang on!

MUTUAL SUBMISSION - Verse 21 - This is the verse we always skip in this discussion. The same God who inspired verse 22 also inspired verse 21. Submit yourselves to each other. That’s what God says. There is a sense in which we lay aside our rights and humbly serve one another in love. 

This is for everyone. Jesus was in authority over His disciples, but He laid aside His rights and washed their feet. Phil 2:3 describes submitting to each other as self sacrifice. It is the willingness to put the other person’s needs and desires above your own wants. This will never happen if we are in the flesh and not walking under the control of the Spirit.

DIFFERENT ROLES - Verse 22 - OK, let’s step in lightly. Verse 21 does not do away with verse 22. The home is made up of equal people with different roles (Galatians 3:28). Why different roles. Two heads make a freak. The home cannot have two heads. Every area of society must have leadership if there is to be effectiveness and cohesiveness. Without leadership there is a home filled with confusion. God’s design is for the husband to give loving and sacrificial leadership to his wife and children, not authoritarian dominance.

Here is my experience, most women would love to follow the leadership of a husband who has her best interest in mind; a man who sacrifices for her and overwhelms her with love. He willingly gives his life for her. That’s what this passage is talking about. Not a man who has his feet up in the recliner with his empty coffee cup in the air. That may be a stupid man’s ideal, but not God’s.

Why does God’s design often falter? Is it because the woman can’t get it right? Is she always trying to rule her man and push him around? No! It’s the opposite. This passage about submission falls apart mostly because men are not godly leaders rather than wives refusing to follow. I do not know that I have ever spoken to a woman who did not want her man to get off his lazy butt and do something. She would melt if he took her by the hand and prayed for her and the family. She would fall over dead if he relieved her from bill paying or kid watching or whatever. What if his actions were selfless and with her best interest and sacrificial? Do you think she would have any trouble loving that? Probably not.

Notice she loving follows her husbands leadership, but no where does this say she is to follow other men. There used to be this feeling that women were to be subject to all men. Wrong! The Bible does not say that. She has a man in her life and that’s her husband. They are equal partners with different roles. 

OK wives, you do not have to submit to a husband who dishonors God and wants to lead you in that direction. There is an overriding command for all of us to honor God before men. In the Old Testament the king came to his wife Vashti and told her to dance a sexual dance for the drunk men. She rightly refused. She was not obligated to submit to that idiot.

Also, this does not mean a wife is to lose herself or personality or characteristics that make her unique. Be you, that’s how God put you together. How boring if a man and a woman were just alike. Who’d want to live with someone just like himself or her self? No thanks.

Submission does not mean a wife is a slave. Neither does sacrificial leadership make a husband a slave. And wife, you have just as much, and my opinion more influence than he does. He has his role and you have yours - both equally important, just different.

God institutes authority for 4 reasons:

One, to accomplish His purposes.

Two, to bless and protect those under authority.

Three, to develop godly character in those who submit.

Four, to help us receive wisdom for life’s decisions.

God has ordained authority in 6 areas:

One, submission to God.

Two, submission to government leaders.

Three, submission to church leaders.

Four, submission of wives to husbands and children to parents.

Five, submission of workers to employers.

Six, there is mutual submission to each other.

How do you know you are really submitting to God-ordained authority? Because you can do it joyfully. Grudging submission is not really submission.

HOW TO HAVE A LIFE FILLED WITH MUSIC

EPHESIANS 5:15-21

Want to have direction, purpose, gladness, and a life filled with music? This is your lucky day because you are about to see what the Creator of this universe, the One who designed it, has to say about it. This has always been one of my favorite passages. It’s instructions are so practical. Here you go - here’s how to get the most out of your numbered days.


Here is a simple outline of these verses: Know what the rules are for life - what God has laid out, know there is a limited time to get the most out of this life, and know how to get the most out of this life.

Verses 15-16 kicks this off by instructing us to walk wisely. Quite simply, there are two ways to live: wise and unwise. Another way to say it is to “be careful how you live.” Paul’s warning is to consider how you live and not to skid by.  

“Wise” means skillful and discerning. That’s how we are to live, skillfully. There are no excuses for a lack of this wisdom or skill. This is not that wisdom that only comes from grey hair and the passing of time. Yes, we do grow in wisdom with each year that goes by, but there is enough wisdom imparted already that we are both responsible and capable of living wisely.

To live wisely, you need to know the rules for life that God has given.  Remember, God does not give us requirements without also giving us the means and knowledge to accomplishing it.

Verse 16 helps define wise living. I love the phrase “redeeming the time.”  It means wise living involves applying wisdom to make the most of every opportunity. Opportunity, or time, is the Greek word kairos. It does not mean time only, as in a clock ticking. It refers to your time, you as an individual. You have a certain amount of time that God has given you. That time is numbered. That’s why 1 Peter 1:17 says to pass “your” time with a deep consciousness of God. Paul is saying you have a time that has been assigned by God, numbered by God, so live it wisely; make the most of it.

So you can’t just flip flop around in life. This is all you get on this side of heaven, so live it wisely, make it count, and leave something behind.  Do you see it? Right now is your opportunity. You do not have yesterday and you may not have tomorrow. Today is your day!

One last word about time, implied by this passage, is that one of your greatest acts of foolishness is wasting the time you have been giving. 

Verse 17 begins with the word “therefore.” This conjunction means based on what was previously said, here’s how you do it, here’s how you live wisely.

First, understand God’s will and conduct your life by it. This is not impulsive actions, but reflective - based on the discerned will of God. Is it intimidating to hear Paul say you are to know God’s will? God’s will is so often confusing it seems. How can we know for sure God’s will?

It has been said that His will has been summed up in Ephesians 1:9-10. There you see the overall will of God - which is a continual unity of all believers. One day this will reach its fulfillment.

Verse 18 will help us.  Verse 17 says to know what God’s will is. So verse 18 adds to this by saying to know God’s will, you must be filled with the spirit.  Let’s unpack this.

Paul provides an explanation by giving us a cause and effect picture: drunk with wine leads to debauchery. What the heck is debauchery? It means to cheapen your life and to ruin your life. The cause is getting drunk. The effect is turning over control to alchohol. 

OK, I know this is one of those touchy subjects with Christians - drinking alcohol. I’ll not take on that subject here. But what I will say is that getting drunk is wrong. It is a sin in the bible. God does not approve. Follow Paul’s train of thought....

“Instead, be filled with the spirit.” When too much wine fills you, it also controls you and leads to disorder and moral compromise. When the Spirit fills you, it leads to gladness and joy, as seen in verses 19-20. The contrast between drunk with wine and filled with the Spirit is the idea of control. You will be controlled by something, everyone is. We are commanded to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. And when you are, He will direct in line with God’s will.

Now verses 19-20 expand on being filled with the Spirit. Where being drunk leads to disorder and out of control, Spirit led opens up the heart and life to joy and gladness and music and meaning. Isn’t that what everyone says they want? What they are looking for? So many have fallen for substitutes.  The problem with subs is that they are always temporary. You’ll have to find another one eventually. But this is the real thing. When controlled by the Holy Spirit, it leads to lasting and genuine joy.

When you tap into the real thing, guess what happens next? Singing! That’s right,   crazy, joyful, uninhibited singing. Read it verses 19-20. It’s the kind of singing that makes you not care what the car next to you is thinking. 

By the way, music plays a huge role in our walk with Christ. This verse uses words like psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. I know, sounds boring. I must admit that I like Psalms and hymns to an extent, but I prefer spiritual songs. I define spiritual songs as those not in the categories of Psalms and hymns, but still have a spiritual meaning. 

Isn’t it true that music can set just about any mood? There have been numerous studies done to prove this. That’s why department stores play “buying” music/ That’s right, music that puts you in the mood to buy. There is also music that puts you in the mood to rebel or drink, or jump off a building (haha). Spiritual songs put you in a mood to praise God and give Him thanks. It promotes a joyful, soulful kind of gladness.

So, live wisely during your numbered days, by knowing God’s will, being filled with the spirit, and living a life that makes you want to sing and laugh and live! 

DON’T TALK IT, WALK IT

EPHESIANS 5:1

"Be an imitator of God."

Paul puts it flatly, bluntly, openly: “Be imitators of God.” That is a great declaration. The word for imitators is the Greek word that means “to mimic.” Have you ever seen somebody mime? They don’t say anything, do they? They express it and when they express it, it is so exaggerated that nobody misses what they are trying to say. Paul is saying this,

Don’t talk about His love, walk in His love, live it, express it. Don’t tell everybody you have it, show them that you have it. Do as God does. Mime. In other words, live it out before the world.

Mimics are those who follow the pattern or the example of God. If you want to put it simply, you can say it this way: “Be godlike.” That is the goal of Christianity. It is to produce men and women, boys and girls, who are godlike in the midst of an ungodlike world. That is what it is all about.

Reflect Him in your humanity. Be a godlike man. Be a godlike woman. From this we get our English word godly. After all, this word godly, which makes many of us cringe and feel uncomfortable, is simply a shortened form of the word godlike. It originally came from the word godlikeness. Godlikeness is godliness; godliness is godlikeness.

HOLD ON. HOLD THE FORT. STOP THE TRAIN. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. How in the world am I going to imitate God? Isn’t that impossible? The answer is yes and no. How’s that for decisiveness? Here it is - it is impossible in your own selfish nature, but not impossible when the nature of God is in you.

To be an imitator of God is not something you do for Him. It is something God has to do through you. Let me show you this. There are TWO things that are very critical that we need to understand in this text. First of all, in order to imitate God and His love, we have to be His child. The verse is very clear. He says in verse 1 again, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children."

ANSWER THIS, “WHAT DO CHILDREN DO?” They bear the characteristics and the nature of their parents. Did you know that as a child of God you have His nature in you? His very nature comes into your life. His spirit unites with your spirit and my spirit; therefore, we have the potential now out of that nature to love as He loves.

In other words, we partake of the divine nature. His Spirit living in us gives us that brand new nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. So when we are commanded to love on a supernatural level, we have the potential of doing it if we are His children and bear His nature.

The second thing not only must I be His child, but I must choose to obey His command. I want to share something with you, loving on this level is not a feeling. It is not something that is going to happen to you because you had your quiet time. It is not something that is going to happen to you because you sincerely want it to happen to you. It is something that is going to happen when you choose to love others around you. The very fact that this is an unconditional love ... means there are going to be people out there who aren’t going to deserve it and you are not going to want to love them. It is a command.

Are you living with somebody that is unlovable? If you possess the nature of God, you are commanded to love. You have to make your own personal choice to do it. 

HOW TO FIX YOUR THINKING

EPHESIANS 4:23

What is the most lasting, effective way to change how you think?  What is the most powerful tool to help direct the lives and future of your children?  How do you win over bad habits and thought patterns?  How do I become a positive person?  Keep reading because the answer is there.

Ephesians 4:17 lays the ground work by declaring that all Christians will not live the same lifestyle they did before they were Christians. That’s what Paul means when he says to not walk as the Gentiles, which represented who they were before coming to their new life in Christ.  The old life is described as one of self-centeredness, ignorance, shamelessness, and perversion.

New Study On Criminal Behavior

For years criminal behavior was believed to result from environmental factors such as where a person lived or how he was treated by his parents. But that perspective was challenged by two researchers, Samuel Yochelson and Stanton Samenow, in The Criminal Personality [N.Y.: Jason Aronsen, 1976, 1977, 1986).  Their research revealed that criminal behavior is the result of warped thinking processes. In fact, three sections of volume I (over 200 pages) are devoted to "thinking errors characteristic of the criminal." The researchers wrote, "Abandoning the search for causation and deciding not to work with feelings, we probed the criminal patterns of thought" (p. 52). They concluded, "It is remarkable that the criminal often derives as great an impact from his activities during nonarrestable phases as he does from crime.... The criminal's thinking patterns operate everywhere; they are not restricted to crime" (p. 53). The thinking process of the criminal mind is out of whack. Romans 1:28 calls it "a reprobate mind." The problem is in the criminal's mind, not his environment.

“Criminals come from a broad spectrum of homes, both disadvantaged and privileged. Within the same neighborhood, some are violators, and most are not. It is not the environment that turns a man into a criminal. Rather, it is a series of choices that he makes starting at a very early age" (pp. 104, 247).

They went on to conclude, "Perhaps most important is that [our studies have] demonstrated that a criminal is not a victim of circumstances. He makes choices early in life, regardless of his socioeconomic status, race, or parents' child-rearing practices.... Changing the environment does not change the man" (p. 249).

So we as humans have an issue with our minds.  But God has a remedy.  It is to give us a new mind.  The Bible describes it as a renewing of the mind and spirit.  Let’s get our minds, so to speak, around these principles. 

The Greek word translated "renewed" (ananeoo), in verse 23, is used only here in the New Testament; no where else in the Bible. It means "to create again" or "make new."  This is not the Greek word used in Romans 12, though it is given the same english word. The meaning here is that the mind is new, not so much qualitatively, but thinking in other ways. When you become a Christian, God gives you a new mind.  That’s where it starts.  But now you must fill it with new thoughts. My new baby boy was born with a fresh, new mind.  Now impressions are being made and will help to determine the course of his life.  

How do we become renewed in our mind and spirits? Paul says in Colossians 3:2-3 to set our minds on things that are above.  It only happens when our thinking is directed the right way.  That’s why Paul says in Philippians 4:8, "Whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  It is an issue between our ears.  Do you see that?  And it will always be an issue with our minds.

You have a choice to think on what you want; to listen to whatever you choose.  Just know that it plays the major factor in your behavior; in the direction of your life.

Direct your mind upwards.  Think and listen to those things that promote a healthy life and influence.  Do not give an ear to negative and dirty people.  They will drag you down.

If someone asks you, “How do I live the Christian life?  How do I grow in Christ?  How can I become a productive believer?”, here is your answer.

Be “renewed” in your mind.  Practically, this means to be continually undergoing a restoration process.  Get under the truth tree.  You know, the one with the fruits of positive, encouraging, healthy, giving, selfless, biblical, fruits.  Don’t give your mind junk food.

EVERYONE HAS ONE - SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Ephesians 4:4-7

Many of you are familiar with the book by Alexander Dumas entitled “The Three Musketeers”. The heroes of that story had as their motto “All for one and one for all”. This meant that each member of that group of men would fight for the group or for any of the others. In other words, they were vowing to stand together in their common fight.

Don’t you think that if anyone had that motto it should be the church?  It seems to me that if there were a group of people who could be on the same page, get along with each other, and support one another, it would be the church.  It’s too bad that is often not the case.

What is the basis of unity?  How can a diverse group of people, with different personalities and backgrounds, experience togetherness?  This is Paul’s discussion in chapter 4.  He is laying out all of these unity words and phrases like - “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”  See the unity in that?  He also says there is “one body and one Spirit and one hope.” In the midst of our diversity there is a great unity.  Here is what Paul is saying:

Verses 4-6 We Share Common Ground - The night before Jesus was crucified, He prayed for His people. In John 17, one of the things He prayed for us that His people would be “one”, John 17:20-23. To ensure that we would have the foundation upon which build in unity, the Lord provided us with 7 great possessions that every Christian shares in Him.  We only mention a couple here.

Verse 7 We Share Common Grace - Now a new thought, in which Paul will speak of the spiritual gifts that are given to the church to profit the church.  Note here that every believer possesses at least one spiritual gift, 1 Cor. 12:4-27.  THAT’S RIGHT - EVERYONE HAS ONE.  That gift that you have been given was given to you to use for the glory of God and to be a blessing to the church! As each believer uses the gifts he or she is given, the unity of the church is strengthened and the church is helped!

Notice some of words used in verse 7.  He says “each one of you.”  There is no way to miss that.  Each person, each believer, has been given at least one spiritual gift.  This refers to each one separately.  It is funny how many christians eliminate themselves as recipients of spiritual gifts. Some how they have been left out, forgotten, or not worthy. Wrong! It is very clear you have at least one. 

The real discussion is not do you, but what it is. Do not confuse spiritual gifts with talents. Playing the piano is a talent, not a spiritual gift. How do I know? Because the bible gives us several lists of what these gifts are. Find them listed in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12.

A spiritual gift is a divine enablement. Ok, let’s phrase that differently - a spiritual gift is your ministry in the church. It is what you have been fitted to do. You can do other things, but nothing fits like serving in the capacity of your gift. For example, I can be a part of the evangelism team of the church or I can be a part of an organizational committee. The process of serving in those areas is Ok, but not nearly as fun as serving in the area of my giftedness. Nothing will bring you the fulfillment and comfort as being where you belong.  For me, teaching and communicating is where it is. It comes with ease and is seldom a chore or a bore. Why? That’s where I am gifted. The same is true for you.

The bible uses to word “grace” when referring to spiritual gifts. Here grace is the ability to perform the task God has called us to. How cool is that? The Lord not only gives us a gift, but follows that with the ability to perform it...to carry it out.

You did not get short changed. Got gifted you with exactly what He wanted you to have. Then God gave both the grace and the faith to energize whatever gift He gave. Knowing this, do not seek after other gifts. Be satisfied with God’s plan. It’s time for you to discover your spiritual gift.