Today we get to listen to the Apostle Paul as he writes to the Christians in 1st century Rome!
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ......... 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:1-2,5-6!
Last Sunday we talked about how the "voices" we listen to in our mind really determine how well we are doing in our inner being - the place of deepest intimacy. And how we are doing there dictates a great deal about how healthily we engage with others, especially family, with appropriate intimacy!
Am I listening to "lies" or "Jesus' Voice of Truth" in my inner being? I am vulnerable to believing lies - especially when it comes to my assessment of me and others! What do I do?
This word from God through Paul helps me! 1) I get to focus on Jesus Truth! When His Truth conflicts with my lies Jesus Wins! I get to believe that! 2) Any voice of condemnation is not the voice of Jesus, "There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!" I get to believe that today! 3) My mind needs a boss! I am not a good boss for my own mind! The Holy Spirit has applied for the job! I'v been fired He has the job! The Spirit is the leader of my mind "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." I get to believe that today!
So today I woke up and looked at my calendar on my phone! Guess what! I have the blog today! Then I immediately thought of all the stuff I have to do! I thought about prep I need to do for the Alpha retreat and Sunday's message. I thought of all the emails I needed to respond to and if anyone is upset with me about anything! I thought about whether I was being pleasant and loving to my wife and if I was going to be able to spend enough time with my son who is home from college this week. All that happened in my mind before I took my second waking breath. Very quickly my mindset was fertile ground for feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, self-centered, pre-occupied, self-condemnation is beginning, .......... and when I get like this (remember at this point I'm not out of bed yet) I don't have much life in my intimate center and therefore I don't do appropriate intimacy with others well in this condition! In other words, I am a pain to be around!
Then I read these verses! I read them a second time and a third! The three things I listed above were almost instantly apparent to me! "Jesus' Truth wins, NO condemnation (even for late bloggers), and the Spirit is the best boss for my mind!"
The Spirit of God is in charge of my thinking and my day! I get to believe that and act like it today! My heart and inner being is in such better hands when "governed by the Spirit" than when governed by my flesh. WOW!
Spirit of God, fill me afresh this day! Lead me in all truth! Anoint me for my life and walk and calling this day! WOW! Amen!
PS. For those of you that are wondering.... I did make it out of bed! Have a great day in the Spirit!
