Love God with all your mind

Mark 12:33-34 and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions. NASB

We’ve been looking at this concept of “loving God with all your mind”.

In Mark 12:33-34, the Greek word used for “mind” is “dianoia” (διάνοια), which can be translated as “understanding,” “thought,” or “mindset.” The man who answered Jesus intelligently was using his “dianoia” to understand and respond to Jesus’ question about the greatest commandment.

“Dianoia” is used throughout the New Testament to refer to the intellect, reasoning, and mental activity of individuals. In addition to its appearance in Mark 12:33-34, “dianoia” is used in several other verses:

1.      In a negative sense:

Luke 1:51: “He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts”.

Here, “dianoia” refers to the proud people’s reasoning and thought processes.

Ephesians 4:17 “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind”.

“Dianoia” here refers to the empty or vain thinking of the Gentiles.

Colossians 1:21 “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled” .

In this verse, “dianoia” refers to the sinful thought processes of those who were enemies of God.

It is clear that our text speaks to using our mind – thought, understanding, intellect, and mindset toward being committed to God and His Word and His way of thinking and this is part of the greatest commandment.

2.      Used in a positive sense:

Luke 10:27: “So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind [dianoia], and your neighbor as yourself.’”

Here, “dianoia” is used to describe the aspect of a person’s mental capacity that is to be devoted to loving God. It is found in our text in Mark and in Matthew 22. Paul uses it:

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind [dianoia], that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” .

In this verse, “dianoia” is used to describe the aspect of the believer’s mind that is to be transformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit in order to discern and fulfill God’s will.

2 Corinthians 10:5: “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”.

Here, “thought” is translated from “dianoia,” which emphasizes the importance of bringing every aspect of one’s intellectual capacity into obedience to Christ.

Overall, “dianoia” is a word that refers to the intellectual capacity of individuals and the thought processes that accompany it.

II.     A Neglected Issue

Most Christians today seldom think “loving God with their mind” as a critical part of their faith. There’s even the quip about people being 18” from salvation meaning they have the mental knowledge of Jesus but not heart belief. While this can highlight the difference between “religion” and “relationship” it is also a dangerous idea that faith is not intellectual, mental, rational, reasonable, or logical which is absolutely wrong.

Many “charismatics” and “Pentecostals” mock the theologian in the ivory tower with their intellect but no passion. But before we focus on the speck of dry sand in their eye, what about the beam of ignorance in our own. How many weird and crazy things have come out of those emotionally charged, intellectually challenged meetings?

And can someone give me some examples of Jesus’ passion and emotion as demonstrated in many modern day Pentecostal meetings?

The places of Jesus’ emotional moments can be seen in casting the money changers out of the temple [anger], the raising of Lazarus from the dead [He wept], his rebuke of Peter, and perhaps the outburst from the cross [anguish].

III.   With Understanding

Let’s look again at what Jesus is saying about loving God with heart, soul, strength, and mind using the Greek definition:

Heart: In Greek, the word for heart is “kardia”, which refers not only to the physical organ but also to the innermost part of a person, including their thoughts, feelings, and will.

To love God with all your “kardia” means to love Him with your whole being, including your innermost thoughts, desires, and volition.

Soul: In Greek, the word for soul is “psuche”, which refers to the animating principle or life force of a person.

To love God with all your “psuche” means to love Him with your whole being, including your personality, character, and identity. It involves dedicating yourself completely to God and aligning your desires and motivations with His.

Strength: In Greek, the word for strength is “ischus”, which refers to the physical or bodily aspect of a person’s abilities. To love God with all your “ischus” means to love Him with your entire body and to use your physical abilities to serve Him. It involves using your time, energy, and resources to further His purposes.

Mind: In Greek, the word for mind is “dianoia”, which refers to the faculty of the intellect or understanding. To love God with all your “dianoia” means to love Him with your intellect and to use your reasoning and understanding to know Him better. It involves studying the Scriptures and meditating on God’s character and works.

IV.  Application

Philippians 4:6-9 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.

What things?

1.       Rejoice in the Lord always (verse 4)

“But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Pt 4:13).

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Th 5:16-18).

2.      Let their gentleness be evident to all (verse 5)

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ep 4:2).

3.      Not be anxious about anything, but present their requests to God (verse 6)

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1Pt 5:7).

4.      Focus their thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (verse 8)

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

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Ro 8:6).

V.    Jesus taught these same four areas of practice mentioned by Paul:

1.      Rejoicing in the Lord always:

“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Mt 5:12).

“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:20).

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).

2.      Letting gentleness be evident to all:

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5).

“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Mt 11:29).

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44).

3.      Not being anxious about anything, but presenting requests to God:

“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear... Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt 6:25-33).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Mt 7:7).

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear... Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Mt 6:25-27).

4.     Focusing thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6).

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Mt 5:8).

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Mt 7:1-2).

 

I.       Is Satan Bound Today?

Revelation 20:1-3 (NIV)
 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.
 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

 One objection raised if one believes that the millennial period refers to the here and the now: "then how do you explain all the wickedness in the world if Satan is supposed to be bound?" How do you explain all the weakness in the world? And these are legitimate questions. They’re important questions. But in order to answer the questions we have to look at a couple of things first.

1.      What Revelation 20 does not say. It does not say that evil is gone from the world. Revelation 20 doesn’t say that anywhere.

By the way, most of the evil that you do, the devil doesn’t have anything to do with it. It’s the world in the flesh. Satan is an actual being, but he is not omnipresent. God is omnipresent. Satan is not omnipresent. Satan can only be in one place and one time and here’s a little news flash you’re probably not important enough for him to bother with you personally. Don’t mean to bust your little bubble okay?

Here’s the other issue.

2.      Your flesh does enough of a number on you that the devil doesn’t have to worry about you at all.

You can’t overcome your own flesh. Paul says that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, meaning without the Spirit in control, you can’t control yourself. Peter says the corruption in the world is due to man’s corrupt desires. James says people covet, murder, lust, and war because they don’t get their own way. Don’t think you need Satan personally. You’re flesh.

So Revelation 20 doesn’t say that the flesh is gone; it doesn’t say sin is gone, it doesn’t say evil is gone.

3.      It doesn’t say Satan is completely powerless.

It simply says “… and threw him into the pit and shut it and shielded over him”. Why? So that “he might not deceive the nations any longer”. In other words this binding of Satan has a very specific and particular application, and that specific and particular application has to do with the deception of the nations. That’s all, nothing else is mentioned out of all the stuff that Satan does. This binding of Satan for a thousand years and the one thing that’s mentioned is deceiving the nations.

4.     Satan is bound but still nations without Christ.

There are others who would still object that “okay, Satan is bound so that he can’t deceive the nations but there are still nations out there where he’s not.” “Where Christ is not known.”

 The text doesn’t say that every nation will receive the gospel. That’s not what the text says. The text does not say Satan is bound so that every nation will receive the gospel. And again the word “nations” here is the same word from which we get our word “ethnicity”. What Revelation 20 does say is that the binding is specific and limited, not comprehensive.  

This is another issue that I have with the idea of Jesus having an actual earthly reign physically and personally ruling the world with a rod of iron and the only thing that Satan’s not doing is deceiving the nations. But later on that.

5.      Satan’s ability to blind the nations is limited.

This implies that the gospel has room to thrive among the nations, which is exactly what has happened during this age. From the time Jesus rose from the dead and the Holy Spirit came, the gospel has thrived among the nations. We do not have to go to Israel to find God’s people. The gospel has thrived among the nations. Just in the book of Acts and remember we have to keep this in context when we’re talking about the nations. Usually what we’re talking about is Israel versus the nations or the Jews versus the gentiles so we’re talking about the gospel proliferating among the gentiles, among the non-Jewish nations of the world.

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel”

Acts 11:18 And when they heard this, they quieted down, and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. NASB

Acts 14:27 And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 15:3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren. NASB

Acts 15:7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. NASB

Acts 28:28 “Let it be known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” NASB

Why will they listen? Because Satan is bound from deceiving the nations and the gospel is going forth and the kingdom of Christ is expanding and extending during this age where he reigns here and now in and through his church, that’s why. Paul to a Gentile church:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

6.     What does the rest of the New Testament say?

It gives us insight into this. First of all Satan is defeated but he still fights. Don’t we see this? Satan is a defeated foe and yet he still fights. So it wouldn’t be inconsistent that Satan would be bound and that we would still see evidence of his work and his evil in the world.

Colossians 2:13-15 And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

So the rulers and authorities have been disarmed and Christ has triumphed over them and put them to shame so that means they don’t do anything, anymore right. You know better than that. So why does Revelation 20 have to mean that Satan didn’t do anything anymore especially when Revelation chapter 20 is much more specific than Colossians chapter 2? Colossians chapter 2 is much more comprehensive in what has happened not just to Satan but to all spiritual opposition as a result of what Christ has accomplished on the cross.

7.      The war still rages.

So why is it that we can look at Colossians chapter 2 and understand that this victory has come, this triumph has come, and yet the war still rages on for now? Already—not yet—but when we get to Revelation chapter 20 we see something that’s much more limited and we can’t understand why there would still be satanic influence? Satan is bound but he’s still active.

Luke 11:22 but when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied [trusts], and distributes his plunder. NASB

This is what Jesus was doing to Satan.

John 12:31 “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out.”

Jesus said that now, during His time.

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”

 They’re cast out of heaven and yet they’re active.

8.     Satan is powerless to stop the proclamation of the gospel.

Luke 10:17-20 And the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you. 20 “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

What’s the context here? That of the gospel going forth. These 72 go out preaching the gospel and there is great authority as they go out and preach the gospel. Why? Because the kingdom has come.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. “

This relates directly to this issue of Satan being bound concerning the deception of the nations during this particular period. Jesus says, “all authority”. This leaves no room for anyone else to have any authority in heaven or on earth.

Jesus gives this great commission before his ascension. Now if the binding of Satan so that he doesn’t deceive the nations doesn’t happen until some future time after the so-called church age then how is the great commission accomplished? It seems to me that Jesus makes it very clear that Revelation 20 is the reason that Matthew 28 can be accomplished. Because of the binding of Satan specifically during this period of His reign in and through His church so that the nations can be evangelized.

 

A WAY TO PRAY

Lk 11:1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

One of the greatest disciplines of being a believer in Christ is prayer and stats show it is one of the most difficult for believers to consistently practice. But the Word is filled with admonitions, warnings, and examples of both prayer and practice. This study is primarily a gathering of prayers and petitions from the Word of God with helps to pray effectively.

1.       NT Prayer Outline:

Jesus said to pray this way:

Mt 6:9-13 Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed [holy] is thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give me today daily bread. Forgive me my sins and trespasses even as I forgive those who’ve trespassed against me. And lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, the power, the glory forever. Amen.

[not a rote prayer but meditate each clause Joshua 1:8 that you may see how to apply the Word]

2.      OT Prayer Outline:

Ps 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 You make me lie down in green pastures; You lead me beside quiet waters. 3 You restore my soul; You guide me in the paths of righteousness For Your name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death [Hb. darkness, doom], [1Jn 5:19] I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

[Ps 119 – 176 vs. concerning the word molding heart and mind]

3.      For Spiritual Transformation.

[1Jn 1:9] I confess my sins [I do], You are faithful and righteous to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. And I thank you.

[Ps 51:1-3] Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion I thank you for the blood of Jesus that blots out my transgressions; that washes me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanses me from all my sin. I have acknowledged my transgressions, and my conscience is made clean by the blood of your SON [Heb 10:22; 1Jn 1:7; Heb 9:14; 1Pet 3:21]

Eze 36:25-27 I am thankful that You have cleansed me by the blood of Christ from all filthiness and idols. You have given me a new heart and new spirit. You’ve taken the heart of stone out and given me a heart of flesh. You’ve given me a new spirit and you have put Your Spirit in me to cause me to keep your commandments, precepts, and walk in the truth. [Ps 51:10-12]

Force me – circumstances, situations, “make it necessary” as my only rational option.

4.      For Self-examination

Prayer is a time to examine ourselves about being right and honest with God.

[Ps 51:6] You desire truth in the innermost being and I ask that You make me know wisdom that I might bring glory to Your name. You have purified us through the blood of Christ, and we are clean by Your word. You’ve washed us whiter than snow. We now hear joy and gladness, and that which was broken is healed. Through Christ you have hidden your face from our sins and blotted out all our iniquities. You have restored to us the joy of Your salvation And we ask that You sustain us today with a willing spirit and teach us wisdom in the secret heart. Help me examine myself and judge myself rightly that I might stay strong in the faith and pass the tests and trials that come my way. That I might have strength and health and be useful to the kingdom. [2Cor 13:5; 1Cor 11:28-30]

[2Cor 7:1] I also cleanse myself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit as they are revealed to me and I repent of those things I knew were right but didn’t do. Help me complete the holiness you began in me. I acknowledge that any of my sins is against you, and I repent.

5.      For our protection.

Psalm 91:1-7 Yahweh, this day grant that I might dwell in Your secret place, and abide [stay, live] under your Almighty shadow. You are my fortress and my refuge; in You I will trust. Deliver me, I pray, from the traps and snares of the enemy and from the deadly pestilence. I Trust Your faithfulness as my shield and safeguard. I will not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the fiery arrows that fly by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, or the destruction that lays waste at noon. Please protect me from the lies and conspiracies of men and the strife of tongues, for I confess that You are my refuge from the storm, my defense in times of distress, my provision in times of need, a shade from the heat. [Psa 31:20; Psa 32:7 Isaiah 25:4]

Ps 91:7-12 Though disaster may surround me, only with my eyes will I see it, for I have made YOU my refuge and dwelling place. As much as YOU deem proper and right, I ask that NO evil will befall me or my family, nor will any plague come near my tent. For You will give Your angels charge concerning us, To guard those under my care and those of my extended my family in all our ways. They will bear us up in their hands, That we do not strike our foot against a stone. [Heb 1:14].

6.      For our peace of mind – full armor & practice [Phil 4:9]

I put on the full armor of God this day--the belt of truth [Your word is truth]; my feet shod with the peace of the gospel [as much as possible that I would be at peace with all men]; wearing the body armor of His righteousness; helmet of salvation;; shield of faith; sword of the spirit; praying always with all manner of prayer. [Eph 6:10-18]

Phil 4:6-8 I cast all my cares, concerns, fears, discouragements, depressions, and anxieties on You Lord. I bring them to you in prayer, petition, with thanksgiving and Your peace keeps my mind and heart on you. I choose to meditate on the good, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, and noble.

1 Pt 5:6-9 I humble myself under Your mighty hand, O God, that You may exalt me at the proper time, 7 casting all my anxiety over the present and the future on You, because You care for me. 8 Help me be of sober controlled spirit, on the alert as my adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But I resist him, firm in my faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by my brethren who are in the world.

[Rom 8:28] I trust that you are working in me both to will and to do Your good pleasure. That all things today will work out for good because I love you and answer your call. I intercede for my family, my leadership, my friends, and fellow workers. Keep us in the center of your hand as we work towards enlarging your kingdom. Let us know that you are working with us with signs and wonders and let us see some of the fruit of our labors. I ask these things in Jesus’ Name whose name is above every name in the earth, above the earth, and under the earth. Amen [Mt 28:20; Phil 2:9-11; Mk 16:20]

7.      For our authority.

Lk 10:19-20 You have granted that we might tread upon the lion and the cobra for you have given us authority over all the power [ability] of the enemy. You have promised that nothing shall be any means hurt us. We rejoice that our name is written in heaven in the book of life. You will not forget our labor of love which we have shown toward ministering to your saints and will continue to minister as you direct us.

I stand upon YOUR Promise: Ps 91:14-16 “Because I love YOU, therefore You will deliver me; You will set me securely on high, because I know Your name. “I will call upon You, and You will answer me; You will be with me in trouble; You will rescue me and honor me. 16 “With a long life You will satisfy me And let me see Your salvation.”

8.      For our healing and deliverance.

Psalm 103:1-22 I bless You Lord. I bless Your holy Name. I do NOT forget all Your benefits. By the blood of Jesus on the cross and by His stripes you took away the sins of the world and my sins in particular. You pardon all my iniquities, You heal all my diseases; 4 You redeemed my life from the pit, You crowned me with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 You satisfy my years with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle. 6 You perform righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. … 8 You are compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. … You have not dealt with me according to my sins, Nor rewarded me according to my iniquities. 11 For I trust in your lovingkindness which is as high as the heavens are above the earth, toward me because I fear YOU. I thank you that removed my transgressions from me, as far as the east is from the west. For you know my frame that I am but dust, here in the morning but gone by the evening. My days are as grass. But Your lovingkindness is from everlasting to everlasting on me because I FEAR YOU. I strive to do all Your precepts.

[Lk 7:7] Because as the centurion said, “Just say the Word and my servant shall be healed.” So it is with me, Your word has spoken, and Your word accomplishes what You’ve sent it to do. [Isa 55:11] It will not return void. And so I ask you, Lord, “Just say the word Lord and we shall be healed, well, cleansed, and made whole, fully equipped to do your will.

9.      Against our unbelief

Jn 15:1-7 You are the vine we are the branches and apart from you we can do nothing. Help me, Lord in my unbelief, doubts, fears, and insecurities. Help me bear fruit in all seasons. I know you are doing and have done all that is needed to see me be fruitful. Help me recognize your pruning and molding and help me believe all things are possible. Mark 9:22-24 “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 11:22-24 I declare my faith in God. No matter the mountain before me I believe it to be removed and cast into the sea. I will continue to believe, to ask, to seek, to knock till your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. I will believe to receive. 1 Jn 5:14-15 This is the confidence which I have before You, that, if I ask anything according to Your will, You hear me. 15 And if I know that You hear me in whatever I ask, I can know that I have the requests which I have asked from You.

10.    For help in walking upright

Help me Lord to keep your commandments: [Gal 5:16-18; 22-25] [To love you with my all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love my neighbor as myself. To submit to the Spirit of God to change my character; to walk after the Spirit in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Purity, and Self-Control.]

[Hb 12:1-3] Help me also to lay aside every encumbrance and any sin which so easily entangles me and let me run with endurance the race that is set before me. I fix my eyes on You, Jesus, the author and perfecter and finisher of my faith. Help me endure my cross, and the hostility of sinners so that I will not grow weary and lose heart. Help me walk as you walked [talk, feel, act, and react].

11.     For wisdom and knowledge

[Joshua 1:8] I meditate upon Your Word in order to SEE [understand, know] how to keep and do all that is written in Your Word. And so I will make my way prosperous and have great success.

[Eph 3:16-19; Col 1:9-12] Fill me with the knowledge of your Will in all wisdom and spiritual strength and understanding that I might walk worthy of you unto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work and strengthened with all might by Your Spirit in my inner man.

[Jn 14:26; 15:16; 16:13] Lead me into all the truth, show me things to come, bring things that you have spoken to my remembrance, and let me walk in the light that I might be cleansed from all sins and unrighteousness. Prepare the way for us today and make straight our paths. Open doors of opportunity. Let your favor and grace and blessing overshadow all that we do today. Let your light shine through us.

[2 Peter 1:2-4] Grace and peace are multiplied unto me this day as I increase in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ my Lord. Your power has given me everything I need for life and godliness. You have called me by Your glory and Excellence. You have granted me Your precious promises that through them I will escape the corruption in the world through uncontrolled lusts and I have become a partaker of Your divine nature.

12.    For leadership, family

I pray for leadership at all levels that You would grant wisdom and strategy and divine protection on them and their families. That they would watch over us as those who have to give a report to you [1Tim 2:1-2; Heb 13:7,17]. I pray that they may do so with joy and not complaints for that would be of no advantage to us.

I submit to your direction and calling, and I will be your witness to teach transgressors Your ways that you may see sinners converted to You. O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise [Psalms 51:1-17; 1 John 1:9]

13.    For unity

1 Cor 1:10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. NASU

Phil 1:27-29 O Lord, help me conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that wherever I go I will stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together with true saints for the faith of the gospel. Let us stand unafraid and unshaken by those opposing us knowing this is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for me, because this has been granted to me for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake [Rom 8:16-17; Col 1:24].

14.    For perseverance

Matthew 24:13 Through your strength I will strive to endure to the end and be saved. I will not let my heart be troubled nor fearful for I believe in Yahweh as my Father and Jesus Christ as My Lord. I receive the Peace you left for us, not a worldly peace but one of your power and authority. John 14:1; 14:27

I pray my heart be good soil, one where the Word of God will bear much fruit as I receive it with great joy and much patience enduring all tribulation, persecution, or temptation. Help me overcome unbelief, impatience, ignorance, rebellion, and fear of suffering. Mk 4; Mt 17:19-20; Mk 14:40-41; Lk 17:5.

It is my prayer that when you do come, I will be standing in faith on the earth. Lk 18:8

 

 

All of Jesus

In our study on the thinking of Jesus we soon realize that He KNEW His Father the way WE can know Jesus – as LORD, healer, savior, deliverer, encourager … Jesus told Philip in Jn 14:7-8 that he who knows Jesus knows the Father and John tells us that this is the true God and eternal life [1Jn 5:20]. But this knowledge requires a supernatural encounter and change through the Spirit of God.

Eph 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that (1) He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, (2) to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that (3) Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able (4) to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that (5) you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

To quote an anonymous saint: “Our problem is that we have all of Jesus we want. Not all of Jesus we need, but all of Jesus we want.” He was speaking for more people than his immediate congregation.

“We have all of Jesus we want”

Billy Graham knew how much he needed Jesus. He told a 1993 crusade in Portland, Oregon, “I can’t live the Christian life alone. I’m a failure. Billy Graham cannot live the Christian life. I’ve tried. I can’t do it. But with the help of the word of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, I can live the Christian life. But he lives it through me.”

Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Rev. Graham knew that we need Jesus as much as he did. In 1955, he said on “The Hour of Decision,” “The regeneration of the individual is much more needed than the revolution of society.” He stated that same year, “If I didn’t believe that the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ held the answer to this world’s baffling problems, I would go back to the farm and the rural life that I love and spend my days in peaceful solitude.”

He declared, “When our minds are on Christ, Satan has little room to maneuver.” And he knew that when we are changed by Jesus, everything about us is changed: “The transformed man loves when others hate. He is just when others are prejudiced. He is understanding when others misunderstand, and he is poised when others are frantic.”

I.        How does this happen?

Gal 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

1.                    Desire

Psa 63:1-5 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. 4 So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.

Dr. Graham was convinced: “If Christianity is important at all, it is all important. If it is anything at all, it is everything. It is either the most vital thing in your life, or it isn’t worth bothering with.”

Paul writing to the Philippians lays out his pedigree and then discounts it entirely:

Phil 3:7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

Paul’s ultimate purpose and passion were clear: “That I may know him” (v. 10).

2.                   Pursue

We often seek after God the way a thief seeks after a policeman.

Phil 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 29:13 ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Knowing Christ is the purpose of the Christian life. Everything else about our faith is secondary and derivative. We were created for an intimate, daily, personal relationship with our living Savior.

So, let me ask you: How well do you know Jesus today?

The answer is simple: You know Him as well as you want to know Him. And knowing Him is by His Word and faith, not our opinions and ideas. Hear Paul on this:

Ro 10:2-8 For I testify about them [his own countrymen] that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it [the word of righteousness] say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” — that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

You can know him just as you can know any other living person, but with greater connection because He promised His Spirit would live in those chosen to be His sons and daughters.

1 Cor 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

2 Cor 6:17-18 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.

3.                   Practice

James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

You get to know Jesus just like you get to know anyone else: by spending time with him.

Read his word to hear His voice. Listen for His Spirit as He speaks to your spirit. See His hand in His creation (Col 1:16) and be thankful. Speak to Him through the day. Practice His presence by seeing yourself in His presence, and it will be so. Guard your heart against the assaults and lies of the enemy – Let His Word dictate your thinking.

Too many want a relationship with God AND a relationship with the world. This is impossible.

2 Cor 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

Ro 8:34 “Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Jesus is as close as your next prayer.

A final quote from Billy Graham: “My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ.”

Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

 

Dystopia or utopia

Rev 22:3 “… there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.”

Frequently, Christians and non-Christians alike have a misconception about the nature of a perceived life in heaven. I do not see us merely “going to heaven” and sit around in some semblance of holy laziness.

2 Peter 3:13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

I.        a new earth and new heavens

While the exact nature of this new earth and heavens are not fully revealed -- we will be given jobs to do!

Just what those jobs may be, or what they may require, is not specifically revealed to us, but it is abundantly clear that the kind of job, or the degree of responsibility, will be a privilege based on what we do here on this earth now.

We do know that righteousness dwells there – I take that to mean that everyone allowed to go will do things correctly and godly. Believers are to be “practicing” [Phil 4:9] these things NOW in preparation for the “new earth”. Imagine this earth without the compounded ravages of sin since the fall. What would this earth be like? That seems to me the closest image I can envision for what’s coming. We’re in training now. [Heb 5:12-14; 1Jn 3:2; 1Cor 15:50-55]

II.     according to one’s labor here

 In the parable of the pounds (Lk 19:11-27), Jesus illustrates judgment based on productivity. The same amount of money was given to each of the servants, and only one general instruction was issued: “Occupy till I come” (v. 13). The reward that each servant received was in direct proportion to how much profit he had earned on the nobleman’s money.

In the parable of the talents (Mt 25:14-30), the nobleman gave differing amounts to each of his servants, “to every man according to his several ability” (v. 15). The reward was based on efficient use of abilities, not on amount of profit produced.

Both of these parables have a common thread: The rewards (analogous to our rewards when the Lord returns), based on their productivity or their effectiveness, were rewards of responsibility. To those servants who had proven themselves capable of leadership, the Lord delegated “authority over cities” and rulership “over many things,” indicating that there will be some sort of social order in the age to come. Imagine the “woke” among us learning that God’s order is not based on gender, race, or convenience.

Likewise believer, in our present service for the Lord, we are now given the opportunity to earn both God’s commendation and His future greater stewardship. It would seem that God created productivity to be part of the human personality and those who won’t work won’t eat [2Thes 3:10-13]. The law was not made for the righteous man but for the unrighteous [1Tim 1:9], the lazy, the proud, the busybody, and anyone else who would see their personal agenda as greater than God’s purpose.

And God’s “equity” is based on one’s ability not some artificial standard where everyone lives as Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos. We need to be content and happy at what our hand finds to do and do it well. From the very beginning every human being was gifted toward a unique function within the body of Christ [Rom 12:4-21].

1 Peter 1:17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth: NASU

III.   What is Dystopia and Where Do We See it in Real Life?

Contrast this with the “utopian” idea of a perfect society as envisioned by man. The communists, socialists, and elitists have and are trying to move society toward that end. Look at any large city with the myriad of problems created by their social policies of “equality” and “equity”.

Here are some excerpts from an article I found regarding what secular writers are calling “dystopian” regarding the present direction of our world.

A dystopia is an imagined state or society in which the conditions of life are extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror.

We see dystopias in books and movies all the time. But where do we see them in reality? There are many examples of dystopian societies throughout history, fiction, and even right in front of our eyes today.

1.                    Dystopian Societies in Fiction

There are many examples of dystopian societies in fiction. A few examples include The Hunger Games, 1984, and Brave New World. In each of these stories, the society is controlled by a powerful government or dictator who restricts freedom and imposes strict rules on the citizens. These societies are often characterized by poverty, oppression, and inequality.

The Hunger Games is a dystopia because the citizens are forced to fight each other to the death in an arena for entertainment.

1984 is dystopic because people are constantly being watched by “Big Brother” and their freedom of speech, thought, and expression is restricted.

Brave New World portrays a dystopia where people have no freedom or individualism; they exist only as part of society’s collective consciousness.

Fahrenheit 451 is dystopic because the government has banned books and reading. People are forced to live in a society where they cannot be educated or learn about anything new.

V for Vendetta: The government controls every aspect of people’s lives and oppresses them through fear and violence.

2.                   Dystopias in History

There are many examples of dystopian societies throughout history.

The Soviet Union under Stalin; Nazi Germany; China during the Cultural Revolution. All of these societies have one thing in common – they are repressive, totalitarian regimes where the government controls all aspects of people’s lives. People are not free to speak their minds or criticize the government. They are often poor and oppressed and live in fear of the authorities; they are constantly monitored for compliance and all levels of public communication are censored and filtered. Under such a regime, atrocities can take place under the noses of its citizens with very little protest. Consider the governments mentioned above. They are still among us and are manifesting everywhere.

3.                   Dystopian Societies Today

A dystopia, by definition, is a society that is characterized by the absence of individual freedom and happiness. In other words, it’s a society in which the citizens are not able to live a happy and fulfilling life.

While we’ve seen that such dystopian societies can be found in books, movies, and TV shows, they can also be seen in our world today.

a)    For example, the dystopian society that we see in North Korea.

In North Korea, the citizens are not allowed to have any freedom of expression or freedom of movement. They are also not allowed to own anything, and they are constantly watched by the government.

b)   Another example of a dystopian society is China.

In China, the government monitors all internet activity, and there is a great deal of censorship. Additionally, the citizens are not allowed to protest or speak out against the government.

In such a society life is extremely bad or oppressive due to deprivation, oppression, or terror. With the growing wealth gap, poverty level players in first world economies are progressively asserting that they too live in a dystopic world. One where a wealthy few control the masses.

In summary: A dystopia is a society that is characterized by its negative aspects. It can be defined as a society where the conditions of life are extremely bad, often due to poverty, war, or political repression. A dystopia can also be seen as a society that is in decay or decline. It’s important to remember that dystopias are not just fictional worlds; they exist all around us.

Matthew 24:12-13 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13 “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. NASU

 

BLESS GOD FOR FURNISHING THE BREASTPLATE

Now through His grace you are able to defend yourself with the continual comforts which heaven sends to withstand Satan’s power.

People are destroyed by the devil every day because they do not have the breastplate of righteousness to defend their hearts against his murdering shot. If God had made you famous and rich in the world, but not holy, He would have given you nothing more than fuel for hell. How then can we forget to thank God for His precious breastplate of righteousness?

2 Cor 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

When an enemy approaches a city without walls or arms for defense, the wealthier the city the worse the destruction. And each time Satan comes to a man who has much of the world but nothing of God in his soul to defend him, he makes a miserable wreck of the person. He takes whatever he pleases and does whatever he wants with such souls. The devil’s plundering possession is so thorough that the captive would not think of postponing or denying a lust. Although he knows what this fulfillment will cost him in hell, he goes ahead and damns his soul rather than stand against the burning demands of temptation.

Romans 1:32 “… although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”

Herod threw down half his kingdom at the feet of a malicious wench; and when she decided this was not enough, he sacrificed everything he had. But if the blood of John the Baptist cost Herod his throne in this life, surely it was nothing compared to the wages of divine providence paid immediately when he met death.

But let the saints humbly shout “Hallelujah!” When God made you a holy man or woman He gave you gates and bars to your city. Now through His grace you are able to defend yourself with the continual comforts which heaven sends to withstand Satan’s power. Once you were a timid slave to him but now he is under your feet. The day you became holy God firmly planted your foot on the serpent’s head. Your lusts—mighty strongholds which gave him easy control—have been taken out of his hand.

Galatians 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Satan has been dislodged and can never again set himself up as king of your soul.

Because Satan has nothing in Jesus with which to grab, neither has he anything in you who are in Christ. Christ is our righteousness.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption…”

Not only are we alive by faith in Christ, but we are also to LIVE by such faith.

Romans 1:17 For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.

 

KEEP YOUR BREASTPLATE ON

Faith is a shield. Will a soldier drop his protection unless he has been seriously wounded?

David expressed keen sorrow for the unholiness in his life: “O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more” (Psalm 39:13). He did not want to die until holiness ruled his heart again. Ungodliness is a poison which drinks up all serenity of conscience and inward springs of joy. If you throw a stone into a clear brook it will soon become muddy.

Psalm 85:8 “He will speak peace unto his people but let them not turn again to folly”.

Carelessness in the walk of holiness dangerously exposes your faith, which is kept in good conscience as a jewel is protected in a cabinet.

Faith is an eye, and sin casts a hazy mist before it. To faith, a holy life is like pure air to the eye; we can see farther on a clear day. Thus faith sees further into God’s promise when it looks through a holy well-ordered life.

Faith is a shield. Will a soldier drop his protection unless he has been seriously wounded? If faith fails, what will happen to hope, which cleaves to faith and draws strength from her as a nursing child takes nourishment from its mother? If faith cannot see pardon in the promise, then hope cannot look for salvation. If faith cannot claim sonship, hope will not wait for the inheritance. Faith informs the soul it has “peace with God” and then the soul rejoices “in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

Are you trying to use the sword of the Spirit? How can you hold it when unholiness has seriously maimed the hand of faith that must carry it?

This sword has two edges—one side heals but the other wounds. With one it saves and with the other it damns. The Bible does not speak a single kind word to the person who practices sin. Now—think and then think some more—is any sin worth all this confusion which will inevitably strangle and smother your soul?