The Mind of Christ

June 7, 2011

The Mind of Christ
Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 2:12-16

The best life you could possibly live is the one your Creator has designed for you. He has given believers everything they need to become more like Him and to achieve all He has planned for them. Since the way we think is vitally important in this process, the Lord has given us the mind of Christ. Now we have the capacity to think as He does and to see situations from His perspective.

This marvelous ability to align our thoughts with His is a gift that we receive from God at the moment of salvation. However, the practice of it is our responsibility. We all come to Christ with minds which are already “pre-programmed” to one degree or another. For example, a child who grows up hearing demeaning comments will probably incorporate them into his concept of who he is and what he can accomplish. Also, this world system is constantly attempting to fit us into its mold, and Satan tries to inject his lies into our thinking.

If we are to experience the abundant life the Lord wants us to have, old thoughts that do not agree with God’s Word must be replaced with truth. Then we need to screen the ideas that bombard us each day. As we cooperate with God in this ongoing process, our lives will be transformed.

Compare your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs with biblical teachings. If they don’t match, reject those patterns of thinking, and fill your mind with corresponding truths from Scripture instead. Since the Lord has empowered believers to think right, let’s cultivate the mind of Christ within us.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit http://www.intouch.org/.

Sunrise, sunset,
Swiftly fly the years,
One season following another,
Laden with happiness and tears...


June 7, 2011

God's Favorite Word is "Come"


Isaiah Chapters 1-2

Situation   Isaiah revealed Judah's impending doom.  God vowed not to listen to the prayers of his people because of their excessive sin.  But God assured he would restore Israel after purging it of sin.

Observation   A loving and patient God continued to offer hope to the Israelites.  He offered forgiveness if they repented.

Inspiration     In fact, it seems {God's} favorite word is "come."

"Come, let us talk about these things.  Though your sins are like scarlet, they can be as white as snow."

"All you who are thirsty, come and drink."

"Come to me all, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest."

"Come to the wedding feast."

"Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people."

"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink."

God is a God who invites. God is a God who calls.  God is a God who opens the door and waves his hand pointing pilgrims to the full table.

His invitation is not just for a meal, however, it is for life.  An invitation to come into his kingdom and take up residence in a tearless, graveless, painless world.  Who can come?  Whoever wishes.  The invitation is at once universal and personal.  Are you ready? ( From And the Angels Were Silent by Mac Lucado)

Application   To repent means being both remorseful for your sin and also acting so that you do not repeat the sin again.  What sin are you enjoying?  Repent of it.  Then put the past behind and live a new day.

Exploration    God's forgiveness--Genesis 50:15-21; 1 Chronicles 21:8; Luke 11:4; Acts 8:18-23; Romans 12:17-21; 1 John 1:9.

The Devotional Bible Experiencing the Heart of Jesus - Max Lucado, General Editor, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Pages 821 and 822, New Century Version

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21


"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." Matthew 16:24-27


Remember this: "Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. " James 5:20


The Apostle Paul writes: "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:13-16

The gates of Jerusalem have a story to tell. 

The book of Nehemiah records the rebuilding of the city around 445 B.C..  In chapter three, repairs were made to ten locations, beginning with the Sheep (aka Lion's) Gate near the north eastern reaches of the wall corresponding to the general  proximity of the modern Herod's Gate.  Each gate is listed as Nehemiah names then in a counter-clockwise rotation:

1. Sheep Gate (Lions Gate) (Neh. 3:1)(John 1:29) Via Delorosa

2. Fish Gate (v.3)(Matt 4:19)

3. Old Gate (v.6)  (Romans 6:6)

4. Valley Gate (v.13) (overlooking the Gehenna Valley)

5. Dung Gate (v.13) (Is 65:6, II Cor.5:17)

6. Fountain Gate (v.15) (John 9:7, 16:17)

7.  Water Gate (v.26) Regeneration, 3,000 people were baptized on Pentecost! Nehemiah and Ezra read the Law of Moses at this gate, place of worship.

8. Horse Gate (v.28)(Service, lay up treasures in heaven) 

9. East Gate (v. 29) (Acts 3:2) Triumphal Entry

10.Miphkad or Inspection Gate (v.31) (1 Cor.3:13-15, Hebrews 9:27, Rev 20:14)


Adapted from June 2006 Cover Story written by J.R. Church of Prophecy in the News.

Today these Gates are called: Lions Gate, Herod's Gate, Damascus Gate, New Gate, Jaffa Gate, Zion's Gate, Dung Gate, and Eastern Gate.