DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY – THE SPIRITUAL MIND.

Let the mind of the master be the master of your mind. - Source Unknown.

If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won't correct you for asking. But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can't make up your mind, and you surely can't be trusted. So don't expect the Lord to give you anything at all. - James 1:5-7. (CEV)

Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it. - J.I. Packer.

There are 7 things we need to know about the mind:

1. The devil attacks us in our minds.
2. We are not to have a worrying mind.
3. We are not to have a carnal mind.
4. We are to love God with our mind.
5. We are to renew our mind.
6. We are to have a ready to receive mind.
7. We are to have the mind of Christ

The wisdom God gives us, to deal with the above, is the capacity to apply spiritual truth to daily decisions. “Faith” here suggests a willingness to respond and act on God's guidance. The doubtful person, who hesitates to respond obediently, will be unable to receive what the Lord is eager to give.

G. Campbell Morgan had already enjoyed some success as a preacher by the time he was 19 years old. But then he was attacked by doubts about the Bible. The writings of various scientists and agnostics disturbed him (e.g., Charles Darwin, John Tyndall, Thomas Huxley, and Herbert Spencer).

As he read their books and listened to debates, Morgan became more and more perplexed. What did he do? He cancelled all preaching engagements, put all the books in a cupboard and locked the door, and went to the bookstore and bought a new Bible. He said to himself, "I am no longer sure that this is what my father claims it to be--the Word of God. But of this I am sure. If it be the Word of God, and if I come to it with an unprejudiced and open mind, it will bring assurance to my soul of itself."

The result? "That Bible found me!" said Morgan. The new assurance in 1883 gave him the motivation for his preaching and teaching ministry. He devoted himself to the study and preaching of God's Word. - Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, -2 Cor 10:4-5. (ESV)

When we try to work things out through our imagination, and by crossing bridges before we get to them, by figuring the outcome based on our knowledge, we have exalted our knowledge above the knowledge of God.

Recently National Geographic ran an article about the Alaskan bull moose. The males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with antlers crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon are broken. That ensures defeat. The heftiest moose, with the largest and strongest antlers, triumphs.

Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer, when the moose eat continually. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately sport weaker antlers and less bulk.

There is a lesson here for us, spiritual battles await us, and Satan will choose a season to attack. Will we be victorious, or will we fall? Much depends on what we do now, before the wars begin. The bull-moose principle: Enduring faith, strength, and wisdom for trials are best developed before they're needed. - Craig Brian Larson.

The wisdom of God's Word will give us faith to receive the abundance of God's gifts and the knowledge to obey His will. We cannot walk with God and do our own thing (double-mindedness), and expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to ask for wisdom in all situations and circumstances, that I may know your mind, and have victory over the enemy. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY