Jesus is Real. So many believers go through life never recognizing all the ways he's working for our good. Let me teach you how to see the world from a higher perspective, so you can see God everywhere.
Click the Button to Purchase Your Journal
Mind of Christ
Establish Your Connection: Ask Holy Spirit to help you to understand that Jesus came to make a way for us to be part of the kingdom of God. His death and resurrection opened up the opportunity to live a higher way. Without Jesus there is no way for us to enter into God's kingdom because sin isn't allowed there. Take some time to let this soak in. Share with Jesus how you feel about what he did.
Click Here to Watch
Week 9 Intro: Journal Pg. 54
Day 1: Journal Pg. 55
"And your members ... - Christians should devote every member of the body to God and to his service."
Tongue should be consecrated to his praise, and truth, and kindness, and benevolence;
Hands should be employed in useful labor for him and his cause;
Feet should be swift in his service, and should not go in the paths of iniquity;
Eyes should contemplate his works to excite thanksgiving and praise;
Ears should not be employed to listen to words of deceit, or songs of dangerous and licentious tendency, or to persuasion that would lead astray, but should be open to catch the voice of God as he utters his will in the Book of truth, He speaks to us every day, and we should hear him;
He commands, and our hands, and heart, and feet should obey." (Biblehub.org)
Thought: So use your body for righteousness, for the wages of sin is death. But the wages of righteousness in Christ is life.
Question: If righteousness if life, how do you benefit from doing things that are righteous.
Question: If sin leads to death, how doesn't it harm you to do sinful things?
Day 2: Journal Pg. 56
1 Corinthians 2:16 "“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ." (Bible Gateway)
Commentary: Matthew Poole's says, Believers who have the Spirit of God living in them and instructing them have the mind of Christ. This doesn't mean we know all things that Christ knows. Instead we are able to understand what he reveals and makes known to us. Unbelievers cannot understand the instruction of God because they don't have the Holy Spirit in them. Biblehub.org
Question: Why would God make is so that people can only understand His instruction and His Word when they believe in Jesus who he sent?
Question: When would it cause a problem for a believer that was trying to share faith with someone? What would you do if the person clearly didn't understand what you were trying to share about Jesus?
Day 3: Journal Pg. 57
Commentary: Ellicott's says- True...Honorable is the likeness of God because he is truth. Just...Pure. Just is righteousness in action and speech. Pure is righteousness in thought. Lovely...Commendable. Deserves love and good report. Excellence...Praise. Praise is virtue's due, where faith grows into knowledge. (Biblehub.org)
Thought: Purity of heart and mind seem to be the message of this passage, where we need to be careful what we allow our minds to dwell on. Do not allow yourself to dwell on things that don't line up with the mind of Christ because it will take you down a path of confusion.
Question: Draw two circles to represent two minds.
In one circle write the thought patterns listed in Philippians 4:8. true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellence, worth of praise.
In other circle write opposite/negative thought patterns: false, crooked, unfair, impure, ugly, vile, terrible, criticize.
Look at the thought patterns floating around in each mind.
Describe how each mindset would affect the way a person makes decisions for their life.
Question: How would the thought patterns in Philippians 4:8 help with a person's view of the future and making decisions? How do negative thought patterns affect a person's view of the future and making decisions?
Day 4: Journal Pg. 58
Love: is consistently put first in Christianity
Joy: A grace which is deeper than natural cheerfulness, rather an unfailing brightness which proceeds from calm connection with Holy Spirit.
Peace: Can be attributed to peace with God and peace with men.
Gentleness & Goodness: It can also be attributed to kindness, manners, and spiritual development.
Faithfulness: Or trustworthiness in dealing with people. Being upright and doing within our power to fulfill obligations.
Self-Control: This means you are no longer subject to flesh or servants of sin. Rather through Holy Spirit you live life in the spirit demonstrating self-control.
Question: What does Galatians 5:16-18 tell you about the difference between flesh and spirit?
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." Galatians 5:16-18
Contrast the Difference between Life and the Spirit and Life in the Flesh according to Galatians 5.
Start your Life in the Spirit list with the fruits of the spirit.
Start your list for Life in the Flesh with the things listed in Galatians 5:19-21
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21
Day 5: Journal Pg. 59
Question: What does it mean to be God's chosen ones?
Reflect: What does it mean for your life that God chose you.
Commentary: Ellicott's Commentary "Holy and beloved.—Of such election there are here two signs. The elect are “holy,” consecrated to God in thought and life; and “beloved,” accepted and sustained in their consecration by His love." (Biblehub.org)
Reflective Prayer: Write a prayer asking God purify your heart and increase your compassion, kindness, humility, meekness & patience. Ask Holy Spirit to give you picture of situation where you need to clothe yourself in these qualities. Write about what he shows you.
Additional Posts:
Option 1: No Helps
Option 2: Helps
Comments