Good News - December 2018

"[We are] destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB). "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2 NASB). "Don't duplicate the outward performance and thought patterns of your home of origin, resulting from your past pain, or the culture in which you were raised, but let God change you into a new person by changing the way you think and process. Then you will discover God's will for your life, which is virtuous and en- joyable and complete" (Romans 12:2 Paraphrase NRW) Most Christians know that they are to have a renewed mind. Many times we are told that we can get this by the reading and study of scripture. That can be part of the process but the Pharisees memorized the first five books of the Bible and were not transformed to recognize the Messiah Jesus when He came. In fact, it was the Bible scholars who were the LORD Jesus’ worst critics and enemies. Many people have read through the Bible and never been changed but no one has carefully, prayerfully, meditated on Scripture seeking to look inside to let the LORD deal with their deepest wounds and not been changed. The contrast in this passage between the unbelieving ideas of the world and the new mind in Christ “is the difference between an outward conformity or dis- guise and a thorough inward assimilation. The Christian is not to copy the fleeting fashions of the present time, but to be wholly transfigured in view of that higher mode of existence, in strict accordance with God’s will, that He has chosen for the Christian.”[1] So, how do we do this? First we must be willing to examine ourselves in the presence of God and look for the life principles that run our lives. Then we need to examine these principles in the light of the gospel of Christ and the TRUTH of God’s infinite love. This can be done by a “sacred reading”[2] of Scripture done care- fully and prayerfully with the effort to be radically honest with ourselves and God. The Essentials of Living curricu- lum is filled with tools, experiences, truth and processes that can help you discover God’s wonderful will for your life. So seek the Lord to help you experience this transformation of mind and heart that your full po- tential for good can be found in Christ Jesus. Dr. Norman Wise is the Execu- tive Director of Living Water Christian Counseling and host of “Ask the Counselor” on GraceNetRadio.com. Living Water can be reached at 954-726-2303. [1] Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers [2] http://poorclaresc.com/zzz/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sacredreading.pdf ENCOURAGEMENT 24 DECEMBER 2018 Good News • South Florida Edition How do we gain a Change of Mind? By Dr. Norman Wise Living Water Counseling