Some thoughts for Today, The harvest is plentiful

Matthew 9

English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Jesus Calls Matthew

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

A Question About Fasting

14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of un-shrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak

32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marvelled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Labourers Few

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”

Ministry v Job

When I first left the business world to work for the church in 2006, people thought I was crazy.

At the time, I was president of a successful company that was a piece of cake to manage. My life was quiet, comfortable, and easy. I wasn’t looking for a change. Why give up CEO status to be an executive pastor at a church?

For me, the answer was simple (if not easy): God called me out of ajob and into ministry. 

The difference between job and ministry represents the dividing line between hirelings and shepherds: those who work because they get paid by the church, and those who work because they love the church. A job is a paycheck. Ministry is a calling.

8 SIGNS IT’S JUST A JOB

The nature and reality of our calling should be sobering for those of us working for the church. So are you treating it as a job or as ministry? The following scenarios are meant to help us evaluate our motives on an ongoing basis in order to remain faithful to Jesus and our church.

1.   If your primary motivation is to pay your bills and provide for your family, it’s a job. If your primary motivation is to serve Jesus and be used by him as he builds his church, it’s ministry. 

2.   If you want praise and recognition for your work, it’s a job. If no one else besides Jesus needs to commend what you’re doing, it’s ministry. 

3.   If you want to quit because your spouse or kids have a difficult time with you working for the church, it’s a job. If your family understands that serving in a local church is difficult and costly for everyone, and if they count the cost and invest in it with you, it’s ministry. 

4.   If you envision yourself in another job or position outside the church, it’s a job. If there’s no other place you would rather be, it’s ministry.

5.   If you do the job as long as it does not cut into other things (hobbies, family activities, etc.), it’s a job. If you are willing to give up recreation in order to serve, it’s ministry.

6.   If you compare yourself with others outside of church staff who have more free time, more money, and more possessions, it’s a job. If you pray for people outside of church staff and want Jesus to bless them, it’s a ministry.

7.   If it bothers you when the phone rings on evenings and weekends, it’s a job. If you see random calls at odd hours as opportunities to help with gladness, it’s ministry.

8.   If you want to quit because the work is too hard, or the pressure is too great, or your performance is criticized, it’s a job. If you stick it out, no matter what happens, until Jesus clearly tells you that it’s time to go, it’s ministry.

At the end of the day, if what matters most to you is that people meet Jesus, get saved, and transformed to be more like him, then your work is ministry and we praise Jesus for you and your service to him and his church.  

UH-OH. NOW WHAT?

Some people on church staff will read the list above and realize they’re treating ministry like a job. If that’s you, here’s what I suggest:

1.   Pray. Ask Jesus what he has for you, and then spend many days just listening.

2.   Talk with your pastor. If you’re treating ministry like a job, work together to come up with a transition plan. 

3.   Know that it’s not a sin to not be called to full-time ministry. But if you’re not called, you’re taking up resources and staffing space for someone Jesus is actually calling.

4.   Church staff is not for everyone. If you’re not called to full-time ministry, then don’t take the job. The work is too hard, the pay is too little, the hours are too many, and the family sacrifice is too great. There is no reason to bring on the pain unless you are called.

5.   Consider other ways you can vocationally help the church. Start a company or a nonprofit to do what you want to do in such a way that helps the church and glorifies God. Many organizations serve and provide very helpful services to the church that are not full-time ministry. This can be a win-win, but be careful not to use the church to line your pockets.

6.   Find a secular job. Look for something that pays well and gives you the flexibility to do your thing on their time. 

I’M IN! NOW WHAT?

After all of this, if you still believe Jesus is calling you to ministry, ask him if he’s also calling you to serve on a church staff. If that’s the case, here’s what’s next: 

1.   Pray some more. Ask Jesus to clearly direct you in what to do next. 

2.   Prepare or consecrate yourself. Begin immediately a season on preparation or “consecration” (Josh. 3:5). Include your spouse and allow Jesus to strengthen your marriage and prepare you both through prayer, fasting, and meditating on Scripture. As you do, repent: the Holy Spirit will reveal sin and idols along the way. The goal is to pull close to Jesus, focus on Jesus, and listen to Jesus. 

3.   Meet with your pastor. Ask for material for reading, study, and mediation. Ask him, “Where do you see weaknesses in me and in my marriage? Where do I need to grow?” 

4.   Discuss the calling with your family, especially your kids. Pray together and ask for their commitment to wait and hear from Jesus. 

5.   Actively serve as a volunteer in your local church. Don’t wait to get hired. Start serving today! Look for areas of need rather than ways to further your own agenda or build up your spiritual resume. Let Jesus direct things. 

6.   Learn. Apply for an intern or a program like Re:Train. Take advantage of the wealth of Christian education resources online.

7.   Wait for Jesus. If it’s a calling, Jesus will give you clear directions. 

8.   Seek confirmation from people who know and love both you and Jesus. Talk to pastors, deacons, leaders in your church, etc. Confirmation can come from anywhere, so be open and receptive, but always “test the spirits.”

Finally, if you are called, be encouraged that Jesus Christ has called you to serve him in the local church.

http://theresurgence.com/2012/07/03/its-not-a-job-when-its-ministry?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=theresurgence&utm_campaign=The+Resurgence+Facebook

The Spirit of Tolerance, Post-Christian America and the Laodicean Church

The Spirit of Tolerance, Post-Christian America and the Laodicean Church

Some Sunday thoughts. Freedom In Christ

Galatians 5

English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

Christ Has Set Us Free

5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offence of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Walk by the Spirit

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

2 Peter 1

English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

Greeting

1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Make Your Calling and Election Sure

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so short-sighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practise these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honour and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”, 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 3

English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

Put On the New Self

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A Comment on Jesus’ Teaching on the nature of the Kingdom of God, with particular reference to Matthew 13:1-52 and Matthew 5-7. A Study by Blair Humphreys.

 

1) Introduction

Throughout the New Testament, especially the Synoptic Gospels * The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, there are numerous references to the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven, which *1 “ is generally considered to be the central theme of Jesus’ Teaching.

“ Although spoken to mainly Jewish Audience, some 2,000 years ago, in a province of the Roman Empire, it is still the same Life Changing and Revolutionary message today as it was then. *2 “ Jesus preached the Kingdom of God. We preach Jesus. In Him and through the power of His Message the Kingdom  *1 is available to us, but can we preach Jesus or even understand Him, without understanding God’s Kingly Rule, the central note in all His Teaching.”

*1 Encyclopaedia Britannica Article The Kingdom of God.

*2 Understanding the Kingdom of God, by Georgina Harkness, Chapter 1, Where We

Stand

It is my objective, through my own personal study of the above Scriptures and with

reading through the New Testament, especially the Synoptic Gospels, prayer

and reading through relevant articles, books such as Matthew Henry’s commentary ,

and using various translations of the Bible, to gain an understanding of the Lord’s

teaching of the Kingdom of God, and applying that teaching to myself and it’s

relevance for us today in the early part of the 21st Century.

The Kingdom of God/Heaven is the central theme and the essence of Jesus’ message

, when we read through the Gospels, we see how important this message is, there are

so many references to the Kingdom of God throughout the Gospels, (although there

several references to the Kingdom of God in the Old Testament, for example

in Psalm 145:13 Nlt “For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule

throughout all generations, “ although the Old Testament saints, only saw a

glimmer of what was to come, Matt.13:17), we can only come to the conclusion

that if the Kingdom of God is mentioned so many times it must be important.

Indeed in Matthew 6:33, The Lord’s commends us to seek, the Kingdom above all

else, or in some versions “,make the Kingdom of God, your primary concern. “ If

the Kingdom of God was central to our Lord’s Teaching, it must be central to

our Christian Walk, Witness and Lifestyle.

Indeed the Kingdom of God is the Life force of Jesus’ Message, in Matthew Henry’s

Commentary on Matthew 13, it states that “ the word of the Gospel is the word of the

Kingdom. “ Our Message must be the same as Jesus’ Message. In Matt. 13:1-23

, it describes how a farmer when to sow some seed, (the word of God) and the

responses to that word, although Jesus spoke a message that everyone could

relate to, and hopefully understand, he used phrases, terms and illustrations that

people would know, I believe that the four times of soil, can relate to 4 times of

people that hear the Gospel, a) some seed fell on the path, some people hear the

message of the Kingdom, but don’t understand it, b) other seed fell on shallow

ground, some people hear the message gladly, but because of various problems

etc, turn away, c) other seed fell among thorns, some people hear the word, but

their lives become full of other things, turn away and don’t produce a crop, 

and finally d) some seed fell on good soil, and produced a huge harvest, speaks of

those who truly accept God’s message, and see other lives transformed by the

Gospel.

In Matt. 13:9 Jesus says “ Anyone who is willing to hear, should listen and

understand! “ I believe that although, the message of the Kingdom of God

can be easy to understand, not everything who hears it, will accept it .

The Lord only reveals a greater understanding of the Kingdom to those

, who truly accept the message ( I’m not speaking of a type of

special knowledge or revelation that is only available to some sort of

initiate of a secret society or an elite band of people, because that would be

a form of Gnosticism) , in Matthew 13:11f. Jesus tells the Disciples, “That you have

been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, to those who are

open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an

abundance of knowledge. “ although Jesus was speaking to the 12 here, he also

speaks to us, we can’t understand the Kingdom, unless we have a relationship

with the King, I believe because of our relationship with the King, we will have a

fuller understanding of Kingdom, the more time we spend with Him, and as we show

others the truth that we have learned from Him. See Matt 13:52. “, He can bring out

old treasures as well as new treasures from his storehouse.”

I believe that as Jesus was sent by God, to reveal the message of the Kingdom of God

, today we’re sent by Him, to reveal to others the Gospel of the Kingdom, see

Romans 10:14, Mark 3:14 & Matt 9:37-38

The Kingdom of God is not of this world, see John 18:36, although it can be

, seen in the lives of His followers who express every day both the fullness and

revelation of His Kingdom. Indeed, there’s nothing quite like knowing the King and

being part of His Kingdom, see Matt 13:44-46.

In Matthew 5-7, we see practical and everyday Kingdom Teaching, that reaches

, through the pages of our Bibles into our lives, situations and personalities.

IVP Commentary, Matthew 5-7 Introduction “ The Ethics of God’s Kingdom”

“Jesus summons those who would be his followers to radical devotion and radical

dependence on God. His followers must be meek, must not retaliate, must go beyond

the letter's law to its spirit, must do what is right when only God is looking, must

depend on God for their needs and pursue his interests rather than their own, and must

leave spiritual measurements of others' hearts to God. In short, true people of the

kingdom live for God, not for themselves, “

This Kingdom teaching, starts with what’s commonly referred to as the Beatitudes in

Matt 5:3 Nlt. “ God blesses those who realise their need for Him, for the

Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them, “ we also see the types of people

, that God will bless in Matt 5:4f and basically it includes everyone. Amen

We’re called to be both salt and light in Society, salt purifies and light shows people

, the way to go, see Matt 5:13- 16

In Matthew 6:9f, we see the Lord’s Prayer,

“9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth,

as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins,

as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to

temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”

There are so many examples of the nature of Kingdom Living, found in

, these Chapters, Matt 5-7, but what summarises this teaching for me, can be found in

Matt 7:24-27” 24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them

into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came

down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not

fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these

words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his

house on sand.”

James 1:22 “ But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says, “

Matt 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Blair Humphreys

July 13th 2013

Bibliography

1) Encyclopaedia Britannica Article The Kingdom of God

2) Understanding the Kingdom of God, by Georgina Harkness

3) Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Matthew 13

4) IVP Commentary on Matthew 5-7

A Renewed Thinking

Romans 12 The Message ^1-2   So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:1-2 The Voice Brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship. ² Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.

Romans12:1-2 Niv Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary Romans 12:2

The mind must be renewed for him. This is pressed (Rom. 12:2): “Be you transformed by the renewing of your mind; see to it that there be a saving change wrought in you, and that it be carried on.” Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind, a change not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. It is the same with making a new heart and a new spirit—new dispositions and inclinations, new sympathies and antipathies; the understanding enlightened, the conscience softened, the thoughts rectified; the will bowed to the will of God, and the affections made spiritual and heavenly: so that the man is not what he was—old things are passed away, all things are become new; he acts from new principles, by new rules, with new designs. The mind is the acting ruling part of us; so that the renewing of the mind is the renewing of the whole man, for out of it are the issues of life, Prov. 4:23. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on of this renewing work, till it be perfected in glory. This is called the transforming of us; it is like putting on a new shape and figure.

On  Facebook, and when we update our Status on Facebook, it asks its users the question “What’s on your mind?”

In the English Language we have one word for Mind, and that word is Mind, I’m sorry for stating the obvious, The Bible was written in two languages,  the first of these was Hebrew which the Old Testament was originally written in, although it was later translated into languages like Aramaic, Greek and so on. The second language was Greek, which the New Testament was originally written in, although it was again translated into other languages, in many ways for the Roman Empire and other Empires of that time especially in the Eastern Mediterranean area, The Greek Language was the lingua franca, we call the Greek Language used then as Koine Greek.

The users of Koine Greek would have used 3 different words that we today would read in our Bibles as the English word “Mind” these are:-

1.   Sophrono or right mind, Strong’s ref 4993 To be of sound mind, sane, self-controlled, serious, moderate, sober-minded, restrained, disciplined, able to reason. From sozo.” , to save” and phren, “ the mind”  see Mark 5:15

2.   Dianoia or a thinking through Strong’s ref 1271 Dianoia combines nous, “mind” and dia, “through” The word suggests understanding, insight, meditation, reflection, perception, the gift of apprehension, the faculty of thought. When this faculty is renewed by the Holy Spirit, the whole mind-set changes from the fearful negativism of the carnal mind to the vibrant, positive thinking of the quickened spiritual mind see Mark 12:30

3.   Sophronismos or a sound mind Strong’s ref 4995, A combination of sos “safe” and phren, “the mind” hence safe-thinking. The word denotes good judgement, disciplined thought patterns, and the ability to understand and make right decisions. It includes the qualities of self-control and self-discipline see 2 Timothy 1:7

For many of us,  our thought patterns have been influenced by what our society and culture think or indeed think of us!,  the influence or propaganda of a non-Christian world view or group think has had or indeed having an undue influence on the way we think as Christian Believers, it’s time we changed the way we think.

Colossians 3:1-3 Esv

 3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

1 Peter 1:13-15 Esv

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, [a] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct

Ephesians 4:17-18 Niv

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

Matthew 6 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Giving to the Poor and Prayer : But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honoured by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 ‘Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.

12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Fasting; The True Treasure; Wealth (Mammon)

16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

The Cure for Anxiety

25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 

29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 

31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’

 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 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.