Open Heavens 25 March 2015: Wednesday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Renewing the Mind

Topic: Renewing the Mind [Wednesday March 25, 2015]

Memorise: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. - Romans 12:2

Read: (1 Corinthians 2:9-14 KJV)

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Bible in One Year: Amos 1:1-4:5, Matthew 8:18-9:8

MESSAGE:

One striking thing about holiness is that it is what makes God who He is. If a human being was asked this question: "Who is God?", you might get answers like: God is love, God is powerful, God is merciful, God is faithful etc. But if angels or celestial beings were asked this same question, they would chorus: God is Holy! The theme of the songs of celestial beings in heaven is the holiness of God (Isaiah 6:2-3, Revelation 4:8). Do you belong to God? Then be prepared to live holy. Why? God's people are a holy temple to Him (1 Corinthians 3:17). We are called to a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), and we are described as holy brethren (Hebrews 3:1). The Father chose His own, so that they might be holy (Ephesians 1:4). This is the reason why Jesus died for us (Ephesians 5:25-27).The Holy Spirit was given, so that through the renewing of our minds, we might be holy (Titus 3:5, 2 Corinthians 3:18). The Holy Spirit renews our mind by convincing us and making us accept what God's Word says about us or about a subject-matter. This is critical because your mind controls your actions. The Word of God is spiritual; only the Holy Spirit can bring the mind to a state of conformity with its contents (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Holiness simply means obeying God totally and consecrating yourself to do His will from the heart. It is difficult to do God's will without knowing His mind. The Bible, which is the word of God, is a compendium of God's will. It is easy to know the mind of God and to renew your own mind when you meditate on the word of God. This meditation should however be a daily affair. It is imperative for every child of God to study and meditate on God's word. Merely reading the word of God is different from studying and serious meditation.

Studying is an application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge. It entails a careful examination or analysis of the Bible - its promises, commandments, warnings, blessings, questions and answers. Meditation on God's word denotes focusing one's thoughts on it, reflecting on and pondering over it. In Joshua 1:8, Joshua was instructed to meditate on the word of God day and night because constant meditation leads to good success. This happens progressively. First, meditate on God's word on daily basis. Second, be observant enough to obey it unconditionally. Doing this will assure you of good success; i.e. full-blown success that is holistic, covering every imaginable area of life (spirit, soul and body). Renewing your mind makes it possible to discern what the perfect will of God is (Romans 12:2). Do you desire to know the perfect will of God for every aspect of your life? Renew your mind through constant studying and meditation on the word of God. Keep God's Word in your heart, allow it to permeate your entire being through the Holy Spirit and act on it.

Prayer Point: Dear Holy Spirit, as I ponder on God's word, help my mind to accept the truth of what it says.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

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