New Covenant

How to Control Your Thoughts

Ken

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2Corinthians 10:5 KJV). Mind control is not an external force demanding compliance, but it is the inner direction of the indwelling Holy Spirit inspiring and persuading us to pattern ourselves into the image of Jesus Christ. “For whom He did foreknow [us], He also did predestinate [us] to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren [us]” (Romans 8:29). 

First, it is possible to control all our thoughts for the LORD, or we would not be commanded to do so (2Corinthians 10:5), because “His commands are not burdensome” (1John 5:3 NIV). 

Second, thought control requires complete submission to God. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [Lordship of Christ], and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Third, thought control must be total or not at all. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). 

Fourth, thought control must be directed by the Holy Spirit inspiring us to obey God. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). 

Fifth, thought control requires our complete cooperation, as if we were following in the steps of Christ.  “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps” (1Peter 2:21). 

Sixth, thought control necessitates us to think and have the heart attitude, What would Jesus do in this circumstance? “What wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). 

Seventh, thought control must be God’s normal means of building His Kingdom, and requires (of course, not all at the same time):

A- Hearing, reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God, i.e., “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16).

B- Singing God’s Word, which is worshipping God, i.e., “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1). 
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).  

C- Praying in the Spirit, quietly or out loud, i.e., “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). 

If we are so occupied with God, He will be in all our thoughts. The wicked are not so. “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4). 

Father, may You inhabit all our thoughts, for You are worthy. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your Name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Christ In You

Ken

“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). What can be more balanced and sound of doctrine and practice than “in all things [Christ] might have the preeminence” (1:18)? ‘Fundamentalists’ stress soundness of doctrine about Christ. Getting people saved would be their primary goal. By comparison, the ‘other evangelicals’ stress developing a relationship with Christ. Discipling converts would be their emphasis. Both are essential. Christianity is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1:27) with soundness of doctrine about Christ’s saving and continually sanctifying grace. The Pharisees did get right the need for obedience to God’s law, but they strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel because they forgot Yahweh wanted a people, who knew Him. “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). Automatons who obeyed without heart were not desirable. “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). May our God receive for Himself a people walking in loving obedience with an ever increasing understanding of Him. Amen.

Support Your Local Church (Part 2)

Ken

Contributing to your local church not only pays the rent, keeps the lights on, provides a place to teach your kids, provides a place to interact with fellow disciples, gives a way to hear the preaching of God’s Word, but it is a place where Jesus said He would be especially present. Sure, He is everywhere because He is God, but He was especially present in the OT Holy of Holies of the Jerusalem Temple, just as He is now abiding in His NT disciples. But, He is, again, especially present in the assemblies of the local church, where the Holy Spirit can specially minister to us and through us, like in Matthew 18:20. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20 KJV). Keep this special assembly alive with your tithes and offerings.

Support Your Local Church (Part 1)

Ken

Thank you for supporting your local church! They don’t collect taxes or sell a product, but like Old Covenant Israel, God has chosen the New Testament Church to represent Himself to the world. God is looking for a people who love Him, and are willing to do His will, not to avoid punishment or gain a reward. A people so willing to do His will, they become an extension of Him. That’s why the most important thing we can give Him is our heart. “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways” (Proverbs 23:26 NIV). Supporting your local church is a princely deed! “When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves — praise the Lord” (Judges 5:2 NIV). Think of how God can multiply His influence across the world with people who want no more than His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven!

I Will Put My Spirit Within You

Ken

“And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27 KJV). This is an OT promise for the NT giving of the Spirit for the express purpose of making us willing to obey.