A PROPER MINDSET

As the days grow darker and it seems that iniquity abounds, my mindset must be, continually to remember this admonishion from Scripture ~

Philippians 4:8
" Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are of good report;"


"If there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
THINK ON these things."


This is not a suggestion; it is a commandment.


We have been forwarned that gross darkness would cover the earth in the last of days. The political side of my character, the fleshly part of my nature would much rather think on the war in Iraq, President Obama and his administration, possible change that is surely coming, the economy, the banking system, the credit crisis, unemployment and Congress!


If I am obedient to what God has said to concentrate on, I have to just let these issues be a passing thought. There is very little that is true, honest, just, lovely, of good report or of virtue in the world we now live in.


We are not to be earthly minded, but heavenly. Our citizenship is not of this earth. We are told that we sit in the heavenlies with Christ. We cannot do both.


Many are blowing trumpets that have a hallow ring; it spreads fear, mistrust, doubt and has a ring of calamity. It is a trumpet of politics masquerading as something from the Throne of God.


Remember, God says the nations of the earth are as dust on a balance, a scale. He blows and they disappear. Our duty as His children is to spread the good news, the gospel of the Kingdom. We cannot serve two kingdoms.


Some spend their entire life trying to figure out who the anti-christ may be; from where he will arise, from which government he may hail. Where does the USA fit into the prophetic scenario. Of what use is wasting such energy that could be used to advance the Kingdom of God?


Jesus never, ever went to Rome; the powerhouse, the superpower of His day. He never spoke to the Roman Senate or Congress. He did not have an encounter with Cesar. If He is our example, why do we fall into the trap of the politics of our day?
I like what a Jewish Brother has said often; if he had foreknowledge of who the anti-christ was he would present the message of the gospel to him and present Jesus Christ as the Savior who was slain from the foundation of the world for the forgiveness of our sins!



God has everything under control! Our focus should be to allow ourselves to be changed into His image.


Psalm 32 instructs everyone that is godly to seek the LORD while He may be found. We have a promise that in the floods of great waters, (which are rising even now!)
that the floods will not come near unto us. He is our hiding place! He will preserve us from trouble and compass us about with songs of deliverance!



I have been dusting off the old church hymnals and singing in my spirit of the faithfulness of our Father, of the love of God that is still shed abroad to the lost and dying living among us, and songs that strengthen my faith in His faithfulness to me.



We must let the peace of God rule in our hearts. I cannot entangle myself in the affairs of fallen man and his systems and worship, and praise and please God at the same time. I am aware of what is going on, but it is no longer a mindset.



Do not fall into the trap! Concentrate on HIM and HIS faithfulness and HIS promises! We have to read them and meditate on them for the Sprit of God to bring them to our minds! He cannot bring out of our spirit something that we have not bothered to put in!



Our families, our spiritual growth, and our faithfulness and effectiveness for Him depends on a proper mindset.