Good morning brothers and sisters,

Have you ever woke in the night with troubling thoughts? It figures that the enemy didn't like what I discovered yesterday in God's Word. So, he puts up a fuss when I am the weakest, in the night. Well, it was due to a critical comment towards me the day before that I internalized and even analyzed. Not good!  Obviously, I took those negative thoughts with me to bed. Another lesson learned.

Yes, I am still talking about the mind God has given us and how we can love Him with all our minds. I for one want to know. Last night I did take those unwarrented, negative thoughts to the throne of grace. I praised the Lord for keeping me. I thanked Him for teaching me how to take what another person says and bring it into the light of Truth. And if there was any substance in what they said that I will learn from that. Soon, I went back to sleep. Again this morning I sat quietly in prayer before the sun came over the tops of the mountains. The ache isn't so bad now. Grateful for the Lord's mercies that are new every morning!

So, what do we do? Others have their opinions that may be contrary to ours. Sure, but do their words continue to wound us or do we take the truth parts and learn from them gratefully. I think that as long as I am standing on God's Word, my mind will know perfect peace. His Word is my manual for everything. When I need wisdom to discern the truth from a lie, I can go to my manuel, the Bible.

God created our minds to worship Him. To engage in the relationships He brings our way with the same love that He loves us with. Not always easy. It is hard not to get defensive or try to justify in the face of insults. Jesus did though. Those flaming missiles that Ephesians 6:16 talks about are quenched!  "Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]." Remembering too that we wear the helmet of salvation that covers our minds!

We have been given these tools, found in The Word of God, to go to battle with. The enemy hates that we know this! Don't be surprised by more trouble. What I am learning is to be quiet before the Lord bringing all that matters to me, then resting that He will handle the ugly words, unkindness, misunderstanding. The book of James tells us about our tongues. Read it. I used to try to ignore the things I read there because they pointed directly to me, personally. Later, I realized the whole book is about Faith and how to live it out in every area of my life. Give it a chance. I am.

Then, we can together claim Psalm 28:7..."The Lord is my Strength and my [inpenetrable] Shield; my heart trust in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him."  See how closely our heart and mind are linked together. Again, we are called to love God with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength. Selah, pause and think about this.

My mind is learning truth from God's love letter everyday. I have the armor of God on and stand in Righteousness. So this is why I can rejoice. We can rejoice and sing songs of praise to Him!

Father thank you for being with us even in the night hours. Teach us Your ways. We wait and hope in You. Make our hearts and minds to be brave and stand in the Truth. Lead us on a plain path and clearly show us the enemies hiding places. Make us wise as we continue to take up the Shield of Faith. We bless You in the Holy name of Jesus, amen. 

Abundance is...no more games!