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ARE YOU WALKING IN THE MIND OF CHRIST? WHAT IS THE MIND OF CHRIST?

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5

The Messiah, the Man and His mind we are blessed to know, to be known by, and to follow is seen in Philippians 2. Read it in the morning beloved of God. Life change!

Father, please bless Your beloved children with “the mind of Christ.” In Jesus’ name, amen!

Jesus left His world with the Father in the pristine and glorious perfection of Heaven to come this is fallen world and show us the Father and die for us so we could know Him (John 17:3; Philippians 2). Now, when we are submitted to the LORD, possessed by “the mind of Christ”, we leave our world if you will, abandoning our own agenda, and get into the worlds, the lives of others, and lift them up to Jesus!

Are you elevating other people ABOVE – “BETTER than” – yourself? This is the very “mind of Christ.”

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5

The heart posture, the disposition of Christ is to Love and therefore serve God and OTHERS – not self (Matthew 20:24-28). THIS is the very “mind of Christ.” (Philippians 2:3-5) When God is working in us, we are crucified with Christ, setting ourselves aside. This is the place He brings us, without fail (Matthew 22:37-39). Great joy and liberty is found only in the place of serving God and others above self!

HOW TO BEGIN OUR DAY …. Think fresh repentance and heart posture! YOU are here on earth where the LORD has you for now to serve God and others and not yourself! This is how you follow Jesus!

Reading Philippians chapter 2 verses 3 through 5 each and every morning prayerfully is definitely a life changer. The mind of Christ.

If you read and employ the truth of Philippians 2:3-5, total fulfillment and blessings are coming into your life. Let’s do life GOD’s way.

LIFE in Christ is all about exalting HIM and others, never ourselves. We have 2 things to do today….

1. Love, worship God,

2. Pray for, lift up others above ourselves…. to humbly serve them as unto our LORD.

Do you want to walk in the mind of Christ? It’s the most bless-ed place to live, to walk. Read Philippians 2 each morning this week, prayerfully – asking God to further reveal Himself to your life and what it means to know and walk with Him.

Many awoke this morning with concerns about relationships with people. When we meet with Jesus in the morning, honoring Him with the very first waking moments of our day He’s given us, He’s going to fill our hearts and our relationships with people are going to be blessed. The cross is first vertical, upward to Heaven, and then horizontal – to people. As we seek the LORD above, our relationships with people here below on earth are going to have His blessing on them.

Life Change: Read prayerfully Philippians 2 each morning this week upon awakening.

Every day we must ask ourselves: Am I selfish or self-less? Are the affections of my heart truly set upon the soon coming LORD? Am I honoring Him first and then others, above myself?

Without fail, when a man truly repents, he will posture himself, he will frame his life on this planet to serve God and others, not self.

Yes, THIS is how you follow Jesus … consent to your own death and burial and God will raise you upward in His grace to serve Him and others! The cross.

“Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

EVERYthing’s about Jesus and others today. Amen dear LORD (Philippians 2:3-5; Matthew 22:37-40).

“The mind of Christ” = it’s all about Jesus and others, not ourselves (Philippians 2:3-5).

Anyone who is truly in Christ, is being quickened by the Holy Spirit to lay down their life, repent truly, and walk in this bless-ed mind of Christ. We shall go nowhere in and with the LORD if we are not hearkening to this truth, submitting to and crying out to Him for His transformation to walk in this mind.

WHY do we stress? –Because we are trying to carry our own burden, the burden and burdens of our life – instead of laying them into the lap of God and being free from them…. and therefore freed, at liberty to be used of Him to uplift everyone else around us! The cross, when applied, only when applied, makes us free (John 8:31-32). God is not going to raise up any person who is still alive in their will power. | The Centrality of the Cross in Our Daily Lives

There’s an absolutely elated sense when we abandon sinful self for the Savior and others! THIS is exactly how Jesus says we’re to live!!!!! Pouring over Philippians 2:3-5, stating these words aloud in morning prayer, is a life-changer!

“EMULATIONS” is 1 of the 17 works of the flesh cited in Galatians 5:19-21. “Emulations” means striving to excel at the expense of another which is the opposite of the mind of Christ, right? (Philippians 2:3-5).

Would you like to be treated the way you’re treating others? Golden Rule! Live it!

One disciple states: “I want nothing more than to be untaught and taught by the only wise Father of our LORD Jesus Christ!”

Setting yourself up for victory by obeying God. Upon our waking in the morning …. “EARLY will I seek thee.” (Psalms 5:3) IF we awoke today and didn’t put God FIRST by seeking His holy face, we are working on a wrong level. This is literal and until you take this literal, victory shall continue to pass you by:

“But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

The successful life with Christ happens when He is truly “first.” (Matthew 6:33)

“Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.” Oswald Chambers

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:3-8

Concerning Philippians 2:3-5, brother one disciple writes: “One thing I have noticed about this, and I have tested it over and over again…. if you put others first and even pray for others and totally put self on the back burner, You will be blessed more and more and even your prayers and wants and needs will be blessed more and more if you take the focus off of self and keep it on God first and others second!”

Making others feel special, serving their needs, edifying and lifting them, is the stated will of God for our lives (Philippians 2:3-5).

Pouring prayerfully over this passage this morning will begin our day on Christ’s footing, not our own:

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5

Gold Rule Living is following Christ – the example He set when He “came NOT to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) WHOSE interests are you living for? Your own or Christs and therefore His people? Do you realize that if you neglect those around you in need you are neglecting and affronting Jesus? (Matthew 25:40-46) Do you realize that you and I will be judged according to this exact measure and rule?

Just WHAT does preferring others ABOVE ourselves mean? How does that work itself out in our daily lives?

Diana Milligan writes:

“Example. You cut two pieces of pie. You give your wife or husband the better piece. You fix two drinks and give them the one that you prefer over the other one. Always give the one, you want. Ask yourself, which one you want and take the other one! That’s just one example, but I do that every day. I always ask myself, which one I’d rather have and give the other one. Oh, and I don’t tell him. It’s between me and God! shhhh don’t tell my husband I am giving him the best portion.”

If you are a true disciple of Jesus, why not memorize what He said through His apostle Paul? Why not harvest the verses on this article on index cards so you can make them part of your heart, thinking, and doing.

“Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.” 1 Corinthians 10:24

We are many members and yet one body in Jesus Christ.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Romans 12:3-5

Concerning being possessed with the disposition of Christ’s mind, Carol Burke notes:

“The mind of Christ is His Word living out in me and extended to others, giving them Jesus. This is exactly what Jesus did when He gave Himself for us. Sometimes I fall short but He always picks me up as He will do with all of His own because He knows our character and what it will take to change it to show His life to others.”

Are you living according to Christ’s teachings, OR, are you deceived into thinking you are following Him who is the only way to Heaven while setting aside, neglecting, and even shunning what He taught? (Mark 8:38; John 14:15, 21; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6) If I am to love my neighbor “as myself” (equally) and even prefer others “ABOVE” myself, why would I keep two houses when I knew of another member of Christ’s body was without a home? I simply wouldn’t. The same goes for other possessions and money.

The earliest disciples of Jesus were following Him, living after His life, His perfect example, living according to His Word. They were preferring other believers ABOVE themselves (Golden Rule). As true disciples of Jesus, they were naturally doing unto others as you would have them do to you.

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” 1 John 3:16-17

Dear LORD Jesus, quicken, help Your people to walk in Your mind and not the self-serving carnal mind. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Dare to Pray this Right now: LORD, Change Me!

The Golden Rule Life: Are You Living This Way? | WHAT is the Most Shunned Topic in the Bible | Cross-Less Counterfeits

Support | STORE | PodcastsThe Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet

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Articles

The Name and Witness of Jesus Christ [podcast]


“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9

“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”  1 John 5:10

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”  1 Peter 3:15

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, please sanctify my life unto Thee. Make me holy as You are holy. Please separate me and use me for Your eternal glory LORD Jesus. May Your life shine greater in and through this vessel dear LORD. I love You Jesus and right this instant commend, submit my spirit, my whole being into Thy holy hands. In Jesus’ name.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission hereThe Return of ChristStewardshipWhere to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar DialogueJesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | Escaping Sodom!Waste | Stewardship | Giving | Fellowship

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Articles

The Daily Cross in Prayer [podcast]


Prayer is inseparably connected with knowing God (John 17:3).

(Excerpt from the book I Die Daily)

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalms 5:3

Let’s isolate and dismantle these words of God a bit. Under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David says to the LORD:

  • That He (God) would hear his (David’s) “voice”
  • That “in the morning” the Psalmist would arise and seek God in prayer
  • Deliberately “in the morning,” he would “direct” his prayer and praying to the LORD – “in the morning … I will look up”

From this passage, we see that David planned or scheduled, in an intentional and calculated fashion, to meet with the LORD every morning. The phrase “in the morning” appears twice in this inspired transmission of the Holy Ghost. The man whose heart panted after the LORD – to behold His precious beauty – declared that he would “direct” (point) his prayer upward to the LORD “in the morning.” (Ps. 5:3; 27:4; Acts 13:22) Communing with the LORD was priority to David, and therefore occupied first place in his daily life. He sought the LORD firstly as he arose from sleep, and before he went forth into his day.

Jesus commanded that if any person will come after Him – truly follow Him – he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him (Luke. 9:23-24). There is no place that the cross applies more than in daily prayer. The moment one arises, he will choose either to seek God or dwell upon self-sentiments and such. He will seek Christ, or he will seek his own salvation or rescue from his troubles. We all make a “daily” choice:

“… choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

No different from those covenant saints the LORD spoke to in this important passage, those whom we dwell among are serving self – the flesh – and yet we are called upon by the LORD to “choose” to daily serve Him rather than self. We are called to “be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.” (Phil. 2:15-16)

The LORD is calling us to purposefully declare Him as the LORD and Master of our lives, and this we do by making the premeditated decision to seek Him daily in prayer communion. Like Joshua, the way we “choose” to “serve” God must be premeditated, deliberate, daily, and in practicality. Daily, early morning, first fruit prayer is all three of these. It is the fruit of the crucified life – the life that is dead to self and in whom Christ dwells and reigns. – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3)

To those who seek God and not their own devices, there are many benefits (Ps. 68:19).

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

The precious peace of the “Prince of Peace” rules and reigns and makes sound the hearts of those who deny self’s ability to overcome and solve issues and problems, and instead earnestly and diligently rely upon God’s power to do such for them (Isa. 9:6; 26:3).

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4

As we fix our whole being upon Jesus Christ, our thoughts will be upward to His “glorious high throne,” which is “the place of our sanctuary.” (Jer. 17:12)

God is calling each of His saints to give his whole being to Christ, and to those things that “are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Php. 4:8).

So, according to Philippians 4:6-8, saints are to rely upon the LORD and not self by submitting all their requests in prayer to Him who is their Source, and to think upon those things of Christ which are “true … honest … just … pure … lovely … of good report … if there be any virtue … if there be any praise.” It is upon “these things” that we are instructed to “think on.” (Phil. 4:8)

God’s thoughts are infinitely higher than ours, and yet it is not until we become truly “crucified with Christ” that we are going to be ruled by His thoughts and peace (Isa. 55:8-9; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 4:6-7).

Changing the way one thinks is being done by millions of people who are not regenerated (not born again). New age and religious teachers hold this thought transformation teaching closely. Anyone can change the way they think for self-serving reasons – to stop smoking, to visualize and earn more money, to have more self-esteem, etc. However, hell still awaits all who are not born again, and that takes facing the living God and Judge in repentance for sin and placing all faith in Jesus Christ, the only Savior (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5). The only renewing of the mind and thoughts that brings glory to Jesus Christ, is that which begins with one casting his whole being upon the LORD afresh – presenting himself a “living sacrifice … unto God.” Let’s look at Romans 12:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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 12:1-2

Those who are presenting their bodies to the LORD as “living sacrifice(s)” are infused and enabled by His grace to keep their minds or thoughts stayed (fixed) upon the LORD and not self, as they look for Jesus’ soon return (Col. 3:1-4). They trust Christ and not their own strength, reasoning, whims, philosophies, or wisdom. As they give themselves over to Christ and His infinite divine power, and become weak in self and self’s abilities, Jesus’ power raises them up to trust Him and rely upon Him alone – to rest the weight of their whole beings in Him who is able. They first declare that they are not able, and that only “God is able.” (Eph. 3:20; 2 Cor. 9:8) These are they who have and are finding out in a personal way that there really is nothing impossible with the LORD!

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Abraham trusted God. He is our human example of a man who walked with God – by faith believing that God would raise up that to which he died. Concerning the promise of a son being born to him and his aged wife, the Bible records these words from the LORD to His servant Abraham:

“Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis 18:14

If God can and will split the Red Sea for His people, and cause a 100-year-old man and his 90-year-old wife to have a child, what in your life can’t He do? (Gen. 17:17)

Here’s yet another question posed to our hearts from the LORD:

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

God requires that we die to self-will, self-help, and self-esteem, and lay our lives in His holy, perfect, and more-than-sufficient hands. He can then work in us and in our lives – raising up His holy standard and power to glorify Himself in and through His children. Nothing will be impossible for the LORD to perform in the lives of those who deny themselves and, like Abraham, trust God to raise up His solutions, answers, and blessings to bring Himself glory.

“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth (makes alive) the dead, and (God) calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Romans 4:17

God called forth Isaac out of Abraham’s loins when it was an otherwise impossibility in the natural. In your life, beloved, “Is there anything too hard for the LORD?” (Gen. 18:14)

Our connection with God is all about relationship, and the quality of that relationship is exemplified in our prayer lives – or lack thereof. If a person is pursuing the LORD, he has a prayer life. He lays down his own desires and life and seeks God’s life. This is perhaps in no other scrutiny seen more clearly than in the value he assigns to his prayer life, and the heart affections and time he is willing to invest in it.

In Psalms 63, the Psalmist captures the life of the person who truly has a heart after God.

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalms 63:1-8

The following is an excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers:

“’At that day ye shall ask in My name.’ John 16:26.  We are too much given to thinking of the Cross as something we have to get through; we get through it only in order to get into it. The Cross stands for one thing only for us – a complete and entire and absolute identification with the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is nothing in which this identification is realized more than in prayer.

‘Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.’ Then why ask? The idea of prayer is not in order to get answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God. If we pray because we want answers, we will get huffed with God. The answers come every time, but not always in the way we expect, and our spiritual huff shows a refusal to identify ourselves with Our Lord in prayer. We are not here to prove God answers prayer; we are here to be living monuments of God’s grace.

‘I say not that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.’ Have you reached such an intimacy with God that the Lord Jesus Christ’s life of prayer is the only explanation of your life of prayer? Has Our Lord’s vicarious life become your vital life? ‘At that day’ you will be so identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction.

When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to fix the blame on someone else. That is always a snare of Satan. You will find there is a reason which is a deep instruction to you, not to anyone else.”

PRAYER: Father, please bless this life to honor You and Your will first and foremost in this life You have granted, by my being authentically crucified with Christ. Please unite my heart to fear Your holy name and to number with wisdom this short time on this earth as a gift from You. I love You, Jesus, and thank You for dying for my sins and for the resurrection power of the Holy Ghost You placed in us upon salvation, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. You must increase but I must decrease. This moment, if never before, I declare and deliberately decide to place You first daily in my life – I am crucified with Christ. Early will I seek Thee. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Capture Points

  • Discuss Psalms 5:3 along with Mark 1:35 and the importance of daily and first fruits prayer in the life of every disciple of Jesus.
  • Transcribe onto an index card and discuss Romans 12:1-2 (KJB recommended).
  • Write out on an index card Mark 10:27: “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (KJB)

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Abiding

The Joy of God’s Word [podcast]


“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

“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.” Psalms 119:89

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

PRAYER: Heavenly Father please match and exceed every trial You allow me to go through with Your joy! For You said that the joy of the LORD is my strength! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Purifying Ourselves as He is Pure [podcast]10 Clues Your Love for God is Waxing Cold [podcast]

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