Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

Where our minds stay planted has to do with what we really care about? The link of the heart and mind has to do with our assurance of who Christ is within us. Honestly, we can tell who God really is and who our god is by what we think about the most. I know it has been a while since I have written, but that does not mean I have not been reading my Bible. I have been doing a deep dive in Galatians 5:17-23 and it is taking me some time to get all the good meat that comes from just sitting in these few verses. It really gives you a heart check, of which the Word is supposed to do.

Jonah 2:8 (AMP) Those who regard and follow worthless idols turn away from their [living source of] mercy and lovingkindness.

Jonah 2:8 (MEV) Those who follow vain idols forsake their true loyalty.

I have also been reading the minor prophets and the letters from Paul. Many might not like Paul’s writings, they may have never really read the Old Testament minor prophets either. The Israelites were constantly moving away from God as their heart center because they were selfish individuals. They were self-seeking, they were concerned about their wants, their desires, their pleasures. Taking care of themselves were their primary concern. They were disloyal to the precepts and principles of God because they hated rules, regulations and anything that wanted to put order in their lives. Sounds like what happens today when the body of Christ abuses grace, to give license for our self-life to rule and reign. Nobody likes being told what to do. However, I have found the most mature listen to correction. They truly honor God and their lives show it.

It is impossible for a true believer, a true person given themself over to Christ, to habitually live for themselves. The question that arose out of prayer was about loyalty. Are we loyal to family over Christ? Are we loyal to our jobs over Christ? Are we loyal to our pleasures over Christ? There is a divide happening and it has to do with loyalty. This was foretold by Jesus Himself.

Luke 12:49-53 (AMP) I have come to cast fire (judgment) on the earth; and how I wish that it were already kindled! I have a baptism [of great suffering] with which to be baptized, and how [greatly] I am distressed until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division [between believers and unbelievers]; for from now on five in one household will be divided [over Me], three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

This did not happen with His first coming, so do you think He was talking about His return? There are far more verses in the Bible about His second coming than about the first. If we look at how many were confirmed with His first, I think we need to pay more attention to the ones that talk about His second coming then. Our minds need to be fixed on Him and the mission He gave us, the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (AMP) But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 (AMP) For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].

What we treasure is where our hearts are. What we meditate on is our treasure. An alcoholic is going to think about drinking alcohol more than anything else. The same who is going to commit adultery in their marriage. Honestly, that is what God thinks of us when we say we are waiting on Him to come again yet live our lives like we never knew Him. It is what you would rather spend your tithe on rather than honoring God with it. I think of Him when I am in church and serving (so many can be in a house of worship and still think of only themselves). I think of Him when I am driving. I think of Him when I am working out at the gym. I think of Him when I am at the grocery store. I make time to spend with Him during the day at home, especially when I have down time. If I do not think on Him, I am thinking of other things. I can come up with conversations that have nothing to do with reality. Remember the initial verse that started this blog. Go back and look at it. Perfect peace. There is an abundance of peace not for just those who believe in Him, it says for those who keep their minds on Him.

I am at peace even in these last days. There should be no fear with the things happening in the news. God knew. Jesus told us about it. The Old Testament prophets wrote about it. The letters by Paul are filled with it. John got to see it. Why are we worried? Is it because our loyalty is really in question? Read Matthew 25. Do some research on what weddings were like when Jesus was telling His disciples about His return. A marriage contract was written before the bride was taken by the groom. There was weight to it and the bride had to stay prepared for the moment she was taken. She would be caught up unexpectedly. It was a joyous celebration. Her loyalty was shown off after she was taken to the bed chamber. It may have been a year of waiting, but she stayed prepared. Did she say that she was not married before she was taken away, so that she could live how she wanted? Or did she live her life as faithful to the husband that was going to take her up? She was loyal to him and only him, from the moment of the betrothal because technically she was his wife. Put that in perspective, we are His bride. Live like one! Are we loyal to our King and Husband? His love is not empty. Live a life that bears the fruit of that love.

Abba, Father, Creator, You are more Wonderful than we could ever imagine. You are Holy and Worthy of all Honor and Praise. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Teacher. We desire You more than anything else. We repent for the idols that we put before You, whether it was family, jobs, pleasures or ourselves. We are excited to be living in the days that the prophets wrote about and dreamed about. We are so grateful for the grace You have given us to empower us to recognize when we need to shift back to You. You are truly a God of Mercy and Loving Kindness. Your Word says that You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is focused on You. Let us continually keep You and Your Word before us. Let us meditate on You and Your Word. Thank You for opportunities to turn back to You when our focus does veer off from You. Let us check our Peace. Let our hearts be renewed as our minds our renewed daily. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.