Day 187 "Having The Mindset of Christ" (Philippians: Chapter Four)

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines mindset as a mental attitude or inclination. Another facet of mindset is the establishment of a set of attitudes that is held by someone.

Having the mindset of Christ, therefore, is to take on the same attitudes and have the same mental inclination to view and see things as Christ sees them. How difficult it is for many of us to drown out the voices and block out the ways of the world in order to hear and listen to the Spirit of God, to allow our spirit and soul the opportunity to hear a different calling and viewpoint than that which the world dictates. Listening to the words of Jesus, following his actions through the Gospels ( first four books of the New Testatment) in the Bible, discovering the unconditional love that God has for us shown as through the life and sacrifice of Christ upon the cross, will help to reorientate our thoughts and mindset. There is a higher calling upon our lives which we are invited by God to seek out and enjoy. Chapter four of Philippians helps us to keep a focus on the presence of Christ in our lives as we journey along through this life. Rejoice always, for the Lord is near.

Philippians: Chapter Four

:4 "Rejoice in the Lord Always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be

evident to all. The Lord is near."

Life makes such a difference when we go through each day with the realization

that there is really a god and that this god created us and loves us. If God be for us, who can be against us? Thus, Paul encourages the believer in Phillipi to ever be conscious of God's presence through the day and throughout one's life here on Earth. Rejoice always in the Lord.

:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Oh, to know the peace of God within one's soul! Many people seek after happiness and joy and strive to find it through many means. But Paul makes it simple and sweet. The peace of God, for the believer, guards the heart and the mind. The world may find it difficult to understand, but God's Spirit actually resides within the life of a believer. By faith, we believe that God is ultimately in

control of all things. Why be anxious when our spiritual future is already secured for us by Christ. Be anxious for nothing. Trust in God.

:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

It's been said, " You are what you think." It is so easy to get caught up into the

ways of this world and become entrapped in its mindset. Mostly, the world lives and perceives themselves to be what others think of them and who others value them to be. But Paul is calling the believers to look within themselves and see themselves, and the world around them as God sees them. The believer is to take on a different mindset: seek what is true and noble, do what is right and pure, let your minds meditate on that which is lovely and admirable. Lift your heads up and seek out excellence, not in order to achieve

and earn something, but because you already have been redeemed and made a child of God. Therefore, let everything you do reflect your understanding of who you are to God.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see

your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be

transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

Continuous meditation on such things helps to change the thought patterns

of one's mind. So, we can choose to either meditate on the things of the world, becoming like the world, or we can think and meditate on the things which draw us closer to God and transform our being to become more like Christ.

:11-12 "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is like to be in need, and I know what it is like to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

:19 "And my God will meet all our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ

Jesus."

How is it that Paul can find contentment in all circumstances? I believe Paul has come to this state of being out by several things: First, Paul considers himself a sojourner here on Earth as his citizenship is in heaven. Everything on earth is temporary-every situation will pass one way or another; Secondly, Paul has no fear or concern of his spiritual condition before God. In Christ, there is now no condemnation for those who place their faith in Christ. Paul's spirit is free from anxiety. Thirdly, Paul already considers himself, like other

believers, to be spiritual blessed in the heavenly realm through Christ. No matter what takes place in this world, Paul rests his hope and state-of-mind on the belief that the best is yet still to come. ("I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called me heavenward in Christ Jesus") And finally, the Lord Jesus Christ has been given all authority over things on Earth and in heaven. This is the one in whom Paul has yielded and submitted his life

as his Lord. Jesus is the one who gives Paul his strength. Jesus is the one who gives Paul his identity. Paul is confident that God through Christ can meet all of his needs.

Key verses for me:

:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

:11-12 "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is like to be in need, and I know what it is like to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

How we think is how we act. Our mindset and the things that we allow our minds to dwell upon have great impact on how we live out our lives and how we react in our circum- stances. Someone once remarked that human beings are much like tea bags. If you want to see what they are like, put them in hot water. Paul can certainly distinguish himself as one who had encountered hot water many times in his life. But in the end, there is only one focus that Paul considers worthy of his thoughts: Jesus Christ. For Paul, Christ is his cornerstone upon which he has built his life upon. Today, Paul speaks out to us with the same confidence and authority to build our lives upon the same foundation of a solid rock- Jesus Christ.

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Finishing up Philippians, we now set a course towards the book of Colossians where

we will find even more spiritual morsels to feed our mind and souls. Before we depart from Philippians, however, I want to take one more look back and breath in a remark that Paul made back in chapter one.

"And this is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in know-

ledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best

and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ." Philippians 1:9-10

Do you want to know of a way to put your Christian walk on autopilot, where you don't have to worry about all the rules and regulations, to wonder if you are in God's will or not, to cast aside your fears and anxieties dealing with this life? Paul has just given you the manual how to do it. It is by Love. Learn all you can about how God loves you. Grow deep in the knowledge and insight of love. Then, spend the rest of your life allowing God to love others through you. Such action will surely provide you with successful guidance as you navigate your way through this life and prepare yourself for the next life to come. I believe that the greatest lesson each of us can learn in our lifetime is how to love. Is it any wonder that love is also known to be the greatest of all the commandment. Love changes everything.

Before we can truly love others, we must first understand what it is to be loved.

Here is a song "How He Loves Us" by Jesus Culture. May it help you to see and open up your heart to let in the love of God for you.

In his love, see you tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)