Open My Mind
Psalm 119:18
As we begin to be "for real" and committed in our walk with God a battle is intensified within. What battle you ask? The battle of control between the new nature and the old nature, the key to winning this battle is strengthening the new nature with new food and that food is God’s word. I don’t want to remain the same as I go through life minute by minute and day to day. There is a part of me that strives for excellence while there is another part that would much rather remain comfortable at the place I have arrived. Psalm 119 is a great Psalm for those of us who desire to live for God but just need the words of someone who understands the struggle.
In the 18th verse of Psalm 119 the Psalmist asks for a new perspective … a new way of thinking … a new way of seeing God’s word. He says,
"Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your law."
(Contemporary English Version)
Many times when we decide that we are going to "straighten up" for God one of the first things we commit to doing is reading God’s word more. When put forth the effort to do so we aren’t successful for some reason and we eventually go back to living life according to the new nature. What is that? The intent is right but we fail to realize that we have to open our minds to receive what God has to say to us. This requires us to see a thing the way God sees it. When something is open the inside is exposed and can be changed simply by adding to or taking away. The Psalmist wants his mind to be opened so that the inside can be changed and we all know that when the inside transforms it manifests on the outside.
As we open our minds making ourselves vulnerable to God and everything that comes with living his way, something happens! We begin to see things differently. Now when we read the word of God we understand precepts and promises … we gain insight on what God really means when he says certain things, and the revelations of God and his word become more than just powerful sayings but life changing prophesies that when heeded will allow us to experience the fullness of a life of God.
Discovering the wonders of God’s law will cause you to want to live for God no matter what the cost. According to the dictionary, "wonder" means,
-awe, astonishment
- surprise or admiration
- marvelous
- inspiring, astounding
If you take time to delve into the word of God it will not only surprise you but it will inspire you to know more. When you read about people like Moses, who had a speech impediment, yet God called him to deliver his chosen people by going to tell Pharaoh that "I am that I am" had sent him and seeing how God delivered them in a mighty way … Jeremiah, called by God from birth, to tell a people to quit messing around on God or suffer destruction, only for him to get frustrated and tell God that he doesn’t want to speak for him anymore but it turns out that it’s not that easy because God’s word was so deep within him that he couldn’t just walk away from his assignment ….I can go on and on but I think you get where I’m going. Don’t let the familiarity of the stories keep you from discovering what God wants you to know, this is why the Psalmist says, "Open my mind." It is not until our minds are opened … made vulnerable to God, that we will experience in a new way and on a whole new level the things of God.
In our society today when you become vulnerable, others will take advantage of and sometimes hurt us, but one thing you never have to worry about is being hurt by God. We have to remind ourselves of what Jeremiah 29:11 says,
"I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (The Message Bible)
Now with a promise like that how can we not lay into the arms of God and allow him to take us to places that will intensify our will, commitment and praise to him! Lord, open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your law!
© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton March 28, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Understanding = A Whole Hearted Life For God!
Understanding = A Whole Hearted Life For God!
Psalm 119:34
In 2003 I delivered my first message from the pulpit of my home church for a Youth Explosion service. This particular message changed my life forever when God revealed something that has never left my spirit. The theme was "Transformed to Transform" and the scriptural reference was Romans 12:1-2.
Verse 2 read,
"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."
During my study time I asked God about renewing my mind. I asked him how I was supposed to renew my mind in order to experience the transformation. He clearly said, "You renew your mind through the constant study, constant meditation and constant application of God’s word." WOW! What a powerful revelation huh? You can’t apply what is not already in you and nothing can become apart of your way of life until you have spent enough time studying and understanding the concept resulting in APLLICATION of what you have studied.
Psalm 119:34 says,
"Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."
The entire division of Psalm 119 is about wanting to please God and doing what it takes to make him happy. It is hard to give your all to something or someone when you don’t understand why you should put forth the effort. For example, if you never knew that brushing your teeth regularly helps keep your teeth healthy would you continue to brush them everyday? For most people they would stop brushing all together. The same is true with God and his word … if we didn’t know that there were blessing connected to being obedient to God’s word many believers wouldn’t even take the time to read let alone apply the things that God says. On the other hand, there are MANY believers who don’t even understand that God tells us to do things differently than we have been because he’s trying to get us to be blessed.
Point 1: "Give me Understanding"
In verse 34 of this 119th Psalm, the Psalmist says, "Give me understanding." "Understanding" means "comprehension" or "the power to make experience intelligible by applying concepts and categories" according to the dictionary. In other words, you show that you understand by applying what you learn. This may not sound too hard but what the Psalmist is really saying is "God allow me to experience what you are trying to say to me so I can understand what you mean better." Think it not strange when you ask God to make certain things clear and all hell breaks loose… it’s what you asked for! There is a saying, "Be careful what you ask for" and I am learning why this is a common saying because depending on what you’re asking for determines what you will have to go through to get it. I’m not trying to scare you ... I am simply trying to get you to see that when you ask God for ANYTHING you better be serious in your asking.
Point 2: "…I shall keep thy law"
The Psalmist goes on to say that he will keep the law once he understands. In my short 27 years on this earth I have come to appreciate and not mind doing certain things because of the experiences I’ve had at different periods of life because I’ve found that they are beneficial not only me but to others as well. I’ve experienced a lot of different events and situations in my life that have shaped me into what you see today. From being ignored in a talent show in 4th grade that ruined my self-confidence for a long time … all the way to running in a marathon that only 1% of the population of the world ever finish, all of these things have in some way motivated me to keep pushing because something is being added to my character as I go through each process. I think this is what the Psalmist was getting at in the next part of this verse. Once the understanding of the benefits are there it’s a little bit (Note I said a LITTLE BIT … not completely … it will still be a struggle until you reach the end) easier to endure the pressure of walking through the process to getting what God wants for us to have.
Point 3: "… I shall observe it with my whole heart."
Keeping God’s law is not the most exciting all the time but one thing that holds true is the fact that once you begin to experience the benefits of living for God you can’t help but give your all for God because you will NEVER … EVER be disappointed. The word "observe" is used in this verse but its meaning is different from what we normally think when we see it. It means, "to conform one’s action or practice to." The reason that the Psalmist asks for understanding in the beginning is because he recognizes that there are certain things that he is going to have to change in order to even begin to keep God’s law. It is absolutely insane to think that you will be able to do things the same and experience God’s greatness in your life, it does not work like that. Living for God, as Romans 12:2 says, requires that we conform to the things of God. As you conform to God, you allow him to take control of your life as a result EVERYTHING changes and God’s character becomes apart of you resulting in him using all of you to bring Glory to his name and winning others to Christ.
God wants us to be AWESOME people in him but if we don’t understand that we will never get there. We must ask for understanding so that we might learn to LIVE in the favor, blessings and awesomeness of God. It’s not enough to come to church on Sunday and hear the word only to leave and go back to life as usual. It is time that we ignite the fire within to not only know God but understand what he wants us to do in order to experience what he has for each of us. Understanding brings about a life that is WHOLE HEARTEDLY lived for God!
© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton March 26, 2008
Psalm 119:34
In 2003 I delivered my first message from the pulpit of my home church for a Youth Explosion service. This particular message changed my life forever when God revealed something that has never left my spirit. The theme was "Transformed to Transform" and the scriptural reference was Romans 12:1-2.
Verse 2 read,
"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."
During my study time I asked God about renewing my mind. I asked him how I was supposed to renew my mind in order to experience the transformation. He clearly said, "You renew your mind through the constant study, constant meditation and constant application of God’s word." WOW! What a powerful revelation huh? You can’t apply what is not already in you and nothing can become apart of your way of life until you have spent enough time studying and understanding the concept resulting in APLLICATION of what you have studied.
Psalm 119:34 says,
"Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."
The entire division of Psalm 119 is about wanting to please God and doing what it takes to make him happy. It is hard to give your all to something or someone when you don’t understand why you should put forth the effort. For example, if you never knew that brushing your teeth regularly helps keep your teeth healthy would you continue to brush them everyday? For most people they would stop brushing all together. The same is true with God and his word … if we didn’t know that there were blessing connected to being obedient to God’s word many believers wouldn’t even take the time to read let alone apply the things that God says. On the other hand, there are MANY believers who don’t even understand that God tells us to do things differently than we have been because he’s trying to get us to be blessed.
Point 1: "Give me Understanding"
In verse 34 of this 119th Psalm, the Psalmist says, "Give me understanding." "Understanding" means "comprehension" or "the power to make experience intelligible by applying concepts and categories" according to the dictionary. In other words, you show that you understand by applying what you learn. This may not sound too hard but what the Psalmist is really saying is "God allow me to experience what you are trying to say to me so I can understand what you mean better." Think it not strange when you ask God to make certain things clear and all hell breaks loose… it’s what you asked for! There is a saying, "Be careful what you ask for" and I am learning why this is a common saying because depending on what you’re asking for determines what you will have to go through to get it. I’m not trying to scare you ... I am simply trying to get you to see that when you ask God for ANYTHING you better be serious in your asking.
Point 2: "…I shall keep thy law"
The Psalmist goes on to say that he will keep the law once he understands. In my short 27 years on this earth I have come to appreciate and not mind doing certain things because of the experiences I’ve had at different periods of life because I’ve found that they are beneficial not only me but to others as well. I’ve experienced a lot of different events and situations in my life that have shaped me into what you see today. From being ignored in a talent show in 4th grade that ruined my self-confidence for a long time … all the way to running in a marathon that only 1% of the population of the world ever finish, all of these things have in some way motivated me to keep pushing because something is being added to my character as I go through each process. I think this is what the Psalmist was getting at in the next part of this verse. Once the understanding of the benefits are there it’s a little bit (Note I said a LITTLE BIT … not completely … it will still be a struggle until you reach the end) easier to endure the pressure of walking through the process to getting what God wants for us to have.
Point 3: "… I shall observe it with my whole heart."
Keeping God’s law is not the most exciting all the time but one thing that holds true is the fact that once you begin to experience the benefits of living for God you can’t help but give your all for God because you will NEVER … EVER be disappointed. The word "observe" is used in this verse but its meaning is different from what we normally think when we see it. It means, "to conform one’s action or practice to." The reason that the Psalmist asks for understanding in the beginning is because he recognizes that there are certain things that he is going to have to change in order to even begin to keep God’s law. It is absolutely insane to think that you will be able to do things the same and experience God’s greatness in your life, it does not work like that. Living for God, as Romans 12:2 says, requires that we conform to the things of God. As you conform to God, you allow him to take control of your life as a result EVERYTHING changes and God’s character becomes apart of you resulting in him using all of you to bring Glory to his name and winning others to Christ.
God wants us to be AWESOME people in him but if we don’t understand that we will never get there. We must ask for understanding so that we might learn to LIVE in the favor, blessings and awesomeness of God. It’s not enough to come to church on Sunday and hear the word only to leave and go back to life as usual. It is time that we ignite the fire within to not only know God but understand what he wants us to do in order to experience what he has for each of us. Understanding brings about a life that is WHOLE HEARTEDLY lived for God!
© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton March 26, 2008
Let Go and Let God
"Let Go and Let God"
Transition … change … moving from one level to another … however you want to put it, it’s never an easy process. As a matter of fact it’s a never ending process that we must become used to. I don’t know about you but if I were in control of my destiny it would not take long and it would be as easy as possible. As I look back over my life I can see as I look to the future I am encouraged by the fact that what’s ahead really is greater than what I have already experienced. However, the frustration of knowing that there is a process, (a series of changes) that I must go through to get there still haunts my thoughts. My struggle, probably like many of you, is simply letting go of how I want things to go and letting God have his way.
There is a popular song right now by Dewayne Woods called, "Let Go" and the lyrics to the chorus are:
"As soon as I stop worrying,
Worrying how the story ends
I let go and let GodTransition … change … moving from one level to another … however you want to put it, it’s never an easy process. As a matter of fact it’s a never ending process that we must become used to. I don’t know about you but if I were in control of my destiny it would not take long and it would be as easy as possible. As I look back over my life I can see as I look to the future I am encouraged by the fact that what’s ahead really is greater than what I have already experienced. However, the frustration of knowing that there is a process, (a series of changes) that I must go through to get there still haunts my thoughts. My struggle, probably like many of you, is simply letting go of how I want things to go and letting God have his way.
There is a popular song right now by Dewayne Woods called, "Let Go" and the lyrics to the chorus are:
"As soon as I stop worrying,
Worrying how the story ends
Let God have his way
That’s when things start happening
When I stopped looking at back then I let go and let God
Let God have his way."
I have listened to this song continuously for the past 3 or 4 days and the message in the music has rung true, but what does it mean to "Let Go and Let God?"
I am learning that in order for things to go according to God’s plan I have to let go of my plan… my desires… my ideas of how things should be. The word "let" according to the dictionary means, to allow or permit. God never forces his will on his people; he simply waits until we give him permission to have free reign in our lives. It doesn’t stop with just permission being given but the saying is "let GO." We must release from our grasps what we are too afraid to let go of. What are you too afraid to release to God? Releasing those areas or things that you have been trying to control takes the responsibility off of you and puts it on God who tells us in Proverbs that if we trust him, lean not to our own understanding, and acknowledge Him and he will direct our paths. He is the same God who encourages us in Jeremiah by letting us know that he has an awesome plan for our lives and it’s one that will make us better and not bring us down. If we take the time to just meditate on these couple of scriptures it makes it a little bit easier to release those things that we continue to hold on to and allow God to do his thing in our lives.
Once we get the letting go straight we can "let God." Letting God is a huge step that involves not only letting go of our own desires but giving in to everything that will help us move forward and be successful in God … God’s plan. I am reminded of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when his flesh felt the struggle of the fulfillment of his purpose. In that moment, his flesh wanted to fulfill his purpose some other way, the spirit man, though, allowed Jesus to say in so many words. Lord, I don’t want to do this but I am deciding to let go and let God have his way.
The road to God’s purpose in your life is not an easy road. There are periods of frustration, and struggle … there are times of anger and sadness and yet still there are moments of happiness and joy when you look back and see how far you have come. I have decided that I am going to let go and let God so things can start happening for me.
© Copyright LaTrisha E. Milton March 25, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
