Did you know that a healthy mind means a healthy heart? This isn't just physically, but spiritually as well.

I have no memory of my thirteenth birthday.

I remember a few things my family told me about that day, but, I have no personal memories of the celebration. In fact, I don’t know what gifts were given to me or if there was a party and if so, who came to celebrate.

I received a hard blow to the head during a football game doing a quarterback sneak.

I remember the game. It was in Mead, Washington.

I remember calling the play in the huddle; calling the signals under center and receiving the hike then plunging forward.

That’s where the memory ends.

That evening and the next three days are gone for me.

I had two more experiences with head trauma in football games.

During my junior year of high school, a hard tackle gave me another blow to the head that left me dizzy and with a fuzzy memory for about two hours.

My senior year, during football practice, I laid a hard tackle on our fullback. For some reason, coach had me playing linebacker in practice.

Hammond came through the line low and I came at him low. He went lower and I got lower. We hit head on and piled up. I came out of the pile, not remembering my name, address or where I was at.

I didn’t tell coach, because he would not let me play again. It only lasted for about thirty minutes.

You are right! I am a slow learner; why did I continue playing?

It is critically important the NCAA, the NFL and high school and youth sports organizations look at this important issue.

Even more important, God addresses the issue of spiritual head trauma.

Why a Healthy Mind Means a Healthy Heart

Oxford Journal, Continuing Education in Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain, made an interesting connection between head trauma and cardiovascular health issues in an article entitled “Cardiovascular Complications of Brain Injury.” The article was written by Tamsin Gregory, MBBS MRCP FRCA and Martin Smith, MBBS FRCA FFICM. They stated “Cardiovascular complications are common after brain injury and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity.”

They listed four cardiovascular complications that arise from serious head trauma.

The prophet Isaiah connected the issue of spiritual head trauma and spiritual heart complications. “Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faints. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; they have not been closed or bound up, or soothed with ointment” (Isaiah 1:5-6 NKJV).

When the head experiences spiritual trauma the whole heart is faint, weak, dizzy, and about lose consciousness.

Old and New Testament connects the significant relationship between a healthy head and a healthy heart. The writer of Proverbs warned, “Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ‘Eat and drink!’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you” (Proverbs 23:6-7 NKJV).

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians believers, “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind

Is it just me, or does it seem the majority of people have a hearing problem?

More to the point, does the Church have a hearing problem?

All of us have heard stories of husbands or wives who have selective hearing. You know, the man who is listening without hearing, until his wife says she is going to buy that $100.00 outfit she saw at Macy’s the other day.

It is the child who hears the parent telling them it is time to clean up their mess and get ready for bed. They don’t hear until the parent, with a red face, yells their first, middle, and last name; then they pick up and get dressed for bed.

Maybe it is not selective hearing but distorted hearing.

The sounds do not come through clearly.

Certain tones, letters or syllables are not heard clearly, distorting the communication.

It results in misunderstanding and sometimes wrong steps are taken all because the instructions were not clear and what came through was completely different from what the speaker was saying.

Many times a person cannot hear because their hearing is blocked by something in the ear canal or there is damage to parts of the ear.

In this case, the sound of the person speaking is muffled or cannot be heard at all.

Does the Church Have a Hearing Problem?

God has been speaking to His church.

He has sent prophets and messengers but she has been like the child at play waiting for the parent’s voice to reach a certain pitch before they respond.

• Some have heard the portions they wanted to hear and ignored that which is not pleasing or unimportant to them.
• Others have demonic hands covering their spiritual ears.
• Still others have placed their own hands over the ears,  they just do not want to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

Yes, there are those who have allowed the Holy Spirit to develop their spiritual ears. They are listening carefully to what the Spirit is saying and seeking to obey.

They want to hear the voice of the Great Shepherd and will follow Him wherever He leads.

Jesus spoke well of this generation.

We are not unlike Israel when the prophet Isaiah saw the glory of God fill the temple and God spoke to him, “Go and tell this people: Keep on hearing but do not understand; keep on seeing but do not perceive” (Isaiah 6:9 NKJV).

Seven hundred years later, Jesus was speaking to the crowds in parables.

The twelve disciples and others who were following Jesus regularly did not understand the message He was sharing.

When they were alone with Him, they asked why He was teaching the people in parables. The answer He gave is powerful and extremely relevant to the time and season in which we are living.

“To you is given the secret of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, everything is said in parables, so that ‘seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand’ lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them’” (Mark 4:10-12 MEV).

The Lord went on to say that understanding this particular parable was critical to understanding all of His teachings.

The parable began, “A sower went out to sow…” Jesus explained the seed to which He was referring is the Word of God (Mark 4:3, 14).

However, there were problems with the manner in which the seed was being received.

• Some of the seed fell on blocked ears and the enemy stole the seed so it would not bring fort

Has your life been turned upside down by an event or circumstance?

We all go through painful, uncertain, and even stressful seasons of life. The difference for the Christian is that we have hope.

Our response to these seasons is so important.

As God's children, we can life a drama-free life; a life of peace even in the midst of life's most difficult circumstances. This is God's promise to us.

Many people allow life's circumstances, pain, and uncertainty to create drama.

Others feed into that drama so that they live in a continual cycle of stress, fear, worry and anxiety - in other words: drama.

But God never intended of us to live in this continual cycle of drama. In fact, throughout the Bible we are commanded to not fear, not be anxious, and to walk in God's peace!

To life a drama-free life!

You may be thinking to yourself right now, "Pastor, you don't understand my situation!"

You're right, I don't. But I know God. I know that He sent the Holy Spirit to be our comforter. I also know that Jesus loves us with a perfect love that casts out all fear.

No matter how dire your situation is, no matter what horrible pain you've walked through, no matter how big your need is, you can still walk in perfect peace.

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That is why I have created a Leadership Development Institute eCourse called "No Mo' Drama"

No Mo' Drama is a 6-part video-based course all about learning how to live and walk in perfect peace.

We will examine deeply what the Bible has to say and how we can apply it to our lives.

You can register now for No Mo' Drama

When you register, you will receive:

• Lifetime Access
• 6 video-based lessons
• A free workbook
• Access to a private Facebook group

Register now and reserve your spot in the new No Mo' Drama course as a part of the Leadership Development Institute!

Are you born again, or are you just religious?

The question is significant.

Indeed, it was the seminal point of the conversation between Jesus Christ and a man named Nicodemus.

They were discussing Jesus’ teaching ministry and Jesus turned the conversation to the issue of being born again.

Nicodemus was confused. “How can these things be,” he asked Jesus.

“Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things,” Jesus asked. Nicodemus, one of the leading men of Israel, did not comprehend the difference between a person being born again and one who is religious?

That is not uncommon in the church today.

Many who would consider they are devoutly Christian do not know the distinction between being religious and being born again.

It is not a casual difference.

Jesus thought it of paramount importance for a leader of Israel to understand the distinction.

Jesus said this one point makes the difference between having eternal life and perishing eternally. “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God… Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God… Do not marvel that I say unto you, you must be born again” (John 3:3, 5,7 NKJV).

The Apostle Paul emphasized the distinct difference between being religious and being born again in his letter to Titus.

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved us, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-5 NKJV).

Notice, the Apostle said, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done.”

That is being religious.

All religions of the world are seeking to appease God and trying to reach Him though the works of their hands; whether that is doing spiritual acts of worship and service or by denying their fleshly appetites and personal pleasures.

Jesus’ words to Nicodemus and the Apostle Paul’s instructions to Titus declare religious activity may have an appearance of godliness but no amount of human effort will bring someone into the kingdom of God.

Are you born again or religious?

The distinct difference between true Christianity and all other religions is God came seeking mankind not the other way around.

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared;” take careful notice.

God is reaching to mankind, NOT mankind trying reach to God.

Almighty God showed His mercy and kindness by coming to redeem mankind through the person of Jesus Christ. Every person’s sinful condition separates them from God and prevents them from reaching Him.

The only way a man or woman can be transformed is ”through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

A person’s heart can be changed from sinful to righteous and they may enter the kingdom of God.

It is only by the washing of a person’s heart in the blood of Jesus Christ and the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit in their life that a sinful human being can be born again into a child of God who is “holy, without blame, before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4).

The born again experience gives one a new heart that has been made the righteousness of God.

The born again experience gives the person a new identity and a new

It must have been as confusing to Nick as it might be in many churches today.

Nicodemus had come to Jesus for more information about Him and His ministry.

He was certain Jesus was sent by God and the works of Jesus and His teaching had to be from God. However, the response of Jesus confused him, “You must be born again.”

“What are you talking about,” He asked.

Jesus explained further, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”

Either the look on Nick’s face or his body language asked, “Why is that?”

"Because",  Jesus went on to say, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Let’s unpack what Jesus was saying to this “good man.”

The physical birth of a human being can only bring forth carnal living.

A person lives by the desires and appetites of their physical nature, the five senses of the human body; sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing.

A person’s thoughts, emotions, and volition are animated by selfish desires and the sinful appetites of the flesh.

The Apostle Paul wrote it this way, “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” Ephesians 4:17-19 NKJV).

Nicodemus believed in Jesus, and Nick was a good man.

Jesus was telling him that would not get him into the Kingdom of God. Indeed, he was not going to Heaven, even though he was a religious leader; even though he believed in Jesus and His teachings.

Why is that?

He had not been born again.

Everything he was doing religiously and all of his good works were being done out of the flesh and not out of the Spirit of God.

Nicodemus was doing all of those things to please God and to earn his way to Heaven.

He believed in Jesus but all of his righteousness was self-earned by his own good works.

He did not have true righteousness.

No man or woman can earn true righteousness through their own good works. Every human being is born with a sin nature.

Our mind, will, and emotions are not directed toward God but toward our own self-will and they are animated by the spirit of darkness.

We are literally sinners from birth.

We do not like that truth; we may even resist admitting it.

Everything within our education system, our culture, the medical science and philosophy declares otherwise.

Even most of Christian psychology teaches man is basically good.

Psychologists Freud, Rogers, Mower, Glasser, and Skinner, may adamantly declare there is good deep in the heart of a person and it can be found if we dig deep enough.

That is not what God’s Word declares.

The Psalmist wrote, “The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies” (Psalm 58:3 NKJV).

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5 NKJV).

Ephesians 2:1-5 declares, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now w

The first and greatest command of Scripture is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Yet, the word love has, in many ways, lost depth.

We don't (or shouldn't) love our wives the same way we love our Ford pickup, and we shouldn't love God the way we love football.

The question is, how can love truly love the Lord with all our heart in a day when that expression is overused and tired?

Jesus was in conversation with a spiritual leader of Israel explaining the concept of being born again.

The spiritual leader understood keeping a set of rules; obeying the law; and religious behavior. He just was not understanding that receiving a new heart and a new life comes through spiritual new birth.

Jesus explained new birth is a miracle that happens in the heart of a person by the renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Just as the when the natural wind blows and one see the effects of the wind but you don’t see the wind. You can see the transformation in the life of a person but you don’t see Holy Spirit.

When one claims new birth without life transformation something is amiss.

Why Christians Today Look So Much Like the World

Cultural norms of the world and behavior patterns of the sinner have no place among those who claim to be born again.

The Apostle Paul declared, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

The born again child of God does not allow the trends, fashions and cultural norms of the world to dictate their life style.

They have allowed the Word of God: the precepts, principles and law of God, to shape their philosophy, thought patterns and world view.

The true disciple of Jesus Christ is very purposeful and intentional about their behavior patterns being shaped into the image of their Lord and Master.

• They seek to be holy as He is holy.
• They seek to be loving as He is loving.
• They seek to be gracious as He is gracious.

It is not a matter of being legalistic.

It is matter of loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Because I love God with my whole being, I want to please Him and be like Him.

When believers say they can participate in behaviors the Scriptures call sin you know they are not being led by the Holy Spirit.

When church leaders declare the wind of the Holy Spirit instructed them to accept and embrace those things the Word of God calls an abomination, you know it was not the Holy Spirit leading them.

I get it, now!

The reason so many believers today look so much like the world is because they are still in their old mind and living by their old spirit.

Learn how to renew your mind with The Freedom Series!

 

Jesus told his disciples that they must wait for the power from on high. Here is the Hebrew word for wait and what it means for the Church today.

In Luke chapter 14:25-33 Jesus outlines what it takes to be His disciple.

First thing He says is, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

What?

The multitude that was following Him must have been incredulous!

How could Jesus say such a thing?

Isn’t He a God of love?

Now He’s talking about hating the very closest relationships we have on this earth? He’s even saying we must hate our own life?

Jesus was known for saying some outlandish things but this takes the cake! So, what was Jesus saying to these people?

What is Jesus saying to you and me?

Could it be that He is trying to communicate the unique relationship He wants to have with those who truly follow Him?

Are You a Disciple or Just a Believer?

I think He’s letting those who really want to be His disciples know that it is a relationship like no other on this earth. He wants complete devotion and obedience.

Count the cost

If we are satisfied with attending church on special occasions and maybe volunteering to teach Sunday school once in a blue moon we are not being a disciple.

Jesus demands total control of our time, resources, talent and will. Yes, demands.

Our relationship to Him must be as submissive as a slave to his master. What Jesus tells us to do we must do. He set the example by being obedient to His Father all the way to the cross.

Are we to really hate our earthly relationships in a way that suggests we are to treat them poorly and with contempt? No, I don’t believe that is what Jesus is saying at all. What He is saying is that our relationship with Him should be so unique and single-minded it is as if we hated all others.

There was a song the Eagles sang in the 70’s called “You get the Best of My Love,” and that’s what Jesus wants. The best of everything we have to offer in this life. He wants it all.

Lady down your life

 “Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple.” (verse 27)

What does the cross represent? Death.

We all have a cross to bear. We all have a calling and a path chosen for us by our Lord that we must walk no matter how difficult or tenuous it may seem at times.

Paul exhorted the Romans to present their bodies a living sacrifice. Sacrifice. A word most people don’t care too much about. Cross and sacrifice are words that depict suffering.

But aren’t we supposed to be experiencing health, wealth and happiness if we follow Christ?

What Bible are you reading? Jesus Himself said that just as He was treated so would we be treated. Again, He is the example. His life on earth represented sacrifice, suffering and the cross.

Being all God, He came as the suffering servant to lay down His life for you and me. But if you want to simply be a believer who picks and chooses the scriptures you like that proof text how you want to live, be my guest. But don’t call yourself a disciple of Christ. You are not.

Take up your cross and follow Jesus

“…Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (verse 33)

Not exactly spouting the American dream is He?

We’re told from our youth to “get while the getting’s good.” Get a good job, buy a house and fill it with all precious and pleasa

Not long ago I was at the coffee shop and someone came up to me and said, "Do you ever frown? You're always smiling!"

I was thankful that they thought that about me, because wherever I go I want my face, my life and my spirit to communicate that there is Someone greater living in me.

Faith.

When we get up on Monday morning and go to work, our workplace needs us to have life-giving faith.

If our churches are truly going to win their cities for Christ, they must have life-giving faith. It has to be alive and real, so people experience that faith.

It can't be just a statement, it has to be reality, and if it's going to be reality in our church, faith has to be growing in our heart.

We can't afford to have weak faith if we want to win our cities for Christ.

There is Only One God

Every Christian should continually looking for those who are searching.

Once we've found them, we need to help them move from searcher to inquirer. This happens when the searcher meets someone whose life is filled with faith.

It's not what you say with your mouth, but what they see in your life. When they see the Spirit of God alive in you, and that your faith isn't religious they will ask, "What is different about you."

And we will answer, "It's Jesus living in me!"

Hopefully then we can help them moving from inquiring to discovery.

If we are going be life giving Christians, where faith is not just in our heads, but lived out everyday from our hearts, we have to know the Living God.

There is only one true God!

If our faith is going to be strong an life-giving; we have to know Him, his character so our faith is anchored in Him and who He is.

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If you've been a Christian for very long, you know about Romans 12:2. You've heard sermons about renewing the mind, and yet many Christians continue to live out of their old mindset.

It is so easy as a believer to default back to our old mind, but if we truly wish to stop living like a victim and live like a victor; if we truly desire to be more like Jesus we must lose our old minds and start living our lives with a renewed mind.

The Bible has a lot to say about renewing the mind

Take a moment and jot these verses down. They are great for your war room, to help you remember to live everyday with a renewed mind in Jesus Christ!

I understand that you can’t expect a sinner to behave in any other way than how sinners behave. When those who claim to have experienced new birth through faith in Jesus Christ are behaving in the same way, I have some serious questions.

I know how the argument goes:

“I am not perfect, just forgiven.”

“I am just a sinner, saved by grace.”

“You may be born again but you sin a little bit every day.”

How do these excuses for sinful behavior match with Scripture?

What Does the Bible Say About Renewing the Mind?

Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:15-17 NKJV).

The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus urging them “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV).

The Apostle John taught “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:7-9 NKJV).

It is amazing how the Apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, believed and taught being born again means you grow spiritually and develop new behavior patterns that are consistent with the new life of the Holy Spirit and the old sinful behavior is to put away.

It is not a matter of legalism and a list of do’s and don’ts.

It is a matter of losing your old mind and new life patterns flowing out of a renewed mind and the Holy Spirit within you, motivated by a deep love for God

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us… But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Eph