Tuesday, October 12, 2010

What or Whom Is Guarding Your Heart and Mind?

Has anyone seen today's quote from Of First Importance?

I really really love the truth of it.  The reality of it.  I am indescribably grateful for the truth and reality of it.



“The kingdom of God is the new and final age that began with the coming of Jesus. His kingdom is not part of the present age — an age where the flesh reigns; where people are divided, relationships are broken, and suspicion and competition dominate; where money, sex, and power are abused; where leaders are first and servants are last; where behavior is controlled by laws, and identity is defined by race, gender, or social standing; and where gifts and resources are used for the advancement of oneself.

Rather, the kingdom of God is the new age. It is the age of the Spirit (Matt 12:28). It is the age of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). The kingdom of God is about the renewal, restoration, and reconciliation of all things, and God has made us a part of this great story of salvation.”

- Neil H. Williams, Gospel Transformation (Jenkintown, Pa.; World Harvest Mission, 2006), iii.

Other thing.  I want to regularly put up verses from the bible which talk about gentleness.  There's a lot about being gentle.  I'm not naturally gentle in spirit - so I am interested in God cultivating that in me.  I want Him to.  It's hard to see from the inside out the result of His working in me - but this has been a main request for quite a long time now.

Philippians 4: 4-7  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. 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.  (Note:  these verses follow 2 verses in which Paul is pleading with 2 women in the church to agree with each other in the Lord, and asking others to help them agree with each other in the Lord)

Ahhhhhh.  The peace of God which transcends all understanding.  It will guard my heart and my mind.  I'll gladly take that.

1 comment:

Kate Rhodes said...

Mom, quote and verse were soo encouraging.