Your brain is not your mind

There is a battle for our minds!

The mind is not the brain. They work differently. Somebody said, the difference between the mind and the brain is the difference between a piano and the pianist. The music played on the piano is only good as the pianist who plays it. The mind is the pianist and the brain is the piano. You can be what you are by what you think. Whatsoever man thinks that is what he is.

Have you noticed that the last thing you think about before bed time is what you will get up with! What you think can either kill you or lift you up. Our brain may function well under stress at work. Outwardly you may be a person who can be envied, but what is in your mind is who you truly are. You can be a very sharp intelligent person but totally miserable on the inside. Why? Because, what you think about others, and about yourself has trapped you. You are a slave to yourself. Have you wondered why some are happy and you are not? Have you thought of why people whom you meet seem to be OK while you always feel “pain” and sense of worthlessness? Why is it that you think that the whole world is against you? Why do you almost always feel the need to be “lifted up” or encouraged? Perhaps there is something that keeps bothering you, or some unresolved issue in still lingering deep within you. Maybe it is something from the past, or it is some kind of false guilt. Perhaps there is hurt and a feeling of being constantly let down or some sense of insecurity. Perhaps you need to learn to forgive and love your self. If you are not able to love yourself, and forgive yourself, you will never be able to be happy. Remember, it's the mind and not the brain that needs a transformation.

The scriptures are clear:
“Do not conformed to this world but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind. (by its new ideals and new attitude) so that you may prove for yourselves , what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (In His sight for you)” Romans 12:2 (Amplified)

It is important that we must prove to ourselves first! We cannot wait to “prove to the others” that we are right. Very few will ever accept you as you are. So, it is time that we change our mind about ourselves and make sure that our mind is transformed in alliance to His word. The peace that we want to have, we will ultimately find it in our obedience to the word of God and not in the notion that we are being accepted or not by others.

Prove to yourself first that you are walking in the truth, and that the Lord has accepted you as you are! There is no other place of security that we would rather want! The "Peace that passes all understanding" is the bed rock of stability in our own lives. This peace we get, because of the peace of Christ in our hearts. We cannot have this peace by ourselves. Peace without Christ is temporary and fluctuates with the circumstances that surround us. Jesus said, "My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives I give I unto you" This is a peace that the "world" cannot give or can it take away!

Now prove to yourself first, that you have this peace. You are the apple of His eye! He has saved you with His blood! You are precious in His sight! So I emphasize again, it's time that you change your mind and make sure that your mind is transformed in alliance to His word. The peace that we find, is in our obedience to the Word of God.

Come on! get over the hurdles, put your head up high and Prove to yourself first that you are walking in the truth and say “ I am a child of God, NOTHING can get me down.

One little word

There is one word that makes us internalize a situation that we may be going through. This word is like a microscope, searching deep within our own selves. Or it is like looking for a lost diamond in a dark cave with just a small flash light! I mean, you keep looking, and looking in every corner and crack until you finally find it.

This word looks for an answer or a closure. This word dissects a situation that we are in, and has the capability to either lift us up or pull us down. When it lifts us up it brings us so much encouragement and joy. Perhaps great thinkers and scientists had used this word and asked the right questions. They came up with answers like the light bulb, the locomotive, or penicillin that saved many lives. Others came up with great ideas like the the car or the airplane. Many other great inventions became so useful to mankind.

But this word, when it pulls us down, it can take us into a deep pit from where we may not be able to get up without help. This word could choke you, and you may feel like it's really killing you. There could be a tightness in your chest and you may feel like that it's hard to breathe! This word is good when we want to analyze a situation that could bring a positive out-look. But many have committed suicide because of this same word. Perhaps the following questions may be similar to some of the situations that you may be facing. And in these questions you will find the word what I am talking about.

Why didn't I do what I was supposed to do. Why did I speak the way I spoke and get into so much trouble? Why am I alone? Why is my pain not going away? Why did I not get up early to catch the bus to go to work? Why am I getting short changed in life? Why am I in a situation where others are using me to prosper, while I am in the same position for several years? Why did my parents have to go away from my life so soon? Why am I not healed in spite of my faith in God? Why did not the Lord protect my children from this awful accident? Why are not my loved ones here with me anymore? Is there a God? If there is a God why does he let awful things happen to me? Why did my Mom or Dad disown me and leave me in a foster home? Why is there so much of immorality and corruption around us? Why was I betrayed by the same people whom I loved and trusted? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why are there so many unanswered questions in my life? Why? Why? Why?.....

We may not get answers to all the questions in life! And even if get an answer we may not have expected the answer we got! It would perhaps have been much better if we had just "let it go" There is so much pain and sorrow all around us. Sometimes it is better not to ask "why?" but simply trust in God.

King David says, that tears has been his "food" day and night. He has been looked down upon because of his faith in God, as people had said, "now where is your God?" He had no answer for the problems that he faced, and he felt depressed and asks, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? The way I look at it, there is a glimmer of hope in this question. He was not totally desperate for an answer. That's because he has had experiences in his life that had pulled him out of many, many difficult situations. These experiences had to do with his relationship with the Creator.

In the next sentence he says "Put your hope in God" and goes on to say "for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Can you see the way he finds refuge and comfort in his dire situation? One, is that his hope is in God. Secondly, he chooses to praise the Lord! There is strength and hope in these choices that David makes. Habakkuk the prophet writes,"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments."

This goes against every reason. How can you sing in turbulent moments! The gas price is up, there are reports of doom and gloom in the economic front world-wide, and there is very little that we can do for ourselves.

But as sure as it ever can be, God is our hope. Let us not go to Him as a last resort, but let us go to Him first and trust in Him for every thing. Once again I would like to emphasize that we can go to God only because we have a relationship with Him.

Personally, in many of the situations that I face, I go again and again to the one who loves me and cares for me. It is here and only here that I find peace and comfort. Many times I am not looking for an answer but looking for comfort and security deep within.

I'm sure you will understand that sometimes no one, can give you an answer, and that, the more we ask "Why?" the more we find ourselves at sea. Somebody said, "What can you do with the wind?" The only thing is to let the wind blow. Try and use this force to get you ashore, or if you cannot do it just "ride the wind" If you are a believer the "Storm killer" is within us. He said. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" The storms on the outside can rage, but let the storms within be calmed! Calmed by the words that come out our lips! That's the key!

Then the people around you will be surprised that you are not asking "why" but just trusting the one who will calm the storm! Believe me they would be wanting to associate themselves with you. That's because they can sense your inner strength. Being calm in the storm, is maturity! Praising Him in the storm gives you strength and hope! There is a song in the storm! The Song that quells the swelling sea! You may not actually "sing" this song for others to hear, but others will hear the "silent song" and "sing along" with you. They will agree with you and be with you, because they know that the "storm killer" is within you. It is a pleasure to be with such people.

You will find what I am saying is true. But it's up to you.

You could go on asking "why" until the cows come home! You will never get an answer. Or you can put your trust in the Lord and sing songs of praise!

What's your choice?

Keep it Simple

We live in a world of sophistication. Simple things almost have no meaning or value. It's funny that the more sophisticated things are the more expensive it gets, and people go for it. The Christian world is not very much different. It seems that technique, and technology have taken the place of the Spirit of God in the Church! The modern Church can have all that it could have in material goods and equipment, but where is the manifested presence of God?

I remember the time when we used to pray until the Lord met with us. We waited in His presence until we knew that He had spoken. We had reserved the time on the Lord's day for Him and Him alone. There were no schedules to keep, no people to party after service, no appointments that kept us from touching the hem of His garment! There was no football match to see after service. No! nothing took our time except being in His presence till He showed up! And He did show up with healing power! He showed up when demons were cast out. He showed up when people started to forgive each other and reconcile with each other. He showed up because we wanted Him and Him alone!

The early Church followed simple practices, which resulted in the phenomenal growth of the body of believers. Here are some examples: You see the method may have changed but the message is the same.

Receiving the promise: “Then they that gladly received the word were baptized: and the same day were added unto them about 3000 souls! (Acts 2 41) How did one message have the power to change the lives of so many people? It was simple obedience to what Jesus said that they should not leave Jerusalem unless they receive the promised Holy Spirit.(Acts1:4-5,8)

Remembering His command: “Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” (NIV Acts 2:43) How did this take place? The people in obeying His command continued steadfastly to the teaching of the apostles, had Fellowship with each other, celebrating the cross daily with the “Holy Communion” and prayed.

Reaching out to each other:And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47) How was this possible? The believers cared for each other and fulfilled each other’s needs in the Church. They met daily in the place of worship and in homes, shared meals with “singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with all people (Acts 2: 43-47a).

Reaping the reward: But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. (Acts 4:4)

Within a few weeks the Church had over 8,000 recorded believers, who were committed to Jesus the Christ. The whole place was in an uproar! Have you asked why? The number one reason was that the Church was not interested in religion, or entertainment. They were committed to the saving of souls! They demonstrated this commitment by coming before the Lord; by opening their homes and hearts, spending time, and fellowshipping in the Word of God. No wonder the Lord worked in healing this lame man. Yes, there was opposition, but the Church prevailed. In fact, there was a greater sense of unity, and brotherhood amongst the believers. The Holy Spirit, with great power, gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ: and great grace was upon them all.

They kept it simple! Simple things such as prayer, unity in studying the Word, genuine fellowship with practical care for one another, and obedience to God given authority! There was no reliance on attractive worship, or sophisticated equipment to “keep the Spirit”. We sometimes try to compensate by doing “other minor things” but forget to bathe EVERYTHING in prayer. It is only when we fall short of the desire of God in our hearts that “other things” become “spiritual”.

Are we missing out on something? Let’s read the scriptures. Meditate upon them and allow the Spirit of God to work a deep “work” in our hearts! Let us return to the original vision that the Lord gave us! Let us bind our hearts together in one purpose, and get rid of “sugar coated” Christianity, and get on with fighting the real enemy the Devil!

My message once again, is “KEEP IT SIMPLE” and see the power of God at work! Let’s get back to basics. Is this so hard to do? Just think about it; it is not that it is hard, but that our priorities are lop-sided! We are mixing up important things and urgent things! Important things can wait, but urgent things can’t! “What is the urgency” you may ask! Well, the time is short, and God is on the move. We must move with Him! Other countries and churches are experiencing a renewal and revival, why not us?

What is needed is commitment! A commitment to pray; to fellowship; to seek His face; for the genuine love for the Word and true practical fellowship. This is not too much to ask!

Changing the atmosphere

The atmosphere around us may not always be pleasant. Now we can "tolerate" this and call it "Karma". This will put us in a position of accepting the things that happen to us as "fate'" Or some of us may just give into the pressure and simply "cave in". Others may take a bold stand and go about doing things to change the circumstance. But how do we do that? There is precious little that we can do by ourselves. What do we do to get out of the situation?
First of all, we need to understand the power of God that is within us. Unless we get a grip on who we are in Christ, we tend to live a mundane “Christian Life”. As Paul puts it, it is like “having a form of godliness without any power.”
Some how, many have not fully grasped the potential power that we have in Christ. We need to change that. The atmosphere around us influences and affects our minds. For example, the decor in a restaurant may put us in the mood to having a good meal! Music in the church tailored to fit the various occasions and seasons usually gives us an anticipation of things to come.
We have got so used to being changed by the atmosphere! Dear friends it is time to realize that we must change the atmosphere. When the priests stepped into the flooded river Jordan carrying the Ark of the Covenant, the atmosphere changed, for the waters parted allowing the people to go across into the land of Canaan. Jesus made the water into wine that changed the atmosphere. Peter and John went to the temple for worship, and healed a man who has been lame for decades. That changed the atmosphere. People expected Paul to swell up and die when a poisonous snake bit him in the hand. When this did not happen the atmosphere changed.
In fact almost everything around us has to change. My intention is to encourage each other in making a difference around us.
Let us change the atmosphere and not let the atmosphere change us.

From Heart to Heart

The Jew with a Palestinian heart!

I saw the following story being aired some time back on BBC. This true story stirred my heart and I want to share it with you today. This is especially because I have found forgiveness for me and a great release in forgiving others. Here is the story...

“On one hand I had a Jewish heart, on the other a Palestinian heart. For me it made no difference. They were both hearts.” Said an Israeli doctor on B.B.C. world news. How did this happen?
The situation in the Middle East has been in the news for some time. The Palestinians and the Israelis have been in bitter conflict for a long time now. Thousands upon thousands have been hurt. Scores were killed in Tel-Aviv the other night by a Palestinian terrorist, and there was a sharp cry from the Israelis for a severe retaliation. On the other hand, the Israelis killed many Palestinian civilians, who threw stones and hand made bombs at them.
The Palestinians who feel “Persecuted” deprived of “their land” are in no mood for a ceasefire. The Israelis presumably killed a man from the Arab side. He had a beautiful family. The father of this man donated the heart of his son, to the hospital in the Jewish quarter. This heart was given to an Israeli who needed a heart transplant. The Palestinian father with tears in his eyes said, “For us it does not matter, who it is. We wanted to save a life” The Jewish man in the hospital said with emotion “I am for ever grateful for this family for saving my life, I am alive today because of this family. My prayer is that there will be peace” The commentator said that both sides were touched by this gesture.
Just think about it. If sworn enemies can make a sacrifice like this, what about us Christians who love the Lord? Forgiveness is the Key to reconciliation & salvation. Jesus said, “if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”(Matthew 6:14-15) Many people are under some kind of a bondage just because they do not have the heart to forgive. We must forgive. There is no other option! How can God forgive us, unless we forgive? This character must show it self in our Christian life: “be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another even as God, for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”(Ephesians 4:32) “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Colossians 3:13)

Confessing our faults to one another, and reconciling with each other bring healing and restitution. It is easier said than done! But we must let the love of Jesus permeate within our hearts. We must pay the consequences for our sins, but we are forgiven if we confess our sins. (1 John:1:9) Our children are sometimes chided for doing wrong. That is the consequence. But, we also forgive them. Forgive others, and live in the freedom that God has given you.
How about showing your heart of forgiveness, just like this Palestinian man who gave his son’s heart to a Jew! I believe that this Arab family has the protection of Rehab in the time of Joshua. Do some thing tangible to demonstrate your forgiveness!

Jesus demonstrated forgiveness by saying "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" What may I ask are the words you will use to forgive those who have hurt you? Demonstrating forgiveness is powerful! Very powerful.

Perceptions

I read the following story in an article some time ago. This amply illustrates how we can be influenced by perceptions. What we perceive in our minds influences our behaviour patterns and our general attitude in life.
One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" “It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh yeah," said the son. "So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them." The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perception a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have. Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends! Life is too short and friends are too few.

This is how it is when we tend to look at things our own way! The safest thing is to see the perception of God in our lives. This can be done only if we get the Bible to “Work” in our lives. Revival in the church cannot be experienced if we go on as we are. There is so much that we have to be aware of in the “spirit world” Get God’s perspective of the Church and so much will be different.

Perhaps so many of us have come from either a non-Christian or a “traditional background”, and now belong to a group of “first generation”, “born again” believers, and do not fully comprehend what true revival is. We have only been exposed to a kind of pseudo-Christianity, which is very much mundane, shallow and powerless. We must get the correct perspective of true, radical Christian living! This is one reason why we emphasize prayer. We believe that this will give us the correct perspective to carry on in the ministry. We cannot afford to be where we are and expect the revival fires to “burn” in our hearts.

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the minister decided to visit him. It was a chilly day. That evening, the minister found the man at home all alone sitting by a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his minister's visit, the man welcomed him, and led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The minister made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, he took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The minister glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more, with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the minister reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday".
We expect you to be on fire for the Lord! The only way to keep it burning is to come together in fellowship and love. Let the Holy Spirit deal with all our selfishness, and ego. Let him cut us down to size and help us to merge with the vision that He has given us. You will see a difference when we begin to understand the concept of “corporate anointing” It is truly wonderful to experience the Lord in this manner.
Please take note of the lessons that we can learn from these stories. If we want to be "burning" we must be in the fire. Isolation will "kill" the fire from within. Remember perceptions are not independent of knowledge. There must be a reference point in our lives. To perceive spiritual matters we must be "quickened" or "made alive" in our spirits. This can be done ONLY by being obedient to the Word of God, the Bible.

DOGFIGHT AND BIRTHRIGHT

Dogfight is a common term used to describe close-range aerial combat between military aircraft. The term originated during World War I. It was the preferred fighter tactic of positioning the aircraft behind enemy aircraft. From this position, a pilot could fire his guns on the enemy without being a target himself. This term came into existence because when two fighter aircraft circle each other trying to get this position, it really resembles two dogs chasing each other's tails. Oswald Boelcke, a German fighter ace, was the first to write down basic rules for aerial combat manoeuvring. He advised pilots to attack from the direction of the sun (towards which the defending pilot could not see), or to fly at a higher altitude than the opponent. Most of these rules are still as valuable nowadays as they were a century ago.
But there is another kind of dogfight that is illegal. Often a stockpile of heroin, or cocaine, gel-caps, marijuana , drug dealers, guns, weights, chains, pit bull terriers, home made harnesses and other equipment are telltale signs of dog-fighting.

Dog-fighting exploded into the headlines in April, after Virginia police raided a house and property owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. After obtaining a search warrant after the arrest of Vick's cousin on a drug charge they found 66 dogs, including 55 pit bulls - some of them badly scarred. Last month, a federal grand jury indicted Vick and several associates. Speaking in a hotel in Richmond Virginia after pleading guilty for his involvement in illegal dogfighting, Vic said, "I want to apologize for all the things that I've done and that I've allowed to happen” He also said, “I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to bettering Michael Vick the person, not the football player. I take personal responsibility for my actions.” He also said that he has found Jesus and asked his forgiveness and that it the right thing to do. Now Vick faces up to five years in prison. Judge Henry Hudson will sentence Vick on Dec. 10. He still faces the possibility of facing state charges of animal cruelty, and could face further jail time if found guilty.

Vick had everything going for him. Why did he do that? He earned several millions and was looked on as a hero by many. Businesses had invested in him. He is a very rich man. He need not have gone into dogfighting to earn a few bucks! Now he stands to loose over a million dollars. Its unfathomable how people continue to make “wrong choices” and face the subsequent “consequences” It happens all the time. “Wrong Choices” are made to satisfy an impulse. This could mean shopping in a mall and find that the credit card balances have exceeded your budget (if you have one that is!) or that your bank account is overdrawn. It could mean that a “one time fling” has cost you your family. Or that you are carrying an illegitimate child. “Wrong choices” are also made because of an “inner bondage” that stops you from making the right decision. Let me illustrate:

Esau’s dogfight
Just like Vick “lost” his career and over a million dollars for a few bucks, a similar “dogfight scenario” happened several thousand years ago. Esau was a hunter, and he came home exhausted after a hunting trip. The smell of fresh food cooking over open fire was overwhelming. And he said “Hay, give me some of that soup I’m starving” Jacob his brother said, “Sell me your birthright and I’ll give it to you” Impulsively Esau said, “what’s a birthright useful to me now. I’m at a point that I could die. Give me that soup” Jacob said, “Give me your word” So as the account goes that Esau had his soup but missed out on his birthright. This eventually led to a family feud that lasted years. In other words it is like trading your estate for a piece of Pizza! (Genesis 25: 27-34)

The young man’s dogfight
There is another story about a rich young man who came to Jesus and said “good master what shall I do to have eternal life” Jesus said “why do you call me good?" and went on to say, “You know the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, and honour your father and your mother.” The young man said “I have done these things from my youth” Now when Jesus heard these things, he said, “Yet you lack one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and thou you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, "How hardly that they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" (Luke 18: 18-24 Paraphrased)

Esau was impulsive, while the rich young man made a choice because of his materialistic mind-set. In both cases the choices that they made impacted their lives. So it is today. Like Michael Vic, Esau, and the rich man in the days of Jesus, we too have to make our own choices. What will they be?

What’s dogfight got to do with birthright? Your birthright is Eternal life. Do not forfeit it by the love for religion, fame, material possessions or for the love of your life.

The most precious possession:
The most precious possession we all have is not our family, religion, wealth, honour, fame or health. But it is our soul. Jesus said “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? “Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8: 36-37) That’s why Jesus died for us on the cross. That’s why He paid the supreme sacrifice and wants us to follow Him. To give our soul to Him is to give Him our all. Jesus said “And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8: 34)

What’s your dogfight? Whatever it is it’s not worth fighting for. Give your life to Jesus and have Eternal life. Want to know more? Go to arise-international-ministries.com.