Today I listened to Pastor Nancy Dufresne's podcast " Jesus the Healer." I re-listened to episode 4 today at God's direction, as I had a lesson to be reminded of.  

The topic today is:  How to handle your thought life.

Do you know what being doubled minded means?  When we say something with our words, but our mind is thinking something else.  You mouth and your mind aren't in sync.

Let me tell you what has been happening to me lately.  I've been on a roll lately, posting in my blog and on Facebook as God has directed me.  I've fellowshipped with my Christian friends, I go to all services and rejoice in the Lord, I pray in the Holy Spirit, I open the Bible every day and I do a daily devotion.  I am thinking I am doing good for the Lord, and I am to a point.  

This past week, I had a wonderful week and helped showed a woman the path to salvation.  She took the necessary steps and renewed her faith with God.  It was powerful and so filled with joy.  I was overflowing with joy and love for God, this woman and the women who shared this experience with me.

The next day I woke up with A-fib symptoms.  I thought how can this be?  I have been healed and have had no signs for some time.  I came to the conclusion that Satan was attacking me, because of the good works I have been doing and how strong my faith is becoming.  Again, this is true to a point. 

I immediately stood on my faith and believed God would help deliver me from this darkness Satan was pushing on me.  My Pastor even put his faith with mine in this endeavor, but the symptoms continue.  I am the one at fault, no one else.  I've allowed my mind to dwell on it, rather than deal with it and move on, laughing at the foolishness of it all. 

This morning I sat on the edge of my bed and asked God what do I need to do to move beyond this?  Is there something I haven't done or need to do?

I felt an overwhelming need to grab my Bible.  I got dressed and went downstairs to get into the Word.  I was looking for scripture and reading, when God directed me to listen to Pastor Nancy's podcast.  Now, she has nearly 800 episodes to choose from, but I went directly to episode 4.  This is what God needed me to hear, again.  I put the Bible down for a short time and listened and took copious notes.  She imparted such knowledge and the blinders fell from my eyes. 

I was still allowing my mind to direct me.  I believed that God will help me through this trial, but my mind kept dwelling on the issue instead of moving beyond, like my spirit and heart were doing.  This is what has kept me stuck in neutral.  While Satan is overjoyed at my dilemma, it isn't him that threw me in to it.  It was my mind.

The mind is as powerful as you allow it to be.  When you give your life to God, the Holy Spirit takes ownership of your body, because you welcomed Him in.  Your mind however has thoughts of its own.  For years my thoughts had control of my life, heart and everything that was me.  When I gave my life to Christ, that started changing and the mind doesn't much like change, at least not immediately.

You may think this all sounds a little strange, but what I am saying is that my mind is undisciplined.  I can and have through the Holy Spirit lined up my heart and soul in dedication to God.  However my mind wants to keep bringing my past thoughts and ways of handling things back to the forefront.  Because I am so use to this in my life I keep allowing it, instead of controlling it.  This is where the double mindedness comes in. 

Changing your thought process takes time, the mind doesn't immediately grasp the change as you heart and soul can.  You have to discipline your mind.  How do we learn to do this?  With God's Word.   All the answers we seek are in the Bible, which is God's mind, His thoughts and the way He does things.  To find the answers you seek you must read and study God's word.  

Hebrews13:6 I will boldly say that the Lord is my helper.

How can we boldly say this if we aren't diligently seeking it, through His word and our prayers in the Holy Spirit?  A doubled minded life doesn't fully allow this.

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  

We are to present our bodies, every part of our body, heart, mind and soul as a living sacrifice.  Two out of three parts is only giving part measure, and not acceptable to God.  

Our mind has more control than we realize at times.  Even the occasional thought, negative, fearful, scared or thoughtless can derail our relationship with God.  A disciplined mind is a necessity to a full and lasting relationship with God.  

God speared me with this lesson today, but with much love for me.  If He didn't love me, he wouldn't have bothered.  Remember that when you are called on the carpet over something you did or didn't do, His discipline is always done in love.  

Listen and embrace God's direction.  Discipline your mind so the heart, mind and soul are dedicated to God's way.  This is the way to "the truth, the way and the life through Jesus." 

Dear Lord I confess my sin of double mindedness.  Please forgive me Lord.  I am going to be more diligent in spending more time in the word and disciplining my mind.  I praise you Lord!  I thank you for your love, direction and discipline.  All glory and honor are yours dear Lord.  Amen.  Hallelujah!!!  Thank you Jesus!!!

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