Your Unlimited Life (5 page)

(James 1:19)

L
OVING
G
OD
W
ITH A
“R
IGHT
” M
IND

Just remember, out of the heart proceeds thoughts that will either bring blessing or cursing, which will either take you to the will of God or away from the will of God. If we love God with all our heart, it includes having our mind
focused on Him
.

When the Pharisees asked Jesus,
“Which is the great commandment in the law,”
Jesus responded,
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind”
(Matthew 22:36-37). Why did He say that? Because He wanted us to know that loving God doesn’t just mean a vain repetition of lip service repeating how much we love Him, then going off and doing our own thing. It means getting our mind right. Jesus said to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. I’m convinced that Jesus said heart, soul, and mind to emphasize the focus. Nowhere does it say thoughts, words, and good intentions. Rather it says to love Him with your heart, soul, and mind, all three of these elements being of extreme importance.

“With all your heart” means with all your soul, and with all your mind. This means to
set your mind on things above
. It doesn’t mean to think about Heaven all day. It means to order your mind based on what God says in His Word.

RENEWAL TRUTH

I am hiding Your Word in my heart, Lord,

so I won’t sin against You.

(Psalm 119:11)

Jesus said,
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind”
(Matthew 22:37). I hear some people say, and I’m sure you have too, “She really loves the Lord, but she just has this sin problem.” “He really loves the Lord, but he can’t whip the alcohol.” “He really loves the Lord, but he just can’t separate himself from adultery (or fornication).” “She loves God and is a wonderful person, but she has an anger problem.”

The previous statements simply are not possible in their truest form. If you love God with all your heart, that means with your soul and it means your mind is right with God. If your mind is right with God, you won’t have an anger problem, a drinking problem, or an adultery problem. You will have the power to control your mind and the audacity to
set your mind on things above
. You won’t allow sin to rule your life because your mind is focused on Him.

RENEWAL TRUTH

God keeps me in perfect peace,

because my mind is focused on Him.

(Isaiah 26:3)

“I love God, but I’m afraid.” You can’t love God and be afraid at the same time, because perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). If you love God with all your heart, soul and mind, your mind is stayed [focused] on Him and you will have perfect peace.

Setting your mind on the right things affects every aspect of life. When you begin to realize what your soul is doing to every aspect of your life, you will stop excusing and rationalizing: “God’s will be done. He will do it in His time, and in His time He makes all things beautiful.” No, it’s when you get your mind focused on Him.

Again, I’m not talking about mind games, mind tricks, and mental exercises. What I am saying is that biblically,
when your mind is right, your heart will be right.
When you love God with all your heart, things will be right. It’s a good tree that produces good fruit. The good tree (person) starts working! The bills get paid, the kids obey, the marriage is fun, and everything happens for good.

RENEWAL TRUTH

God has not given me a spirit of fear,

but He has given me power, love, and a sound mind.

(2 Timothy 1:7)

“But I’m just waiting on the Lord.” No, He’s waiting on you! He’s waiting on you to love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind. Get your mind focused on Him, and perfect peace will flow in your life.

S
ANCTIFIED
B
Y THE
W
ORD

3 John 2 says,
”Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
The King James Version of this verse says,
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

I believe this verse shows us several things. First, John wouldn’t pray for you to prosper and be in health and record it in Holy Scripture if it wasn’t God’s will. Second, the key to your prosperity “in all things” and being in health is the
well-being of your soul.

How does the soul prosper? Verse 3 holds the answer:
“For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.”
The truth is the Word of God.

In John 17:17 Jesus said,
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.”
The Word is a sharp, two-edged sword that affects the heart, spirit, and soul. Truth causes your heart and soul to prosper. When your soul prospers, you will prosper in all things and live in health.

In John 8:31-32 Jesus said,
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

As you set your mind on the things of the Word, you will know the truth. Many Christians know more about their doctor and what he says than they do about what God says. They know more about what the lawyer says than what God says. They know more about what the talk show host says than they do about what God says. They know more about what the whole world says than they do about what the Word says.

However, as you get into the Word and you come to know the truth, it will make you free. You will then prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

Keep your mind focused on Jesus and you will have perfect peace. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and all that God has for you will open up to you. Out of your heart you will start bringing forth prosperity because your soul is prospering. As the truth -- God’s Word -- takes hold of your spirit and soul, your mind is renewed, your heart is renewed, and you will begin to prosper in your health, finances, family, and everything else.