IT DOES NOT HAPPEN BY CHANCE

The Bible teaches there is a new life for those who believe in Christ. The sad truth is there is little difference between many who find Jesus and those who do not. I do not believe you have to accept this! If Jesus is who He said He is, and if there is a reality to the so-called daily Christian walk, then Christians should be different. "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being LIKEMINDED."

Part of the trouble is we have been led astray and forgotten to take responsibility for what we put into our own minds! Romans 12: 2 says "and be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND!" Paul was telling us a very important thing here - and it requires action on our part.

It may have become a mystery to you why you seem to do things over and over. It feels like an uncontrollable habit. This behavior has become so much a part of your daily life that the distinction between you and the habit cannot be distinguished. In many ways, you believe you are the habit. Years ago, people said, "I have a problem with this or that." Now it is very different; people say things like "I am an addict." In today's society people are encouraged to label themselves. This labeling has contributed to the fact that millions of people's minds accept as fact they are forever caught in a behavior they cannot overcome.

When did Christians embrace the idea that drunkenness is a disease, being overweight is a medical condition, and drug use is too difficult for the God of the universe to overcome? Thousands of churches are hosting "Twelve Step" programs and those who participate are finding little hope. That is just the tip of the iceberg. Christians are not living a life in Christ that is readily available on a daily basis. Rather than conquering the problem they hide it. The abundant life is more pretense than honest victory!

The behavior is not the real issue. The behavior is a symptom of the true problem within. Stopping the behavior will have no effect on changing the real issues. The problem goes beyond the behavior to the cause of the behavior. I am talking about your beliefs. You currently have a source inside of you that influences you to do the things you do not want to do. By changing your beliefs, many behaviors will cease to have control of your life.

The renewing of your mind does not happen by chance. It does not happen without an investment of time and effort on your part. It happens when a person spends time with the One who designed them. The Lord Jesus Christ knows everything about you. He knows how your mind works. He knows what you struggle with from day to day.