Riches

 Riches

June 24, 2026

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NKJV) 

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all [kinds of] evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NKJV) 

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 [Let them] do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

What does the Bible say about money? Quite a lot, actually. And this particular scripture gets misquoted a lot. It’s not saying that money is evil, only the love of money . It’s your attitude that causes trouble. It says that greed has caused many sorrows.

So what should the rich Christian do? And by world and historical standards, all Americans are rich. Again, the Bible addresses the attitude. Do not be haughty and do not put your trust in riches. It says to do good and be rich in good works. Properly handled, money can do a lot of good for the kingdom of God.

 I’m reminded of the story of one of our associates who runs a Bible school in India. He was able to start the school and build the first buildings through the generosity of a rich widow. Her husband had left her a considerable fortune and her attitude was to us it to expand the kingdom of God. She was not even a member of the same denomination but was only concerned that the gospel be spread to India. Hundreds of pastors and christian workers are preaching the Word in India today because of her attitude towards riches. So let us be like her and use the things that the Lord has blessed us with to bless others. Be rich in good works, ready to give and to share.

Renewed Mindmin

 Renewed Mind

June 18, 2026

Romans12:1-2

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

We’ve been talking about the fleshly mind and the spiritual mind, but can wejust arbitrarily decide on one or the other or does something have to happen to change our mind? The apostle Paul says that a transformation is needed. A renewing of your mind. This is a part of what Jesus meant when he told Nicodemus “you must be born again. Part of that New birth is a renewed mind. But Paul further explains that to fully enter into this change, we must present our bodies as a living sacrifice . A sacrifice implies death, so this is a seeming contradiction. Only in Jesus can we kill our mind and renew our mind at the same time. So dedicate yourself anew today, and let Jesus renew your mind. The promised benefit is that you will be able to prove what the will of God is. What an advantage we have over carnal men who wander about never knowing the true way they should go. We have a Lord and a Guide and a transformed mind that lets Us communicate with the Lord high God so we can follow the way confidently. Thank you Jesus for a transformed life and a renewed mind.

Set Your Mind

 Set Your Mind

June 17, 2026

Colossians 3:1-3 (NKJV) 

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:14-17 (NKJV) 

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul returns to the theme from Philippians, namely putting on the mind of Christ. “Set your mind on things above…” We become what we dwell on. One lesson my father taught me was to set a vision and drive straight towards it. He did this in a practical way by teaching me to plow a field by picking out a fence post at the far end of the field, and making a straight furrow towards it. I would tend to get distracted by things close by and fidget and let the tractor swerve. Only by keeping your mind set firmly on the goal could I keep in a straight row. That principle extends to the spiritual. When we set our mind on things above we set a course for our life that drives straight to peace, love and thankfulness. Rejoicing along the way also helps keep our focus on our goal. So whatever is in your life today such as problems that try to distract you, keep your eyes on Jesus and set a course and stick to it. 

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Philippians 2:5-7 (NKJV) 

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form ofGod, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men.

Philippians 3:1 (NKJV) 

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you [is]not tedious, but for you [it is] safe.

Philippians 3:15-16 (NKJV) 

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you thinkotherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to [the degree] that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

The Fleshky Mind

 The Fleshly Mind

June 16, 2026

Colossians 2:16-19 (NKJV) 

16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moonor sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in [false] humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase [that is] from God.

In today’s scripture, we see the contrast to the mind of Christ, which is the fleshly mind. Instead of having the humble attitude of Christ, the fleshly mind expresses a false humility. This is a religious attitude that majors on rules and regulations and the worship of created things instead of rejoicing in the Lord. This leads to an appearance of godliness but does not lead to true life and peace. 

In our day we see this in the zealous pushing of fad diets such as the vegan lifestyle and the pursuit of hidden knowledge about aliens and unidentified phenomena. One of the recent movie releases, “Disclosure Day”, is said to be an attack on Christianity by proposing the revelation of secret knowledge about extraterrestrials, which contradicts biblical knowledge. There is no end of ways that man has invented for ways to create religious experiences that avoid worshiping the true God. Man is made to worship, and if he rejects the true God, he will find something else to worship. The fleshy mind will find a way invent some way to create order for its life. Whether it is a dedication to football or some other obsession. 

In contrast, the mind of Christ leads us to hold fast to the head and to live together as the body of Christ. This is the way of contentment and peace. So hold fast, and pursue the mind of Christ and reject the ways of the world and the freshly mind.

Attitude of Gratitude

 Attitude of Gratitude 

June 15, 2026

Philippians 4:6 (NKJV) 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV) 

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Having the mind of Christ involves adopting several attitudes. One of these is gratitude. We once had a pastor that printed signs that said “Attitude of Gratitude”, and had us tape it to our bathroom mirror where we would see it first thing every morning. I don’t remember how long that sign stayed there. That house has been sold and that pastor has moved on to his eternal reward, but the lesson remains. If you want to live with the mind of Christ, start your day with an attitude of gratitude. 

This has always been difficult for me. I spent my working life looking for faults in paper making equipment that could be fixed, and investigating inefficiencies that could be improved. That is an attitude of continuous improvement, which leads to increasing productivity, but does not foster a sense of gratitude for what you have. In order to give thanks for all things, you have to be grateful for what you have now, being confident that God will supply anything that is lacking.

So endeavor to give thanks always for all things and make your requests known to God with thanksgiving. Such an attitude will lead you to have the mind of Christ and drawn you closer to the Lord. Shalom.

 

Peace of Mind

Peace of Mind

June 14, 2026

Philippians 4:4-7 (NKJV) 

4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord [is] at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV) 

8Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The last couple of days we have been talking about the mind of Christ and having a mature mind. The apostle wraps up his letter with advice on how to obtain peace of mind. Practicing the following will help you live a peaceful, unworried life:

• Rejoice always
• Don’t be anxious
• Pray about everything
• Be thankful
• Meditate on pure thoughts

And the result will be a life lived with the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.

What else can I say? That’s a good list to start meditating on in order to start you on a road of living with peace of mind. Shalom. Shalom.

Mature Mind

 Mature Mind

June 13, 2926

Philippians 3:12-16 (NKJV) 

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that Imay lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do,] forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to [the degree] that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Yesterday, we talked about having the mind of Christ. Today’s scripture talks about being of a mature mind. By that, the apostle means that we should have an attitude which does not think too highly of ourselves, but persists in pressing on. Being mature means that we don’t think we have arrived, but continue to learn and progress in the Word of God. In the world, we come to an age when we retire and sit back and rest from our labors, but in the Lord we don’t retire; we keep on reaching for the prize. As one old saint put it, “I’m not retired, I’m re-fired!”  So whatever your age, keep on reaching forward and pursue the call of God. Be of the same mind as the Apostle Paul, and keep on walking.