Resolves for Living in this Present Age

The most recent movie of the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens awakened the Force again.  George Lucas, known for creating the saga, admitted he put the Force in Star Wars to awaken spirituality in young people; more of belief in God than a religious system.  In the movies this energy field around and within all living things is utilized for paranormal and Samurai fighting skills by the light and dark sides of the Force.  (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Force_(Star_Wars).

Do you also think there is need for a spiritual awakening in youth –and adults too?  It appears many do not care; or they care but are distracted while satisfying their desires by less noble things.  They need a spiritual awakening to God.  God is Spirit, the source and force of life.  God fully meets the human need for light and joy in this often dark and troublesome world.  (Genesis 1:1-3, John 1:1-18, 1 John 1:1-4).

The Bible is more interesting than any movie.  It captures the true human saga, both the light side and the dark side.  Its timeless message awakens the best in humans, to really care, because life and purpose is worth caring about.  People who don’t care about the meaning of life, or who continue to be distracted by things of lesser significance, fail to appreciate the gift of existence.  Our Creator is worthy of our honor and our continual thanksgiving for His plans and gifts for our life and destiny.  (Romans 1:18-21, Acts 17:22-31).

You can make resolutions any time, not just at the start of a New Year.  If you tend not to make resolutions, it could be you are failing to inspire yourself with what is truly significant.  Thus, I encourage you to go with any wholesome resolution that’s really significant for improving your wellbeing and relationships.  Will you also resolve to wake up to the importance of your spiritual transformation?

At the heart of spiritual transformation is the resolve to be transformed by the renewal of your mind based upon God’s revelation of his mercies toward us.  In spite of the human lack of appreciation for God’s light, and willful propensity to stray into the darkness away from God’s wisdom; God loves for God is love.  Because you may choose to disregard or embrace God’s love, you may continue in conformity to this world’s dark side, or choose to thoughtfully give your body and life to the light of this world, Christ?  (Proverbs 4:20-27, Romans 12:1-5).

God’s highest and most powerful thoughts for blessing our lives forever are about His love for us through His only eternal Son Jesus.   Sadly, many neglect this positive force of true spirituality because they are more impressed by the temporary attractions of this age than God’s thoughts for their renewal for an eternal future without the dark side.  So, will you resolve now to start paying attention to God’s thoughts for the transformation of your life by the renewal of your mind?  (Matthew 6:19-34, Ephesians 1:1-14, Colossians 1:24-2:10).

Renewal for the Double Mind

How do you normally react to stressful circumstances and unpleasant memories?   The Bible says to count it all joy.  Still, what if you habitually dwell on negative thoughts and covetous desires?  Although you are a Christian and think of yourself as a good person, you can choose to dwell on bad or sad thoughts.  Your brain will tend to manifest the strongest patterns of prior responses.  You can choose to strengthen the good and weaken the bad.  If you nurture both, you instead become double-minded.  You don’t have to let sinful desires become implanted in your brain.  (James 1).

Corrupting memories and sinful habits are the result of repetitious thinking and choices.  This pattern can be interrupted in order to develop new, righteous memories and habits.  Within the same day you form a bad thought, modify it by rethinking good thoughts.  You are not forever determined by the manifestations of your brain.  You can choose for better instead of worse.   The new better thoughts will be like seeds that can be nurture into a fruit tree by consistent thinking, choices and actions.   Thus, choose to renew your mind daily though prayer, wisdom and being led by the Spirit.  Visualize the character and lifestyle that comes from being transformed, and think of ways to talk, write about, and practice the new you.

Through reflection on God’s thoughts you can immediately reset your brain for renewal.  Align your thinking about your life with God’s vision for you, to be among the first fruits of his creatures.  Plant the wisdom of his word within your lasting memories.  Eliminate your double-mindedness and you can make significant progress within a couple of months.  Persevere in being transformed by the renewal of your mind, and the mental tree of a renewed memory will regularly realize the fruit of righteousness in season.  (Romans 12:1-2; Psalm 1; and Psalm 16:7).