It’s kind of funny, isn’t it? We want to be something we’re not, but we don’t want to change to become it, do we? We want to be more like Christ, we want to be successful, we want to be loving husbands and fathers, but we don’t want to change.

Here’s a great question for you, guys, “How do you supposed we become more like Christ in our homes, relationships, workplace, communities, and church if we don’t change our hearts and mindsets?” To be honest, I don’t have a clue.

Change – the last frontier of our lives, yet the constant in all of life. Change brings life. Change brings new and with new comes life. Your body is constantly changing – some of you would definitely agree with me – but, it’s that change that rejuvenates life. A lack of change and rejuvenation ushers in stagnation and with stagnation death – death of the heart, our passions, and the mind.

God has been changing me lately – my mind and my heart. My life got to the point that it seemed that my anger was raising it’s ugly head all the time. I haven’t had to deal with my anger and its sinful outbursts in a long time. My outbursts scare Cindy. She reminded me that every time I get angry it costs me something – money to replace or fix something, my relationship with her and others, even my relationship with God. Something needed to change and change quickly!

Through some great counsel (thanks Scott) I’ve begun to read through a book that’s been around a while, but is having a dramatic impact in and on my life. It is T.W. Hunt’s The Mind of Christ. Did you know that you can have the mind of Christ? Do you realize that to have the mind of Christ is to be in complete harmony with God and God’s desires? I want that. I want to be so in tune with God that I’m free from the bondage of sin and sinful thinking.

Did you know that to have the mind of Jesus requires change? YEP!! Make no mistake about it, this is a process. It doesn’t happen over night, though there are some biblical principles that will make an immediate impact (change) if you begin applying them to your life and your relationships. I’m working through the process now, asking God to change my heart, my relationships, my loyalties, my prejudices, my thought process and I’m seeing God in a whole new light.

I’ve also asked some men, a band of brothers – fellow warriors who knows about struggle and life change – to pray for me and hold me accountable for my anger. They are. In fact one fellow warrior asked me about it this past Sunday morning. Thanks Terry. Keep it up.

Life, the life in Christ we can all have is about change. Life changes. . .we change, but do you want change for God?

As God teaches me I will share with you.

I would ask that you pray for me and pray for Cindy. Pray that God will give me opportunities to share what He is teaching me with other men who struggle as well.

Mike

In all honesty, there are times and parts of my life that I don’t trust God for or with. Take my finances. I should be trusting God like crazy right now. I’m beginning a new ministry, I’ve got bills to pay, and I’m getting married in 11 days. But every month I get ancy when bills come due and there’s little or no money in the account. Yet. . .every month God provides whatever I need to pay bills.

Speaking of the ministry, I don’t always trust God with the ministry, either. I don’t always pray for and expect Him to provide opportunities to speak and share. I’m sure I could go on and on, but the real question I must ask myself everyday is, “What am I trusting God for today – and expecting Him to provide?”

What about you? What are you trusting God for today? Are you trusting Him with your marriage? Are you trusting Him with your children? Are you trusting Him with your business or work? Are you trusting Him with your faith? Or your attitude? Or your joy?

Let me caution you here. God is not a magic genie who grants our every wish and I do not subscribe to the name it and claim it philosophy of religion. But I do know that if you will delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart (Ps 37:4). And if you ask, according to God’s Word – nothing contrary to His nature or His will – He will grant it, if He so desires. It may not be what you want, the way you want, or when you want. But, expect it!! Keep trusting Him. Keep putting it in His hands. Expect more than you already do.

Then wait and watch. Be sensitive to His leading and where’s He’s working. When you see Him leading you and providing, receive it!

So what are you trusting God for today?

Mike

This morning spent some time in John 14.   That’s when one of my struggles became evident.  Verses 13 and 14 say. . .

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Let me say up front that I DO NOT believe that God is some genie who exists to fulfill our personal desires and grant our wishes.  I don’t believe in the “name it and claim it” approach to God.  I thing that our prayers should be in accordance with His will and His character.  I also know he knows my every need – even before I do.  And that He invites me to approach the throne of grace with confidence – not arrogance, mind you, but confident in knowing that God desires to hear our requests (Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16).

So here’s my struggle this morning:  How do I pray for my needs – finances, opportunities to speak, selling stuff, etc. and not sound selfish? I’ve asked God to teach me how to pray according to His will and character.  I want Him to show me how to present my needs and my heart to Him in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Maybe you can shed some light on your experiences with praying for needs.  I could definitely use some help here.

Mike