I’m sure it’s not just me. Surely, you’ve been there, too. Your computer, phone, or device just isn’t cooperating. So, you refresh. If that doesn’t work, you turn it off – and back on again. Plus, you take care of any updates. Worse case scenario, you back-up data and re-format your device. Honestly! A lot of management! Similarly, there’s management needed for a mindset to work well. However, it involves certain reboots, re-starts, updates, and even re-formats to have a positive mindset work.

Let’s see what Scripture says.

Let’s Tear Into – A Positive Mindset Works

We always explore four categories in Scripture dissection:

1. What Does It Say?
2. What Does It Mean?
3. Make It Personal.
4. Make A Commitment.

 

1. What Does It Say?

Let’s look at a couple of verses from Rom. 8:1-8.

1. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” [Then it gives details of God’s accomplishment through Christ’s cross.]
2. “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires.”
3. “But those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” 
4. “The mind governed by the flesh is death [and hostile to God], but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” 
5. “Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” 

 

That’s what those verses say.

2. What Does It Mean- A Positive Mindset?

Mindset is a choice you have control over. Essentially, it’s an amazing opportunity to be the best “you.” Plus, it gives you power to make a difference in your life and in others’ lives.

You can choose a negative mindset. But – why would you do that? Essentially, that puts you in a place where you can’t maneuver as well. In contrast, a positive mindset opens doors and empowers a full life. Additionally, it connects you with hope and possibilities.

Nevertheless, a positive mindset builds on the previous verses. Let’s look at their meaning.

First, refer to each of the five verses – above. Then, look at what each means – below:

1. If you trust Jesus as Savior, you are no longer condemned. Jesus took your condemnation into Himself.
2. If you “do what your lower nature wants,” your mind is set on pleasing yourself.
3. Contrastingly, if you do what God wants, your mind is set on pleasing God. 
4. More seriously, if your focus is your old nature, your mindset leads to death. However, if you focus on Christ, your mindset leads to everything good.
5. It’s sobering. You will never please God if you follow your old-nature mindset.

 

FYI, you can choose your mindset. However, you need God’s help to carry it out. Start by stopping pleasing yourself. Instead, work to please God. That’s when you’ve got His help. Incidentally, that’s when things begin to make more sense.

This is what these verses mean.

3. Make It Personal

Did you know your mind-set affects everything?

• Big stuff.
• Small stuff.
• Short-term.
• And especially long-term.

 

God wants you to succeed. He knows what you are up against in this life. After all, He lived here for thirty-three years. Plus, He’s the designer of everything. Further, He knows how all things were intended to work in the beginning. Equally, He knows how to get His plans to work even in the broken state of the world.

To succeed, renew your mindset. How does that happen?

Rom. 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

So, how do you renew your mind?

Strategies For A Positive Mindset

To live with a positive mindset that works, you need to follow several strategies from Scripture.

First, talk sincerely with God. Tell Him what you’re going through. Then, ask Him to show how His Word affects your mind-set. Be honest and humble – a learner – as you talk with God. He wants to help and loves you very much.

Then, get serious. Spend regular time in God’s Word.

• Read it.
• Meditate on it.
• Memorize it.
• Journal it.
• Claim it.
• Live it.
• Share with others.

 

Finally, surrender to His Word. Essentially, this means – apply it. Continually. Ask God to make it real in your life. Further, ask God to show you how to manage details of your life. Let Scripture affect you!

No one else can do this for you. So, be pro-active, courageous, resolved, and creative.

Commit to carry out God’s Word in your –

• Thoughts.
• Attitudes.
• Speech.
• Conduct.

 

In other words, let it come alive in you.

Look To Jesus For A Mindset That Works

Let’s look at Jesus’ life on earth. His mindset was set to accomplish His life purpose.

1. He overpowered the villain, but died in the process of taking down the perpetrator.
2. Yet, He successfully broke the power of sin by cancelling it out.
3. After that, He came back to life again.
4. Intentionally, He made His resurrected life known to people before returning to Heaven.
5. Amazingly, Jesus promised He will return to take you to your real home – Heaven.
6. Meanwhile, your sin lies in a heap – powerless.
7. All good news! 

 

Choose A Positive Mindset

 

Helpful “S” Words

Surely, Jesus makes His power instantly available for you. So, choose God’s Word. Then practice the twelve ideas for a positive mindset. Finally, add some “S” words into your life:

1. Strive to live in the power of God’s Word.
2. Sincerity is a personal power that keeps you true to Scripture.
3. Seriousness helps you soberly consider and obey God’s Word.
4. Surrender to the principles of Scripture gives you a “win” in every situation.

 

Backward Steps Tear Down Positive Mindset

When you step out of your new, positive mind-set in Christ and settle back into the old mindset – picking up sin Jesus defeated – and start practicing it again:

1. First. Why would you do that?
2. Second. That’s going backwards instead of forward.
3. Third. This response shows no gratitude – and perhaps no understanding.
4. Fourth. You cancel out any desire and progress to become like Jesus.
5. Finally. You nullify the power God made available to you.

 

So, What Should You Do?

First – die to sin. It’s not an option anymore. Set your mind and live in the reality Christ paid dearly for. Incidentally, you can do this – because “you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” (Phil. 4:13)

Next – be vibrantly alive in Christ even as you consider yourself dead to sin. Insist on it. This positive mind-set works. And it’s yours if you choose it and stay in it.

Finally, when you trust Jesus for salvation and forgiveness, you are “hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) Let’s unpack this idea.

Unpack – Hidden With Christ In God!

I don’t know any safer place in the universe than hidden with Christ in God. Simultaneously, you are free from sin. So, you are safe and free. Those two realities strengthen your positive mind-set. Christ did everything to secure this for you.

So what’s your portion? Simply, remain in Christ and His mindset during every detail each day. Pray often through your day.

Additionally, stay in Scripture to gain richer understanding – and to make better decisions. As you depend on God’s Spirit, you’ll see helpful solutions, creative ideas, and boundaries you didn’t see before. Also, you’ll recognize danger and what’s off limits. Again, here are steps to stay in Scripture:

• Read it.
• Meditate on it.
• Memorize it.
• Journal it.
• Claim it.
• Live it.
• Share with others.

 

In summary, your mind-set is strengthened as you remain in Christ and stay in (practice) Scripture.

This battle is won or lost in your mind. Equally, you must pursue this as a lifestyle.

Choose your master

You need a master. Actually, you are master of your will. However, you decide who you will serve. Jesus or the enemy. It does not please God when you flip back and forth between masters. Jesus said you cannot serve two masters. (Mt. 6:24)

For a positive mindset that works, “fix your mind on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith.” (Heb. 12:2)

4. Make A Commitment – Application Thoughts And Questions

1. What has your mind-set been recently?
2. Do you sometimes practice a negative mindset? Why?
3. Do you remain in Christ through your day?
4. How do you practice staying in Scripture?
5. Think of times you apply the twelve practical ideas. (Review) What did you notice?
6. Will you commit to fix your mind on Jesus?

 

* Portions of this content came from our book – It’s Your Move – a devotional book that takes you through Romans and powerfully challenges you to live with perspective and purpose. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.

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TIMELY Heads-Up! . . .

Day #3 Fun Activity uses Resurrection Eggs to tell the Easter story with a little reminder token in each egg. To get your set before Wednesday’s Fun Activity:

• Order NOW (amazon – or another online vendor) OR
• Visit/call your local Christian Bookstores to inquire about a set OR
• Make your own.

 

To make your own:

Incidentally, it’s fun and simple to make your own set! Fill empty plastic eggs with little items to tell the Easter story. This picture shows items needed in each plastic egg. Kids of every age love this set.

With a little creativity, you can find/make items similar to these things:

• #1Egg-Donkey – Jesus rode into Jerusalem.
• #2Egg-Coins – Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver.
• #3Egg-Cup – The last supper of communion.
• #4Egg-Praying hands – Jesus’ agonizing prayer in Gethsemane.
• #5Egg-Whip – He was scourged severely.
• #6Egg-Rooster – “You’ll deny Me 3 times before the rooster crows.
• #7Egg-Crown of thorns – Put on Jesus’ head.
• #8Egg-Cross – He was nailed to a cross.
• #9Egg-Spear – His side was pierced after dying.
• #10Egg-Cloth – Jesus was wrapped in linen.
• #11Egg-Stone – A stone closed the tomb Jesus was laid in.
• #12Egg-Empty – He rose from the dead and isn’t there.

 

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