8-Mar-15

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 12:7-8The mind is truly a creation of beauty.  The mind is governed by the flesh, or the world, or it is governed by the Spirit.  We have the choice as to which we follow and then our whole mind is taken over by that choice.  It becomes our master, the one whom we serve.  That master fills our hearts and our minds and becomes the focal point of every decision we make on this earth.“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.  Matthew 6:24Choosing money, we soon become enamored by the pull of power over others and greed for more.  We become arrogant and self-serving.  If we choose God, we choose life and have it abundantly.  We were called to be free, not to indulge the flesh, but to serve one another humbly in love.  There it is — Love!  When we love God, we love others.  There is nothing more freeing that to love our neighbor as ourselves.Our nation was built by those who served God, and in doing so, served others.  Quilting parties, barn-raising, threshing crews — the list is endless.  Someone’s needs become a way to serve God and our neighbor in need.  When we think of others instead of ourselves — our mind doesn’t have time or the inclination for self-indulgence.When the mind is governed by the Holy Spirit, we are truly free.  We experience love for others, and through this, we have the best of this life — and the most in the life to come with Jesus Christ.  In Him, we learn the greatest – to love.  We learn to love God with our whole heart and mind.You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 12:13-14