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Scripture for the day: 1 Corinthians 2:11-12,14,16 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.  And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us… But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means… For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?  Who knows enough to teach him?”  But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
Thought for the day: I’ve just spent some valuable time with the Lord.  That may not sound like much to many of you; perhaps your prayer time is much more fully developed than mine, much more disciplined and organized.  On the other hand, the sun is barely above the horizon and it was fully dark when I rolled out of bed.  The best hours of the day, the quietest time, the time of fewest interruptions have come and gone.  During that time with the Lord, I spent a bit of time in His Word.  My most dangerous request, my prayer was this: Lord, illuminate my mind and heart with Your Word.  
 Now that may not seem like such a big deal to you, but I’ve discovered that when I ask the Lord to reveal some insight, some direction, that He may have for me, the results may not fit with what I had in mind going into the encounter.  I think we have to be very careful in our asking.  Many of us mouth those words without the least intention of responding to God’s answer, particularly when that answer goes against our idea of what God should be telling us (as I was typing that sentence, I realized how confusing it seems to me; let me explain).  This really has to do with “putting on the mind of Christ.”  When I get the mind of Christ I can understand and respond to that still small voice within.  No longer does the agenda for the day, the week, or the lifetime for that matter, have to do with what I think ought to happen.  Suddenly, when Jesus truly begins to live His life through me, my agenda becomes lost in His and I’m suddenly able to grasp what He wants and, even more importantly, get on board with it.
 Suddenly I’ve moved from Romans 7 to Romans 8; I no longer struggle with wanting to do His will and being unable to do it.  I move into the realm of “Yes Lord,” and a complete rest in His strength.
 In an instant I’ve moved from fear to joy.  As John said, “perfect love casts out fear.”  And I can go on with Christ, fearing nothing, rejoicing in everything, and gladly fulfilling His every desire in my life.
 There is a new-found love for His word, regardless of how challenging His word may be.  Rather than cringing at the thought of what He might have in mind for me, I can look deeply into the Word of God with anticipation of the adventure He may be wanting to take me on today.  Paul, when he was on his second missionary journey, worked hard to get into Asia to preach the gospel.  The Holy Spirit checked him on several occasions.  Only after his nighttime vision of the man from Macedonia did he and his traveling companions move out into that province so desperately in need of the Good News.
 Can you imagine the excitement in the camp when Paul got up from his vision?  I have to believe he burst out of his tent or the room in which he was staying, probably well before daylight, and woke everyone in the neighborhood with his excited preparations to move into Asia.  “Let’s move out people!  God has called us to an exciting adventure in Asia!!  There’s not a moment to waste.  Let’s pack up and get in step with the Spirit.  Wow!  What a life!”
 Let me ask you: are you in step with the Spirit?  When He speaks, do you hear Him?  When he calls your name do you answer, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening”?  Have you the mind of Christ?  Yield to Him; let Him give you a spiritual awakening like you’ve never had before.  But be ready to respond, to obey, to do the will of the One who sent you.
Now go take on your world.  -  Bill