Mind - the steering wheel

GOD has given mankind a freewill to make decisions. The Bible also tells us that GOD's Spirit gives us a sound mind.

   For God has not given us a spirit of fear, 

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

Therefore we have the responsibility to make decisions during our lifetime on earth and to steer our pathway in life.

Each individual's mind is set uniquely, by the experiences and knowledge received in the past, both positive and negative. The world offers knowledge through teachings, education, story books and entertainment through media. Even what is good and true, fall short of the Whole Truth that is revealed only in the Word of GOD!

Therefore, all our mindsets need to be reset by diligent study of GOD's word, the Bible and the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who inspired people to write the books of the Bible, Who is also able to reveal to us the true meaning of the messages in the Bible.

As we study the Bible, our mind is opened to the Truth and every lie that has ruled our lives is exposed. 

 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
John 17:17

Little by little, the Truth is revealed to us so that we can steer our lives in the path of truth and make decisions to walk in the way of righteousness that pleases GOD. This will keep us and our families in the  pathway of GOD's blessings!

The carnal mind in us gets attracted to the things of the world. If we are not careful, we will be ruled by lustful thoughts and be lured into the way of worldliness and materialism that would leave us unfulfilled, and without true and lasting joy!

 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 

And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, 

and into many foolish and harmful lusts 

which drown men in destruction and perdition. 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, 

for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, 

and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:6-10

 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, 

be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you 

at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, 

not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, 

as in your ignorance; 

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

1 Peter 1:13-15

It is necessary for us to hold fast to our steering wheel and steer our lives in the right path that would lead us to Heaven, which is our eternal destination. Would you drive a car without steering it? Isn't it even more important for us to purposefully steer our minds by making wise and godly decisions?

 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; 

They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 

 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord, 

 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. 

 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, 

And be filled to the full with their own fancies. 

 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, 

And the complacency of fools will destroy them; 

 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, 

And will be secure, without fear of evil."

Proverbs 1:28-33

When we worship GOD, we submit and surrender our minds to the leading of the Holy Spirit. When we allow Him to 'Take the wheel', we are safe and are at peace, because He knows the best way!

 "Enter by the narrow gate; 

for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, 

and there are many who go in by it. 

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, 

and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

Let us always choose the lower road of Humility and steer into the narrow path of selflessness. Thus we will be found on the streets of Love which is the way to Eternity!

 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, 

That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18

 A highway shall be there, and a road, 

And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. 

The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. 

Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. 

No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; 

It shall not be found there. 

But the redeemed shall walk there, 

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, 

And come to Zion with singing, 

With everlasting joy on their heads. 

They shall obtain joy and gladness, 

And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:8-10

 

 Artificial Intelligence and Natural Intelligence

Creating and Making

As man tries to fashion and make a model of himself, we can see the complexity involved! 

https://youtu.be/f3c4mQty_so?si=RZItG5MCe2c4fIhm

It will be interesting to now compare notes and stand in awe of our Great Creator! 

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The Almighty GOD created all things from scratch!

He spoke light into the darkness. From the soil that He created, He formed man in His own image. Into that body, He breathed life - physical life and spiritual life.

 

Man is spirit, soul and body.

Soul is the mind - the intelligence, emotions and will and more.

Spirit is the inmost part of man that connects with his Creator GOD!  

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, 

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; 

and man became a living being.

So God created man in His own image; 

in the image of God He created him; 

male and female He created them. 

It is the desire of the manufacturer to see the robot do what he designed it to do. So it is, with our Creator and us!

 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 

My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, 

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. 

And in Your book they all were written, 

The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16

Purpose

A robot is made to help man with his work and to fulfil his purpose.

GOD made man and woman with a purpose, as the crown of creation. They had the authority over all of creation and so they had to take responsibility to tend and keep it. GOD also blessed them and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply. 

 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden 

to tend and keep it.
Genesis 2:15

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, 

"Be fruitful and multiply; 

fill the earth and subdue it; 

have dominion over the fish of the sea, 

over the birds of the air, 

and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Genesis 1:1, 2:7, 1:27-28

Unlike the robots, each individual is created as an unique person. Everyone of us carries a distinct physical appearance and personality! Therefore, GOD has already planned specific good works for each individual to be involved with, in this life that He has given us.

For we are His workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:9-10

Spiritual Purpose

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat,

for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Genesis 2:17

Adam and Eve disobeyed GOD and obeyed the voice of the devil that came through the serpent. They lost their position of authority and died spiritually as GOD had said.

The LORD JESUS, through His death and resurrection, offers us forgiveness of sin and restoration of relationship to GOD. Those who accept this offer and repent of their sins, experience salvation through CHRIST. Thus made spiritually alive again by the Holy Spirit, we are commissioned to proclaim this good news to others. 

 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you!

As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them,

"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them;

if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

John 20:21-23

This new responsibility we have been given, is to see people made alive spiritually by receiving JESUS into their lives. Then, their lives will be empowered by the Holy spirit to live victoriously, according to the word of GOD. 

 Name and Authority

 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20

Just as the robot is named after the author and the designer, Christians are named after CHRIST, the Anointed One. We go out to serve Him in the authority that He has entrusted to us.

In Genesis, GOD commanded Adam and Eve to 'Have dominion'. Adam and Eve lost that place of authority when they obeyed the serpent. The LORD JESUS regained that position of authority on our behalf when He died on the cross. Satan's head was crushed under the feet of JESUS! In His name, we live and work in victory! 

 Power

 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Acts 1:8

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,

He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies

through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:11

The robot has to be frequently charged with an electric connection.

As servants of the LORD, we also need to be frequently empowered by the Holy Spirit of GOD. This we do, by waiting on Him and receiving His power.

Connection

 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you,

the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do;

for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

John 5:19

 Just like how the robot is connected to a human being and is able to do only as he does, the LORD JESUS set the example for us to be connected to Him to operate effectively.

 I am the vine, you are the branches. 

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; 

for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

‘Doing’ should always come from ‘Being’.

Cooling Down

 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, 

because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
Genesis 2:3

 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 

For he who has entered His rest 

has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
Hebrews 4:9-10

After creating man on the sixth day, GOD rested on the seventh day. GOD commanded man also to rest on that same day, which signifies the close relationship GOD desires to have with us. That's when GOD completed His work of creation and then man began his work that was appointed to him by GOD.

The robot machine needs to be cooled down intermittently. We too need to rest often, not only physically, but also find rest to our soul. That is how we can realign to GOD, get our perspectives corrected and strengthened physically, emotionally and spiritually, to operate in our specific calling effectively.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, 

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

Now, the LORD JESUS invites us to come to that place of rest in Him.

My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice--indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things. Do not let your heart envy sinners,

But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; For surely there is a hereafter,

And your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:15-18

If we do not enter into that place of rest with the LORD, we will be in danger of doing our own work which is not of GOD. In doing that, we will not find fulfilment, we will be stressed and our work will not fulfil GOD's eternal purpose. More importantly, we will not be pleasing our maker, nor bring joy to His heart!

Information and Inspiration

AI can be useful in many ways to serve us. But let us beware not to become dependent on it or to bow down to it. Let us use the natural intelligence GOD has given us. He has promised to give us sufficient wisdom for the task allotted to us, when we ask Him.

 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, 

who gives to all liberally and without reproach, 

and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

The work GOD our Creator has entrusted to us, has to be done according to His will, by the enabling of His Holy Spirit. We need to wait on GOD to clear our mind to connect with and hear from Him. We could be tempted to go to AI for information rather that to go to GOD for inspiration! It may be a shortcut, but we will be falling short of GOD's plan. Using AI for GOD's Kingdom purposes can be a snare. Let us beware, lest we be found to be making robots and not disciples!

Let us be constantly connected to the LORD JESUS through the Holy Spirit, and reflect His characteristics. Let us preach the Gospel and teach the truth of GOD's word to people, as led by the Holy spirit, so that they too might become like JESUS! Thus, we would be obeying His command to "Be fruitful and Multiply"!

GOD BLESS YOU!

 My Creator and My Keeper

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, 

And He who formed you, O Israel: 

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; 

I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. 

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, 

Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 43:1-2

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; 

Before you were born I sanctified you; 

I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
Jeremiah 1:5

GOD made each one of us as individuals, unique in our bodies and our souls, as personalities.

He wove us together physically and continues to weave and mold our hearts and souls to perfection, into His very image!

He formed my inward parts with His hand inside me, while covering me with His other hand.

Similarly, GOD continues to work within me through His Spirit while covering me with His hand and forming my soul, as I walk through life's situations and relationships. 

 For You formed my inward parts; 

You covered me in my mother's womb. 

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 

My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, 

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. 

And in Your book they all were written, 

The days fashioned for me, 

When as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16

After falling into sin, David the Psalmist repented of his sin and cried out the following words to his GOD. 

 Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

Do not cast me away from Your presence, 

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 51:10-11

I am the vine, you are 

the branches. 

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; 

for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

As the LORD fills me and surrounds me, I bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, displaying the beautiful character of CHRIST JESUS.

 And I have put My words in your mouth; 

I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, 

That I may plant the heavens, 

Lay the foundations of the earth, 

And say to Zion, 'You are My people.' "
Isaiah 51:16

As the LORD continues to cover me, His Spirit speaks creative and life-giving words through me. 

 For we are His workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

Each one of us has been crafted uniquely by GOD for a specific purpose, and to walk into the good works He has already prepared for us!

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. 

O my soul, you have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, 

My goodness is nothing apart from You."
Psalm 16:1-2

We are kept preserved in CHRIST, as we navigate our relationships with each other in humility and selfless love through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand...

...The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in 

From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Psalm 121:3, 5, 7-8

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; 

and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless 

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

It is the LORD Who redeems our life, renews our life and preserves us for eternity!

Bless the Lord, O my soul; 

And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 

Who redeems your life from destruction, 

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 

Who satisfies your mouth with good things, 

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:1-5

Structure of a Christian Family

 Structure of a Christian Family

We find that most Christian families operate according to the systems of the world. The roles of the members of the family have shifted from that prescribed in the Scriptures. Consequently, there are square pegs in round holes! Instead of experiencing the joy in fulfilling GOD's purpose, the family members are stressed, and there is strife in Christian homes. 

 And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; 

I will make him a helper comparable to him." 

Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field 

and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam 

to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called 

each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, 

to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. 

But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; 

and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 

Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man 

He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 

And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; 

She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." 

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, 

the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2:18-25

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; 

Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. 

It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, 

The fruit of the womb is a reward. 

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, 

So are the children of one's youth. 

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; 

They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:1-5

Many women are in secular careers and are kept busy in offices. Thus their homes and families are neglected. The husbands have wives who are not there to play the role of a wife. The children have mothers who are busy at work and have no time to spend with them. Most kids are put into childcare centres throughout the day. They grow up without receiving much love, guidance and security from their parents. 

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. 

When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, 

and it shall be well with you. 

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, 

Your children like olive plants All around your table. 

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord. 

The Lord bless you out of Zion, 

And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. 

Yes, may you see your children's children. 

Peace be upon Israel!
Psalm 128:1-6

 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 

he heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 

She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-12


Strength and honor are her clothing; 

She shall rejoice in time to come. 

She opens her mouth with wisdom, 

And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 

She watches over the ways of her household, 

And does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Her children rise up and call her blessed; 

Her husband also, and he praises her:
Proverbs 31:25-28

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, 

that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, 

may be won by the conduct of their wives, 

when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 

Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, 

wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- 

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, 

with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, 

which is very precious in the sight of God. 

For in this manner, in former times, the holy women 

who trusted in God also adorned themselves, 

being submissive to their own husbands, 

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are 

if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, 

giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, 

and as being heirs together of the grace of life, 

that your prayers may not be hindered. Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, 

be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, 

but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, 

that you may inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:1-9

 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 

"Honor your father and mother," 

which is the first commandment with promise: 

"that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." 

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, 

but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-4

if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, 

having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 

 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, 

not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 

 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy,

self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, 

that he may be able, by sound doctrine, 

both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
Titus 1:6-9

 The wise woman builds her house, 

But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Proverbs 14:1

The home of a Christian should have an atmosphere of peace and joy as the members of the family love one another as our LORD JESUS Himself commanded. The LORD loves us selflessly. Such should be our love for others!  

 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:12


 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, 

and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; 

even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 

to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, 

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns 

and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:12-16

Rather than fancy wall hangings, let the word of GOD be portrayed on our walls. Let priority be placed on studying and obeying the word. Let there be personal and family prayer and let JESUS be made comfortable in our homes! Let us not displease Him in any way by anger and strife nor dishonour Him by living according to worldly standards and placing our trust in the systems of this world.

Let praises arise from our hearts and voices and the music systems in our homes!

Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 

By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3-4