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Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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."
An iPhone is equipped with a feature called "screen time," where the user can view the total amount of time they've spent on their phone as well as a breakdown of the most used apps throughout a given day. For many people, the results can be surprising!
What if you could view a "screen time" of your mind? Did you know that we have around 50,000 thoughts a day? From the moment we wake up until the time we go to sleep, our brain processes thoughts of worry, excitement, ease, boredom, intrigue, and so much more. As we view the results, we see patterns emerge in our thinking.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12 that we have thought patterns. These thought patterns determine our beliefs which directly affect our feelings, actions, and choices. Within his teaching, he reminds us that to live out God's intended best for our lives, we must have a constant mind "reset." That means putting our thoughts, feelings, and actions through the filter of God's Word as we move through each day.
Are you able to discern what thoughts should manifest in your mind and what thoughts to stop in their tracks? The word "renewing" in today's verse signifies a routine action. It's the daily task of allowing Scripture and the things of God to help direct your thought life. What will you discover when you check the screen time of your mind? Will you find distractions that take you off-course or will you find God's good, pleasing, and perfect will?
When was the last time you "reset" your mind? Have you consistently dedicated specific time in your day to read or listen to God's Word? If not, make an appointment on your calendar every day this week to push the reset button as you spend alone time with God.
Dear God, Thank You for the fact that the Bible is so relevant and applicable to my life today. Renew my thoughts and help me focus on what's pleasing to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.