Jesus’ Promise
John 15.16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Suggested Prayer
I pray for the right ideas to come to me in the perfect sequence and in the perfect order, in the right time and in the right way.
Personal Reflection
When Peter learned of God’s plan for Jesus to save the world through his suffering on a cross, he took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (See Matthew 16.22-23).
Every time I read this passage, the phrase that leaps off the page is “you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” I am very guilty of my inner self talk being shaped by the kind of thinking that hinders God’s purposes and are no higher than the “things of man.”
Today’s prayer opens the door for God to align my mind with “the things of God.”
Your Turn
Please join me today in thinking about our thoughts. As an example, I wear glasses. They influence the way I see the world. If they are dirty or if I need to change the prescription, they may be sending false signals about how I see the world.
Thought patterns that we obtain from influences around us are like my glasses. Our thoughts may be dirty or out of focus, especially if our thoughts are only the “things of men.”
As we ask for God’s ideas today, let’s choose to cooperate with him as he greatly desires to give the “mind of Christ” to us. (see 1 Corinthians 2.16).
As usual, please leave a comment to encourage others who read real-voices.com. Thanks.
Real Voices 
This has been a theme for me in recent weeks! One thing I’m learning is that even doing “good” things can be the plans of men and not of God for my life. It takes courage to say “that’s not God’s plan for me” in the face of leaders whom I respect. Seeking the mind of Christ leads us down paths that may look very different from what family and friends see for us. We don’t have to be out “running amok” to be out of God’s will!
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Thank you! These have been a awesome addition to my daily prayers!
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Dear jesus help me to keep my mind set on the things of God and his will.
Help me to see your will for me and guide me in my decision making Amen
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Thanks for your comments, Matt, Denise, and Mark. I am thankful for God’s work in each of your lives. Your comments encourage me and I am sure they are helpful to others. May God bless you richly today.
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