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Friday, July 15, 2011

Free Your Mind!

Not to long ago, my pastor preached on freedom in submission. He went on to say how the enemy tries to convince us that there is freedom in rebellion. This thought has been on my mind a lot lately as I catch glimpses of the news and listen to others rant about how they are free to do what they will.

In my current sphere of influence, I come in contact with a lot of people that are in bondage. Unfortunately it seems that they continue to enslave themselves by feeding and spreading their negative, ignorant mindsets. Most of you would think that, this is America, we are free! What are you talking about? But the truth is even in America, some will say ESPECIALLY in America bondage is prevalent. I think for most of us, particularly African Americans, it is hard to identify the bondage because bondage is a mindset that is restrained and we fool ourselves by defining our freedom as being free of just physical restraints like slavery. So looking at the mindset of our community and the ailments that run rampant in our community it becomes clear that we are restrained and very much in bondage.

Some of these mindsets that plague our community are:

Service is slavery. Many people in our community refuse to volunteer and serve others because they "do not believe in working for free". However, our community is suffering because the lack of people willing to roll up their sleeves and help out.

The truth is: But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11 Slavery was demeaning to say the least but service, the act of choosing to humble yourself to help others, God will exalt.

I can't win if you don't loose. For whatever reason our community has the mindset that someone has to loose in order for someone to be victorious. It saddens me to think about all the growth and development that could take place if we would loose the fear of loosing and work together in developing each other. When we can get past the crab in a barrel mindset we will see that WIN WIN opportunities do exist if we work together to create them.

The truth is: If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4

There is only room for one at the top. I think this is one of the most ridiculous concepts because in life you see many people doing the same thing and are successful. However, in our community, this ignorant mindset says that there is only room for one. We fail to support each other's ventures because once again, fear cripples us into believe only one person can be at the top and if I support you getting there then that leaves me on the bottom.

The truth is:"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16  He compares us to a city on a hill. We are all on top, a city is made up of more than one building, there is room for all of us to shine.

Somethings we just don't talk about. In our community there are a lot of critical issues we refuse to address. Mental illness, homosexuality, money, incest and other taboo subjects we refuse to admit exist because if we talk about it is real. No it is real regardless! Through our silence we are killing ourselves. Instead of being silent we should speak with tact and seek resolutions and healing through our words.

The truth is: I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18 Loose your tongues to speak healing, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge so that we can overcome the issues that are taking over our communities.

So what does all this have to do with the freedoms we have in Christ. Everything! When we have the old mindset that we had before accepting Christ then we aren't renewing our mind . One scripture in particular I wan to highlight is Genesis 12.


1 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

4 So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 

When we take part in the body of Christ,we take part in His inheritances. We all get excited about that, but we have to look at the scripture leading to the promise. God instructed Abram to leave everything he knew. His family. His home. His mindset. And the scripture says "So Abram departed as the Lord spoken to him." and he was seventy-five years old. Could you imagine being seventy-five years old and completely abandoning everything you know and love? Abram was wise enough to know that when it is time to grow, you have to let GO!

We need to take a cue from Abram and leave the old way of thinking behind and depart as the Lord speaks to us. We need to align our thinking with the Word of God. Forget the customs and the ways of this world, our community, and our family and follow Christ. We have to have faith that His way of living is the only right way and it is the best way for us.

Turning from everything you know is difficult and not logical according to our flesh. However getting into the Word of God you will be assured that it is right and prosperous to live for Christ. Through Christ we have been freed of bondage. Our minds are free of the lies of the enemy and we are no longer captives to the filth and struggle of this world. As a Christian if you are feeling suppressed to the thoughts and the way of doing things, I encourage you to FREE YOUR MIND! The way to do so is to constantly feed into the Word of God and keep seeking His word and using His Word to guide every action in your life.

Our true freedom is found in submitting ourselves to Christ. You are REDEEMED! Be FREE!



Be blessed and be a blessing,
Kita




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