Gird up the Loins of Your mind !

I Peter 1:13 speaks of girding up the loins of your mind. I thought on this long and hard today and a few days prior to writing this story. I Peter 1:3-5 says to me things of my heavenly inheritance. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1:6-13 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith , being more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith- the salvation of your souls. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you. searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when he testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven- things which angels desire to look into. 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. I Peter 1:14-as obedient children not conforming yourself to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in your conduct, because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy. And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each ones work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish or spot.

It seems that lately I have been grieved with various trials, I am tired and weary in mind as well as in my body. I thought on this scripture and I decided that Jesus was telling me to gird up the loins of my mind and keep all that He has taught me within. I do not want depression to come in. I want only the good thoughts of the Lord to be contained within my mind. I will constrict what goes into my mind about things if I feel they will bring sorrow and harm to me. I will rest my mind and my hopes will be in the one who died for me. I will be obedient to His word even though it may not fit in with the things that go on around with me. I want to live before my Father in Heaven with fear as I conduct myself to the best of my knowledge from his word in the manner I think would please Him. His love and mercy has came to me and surrounded me more and more every day that I live for Him. He does have an inheritance reserved for me in Heaven. I praise Him for His love to me. My salvation is kept by the power of God to be revealed at the end of time. Angels do desire to look into what the Lord has given to me.

The mind is a precious thing. What will you allow to penetrate into your thoughts. I want to contain all that I can that God has shown me to help me when things begin to seep out into the old habits I had when I was letting my mind be controlled as well as thought patterns of defeat that succeeded into defeat. I must realize that according to the word we will have the mind of Christ living in us if we let it be so. I can always be in my right mind with the healing of the good shepherd dwelling there to bring peace, contentment and healing. I will sit and talk with Jesus with the loins of my mind girded up with the armor of God put on I am ready for the daily battles that come my way daily. He has put His laws within my mind and I will be in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on thee. I will love the Lord with all my soul, heart, and mind. I have girded up the loins of my mind in Jesus through a mind of fervent prayer. Praise His Name........Peace and Joy flood my soul. Written by Karen {Barnett} Armstrong

March 15, 2002