I’m joining a group of bloggers blogging through 1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times {An Inductive Bible Study} by Sue Edwards over the next nine weeks. This blog tour has been sponsored by Kregel Publishing, and I was provided a free copy of the Bible study book in exchange for my participation in the blog tour.
See all my posts in this series: 1 Peter.
I’ve shared before how God uses various means and methods over the course of a short period of time to drive home specific messages to me, and this week’s study on 1 Peter has been the culmination of yet another series of connected lessons.
On Sunday, our worship leader read from 1 Corinthians 1.18-31 to prepare our hearts for our pastor’s sermon.
“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men… but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong… so that, just as it is written, ‘Let him who boats, boast in the Lord’.” {excerpts from 1 Corinthians 1.8-31, NASB}
Monday, I shared my thoughts about mind readers – how I’d like one, except only if it came with an off switch. My mind is a battle-field I’m constantly having to defend, and I shared 2 Corinthians 10.5 in my post.
“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
Wednesday, in my Good Morning Girls study through the book of Ephesians {led by Amanda of The Pelsers}, I was working through Ephesians 1.9.
“He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.”
Put all that together with this week’s study of 1 Peter 1.13-2.3, and there’s definitely a message that God is trying to drive home into my life.
In fact, I didn’t have to make it past the first part of verse 13 to see a common thread coming together!
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” {1 Peter 1.13}
In our workbook, Sue asks, “What do you think it means to gird up your mind?” in reference to the phrase, “prepare your minds for action” {NASB}.
At first, I wasn’t sure what that meant. I thought about it for a few minutes, but I was still undecided as to its meaning, so I referred to my Ryrie Study Bible notes.
Ryrie said, “prepare your minds for action = be disciplined in your thinking.”
As I read this, 2 Corinthians 10.5 immediately came to mind – taking captive every thought in obedience to Christ.
Sue continued her questioning, inquiring whether I thought I was a smart person and how I would answer that question in light of 1 Corinthians 2.12-16.
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” {1 Corinthians 2.16}
As I read this passage and considered it in light of the preceding verses {which I had been exposed to on Sunday}, I was reminded that as a believer, I have been given the mind of Christ in order to know the will of God. This realization directed my thoughts to my study in Ephesians, specifically verse 9 {see above}.
Sue reminded me that, “You have the mind of Christ but developing a biblical worldview is a process.” Developing a biblical worldview comes from spending time in the Word {something I’ve neglected to do as much as I ought lately, and I have been trying to do more} and memorizing and meditating on the Word of God.
As Sue so aptly stated, “How we think determines how we feel and ultimately how we behave.”
I want to behave in accordance with the Word of God, so I must focus my thoughts on His will and His Word in order to direct my feelings and behaviorto obey Him.
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How will you work on developing your mind this week?
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*A
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