Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV

I must tell you the thoughts, prayers, hopes, struggles, scripture, and links all of you have left in comments over the past week during this series are incredible. Thank you. Thank you for loving others in the community of God with your words.

What are you feeding your brain?

I want to tell you a story. There once was a girl who was lost in a world of ambitions, caught up in obtaining all the “stuff” the TV commercials said she was entitled to have. She was lost in pride and self-centeredness. That girl was me.

I bought into the lie… I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan and never, never let you forget you’re a man. I was convinced I was everything and more of what a modern woman should be.

There once was a girl who one day realized that way of living was proving shallow.

There once was a girl who fell in love with Jesus. That girl was me. I rediscovered the faith of my youth and ran home to Jesus. BUT, my brain resisted letting go of the world I had known. My brain, my life, needed reprogramming.

So, just how does one reprogram a brain to be Christlike?

It all begins with nutrition. Nutrition for the spirit.

Now listen to what God says about reprogramming your brain: take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

What I know to be truth is this: What you pour into your soul WILL eventually come out. You may want to argue with this statement but I promise you it is truth. With this said, today I want you to think about what you are putting inside. Is it of God or is it not.

I had to change many things about my life to allow Jesus to transform my mind. First, and this is the most important step you will ever take toward transformation, read God’s word. Everyday. Period. The End.

Second, what kind of television programming are you allowing in? What music are you listening to? Books? Video games? Internet? Even news.

Let me give you a personal example. I will sit down to watch some kind of new programming on Television or a movie that looks interesting. Within the first five minutes of watching I will sometimes feel a chink in my spirit that it is not good or right, even offensive to my Jesus.  

Immediately, I jump off the couch and turn it off. If my unbelieving husband still wants to watch, I leave the room. Nowadays, my husband will comment to me about a movie coming out or a new series to premiere saying, “Honey, you won’t like this show.” He knows me well. I will not allow it in my mind.

Now I know what you are thinking. This doesn’t apply to my life. After all I am an adult, I know how to discern adult content and it will not affect me. It’s a lie. Why pour it in when you can fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NIV

Right now I bet you can think of a few programs you need to walk away from. Do it. Turn on praise and worship music every chance you get. Listen to online messages that edify.

Transformation of your mind is a deliberate and protracted process. But what I know to be true is one day after years of filling your mind with scripture and things of God, YOU WILL face a moment. Your moment will be a point of decision or confrontation and instead of failing, the words of God will rise up inside you and you will have the perfect answer. Scripture will become alive and active. You will have God’s power alive in you to face any obstacle even crisis and overcome it.

How awesome it that.

The more years I walk with the Lord the more I see that His word truly is alive and active. It is alive and active….. and powerful and for our benefit. Soak it in. Turn off the world and watch the transformation of your very life begin.

This week I want you to do two things. One, consider a fast from television. Or begin to be discriminating about everything you watch, read and listen to. Don’t listen to the lie that you will be closed minded. The world likes to throw that lie around. Form this day forward I give you permission to BE closed minded when it comes to Christ. You know the truth and the truth sets men and women free.

Next: Sometime this week I want you to experience a daytime fast. This is a fast of breakfast and lunch and concludes with a healthy normal portioned dinner with your family. After sunset. Sunset here today is 6:23 pm. It’s doable. Why fast? When the hunger pains hit I want you to be moved to pray. Sitting at your desk or volunteering or reading blogs, stop for a minute and pray. It is experiencing humbling before the throne of God, not seeking favor for a request but pride less time with the Father. Tell Him about your struggles. Offer him praises. Read to him from your journal the list of thanks you wrote out yesterday.

God lives in the praises of His people.

Are you still falling from bed to your knees and asking Jesus to be the Lord of your day?

Now here is where the transformation begins to take place. You firmly seat Christ on the throne of your life and throw yourself off. You start reprogramming your mind with a purpose. You seek Him in a new prayerful way.

Watch what happens next. BLISS is hovering close.

Leave your thoughts in the comments about television and is God calling you to fast from media and from food? BIG steps but I promise you….. OH SO WORTH IT. Use your journal to write out prayers during your fasting experience. Write down what needs purging from your life. Ask God to show you what to replace it with.

After you fast, stop back here and tell me what you experienced.

Be Blessed, Lynn

Now for a little inspiration: Experiencing God on the throne of your life sometimes means obeying Him when it doesn’t makes sense. Today at Laced With Grace I have a story to share. It all Started with A Woman and a Cow. What a Christmas.