Most Christians don't pay much attention to where they are in relation to the World even though scripture WARNS us in no uncertain terms not to be involved with it. But, since we have to live physically IN (in the midst of) the World, many of us get too close to it and wind up doing things the way they do and speaking their words even though living and speaking like the World ALWAYS produces defeat and death. As a result many Believers tend to manifest about the same worries and concerns and fears as non-believers. The fact is, MOST Christians are robbed of their peace and victory by being too involved with the World and even worse, they don't realize how it's happening. Many think it must be God's fault they're having so much trouble. Surely at the least He must be "allowing" the bad things to happen to them for some higher purpose (even though we can't find that theology confirmed in the Scripture).

Eventually though SOME Believers DO realize they've gotten too close to, too involved with and too dependent upon the World's systems. They come to understand that most of the negative things they were blaming God for are the result of living life as the World does. The truth is that over a period of time our environment directly influences HOW WE THINK; and the Bible says that as a man THINKS within himself, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). In other words, the present condition of our lives is largely a function of what we've THOUGHT about over the years leading up to the present. If our thinking comes out of a prevailing Kingdom of God environment, we'll see ourselves victorious and prosperous; but if our main environment has been the World we'll find ourselves actually experiencing the defeat and HARD TIMES that reside there.

There's a key verse about this principle in Romans 8:6 that we should meditate on: "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." Notice that the MIND is THE factor that determines whether we experience the Curse (death) or life and peace. Where do we direct our thoughts? Do we think about the things of the flesh that we've received from the World? Or do we occupy our thoughts with the Word of God and the things of the Holy Spirit? This scripture also shows us that we've been given the ability to make a choice: we can think about either the flesh or the Spirit; it's the Believer's CHOICE. If we make the right choice we can live life in total peace EVEN IN THE MIDST OF HARD TIMES. Jesus has given us peace (John 14:27), He went to the Cross so we can have it; but we have to put our MIND on the things of the Spirit in order to actually receive and use it.

Friend, if you're afraid and concerned about the HARD TIMES the media keeps talking about, you need to change the way you've been thinking. You can start by turning off the media so you can reduce the influence of the World in your life. Then separate yourself as much as possible from associates and relatives who constantly talk about HARD TIMES and all the other negative things from the World. You can follow that up by changing the way you speak so you stop agreeing with what the World says and start speaking in agreement with the Word of God. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). In other words, you choose death or life for yourself by the words you speak.

Now some people will say that this is denying reality but that's only true if your "reality" is limited to your five physical senses. What are you going to do with the scripture that says: "for we walk by faith (and) NOT by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7) and another one where the Apostle Paul says we should LOOK at the things which are NOT seen instead of the things that ARE (2 Corinthians 4:18)? How are we supposed to LOOK at things that are NOT seen? Friend, what the Word of God is showing us is that the New Testament redefines "reality" for those who will receive it so that we no longer limit the Holy Spirit to what we can assess and verify with only our physical senses. No, He's not limited to our puny carnal abilities and has a great deal more to offer to our lives according to our willingness to perceive this new reality, the real reality, by FAITH. If we can come to an understanding of the new reality and set our MINDS on the Spirit, then peace comes and with peace comes victory in every single instance of life, no exceptions.

For many Believers the next question should be: how do I change the way I've been thinking? It's a good question because you CANNOT change your thinking by the force of your own will alone. Rather, the Bible says that instead of being conformed to this World, we should be transformed by the RENEWING of our minds (Romans 12:2). Another scripture says we are to be RENEWED in the spirit of our minds (Ephesians 4:23). So our minds must be RENEWED, and by that process of RENEWAL then we change the way we've been thinking.

Friend, there's only one way to do this: we're cleansed (renewed) by the washing of the water of the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26). It's the Word of God, and ONLY the Word of God, that will RENEW our minds and change the way we think. The more time we spend studying and meditating on the Word, the faster we'll be transformed. Transformed into what? We'll be transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and by that process we become increasingly victorious in every area of life.

Following are a few more scriptures for you to look up and meditate on today that support the conclusion that an increasing knowledge of the Word of God is an important and basic key to living a victorious life in the midst of HARD TIMES:

• Joshua 1:7-8 = mediate on the Word day and night to make your way prosperous and have success.
• Isaiah 26:3 = putting your mind on God will keep you in perfect peace.
• Matthew 4:1-11 = Jesus EASILY defeated the devil in the wilderness with the Word of God. So can you!
• Matthew 22:29 = those who do not know the Scriptures are in error and don't know the power of God.
• Romans 12:2 = by the renewing of your mind you'll be able to manifest understanding of the will of God.
• Ephesians 4:17-18 = ignorance of the Word causes us to walk in futility.
• James 1:25 = we must be doers of the Word in order to be blessed in all our ways. (How can we be doers of the Word if we don't know what it says?)
• 1 Peter 2:8 = we stumble when we disobey the Word of God.
• 1 John 2:5 = the love of God is perfected in those who keep His Word.
• 1 John 4:18 = perfected love casts out fear (fear replaces our faith which brings about our defeat).

According to Scripture if you want to be victorious in the very midst of HARD TIMES, you'll have to change the way you think. And to change the way you think, you'll need to have your mind RENEWED. And if you want to RENEW your mind, you'll HAVE to study and devote time to the Word of God. Most of us are lazy and try to minimize the investment of our limited time in the Word, but there's only ONE path to victory: cast down the influence of your flesh and commit yourself to what has to be done. The Bible says God's people perish because they lack knowledge (Hosea 4:6) but you can change that picture for yourself by making a commitment to the Word. As you acquire knowledge and apply it in your life, your thinking will change and you WILL experience "life and peace."

Thanks for reading PLN today and we'll be looking for you again in three weeks on April 3. In the meantime, may God overwhelm you with the fullness of His love and spiritual blessing.

If you've never invited Jesus to be the Lord of your life, you can do so today by saying the following simple prayer:

Jesus I believe in you and I believe that God raised you from the dead. I receive forgiveness for my sins and I ask you to come into my life today. I receive you as my Lord and Savior.

If you were sincere as you prayed this prayer, God has already come into your life and you are a new creation, a totally new species recreated in His image. Now ask the Lord to lead you to a good faith-based, bible-teaching church where you can be equipped to fulfill your potential in the Kingdom of God.

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