ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Wednesday January 4, 2017

“Mind over matter?”

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…

(Proverbs 23:7a)

When I first heard of this phrase growing up in the States, it was associated with New Age ideas of power of the mind and so forth. Norman Vincent Peale popularized the idea of the power of positive thinking and Dale Carnegie did the same with books and seminars in influencing people with positive attitudes.

I prefer the kid’s version; “mind over matter; if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”. The bottom line is, that our “minds” or “thinking” determines much of our direction and action in life. The Bible deals with the issue of our minds. Our minds are a battlefield for control. The familiar verse in Romans 12:2 about the need to “renew our minds” speak to the importance of our minds in our spiritual life.

As you’re reading this, your mind is turning and evaluating these ideas and comparing it to what you already know or believe. It is either going to be be engaged or unaffected, depending on your level of interest. Again, as I’ve mentioned in day one of this devotional, the impact of this devotional or any other spiritual material you interact with, will depend on your openness to God’s Spirit to work in you.

With regard to doctrines, (and don’t be scared of this word) what we believe (with our minds) will actually drive our actions. Your relatives and friends who are a part of different religions or ideologies act on their beliefs and convictions and perform them to the best of their abilities because they are convinced of “what” they believe.

Challenge: How do your actions support what you believe? Or do your actions or in-action betray your beliefs? Set your “mind” to be more consistent with your actions or at least be more conscientious of them to be a light and witness for Christ to those around you.

This Day in Christian History:

Jan 4 – Hans Bret of the Netherlands was burned at the stake for his faith in 1577. An iron screw was clamped to his tongue and seared with a red-hot iron so that he would not be able to preach at his execution. The iron screw was retrieved from the ashes and was a symbol of faithfulness, passed down from generation to generation.

Memory Verse: (Sun Jan 1)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you – Matthew 6:33

Ka mou kumi mu‘a ki hono pule‘anga, mo e mā‘oni‘oni ‘a‘ana, pea ‘e ‘atu mo ia foki ‘a e ngaahi me‘a ko ia kotoa – Matiu 6:33

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 1 - Genesis 9-11; Mark 4